I bought 04rangerxlt's CB and now I'm lookin for an antenna. I've been lookin at radio shacks website, and I need help deciding on one of two setups.
Setup 1- 102" whip mounted on the bed right behind the cab
Setup 2- 39" magnet mount placed on the roof

I like the big whip, but I heard stories about cracking windshields because it's whipping around. So which one is a better idea?

102" Whip
Magnet Mount

 

alot of the guys on hear with the 102" whip have them mounted on the bumpers, to keep them away from the front.

 

Then theres the problem of cracking someone elses windshield though. I'd rather crack mine than theirs.

 

i like firestiks

 

yea i have dual firesticks on my truck.

 

Anyone know of a place near Huntsville that sells cb stuff besides Radio Shack?

 

Get on ebay and get a wilson 5000 magnet mount and you will be set...Or if you want to drill a hole in your bumper, you can get a mountable....but i would go wilson...

Rocky

 

I'd like a wilson...but I dont have 100 bucks to spend right now.

 

I have a 102" mounted on my toolbox and wouldn't trade it for nothing, it looks sweet doing 70 or so down the highway, bent back, and i get incredible reception. I haven't had a major problem with it, just remember to bend it down when you go into the parking garages. Just besure to get a big spring for the bottom so it will bend easily if you go under any low underpasses and if you put it closer to the cab than i have mine, you might want to put a tennis/raquetball on it to keep it from hurting you paint.


EDIT:sorry about the picture size, ill take care of that next time

 

Thanks man..I think thats what Im gonna go with. I don't have a tool box, so I'm probably going to mount it right ant the end of the bed by the back glass. I'm pretty sure I have a tennis ball layin around.

 

thats how my friend with a f-150 has his mounted, and if you don't like it, it only cost you 25-30 bucks

 

If you install the antenna this way you will be highly directional to the back of your truck. The SWR will also be just about impossible to get to a resonable level due to the antenna getting feedback from itself when the signal reflects of the cab and back to the antenna. There is another thread somewhere dealing with a similar issue. I'll try to fin it and getyou the link if you want to check it out.

 

Here's the link to the other thread. Lots of good info. If you need something cleared up feel free to ask here or PM me.

Other antenna thread

 

Thanks Eljay. I went and bought the 102" whip, a spring, and the mirror/luggage rack mount earlier. It's all assembled right here, but I haven't put it on yet. Is it still gonna be directional with 5 foot of antenna over the top of the truck?

 

i have the radio shack trhough the glass antenna and i havent had any problems with feetback at all. its by far my favorite out of the 3 that ive had.

 

I would try and avoid the magnet mount...I hated mine, and it scratched my roof.
I would either get a mount to put it in the bed behind the cab, or you could also do like I did and put it into your bumper.

 

Glad I could help, knowledge is worthless if you don't share it. The more antenna over the truck the better but, yeah it will still be directional. For trail rides or short range stuff you should be fine (assuming you don't get to much feedback off the cab) but, for long range stuff you will notice a difference everytime you change direction. To stay away from the feedback I'd mount it in the back pocket and deal with the slighty more directional properties. With 5 feet of antenna over the truck you should be ok on the recieving end and the transmiting end will be more directional but you wont have the feedback therefore getting much better range anyways. Lastly, make sure the antenna is grounded (if it has to be, most do).

Enjoy the world of radio,
Johnny K

 

I put it on today around 3 and it was cold out there...couldn't wear gloves because I was having trouble with them on, so my hands froze. 39* F to you thats probably kiddie stuff, but 60* to me is cold. How do I go about grounding it? I don't have the CB yet, it's supposed to be here next week, but when I get it, I'll probably be asking for more help to get it tuned right on the SWR i think its called.

 

39*. Dang i wish it was that warm here. Its like 15 here and the wind is blowing

 

Usually there is a small guage wire coming of the base of the antenna with a loop connector at the end. Run a screw through that loop and into something that is in direct contact with the frame. For example use a sheet metal screw screwed into one of the pockets on the inside of your bed. Make sure the contact point of the connector an the body is cleared of ALL paint. If it isn't shiny it's probably not a great ground.

 

hmm...i didnt see any wire when i put the antenna on yesterday. I'll have to unscrew it and look