CB Radios Antennas
CB Radios Antennas: Choosing the Right One for You
Choosing the right CB radios antenna is crucial, as we all know, it is the heart of any radio operator’s station. There are a lot of things to consider and oftentimes the brand name goes at the bottom of the list. How will the antenna mount in your car? Will your car fit in your garage while the antenna is on the roof? How tall does it have to be? What specific brand works best for me? Aside from those things, you also have to think about the weather and your location.
Length is the first thing you have to consider when looking at CB radios antennas. Keep in mind that the tall ones work better and get a longer range than their short counterparts in general. The higher your antenna is, the farther your message will go and the same goes when receiving messages from farther away.
So what’s the ideal length of CB radios antennas? The most preferred length is about 8 ½ feet, this is tantamount to ¼ of a wavelength. You may have been cringing right now because it may not even be an option for you. Don’t fret because a lot of companies manufacture shorter antennas. The only downside is if your reception isn’t as good.
Another factor that should be looked into when looking at CB radios antennas is the coil location. A base-loaded antenna houses the coil at the bottom which is typically in a plastic covering. Most of these types contain a magnet at the bottom to mount it on a vehicle’s roof. Base-loaded antennas generally have higher wattage outputs and they are often mounted on car or truck roofs and trunks.
The center-loaded may seem confusing because the coil is not in the middle but it is usually near the bottom, not at the base though. People who have large trucks and semis prefer this type. If you want an affordable antenna then you can go for the top-loaded type. This is considered to be the most effective even though it generally contains low wattage. Top-loaded antennas are normally produced using fiberglass. The thin wire is wrapped on the outside of the shaft and is covered with a protective layer. You can mount it lower on the car because it will be more likely taller than the roof on the car.
So we’re down with the coil location, what else should you pay attention to when shopping for CB radios antennas? Mounting is also very important. If you want something that you can take off and put back on, you can opt for the magnetic ones. What’s great about these antennas is that you can easily move them around to find a better reception.
