| Author |
Message |
    
Keyman
New member
Username: Keyman
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 12:25 am: | 
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I am new to to this and need your help. I am an RVer and the CB we have now seems to be a dud. It seems to not get out very far. I was looking at the cobra 29 radio, do I need an amp or what is a good antenna? Please help.
Thank you
RS |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3531
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 10:07 am: |
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As a rule .....
A 45-60 inch long antenna is best for most people there are many to choose from ...
The Cobra 29 is a nice radio and should work well..
Ok how far is far ?????? |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 907
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
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Keyman,
Most RV's I believe are made of fiberglass. Mobile cb antennas need a metal grounplane to get a low VSWR and operate well. I would suggest looking into what is called a " NO GROUNDPLANE ANTENNA". You can find them at radio shack and even some truck stops. I think Copper sells one as well!! A marine type antenna may work also because boats are void of any metal grounplane. Maybe an RV dealership can assist you in finding a no groundplane antenna? I'm almost certain this is you trouble.
The Cobra 29 is a great radio! Buy one from Copper and they will tune it up and you will get out real good! If you really enjoy talking on the cb then go for an amp! Get your radio going barefoot first. On top a big RV with a good antenna and LOW vswr a 29 should get at least 10 miles or more depending on terrain, weather and time of day.73's and happy RVing!!!!!!!! CEF491 |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 316
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 7:31 pm: |
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if he has the old metal mirrors he can buy a wilson truker of something similar too that
dale/cef426 |
Keyman
New member
Username: Keyman
Post Number: 2
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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Thank you for the help. I will give you a little bit better info. The radio is in the truck and I have the fire sticks on the mirror brackets. The truck is a little semi ( Freightliner ). I was told that the fire sticks where a bad way to go and that is what I have. They are the 3' ones, but if you give it the hight of the truck it is up there. Would I be better putting the antenna's at a better spot? |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 908
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 7:38 am: |
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So its a tractor? If so you really don't have many options but the mirrors. The Firesticks should work but you can get better performance with a Wilson like Dale stated! Also like Bruce said you have many to chose from, just go bigger. Try just using one antenna and be sure SWR is low. |
Im4jc
Intermediate Member
Username: Im4jc
Post Number: 116
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 2:17 pm: |
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Throw a single Wilson 2000 Trucker up there and you won't be disappointed! It performs very well...far better than the Firesticks, and is very resiliant to tree whacking. |
Keyman
New member
Username: Keyman
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
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Thanks guy's! I looked at the wilson 2000 and I think I will go with that also. Can I mount this between the back of my cab and my bed. If I mount this on the mirrors I will be way up there. If I mount it behind the cab I can keep it down a foot or too. What do you think? Thanks again for all your help. |
Moonraker
Intermediate Member
Username: Moonraker
Post Number: 159
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 11:34 pm: |
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Keyman,as long as the loading coil on the antenna is above the cab, it should be fine. I wouldn't mount it between the cab and bed, but on the top of the bed behind the cab should be OK. Have you thought about one of the wilson mag mounts? The higher you get the antenna on the truck the better it will perform.
We are talking about a pick-up...right? |
Keyman
New member
Username: Keyman
Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 12:20 am: |
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Moonraker'
What I have is a Freightliner, it is a semi truck. It is a fourdoor cab with an RV hauler bed on the back. I have about 6" between the cab and the rack for the bed. From the ground to the top of the rack it is about 8' high, so if I mount the antenna on the top of that it's way up there. |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 915
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 9:14 am: |
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Keyman, Just try it and see how she does. What do ya have to lose? Thats what keeps this stuff interesting, trial and error! Let us know how it turns out OK? good luck |
Rldrake
Member
Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 78
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 9:31 am: |
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Like Bruce said, "how far is far?".
What is your typical range and how did you determine it ?
What range are you expecting as compared to what you are getting ? |
Keyman
New member
Username: Keyman
Post Number: 5
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 10:14 pm: |
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I will get it and do a trial and error and let you know. How far is far well, most of the time on open road not more than 300 yards. That is talking with even truckers. |
Keyman
New member
Username: Keyman
Post Number: 6
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 12:03 am: |
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Sorry to ask alot of dumb questions but, here is 1 more. I was just looking on new products and they have a new Cobra 150gtl dx mobile radio. Here comes the dumb part, it does not say CB. Is there a difference in these 2? |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1195
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 1:57 am: |
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the 150gtl dx is a 10 meter radio for amateur radio use.
it can be easily converted to cover the CB band, but it would be illegal to operate.
matt |
Rldrake
Member
Username: Rldrake
Post Number: 83
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 11:04 am: |
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If your range is actually only 300 yards, you have a very serious problem. How did you determine the 300 yards? And is this 300 yard range both transmit and receive? Or just one of the two ? |
