CB Antenna questions and pics.

[ECappleman]

Just bought a Cobra 29 WX NW ST, CB/weatherband radio.



Now time to decide on an antenna and mount.

I won't be using it much, probably the weatherband more. I was wondering if I could get away with a thru the glass window mount. Who makes the best one and can I use the weatherband with it?

If that won't work I'd probably get a 3ft Firestik, but don't know where to mount.



Also, the radio has a knob for adjusting the SWR. Does this mean I don't need to match or get an adjustable antenna?



Any ideas would be appreciated and would love to see some pics.



Thanks

 

[SCClockDr]

I have the same radio. I installed a Cobra Highgear A400 in the forward driver side stake pocket. It works great and the weather function works fine. I found mine at the Pilot in Greenville, SC just off I-85.



Sorry no pics.

 

[JVolpe]

Midland CB Window Mount

I have a Midland Window mount on my current CB, I had a different window mount on my last truck also. They work well enough for my needs. I generally have 3-4 mile transmit range on the road. This is all I really need. I am pretty sure the weather band will work if it works off of any CB antenna.



The window mount is adjustable, the built in SWR meter just means that you can tune an antenna without a seperate SWR meter. My SWR reading with this antenna were very good.



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[ECappleman]

Thanks John, I may give you a call.

Maybe it will work on the W/B frequencies.



I wasn't talking about the SWR meter though. It has an actual knob on the CB to adjust the SWR.

 

[JVolpe]

How's it going ECap,



Did not realize that it was you that posted. I thought with the built in SWR meter you still had to tune the antenna(s). Maybe I am just getting too old for new technology. Did I have the CB in my truck when you came by? I am not sure if the Midland Window mount is optimized for weather frequencies or not. But for 19. 95 at Fry's if it doenst work throw it away or give to me, I usually break an antenna once a year or so. Give me a call if you want.

 

[BKunic]

SCClockDr,

I've been wanting to install the same setup, with the antenna in the stake pocket. But I haven't been able to find anyone around here who does the installs or tunes. Which is fine but for the fact that I know nothing about tuning these things. What I'd like to know is, did you have to tune the antenna to the truck? If I were to get the same radio, antenna, and also mount the antenna in the same stake pocket, should it work as good on my end? Also, what is your typical range?



Thanks in advance,



Bryan

 

[DIESELMAN]

There is no antenna matcher on the radio... . That SWR CAL knob zeroes the SWR Meter. Flip left most switch down, key radio , adjust SWR CAL knob to SWR CAL LINE on SWR Meter, flip switch back to middle position, key and tune antenna for lowest SWR, then flip switch up for RF Strength.

 

[SCClockDr]

Hi Bryan

Yes I did tune the antenna once installed. There is an adjustable tip on the A400. It came with an allen wrench to loosen the tip. I adjusted for an equal SWR on Ch 1 & 40.



If the antenna is correctly tuned your results should be similar.



A couple of tips I adhere to when tuning. 1)Ensure all your antenna connectors and grounds are tight. 2) Always reset the SWR ref with each adjustment. 3) Ensure all doors, hood, windows are closed with each reading. 4) If SWR on Ch 1 is higher, lengthen the tip.



Typical range is not a good standard to judge your rigs effectiveness. There are way too many variables involved. Properly tuned putting out 4 watts you will be heard and receive local traffic (Approx. 10-20 miles. ).



Hope this helps.

 

[BKunic]

SCClockDr,

Yes that helps ALOT. If you don't mind I do have a few more questions. Where did you mount the radio? Supposedly it is important to have the correct length of coaxial cable running from the antenna to the radio, and I've heard that you shouldn't coil any exccess coax - is that true? Finally, did you run the coax in through the firewall?



Thanks again,



Bryan

 

[SCClockDr]

Hi Bryan



I mounted the radio to the lower driver side knee panel on the left. I intend to route the cable through the 4X4 plate. (Now thru rear left door temp. )The cable was pre-made.

 

[bmoeller]

and I've heard that you shouldn't coil any exccess coax - is that true? Finally, did you run the coax in through the firewall?

I've heard the same on coiling the excess cable. Was told it acts like a RF choke, whatever that means.



On my '97, the cable comes through the firewall, through the rubber plug on the auto trucks.

 

[ECappleman]

So many to choose from.

I wish there were more pics to look at! :-laf

 

[Boonieman]

I have the Cobra 75 WX ST and it does a decent job. I'm using a thru the glass antennae (Wilson I believe) and yes, it does pick up the weather bands just fine. Transmit/receive range is so0so, but plenty good for what I use it for. I have the antennae mounted next to my external cell phone antennae and I haven't experience any noticeable interference.

 

[MacHaggis]

Check out the Firestik site's tech page. Lots of good, useful, genereic info on antenna tuning, co-ax, placement . . . without a sales pitch.



http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs.htm

 

[DHayden]

I had a friend in radio's in the AirForce and he said that one single whip is much better than 2 mounted say on the mirror's. Any advice on one or two?

 

[sincity]

one atenna is easier to adjust than two on the wilison 1000- 5000 I put the stinger all the way down and pull it up a quarter then tighten the set screws on the cobra 29's put the radio on chanell 20 (it splits the difference on ch 1 and 40 ) then put the swr/cal switch to cal and key the mike and adjust the needle until it lines up with the red triangle then put the swr/ cal switch back. that usually works prety good

 

[DHayden]

I'm sure its easier to tune but he said the whip style single would get a farther transmission and reception than two.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Just bought a Cobra 29 WX NW ST, CB/weatherband radio.



Now time to decide on an antenna and mount.

I won't be using it much, probably the weatherband more. I was wondering if I could get away with a thru the glass window mount. Who makes the best one and can I use the weatherband with it?

If that won't work I'd probably get a 3ft Firestik, but don't know where to mount.



Also, the radio has a knob for adjusting the SWR. Does this mean I don't need to match or get an adjustable antenna?



Any ideas would be appreciated and would love to see some pics.



Thanks

You will need to set the SWR by adjusting your antenna. Your local CB shop will do it or tell you how. I mounted mine on the left fender on the vertical surface. With the hood open look for a hole in the inner wall. It on my 98 was just large enough for me to connect the coax and put nuts on the 3 bolts that mount the base of the antenna. It is easier to connect the coax and then bolt the mount on. SWR is important, it does not affect reception but cuts down transmission -- email address removed --

 

[Udaloy]

I'm sure its easier to tune but he said the whip style single would get a farther transmission and reception than two.

I don't believe that's true. A single antenna is omni-directional. Meaning it transmits in all directions equally. If you run one antenna on either side of the truck, the RF waves hit each other, and cause the propagation to change to a fore and aft bias (elliptical). Holding all other factors the same, this setup would give you "further" transmit/receive boundaries for the desired directions while traveling in a vehicle.

 

[sincity]

I don't no I run a willson 1000 magnet mount and I'm able to shoot skip with it and have talked all over the place with it (pushing about 380 wattson side band though )