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Looking for a portable CB and NMO mount CB Antenna
- Thread starter steve0827
- Start date
- Status
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Larsen NMO27. Accept no substitutes.
Order the NMO mount from any of the online vendors with the BNC already attached. You'll need to adapt that to whatever the CB has for an external antenna connection. While portable CB's seem useful, they are often poor performers. If you can do it, just use a mobile CB and put a cigarette lighter plug on the power lead. While the cigarette lighter can be a source of RF noise on some vehicles, it may still be a be better choice.
The louder speaker and hand held microphone will make it a better solution for mobile use. If you really do need a hand held CB, keep in mind that the NMO mount antenna will need a metal ground plane under it to work properly. The stock antennas that come with the portable CB's are about as inefficient as you can get and still call it an antenna.
Order the NMO mount from any of the online vendors with the BNC already attached. You'll need to adapt that to whatever the CB has for an external antenna connection. While portable CB's seem useful, they are often poor performers. If you can do it, just use a mobile CB and put a cigarette lighter plug on the power lead. While the cigarette lighter can be a source of RF noise on some vehicles, it may still be a be better choice.
The louder speaker and hand held microphone will make it a better solution for mobile use. If you really do need a hand held CB, keep in mind that the NMO mount antenna will need a metal ground plane under it to work properly. The stock antennas that come with the portable CB's are about as inefficient as you can get and still call it an antenna.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
No. I have not used a CB in years. In this area it's pretty much unusable. With a young son, I don't dare have one within earshot of him.
Back, 10 years or so ago, I did use CB's and I I think I had a very basic Uniden. Whatever it was, it worked good enough. What anyone who knows what they are talking about will tell you is that the antenna and feedline are the most important part of the radio system. You could spend thousands on a radio, but if you cut corners on your antenna, it's all for naught. So, my recommendation is to get a name brand radio that has the features you need, take the cost of that radio, and figure on adding another $50 at least for a good antenna (Larsen NMO27), NMO mount and proper installation.
There are certainly others out antennas out there that will work, and everyone has their favorite. I grew tired of the consumer grade antennas that are sold for CB and went with a commercial design. The performance is better, but the quality and lifespan will more than make up for any additional costs. Remember that antennas are ruled by the laws of physics, and no manufacturer can ignore those laws. Skip the cute CB antennas, novelties and false claims and go for an antenna made by a company that understands them. Larsen, Antennex, Comtelco, Laird, and a few other brands make the real mobile stuff. Stick with them.
Back, 10 years or so ago, I did use CB's and I I think I had a very basic Uniden. Whatever it was, it worked good enough. What anyone who knows what they are talking about will tell you is that the antenna and feedline are the most important part of the radio system. You could spend thousands on a radio, but if you cut corners on your antenna, it's all for naught. So, my recommendation is to get a name brand radio that has the features you need, take the cost of that radio, and figure on adding another $50 at least for a good antenna (Larsen NMO27), NMO mount and proper installation.
There are certainly others out antennas out there that will work, and everyone has their favorite. I grew tired of the consumer grade antennas that are sold for CB and went with a commercial design. The performance is better, but the quality and lifespan will more than make up for any additional costs. Remember that antennas are ruled by the laws of physics, and no manufacturer can ignore those laws. Skip the cute CB antennas, novelties and false claims and go for an antenna made by a company that understands them. Larsen, Antennex, Comtelco, Laird, and a few other brands make the real mobile stuff. Stick with them.
Cobra is the best for CB radios, and yes get the Larsen NMO27 for a antenna. If you can't get that one at least get a Wilson antenna.
https://www.cobra.com/category/cb-radios.cfm
Larsen NMO-27B: Ham & Amateur Radios - Equipment, Parts and Supply | AES
Wilson Antennas
https://www.cobra.com/category/cb-radios.cfm
Larsen NMO-27B: Ham & Amateur Radios - Equipment, Parts and Supply | AES
Wilson Antennas
n5ims
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2004
- Messages
- 3,993
One thing to think about is that most (perhaps all?) mobile CBs use a "UHF" connector (PL-259 on the cable, SO-239 on the radio) for their antenna so for best results, you should have a PL-259 on your NMO mount, not a BNC. That will save you an adapter that may add loss (as in less signal on both receive and transmit and even as in "where did that #$%@ adapter run off to) and will make the antenna connection take up more room.
If you're planning to have the mount do double duty (today it's a CB connection, tomorrow it's on your scanner) that may factor into your decision on what type of connector should be used. In that case, have the connector whichever is most important and use the adapter for the less important mode. This may also necessitate more than one antenna to swap out as necessary (e.g. the NMO-27 while using the CB and the Larsen NMO-150/450/800 Tri-band when using the scanner).
The new Unidens look promising like the 980s. If I got the model right it will have SSB (Single Side Band) and will give something a little more to play with if you grow to like two radios as a hobby.
If you have room for one, Galaxy makes some decent radios also. They have some that are smaller than others but most tend to be relative big for a car. FOr reviews and features of CB radios check out CB Radio Magazine on the net and You Tube.
If you have room for one, Galaxy makes some decent radios also. They have some that are smaller than others but most tend to be relative big for a car. FOr reviews and features of CB radios check out CB Radio Magazine on the net and You Tube.
This is what I would get
Compact Professional Mobile CB Radio - CB Radios at Uniden
good little radios. easy to use. great for small vehicles
Compact Professional Mobile CB Radio - CB Radios at Uniden
good little radios. easy to use. great for small vehicles
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