firestick v. whip

[ttms91xj]

i don't really understand the differences between a firestick and a whip. i have been considering installing a cb, and was wondering which would be more effective on the trail...also, when i do install the cb and one of the two attenaes above, what will the range be if i don't tune them, will they work alright on the trails without tuning(all im using it for)?

[clarkstoncracker]

http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/KW7vs102.htm

that might help you

[noodles]

you need to tune them, if you dont it will burn up your radio. may not be right away, but over time it will do that. Also, something to think bout when mounting it is the position. if you post it on the back, you have better singal in the front, and vise versa. I would imagine with 2 antenna that it would broadcast from both sides equaly. . I was told to go with a "wilson" antenna and I have no complaints bout it.I can hear like, 10+ miles, depending on the terrain and weather.

[SS]

Originally Posted by noodles

you need to tune them, if you dont it will burn up your radio. may not be right away, but over time it will do that. Also, something to think bout when mounting it is the position. if you post it on the back, you have better singal in the front, and vise versa. I would imagine with 2 antenna that it would broadcast from both sides equaly. . I was told to go with a "wilson" antenna and I have no complaints bout it.I can hear like, 10+ miles, depending on the terrain and weather.

I traded some old rims for a Wilson mag mount whip and I get 10-15+ miles UNtuned... great antenna

Anyone know how to tune a CB?

[ttms91xj]

Originally Posted by Super Stocker

Anyone know how to tune a CB?

x2

[clarkstoncracker]

Yes, you need a SWR meter.. Go post up in wanted, someone will have one you can use to tune it in.

[SS]

Yeah but what do you do with the SWR meter? I have one but do you hook it up, adjust the dials and then disconnect it or do you leave it hooked up all the time?

[bogginboy]

i was wondering the same thing and also what would be a good cb for the money? where to get one. radio shack?? wallmart?

[GreaseMonkey]

Originally Posted by Super Stocker

Yeah but what do you do with the SWR meter? I have one but do you hook it up, adjust the dials and then disconnect it or do you leave it hooked up all the time?

You hook it up in-line between the antenna and radio. You essentially want a 1.5:1 ratio readout on the meter. To tune it, you'll mess around with antenna length or tuneable tip, location, coax cable length, etc.

If you do get a firestik, get a mount with a spring at the bottom. I had trouble with my mount coming loose from the antenna smacking tree branches all the time.

[Chop]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

You hook it up in-line between the antenna and radio. You essentially want a 1.5:1 ratio readout on the meter. To tune it, you'll mess around with antenna length or tuneable tip, location, coax cable length, etc.

If you do get a firestik, get a mount with a spring at the bottom. I had trouble with my mount coming loose from the antenna smacking tree branches all the time.

its 1:1 ratio on the tuneing with is damn near impossable to reach but anything closest to that is good

[GreaseMonkey]

Originally Posted by Jeepinlunatic

its 1:1 ratio on the tuneing with is damn near impossable to reach but anything closest to that is good

Right, that's why 1.5:1 is typically the best you'll be able to get.

[GMCsonoma94]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

Right, that's why 1.5:1 is typically the best you'll be able to get.

not really, you can get 1.2 1.1 i got 1.3 with a crappy magnetic mount antenna

[Chop]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

Right, that's why 1.5:1 is typically the best you'll be able to get.

i have 1.2 to 1 actually so how i would see it is 1.2 is typically better then 1.5:tonka:

[FlatFender]

Good Radios To check out are:
Uniden PC 68 XL
Uniden PC 78 XL
Old Cobra 29 LTD (Stay away from "Sound Tracker" Models, Look for ones made in the Phillipines, or Maylasia, The Japan models are junk)
Galaxy 949/959 These are great radios, hands down the best on the market right now, however they are pricey.

Tuning an ANTENNA, You cannot Tune the radio (Well it can be done, but YOU cannot do it)
Hook up your SWR meter between the radio and the antenna
Radio>SWR Meter>Antenna
Actually take the time to read the instruction manual for the SWR meter.

One thing to remember here is that the SWR meter, is just that, a meter, It does not adjust the SWR.

Take a reading, if its above 1.8:1 you need to try a few things. Adjusting a SWR can be extremely aggrevating at times. Try to raise the antenna 1 1/16" check the meter again. If the SWR is higher than before, you need to lower the antenna, if its lower, try again.
Repeat this until SWR is lowest possible.

Once the SWR is as low as possible, disconnect the meter, and reconnect the radio
Radio>Antenna.

SOme meters can be left in-line permantly, however, every connection causes a little lose in your power, so I would disconnect it.

Some radios have a built-in SWR meter. These are usually very unaccurate, and are not to be trusted.

An SWR of above 2:1 is too high, and you could harm your radio.


If theres any more questions just let me know. CBing is a hobby of mine, so Ive got a bit of knowledge here.
Also check out www.cbradioforum.com

[Kawierider]

Uniden 510 is a cheap radio like 40 bucks and i've been very happy with it. I used to run a magnetic moutn whip and could chat at around 5 miles with my radio on the freeway in good weather, I could receive people on the ambassador bridge from my house in AP on good nights and that is like 15 miles.

Now I run a 5 foot whip from radioshack which is temporarily mounted to my bumper it isnt tuned, nor as high as my other one, so the performance isnt as good but one of these days ill stop being lazy and mount it in a better spot.

The uniden radio can be bought in alot of places, i got mine from ABC wharehouse for 40 bucks and it included a shit magnetic mount antenna to get you started.

[yellowjeeperman]

Originally Posted by ttms91xj

x2

x3

I heard radioshack will do it for free?

[sodapop]

I have had a couple firesticks and a couple whips. I use a whip on my truck and firstik on my Jeep. I had a whip on my jeep and I didn't like the whip in the woods. As for the spring, I wouldn't recommend it. it will effect your quality in reception and transmitting

[yellowjeeperman]

Originally Posted by sodapop

I have had a couple firesticks and a couple whips. I use a whip on my truck and firstik on my Jeep. I had a whip on my jeep and I didn't like the whip in the woods. As for the spring, I wouldn't recommend it. it will effect your quality in reception and transmitting

I beg to differ. If you have a whip, then yes spring is not necessary, but if you get a firestick, unless u wanna be going through a firestick everytime you go on a trail, then invest in the spring. I have a spring on mine and I have no problem reaching from one side of Silver Lake to the other and that is more than enough for me.

[sodapop]

Originally Posted by yellowjeeperman

I beg to differ. If you have a whip, then yes spring is not necessary, but if you get a firestick, unless u wanna be going through a firestick everytime you go on a trail, then invest in the spring. I have a spring on mine and I have no problem reaching from one side of Silver Lake to the other and that is more than enough for me.

The reason I say no spring is cuz that's was what the CB tech at teh CB shop at Don's Truckstop tells me and cuz that was what Karen (grandcehrokee) experienced with her Spring. Her CB would receive great until the antenna was bouncing around from the spring. We took the spring off and it solved the problem. I'm glad that you are having good luck with your sprung stick though.

Also in regards to breaking a firstik every trailride that's ridiculous and I know you are over exaggerating but come on, I've had my 4' Firstik on my Jeep since 2000 and been on lots of trail rides and not broken it once. I've also Doubled it over TWICE by shutting it in my Garage Door, that's right, bent about a 1/3 of the way up in a 180* bend 2 times without breaking it. I'm sure that it could break but my experience has been very good with my firstik. My firstik is mounted to my tire stop using a tomkin (??) mount.

Also, I the only reason that I didn't like the whip in the woods was because it whipped around too much.

[yellowjeeperman]

Originally Posted by sodapop

Also in regards to breaking a firstik every trailride that's ridiculous and I know you are over exaggerating but come on, I've had my 4' Firstik on my Jeep since 2000 and been on lots of trail rides and not broken it once.

Yeah I know I exaggerated, but that was just to make a point that I heard people have had problems with them breaking easily on tight trails. I havent experienced it. Its just what I have heard.