Radio antenna options/ Hidden Antenna/ cb antenna for radio?

Welp, finished the cb install. Used the cb/am fm splitter. Not 100% sure on how the cb is doing. Still learning and haven't really tested the transmit. Came back with an 'Rf Power Output fail' but a pass on antenna check.. not sure what that means.. But the splitter does in fact work. I'm receiving on cb pretty good I think. But the radio is receiving with a slightly decreased signal strength.

 

It's high enough to do some good. I don't know if that antennae will do well with it. Have you checked SWR?

 

Good idea for the mounting spot.

 

Well I've got the cobra 29 lx and its got the built in one. Don't have an swr meter handy. Suppose I could get one. But according to the cb it's tuned in and about 1.2/1.3. Says it should be far left on the gauge. Shows 3 little bars from the left. According to a couple vids I watched that's about right. May be 1.1 Idk. But I also read others say the built in swr isn't very reliable, to use a meter instead... I'll order one up I guess..

Any input on the rf power output failure?

Another thing I wondered about, is if I should try grounding it better. But the light bar bracket is bolted all the way through the cab so I'd imagine it's a good ground.. Or maybe the antenna mount itself being aluminum? Not sure if that matters or not. Another thing I read is that bunching up the coax or coiling it up and tucking it in can cause issues.. I just don't know.. ha. I'm debating on whether or not to take it to a cb shop but I have no clue where one would be right now.

 

Coax is usually sold in certain lengths. These common lengths will fool your radio into thinking it's got a good antennae system. This is a long running debate amongst CBers that know and don't know. Whatever it may be, just use the least amount needed and you should be fine. A flat 1.0 SWR is a sign that you have issues. I have a about 2' of coax rolled up and tucked under my dash with some ferrite clamps on it.

The Cobra 29 is an iconic American radio. It can be made into a screamer for little money from a decent radio tech.

 

Yeah I've got a bit rolled up and tucked under the dash. But I also have that splitter that has 2 inputs. One for the stereo antenna and another for the cb antenna, then the connection to the cb as well. Wondering if this is causing an issue. Or a combo of things. Again I have no clue. And haven't really tested it. Such a noob with this right now. For all I know it may be working just fine. All I know is what it said on the radio check regarding rf power output failure.

 

At least my stereo is working ok. Signal is a little staticy in the boonies where I live where it wasn't before with stock antenna. I figured it'd work good though. Lots of interference in the stereo when I transmit. Not a big issue for me as the stereo will be turned down anyways. But I'll probly have it checked out eventually. From what I hear, these systems are real finicky. And I'd rather not risk ruining the cb. Have to see what the pros say. I do have a big firestick. Could try hooking it up. Then unhooking everything and trying the antenna by itself without the splitter... Sigh.

 

You'll have interference with the two radio's antennas tied together. I get interference in mine with I flip on the little 100w heater.

If you don't want the radio antenna down by the rain tray, then I would suggest having a separate antenna on each side of your light bar. Go with a Wilson Trucker for the CB and whatever your stereo. You'll notice an improvement that'll be unbelievable compared to what you have now.

 

Yeah I think I may go that route. I'll be using my stereo more than the cb so I'd like to retain my stereo reception. I just had high hopes for this splitter. Had some good reviews. But I think you're right on running two separate antennas. Plus now that I think of it, it'd probly look with one antenna on each side

Do you think that would interfere with reception of cb? Just like running dual cb antennas? How it changes the range to front and back or whatever.. That was my only concern and why I wanted to try and stick with a single antenna for both..

 

Hm. Well that was weird. Tested my cb again after I got off work tonight and it all passed this time. Not sure what that was about.. but my stereo is still a bit staticy even in town. So I'll definitely be swapping out this antenna. So you say Wilson eh? I would rather have a rod antenna than a fiberglass so that sounds like a plan. Not sure what to get for the stereo. Have to look some up again.

 

I suggest really any Wilson base loaded antenna because they're decent quality and readily available. Any interstate truck stop would have a selection of them. Their 5000 series of whichever you choose will have better internals than a 1000 series. Stay away from the Little Wil'.

There are always other brands available. I definitely wouldn't put a firestik on top. A 108" whip would be ridiculously tall, but would work the best. So the compromise is a base load.

 

i have an antenna like the jensen marine antenna on my truck, right above the rear view mirror, no reception issues at all.

i just need to finish removing the factory antenna since the previous owner hacked it all up.

 

A wire coat hanger would work if it's tuned right.

 

Like this one?
I'm debating on whether I should try this or get a universal rod antenna to mount on the other*side of the light bar bracket.. I see universal ones with flexible masts but can't figure out how they mount..

 

That's a dipole antenna. It needs some distance away from it's mount to work properly.

 

For the stereo? This sticks under the windshield..

 

For a stereo it'd be fine. I thought you were going to use it as a CB antenna.

 

Ha no.. I think I'll try that hidden antenna for the radio first. See how that does. I'd still rather have one antenna on the roof. The one I have can easily be detached if need be. I tried one of those fold over adapters. But it was super loose straight up. and didn't fold down all the way neatly. That way I could've just reached up and folded it down while in the seat. But I can just get out real quick and unthread it. And I don't wanna have to deal with a second external antenna to disconnect too. I really like the look of the roadpro cb antenna i have on though. Do the Wilson's have a threaded stud on the bottom of those cone bases that will fit my bracket I'm using now? I think it's a 3/8. I might swap it out for one of those. Idk yet. Gonna see how this one performs. Just need someone to talk to. Scared to shout out yet cuz I don't know the cb "lingo"/"talk" just yet. Listening and learning.. looked up some funny lingo words everyone uses... Anyways.. yeah I'm gonna try the hidden antenna for radio first. if it doesn't get better reception then I'll ditch it and mount a second antenna for the radio on the passenger side light bar bracket.

 

So what would be your best guess on the range with this antenna I got now? As far as transmitting. A friend told me he gets like 100 yards and he's got like a 5ft rod antenna up top. That doesn't sound right... I'm not expecting much, but just a rough guess on what kinda range I should expect with this little 3' antenna would be appreciated so I'm not calling out for a radio check for no reason, ha.

 

I can get 20 miles on a quiet night with my Wilson 5000 and a barefoot Uniden 980 on AM. LSB with skip and a 100w heater through a 108" steel whip I got New Zealand.

With that 29 you'll talk way further than you'll be able to listen with that antenna.