CB Antenna

[cmack]

As most of you know, I snapped my firestick the other day on the trails. Which means it's time for a new one....not to sure I want to stick with firestick though, since my cousin managed to break 3 so far and our third wheeling buddy has broken 2 of them. I think they are now running Wilsons (Not 100% sure), but they have held up A LOT better. Just curious to see what you guys are running and what you recommend. Not sure yet what length I want to go with (doesn't the shorter the antenna, the less range?). I had either a 4 or 5 foot one and it hit EVERYTHING. I have a fold-over mount, but it would smack the cab or bed too much while driving so I just left it up (laziness). Maybe I should go with a quick release system and store it in the cab or bed when not in use? Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[yotarob]

Did you have it on a spring? A firefly is suppossed to be more flexable, but should still have a spring.

 

[SamSter0077]

Those Skinny Wilson Antennas are a LOT more flexible. But I am wondering myself, you do have a spring at the base of your Firestick... right?

 

[cmack]

For my firestick i never had a spring. It was connected to a foldover mount. Will adding a spring make it that much more flexible so it won't break as easy?

My truck came with my CB setup already in when I bought it back in 2008. I just never Felt the need to mess with it...until now, that the antenna has snapped.

 

[yotarob]

OOhhh yeah. A $7 spring will make it a whole lot more flexable.

 

[SamSter0077]

OOhhh yeah. A $7 spring will make it a whole lot more flexable.

x2

 

[AlienXtx]

X3...get a firefly flexy with spring mount, it's way flexy. That's what I'm running and have had no problems at all, I live on a road with lots of tree branches that hit mine all the time and it just springs back.

 

[Broker]

I have a 2ft antenna with no spring. It sticks maybe 2 or 3 inches above my cab. Can't say I have ever noticed it hit anything. For what I use my cb for I could care less about range. The only ppl I talk to with it I can see in line of sight, so range isn't really an issue for me. I have no need to talk to someone that's miles away.

 

[Silverback]

I have a Firefly, no spring and its very flexy. Only time I've broken it was when it was pressed up against the garage door and bent back and I drove forward... not designed to be shaped like an 'S'. But bending in one direction is not a problem at all.

 

[Oswego]

My 4' Firestick has little to no flex so last time I went out and didn't take it off the quick disconnect it got bent. I had springs on, but I can't pull into a parking garage with them so know I think Ill have to put on springs and quick disconnects and re-tune again.

 

[cmack]

Ok, so I'm thinking I'll stick with the Firestick Firefly then. The one that snapped was a 4' one...I'm torn if I should go 4' or 3'. Also too, I like the idea of the quick disconnect. My issue mainly with using the spring is I don't think I'll be able to fit into the garage. I don't park in the garage every night, but there are times when I have to put it in the garage. Plus when driving in parking garages, the old one ALWAYS hit the roof and any signs I couldn't avoid. So I'm wondering if maybe I should either get the quick disconnect and keep the antenna off except for trail runs. Or if i should stick with my foldover mount, and just devise some sort of system to clip/hold it down. Or if I should go with the spring, but risk not being able to get into the garage without having to remove the antenna

 

[yotarob]

I'd put it on a spring either way.

 

[cmack]

This may be a stupid question, but can you put a spring on between the antenna and say the fold-over mount?

 

[yotarob]

Never had a fold over mount but I am 99% sure that it won't matter. The spring has the same male & female threads as the antenna so I don't see any issues.

 

[tex]

I have a 3 foot fire fly and it worked very well last weekend. Fold over mount and 3' firefly should be a good set up. I am probable going to get a fold over mount for mine and pit the aping back on so I can leave it on all the time.

 

[cmack]

Well I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get away with a 3ft firefly based off my needs/uses. But I'm just not sure how much of a loss the range would be, and I'm curious to know what it is..time to search around for that info

 

[tex]

Going from 4' to 3' will cause you to loose 25%. I got this info from a local cb shop.

 

[TacoXpo]

awww - stimulate your local economy - get everyone Ham Radios!!!!

 

[thekidcatcher]

I dont think you could break that thing with a spring on it. I beat the crap outta mine

 

[AlienXtx]

so that's were you have been......