Why don't they make any center loaded walkie talkie CB antennas any more?

[DaveC1964]

So the Midland 75-822 handheld comes with one of those rubber ducky antennas. Using that I may as well just yell to the other person as those antennas are usually terrible. I remember the old Radio Shack radios came with that nice center loaded telescoping antenna that actually had decent range for a handheld. Why don't they make those anymore? I see they do have replacement telescoping antennas but they seem to be bottom loaded. Do those perform the same as center loaded?

 

[sunwave]

Here is some base loaded telescoping antennas designed for CB handhelds

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

This one appears to be base and center loaded. A very compromise 5/8ths wavelength.

https://www.amazon.com/HYS-Handheld-Portable-Connector-Compatible/dp/B0882HPQS1/ref=d_pb_allspark_dp_sims_pao_desktop_session_based_vft_none_sccl_4_10/138-5828687-0170004?pd_rd_w=AYG2z&content-id=amzn1.sym.6b5008ac-c24a-4aea-a3ea-015a531184f5&pf_rd_p=6b5008ac-c24a-4aea-a3ea-015a531184f5&pf_rd_r=AVHKV3E78VJWNMCY6WFN&pd_rd_wg=J6yxz&pd_rd_r=121438a0-c2ab-41a3-8f0c-21403f3ef1cd&pd_rd_i=B0882HPQS1&psc=1

I would say the telescoping variants will tune up. The fixed one is a case of "cross your fingers and hope SWR is no more than a 1:5 match".

Personally, I would choose one of the telescoping variants.

 

[RidingDownUnder]

So the Midland 75-822 handheld comes with one of those rubber ducky antennas. Using that I may as well just yell to the other person as those antennas are usually terrible. I remember the old Radio Shack radios came with that nice center loaded telescoping antenna that actually had decent range for a handheld. Why don't they make those anymore? I see they do have replacement telescoping antennas but they seem to be bottom loaded. Do those perform the same as center loaded?

I know Radio Shack was a importer of the centre loaded antenna with a BNC base connector.
FYI, Base loaded vertical antenna’s are the most inefficient antenna’s. Centre and continuously loaded are better but still ã compromise. I’m sure some Chinese companies make centre loaded antennas like the one RS used to sell. Try the Bay or Dr Goggle it.

Retractable Telescopic BNC Antenna - Centre Loaded

Retractable BNC Antenna. Centre Load Scanner Retractable Antenna, BNC 25-1300 MHz. Length: Unextended 16cm; Extended 66cm

www.thunderpole.co.uk

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Look at the freq range.
Has got to be for receiving, ie, scanner or swl.
I would not use it for transmitting, would you?

DW
So. Cal

 

[merlin]

Base loaded antennas work just fine if the length above the coil is the right length.
The idea is to couple the antenna with a shorter, but resonant length to the radio.
This is the same principal as the K-40 or Wilson mobile antennas.
Because there is no ground plane, the active antenna length will be a bit longer.
Antenna theory holds that a radiator shorter than 1/4 wavelength has capacitive reactance.
The coil (inductance) balances out the reactance for a pure resistive load.
(NO, the scanner sort of antennas will not work well at all.)

 

[RidingDownUnder]

Base loaded antennas work just fine if the length above the coil is the right length.
The idea is to couple the antenna with a shorter, but resonant length to the radio.
This is the same principal as the K-40 or Wilson mobile antennas.
Because there is no ground plane, the active antenna length will be a bit longer.
Antenna theory holds that a radiator shorter than 1/4 wavelength has capacitive reactance.
The coil (inductance) balances out the reactance for a pure resistive load.
(NO, the scanner sort of antennas will not work well at all.)

What’s more important. A low VSWR or a low reactance. I’ve always believed a low to nil reactance is a lot better than having a low VSWR. Many ham’s concentrate on a low SWR than even thinking about reactance. Reactance is the enemy to power output. Perfect scenario is Z52, X0. But sometimes you can’t achieve that.

 

[RidingDownUnder]

Base loaded antennas work just fine if the length above the coil is the right length.
The idea is to couple the antenna with a shorter, but resonant length to the radio.
This is the same principal as the K-40 or Wilson mobile antennas.
Because there is no ground plane, the active antenna length will be a bit longer.
Antenna theory holds that a radiator shorter than 1/4 wavelength has capacitive reactance.
The coil (inductance) balances out the reactance for a pure resistive load.
(NO, the scanner sort of antennas will not work well at all.)

I made 1 of these last solar cycle peak and it worked great with my FT-817ND. Worked US, ZL and Europe on 15 metres (favourite band) with no problems with 5 watts. I think the peaked solar cycle helped. I had it connected straight to the radio and had to have a counterpoise raise above the ground for max efficiency with minimum X and SWR of 1.5:1.

 

[DaveC1964]

Something like that but longer. I think the ones I usually see for CBs are about 51" total length. I guess these days everyone wants compact and is averse to long antennas. The problem is that if you want any kind of range you need a longer antenna it is just physics.