Do I have to tune an antenna on a Cobra CB handheld

[OverYonder]

I have a handheld 50WXST Cobra CB radio. I need a better antenna for my vehicle as the one that came with it doesn't work well. I was looking at the Cobra HGA 1500. Do I need to tune the antenna for this particular radio?

Thanks for your help.

 

[ladn]

Do I need to tune the antenna for this particular radio?

Possibly.

When working with antennas, the saying goes "Everything affects everything else". Antenna placement location relative to the size and of your vehicle will affect the SWR (tuning). CB antennas like to be surrounded by a lot of metal (as a ground plane). You may luck out and end up with a mounting location that results in a good SWR, but maybe not, too. Photos of the antenna look like it's tunable.

The only way to tell is with an SWR meter or antenna analyzer.

 

[OverYonder]

Thanks. I just don't want to ruin the radio if I don't tune it and it should have been.

 

[Coffeemug]

I have a handheld 50WXST Cobra CB radio. I need a better antenna for my vehicle as the one that came with it doesn't work well. I was looking at the Cobra HGA 1500. Do I need to tune the antenna for this particular radio?

Thanks for your help.

There's lots of antenna manufacturers that have a wide range of antennas for CB or other radio services. The K-40 antenna is popular with some truckers, but Larson may have something better. No matter what antenna you choose, always have antenna analyzer and an SWR meter handy, especially when installing in a motor vehicle.

 

[nokones]

It will depend on your VSWRs.

 

[niceguy71]

yes, you really should.
buy a cheap SWR meter put the antenna in center of the body panel and as high as possible... you want as much metal as possible under the antenna... so think center of the roof versus the trunk lid
the better the SWR, the more power the antenna will radiate.
if the SWR is way off... say over 3 SWR it could hurt the radio.
once you set it... you can take the antenna off the roof and when you put it back on ... just get it close to where it was and the SWR will be close enough.
that antenna will work fine... 3 foot tall antenna's like the Cobra HGA 1500 typically get 2 to 4 miles range... and magnetic 5 foot and taller antenna's can double that range.

 

[CAvoyager1960]

There are many options for vehicle antennas (including magnetic mount... but those won't work on aluminum) I assume you are using 12 volts from a "cig lighter" adapter (don't bother using batteries) Those little "rubber duck" antennas suck! Keep in mind handhelds use a "BNC" connector so you might need an adapter if the antenna has PL259 connector (or find an antenna that has BNC)

 

[merlin]

Shouldn't have to unless the antenna has been damaged in any way, and then, replacement is your best option.

 

[niceguy71]

Shouldn't have to unless the antenna has been damaged in any way, and then, replacement is your best option.

I believe he is talking about tuning the 3 foot magnetic Cobra HGA 1500 CB antenna on the roof of the vehicle that he will be using WITH the handheld.... you don't think he will have to set the SWR? magnetic CB antenna

 

[niceguy71]

I have a handheld 50WXST Cobra CB radio. I need a better antenna for my vehicle as the one that came with it doesn't work well. I was looking at the Cobra HGA 1500. Do I need to tune the antenna for this particular radio?

Thanks for your help.

I just looked up that Cobra antenna... it's $50 bucks!!!!...... if you have not bought the antenna yet

just a thought.... you can buy a Stryker SAR-10 at Walmart on line for $99.00 ... you buy it on line at Walmart, and have them ship it to your local Walmart
click this blue link to see the deal ---> Stryker SAR-10 at Walmart for $99
I have seen the Stryker get incredible range.... I just had it on the hood of a jeep with a 6.90 watt radio ( Radioddity CS-47 at Amazon ) and I could talk clearly with him all the way to 14.90 miles from my Base Station to his Jeep

I have three of those Cobra HH50 handheld CB's... I love them,, but they only put out 2.70 watts when plugged into a cigarette lighter plug.....
so it needs all the help you can give it.. the Stryker would give you the best range possible... the Stryker USED to always be over $130 bucks so that $99 dollar deal with no shipping is a killer deal.

and speaking of the HH50 ...you do know you can buy a HYS 51 inch telescoping antenna??? ... it can't be used inside a vehicle ..... a handheld in a vehicle will be lucky to get 50 feet.... even if you hold the antenna out the window... heck it won't work even if you hang out the window with the handheld.
..... but that 51 inch telescoping antenna easily gets 2 miles range ( I have over 100 hand held CB's and test them with that antenna ... they work VERY well... so if you don't have one of these yet.. pick it up you'll love it
HYS telescoping handheld BNC antenna for $17.00

please let us know how everything works out

 

[niceguy71]

OverYonder

I used to always recommend the Tram 3500 as its 5 feet tall and works very good... last month I took out a Midland 75-822 handheld CB and I was able to go 10 miles from my base station using the Tram 3500 on my F-150 ... I really like that antenna.. it's very whippy and the base is small and not as noticable as other antenna's.. but the price went way up so I stopped recommending it... I just saw the price dropped a little, it is now $59.99 on Amazon... so for $10 bucks more than that 3 foot Cobra HGA 1500 .... you could get a well performing 5 foot antenna that will double the range of that Cobra...... if you have not bought the antenna yet?.. it's just something to think about.. if you have? and it works for you, great... if not you can always upgrade later.... here is the Tram ----> Tram 3500 for $59.99 at Amazon

 

[OverYonder]

OverYonder

I used to always recommend the Tram 3500 as its 5 feet tall and works very good... last month I took out a Midland 75-822 handheld CB and I was able to go 10 miles from my base station using the Tram 3500 on my F-150 ... I really like that antenna.. it's very whippy and the base is small and not as noticable as other antenna's.. but the price went way up so I stopped recommending it... I just saw the price dropped a little, it is now $59.99 on Amazon... so for $10 bucks more than that 3 foot Cobra HGA 1500 .... you could get a well performing 5 foot antenna that will double the range of that Cobra...... if you have not bought the antenna yet?.. it's just something to think about.. if you have? and it works for you, great... if not you can always upgrade later.... here is the Tram ----> Tram 3500 for $59.99 at Amazon

I did purchase the Cobra HGA 1500 and should be here today. However, I will definitely keep this one in mind. Thank you.

 

[OverYonder]

I just chatted with Cobra. For handheld radios, one doesn't have to tune the antenna. He said for mobile CB's, it's generally true they have to be tuned. Thank you all for your help. I just may try the meter out since I purchased an inexpensive one.