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:

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

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

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

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)

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.

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.

: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:

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.

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

Re: CB antennas: One or two?
 

I would suggest you keep using this CB shop. He/she appears to be a rare person -- HONEST.

Now as to your question.

Using matching antennas with the CORRECT matching coax a dual will give slightly better performance if the antennas are spaced 1/4 wave-lenght apart.

Creating ALL the right conditions to properly install dual antennas is NOT a easy task. While some think all it takes just adjusting the SWR and that is all. It really is a lot more than simply adjusting the SWR. Things like having the coax routed correctly and having a good ground are just a few of the many things that should be done to correctly install antennas.

My feeling is it is not worth the added expense and work needed to use a duel antenna system. I would mount the antenna on the driver's side and use the closest needed lenght coax to reach from the antenna to the CB. Make sure you have a super ground. Tune it to the Lowest SWR and use it.

I would use something in the range of a 4' - base loaded steel whip for an antenna.

Happy CBing.

kc0iv

I have a CB question and figure I would piggyback on the thread rather than start another one. I hope no one minds. My question is how common is it for a truck to come with a CB? And if it doesn't will it at least have a spot for one and who installs it? Also what does it run for i to be installed?

Thanks.
-paul

Hmm... Now you done scared me. I'll probably go ahead and get the second antenna and just have someone tune it all up for me as I don't know jack about SWR and such.

That little CB shop is at the 599 in Longview, TX in case anyone wants to know. The lady that owns it has been in business for quite a long time. The installer wasn't the most talkative fellow in the world (neither am I), but I did appreciate his honesty and was shocked he didn't try to sell me more stuff.

If your radio has a SWR Switch to adjust it's simple

http://www.vetrucking.com/
Looks to be a good outfit. I'm just not a road warrior. The economy in OH sucks and all the LTL cos are slow. I'll probably go back to a regional flatbed co that gets me home weekends anyway and still make decent money. I'd move up there in a heartbeat but my wife would never go and she's got too good a job to leave. I love it up there though, I'm jealous of you!

Oh! It's simple! Wow, thanks man! That clears it all up then! :roll:

Sorry! I gotta be smarta** from time to time! Can't resist! But, how exactly is it "simple"? It does have a SWR switch and meter. How on earth do I calibrate it? The manual really doesn't say much.

Re: CB antennas: One or two?
 

One antenna, RG-58 coax, and tune the antenna. In order to make it look balanced, I have a dummy mounted on the right, but the "live one" is on the left. With a "FACTORY-STOCK" radio, I've talked 40 miles on an unused channel. Never was able to do that with two antennas.

With 2 antennas, you can not match the impedance of the coax to the output of the radio. That means "line loss". Why do you suppose so many of those guys have to have their radios PEAKED AND TUNED? They have to overcome the line-loss.

When I run a route,in town,I use my 3' entenner. When Im shuttling,I use my 6' . The reason I use my 3' when I have to run a route,is because of the stupid city dept not keeping the trees trimmed. Those tree limbs will snap an antenner in no time. I cant really tell any difference between the 3',or the 6'. The only reason why I use my 6' when Im shuttling,is because Doug,the guy I run with every night told me that the 6' sounds better. He has a Wilson 5000. It has that little round thingamajig at the bottom,and the wipper on top. He can pull guys in a little bit better,but I am happy with mine.

Really??? I was down there last December. 19th, I believe. There was plenty of ice there then. Guys were chaining up to drive on level road. Lost count of the number of trucks wrecked in the first 35 miles from the NM line. No ice or snow??? I don't believe it was my vivid imagination.

It has melted since then.

Re: CB antennas: One or two?
 

I agree with you, co-phasing is not easy and IMO not worth it.

However Lockheed Martin conducted a test to see how different antenna configurations affected the transmission patterns, and they say that co-phased is the "best for highway". I use a single wilson 2000 w/ 18" shaft on the right side so it transmits strongest across the median.

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5906/tranpatfx7.jpg

All new trucks that I know of come with a spot for a CB, a power hookup and antenna (entenner- as some say :lol: ) connection. If not, theres a plate you can buy to mount on the dash to hold the CB.

Re: CB antennas: One or two?
 

Last December maybe but non now. :wink: I noticed it was freezing up north already. Its gonna be a cold one this year. :)

It got down to 37,here Saturday night. :shock:

Re: CB antennas: One or two?
 

SOOOO TRUE!
Most CB shops are modern-day versions of snake oil peddlers.

The only 3 I use to peak and tune up my radios are:

-Bob's CB
Strattanville, PA
I-80 exit 70

-Walcott CB
Walcott, IA
I-80 exit 284

-Clay's CB
Gordon, TX
I-20 exit 370

I save money by buying radios here on the internet by going to:

www.copper.com
www.gijoesradioelectronics.com
www.premiere-electronics.net

Walcott has terrible prices on radios but does a fantastic job of peaking and tuning.

my otr trucks body is shaved of everything it can be including antennas, I use a tiny antenna on the back of the cab and it does its job just fine for a few miles, i`ve got 2 firesticks on my wifes local truck since my bro in law thought they`d look cool and he was my driver :roll: :lol:

Wish we could get up to that :P

It was 50 this mornig when I woke up currently 67 :) aahhhhhhhhhhh. Feels great :) Beats the 100+ days we had this summer :twisted: