What type of CB antenna to use??

[TB2Blazer]

Well I just got a new CB and need an antenna and was wondering which is better as far as reception and distance goes. I can either get a wilson 5000 10" antenna which is smaller http://www.cbcity.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cat=82&cart=158474 or a longer whip style antenna which is about 102" or something like that anyone have any experience with them as far as the whip compared to the smaller 10 inch?

 

[prerunner1982]

get both, get the wilson for the trails as the whip antennas tend to fly around and hit things/people... but get the whip for highway use when distance is the key. Unless you wheel alone and need the extra range to call for help..

 

[readymix]

The 102SS will X-Mit and Receive better than a 10" antenna. The 102" is a 1/4 wave...as far as i know the Wilson 500, 1000, and 5000 never had a 10" whip with those mounts. Could it be that it was cut down for looks? If so i would suggest not using it or you will probably damage your CB due to high VSWR from the wrong length antenna.

 

[1-ton]

I used the Wilson 5000 on my big rigs when I was a truck driver. The Wilsons antennas are adjustable to maximize the gain on your radio.

 

[readymix]

New thought.

I clicked on the link in your post. I though you were refering to a base loaded antenna as that is all i have ever seen on a trail rig. Along the same lines i have no experiance with the center loaded antennas like you posted. I have owned a few 102SS whips though and they work great and are cheap.
The only downfall is how tall it will make your truck. My 98 Z-71 was just under 14 foot tall with my 102"

 

[Hossbaby50]

I am using a Wilson 1000. It works pretty well, I like it. It is alot better then the cheap crap I used to have from Raido Shack.

Harley

 

[divorced]

The 102" whip will perform better and it is about $40.00 cheaper, and very difficult to break. I have hit mine on many low clearance obstacles, sometimes at 70 mph, and it still hasn't broken.

 

[diesel4me]

They dont call it a "whip" for nothing!

The 102" whip will usually be the best for distance,since its a full 1/4 wave antenna--the smaller antennas use a "loading coil" to make up for the loss of physical length,and are not as efficient,but many come close in performance--the "firestick" brand of antennas used to be the top dogs,but I havent been into CB's for a while,there might be some other brands as good out there now--I liked the firestick because they had an adjustable tip you could screw in or out with a locknut for ease of tuning and lowest SWR...

I had a 102" stainless whip on most of my trucks for years..one day I went under a real low bridge near my sisters house,and the antenna bent way over as I went under--when I emerged from the other side,a guy was standing there and got "whipped" by the antenna when it sprang back!--luckily he wasnt injured badly,he could have gotten an eye poked out,and I am lucky he didnt want to sue me!!--thats when I started using the 4 foot firesticks!.