CB antenna for VHF-Low

[mjthomas59]

Just curious what kind of results i would get if i put up a quality cb antenna for monitoring the 42mhz range. I had put up a fiberglass scanner antenna on my roof along with a discone and the fiberglass has got to go. Thankfully it was free so its not like i'm really losing anything, but the mount i have is for a 3/8 x 24 connection so i'd like to stick with that if possible.

Any thoughts on this, or if there is an antenna with a 3/8 x 24 mount that is made for approx40 mhz. I have considered buying a 102" whip and just cutting it down, but i'm not sure if that is the best option or not.

Thanks for the help!

 

[kb2vxa]

I've cut down 102" mobile whips, ground planes and the Shakespeare Big Stick but I'm not sure they make that one any more. They all worked out just fine and I remember a few hams who used CB antennas on 6M with a tuner. I suppose a Cushcraft Ringo telescoped up a bit would work as well, just never tried one myself but it worked great on 6M.

 

[Raven95150]

Although it wouldn't be the ideal antenna for that frequency, it would probably work ok.

You could try a 6 meter Hamstick, it would be closer to the right frequency than a CB antenna. I use the 2 meter version with my FT-2800 and it works great. They do use a 3/8-24 mount and they don't cost any more than a CB antenna.

http://www.hamstick.com/9106-6.htm

They sell them for $28.95 plus shipping, but I got mine at a local ham shop for $25.

 

[trooperdude]

I suppose a Cushcraft Ringo telescoped up a bit would work as well, just never tried one myself but it worked great on 6M.

CRS-3 Ringo works well for California Highway Patrol at 42 Mhz.

 

[brey1234]

my experience

Here is what I tried and it works great.

Buy a quality 6 meter/2 meter/440 mhz all band mobile antenna. It will run u a few bucks but the preformance is worth it.
You get gain at 144/440 Mhz and at low band freqs the antenna acts like a quarter wave!

 

[mjthomas59]

I'm strongly considering the Comet SB15, a tri band 6m/2m/440. Specs as follows:

"The Comet SB15 triband is a 6 meter, 2 meter and 440 MHz mobile antenna. It is a 1/4 wave on 6 meters providing 2.15 dB gain and a 5/8 wave on 2 meters providing 4.5 dB gain and a 3 5/8 wave on 440 MHz providing 7.2 dB gain. VSWR 1.5 : 1 or less. This antenna can handle up to 120 watts."

I found it for about 80bucks with shipping. That seems like a pretty decent price and seems to fit my needs and then some.

Just curious, but what type of lightening protection do you think i should look into for this. This antenna would stick up about 10 inches higher than my chimney on my roof so lightening protection seems like it should be a strong consideration. Any thoughts?