I have a long daily commute that is mostly highway driving. so I picked up a hand-held CB radio to listen to the truckers in case of traffic, accidents or general BS. problem is the "rubber duck" antenna that is on the hand held is pretty lousy for reception. Any suggestions on a easy to use, low profile exterior antenna?
Cb antenna
- Thread starter FAUGHT
- Start date
SuperFudd
Member
I suggest a magnet mount antenna. 3 foot should be tall enough. If vertical clearance is an issue, put it on your trunk lid, else place it on the center of the roof. No trunk lid? Vertical clearance issue? Get a 2 footer.
To prevent scratches to the roof, I suggest a piece of wax paper under the magnet. Be sure the section you place it on is clean. I also suggest removal when not in use, like at night, to prevent water constantly on the paint under the magnet. ( the voice of experience)
You may need an adapter to connect to your HT (hand held CB). These can be found at Radio Shack.
If you get the antenna at Radio Shack, I sugest NOT the Radio Shack brand. The Cobra brand should be OK.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cb-antennas.html?antenna_type=18
To prevent scratches to the roof, I suggest a piece of wax paper under the magnet. Be sure the section you place it on is clean. I also suggest removal when not in use, like at night, to prevent water constantly on the paint under the magnet. ( the voice of experience)
You may need an adapter to connect to your HT (hand held CB). These can be found at Radio Shack.
If you get the antenna at Radio Shack, I sugest NOT the Radio Shack brand. The Cobra brand should be OK.
http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cb-antennas.html?antenna_type=18
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rwnoutlaw
New member
Go to Loves or Pilot and get the Wilson lil wil or k 40 they will give you the best reception for a magnet mount and long enough coax cable to reach front seat and still able to hide the coax. The cheaper antennas only have 9 ft coax which won't work if you want to hide coax and they aren't great for reception.
krakenredbeard
New member
Not cb it's ham radio but does the job well. It's 14" Nagoya s45b won't work for cb but love this mounting location.
SuperFudd
Member
I am also a ham. That location has to be horribly directional.
My preferred 2m/440 mag mount antenna is about 4 feet tall. That is one reason why I went with a sedan rather than a hatch back. I put it on the trunk.
If that antenna can be unscrewed from that mount you may want to keep a mag mount inside so that, in needed, you could put it on the center of the roof temporarily.
My preferred 2m/440 mag mount antenna is about 4 feet tall. That is one reason why I went with a sedan rather than a hatch back. I put it on the trunk.
If that antenna can be unscrewed from that mount you may want to keep a mag mount inside so that, in needed, you could put it on the center of the roof temporarily.
krakenredbeard
New member
Quite the contrary it works well I have zero complaints on my local repeaters. No picket fencing and works great.
Btw I've also seen far worse setups come through just as good like mounting low on the hatch door of a ford fiesta. The antenna didn't go above the roof at all and they came through clear.
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