Trail Communication

[WrenchMonkey]

Originally Posted by Waffle

I'm always learning new stuff (and forgetting an equal amount at the same time, lol). Here's a bit of cb antenna tech that Bush mentioned b4, but I didn't understand until now. CB radio waves propagate downward and the "ground plane" is the flat metal surface surrounding the antenna that bounces the waves back into the atmosphere...

That's what I was asking about with the horizontal surface.

Over the roof just won't work for me. There's just no good way to mount it to the hatch, sticking up. And even with a disconnect, the base on the roof would hit the garage.

Anywhere on the sides will get ripped of rubbing on trees. That's just how I drive.

I think my best bet, if I can make it fit, is INSIDE the passenger fender, sticking up though the hole where the factory radio was. I'll need a spring mount, so it'll lean over for tree limbs, rather than break. And a disconnect to get it in the garage.

It won't be ideal, but like you said, everything is a compromise. This will at least give me the hood as a ground plane, and a top-loaded 3' antenna will still put the coil over the roofline by about 18".


(And I appreciate the compliments on the minutes, I know they do get some reads. But they average about 8-10 views each month. General Discussion threads average more like 2-300, including this one, currently 327. This is definitely the better forum to get the word out. And actually, or PSA did get kinda buried in this thread, too. I'll give it its own, because I really do think it's important.)

[WrenchMonkey]

Originally Posted by Waffle

Question....

Is anyone here interested in getting a Baofeng programable 2 way?

Something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-88...4020872&sr=1-3

[WrenchMonkey]

Originally Posted by WrenchMonkey

Something like this?

On the Baofeng website you linked to, that 888s is listed under "discontinued radios." Guess that's why it's cheap?

[Runoveru2]

Originally Posted by Waffle

Vehicle mounting location does play a role. This is merely an example of the changes and not to be taken as exact patterns, but ya'll get the idea.

As most know I have my antenna mounted to the center of my frame through the diamond plate of the rear of my rig, it is also nearly level on the height of my rig, it's normal for me to talk to people all across the state and other states with a little uniden that has a little work done to it. Only downfall to my cb is that I can't be to close to people and key up. I belive mounting location is a extreme factor

[Flint]

Wow, how many watts are you running?

[Runoveru2]

Originally Posted by Flint

Wow, how many watts are you running?

I have absolutely no idea, friend of mine that's a truck driver got it for me for my birthday bout 16 years ago, he told me it was the only Cb I would ever need.

[93 Krawler]

Originally Posted by Waffle

You might want to take a look at a Firestik "firefly" antenna. It's a thinner/flexible fiberglass whip with the same screw top tuning tip as the Firestik 2. I'm putting one on my buggy cause it will bend out of the way in conjunction with the spring.
Read through the Amazon reviews of whatever you buy. I seem to recall that those who DD their rigs have problems with the wind above 55mph with the "medium duty" spring. Those people said the heavy duty spring performed much better. Oh, and make sure the spring is stainless.

This is the antenna I have.