NMO34 with the W640 (64" whip) vs NMO-27 vs CWB-27

[KX4KDH]

I have some Laird antennas purchased from reputable sources, and they are pretty good antennas. Some report issues with base coil cracks, but I've never experienced it myself, even on UTV installs.

It's entirely possible that they are made in China.

But what I've found is that Tram/Browning seems to have a LOT of knock off looking antennas that look extremely similar to known name brands. Like maybe Chinese factories that make the OEM antennas also producing for other manufacturers. Some may be 'just as good' and have a different brand name on them. Some may be factory seconds that get resold under a different name. But we know that the Chinese have no issue at all selling forgeries whenever it suits them. What should be a $50 antenna being sold on line for $27 makes me skeptical.

I personally don't see value in buying a possible knock-off antenna to save a few bucks. I'd rather have known good name brand products and pay for them. Hasn't backfired on me yet.

The fact that Laird is not selling these themselves makes me suspicious. Dealers like Tessco, The Antenna Farm or others aren't showing them as available raises my suspicion.

I absolutely agree with you. And you have made a great point about nobody having them, but someone in Hong Kong does.

I personally also avoid knock off antennas, though I prefer Larsen when it comes to name brand. I also avoid the Tram/Browning types.

Now that I have managed to derail the thread, I’ll go back to watching from afar until I have something useful to say 😆

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

These folks claim to have 1,280 of the CW-27. Not shocking that they are in HK. Maybe one of us can do an RFQ for a bunch of them?

CW27 | Laird Technologies - Antennas CW27 Stock available from Infinite-Electronics.net | CW27 with Best Price at Infinite-Electronics.net

www.infinite-electronics.net

I did my due diligence on that same company in your link. The individual who replied to my RFQ, Weil Lee, (Wily?? ***) responded quickly and seemed OK. However, he wants a bank transfer (No recourse) and when I googled the company and company address I found a lot of discussion about folks getting ripped off. I would not attempt to deal with the company. Also as followup, I asked for a sample antenna and he told me the minimum order is $300. So I would avoid communications with them. In this day of AI it is entirely possible that stuff discussed in these forums gets flagged as possible fodder for scam offers. So don't be surprised if someone contacts this forum directly with a revelation that they have 50 to sell. If you can't use paypal commercial or credit card, no deal.

***

 

[KX4KDH]

Just for everyone’s general edification and delight, the NMO30 coupled with a 64” whip centers at about 25.3 MHz. Not quite what I was expecting, but that’s what it netted me vs. the NMO34.

 

[niceguy71]

Just for everyone’s general edification and delight, the NMO30 coupled with a 64” whip centers at about 25.3 MHz. Not quite what I was expecting, but that’s what it netted me vs. the NMO34.

I was thinking if I went that route ... I would have to keep cutting it down until I was in the 11 meter band ... And I'd be afraid I would have to cut it until it was the same height as the cb27.... As the engineers know what they were doing when they made the Lason CB-27. If a taller whip could be tuned for 11 meters ... I wonder why they didn't do it

 

[KX4KDH]

I was thinking if I went that route ... I would have to keep cutting it down until I was in the 11 meter band ... And I'd be afraid I would have to cut it until it was the same height as the cb27.... As the engineers know what they were doing when they made the Lason CB-27. If a taller whip could be tuned for 11 meters ... I wonder why they didn't do it

I can tell you the NMO34 with a trimmed 64” whip would be the way to go. Larsen did it the way they did to save money. I just tried the NMO30 to see where it would center. Kind of an expensive experiment, but that’s what we do!

 

[slowmover]

The oldest references I found (a decade back) was that the 34 was the way to go.

Haven’t had the funds to do the experiment myself.

Thanks

 

[Chris155]

The nmo 30 and 64 whip ends trimmed under 60 inches to get in the 11meter range.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Just for everyone’s general edification and delight, the NMO30 coupled with a 64” whip centers at about 25.3 MHz. Not quite what I was expecting, but that’s what it netted me vs. the NMO34.

What is the bandwidth? What is bandwidth after you tune to where you want it would be my second question..

 

[slowmover]

Post in thread 'Larsen 27 MHz NMO Stinger diameter ???'
Larsen 27 MHz NMO Stinger diameter ???

NMO34 + 64” whip + 4” spring = 70” antenna.
That’s what I’d test.

.

 

[KX4KDH]

Post in thread 'Larsen 27 MHz NMO Stinger diameter ???'
Larsen 27 MHz NMO Stinger diameter ???

NMO34 + 64” whip + 4” spring = 70” antenna.
That’s what I’d test.

.

I should have started there. By adding the spring. Using the NMO30 took me WAY below what I was expecting.

 

[mrweather]

I should have started there. By adding the spring. Using the NMO30 took me WAY below what I was expecting.

Which makes sense since the spring adds electrical length to the antenna.

It can also have the effect of broadening the bandwidth a little.

 

[slowmover]

What is the bandwidth? What is bandwidth after you tune to where you want it would be my second question..

“NMO34 + 64” whip + 4” spring = 70” antenna.
That’s what I’d test.”

Who gives a durn about worldwide reports of near-continual UFO sightings when this is on the slow-boil.

— There’s the things I can control, and the things I can’t. This one is a gateway where the latch can’t be seen.

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[Chris155]

Got the Larsen spring in the mail today. I’ll add that to the nmo 30 & 64” whip I already have. I’ll post the overall length here when tuned for CB.

 

[Chris155]

Larsen nmo 30, Larsen spring & 64” whip trimmed for CB the overall length is 62.5”. Built in McKinley Swr shows 1.0 across the band. Mcbazel external meter shows 1.1 on channel 1 & 1.2 on 40.

RX is definitely improved over the pctel cb antenna it replaced. Skip on 37 is coming in good and I can receive one noaa station now. Quality is much better on the Larsen components as well. The pctel base coil came apart while I was removing it.

I’m not sure if the rx improvement is height or quality but I’ll take it either way.

 

[slowmover]

1). Height
2). Quality.

The combination is impressive.

Maxrad NMO CB Antenna | Right Channel Radios

Perfect for 27-31 MHz low band operation, this antenna is ready to rock 'n' roll with 200 watts of power and unity gain performance. Get Fast, Same-Day Shipping and Killer Customer Service at Right Channel Radios!

www.rightchannelradios.com

4’ is simply too short.

With 1.5” removed sounds like you’re a hair under 6’.

Bandwidth for another day.

.

 

[Chris155]

1). Height
2). Quality.

The combination is impressive.

Maxrad NMO CB Antenna | Right Channel Radios

Perfect for 27-31 MHz low band operation, this antenna is ready to rock 'n' roll with 200 watts of power and unity gain performance. Get Fast, Same-Day Shipping and Killer Customer Service at Right Channel Radios!

www.rightchannelradios.com

4’ is simply too short.

With 1.5” removed sounds like you’re a hair under 6’.

Bandwidth for another day.

.

62.5 is from the roof to the tip, not 6’ but still a foot or so taller than the previous antenna. Next radio project will be an install in another vehicle, not sure which one yet. On that one I’ll do nmo34, spring & 64” whip.

 

[slowmover]

Larsen nmo 30, Larsen spring & 64” whip trimmed for CB the overall length is 62.5”. Built in McKinley Swr shows 1.0 across the band. Mcbazel external meter shows 1.1 on channel 1 & 1.2 on 40.

RX is definitely improved over the pctel cb antenna it replaced. Skip on 37 is coming in good and I can receive one noaa station now. Quality is much better on the Larsen components as well. The pctel base coil came apart while I was removing it.

I’m not sure if the rx improvement is height or quality but I’ll take it either way.

RX change-for-the-better isn’t always obvious, agreed, as it’s E-Z to have made more than one change in a radios’ systems when it’s apart.

I’ve not had transceiver or antenna feedpoint chokes in line with my “temporary” Mobile set-up. In adding them I’ll be changing coax jumpers and adapters as well.

That little stuff’l getcha.

But I’d put my money on the quality change you made as being responsible as much as thr change in height.

It’d be easy to test from this point (height) if so inclined.

.

 

[slowmover]

Post in thread 'I'm in Mobile CB Hell...'
I'm in Mobile CB Hell...

 

[slowmover]

Larsen 27 MHz NMO Stinger diameter ???

I was wondering if anyone knows if a Wilson 1000/5000 stinger is the same diamet as the stock Larsen stinger. I have 3 Wilson stingers at the QTH. Just trying to save some cash by only buying the Larsen coil base. And what's up with Larsen magnet mount bases only having 12' of coax?

www.worldwidedx.com

A post (#5 per VA3ES) from a short thread I came across some years back which admirably delineates where & why one would choose from between NMO27 & NMO34.

Still others apply:

Post in thread 'Larsen NMO 27B Frequency Change'
Larsen NMO 27B Frequency Change

Post in thread 'Yeticom Optima 10/11/12 Meter Export Radio reviewed @ cbradiomagazine.com'
Yeticom Optima 10/11/12 Meter Export Radio reviewed @ cbradiomagazine.com


NMO27: short-range; with maximal clearance.

NMO34 + W640 whip: long-range; with an ideal whip length.

From this RR post I gather we are having the right effect. Even if those reading, but not contributing are the bulk of that:

“Friends, it’s a blessing to be able to communicate effectively. Right gear hasn’t a substitute. Right use is the request you share some of that experience on the page. Right blessing is that picking up the microphone started as you made the decision while reading here to go this route.”

Gear is easy, all-in-all. 1+1 = 2. It’s a jump start, though, to what is harder, and that’s being an effective actor on-the-road. Connect your present with where it began. Cast out the silence . . bridge the gap.

Circle back, please — and here or in your own thread — let us know what you’ve learned.

Men of good will is no small matter. The written word isn’t cheap. Neither is that spoken. Both depend on the other for clarity.

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[slowmover]

VA3ES-SK

Experience is soon lost unless passed along.

Confidence cannot be measured. But I guarantee it matters when reaching for the microphone as gear alone isn’t the determinant of success.



The always-ready gear — chosen for best installation & longevity — is the radio rig that’ll get used.

Best Mobile 2025

A general: what should I recommend to friends who want high performance in Citizen Band? Let’s ballpark it at $500 entry. Will last longer than the time they own the automobile. Seatbelts, Concealed Carry, and CITIZEN BAND. This thread aimed at YOU, not the guy who knows even less. However...

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Seamless use is that one is hardly aware of manipulating frequency to accomplish best ends.

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