CB antenna location
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Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 93
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From: Buffalo, NY
Originally Posted by WaWaTuSi
Thats what I mean. If it is no longer calibrated your $5.50 investment could lead you to damage your radio. Once you think you have low SWR you should run by one of those truck stops or cb shops and have them do a check.
Ahhh...very good point, thanks. I recently found out my former high school physics teacher runs a radio shop on the side, so I'll be visiting him.
Now, I understand what youre saying about the location of the antenna on the vehicle as far as where it best transmits...but I was wondering if the cab would hinder the transmission a lot if I had the following set up:
An approx 4' whip mounted to the bed rail (just below actually), right in the center, that would stick up around 2' above the cab.
I guess a better way to ask would be...would a fully grounded whip antenna that sticks up 2-3' above the cab when mounted on the bed (in the center) be better or worse than a magnetic 2' antenna on top of the cab?
Thanks again
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Devol, OK
A general rule for the "back of the cab" mounts is that no less than 75% of the total antenna length should be above the cab. If you put a 4' antenna and 2' is below the cab, you will never get a decent SWR due to reflected power from the back window and cab causing an RF backfeed. In that case I would go with a mag mount unless you commit to drilling a hole in your roof.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 226
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From: NJ
You could do one of these hood jobbys:
http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/antenna.html
I think it looks funny though.
http://www.pro-fit-intl.com/antenna.html
I think it looks funny though.
Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 39
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From: Dallas, TX
I use this mount on the drivers side of my bed behind the cab. http://tmrce.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
It's a little pricey, but a very nice mount. And I get good SWR numbers from this location. Not ideal, but not too bad.
It's a little pricey, but a very nice mount. And I get good SWR numbers from this location. Not ideal, but not too bad.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 291
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From: Central City IA
The glass mount antennas are junk....They are non adjustable and im sure you could through your signal by hand as far as you would get out with one of those. The BEST place for an antenna is in the center of your roof. A hard mount in the center of the cab cant be beat but not many people want to drill a 1" hole in the center of their roof. Next best thing is a single 102" whip mounted to the front bed rail, in the center, right behind the cab. Looks qwerky but it works