CB Radio Antennas

A Basic Guide to CB Radio Antennas

Keep in touch with a CB radio antenna. On eBay, you can find them both new and used, and in a variety of configurations. Whether you use your CB radio for commercial or personal use, a capable CB antenna makes many things possible.

CB radio signal receivers come in several varieties, classified according to load position:

• Bottom loaded aerials: Also called base-loaded or magnet aerials, their thick wires concentrate in the bottom of these receivers. Magnets and low centers of gravity make them well-suited for external mounting.
• No ground plane aerials: These receive signals even if mounted on non-metallic vehicle surfaces and have wire wrappings mounted in their bases.
• Whip aerials: These derive their names from their whip-like shapes and are coil-less. The greater the length, the more effective it is.
• Center loaded aerials: The wire wrappings in these receivers sit towards the centers of the shafts.
• Fiberglass aerials. Durable and light, these aerials have small coils in their tips. The longer they are, the more range they give you.

Yes, you can use them for both CB and ham radio signals. Some manufacturers make CB radio signal receivers that can capture signals from both ham and CB radio transmitters to give you more options in emergencies.

There are a few details you should know about when using these antennas, particularly range, tuning, and wiring.

• Range: The range of your aerial depends on several factors including total wire length, but 3-10 miles is a standard measure. If you choose receivers of the right length, mount type, and quality, you will be on the right track.
• Tuning: You may need to tune your CB antenna, depending on the situation of your vehicle and your particular antenna. Your vehicle acts as an electrical base for your radio receiver. The size of this foundation varies from car to car. To get the most out of this effect, tuning your pickup is necessary to help your aerial to pick up and increase signals in its frequency range. Lastly, a tuned antenna can help your gear last longer.
• Wiring:The quality and type of wire you use affects the performance of your aerial. To get more out of your system, you can use shielded coaxial cable, which resists outside interference.

• Brand: Some brands you can pick from include Francis, Hustler, K40, Monkey Made, TRAM, and Wilson.
• Fit: Select from Base Station Radio or Mobile/In-Vehicle Radio.
• Condition: Used CB radio antennas are available in excellent, used condition, which can come in handy if you're on a budget.