What length CB Antenna? CB Newbie

[BonesWK]

Hey Guys,

Ive been looking around at all the cb threads and pretty much nailed down what radio, antenna mount etc. to get. Im stuck on a length of antenna to get. Im looking at fiberglass firestik type of antennas.

I see some running 3' and some running 4'. For some odd reason on amazon the 4' firestik is cheaper. Anyways any pros or cons to length?

I dont park in my garage nor park in the parking deck here at work so either length wont matter in that aspect. I will mainly be using this CB for trail use I guess. I have never owned a CB before so I dont know what else people do with them, talk on the highway? Yes im a noob.

[Matt]

I went with the 4' because I mounted mine off the front bumper so it sits lower. If it was mounted higher I would get the 3'.

For trail use, either is more than sufficient. You're going to be limited by the weakest link in the group which is going to be someone with a basic handheld anyways (which I've found is still good for most trail rides, even when the group splits).

Either way, go with the tuneable tip.

[Sal-XK]

Every thing Matt said I went with whatever setup got the tip above the roof line not much just above it for longer range since I wheel in drastic elevation changes. Last trip we couldn't hear the dude we sent to the top of the hill so I went up and could hear and talk to the bottom of the hill no problem.


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[DetroitMarauder]

Generally the higher the better. But that depends on your use as well. Make sure you get a spring too. They're less than ten bucks and will save you from having to buy a new antenna after every trip.

[NeilSmith]

you really need to be up above the roof and any roof rack you may have. order you a spring and a quick - disconnect also. i got all Firestick stuff ( from Amazon )

[BonesWK]

all of this is great input! never thought of getting above the roof rack too. I have my rack and a tire up there so the more I think about it a 4' may answer the mail for my setup.

Oh and a spring is definiitley on the list of items.

[Sal-XK]

Mine sits just above my rack my like an inch. I've had no issues on the trails so far and keeping it low keeps it from hitting everything. Are you using the 4xG antenna mount?

[BonesWK]

Im going to go with this mount - http://www.rightchannelradios.com/do...mount-kit.html Ive seen a couple pictures from the forum of people using it. Cheaper than the 4xguard and does the same job.

[NeilSmith]

thats the mount I used, Firestik Door Jamb Mount. I straightened out the 45 deg bends into one 90 deg bend and it gave me a little more reach into the jamb.

[lekmedm]

Since you have a basket, I would consider putting a mount on the basket and getting a 2 foot long firestik. If you decide to keep to your door jamb choice, pick a 4 foot firestik so that the tip of the antenna is 1-2 feet over the roof. Either way, they'll do fine for trail use. If you ever want to go for distance, you want the longest antenna above the roof line (in general).