Newbie: what should I do

[DieselDrink]

I've used CB before when I was younger, messing around with mag mount antenna on my car.
I'm interested in rejoining it as a hobby but building a station in my house/garage.
What kind of antenna fixed on my house roof with cable running down into my garage should I get started with and should that be for 11m?
I'm not HAM licensed but could do and thus build to use 10m as well?
Would appreciate commentary and your opinions on ways I can consider moving forward (building 11m and/or 10m) at my house.

Location is: Toronto, ON, Canada

 

[slowmover]

Local to you, Ontario CB Club

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Welcome!

 

[kc2asb]

Great suggestions by @slowmover . I second getting a Solarcon A99 (Antron) or IMAX 2000 @K9KLC . I've had two A99's and they are great antennas for the money.

Do you currently have a radio? Want a base station or a mobile radio with a power supply for base use?

 

[K9KLC]

Either the A-99 or iMax 2000 will work well for both 11 meters and a good chunk of 10 meters depending on how you set it up. They have adjustable tuning rings and that's how you find and adjust the center point to if you just want the CB band or if you want to cover 10-11 meters both.

 

[WSAC829]

Being that you are in cold country half the year up there in Canada, i’d stay away from fiberglass antennas as they tend to snap in half in the cold with high winds and ice build up. You might be better off with an aluminum antenna like a Sigma Venom, Sirio GPS27, or a Maco V58. They are slightly more involved to assemble and tune, but they wont dry out from baking in the sun and splinter after a few years like fiberglass do either. Either way, the above mentioned fiberglass antennas are generally good, just not my cup of tea.

For the record, my Sirio GPS27 tuned for 11 meter will also cover 10 and 12 meter without retuning.

 

[K9KLC]

Sirio GPS27

I'm going to have to see if I know anyone that has an actual analyzer and throw on one of these. a couple of SWR checks on a few different frequencies isn't really my cup of tea to determine an antenna's actual SWR plot. That being said, it is what I used up until the early 90s before analyzers became available. Wasn't until I got one that I found out I wasn't getting the whole story on the SWR plots.

I agree 100% with the fiberglass splintering and getting into your hands and such if you're not careful if one's been up a while. Mine is over 30 years old and even with an occasional application of spray on clear coat, it still splinters some. I take it down and change it a couple times a year for a couple of events we have around here that requires a different antenna (home made 6 meter vertical) and then when those are over put the iMax back up. I have to make sure I have gloves and long sleeve shirts on when I do it or I regret it later on.

Interesting what you say about the cold, I know of hams up north that have run fiberglass shelled ham dual band antenna's for years and years and unless there's water intrusion, I've not had anyone tell me they cracked simply due to the cold. I guess perhaps that's possible.

That's good you mentioned the splintering after "some time". Helps remind everyone to be careful when handling any fiberglass shelled antenna. I didn't even think about it I'm just used to handling those types of antennas, and those splinters are always a pain!

 

[DieselDrink]

Great suggestions by @slowmover . I second getting a Solarcon A99 (Antron) or IMAX 2000 @K9KLC . I've had two A99's and they are great antennas for the money.

Do you currently have a radio? Want a base station or a mobile radio with a power supply for base use?

Ok, thank you @slowmover. yes @kc2asb I'm looking to make a base station and start with 11m and be able to expand into 10m (I think).

 

[robertmac]

Ok, thank you @slowmover. yes @kc2asb I'm looking to make a base station and start with 11m and be able to expand into 10m (I think).

10 m in Canada requires an ISED Amateur Radio Certificate.