Community Forums

racer0624 · 10-20-2011, 04:55 AM

I called Newmar parts the other day for a replacement antenna and was told that their supplier no longer made the "rubber ducky" unit and that Newmar hasn't come up with a replacement thus is not installing CB's. Huh??
What now??

Merddin · 10-20-2011, 05:09 AM

Although I do not know anything about your RV I do know a little about radios. Depending on your needs and the antenna connector and mount type you might have some luck looking at Ham Radio suppliers like Ham Radio Outlet - World's Largest Supplier of Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) Equipment. Sales, Supplies, and Service. or Universal Radio shortwave, amateur, scanner and CB radio since 1942.

That is sad news that they will not be offering factory installed radios in their new rigs. I feel they are an important part of safety in remote areas or on the highway

H. Miller · 10-20-2011, 06:46 AM

I just googled "rubber ducky CB antenna" and came up with pages of them....

EasternAirLines · 10-20-2011, 06:54 AM

HI ALL,

I have a 2012 Essex on order and have been told by factory
rep Ken Williamson that Newmar is no longer installing
CBs due to supply problems.

I see plenty of Cobra and antenna being offered on EBAY.

Newmar will prewire for a CB.

Makes no sense to me as I find the CB a useful tool when traveling.

Bruce

2012 Essex on order and no CB

donandmax · 10-20-2011, 08:34 AM

I removed our cb a long time ago because of the bad language and overall nonsense heard over it. We use our cell phone if we get into trouble and have always been able to get the call through. I know there are dead zones but WE havent experienced any. I dont think cbs are selling very well anymore do to the cell phone. To me a cb is old school..

Romeo · 10-20-2011, 09:32 AM

A "rubber duckie" antenna is not the best choice for any antenna other than for a handie-talkie, anyway. There are many other better antennas that can be purchased locally or via the internet for CB radios.

If you search the forum, you will find several discussions on how and where to mount an antenna that will work much better than a rubber-duckie.

BTW, my 2000 DSDP does not have a rubber-duckie for the CB, the rubber-duckie is for the AM/FM and the antenna for the CB is a short, base loaded antenna mounted on the roof, over the driver's side.

wa8yxm · 10-20-2011, 10:02 AM

Radio Shack should have a rubber duck that is designed to slip over the stub of an antenna on a hand held and bolt down.. it should be as good as, if not better, than the OEM.

Frankly... I don't think much of those antennas... Try a Firestick.

HHIDan · 10-20-2011, 11:05 AM

Don&Max, couldn't agree with you more. My RV came with a CB and I took it out.....

Romeo · 10-20-2011, 11:20 AM

DBeauchamp and donandmax,

Why would you remove it rather than just not turning it on, or
unplugging the mic and putting it away;having it
available for emergencies?

ottffss · 10-20-2011, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

...Try a Firestick.

That is the right answer because Firestik (http://www.firestik.com) offer "no ground plane" (NGP) antennas for our plastic bodied beasts - the cell phone look alike model is very nice. Other CB antennas require steel to reflect the transmissions and the little plate Newmar sometimes installed under the old ducky CB antennas is weak at best. Hence the common complaint, I only get a mile of reception/transmission. BTW - You can NOT "prewire" for a NGP as you need to use their wire.

BUT Newmar will be happy to install a 1in plastic conduit (on new builds) from where you want the CB to where you want it on the roof (make sure to spec a pull cord in it too). That way you can do whatever you want whenever you want through that conduit and even replace the antenna easily.

In fact, you can spec 1in conduit running all around the place like A/V cabinet to front cabinet and A/V cabinet to basement and roof to basement for real solar, etc. They used to charge about $50 per conduit and getting these in there will make future mods super easy and look factory installed.

Mr_D · 10-20-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donandmax

I removed our cb a long time ago because of the bad language and overall nonsense heard over it. We use our cell phone if we get into trouble and have always been able to get the call through. I know there are dead zones but WE havent experienced any. I dont think cbs are selling very well anymore do to the cell phone. To me a cb is old school..

I haven't removed mine but I haven't used it for 9 years now due to the language and the antenna won't reach very far and I don't have the rubber one, mine is the base loaded steel one. It still won't reach more than a few hundred feet in front. It's worthless to me and I used to be a REACT member so I know a little something about CB's.