CB antenna - single or dual stick?

[Dick Renaud]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
Dick -- I believe by "handheld" he's referring to this Cobra unit, which is more of an all-in-one than handheld.



I still have a few questions for you, Dick, but need to get back outside to handle a few more install details. Then I'll finally come in, thaw out, shower and see if I can still form a sentence. If not, I'll be back at it in the morning. Thanks for everyting! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

If he is talking about the Cobra 75 it is not a handheld(portable)I am refering to, it is considered a remote head even though the controls are in the mic. If he is talking about the Cobra 75 the small radio pack that mounts under the dash should be chassis grounded and can be grounded with a strap from the mounting screws if it is not mounted to solid chassis metal.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ree:

I'll semi-hijack the thread and ask others where do you put all the excess coax? I defintely don't need all 18' and Firestik says not to coil it (RF choke). I suppose this means it's got to be spread around the headliner???? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check out the last paragraph of the italicized text above. The answer is there.

[rodster]

Anybody know the advantages of either a single or dual antenna? Seems people here use both setups. If there's a specific make and model you'd recommend, I'd appreciate hearing that, too.

Thanks in advance for suggestions!

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Carl:
I agree. By placing it in the middle does that make it hard to get to? If your OK with a middle of the roof location, why not mount in the exact middle through the mesh GOBI deck? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I had mine mounted through the mesh on the driver's side. I ran into two problems. The first being the joint not being long enough to go through the mesh and two thick washers.

The second is I had to use two smaller washers against the mesh so everytime the antenna hit a tree it moved and started loosening by rocking back and forth. You have to use two very wide washers to hold it to the mesh.

[ree]

I was also guessing that it isn't making good contact when folded down. Hence the idea to directly wire the top portion to the stud.

I don't really expect it to work well when folded down, but I'd like to know that if I do transmit with it down accidentally, I'm not going to be damaging the radio. I'll just try not to do that

if it's folded down, you're reflecting your transmit signal off the roof and right back into the antenna. the swr is telling you how much reflected signal is coming back to your transmitter. a swr reading of 1.0 is perfect, and hardly achieved. most standard commercial broadcasters shoot for a reading of 1.5 or better. anytime you broadcast with your antenna folded flat, you're going to be reflecting that signal back into your transmitter. it's not good for it, but a lot of today's cbs are pretty bulletproof, it shouldn't hurt it unless you keep the transmitter keyed for a long time. it will work better if you put it up though.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ree:

That alone is enough to keep me from opening up my center console one more time unless it's a national emergency. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now that's funny!

Oddly enough, before pulling the center console apart I found one clip under the seat while looking for a renegade lock washer. I didn't know what it was until I pulled the cupholder out. When I did pull it out, I salvaged one clip while another went to China, current address unknown.

I'm thinking two-sided 3M stick-it-like-you-hate-it tape. Eh?

[rodster]

Thanks for the great info, Dick.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dick Renaud:
Al this may be a bit of over kill for raw CB ... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm all about overkill! Sure, I could have just run the coax under the dash and had a completed, simple install done by now but NO! I saw an opportunity to do things a little differently and hopefully (at least to myself), a little better. Here's the current state of the project. I wonder sometimes if I'll ever outgrow this ...

[rodster]

Thanks again, Dick. I'll snip the matching wire, leave the tuning alone and seal the connections. I have a good supply of PlastiDip -- it's a favorite tool, so to speak.

And speaking of tools, I used quite a few on this job but two came in handy more times than I can count: a three foot piece of string and a long, leftover DQ plastic spoon.

[Dick Renaud]

Hard to get much better than that. Good work!

[rodster]

Antenna ...

[Dick Renaud]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
I'll take pics later. The dash is still in pieces.

Not sure at this point if I'm going to do any tuning. Thoughts? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Considering that it is mounted on the rack and the best match you can get with a solid roof mount is 1 to 1, I would leave it alone and be greatful. Great job and it looks great to.

[rodster]

Antenna folded. Still have to decide what to do with the matching wire. Directions say it's only necessary if SWR won't go sub 2.1. Suggestions?

[KenP]

You might as well install your dream stereo now, too.

[Dick Renaud]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Rotary Flyer:
If you want some really good info on mobile radios...check out this web site http://forum.worldwidedx.com/ There are some real gurus of mobile radio there! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Great site. Here is another one http://www.eham.net/

There are so many out there you can read for ever.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dick Renaud:

You are attempting to keep the resistance of the cable balanced with the radio and antenna to get maximume power transfer. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I hear two possible things here (and I may be way off so bear with me, please):

1. More length = more impedance which = less transmit power?

and/or

2. There is possibly a formula for calculating optimum coax length on a properly grounded vehicle when radio and antenna specs are known?

------

Like Phil said earlier, in the end a basic CB setup will no doubt do more than I ever need it to normally do, i.e., communicate with other moving trucks that are fairly close.

BUT, I'll take your advice and do the extra grounding and homerun power because I fully expect the CB will give way to a ham unit soon. The purpose of that radio will be much broader and maximum performance will absolutely be desired. Plus, even if it's only a CB today, I'd still like to get the most out of it because, well, because I can and I enjoy the tinkering.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">One last thought, the Firestick is a great antenna because you can tune it easily and retune it any time you add something to the roof a9lights, bars etc). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I had a choice between Firestik and Wilson. The shop owner was very high (to say the least) on Wilson so based on his recommendation and my desire for a flex unit, I bought the Wilson Silver Load Flex 4 . Any thoughts on that?

You mentioned the antenna can be retuned when something new is added to the roof ...

When I'm headed off-road, I mount quite a bit of metal recovery gear on the roof rack. Will that effect the tune? If yes, given that I'll most often use the radio when off-road, would you advise I tune with the gear on?

Thanks much, Dick. I'm grateful for your time and input. Same goes for anyone else that wants to chime in!

[rodster]

Thanks! I'm pretty pleased right now.

Tested two more times with no gear, then two times with. Still have done no tuning.

[Dick Renaud]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dick Renaud:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by ree:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dick Renaud:
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Al this may be a bit of over kill for raw CB, but I have had CBs in many diffent vehicles and building and have found that with a few simple
steps you can get a lot more from your equipment. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



Damn, why does every thing have to be more complicated that I thought it was going in

Dick, thanks for all this good info. Got a follow up question on the CB ground, though. With a mini handheld, where the whole thing fits in the palm of your hand, grounding the radio chassis doesn't seem to make a lot of sense. It's not real practical to attach a ground strap to the back of it. So this just limits the potential of these small radios right? </div></BLOCKQUOTE> </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

A handheld was not intended to be used in a vehicle and if it is you don't ground it, you make sure that the external antenna has a good ground plane and if you use a 12 volt lighter plug for power find one with an RF filter in line. Most HAM hand helds offer these. Hand helds and vehicles are really not compatable.
I use an Yeasu 7R VHF hand held and mag antenna for use with rental vehicles etc. It works good with VHF repeaters, but CB is a different animal and much more prone to noise in the reciever and poor transmit power and SWR. It is a big comprimise, but better than nothing.

[rodster]

Dick -- I believe by "handheld" he's referring to this Cobra unit, which is more of an all-in-one than handheld.



I still have a few questions for you, Dick, but need to get back outside to handle a few more install details. Then I'll finally come in, thaw out, shower and see if I can still form a sentence. If not, I'll be back at it in the morning. Thanks for everyting!

[CslRkH2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
Thanks! I'm pretty pleased right now.

Tested two more times with no gear, then two times with. Still have done no tuning. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Those numbers look great! Nice job!!

Watch out for the car washes. I had to reinstall after my antenna got torn off at one.