Need Experienced persons input on antenna

lowegreg · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 09:45 AM

I would like to install two firestik 4' fiberglass whip antennas. One for a CB and one for a uniden bcd 396xt scanner. I would like them to look uniform and be installed in my stake bed rails. I have a problem though i cannot find a 4' firestik scanner antenna i can only find the 3'. Could i use a 4 foot cb antenna and just get an adapter to plug screw into my antenna?

hockeyshrink · #2 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:03 PM

I'll offer a practical response now, then one of the smart guys on the board will surely follow me, perhaps correct me, and provide the mathematical equations.

You can plug a coat hanger into a scanner and receive with it. You can plug a cb antenna into a scanner and it will work just fine. The issue becomes that the cb antenna is designed to work optimally in the 11 meter band around 27 mhz. You are probably scanning mostly in UHF (450 mhz+) or VHF (150 - 170 mhz for public safety), so the cb antenna is not "optimal" for where you want to listen; however, practically it should work just fine, unless you really need precision in your scanning.

NOW, the REVERSE is NOT TRUE....DO NOT transmit a cb on ANYTHING other than a CB ANTENNA for which it has been tuned.

ihcollector · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 12:52 PM

Being a communications professional since 1977, I will give my opinion on your reciever antenna question. Your scanner will work just fine with a CB antenna. The theory and field tests have shown that the longer the wire the better the reception, the greater the receiving distance. Example - On a commercial VHF radio, a 3db gain antenna will almost double the range of the radio versus the same radio with a 1/4 wave antenna. I say use your CB antenna and enjoy the better reception.

gmclam · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowegreg

I would like to install two firestik 4' fiberglass whip antennas. One for a CB and one for a uniden bcd 396xt scanner. I would like them to look uniform and be installed in my stake bed rails. I have a problem though i cannot find a 4' firestik scanner antenna i can only find the 3'.

If you plan to transmit from your CB, then that antenna is (more) critical. If you were only going to receive on your CB, I'd suggest just using a scanner antenna. It won't work as good as an antenna tuned for CB, but it would meet your requirements.

Quote:

Could i use a 4 foot cb antenna and just get an adapter to plug screw into my antenna?

Could you? Yes. But I would not suggest it. Have you ever noticed that most police cars have many antennas on them and they are all different lengths? You see, radio waves have a "length", and ideally you want an antenna which matches the frequencies you're receiving.

Antennas which work over a broad spectrum of frequencies do various things to be effective for that range. For example, they could use a 'coil'/etc to create one electrical length, while maintaining a different physical length.

If it were me doing this, I'd put in antennas of different lengths. But if you want something that looks even, even if it does not work as good as it could, then the two 4' antennas could "work".

KF5DCI · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 04:28 PM

Your not gonna get that great a reception. Your better off using both the antennas for the CB I think then using an adapter to connect your scanner to your cars radio antenna. I used one for a while, and while they aren't the best, I would think its better than a firestick for a scanner.

freqs · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 04:51 PM

Well were you live the county police are on 471 mhz the stae is on 800 mhz cb antenna's are cut for 27mhz .Ive never had luck with scanners + cb antenna's.I used it was called TIGER scanner antenna it was a 3 or 4ft looked just like firestick I got it at a k40 radio shop in Warren MI now closed .It worked well for me i had the setup like you want to do .GOOGLE cb shops on line I have seen some fiberglass scanner antenna;s

freqs · #7 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:00 PM

Try trucker-store.com.
wearecb.com .
claysradio.com.
has firestick along with other scanner antenna's

KF5DCI · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freqs

Well were you live the county police are on 471 mhz the stae is on 800 mhz cb antenna's are cut for 27mhz .Ive never had luck with scanners + cb antenna's.I used it was called TIGER scanner antenna it was a 3 or 4ft looked just like firestick I got it at a k40 radio shop in Warren MI now closed .It worked well for me i had the setup like you want to do .GOOGLE cb shops on line I have seen some fiberglass scanner antenna;s

???

Police Scanner Mobile & Base Antennas

lowegreg · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 09:39 PM

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.297 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I would only be trying to pick up scanner/public safety transmissions around surrounding towns maybe a max of 10 miles if that. As far as a adapter from a firestik stake bed mount, does a company make one to fit from the cable to bnc or sma?

freqs · #10 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowegreg

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.297 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I would only be trying to pick up scanner/public safety transmissions around surrounding towns maybe a max of 10 miles if that. As far as a adapter from a firestik stake bed mount, does a company make one to fit from the cable to bnc or sma?

radio shack has adapter for (pl259 to bnc) or other ones you might need