where to put it...

[4.0B2]

but can the radio antenna still be used for the radio??

 

[4x4junkie]

the stainless whip that is on there now is cut, several feet out of it actually. its was either 96" or 102" dont remember but was deffinantly too long.

I'm actually surprised you're still getting more than a half mile.
Like Spott said, antennas are tuned for proper resonance on the operating frequency. By cutting it shorter, you've thrown off that resonance and the antenna no longer works properly (not to mention, the resulting high SWR can burn out your radio).

If you need a short antenna, it's best to get one that's designed shorter which has a loading coil of some sort to re-establish resonance at the shorter length. IIRC, Firestik makes antennas as short as two feet, which should work 10× better than that cut whip when mounted in the clear.

but can the radio antenna still be used for the radio??

Yep.

 

[strvger]

but can the radio antenna still be used for the radio??

yes. it's a little box with a switch and you select for the am/fm radio or the cb. there is a tuning knob and led that lets you fine tune for the cb. the main connector from the am/fm antenna plugs into the box. there are 2 cables coming out. one for the am/fm radio with the correct motorola plug. the other is a cb cable with a pl-259 on the end of it for your cb.
admittedly, it probably isn't as good as the Little Wil's or the Fire Sticks, but for the convenience and simplicity of having only one antenna, maybe something you'll want to consider. they are pretty readily available on ebay.

 

[86 slo-vo]

I'm actually surprised you're still getting more than a half mile.
Like Spott said, antennas are tuned for proper resonance on the operating frequency. By cutting it shorter, you've thrown off that resonance and the antenna no longer works properly (not to mention, the resulting high SWR can burn out your radio).

If you need a short antenna, it's best to get one that's designed shorter which has a loading coil of some sort to re-establish resonance at the shorter length. IIRC, Firestik makes antennas as short as two feet, which should work 10× better than that cut whip when mounted in the clear.





Yep.

i didnt know that was the case with the stainless whips, i knew thats how the fiberglass ones were.

yes. it's a little box with a switch and you select for the am/fm radio or the cb. there is a tuning knob and led that lets you fine tune for the cb. the main connector from the am/fm antenna plugs into the box. there are 2 cables coming out. one for the am/fm radio with the correct motorola plug. the other is a cb cable with a pl-259 on the end of it for your cb.
admittedly, it probably isn't as good as the Little Wil's or the Fire Sticks, but for the convenience and simplicity of having only one antenna, maybe something you'll want to consider. they are pretty readily available on ebay.

i might have to look into that, i really only need about a mile range

 

[86 slo-vo]

decided on the rear corner in a nice spot out of the way with a nice wilson tunable antenna

 

[khkeener]

Similar situation, different requirements - I'm looking for suggestions on where to mount my CB antenna. I'll be driving cross country from Detroit to California next month and want to have my CB for the convenience of "why is the traffic stopped" to getting weather reports. I'm looking at using a Firestik based on reading the recommendations in this forum but I'm not sure where a good place to mount it would be. My Ranger has a truck topper and the rest is all stock. I want to avoid any drilling/cutting so I'm pretty limited in my options.

Any ideas?

Kevin

 

[86 slo-vo]

I would go with a mag mount on top of the cab for something like that

 

[02RangerXLT]

Similar situation, different requirements - I'm looking for suggestions on where to mount my CB antenna. I'll be driving cross country from Detroit to California next month and want to have my CB for the convenience of "why is the traffic stopped" to getting weather reports. I'm looking at using a Firestik based on reading the recommendations in this forum but I'm not sure where a good place to mount it would be. My Ranger has a truck topper and the rest is all stock. I want to avoid any drilling/cutting so I'm pretty limited in my options.

Any ideas?

Kevin

You're smart with wanting to go with a firestik. Use this mount:

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/all-other-cb-mounts-86/truck-stakehole-firestik-cb-antenna-mount-screw-on-247.html

That's what your looking for, and firestik makes a good antenna. Be sure to get one with a tuneable tip!

 

[407Link]

the hood mount or a mag on the center of the roof would be best for you imo you'd be able to talk/receive better to people ahead of you

 

[khkeener]

Unfortunately, I won't be able to go with a rear bed mount because:

I had thought about a mag mount; actually I still have one that I used with my Mazda B3000 but don't like the idea of the cable running across the top and the chance of it scoring the clear coat/paint.

One thing I had been thinking of was an adapter or bolt-on that would fit where the third brake light is. Since the topper already has its own brake light, I don't really need a functioning one on the truck.

 

[02RangerXLT]

Well if this guy,

Could put a tonneau on over this mount, I don't see why you couldn't do the same with your topper. The mount might need a slight bend put into it, but otherwise...