c.b. do Ineed one

[Nate]

Thanks for the tips. That's a good idea with the wire holder, I would have never thought of something like that.



I like the Wilson line of antennas. I started out with the K40 line, actually K30 is what I had. I went though 3 or 4 of those antennas (replaced for free) when the guy at Radio Shack had me try a lil Wil instead. Well that was 4 or 5 years ago, my brother has that antenna now and it still works great.



So Lil Wil, Wilson 500, 1000 or 5000. What is really needed? I don't want a super tall whip. 3-4 feet max. I don't plan on hopping up the radio I bought, Uniden PC66XL.

 

[Got Smoke?]

What kind of ground plane kit you got on the 5000 mag?

This kind right here. Might as well buy it on Ebay though Singpainter is out of them in G-town and who knows when he will get anymore in.

#ad




Nate I would use either a Wilson 500 or 1000 either will be fine for your application. I wouldn't bother with the Lil Wil.

 

[steved]

Thanks for the tips. That's a good idea with the wire holder, I would have never thought of something like that.



I like the Wilson line of antennas. I started out with the K40 line, actually K30 is what I had. I went though 3 or 4 of those antennas (replaced for free) when the guy at Radio Shack had me try a lil Wil instead. Well that was 4 or 5 years ago, my brother has that antenna now and it still works great.



So Lil Wil, Wilson 500, 1000 or 5000. What is really needed? I don't want a super tall whip. 3-4 feet max. I don't plan on hopping up the radio I bought, Uniden PC66XL.

I had good luck with my lil Wil... still have it too... IMHO, that's probably the best route for you since you want a shorter antenna... the 1000 and 5000 are 5 foot whips.



As for performance, you already have THE BEST ground plain... your big flat metal roof... nothing else is needed, simply stick the antenna in the middle of the roof and instant awesome ground plain.



IMHO, I didn't see much, if any, gain from the lil wil to the 5000 I currently run... of course I'm running some additional power too. Just keep in mind that the whip/base load on the 1000 and 5000 series unscrew from the magnetic base... NMO connector IIRC. In a few seconds you can all but remove the antenna from the roof and leave the wiring in place, unlike the lil wil.



Don't forget to get the antenna SWR'd when you get it where you like it... most people neglect that step and it is probably the most important.



steved

 

[Spooled-up]

Where did you run the coax in the truck Spooled??

Is it under the headliner?? If so, how much of a PIA was it to run??



Iv got a thru the window mount but want to change to something else and was curious how the coax was done.

Thanks.

It took me all of 10 minutes to run the coax this way. Once you get the rear brake light off, you can see right into the truck for the most part. Getting it up under the headliner was just a matter of tucking it up in there with my fingers. I removed the rear passenger pillar cover, notched a plastic support under it (you'll see it when you remove it), ran the coax down the wall, under the plastic door jamb sill plate in the wire channel, up to the front in the same channel, under the rug across the front of the passenger seat. to where my radio is located. The wire is well protected and completely hidden.



[/IMG]#ad




I got my antenna at 12 volt . They have some special coax that lasts longer than the stock Wilson stuff. They send you a sample of both when you buy the antenna with their coax and you can really tell the difference. It's got more and thicker shielding and is a little thicker than stock. I was happy with it. The 5000 is a little overkill for what I have right now, but I plan to upgrade someday and wanted the ability to remove the antenna from the base. It's supplied with a cap to keep the threads clean and sealed when the antenna is not attached.

 

[Nate]

What is that mount you used?

 

[steved]

What is that mount you used?

Looks like the one I built for the other side of the hump... :-laf



steved

 

[bmoeller]

So where are you guys running the antenna?

Single, 3' K40 fiberglass whip on the Ram. Dual 4' K40 Superflex on the KW.



Also have an old mag mount (brand ?). 3' steel whip. Doesn't get much use, but works well.



Have some cheap 3' Barjan antennas on the 2 Mack trucks, but they aren't the best in the world. Work fine for close range, though. I think some non-ground plane atennas would work better on them. Running some wire to each to help get a better ground helped some, but still not the best setup.



Have a Cobra mag mount on the combine, but having trouble getting the SWR down low enough.

 

[Spooled-up]

What is that mount you used?

I spent lots of hours bending and working the 1/8" steel stock to get the radio exactly where I wanted it. I had to start over a couple of times. It's very sturdy and the radio is completely out of the way. As you can see from the pic below, I still have to paint it, but I may add a laptop mount and I might have to modify it again.



#ad




It took way too many hours for me to make another one. It's completely bolt on and requires no modification to the truck.

 

[Nate]

I see a few places selling the Wilson 500. Does that one unscrew from the base??

I had good luck with my lil Wil... still have it too... IMHO, that's probably the best route for you since you want a shorter antenna... the 1000 and 5000 are 5 foot whips.



As for performance, you already have THE BEST ground plain... your big flat metal roof... nothing else is needed, simply stick the antenna in the middle of the roof and instant awesome ground plain.



IMHO, I didn't see much, if any, gain from the lil wil to the 5000 I currently run... of course I'm running some additional power too. Just keep in mind that the whip/base load on the 1000 and 5000 series unscrew from the magnetic base... NMO connector IIRC. In a few seconds you can all but remove the antenna from the roof and leave the wiring in place, unlike the lil wil.



Don't forget to get the antenna SWR'd when you get it where you like it... most people neglect that step and it is probably the most important.



steved

 

[Got Smoke?]

I see a few places selling the Wilson 500. Does that one unscrew from the base??

Nope, just the 1000's & 5,000's I am pretty sure.

 

[Nate]

The 500 base looks just like the 1000 base where the whip goes in, that's why I was asking. I don't want a real tall whip. The Little Wil would be fine, but I'd like to be able to pull the whip off without effecting the SWR setting.

 

[Got Smoke?]

The 500 base looks just like the 1000 base where the whip goes in, that's why I was asking. I don't want a real tall whip. The Little Wil would be fine, but I'd like to be able to pull the whip off without effecting the SWR setting.

Maybe I'm wrong? I googled a pic and it does appear that it might detach. Best bet is to call a CB shop tomorrow and ask?

 

[tractorseller]

My only problem with cb's now is people with POTTY mouths. Used to talking on the CB was pretty clean. I am no saint and on occasion let a string out if someone cuts me off, etc. Some guys it is every other word!!! I know it is against federal law to cuss over the air waves but who is going to monitor and catch guys. I guess before people was worried so did not cuss. Some are so bad if I still had kids would not turn on the CB with them in the vehicle. I wish people would consider who might be listening and monitor their language appropriately. Okay off my box.

I agree 100%. If I'm alone hauling a load somewhere it wouldn't bother me, but a lot of times I have my girls and/or my wife with me and some of the language would make a sailor blush. Too bad a few morons with filthy mouths ruin it for some of us, but that's just a plain fact. I don't want my kids listening to it.



Interesting read on the different models and the mounting locations though. I still might put one in my truck and leave it off when I have my kids with me.

 

[BigPapa]

... leave it off when I have my kids with me.

Mine's off unless I'm by myself and sometimes I still turn it off. It seems some of these guys try to see just how bad they can be. Rediculous.



Scott

 

[bmoeller]

Got that right, Scott. It's uncalled for. Plus, anyone that is mad at them, and telling them to shut-up, just eggs them on even more.

 

[MCummings]

What was the deal with those 10' whip antenna's from back in the '70's ?



I've always been interested in those freaskishly long antena's.



What are/were they used for?



TIA,

Merrick

 

[Spooled-up]

CB antennas are supposed to be 102" long. Anything shorter cheats it's way to 102" with a coil of wire. You can still get the stainless 102" whip at Radio Shack.

 

[steved]

CB antennas are supposed to be 102" long. Anything shorter cheats it's way to 102" with a coil of wire. You can still get the stainless 102" whip at Radio Shack.

Actually, they are supposed to be 108inch long... by adding a 6inch spring under the 102inch whip give the needed 108inch length.



I believe something like a Wilson is a 5/8 wave, some fiberglass are 1/2 wave, and the 108inch are termed a full wave IIRC. It is all in how the signal is transmitted which I am not too familiar with...



steved

 

[MCummings]

So,, would the 102/108" Whip antena work pretty good/better/best?



I'm a show-off, and wouldn't mind doing a little bit of it with that huge whip...



Merrick

 

[steved]

The 102/108 is actually the best you can get... they are not popular because they are so big.



steved