Keep in mind, if your antenna possesses a weather cap covering its tuning screw, you need to put it back in space while taking the SWR readings. If you are using a ground-based antenna on a fiberglass ground plane, don’t expect your system to give low SWR readings. What do I do? Without an SWR meter, you’ll need to plan and create space for tuning, prepare your CB radio and antenna, and adjust the antenna accordingly. 1 and 40. They are not only durable but also affordable. In any case the ultimate goal is to achieve an SWR Reading below 2.0 to 1 on any and all Channels from 1 to 40. A mobile CB antenna uses the car body as the ground. If you’re interested in a more detailed look into how to tune a CB antenna without an SWR meter, keep reading. The "KW" antennas are compatible with autos, trucks, vans, motorcycles and ATV's in a single antenna configuration when metallic ground plane is available. CB radio antennas must be SWR tuned to the vehicle and the final antenna location on the vehicle. Despite of the constant output power of 4 watts allowed for every CB radio in the market. Tuning a CB radio without an SWR meter is usually done at low power and the actual SWR reading is unknown. The fiberglass antenna mostly comes with a tuning screw located at the tip of your antenna and you can adjust the length of the antenna by loosening or tightening it. Generally speaking the most popular base antennas in the CB world are the vertical omni-directional antennas. Raising the rings raises the frequency and lowering the rings lowers the frequency. What I saw was that the longer the antenna, the higher the field strength. And that too, without a trip to the store. Recheck the SWR and adjust the tuning tip as needed to achieve balanced readings on Ch. λ/4 and 5/8λ), and questions like this often don't tell what's needed to answer the question. Make sure that the antenna you are using is the right antenna for your application. Also, antennas that were the same length (no matter what they cost), gave virtually identical field strength readings. CB Antennas The most common, versatile CB antennas come as steel whips and fiberglass tube antennas of various heights. If cutting an antenna, make sure you do it INCREMENTALLY in very small sections, taking readings in between cuts. Because of its long, skinny design, the antenna … Mobile antennas can only be made to resonate at one specific frequency (channel). What is Delta tune on a CB radio? If any tuning is required, 98% of the time this will entail a physical reduction. It’s one of the most durable antennas in the market, as it’s designed to last for a longer time than many of its competitors in the same price point. This is called the ground plane of the antenna. With just a few materials and tools at hand, you'll be the owner of a brand new antenna for your CB radio. You have multiple styles to choose from (beam, omni-directional, wire) and materials (fiberglass, aluminum) as well as mounting possibilities (mast, tower, tripod, roof). The manufacturers use fiberglass rod for designing these antennas. Loosen the nut on the Silver Bullet tip and raise the tuning tip. CB Antennas Info Page: The purpose of this page, is too provide general info about CB Antennas and their operations. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t damage the antenna by having them at the top or the bottom. On this CB Antenna, the four radial wires are used as the ground. You should have a 1.5 SWR on this. … ESTABLISH A GROUND PLANE. This is the original Firestik design, and a proven performer since 1975. CB antennas are not plug and play. 10 – Prostick 3’ Fiberglass CB Antenna – Runner up, Best for Pros. You've seen them – they look like an eighteen foot long, white fiberglass fishing rod. First, test the metallic nature and the ground plane’s resistance with the multimeter and install your CB antenna and start tuning. WARNING! sometimes fiberglass or any antenna with a solder joint can fail at that solder joint and the antenna will never tune at it's intended frequency . Ideally, you would make the boom and arms totally from an insulating material (such as fiberglass). Of course, the process is a little more detailed than that, but you get the picture. 2) Firestik, Road Pal, and cheap truck stop antennas add length with a spring, quick disconnect or extension shaft. Reviews: Best Firestik CB Radio Antenna. The goal of the antenna manufacturers is to build the antenna to resonate at a frequency in the middle of the available band (channel 19 on CB) and make it broad- banded enough to keep the off-frequency related SWR at the two extreme ends of the band below 2.0:1. A FIBERGLASS antenna is normally tuned by moving the rings which changes the inductance of a coil directly inside the rings. 3) Wilson Fiberglass remove cap and raise the stinger 4) K-40 Fiberglass Slide the tuning sleeve up 5) Wilson 1000, 2000, 5000, 500, Lil' Wil , and K-40 base load raise the whip. Then tune the antenna with an SWR meter and you have a decent setup. You should be able to… … ELIMINATE RESISTANCE. When adjusting SWR, close the doors on the vehicle to get the most accurate adjustment. Popular CB Antennas used on 10 meters and other ham bands! However, you only get the antenna when you buy this product. A properly tuned antenna is necessary for enhancing the receiving and transmitting capabilities of your CB system. This antenna works efficiently on both CB and Ham frequencies 10m through to 17m making it popular with Amateur users. … USE CB-SPECIFIC ANTENNAS. TRAM 3-B-HC Fiberglass CB Antenna. I have a 4' firestik antenna and I want to know how I tune it should I use an swr meter or do they come pre tuned? over a range of frequencies. Transmitting antennas are sensitive to objects in their "near field of radiation." Don't use a TV antenna or an AM/FM antenna for your CB. If this tuning process is faulty, you can have a communication that is full of interference and broken signals. Its heavy-duty fiberglass construction gives you the flexibility and tenacity you need to endure bruises from branches when on the trail without dislodging or damaging it. TUNE THE RADIO. 9. I didn’t bother to take the time to tape off any parts of the antenna but I did try to avoid hitting the tuning ring section on the antenna so that I wouldn’t run into any problems with the threads later. All vertical antennas need to be grounded in some way. If the are at the top or bottom and you are tuning for channel 20, this isn’t normal and likely indicates another issue. Now, if you want to compare our top picks with other Firestik CB Radio Antenna then, please follow our short description of every other Firestik CB Radio Antenna. The most popular wire-wound CB antenna in the world. (Very easy to tune and can be used with an antenna tuner) Solarcon A99 Omni Directional Fiberglass Base Station Antenna 2000 Watts Also called the Antron (A99) 17' Handles 2000 Watts Please help Below are some pictures of the final paint job and the antenna installed so that it … $\begingroup$ "CB ground plane antennas" come in various designs (e.g. 1 and 40. All of our Fiberglass CB Antennas are made on the longer end of the Specifications. you may also not have a good ground connection for the ground side of the antenna . The delta tune is the CB name for a very similar function on amateur radios called RIT, or receive incremental tuner. Do not operate your CB without an antenna or dummy load. There is therefore a chance that the reading could be on the 1.6 mark. As you’ve already done, let ‘s take you on a tour of our top five Firestik CB Radio Antennas Review. In extreme cases, you can also trim the wire windings on a fiberglass antenna after removing the tuning screw to shorten it further. The coil of this antenna system is present at the top portion. The unique tuning element on the antenna makes it possible to tune the input to the antenna and obtain the optimum S.W.R. The supporting structure will actually start becoming part of the antennas, grossly de-tuning it. 11 Easy Steps to tune CB antenna Fiberglass CB Antennas– The length of these antennas may vary from twenty four to sixty inches. If you are skilled enough (and have the money), do it that way. Fiberglass CB antennas are known for their resilience, durability and lightweight build. The Tram 3-B-HC is no different. 1, the antenna needs to be lengthened. If the SWR reading is higher on Ch. Big Hair Antennas are built for higher efficiency and gain than typical CB Antennas made today.. Big Hair Antennas range from 5' to 50' feet in length, and are made to handle very serious power with the highest efficiency and gain. The last CB antenna on our list is the 3-foot Prostick. … CHECK THE VSWR. You can do that by turning the tuning tip or the adjusting ring on your fiberglass antenna. Recheck the SWR and adjust the tuning tip as needed to achieve balanced readings on Ch. Stub Tuning a CB Big Stick Antenna for 10 Meters - Ham Radio: Many long years ago, when I was just a pup, I purchased a Shakespeare 'Big Stick' CB antenna. You want the bottom of the antenna on a flat horizontal metal surface like a trunk lid or roof if possible for the ground plane. over a range of Frequencies. A CB radio is only as good as the coax and antenna connected to it. The Solarcon Antron A99 Fiberglass Base Station Antenna features the Solarcon Twin Ring Adjust-A-Match tuning making it possible to tune the input to the antenna and obtain the optimum S.W.R. The braided wire which forms the outside conductor of … These options will often allow you to shorten the antenna enough to finish tuning. Antenna wire is present along outer side beneath the plastic cover. 10. My best arrangement was as someone said above with a fiberglass antenna about 4 ft tall or so that easily unscrewed from a mount on the trunk lid. Test the ground plane of your antenna carefully. Each antenna was tuned to resonance (MFJ antenna analyzer) and then the field strength at 30 feet away was measured. A homemade CB antenna will work just like any store-bought antenna. You can adjust the height according to your needs and have control over it from anywhere in your vehicle. Simple CB Base Station Antenna: This is a simple base station CB antenna You can make in 30 minutes out of a bit of PVC pipe and fittings, some wire and a SO239 coax connector and a piece of coax to connect it to your radio. Tune your antennas … With a metal antenna, you’ll have to loosen the Allen screw, remove the metal mast, trim about an 1/8-inch off, and place it back firmly against the coil or in the base. Making a CB Antenna. is it a new antenna or old ? You will thus find yourself in a dilemma whenever you wish to make changes to your radio since you don't know where your SWR actually lies. Possibly , the radials have been removed or the antenna has been otherwise modified. even new ones can be a lemon but it is rare . Maco V 5/8 Antenna Review Choosing a base station antenna isn’t easy. Antenna type and mounting location are important, but the single most crucial step you can take to ensure peak CB radio performance is to tune your antenna. In my next article, I'll discuss what CB antenna tuning entails, explain why it's important, and provide step-by-step instructions.

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