What antenna for Cobra29 use @ home?

muskrat99 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 02:25 PM

I've got a Cobra mobile cb I want to hook up and use in my upstairs at home. My question what would be a decent antenna to use? I have an attic if that helps and I also have access to about 50 feet of antenna tower a friend gave me. I have an assortment of scanners in my "hobby room" so I guess I need to move the cb antenna away from the scanners as far as possible. Any suggestions from you guys on possible setups?

Highlander_821 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 02:37 PM

The Solarcon A-99 is a good starter base antenna for CB. Mount it as high as you can, use good quality coax, ground it for safety, and you will get out. They are 18 feet tall fiberglass sticks. Do not bother with the optional ground plane kit, it is useless.

muskrat99 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-18-2009, 02:58 PM

OK, I'll check into that. Just to add to my post, I do have a 4 foot "firestick" 5/8 wave antenna that was given to me along with 50 feet of A8 coax. Could that be utilized in the meantime until I get the tower put up and the A99 installed? The gable of my roof is about 25 feet in the air.

Highlander_821 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-19-2009, 03:03 PM

Those Firestick antennas are pretty good when they are mounted to a metal vehicle of some sort. Trying to use one at home for a base antenna would probably not work too well, unless you provided some kind of ground plane for it. That might mean mounting it over some metallic surface, or adding a few 9 foot long radial wires to whatever mount you use. Perhaps even mounting it on a metal gutter or chimney cap might even do it. But just hooking up the coax and tossing it up in the attic will probably not work very well.

zzdiesel · #5 (**permalink**) 06-19-2009, 06:26 PM

Both the Antron 99 or the Big Stick would work well in your situation.

btritch · #6 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 02:22 AM

I've had an antron 99 for years! I've used many many different types of radios, Currently I'm using a Cobra 29 NWWX and it get out there! I'm about 65 feet up to the top of the antenna, Take off 18 feet for the antenna and I'm about 47 to 50 feet so there's you a comparison, Your terrain also helps, If you're on a hill compared to in a valley, I'm in a valley and I can still get way out there! I used to be on a hill and I could talk about 4o miles without skip..

James_Bond_007 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 08:36 AM

Imax-2000 w/ Maco GPRK (or if you don't mind spending the $$$ Intercepter 10K instead of Imax) and LMR400 for the Home, wilson 5000 or wilson 2000 trucker for the mobile.

only antenna's i use and i have tried them all.

muskrat99 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Thanks guys, appreciate the help!!! Elevation wise I'm on top the hill and my location is the one of the highest in the county. I went and checked out the tower that my buddy gave me and from the looks of it the tip of my antenna should be approximately 58-60 feet off the ground once I get the A99. Someone told me I need to check local codes for max height as I live in town.

James_Bond_007 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 10:42 AM

oh dude. don't waste that kind of location on an a99.

even a imax 2000 w/o the gprk will whip the crap out of an a99 with a GPK-1.

trust me. go for an imax 2000 with a maco ground plane kit. for an extra $50.00 it will cost you won't be sorry. also use nothing less then LMR 400.

and if you can afford $400.00 go for an I-10k. but next best is the imax. an imax is .64 wave versus a end fed 1/2 wave for the a99.

i have years of experience in LMR and Broadcast Fields. I have also into CB and Ham since i could pick up a screw driver.

I know my shit.

here is some reading material for you...

The Imax 2000 EXPOSED! at the bottom of the page is a link to the a99 exposed

Home of the Interceptor 10K Antenna I-10K Home Page

The Ultimate Guide to 11 Meter CB Antennas a CB antenna tutorial, best on the web.

read all these before you buy anything.

they are eye openers.

James_Bond_007 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 10:44 AM

oh for the tower height. pass your no code tech and tell the town to go F' Themselves. chances are your state has legislation barring municipalities from be overly restrictive on ham antenna structures.

the standard is usually 70ft. but it does not trump FAA regs though.

James_Bond_007 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 10:47 AM

keep in mind if you don't have a base plate you will need to mount about 5ft of that tower in concrete.

so you will have 45ft of tower.

also study the ARRL Amateur Radio Handbook on proper Grounding.

muskrat99 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Once again I wanna thank everyone for their input and their help!!! I know my questions are petty and bothersome but I'm just now getting into this hobby and my knowledge base is minimal at best. Thanks again!!