SMKYTXN's Build

I ordered a new CB antenna today. I previously had a

$27 K40 SF-400 Black 4' 1500W Superflex Tunable Fiberglass CB Whip Antenna

K40 SF-400 4' Superflex antenna. I typically store the antenna in the down position and only run it up when driving to the trails and on the trails.

Well, the antenna broke at the base during this last trip out. In fact it was partially broken on the drive up and was quickly killed by the first low branch of the weekend.

I'm going to give the Wilson 4' superflex a shot and see how it does. And no, I do not run a spring on my antenna. We'll see how long this one lasts.

 

I have had a spring on my antenna since I put in my CB. I have yet to have any reason to replace it. I may not hit the trails as hard as you but I do have an almost 4 year old who has been giving it hell the past year or so.

 

I guess I'm in the minority since I don't like the rigid fiberglass antennas with a spring.

I looked up the k40 on Amazon again to see what people are saying about it. I'm not the only one having the issue of the antenna breaking at the base. Most of the reviewers that had an antenna break were just driving with it and not hitting anything.

Edit: I can see where your kid would have a blast letting it whip around.

 

I had a Wilson 4' Superflex and didn't run a spring because you could grab the antenna and bend the tip down to the base without issue. Well sure shit I broke it because a tree caught it right at the base and snapped it off...

I'm running a 5' Firestik with one of their HD springs and have had a tree hit it right at the base and while it did tweak the spring a little the antenna survived and I can still use it.

Mark (IDtrucks) and I were in a CB shop up in Boise back in March to get some stuff and the 2 old crusty CB guys in there hated the fiberglass whips. They ran steel whips and said they handle the offroad abuse better because if they get bent up on the trail you just straighten them out and they still keep their tune while the fiberglass ones just break. They said the steel whips have much better signals than fiberglass as well.

 

I actually considered a 102" stainless whip. They're cheaper, and yes, I've heard that they offer a better signal. I just didn't like the idea of an 8.5' whip, whipping around. If I break the Wilson I may try a whip.

I can see the wilson, or any non sprung fiberglass antenna, breaking if you hit it at the base.

 

Exactly. That was my point. I was told I shouldn't bother with a spring because the Wilson is so flexible but sure shit, I hit the 1 spot it's not. Had I had a spring on it, the spring would have been bent but the antenna likely would have survived just like when I hit the base of my Firestik on a tree.

 

say no to whips! I had one years ago when I was in Florida. was going down a trail at a pretty good rate. maybe in the 40 mph range (different terrain in FL). caught a tree about 3/4 of the way up the antenna, and snapped the antenna off at the base. sure it sounds no different than a fiberglass antenna breaking at the base, but when we went back to look for it, we found it javelined 2' into the ground, with an extremely sharp point on the end where it snapped off. we were lucky it didn't happen with people around. could have injured someone very badly.

 

For me it's function over looks. My kid has literally taken it and bent it over 90 degrees laying it on the tool box and no issues. I've been clipping a few low branches on the county road going to and from the house the past 3 months. Hasn't broke yet.

 

Their fix for that was running magnetic ones so the magnet lets go 1st.

My concern was while that would like be fine for a crawler, I don't know how well the mag would stay on in the dunes or other high speed scenarios. I didn't ask since I wasn't planning on buying at the time.

 

couple guys in FL ran them. always had to stop to grab their antennas out of the bed and slap them back on the roof.

 

Gonna start watermarking my pics dick.

 

Oh yeah? Gonna start charging for your services?

 

would just like to get credit where it's due. my pics aren't worth money lol

 

Just ordered a 1" BL from 4crawler. Their website is a pain, but I emailed them a list of what I wanted and they sent back an invoice.

I'm just lifting the cab as the bed isn't an issue. I'll have to wait till after I install the lift to add the round tube to the bed, but it won't keep me from completing the flat section of the bed.

 

The parts that need to be installed keep piling up. Here's the body lift.

 

Bought Smokey an upgrade!

 

Smokey's getting new shoes as well.

Hankook Dynapro MT's

315/70/17

 

Spending that money!!

 

Had to do something as my OME's are dead and the tires are getting close to that. Did a little upgrading while I was at it.