Do you need a special antenna to be able to receive NOAA weather broadcasts on the CB?

 

The NOAA weather is usually broadcasted in the 162.xx channels.. A regular AM CB doesn't pick these channels up, unless you have a certain special feature that allows it, which is usually built into the radio. An FM or HAM radio will pick up all the weather channels.

 

The CB is just got will pick up the NOAA channels. My question is whether or not a special antenna is required, or just any good CB antenna. The reason for this is that Ive seen several antennas advertised as being able to pick up NOAA broadcasts. Is this just marketing BS or is there an actual difference?

 

I'm no expert, but I would imagine if the radio is built to pick it up, any good CB antenna will work! Good luck and maybe someone with alittle more knowledge will chime in!

 

Any antenna will work just fine

 

Like everyone else said, any antenna will work. However, don't expect it to pick up a lot of NOAA stations... it will suffice for picking up your regional station, and maybe 1 other with lots of static.

If you had the right antenna, you could pick up possibly all 10. I've got a 2 meter rig, and I built a 160-170 Mhz antenna by being creative... boy, it picks'em up loud and clear.

 

Thanks for the help guys!

 

To add a little here... you should be able to receive just fine, with most antenna's, the problem you get with matching freq to antenna is generally when transmitting. The SWR (standing wave ratio) will be off, causing too much energy being reflected back to your radio. This will cause decreased range for xmitting, and could possibly harm your radio. However, since you will not me transmitting on 161.xxx, you should be good to go