firestik 2's, 3ft or 4ft?

[Coalsmoke]

How much performance diference would there be between a 3ft and a 4ft firestik 2 antenna? I am thinking that a 4ft might be too tall to go tromping through the bush with.

 

[Bob Wagner]

3' works great for me

 

[BarryG]

I am using a front fender mount for mine and originally used a 3ft. Then I noticed my range in one direction was much less than the other. So I switched out to a 4ft and the range is much better and more even. You are right though brush busting with 4ft is gonna slap it a round some.

 

[Coalsmoke]

I plan on mounting it off to the driver-side with one of those hood-mount units. So, I'm guessiing that a 4ft antenna would eaither get broken or break the mount.

 

[Dkevdog]

I've been running a 4 ft with the fender mount for over a year and never had a problem with the stick or the mount, course It is a 2wd, but the mount is very strong.



Kev

 

[Coalsmoke]

I guess I need a spring mount for a firestik to have the best of both worlds. The other day I was pulling out a stuck tractor and almost took off the factory radio antenna do to low branches.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I run cophased Firestiks just behind the cab at the corners of the bed closest to the cab. They are dual 4 foot units and I can transceive quite well. at one point during a trip to the dyno last year there was an 11 mile difference between me and wheaties. I could talk to him and everybody was left as to who I was talking to

 

[Wheaties]

That was 11 miles?



I use the single 4' firestick on the driver's side fender mounted. Being a 4x4, it just makes it through the car wash, and sometimes I have to bend it over and pinch it in the driver's side window... like in a parking garage.



Good antenna, well worth the length. A couple wrenches take it off in seconds if you feel like leaving them under the seat.



Matt

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I remember we left Dez's and you left wll after us and were cummin' up FAST! I remember somethin' about mile markers and us figuring out about an 11 mile difference.

 

[SRadke]

I fender mounted mine and have had no problems. I think it is 4. 5' or 5'. The mounts are tuff but if you're worried springs are an option. I used the same mount and antennae I had on my 96.



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-Scott

 

[JWChessell]

An 11-mile contact is good, but it is possible to do much better, even without using twin antennas or SSB. In 1979 I had a confirmed 32-mile CB contact, over flat ground between Firebaugh, CA. and I-5 -- I was slightly higher, probably about 50', than the station I was talking to -- using a single 4' Firestick and a 4-watt 23-channel radio Panasonic radio. I was driving a 72 Ford Pinto wagon at the time. The base station was also a ham, and sent me a QSL card with his phone number. Using a map, we measured the distance at last contact as 32 miles. The secret was a SWR of 1. 1:1; as I remember, we were on channel 19.

 

[DDT]

Were do you guys get your fender mounts? The radio shake here does not handle one that will work between the fender and the hood.

 

[SRadke]

Bought mine from a local CB shop. Try your local yellow pages.



-Scott

 

[tom sweeney]

... you cant go wrong when you go long!!!... longer whip will give you more bandwidth... a broader number of channels with low swr..... tom

 

[Bob Wagner]

you can get the fender mounts at http://www.firestik.com

 

[fulltime]

I have the hood mount from Firestick with there quick disconnect, push down and twist, Antenna is off in 5 seconds.

 

[Wheaties]

Quick disconnect? That sounds like a must have!



Any concern that the antenna might grow legs?



Matt

 

[Coalsmoke]

That would be my concern, especially if having to get stuff from town.

 

[Duluth Diesel]

I have two 3 foot antennas. I used the firestik pocket mounts. Worked real well, look good. I had to go with 3 footers so I can fit in the parking ramp at work. If it wasn't a clearance issue, I would have gone with fours.