CB Antenna any good??

johnandcaren · 09-13-2010, 11:39 AM

My Gulf Stream MH came with two CB antennas on top, in the front. The short, white type. I installed a Cobra CB and it gets nothing. Using squealch I dial from full static to just silent, and after that there is no activity, like its not hooked up, but it is.

Are these antenna any good?

If not, what's a good alternative that has simplified installation? Best not to put new holes in my roof. Any types I can get to just "replace" what is already up there without new holes? Especially since the cables are already pulled.

Tks

GaryKD · 09-13-2010, 02:38 PM

Hi johnandcaren,
Before doing anything to replace the antennas, consider having a professional look at the installation. The antennas should be adjustable. When the SWR is checked the service person should be able to adjust the antenna length accordingly. If the antennas have never been used, it may be something very simple.

This may sound dumb, but are you sure the antennas are for the CB? I have not heard of two CB antennas being installed on a coach. It is possible, the coach is large enough to accommodate two antennas. These antennas may be for the coach stereo sound system.

johnandcaren · 09-13-2010, 02:49 PM

Good point. The professional is a good idea if it comes to that.

The dealer told me they were CB antennas and the brochure says it comes with CB antennas. Also, the jack fits the CB radio perfectly of course, and was previously not connected to anything. The radio worked fine when that antenna wire was disconnected.

Thanks again,

GaryKD · 09-13-2010, 02:58 PM

Hi John,
The coach could have been pre wired for CB. This means the cable under the dash would connect to the CB. However, on the roof, there may or may not be an antenna(s). Many coaches have a plate on the roof (sometimes hard to find). When removed the "other" end of the antenna cable will be found.

Good luck and please post the solution here.

wa8yxm · 09-13-2010, 04:01 PM

Ok, basic antennas .001

There is a proper length for any antenna.. for CB's it is approx 9 feet. (Actually it's 18 feet but the body of the vehicle provides the other 9 feet)

Any antenna shorter than that is going to not work as well

The SHORTER the antenna, The ... Shorter the range.. it's that simple.

Now.. since the roof of the motor home is what. about 12' up, and since you are not allowed to exceed 13'6" that leaves a max of 18 inches for the CB antenna. 1/6th of the optimum and that.. Is assuming you have a proper ground plane under it.

IN short.. Those stubby CB antennas.. Are good for talking across the camp site.. but trying to talk to your friend 5 camp sites down.. Not going to happen (Ok, so I exaggerate a bit)
Now there are some decent antennas starting in about the 5-6 foot range.. I say decent... Not great.. One such is the Firestick.

But frankly.. Nothing shorter than a quarter wave will work as good..

dajudge · 09-13-2010, 04:19 PM

johnandcaren, you may have the same problem i had. when i purchased my coach, it had two antennas on the top. i installed a cb and it did not work. i took it to a technician, and he told me one was for a cb, the other for am/fm, but they were both amfm antennas. the factory installed both the same. after he changed to a cb ant, it worked fine.

Ray,IN · 09-13-2010, 06:21 PM

The cable may be the problem. If great care is not taken when installing the ends, just one tiny strand of gnd shield touching the center conductor will cause a short, no reception/transmit strength.

Darrel · 09-13-2010, 07:22 PM

You might get more specific help on the "CB radio" thread under the "hobbies" category in this forum. In my case the prewired antenna was junk.

It was not difficult on my MH to add a firestick NGP antenna on the side of the MH. I chose the 4 foot version with about 18 inches extending above the roof. It functions up to about 5 miles in most cases.

Have a nice day - Darrel

SCVJeff · 09-13-2010, 10:50 PM

I'm surprised John didn't suggest this.. If the CB has a built-in VSWR meter, learn how to use it and check the match on the antennas. That will tell you everything about them including if they're even hooked up.

As far as looking for a "professional" related to CB these days? ... maybe a truckstop, or the guy at Gamblers RV in Quartzsite if you're in his neighborhood.

wagonmaster2 · 09-22-2010, 09:04 PM

My Winnebago came with a junky CB antenna on the roof and instructions how to adjust the SWR. But no matter how much I tinkered with the antenna from one end of the adjustment level to the other I could never get the SWR reading out of the "red". Thought about installing a different antenna but found it much easier to just not use the CB radio.

Wagonmaster2

FreshAir · 09-23-2010, 01:33 AM

Where is Bill?

hamguy · 09-23-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

My Winnebago came with a junky CB antenna on the roof and instructions how to adjust the SWR. But no matter how much I tinkered with the antenna from one end of the adjustment level to the other I could never get the SWR reading out of the "red". Thought about installing a different antenna but found it much easier to just not use the CB radio.

Wagonmaster2

In 7years and 60,000+ miles on the road, I have yet to hear an RVer on CB. I have learned a bunch of new words. For road info, the truckers (bad language and all) provide good up-to-date info. For other communications, I use a cell phone or my ham radio rig. Overall, the cell phone is best.