Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DashLynx

cb radio antenna

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-30-2012, 07:25 PM
  #1  
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
 
nygiants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: southern nj
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default cb radio antenna

just bought a cobra CB radio and I'm looking to get an antenna i've seen a lot of people buy firesticks whats the advantage to them over the typical antenna? I'm looking at buying this one will it work i'd be doing light offloading so i don't see brush ripping it off or anything. http://www.ebay.com/itm/28-CB-RADIO-...#ht_1478wt_985
Old 06-30-2012, 07:41 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
wiggles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: shawnee,ks
Posts: 9,897
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Just get an actual antenna and mount, that will mess up your paint and get knocked over all the time as well as not send and receive signal near as well
Old 06-30-2012, 07:50 PM
  #3  
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
 
nygiants's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: southern nj
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

other than the typical above the taillight does anyone mount it to the roof racks? i don't really want to use a firestick

Last edited by nygiants; 06-30-2012 at 08:15 PM.
Old 06-30-2012, 08:25 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
wiggles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: shawnee,ks
Posts: 9,897
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I used to have mine mounted at the tail light

cb radio antenna-forumrunner_20120630_202018.jpg

And now I have it mounted where the bumper end cap used to be

cb radio antenna-forumrunner_20120630_202356.jpg
Old 06-30-2012, 08:27 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
aquickmopar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I just ordered a 4' Hustler SCB 1,000 watt center load antenna. Was told it was a extremely good antenna. It has a built in stainless steel spring for flexibility. You can get them in (4) different colors. Black, White, Red, Blue.
Old 07-01-2012, 12:43 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
BLKXJ 96's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Your best bet is to do some research and figure out how a CB antenna works, and what you need to do to tune the antenna to your vehicle. This will give you the best performance and range. I use a Wilson "lil will" on my jeep, it is a mag mount like the one you posted, just a little more beefy. The best place I found to mount it (on my jeep) with the best ground plane is dead center of the roof. This gives me an SWR very close to 1:1 and a range of about 3+ miles depending on the terrain and whats around me.

I tried the fire stick mounted above the tail light and I couldn't get it to tune very well, it would hardly transmit or recieve.
Old 07-01-2012, 01:01 AM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
mr white's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,648
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by BLKXJ 96
Your best bet is to do some research and figure out how a CB antenna works, and what you need to do to tune the antenna to your vehicle. This will give you the best performance and range. I use a Wilson "lil will" on my jeep, it is a mag mount like the one you posted, just a little more beefy. The best place I found to mount it (on my jeep) with the best ground plane is dead center of the roof. This gives me an SWR very close to 1:1 and a range of about 3+ miles depending on the terrain and whats around me.

I tried the fire stick mounted above the tail light and I couldn't get it to tune very well, it would hardly transmit or recieve.
I've had trouble with the magnet mounts falling over when they hit stuff, but they were about 3 or 4 ft antennas. I imagine with a short one, you'd be alright.
Old 07-01-2012, 01:18 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
BLKXJ 96's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Michigan
Posts: 814
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by mr white
I've had trouble with the magnet mounts falling over when they hit stuff, but they were about 3 or 4 ft antennas. I imagine with a short one, you'd be alright.

I run a 3ft and I really don't have too much trouble, I have also wedged the base under my roof rack this helps too.
Old 07-01-2012, 08:24 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
peep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 9 Posts
Year: 1989 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L 6 Renix
Default Mount options

I use a Wilson, added spring for flexin, T Ball bump, and rear mounted, rewnforced the mount with fender washers inside the door. Works well for my needs.
Attached Thumbnails cb radio antenna-img_2380.jpg  
Old 08-02-2012, 12:15 AM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
SoCalxJ4.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pahrump, NV
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

I have seen a few threads out there where people fabb'd a mount to connect to the top bolt of the taillight, and come out of the gap between hatch and gap. Some people were trying to sell them, but all looked kind of shady, so my buddies and I set mine up today. Made the bracket, installed the fire stick, uniden 520, and pa horn, tuned her up and she is rockin!
Attached Thumbnails cb radio antenna-image-860712504.jpg   cb radio antenna-image-1343176406.jpg   cb radio antenna-image-2315409831.jpg   cb radio antenna-image-1521375337.jpg  
Old 08-02-2012, 10:03 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
4x4Turtle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Pottstown PA
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0 H.O.
Default

all thrree jeeps and different cb/antenna setups ive ran them on the roof. had a wilson 1000 and i froget the name of the one i have on now but its a whip and smaller than the wilson. works well.dont forget to tune it
Old 08-02-2012, 11:36 AM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
Morat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 1,431
Received 64 Likes on 54 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I use a Sirio ML-145. Very nice antenna and a really strong Magmount. It is slapped in the centre of the roof and gives good SWR and range. I realise it's a little different for us on FM but it works just as well on AM too. (I've heard. Not that I have a multimode set, officer).

http://www.lorrybits.com/product_inf...etic-cb-aerial
Old 08-02-2012, 12:22 PM
  #13  
CF Veteran
 
thatXJguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Hudson, FL
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
Default

I'm using a five foot Firestik and my mount is home-made for the rear passenger tail-light:
Old 08-02-2012, 03:40 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
scottmphoto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Russellville, Arkansas
Posts: 957
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
Default

I run a 102" stainless steel whip, on a spring, mounted to my back bumper. I was afraid that I'd rip a side mount off in the woods.
The steel whip is cheap, very rugged and a very tried-n-true antenna.
I've run many different set ups over the years (I used to drive a semi cross-country) and this is by far my favorite.
Old 08-03-2012, 05:28 AM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
Morat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Posts: 1,431
Received 64 Likes on 54 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

How do you guys get a decent groundplane with rear and side mounts? I'd have thought a roof-centre position would get you better range.


Quick Reply: cb radio antenna



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:25 PM.