What kind of CB radio antenna should I get?

[Irving]

So I've had this CB radio for about the past 10 years or so. I don't remember where I got it, and it has never been hooked up. Looks like it is a Uniden Pro 520xl. I looked it up and it seems to get good reviews. That makes me happy, since I know for sure that I never paid for it.

It is small enough to fit anywhere in my truck, but I don't know anything about radios. What kind of antenna should I be looking for? I'd honestly prefer just a magnetic one that I could throw on top when I thought I'd be using it (off road trips and road trips). I've seen stuff from 100w to 300w in a magnet antenna. What should I be looking for? I've only ever used a slightly more powerful FRS radio (which I lost and wish I still had). Any help?

I was thinking about just picking up an antenna and cable off of Amazon or something.

[Irving]

Bump for morning crew.

[spleify]

Contact tropicdive, he is a member here and knows pretty much everything you will ever want to know about CB's.

He hooked me up with my first set up and has been great!

[Irving]

I will, thanks for the tip.

[ChadAmberg]

You can't go wrong with either a Wilson 1000 or a K-40, both in simple magnet mount. The only thing better is a permanently mounted 9 foot wire whip antenna.
CB's pump out a whole 4 watts (legally) so don't worry about power ratings, etc.
Just be careful running the antenna wire so it doesn't make sharp bends or gets pinched, and you'll be all set.

[Ranger]

permanently mounted 9 foot wire whip antenna.

Wow, that's a damn tall antenna! I personally have a 5 foot on my Jeep and it works great.

[stenz]

Firestik make good products.

[Irving]

Thanks for the input guys. I think with the 9 ft' whips, I generally see people bend them around the spare tire to the other side of the bumper, or from one end of the vehicle to the other. Also, they make antennas that are curled at the bottom, so the wire can still be nearly as long, without being nearly as tall.

[ChadAmberg]

Thanks for the input guys. I think with the 9 ft' whips, I generally see people bend them around the spare tire to the other side of the bumper, or from one end of the vehicle to the other. Also, they make antennas that are curled at the bottom, so the wire can still be nearly as long, without being nearly as tall.

Bending it down does mean signal losses, the question is how much loss is acceptable. A quarter wave vertical (9 foot) with good grounding and nothing around it is as optimal an antenna as you'll get.

If you stuck a clothes hanger into the back of the CB, you'll get some signal out into the air, and you'll be able to talk to someone before the magic smoke starts coming out of the radio.

Everything in between is a compromise, with power converted into heat instead of being transmitted, or power reflected back into the radio. The coils are a compromise and have effects like diminished range, and smaller bandwidth (more signal loss on the upper and lower channels than you would normally get).

The k-40 and Wilson 1000 have coils at the bottom, firesticks (essentially a coil the entire length) are also great but not as much with a magnet mount when you're going fast and all of a sudden hear a whump as it comes loose off the top of your car. To get out well with a coil, you just need to make sure the coil is above your car. So on the roof is good, the trunk not so much.

[Yota]

The Wilson little wil is a darn good mag mount antenna. Strong magnet and good signal. I use this for our 4x4 club trail runs.

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Wilson-.../dp/B0006VKG7K

But HAM radio is the way to go. Couldn't resist the plug.