CB specifics

Amazon definitely has the best prices. I really like the K-1A. Makes it really easy to disconnect it before I back into the garage and or if I'm not going to be using it. Also saves the threads on the antenna from being screwed and unscrewed all the time. It does however make it easy for some one to disconnect it for you... also a 4 foot antenna fits perfectly in the space behind the back seat of a db cab.

 

nope, with the screw on and off cable end you don't have to worry about it

 

Well, the whips that I personally own and have are the Firestik 5ft tunable, I don't remember the exact model number... But I believe the Firestik II FS4-B is the 4ft tunable. For my 4ft Firestik, it is non-tunable, but it has a great SWR out of the box. Also, I recommend the 4ft Francis 300-CB24B (I believe that is the model number). THAT Francis antenna is my "go to" antenna because I just LOVE the lightweight of it. The Francis is NOT as ruggedly built as the Firestik, but I believe it can hold its own when it comes to possibly getting a little bit beat up!!! Finally, be careful that the Firestik whip is FOR CB!!! There are 2m HAM antennas that look EXACTLY like the Firestik, but they're STRICTLY for 2m (144-148MHz) frequencies!!! LOL, I have the 2m HAM antenna as well!!! LOL!!! Radio junkie that really needs to be on that hoarders show, LMAO!!!

So to sum up my suggestions:
1) Firestik II FS4-B is the 4ft tunable
2) 4ft Francis 300-CB24B

I hope this helps your shopping list. Please keep me updated as I would like to know how things turn out for you!!!

BTW, the Francis antenna has a very, VERY NICE SWR out of box. I don't think that you would be disappointed with that whip at all!!!

 

AS MUCH AS possible, if you can stay away from the shorter length antennas than I humbly recommend it. You can tune it for sure, but depending on where you have it placed you may only get your SWR reading so low because of "structures"... and I'm talking about your vehicles cab or whatever is nearby!!! I have a 2ft on mine, but only because I was tired of removing the 4ft all the time because of the stupida$$ car port!!! I was able to get the 2ft tuned to just below a 3, which is NOT good, but it is still *cough* within reason. It is definitely not in the RED, so that is sorta good! Anyways, if/when I go on the trails, that is when I change it to my 4ft whip, which is just behind me in the back seat area, LOL!!!

Other factors come into play as well where a longer CB antenna can be beneficial such as a bit greater range... usually. Just something to keep in mind. Other than that, I HIGHLY agree with ALL that ZIB is posting!!!

 

Thanks guys! I'm gonna take a day to digest all of this and then pull the trigger.

 

One last thing before you "drop the grenade and throw the pin", LOL, I have done measurements on wattage output for handhelds and I've always come across around 2W max output? I believe this is due to possibly saving battery power??? Even the Midland 75-822, which is a VERY NICE radio, on its HIGHEST output, it was only around 2 or 2.5 or something like that. DEFINITELY NOT near 4Watts, which is max TX output for a CB!!! I've TESTED 2x mobile CB's and they were outputting damn near 4W or just a hair under!!!

I was able to do this with a "service monitor" that costs right around $36k or thereabouts. So, just to let you know. I no longer have that capability to do so, but... oh well... in either case... again, just letting you know.

 

Another thing to digest!!! Thanks!

 

If anyone reading this thread (past, present or future) is thinking of going with a 5' Firestik, I recommend this spring. Another member ran a 5' with another "Heavy Duty" spring and it was permanently bent after the first wheeling trip. This spring is much beefier.
https://www.amazon.com/ProComm-Heavy-Duty-Barrel-Spring-Antennas/dp/B0054EXQNA

 

Here's a few photos of how I made the mount. This one was for the passenger side to run a dune flag.

I cut the half square to 9", defiantly will end up trimming but not knowing what I was really doing I figured is leave a good inch to play with

I then measured 6.5 " from the end to cut off the top of the square bar

From there cut off the 6.5"






After cutting then6.5" off should look like this. For drivers side, obviously would need to cut the other side to get it to face the proper way. Next is bending. I have a 6x6 post that I use as my "anvil" basically hammer the half square end back onto the straight single side. Takes a little bit of rearranging how you pound it but hit it hard!

Then if you notice there is a bit of an indent to there the bracket mounts to the truck. You'll need to offset the bracket in order to get the tailgate to close without hitting it. If you put the bracket in place you'll see where you should make the offset. Mark it and then I used he piece that I cut off as a base to pound. You can kind of see it in this picture.

The. The only thing to do is to drill your holes. For the two mounting holes
I made 2, 1/4" and then a 1/2" for the antenna/flag. There is a slight gap/space between the mounting surface and arm of the bracket. Thought about soldering it sit to not having welding equipment, but seems very sturdy and didn't have supplies to do that. Only other thing was to prime and paint. Hope this helps and let me know if you need any more help or ideas!

 

Oh and the only other thing I did was trim the length of where the antenna mounts by about 1/2-3/4" as to not stick out farther then needed and round all the edges

 

Thank you ZIB!

 

Also, sorry @johntoyota for hijacking the thread. Hopefully this is helpful

 

I`d buy a 4ft Francis over a Firestick.

$19 Francis 300-CB240 Orange 4 Foot Hot Rod CB Antenna Whip AM|FM Ready

https://www.amazon.com/Francis-300-...465942325&sr=8-1&keywords=Francis+antenna+4ft

The key to any antenna is ground, more specifically antenna placement above ground.

A well bonded vehicle completes any antenna install, you need to make the antenna think that it is sitting on one big ground plane, flat braided strapping is the way to go when grounding your vehicle, if you use stranded wire the rf thinks stranded wire is part of the antenna, you want the rf to flow across the ground strap.

Ground the cab to chassis, body to chassis, rear bumper, exhaust etc.

Make the straps as short as possible.

Ive been doing this for a long time, for those interested in getting the most out of your install, I recommend this site.
http://www.k0bg.com/bonding.html

Your Antenna is only going to talk and hear as good as your install, your antenna is the most important part of your radio setup.

 

SOMEONE MANUFACTURE A TAILGATE CB MOUNT FOR 3RD GENS!!!!! TAKE MY MONEY!!!!!

 

^^ What Cows Have Claws said ^^

 

@C4 Fabrication can you make this happen? we could use one too lol

 

heck yeah, that would be cake!

 

I finally got my fire ring in today! I have started install/plumbing of electricals. I'm hoping it goes well! Y'all have helped a ton

 

Where does the coax enter the cab when you come from the antenna mounting point on the driver's side taillight?

 

I ran it up a drain plug under the rear seat centered for a buddy of mine, couldnt figure another way. theres another plug under my center console.