CB antennas: One or two?

[nrvsreck]

I have one antenna on my truck. I went to a CB shop to have it installed and the dude recommended one antenna. I asked about dual antennas, but he said I really didn't need more than one. Seems like he would have at least tried to sell me another one and a dual coax! Anyway, I'm wondering what y'all think. One or two? Does it really make any difference? With one I can easily hear up to ten miles. As far as getting out, I'm not sure, but one seems to enough. Why do so many drivers use two? Is it just for looks or does it actually serve a purpose?

[GMAN]

I have 2 on one truck and 1 on another. Frankly, I can't tell any difference. I know of some drivers who swear that they get better reception, etc., with 2. I have even talked with some who have told me that they think it looks better to have 2 on a truck. It looks more balanced. I would just save my money. 8)

[Snowman7]

I'm no expert but all I've heard is that one is the best way. At my last place we had Volvo's with two from the factory and all the serious radio guys ran ran with their own single.

[meanbone79]

On the Volvo they have 2 factory installed antennas. Some guys use one self installed antenna. Grounding on a nearly all fiberglass body seems to be a problem. Some install it on the grab bar just behind the cab and leave the duals on for appearance.

[Mackman]

I have one antenna on my truck. I went to a CB shop to have it installed and the dude recommended one antenna. I asked about dual antennas, but he said I really didn't need more than one. Seems like he would have at least tried to sell me another one and a dual coax! Anyway, I'm wondering what y'all think. One or two? Does it really make any difference? With one I can easily hear up to ten miles. As far as getting out, I'm not sure, but one seems to enough. Why do so many drivers use two? Is it just for looks or does it actually serve a purpose?

The CB shop i go to say the same thing 2 of them are overrated. I have 2 of them but only for the looks. A buddy of mine has 1 and he says it does just fine.

[Splitter]

I have two on my truck, because that's the way it came. One seems to be for the CB, and the other looks like it is for the am/fm. I can say that factory antenna wire is pretty lame.

[sidman82]

Two is just that much harder to tune them. (Lower your SWR's)
One is easy to tune. Two will give you longer distance in front of you. One will give you a wider range circle. If you have two installed by somebody that doesn't know what they are doing you will probably have worse reception then one. Overall, one is easy to tune and cheaper.

[One]

Im no cb expert- but my stock volvo dual setup works alright, but when you factor in antennas where you have to set the SWR, then a dual gets tricky. If your stock dual is not doing it, Id just get a single steel whip like a 'STRIKER' wich I found extremely good but not cheap. If I have any probs on my Volvo in the future, Ill just get a 'Bird Perch' adapter for mounting SWR adjustible antennas to the mirror mount and put my Striker on it. Ill get a really good SWR with it!! Its relible too-Fiberglass whips go bad too easy, ive found myself replacing a 'Firestick' antenna once a month :x 3-4 of those and you spent what a 'Striker' costs.

[Splitter]

OK, here's a question. Does it matter if you have a tall cb antenna? Or, can you get a shorter one, and still get good reception?

[sidman82]

A wire whip (about 4 ft) like a Wilson Trucker 2000 or similar is one of the best all around. You can beat the pants off of it and it will stay and continue to work well. You don't have to worry about hitting bridges or trees with it. A fiberglass will snap or break. Very easy to tune a wire whip also. You don't want a 10 ft antenna hanging off your mirror :shock: I have a 'Little Wil' on my pickup truck and it is a 3 ft wire whip and it works great. They will handle more heat also if you decide to go that way. You can have a small antenna tuned right and get plenty of distance. :wink:

[yoopr]

This has been an age old question that has been around since the invention of CB's-when you find out the answer let us know :P

[bcbasher]

if you have questions about radios check out this site, a lot of great info and some dang nice poeple. http://www.cbradiotalk.com

[yoopr]

I'm no expert but all I've heard is that one is the best way. At my last place we had Volvo's with two from the factory and all the serious radio guys ran ran with their own single.

Scuze the Hijack but you coming up here Snowmobiling Snowman?
My Indy Classic rattle trap will take you on a Tour :P

[nrvsreck]

I had my system profesionally installed on the local truck I used to drive. I installed it myself on my current truck and it seems okay. Somehow or another I managed to screw up the coax so I went and bought another one, this one with dual hookups. I only have the one antenna. Steel wire whip with the little coily thing. Not fancy, but not super cheap either. Seems okay, but I guess I'll find out once I leave the house tomorrow. I may go ahead and buy another antenna just for looks. Probably won't hook it up. I do like the dual look myself and money ain't much of a problem for me. 8)

[sidman82]

Don't use dual coax with only one antenna :shock: At least stick any antenna on the other side of it. Otherwise it's going to be messed up.
Your tuning will be way out and could damage the radio. You will be able to use the radio, but either get single coax or put another antenna on.

[bcbasher]

if your coax is set up for dual antennas then you need to hook up both. running an open coax end can ruin your radio. is you only want a single antenna hooked up go and get your self a single piece of coax.

[Snowman7]

I'm no expert but all I've heard is that one is the best way. At my last place we had Volvo's with two from the factory and all the serious radio guys ran ran with their own single.

Scuze the Hijack but you coming up here Snowmobiling Snowman?
My Indy Classic rattle trap will take you on a Tour :P

:shock: I didnt even know you had a sled! I may not get up there this year. I built a new home and still haven't been able to sell the old one. :evil: Then, Monday I got laid off at Conway :evil: :evil: . I'm hurtin for cash bad! And if (I mean when) I take another job, time off may be hard to get. But I will remember the offer, I'd love to go. Apologies to the original poster and the rest of the thread. :wink:

[Rev.Vassago]

I say no less than 10 antennas. Any less than that, and you aren't a real truckdriver. :wink:

[yoopr]

I say no less than 10 antennas. Any less than that, and you aren't a real truckdriver. :wink:

had a Bunch more antenna's than that, I'm guessin' 50, on Warlock in Iraq-That's a Electronic Jamming Truck.

Hell-Come up to God's country-Lots of good and Small truckin' outfits
Why don't you check out Van Eerdon(sp) out of Grand Rapids? Awesome equipment to drive and benefits and fringes are hard to match anywhere.

[dk132]

Gods country Thats down here in Texas. No ice or snow here.