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CB Antennas
The Aluminum Box Company carries CB Antennas from manufacturers like Wilson, Firestick an Francis These three represent the Best among Antenna Manufactures. They all perform well for most applications. From Basic Mirror mounting like the Wilson Trucker 2000 from Wilson or the Hot Rods from Francis (old favorite for Truckers) to the Firestick FS4 series and KW Series.
When it comes to selecting the right one for your specific needs look at the Specs on the package or visit the manufactures web site for advice.
When it comes to selecting the right one for your specific needs look at the Specs on the package or visit the manufactures web site for advice.
Trick Designs Deal or No Deal
Over the past several years a lot of manufactures have fell out of the pictrure with updated or so called, innovated styles and designs. Remember the "WING" version. This design was used mostly in the Van Conversion field. The Gull Wing as some called it was a poor performer. The unique design was limited to transmit and receive as far as you could see. The manufacture stated in the instructions to disregard the SWR reading that you get because the design of the antenna was far superior to the others made at that time. This should have been a dead give-a-way for those that know about what is important to CB Antennas. Another poor performer was the GLASS MOUNT style, still sold today. If there is no other cb antenna to stay way from it would be this one. 27mhz will not transmit effectively through glass.
Choose from a known Manufacture
All CB Antennas are based on the Mother Of All Antennas in the 11meter field. And that would be THE 102in STEEL WHIP. Always works if mounted propertly. The long stainless steel antenna, a bit longer than the one used on older police cars. This antenna represented a full wave length. All good 11 meter antennas are designed around this length, either made up the difference with a coil at the base or middle or top, or the entire antenna is wrapped like some of the Firestick Antennas. The Firestick FS4 preforms among the best when it comes to antennas. This style will flex a good deal and is very cheap compaired to the others. But lets not forget the oldest manufacture for CB Antennas, Francis which is now owned by Wilson and Barjan Inc. If you cain't beat them just buy them out I guess.
If you are trying to select the BEST CB ANTENNA for your specific needs then do so by only dealing with the top 3 manufactures or one that has been around the block or has a good feedback. Decide on where to mount and what type of mount you are going to use. The higher the better.
If you are trying to select the BEST CB ANTENNA for your specific needs then do so by only dealing with the top 3 manufactures or one that has been around the block or has a good feedback. Decide on where to mount and what type of mount you are going to use. The higher the better.
Mirror Mounting Most Common for Truckers
Mirror Mounting , Truck mount, Hood mount all 3 are acceptable and all favor advantages on each other. Remember above reading higher is better? This is very true. The advantage of height prevails over design any day.
Lets examine the Most Common way which is the mirror, only because of Truckers.
Lets examine the Most Common way which is the mirror, only because of Truckers.
Consider Reflection for mirror mounting
If this is your application one of the first things to consider is reflection issues. This is when the performance of the antenna is effected by being mounted to close to surrounding metal. The rule of thumb is usually keep it 3ft away from material or surfaces that nest next to it. Like the roof of a truck the side of the vehicle or the spoiler on top. A lot of common sense has to kick in here because you cain't to that for the most part. To offest the balance a bit keep at least 2/3rds of the antenna above this object. So longer can be better in some cases. NOTE: Never use a base loaded antenna on a mirror.
No Ground Plane
The second thing to check is for ground. There is a mis-understanding on this subject from non techinical minded consumers. I don't mean physical ground or body ground. I mean GROUND PLANE
To explain this would take about a week to most and then they would not know what you are referring to. To simply see if this applies to your mounting application get out the old magnet. Touch it to the door of the truck and see if it is sticks. If it don't stick read on. The top 3 manufactures make non-grounding antennas for just this application, Wilson, Firestick, Francis. Your selection now is narrowed down to these styles if you want it to be simple. The latest creation in this category would have to be the Wilson Non-Ground Version. Sold under this part name, "Slide-To-Tune" These are sold in 2 lenghts 3ft and 4ft versions. This is a good choice for the average Slip Seat Trucker. A easy tune application for the Professional in and out of every kind of truck daily.
Another over looked way to correct this non-grounding problem is 2 seperate antennas. Yes sometimes call co-phaze antennas. They work together to create a ground plane effect on each other as long as their distance from each other is considered. The downside is the have to maintain and carry 2 individual antennas and mounts.
Here is a good rule of thumb. If the previous truck you just climbed out of had better reception than the one you are in now, you are probably in a non-ground truck. If you are just using it on ocassion then keep the transmitting down to a miniumn. The finals of your CB will fail if you transmit with the SWR being to high. This will keep out of the CB Repair trailer this week.
The third and last thing to consider when you are looking for an antenna would be ,what kind of CB are you're using.
To explain this would take about a week to most and then they would not know what you are referring to. To simply see if this applies to your mounting application get out the old magnet. Touch it to the door of the truck and see if it is sticks. If it don't stick read on. The top 3 manufactures make non-grounding antennas for just this application, Wilson, Firestick, Francis. Your selection now is narrowed down to these styles if you want it to be simple. The latest creation in this category would have to be the Wilson Non-Ground Version. Sold under this part name, "Slide-To-Tune" These are sold in 2 lenghts 3ft and 4ft versions. This is a good choice for the average Slip Seat Trucker. A easy tune application for the Professional in and out of every kind of truck daily.
Another over looked way to correct this non-grounding problem is 2 seperate antennas. Yes sometimes call co-phaze antennas. They work together to create a ground plane effect on each other as long as their distance from each other is considered. The downside is the have to maintain and carry 2 individual antennas and mounts.
Here is a good rule of thumb. If the previous truck you just climbed out of had better reception than the one you are in now, you are probably in a non-ground truck. If you are just using it on ocassion then keep the transmitting down to a miniumn. The finals of your CB will fail if you transmit with the SWR being to high. This will keep out of the CB Repair trailer this week.
The third and last thing to consider when you are looking for an antenna would be ,what kind of CB are you're using.
What type of CB Radio?
Is it a Normal 40 channel or an Export with expanded channels. As we all know they are not accepted by the FCC. If normal buy one for the mounting style or price point. If you are using the extra channel version you will be paying more for your taste in CB's.
The Export CB Radios like Magnum, Stryker, Connex, Superstar, Galaxy all make this type. They require a BROAD BANDED antenna. The antennas look different in which there is always some type of coil showing. Be it base loaded , middle or center loaded or top loaded, which is the better performer. The higher the coil the better. This high performance antennas are always more expensive and should always be used if you have expanded channel CB. If not used, the SWR will be to high to operate these channels
The Export CB Radios like Magnum, Stryker, Connex, Superstar, Galaxy all make this type. They require a BROAD BANDED antenna. The antennas look different in which there is always some type of coil showing. Be it base loaded , middle or center loaded or top loaded, which is the better performer. The higher the coil the better. This high performance antennas are always more expensive and should always be used if you have expanded channel CB. If not used, the SWR will be to high to operate these channels
What about coax?
I know we briefly cover a few of the important topics on choosing the right antenna. But we still need to consider the COAX. Buy what you can afford but don't buy cheap. Your CB will pay for this.. Buy the good stuff and replace it often. It takes a beating with the weather and the constant hooking and unhooking.
Summary
Choose from a known Manufacture. Choose based on mounting possibilities. Choose based on the CB Radio you are using, and lastly choose from us. The Aluminum Box Company. OUR STORE
These 3 sites will answer most all of the questions you might have about CB Antenna. If not, give us a call at The Aluminum Box Company 1-866--837-3934 an ask to speak to someone in our Tech. Department. 35 years experience in CB Radio and Antenna has to count for something!
Below you will find a list of articles that will help you in making the right choice for a good CB Antenna.
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This is the most comprehensive site on information about CB Antennas
A must read article.
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For you older Slip Seaters
Remember these. In the early seventies a lot of truckers were purchasing "beer can antennas". This was the fade for several years. A set of Budweiser Cans or set of Pabst Blue Ribbon ones. For a limited time we are bring them back for you. Wilson 2000 Truckers antennas fitted with BEER CANS. Empty of course.
Be the envy of all your friends with these antennas. High Performance Cannies, Co-phaze available in :Bud Style or Blue Ribbon. Call to reserve your set. Only from The Aluminum Box Company Coming soon Coors' Version.
1-866-424-0575
A lot of you are running Monkey Made as well as other designer antennas. These offer a high degree of performance but cost usually more. The size and weight has to be considered since you are moving this from truck to truck.
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Antennas
Brackets & Mounts
CB Dress-up
CB Performance
CB & 10 Meter
CB Ext & PA Spk.
Coax & Fittings
Filters
Frequency Counters
Professional Install
Assemble Yourself
Meters
Mikes
Power Supply
Satellite Radio
Stereo Speakers
Stereos
HD Radio
What's New