if i get a cb that can access NOAA weather channels, do i need a specific type of antenna? Radio Shack sells a cb/wx (weather band ) antenna but its a magnet mount.

i'm assuming i do since the weather band works on a higher frequency but wasnt sure. thanks!

 

i used firestick antennas and the weather band works fine on them.

 

awesome. Thanks. that helps out the decision alot. when a group of us goes riding, id like to know what the weather is going ot be.

 

Yeah i think any antenna will work, although im not sure, my wilson magnet mount worked with my cobra 19series, but i didnt ever use the weather, now i have the cobra 29ltd

Rocky

 

what channel is the weather channel?

 

NOAA weather channels are in the 162.XXX Mhz range. They are always in a very high location and often push in excess of 300 watts ERP out of the antenna. You could drag a piece of aliuminum foil behind the truck and recieve NOAA weather radio. In other words, the CB antenna will work fine to receive it.

 

that sounds familiar :) thanks again!

 

Make sure you tune your SWR. Calibrate I mean. Fine tuning makes a big difference. Also get a quality antenna

 

How do you tune a piece of tin foil??

 

^^very carefully^^

 

you fold little pieces of it until the SWR reads 1,203:1.

You calibrate the meter. You tune the antenna. You don't calibrate SWR. Put the meter on Calibrate or FWS and hold transmit. Turn the calibration **** until the needle is on the calibration mark. Then put it back to SWR or whatever the other setting is labeled. Key the transmitter. The needle reads what the current SWR is. You then have to tune the antenna to improve the SWR. Tuning the antenna involves lengthening or shortening the antenna.

Turning the calibration **** while it is in SWR mode to make the needle move is NOT changing your SWR, it is just changing the calibration of the meter and making read incorrectly.

 

i got a cheap cb, i dont even have the weather channel on mine. got mine from walmart, but its a midland cb radio

 

You adjust the length of the string!

 

Yeah its better to tune if you know how, or have someone do it, but I just bought a pretuned fiberglass one from Radioshack(yes i know its not tuned the best). It works though on my midland.

I also learned that having the weather channels is only useful if you live in or drive around large cities that broadcast- I opted to get one without.

Also a question to add. I have the pretuned fiberglass antenna hooked up now on the roof. If I buy another of the same and put them on oposite sides of the truck, would it increase incomming signal, or cancel each other out?

 

Two antennas requires a co-phasing harness and they require a certain distance in lateral seperation. The roof and bumper are not going to work fo that.

 

Appreciate the feedback, glad I didnt get another one.