Community Forums

Melorene · 09-26-2015, 11:33 AM

I still have the factory cb antenna and do get good swr but poor transmission and reception.. looking to get a better antenna but vertical height above on top limits length. anyone change it out and get better reception. Radio is not the problem...Mel

Mr_D · 09-26-2015, 11:35 AM

Never did find a solution on our '02 Dutch Star. The Magna doesn't have a CB and I don't plan on adding one.

Just Cruising · 09-26-2015, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melorene

I still have the factory cb antenna and do get good swr but poor transmission and reception.. looking to get a better antenna but vertical height above on top limits length. anyone change it out and get better reception. Radio is not the problem...Mel

I junked the factory antenna and ran one on the sidewall above the drivers side window and used a Wilson K-40 that has the twist off antenna should you want to take it off and it works great. You do have to run a heavy ground wire from the frame up to the antenna base to get a good ground. I use a Cobra model 29 CB with a separate speaker next to the drivers seat hidden behind the drape for the windshield to hear it well and to be able to leave on low while driving. I can tell you from experience it takes some doing to run the cable up the side post, through the cabinets to the antenna base on the sidewall, but it can be done and comes out looking very clean and professional as an installation.

Old Scout · 09-26-2015, 03:09 PM

Yup--CB is so "yesterday" --only vulgar language and most of its not in english--but if you must. I'd recommend that before you get all excited about a new antenna, you should first look at the way WRV bundled up the excess CB cable under the dash. By wrapping it upon itself several times, they created a blocking effect for signals going to/from the antenna.

Melorene · 09-27-2015, 09:27 AM

yes did see a lot of antenna wrapped behind break pedal.. will look into it also.. my friend and I when travelling are on 14 so don't get much interference from other not wanted chatters... thanks for the replies.. Mel

Renipladlo · 09-27-2015, 09:39 AM

Todays hand held radio's work up to 5 miles, you don't need a license and the reception is as good as CB, save all the trouble, get 4 of them, he has two, you have two, why. Your copilot can use one while they back you up when putting it in for the night. Better than shouting and disturbing all the folks in the park.

Nana25K · 09-27-2015, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renipladlo

Todays hand held radio's work up to 5 miles, you don't need a license and the reception is as good as CB, save all the trouble, get 4 of them, he has two, you have two, why. Your copilot can use one while they back you up when putting it in for the night. Better than shouting and disturbing all the folks in the park.

No license needed for CB
Don't know that I would add one but since ours is there we use it for asking about slowdowns, traffic accidents etc

Melorene · 09-28-2015, 12:49 PM

I do have a set of hand held radios that work well so may end up just using them.. thanks. Mel

wa8yxm · 09-28-2015, 03:06 PM

There are many factors that affect antenna performance and a few more that affect not SWR... but your SWR reading.

Here is something you may not know.. If you very carefully measure the coax you can have either a dead short or no antenna at all and get an SWR of 1:1... No, I've never done that.. But it can be done and yes, I do have the tools to do it with. Well the theroretical tools (I do not have one piece of test gear I'd like).

THUS a good SWR may not be a Good SWR.. But let's assume it is.

The shorter the antenna the shorter the range (Below a full quarter wave, what is that 109 inches) thus most all antennas used on RV's are short antennas..

IF the body is fiberglass then mounting location (Side/front/rear/center) is not as important than if the body is metal

I mounted a NO GROUND PLANE (This is important if your body is fiberglass) antenna on the side of the RV... The A Pillar was an easy place to mount it... (Just aft of the windshield) I set the tip height so it will hit a bridge BEFORE the A/C does so if I have a "Oh I don't know
I creep up and use a mirror (hadn mirror out the window) to check clearance. .. But generally speaking the longer the better up to 109". But of course you also have that bland 13'6" height limit.