Antenna
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: West Haverstraw, New York
For the Very Best,(perfectly tuned) You need
to get 104" whip with a heavy duty 4" spring.
The spring becomes part of the antenna which
will give you ideal length of 108". That's the
Very Best.
Anything less will still have 108", but it will be
folded, wrapped, or added some other way to
make the 108" mark.
108" will give you the best swr returns.
to get 104" whip with a heavy duty 4" spring.
The spring becomes part of the antenna which
will give you ideal length of 108". That's the
Very Best.
Anything less will still have 108", but it will be
folded, wrapped, or added some other way to
make the 108" mark.
108" will give you the best swr returns.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
From: Boardman, Ohio
Originally Posted by BoneShkr
For the Very Best,(perfectly tuned) You need
to get 104" whip with a heavy duty 4" spring.
The spring becomes part of the antenna which
will give you ideal length of 108". That's the
Very Best.
Anything less will still have 108", but it will be
folded, wrapped, or added some other way to
make the 108" mark.
108" will give you the best swr returns.
to get 104" whip with a heavy duty 4" spring.
The spring becomes part of the antenna which
will give you ideal length of 108". That's the
Very Best.
Anything less will still have 108", but it will be
folded, wrapped, or added some other way to
make the 108" mark.
108" will give you the best swr returns.
JK Jedi
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,546
Likes: 2
From: Panorama city,Ca
Originally Posted by Willis19
Well I don't want a 6 foot antenna whipping around I was thinking maybe a 3' firestik with a Tera flex cb antenna mount ? Good idea?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: West Haverstraw, New York
Once a CB antenna has been installed, the next step is to check and, if necessary, adjust the standing wave ratio (SWR). This procedure requires nothing more than your installed radio, antenna, and a SWR meter. The ultimate goal of this process is to end up with a SWR of less than 2:1 on all channels. We suggest setting the SWR on both channels 1 and 40.
1.Turn CB off and disconnect the antenna coax cable from the back of it.
2.Connect the end of you antenna coax to the SWR meter where it indicates "antenna"
3.Connect the short coax cable coming from the transmitter position on the SWR meter to the back of the CB.
4.Close the hood and doors on your vehicle.
5.Turn on the CB.
6.Set the CB to Channel 1.
7.Set the SWR meter to the FWD position.
8.Key microphone and turn knob until the SWR meter indicates the "set" position. Un-key microphone.
9.Flip SWR meter to the Reflect position.
10.Key microphone and look at the reading on the SWR meter. The lower the reading, the better. 11.If the meter shows in red DO NOT operate CB. Re-check your connections.
12.Turn CB to channel 40. Follow instructions 7-10 again.
Adjusting your antenna (matching the 40 channel bandwidth).
~If the reading on channel 1 is higher than the reading on channel 40, you need to lengthen your antenna. Alternately, if the reading on 40 is higher, your antenna is too long.
~For example, if your reading is 1.3 on channel 1 and 2.1 on channel 40 you need to trim down the tip, turn adjusting ring, or pull out wire a small amount, cut it, and tuck it back against the coil.
~If your reading is 2.7 on channel 1 and 1.5 on channel 40 your antenna is too short. the only solution is to add a spring, raise the antenna, or reposition it.
~If any adjustments are needed, they should be made in small increments. Re-check after each adjustment. Be sure to have all components on the antenna when testing, including the tip if there is one.
13.Re-connect the antenna after adjustment.
This Information was reproduced via CB World
Procedure for setting CB antennas
1.Turn CB off and disconnect the antenna coax cable from the back of it.
2.Connect the end of you antenna coax to the SWR meter where it indicates "antenna"
3.Connect the short coax cable coming from the transmitter position on the SWR meter to the back of the CB.
4.Close the hood and doors on your vehicle.
5.Turn on the CB.
6.Set the CB to Channel 1.
7.Set the SWR meter to the FWD position.
8.Key microphone and turn knob until the SWR meter indicates the "set" position. Un-key microphone.
9.Flip SWR meter to the Reflect position.
10.Key microphone and look at the reading on the SWR meter. The lower the reading, the better. 11.If the meter shows in red DO NOT operate CB. Re-check your connections.
12.Turn CB to channel 40. Follow instructions 7-10 again.
Adjusting your antenna (matching the 40 channel bandwidth).
~If the reading on channel 1 is higher than the reading on channel 40, you need to lengthen your antenna. Alternately, if the reading on 40 is higher, your antenna is too long.
~For example, if your reading is 1.3 on channel 1 and 2.1 on channel 40 you need to trim down the tip, turn adjusting ring, or pull out wire a small amount, cut it, and tuck it back against the coil.
~If your reading is 2.7 on channel 1 and 1.5 on channel 40 your antenna is too short. the only solution is to add a spring, raise the antenna, or reposition it.
~If any adjustments are needed, they should be made in small increments. Re-check after each adjustment. Be sure to have all components on the antenna when testing, including the tip if there is one.
13.Re-connect the antenna after adjustment.
This Information was reproduced via CB World
Procedure for setting CB antennas
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
From: West Haverstraw, New York
I have a 108" antenna whip.
I don't have any pictures, but the best way I
can describe what I did was to clip the top to the rain
gutter on the drivers side. when I really need the range,
I release it from the clip.
The heavy duty spring really keeps the antenna from
flailing around in the wind. As well as keeping the antenna
attached to my vehicle when wheeling through the woods.
I don't have any pictures, but the best way I
can describe what I did was to clip the top to the rain
gutter on the drivers side. when I really need the range,
I release it from the clip.
The heavy duty spring really keeps the antenna from
flailing around in the wind. As well as keeping the antenna
attached to my vehicle when wheeling through the woods.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 419
Likes: 2
From: Indy
FireFly
ANTENNA THEORY
The antenna makes all the difference in CB's, that are limited to 4 Watts. You want to make sure you get the mount grounded well. Then you need to tune them with a SWR meter. In theory you want antennas to be as high as possible and have 1/3 above the roof. The longer the antenna the better the range you will get. It's best not to sanwitch you antenna in between the tire and window like I have mine mounted. A better option is the Arizona Rocky Road mount that extends the mount over the spare tire.
A whip is the best in theory only. I was thinking they were 102" (8.5'). If I remember right that is a 1/4" of a CB wavelength. I say best in theory because the thing is 8.5' tall (or damb close at least 
) and it whips all over the place and is not very trail friendly to anyone around the Jeep. Whips are not allowed in some places and clubs. Also it requires a beefy mount to hold it up. I do think they look cool as hell though.
Firestik FireFly Antenna
As for the best Antenna for actual off-road use I would say the Firestik FireFly Antenna. It will have FL in the name if it is a firefly. Don't confused the firefly with firestiks other models that are much more ridged and require a spring . It's very flexible (and doesn't need a spring), Light weight, More top wound than than the more common Firestick II. It also gives you about a mile better range then the super flexible Wilson Flex. The firefly comes in 3' and 4' lengths. According to "Right Channel Radio's" you can expect the range to be
3' Length: 3 to 4 miles
4' Length: 4 to 6 miles
I've got the 3' mounted to the base of the spare. It is an 1" longer then my garage clearance and it creates no problem for the antenna or door frame. It has a tune-able tip screw for adjusting the SWR that is covered with a plastic cap. It's a good idea to put some hairspray in the cap after you have adjusted the antenna. That's the same way you keep on mountain bike grips.
Here is a firefly that comes standard with a cooltech ultramount shown below
If you decided to get something else at the local truck stop I would make sure it has a tune-able tip. These dudes are only about $20 and there is no reason to have to fiddle with trimming wire to adjust the SWR.
Good Luck
The antenna makes all the difference in CB's, that are limited to 4 Watts. You want to make sure you get the mount grounded well. Then you need to tune them with a SWR meter. In theory you want antennas to be as high as possible and have 1/3 above the roof. The longer the antenna the better the range you will get. It's best not to sanwitch you antenna in between the tire and window like I have mine mounted. A better option is the Arizona Rocky Road mount that extends the mount over the spare tire.
For the Very Best,(perfectly tuned) You need
to get 104" whip with a heavy duty 4" spring.
The spring becomes part of the antenna which
will give you ideal length of 108". That's the
Very Best.
Anything less will still have 108", but it will be
folded, wrapped, or added some other way to
make the 108" mark.
108" will give you the best swr returns.
to get 104" whip with a heavy duty 4" spring.
The spring becomes part of the antenna which
will give you ideal length of 108". That's the
Very Best.
Anything less will still have 108", but it will be
folded, wrapped, or added some other way to
make the 108" mark.
108" will give you the best swr returns.
) and it whips all over the place and is not very trail friendly to anyone around the Jeep. Whips are not allowed in some places and clubs. Also it requires a beefy mount to hold it up. I do think they look cool as hell though.Firestik FireFly Antenna
As for the best Antenna for actual off-road use I would say the Firestik FireFly Antenna. It will have FL in the name if it is a firefly. Don't confused the firefly with firestiks other models that are much more ridged and require a spring . It's very flexible (and doesn't need a spring), Light weight, More top wound than than the more common Firestick II. It also gives you about a mile better range then the super flexible Wilson Flex. The firefly comes in 3' and 4' lengths. According to "Right Channel Radio's" you can expect the range to be
3' Length: 3 to 4 miles
4' Length: 4 to 6 miles
I've got the 3' mounted to the base of the spare. It is an 1" longer then my garage clearance and it creates no problem for the antenna or door frame. It has a tune-able tip screw for adjusting the SWR that is covered with a plastic cap. It's a good idea to put some hairspray in the cap after you have adjusted the antenna. That's the same way you keep on mountain bike grips.
Here is a firefly that comes standard with a cooltech ultramount shown below
If you decided to get something else at the local truck stop I would make sure it has a tune-able tip. These dudes are only about $20 and there is no reason to have to fiddle with trimming wire to adjust the SWR.
Good Luck
Last edited by Rooster76; Aug 9, 2012 at 08:39 PM.
