CB Antenna Swing

[JPope]

I have been reading the other thread about CB's, as well as all of the past CB threads.



I have a Firestik 4' firefly antenna mounted with a quick disconnect (Firestik KH 1) and spring (Firestik SS3H heavy duty spring) and the fender mount. The spring really helps when I forget to remove the antenna before entering the garage, and the quick disconnect helps for removing for various reasons.

But when driving I notice the spring allows for a lot of swing (at least 10* either side of vertical) depending upon speed and wind velocity/direction) as well as the usual wobble within the antenna.



Does this affect sending and receiving more than a more rigid antenna (w/o spring) would? Is the propagation of the signal with a CB not that precise?

 

[BreaksEverything]

yes there is a loss but it's so low you'll never know it

just make sure your swr level is set & you're good too go

 

[bighammer]

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that's why you sometimes see trucks with their "ears" pointing forward.

 

[bmoeller]

The spring that you got, was it made for antennas UP TO 4'?



I had to start using them because the local township doesn't trim trees away from the roads very often. Can't always get over because of traffic, and wind up breaking them off without one.



What I found out, was that if you use a spring that is rated for a 3' antenna and use a 3 footer, they only last about 6 months/30k miles, then they get weak and flop around. Went the next size up (good for 4'), and they last for about a yr if you're lucky.



You probably need this one- #ad
Good for 102" whips. I use the next smaller on the 3' whips.



http://www.walcottcb.com/coax/brackets/ka52.php



Have never noticed any loss with them.

 

[C. Harlan]

Anything that gets in between your antenna and the mount will make the SWR's jump. Maybe not sky high, but it will affect the performance of your radio. I use an 8' whip for the highway and can get the radio pushing out some power, to the point where some people tell me to turn off the linear. . I had one, but got rid of it! And for the firestik, trash that antenna. Go with a Wilson Silver Load. That is the best fiberglass antenna going. PM me if you need more help on this topic.



-Chris-

 

[skobylenski]

I use the same spring that bmoeller uses, and it's great. The smaller springs (that are uniform diameter) are too soft and allow a lot of movement with the 4' fiberglass antennas. I too have a Firestik II 4 footer, and with the big spring, only the antenna itself bends. I noticed with the small spring that my mount was bending back, so I switched the spring and put on a new mount, and it works just fine now.



As for the SWRs, all I had to do was retune using a meter, not a big deal since the Firestik has the tunable tip. I agree, though, that there was some jump in SWRs, but not too much - maybe I was lucky with that? There didn't seem to be too much distance loss, either. I've tested it up and down the highway with some friends, and it stayed about the same with and without spring.



As for trashing the Firestik, I don't want to start another transmission thread but it's really all in your opinion. I personally like them because they are tough, and I have a lot of low trees where I live, and I've seen a lot of bent Wilsons because of the trees. I accidently hit a low bridge with my current Firestik, and all I did was crack the outer plastic in one place, but I'm planning on replacing it in a few months, hopefully by x-mas or so. You can debate which antenna is good until the cows come home, so it's really all up to you. Look at it this way - truckers use both Firestiks and Wilsons, so obviously it's a matter of appearance rather than functionality, at least that's what I've heard while working for a trucking company at home. So - of you like the slimline look of a Wilson, get that, if you'd rather have a more beefy look, go with the Firestik. And remember, don't let this turn into a transmission thread



Scott

 

[C. Harlan]

Look at it this way - truckers use both Firestiks and Wilsons

Haha, to see a firestik on a real truck is a joke! you know it is a rookie driver. . Wilson is the choice of the poultry relocation specialist trucks, AKA chicken haulers. I have yet to see a decked out truck with a firestik. Almost all the ones I have seen either have an 8' whip, or a wilson. . A firestik cannot handle the balls of a BOMB'd radio. Just the straight truth.



-Chris-

 

[skobylenski]

Charlan - I'm guessing you're a driver?

 

[C. Harlan]

How'd ya guess?? I have had a few firestiks, and could not get the SWR's under 2. 5 on the meter... when I had my extended hood 379 Pete, I used Wilson 2000's on a 10" shaft, and I had the antennas pointed way forward, so when doing 75-80 down the road, they would stand up. SWR's--- FLAT!! NO RESISTANCE!the reason you see the large cars rolling like that, is that Pete Extended hood 379's are an all aluminum hood, making a great ground plane for the radio. I hope this makes sense to y'all, as when I was trying to figure it out, it took me a little while, just like the whole BOMBing concept. .



-Chris-

 

[skobylenski]

Okay, okay, you win. At least you can say you've driven a Pete 379, my favorite What are you driving now?



Anyway, I never knew Exhd's were aluminum, I thought they were fiberglass like Freightshaker uses on the Century class. I stand corrected. And I think I might go buy a Wilson 2000 as soon as I can.



Scott

 

[C. Harlan]

Well, as for what I drive now, I just have my 98. 4 Dodge, and for work, an '03 International 7400 with a DT530, mated with an allison auto. . It is a city-owned vehicle, otherwise, I would be BOMBing the hell out of that thing! they cut the nuts out, and its top speed is 62, on the foot, and cruise as well. It pulls fairly well, as the motor is only rated for 275 HP, but with that auto it loses lots of power. Oh well, its free, and I am about to hit 9,000 miles on it! I got it with 23 miles in February. . But as far as the antennas go, that is why you see all the left lane trucks with the antennas the way they are.