Moving to a small city with antenna restrictions what can I use?

[stlouisx50]

I am moving to a small city which I believe has a few strict statutes that ban antennas. I can't seem to find the regulations right now or I'd post them, but my point is to ask you all what I could use for a base station which would be discreet, yet be reliable for CB use.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[stlouisx50]

The CB may or may not be included in the laws. They are under Telecommunication Towers and Facilities City of Warrenton, MO Supplementary Regulations

So would this not apply to me or would it?

 

[902]

The CB may or may not be included in the laws. They are under Telecommunication Towers and Facilities City of Warrenton, MO Supplementary Regulations

So would this not apply to me or would it?

It's silent about CB, but I would look at the amateur radio guidance. Actually, this doesn't seem as restrictive as some places. Where I am right now, the ordinance is generally 35 feet.

How high did you want to put it, anyway? I believe CB is still limited to 60 feet above ground level (legally).

 

[stlouisx50]

Honestly I am not sure what I would like to use or how high I want the antenna. I used a Maco V58 back in the day. Had it up 60' in the air, however it was a pain to have guide wires. I would prefer something that wouldn't draw too much attention as well. Many people around the area use ground planes or Antron 99's.


It's been about 15 years since I ran a base so I do not know what options I have. Someone suggested just doing a magnet mount, but I don't know how well that would actually work.

 

[TheSpaceMann]

You could build a ground plane out of wire, and easily disguise it! Plenty of options ranging from "fake" TV antennas, to flag poles, to antennas in trees!!

 

[902]

Honestly I am not sure what I would like to use or how high I want the antenna. I used a Maco V58 back in the day. Had it up 60' in the air, however it was a pain to have guide wires. I would prefer something that wouldn't draw too much attention as well. Many people around the area use ground planes or Antron 99's.


It's been about 15 years since I ran a base so I do not know what options I have. Someone suggested just doing a magnet mount, but I don't know how well that would actually work.

How far do you expect to talk? In Warrenton? Down to Washington? To St. Charles - or further? Each might be a different configuration.

I'd put up a simple 5/8 wave groundplane, or a fiberglass antenna, like a "Bigstick" at about roof level. It should do well and probably wouldn't be noticed.

 

[jim202]

You could also paint the metal parts of the antenna to blend in with the trees or building.

 

[mciupa]

How about attaching it to a flag pole. Perhaps the flag will divert attention away from the antenna.

 

[Evgeni]

Maybe a horizontal antenna disguised as a clothes line.

 

[cmdrwill]

Maybe a horizontal antenna disguised as a clothes line.

Very interesting idea. A 27 lick clothes line.....

 

[KK4JUG]

I am moving to a small city which I believe has a few strict statutes that ban antennas. I can't seem to find the regulations right now or I'd post them, but my point is to ask you all what I could use for a base station which would be discreet, yet be reliable for CB use.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Before spending any money on possible solutions, I would determine for sure what the laws are. People may be telling you the laws are on the books but you "can't seem to find the regulations right now." Be sure they exist. And be sure it's not subdivision regulations.

 

[stlouisx50]

Thanks guys, you all have provided some great ideas.

The laws that I was referring to are those that I posted above. However the laws are under "Telecommunication Towers" So I believe I will be OK putting something up.

I'd like to be able to talk about as far as I am allowed to legally (non-amp) . I get why you were asking location specific in that case you could go directional, however I would like to to talk local/regionally, not direction specific.

I am surprised someone mentioned a firestick for a base antenna. The flag pole idea might work well. I was considering driving in a big piece of re-bar in the ground and attaching a mast to it and an antenna to that.

Feel free to send me antennas or configurations that you have had success with via P.M.

 

[SCPD]

Look into the Sirio vector 4000. It's been a great antenna for me so far. Can talk pretty far locally and they do great for DX as well. A tall antenna that doesn't take up much space. Mine is only 26ft off the ground, and on SSB I am able to talk out to about 70 miles. This is on SSB. And I live about 3-4 miles from the ocean, so I am by no means on high ground. Just some food for thought. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[stlouisx50]

I might consider one of these, what do you think of the 2?

Patriot Procomm Base Antenna

or

Solarcon Antron A-99 CB Antenna with Ground plane kit

I found these too eHam.net Reviews - Antennas: HF: Vertical, Wire, Loop but am sifting though them.

 

[TheSpaceMann]

I might consider one of these, what do you think of the 2?

Patriot Procomm Base Antenna

or

Solarcon Antron A-99 CB Antenna with Ground plane kit

I found these too eHam.net Reviews - Antennas: HF: Vertical, Wire, Loop but am sifting though them.

I'd go with the tried and true A-99! That antenna has been in production for a quarter of a century, and many CBers (and hams) swear by it. If you have a few extra bucks to spare, you may want to consider the IMAX-2000!!

 

[PrimeNumber]

I'd go with the tried and true A-99! That antenna has been in production for a quarter of a century, and many CBers (and hams) swear by it. If you have a few extra bucks to spare, you may want to consider the IMAX-2000!!

^^^ this. As an avid ham and sometimes CB-er, yes I do in fact swear by my A99. But if I had to do it over again, yeah, I'd probably pop for an IMAX-2000. A friend has one, and manages to make it work all the way down to 20 meters.

If you want to go lower profile, LNR Precision makes an end-fed wire CB antenna that you can hang from a tree or such: Store |
I don't have one of those but I do have one of their shortwave listening antennas, and brother that thing is built like a tank and just flat works.

 

[stlouisx50]

I'd go with the tried and true A-99! That antenna has been in production for a quarter of a century, and many CBers (and hams) swear by it. If you have a few extra bucks to spare, you may want to consider the IMAX-2000!!

Would doing the fiberglass A-99 as shown above work, I know you said A-99 but it appears they have a fiberglass 17' or the regular 18'? Would I need the ground plain add-on on the fiberglass model?


I think the fiberglass model might be best for the winds we get in the St. Louis area, I loved the IMax-2000 but the winds and it's visibility are an issue.

Would the Wire from a tree allow for DX and what type of range could you get with that type of setup, there are a few trees in the back.

 

[TheSpaceMann]

Would doing the fiberglass A-99 as shown above work, I know you said A-99 but it appears they have a fiberglass 17' or the regular 18'? Would I need the ground plain add-on on the fiberglass model?


I think the fiberglass model might be best for the winds we get in the St. Louis area, I loved the IMax-2000 but the winds and it's visibility are an issue.

Would the Wire from a tree allow for DX and what type of range could you get with that type of setup, there are a few trees in the back.

I believe that both the A-99 and the IMAX 2000 are fiberglass! And you don't really need the GP Kit. If you like, you can just make your own radials out of wire! I tried that on both of those antennas, and I did notice an improvement in performance.

 

[PrimeNumber]

The radials may help, and as SpaceMann points out, you can DIY it. I've been running mine for 5 years, DXing to Europe a fair amount on 10 meters, without radials, so it will work. Opinions are all over the place on this one, but I will say that with radials you'll KNOW what the boundary condition is at the bottom of the antenna, and it will be a good consistent boundary condition without RF leaking back down the coax. OTOH, $$$, visual impact, and probably OK performance without. Your call.

That LNR wire antenna is almost completely equal to an A99 without radials -- end-fed half-wave, etc., so it'll DX about the same if all else is about the same. If you go this way, hang it from a horizontal limb as far from the tree's trunk as practical. Anything over 5' should get it, but more will be better. You don't want to just slap it up against the trunk, that'll probably do weird things to the SWR and radiation pattern.

 

[SCPD]

The radials on these antennas truly do not much more than to help with CMC issues. And the A99 is a okay antenna, but they need height to work work a hoot. JMO. Truly have a look at the Sirio vector 4000. It is one of the best vertical antennas made for 11 meters. Do some reseated on the A99 and the IMAX 2K. If anything the I2K would be a better choice out the of the A99 or IMAX 2000. But again, the Sirio vector 4000 will beat both of them out as far as rx/tx capabilities. The only issue with them is how long they are, they will sway a bit in the wind depending on how you setup the antenna. Mine is next to my chimney and is bolted to the house, and the top the of the chimney. I also have added some black paracord and it is virtually invisible from any distance other then right on top of it. My antenna is at 26ft to the base and the tip is at approx 52ft. The antenna is 27.82ft long. It's a 3/4 wave antenna. And I swear it blows away the A99. Lower floor noise and much more distance both TX and RX when the bases are at the same height. It doesn't stick out too bad if you have a few trees. It is not as bad as an IMAX 2000 with a GPK kit would look. Again, JMHO.
I ran an A99 at about 28ft to the base of the antenna and it worked mediocre to say the least, for me anyway. I wouldn't take one if someone gave one to me now!!
But this is JMO, and my own experience with the A99. The IMAX 2000 is a different story as its a lot longer. Which makes a difference. Same with the vector 4000. It's right at 28ft long. My tip height is 54ft. You'd need to place an A99 to over 30ft to the base, actually 36ft to be exact to be at the same height as I am with my antenna. Height equals might. Not saying the A99 won't work. They do. But they also splinter and after a few years are done as most of the time water gets into them or the cap in the bottom for impedance matching takes a crap. Depends on where you are located I suppose. The FL sun does a number on them. Mine was sanded and painted black and still splintered. I ended up giving it away after using some HD heat shrink on the entire antenna to not get splinters in my hand.
Sorry I am just not a big fan of fiberglass. Here is a couple of photos of my Sirio vector 4000. It's located in my backyard. No one has said a word about it and I live I an HOA and I have not had any issue with anyone saying a word about the antenna. Truly I haven't. I did get some complaints about the A99 causing some RFI/TVI issues with my next door neighbors. Since changing antennas no issues at all. Maybe it's just me. But anyways. Sorry for the text wall. Hope this helps at least. If you do go with the A99 or the IMAX 2000 do get the GPK kits. They do help with CMC issues. And also add a low pass filter after your radio. Bencher makes a good one and also RF limited makes a decent one for the money. The DF3000 or DF4000. Something like that. Again, have a good one.