CB antennas: One or two?
 

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?

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)

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.

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.

Re: CB antennas: One or two?
 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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: