I plan on getting a CB in a month or so. I've noticed that most people on the site like to run fiberglass antennas. I've noticed Firestik seems to be a popular brand for fiberglass. I do a good bit of trail riding in tight areas and I'm worried about the fiberglass catching on tree branches and the like. I've found some metal whip antennas and I was wondering how they compare. Which performs better? Pros and cons. Both antennas I'm looking at are around 4'-5'. I plan on mounting it on the tail gate cable bolt (using alon's bracket). Here is a link to the metal whips. Thanks

http://www.walcottcb.com/hustler-hq2...nna-p-405.html

http://www.walcottcb.com/hustler-fg2...nna-p-404.html

 

i got a wilson 4ft and they say that the ant. wont break but you will bend the bracket running under trees.

 

I ran a 4 foot fiberglass whip and had no problems with the bracket bending. I never went through trees, but going over whoops and through the dunes sure moved the antenna around ALOT

 

I just bought a 4' Wilson flex antenna. From what I can see, there is little chance of it breaking. You can always add a spring to your mounting stud also.

 

Do you have my antenna mount?

 

I would put a spring under it, then it can bend like crazy and whip all over the place.

I have 4ft fiberglass with a 10ft spring I think. Stiffer spring so it doesn't wobble so bad

 

Yes I do Alon.

 

the fiberglass antennas are tough. takes alot to snap them. wacking them against trees though rips the outter jacket and can damage the wire coiled around the fiberglass. other than that there tough.

the metal ones ive seen sit on a solid peice of steel before the loading coil. that take a hit its likley to break the the small whip thats above the coil will just swing around.

most fiberglass antennas work well on a 4" straight spring. bigger antennas or if you want it to bend but not bend easy you might need the bigger spring. its the same heigth but there call pot belly springs, because in the middle they get a bit fatter then the ends.

any rate good luck

 

I Forgot you made those brackets Alon. Hmm if i land a new job i may need one.

 

I love my 4' firestick2. The reason folks go for the firestik2, is that it has a tunable tip...to adjust to just the right freq. It takes alot to snap one of these antennas. Get yourself a heavy duty spring under it, like I did. It moved around...just like it supposed to when it hits an obsticle.

 

if/when i get another whip ill get another firestik2 but i will be getting a spring...got to use mine for about 2 hours before it disappeared somewhere out in azusa...

 

I'm using your bracket Alon.

Does anyobdy think that a 4' Firestik with a spring will hit my campershell when driving,wheeling,in wind storms, etc. How much will it move around with the spring attached to it? I don't want the antenna to be like an excited dog wagging its tail while beating the **** out of a wall, or in this case my campershell.

 

hehe... ya, then i wouldnt use a spring.

 

those of us cool dudes who don't cover our rear-ends might benefit from a good spring...

 

Um, you could cut a hole in the top and bottom of a tennis ball and slide it on there. Not sure if it would disrupt the signal or w/e...

 

Good idea! If it becomes a problem I'll try that.

 

The tennis ball thing seems like it would work.

 

i use cobra tunable tips ant's on my big rig and on my full size bronco, i find they are toughest.

to keep the whip from hitting your shell you could put an eye bolt through your shell to hold the whip so it dont bang against the shell. it will keep it in place and give it added strength. depending on the height above the top of the truck(if its only 1 or 2 feet above) you wont have an issue breaking it even with it catching trees while off roading. just my $.02

 

the eye bolt idea is good but can cause screwey SWR.

 

it takes a good amount of pressure on the fiberglass whips to break them off....for example.....backing a trailer into your garage for the night and completely forgetting that your truck no longer can go all the way into the garage due to the twin 4 foot antennnas right behind the cab! (i just got doing this about 10 minutes ago)...snapped them clean off the connector - an easy fix thank god