CB Antennas [Archive]

NorcalPR

07-12-2009, 11:43 PM

I had a K40 on my truck, till I was on the treeway and the plastic sheathing split at the base, and the wire snapped at the base. Only had 2 runs on it!!!

Anywho, I'm now in the market for a new 4' antenna. I'm stuck between the Firestick, or the Wilson FLEX.

As far as the Firestick goes, if I were to go this route over the Wilson, which one? KW, FS, or Firefly?

Thanks guys
-Phill

SurfingDrunk

07-13-2009, 01:00 AM

my k40 survived several rollovers.
lucky me.

now i run a wilson roof mount.
just do it. you know you want to.

(going through Sonic's are fun with the wilson; my antenna boings and bings like a mofo. it makes me smile.)

vistataco

07-13-2009, 02:59 PM

My 4' Wilson Flex takes quite a beating with no issues.

NorcalPR

07-13-2009, 06:01 PM

Mr Tacomi

07-13-2009, 06:28 PM

Phil- I run a Wilson 1000 (~60") on a Mag Mount that's seen more than it's share of low branches... hangs in there just fine. Unless the branch is just a few inches off of the cab, it stays put. My 19" HAM antenna just in front of it doesn't do anything comparable, always getting knocked off--really irritating. The Wilson is very flexible and with a peaked radio (~8W) I have transmitted over 85 miles, and receive very well (Uniden 520XL). Being a radio kind of guy, most of a good setup is in the Antenna...my antenna works well.

SurfingDrunk

07-13-2009, 07:22 PM

my uniden 520xl is peaked to 20 watts and i have a roof mount wilson 1000, 62" whip.:D

drinkintedbr

07-14-2009, 01:59 AM

I am going to add another vote for the Wilson 1000 mag mount. I run day-to-day with a nail in the base because I lost the plastic cap that came with it within the first week. I have to park in a parking garage where I live and I have gone through a 7' pipe many times with the full antenna on and the base hasnt moved.

I used to have a 500 and IMO the 1000 outshines it pretty easily.

They also have AWESOME customer service.

SAR_Squid79

07-14-2009, 03:32 AM

I've been running a 4' FireStik Firefly for nearly 5 years. It's a little bit of a pain in the ass to get it tuned perfectly. But once I got the SWR dialed in, I have never had to touch it again. I've had ZERO problems with the antenna, and on many trail runs my setup has out-performed others in the group.

There have been lots of times when I could hear and talk to people that others in the group could not. :2cents:

NorcalPR

07-14-2009, 08:23 AM

I would like to stay away from a mag mount because I already have a quick disconnect setup mounted inside my bumper.

Jaime, are you running a spring with that?

drinkintedbr

07-14-2009, 01:47 PM

that is another thing that I forgot to add... I have had 3 wilson antennas, none of which needed anything and they wouldn't get over 1:1.1 SWRs out of the box. The last two that I have had the needle on my radio wont even move when I key up. Had it tested at a shop as well and it was perfect

vistataco

07-14-2009, 03:59 PM

A Wilson Flex?

Are you guys running a spring mount?

No spring mount here since it has so much flex. Mounted in the rear gate door jamb.

The Flex was also really easy to tune.

NorcalPR

07-14-2009, 04:11 PM

No spring mount here since it has so much flex. Mounted in the rear gate door jamb.

The Flex was also really easy to tune.

Cool, good to know!

I just can't even believe that the K40 split right at the base, just from being on the freeway.

Anywho, I'll probably end up ordering the Flex from RightChannelRadios tomorrow. I ordered all my stuff from them before and the customer service is superb

hytenor

07-14-2009, 04:16 PM

I have the Wilson 1000 as well...hard-mounted to my rack behind the cab. it works very well with a tweeked radio and power mic...gotta turn everything down to 50% for trail runs ;)

SAR_Squid79

07-14-2009, 08:33 PM

Jaime, are you running a spring with that?

No. I've thought about it, but so far haven't needed it. It doesn't have a lot of flex, but so far it's had enough flex.

two4four2one

07-15-2009, 01:21 AM

I have been running the Radio Shack All-Terrain base loaded stainless steel whip. It is longer than 4" but it is extremely easy to tune. Got it on one of the fender mounts with one of the small springs and a knuckle to fold it over out of the way. Works great and is cheap. It is connected to one of the super rare Radio Shack radios that has the digital compass, and *headset* jacks on the front of the radio. I have a small concealed internal linear amp inside the case that puts out a measly 25W.

NorcalPR

08-24-2009, 05:42 PM

Just got the Wilson Flex today. Far superior to the K40. Much more ridgid at the base, but still super flexy.

I think I made the right choice :)

01 Double Cab

08-24-2009, 08:07 PM

Would mounting an antenna off an ARB front bumper have any adverse affects?

Bloo

08-24-2009, 10:00 PM

My Wilson Flex is mounted on my ARB light tab with a quick release mount. I have great reception and transmission is pretty clear from what I'm told.

NorcalPR

08-24-2009, 11:52 PM

Would mounting an antenna off an ARB front bumper have any adverse affects?

I have mine, with the quick disco mounted underneath the bumper so the top of it is flush with the bumper. Works fine :)

hytenor

08-25-2009, 12:10 AM

Would mounting an antenna off an ARB front bumper have any adverse affects?

yea, a lousy ground plane. (google) The best position is center/back on the cab (close to center of the vehicle) but not everyone likes to drill holes ;) I have mine mounted to a headache rack and get very good send/receive...not nearly as good as Mark (mrtacomi) as his is mounted to the top of the cab...but good enough for over 30mi, line-of-site with a tweeked radio ;)

bumper mounts are just fine for trail talking but if you want to use the radio for any distance...forget it.