CB Radio

hollonator · 09-28-2009, 02:19 PM

if you go to any common parts house (Autozone, O'Rielly, CarQuest, Collier, etc.) you can normally find a replacement radio antenna about 14" long made of rubber...could i use that same antenna on a CB Radio? a CB Radio and a regular FM radio both use regular coax cable...

BernieB · 09-28-2009, 02:23 PM

No, you can't. Without getting too much into the technical aspects of antenna design that 14" "rubber duck" made for receiving AM and FM radio is tuned to the wrong wavelength. Your standing wave ratio (SWR - reflected signal) would likely be off the scale, and you'll blow the finals (RF amplifier transistor) in the CB in just a few seconds.

bradrhale · 09-28-2009, 02:38 PM

assuming you get preset antennas unlike the francis that i have. that, and a 14" antenna wouldnt get you out very far.

BernieB · 09-28-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradrhale

assuming you get preset antennas unlike the francis that i have. that, and a 14" antenna wouldnt get you out very far.

Yeah, but I didn't want to get into the technical details of the differences between preset and tunable, cable impedance, radiation patterns, peak-envelope-power, polar mapping, etc.

Much easier to just say what I said.

BernieB · 09-28-2009, 03:14 PM

If you want a good antenna for that CB holonator, pick up a nice K40, or a Wilson 'lil Will. Oh, and get the SWR checked before using it too much. An SWR meter is about $20 and a worthwhile investment. Heck, drive over here and I'll check it for you. You're at NOB Norfolk, right?

Crmzendrgone · 09-28-2009, 03:17 PM

I bought a lil will and the guy at the shop told me I dont have to tune them. but I think he is full of it cause everything comes in statically and I can't seem to get out. Where would one find a SWR? to add to that I have the squelch adjusted as low as possible with a little noise but in order to hear anything I have to have it all the way up

.

hollonator · 09-28-2009, 03:21 PM

yea bernieb i'm at the naval station...where is fredericksburg? **** if we are that close we may have to hang out some when i get back from deployment

hollonator · 09-28-2009, 03:23 PM

i dont know much about CB radios, i just know i like 'em and i want one in my truck because truckers ALWAYS know where the cops are...but i refuse to have one of those "magnetic" bases, i hate 'em and they look like ****

BernieB · 09-28-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crmzendrgone

I bought a lil will and the guy at the shop told me I dont have to tune them. but I think he is full of it cause everything comes in statically and I can't seem to get out. Where would one find a SWR? to add to that I have the squelch adjusted as low as possible with a little noise but in order to hear anything I have to have it all the way up

.

You can pick up an SWR meter in just about any truck stop for $20 or less. Make sure you also pick up a short jumper too. The antenna gets connected to the "output" fitting, then the short jumper goes between the "input" fitting and the antenna jack on the radio, so you need that jumper.

BernieB · 09-28-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollonator

yea bernieb i'm at the naval station...where is fredericksburg? **** if we are that close we may have to hang out some when i get back from deployment

Halfway between Richmond and DC on I-95, so it's not that close, probably about 200 miles. But hey, you're always welcome shipmate.

09-28-2009, 02:19 PM	#1
hollonator Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: virginia Posts: 102	CB Radio if you go to any common parts house (Autozone, O'Rielly, CarQuest, Collier, etc.) you can normally find a replacement radio antenna about 14" long made of rubber...could i use that same antenna on a CB Radio? a CB Radio and a regular FM radio both use regular coax cable...

09-28-2009, 02:23 PM	#2
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	No, you can't. Without getting too much into the technical aspects of antenna design that 14" "rubber duck" made for receiving AM and FM radio is tuned to the wrong wavelength. Your standing wave ratio (SWR - reflected signal) would likely be off the scale, and you'll blow the finals (RF amplifier transistor) in the CB in just a few seconds. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

09-28-2009, 03:14 PM	#5
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,910	If you want a good antenna for that CB holonator, pick up a nice K40, or a Wilson 'lil Will. Oh, and get the SWR checked before using it too much. An SWR meter is about $20 and a worthwhile investment. Heck, drive over here and I'll check it for you. You're at NOB Norfolk, right? __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

09-28-2009, 03:17 PM	#6
Crmzendrgone Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,420	I bought a lil will and the guy at the shop told me I dont have to tune them. but I think he is full of it cause everything comes in statically and I can't seem to get out. Where would one find a SWR? to add to that I have the squelch adjusted as low as possible with a little noise but in order to hear anything I have to have it all the way up. __________________ ENGINES PRODUCE POWER. MOTORS RECEIVE POWER. https://lastroundbestround.com/Home_Page.html

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

09-28-2009, 02:38 PM	#3
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 8,030	assuming you get preset antennas unlike the francis that i have. that, and a 14" antenna wouldnt get you out very far.

09-28-2009, 03:21 PM	#7
hollonator Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: virginia Posts: 102	yea bernieb i'm at the naval station...where is fredericksburg? **** if we are that close we may have to hang out some when i get back from deployment

09-28-2009, 03:23 PM	#8
hollonator Full Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: virginia Posts: 102	i dont know much about CB radios, i just know i like 'em and i want one in my truck because truckers ALWAYS know where the cops are...but i refuse to have one of those "magnetic" bases, i hate 'em and they look like ****

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
xm radio?	og25	Off-Topic	5	05-08-2009 09:40 AM
Wtb-gmc oem radio	mtebaldi	GMC Truck Forum	1	04-23-2009 02:18 AM
New radio	bigcountry78	Chevy Truck Forum	42	12-02-2008 10:49 PM
radio	2wdramman	Dodge Truck Forum	1	06-05-2007 06:37 AM
Radio help	PickUpGirl787	Chevy Truck Forum	3	01-12-2007 06:25 AM