Quarter Wave Antenna (102” Whip)

[slowmover]

So who’s still running a mobile 102” whip?
Where’s the image and how did you mount it?

Remember the bumper-chain mount?
Modern version


Puck Mount



I spent plenty of miles OTR thinking about what I wanted for my personal vehicle (2004 Dodge Cummins crewcab) in regards roof center permanent antenna mount.

Above is the BREEDLOVE High Power #601 Puck Mount on which I settled, combined with a #615 6”X 6” Backing Plate.

I wanted no restrictions on antenna type or power applied.

I recently cobbled together some parts to tune it at 107” and on a DAIWA #501 had it at 1.1:1 for all practical purposes across the band.



But, at almost 15’ total height it’s relegated to stationary use.

I’d need to swap to a #102 CB Ball type and tilt it back a bit (with spring) to stay closer to 14.25” underway. They’ll really move around at speed.


My reference antenna.
Signal Engineering GR45 is closest.

One of the best antennas I ever heard off just an export radio (50W +/-) was a man who’d had a 108” installed on the proper HD mount ahead of the center and into the bed floor of his pickup. By memory he was at a highway-reasonable clearance height. I’ve occasionally still seen that set-up. I always assume high power and haven’t been wrong.

Anyone else still got them in use?

Let’s make this a thread with images and ideas for others.

.

 

[kc2asb]

I experimented with using an old 102" Francis Whip as a base antenna, roughly 30 years ago. I mounted it to the mast with a mirror mount from Radio Shack, substituting longer bolts for the factory supplied ones. Receive performance was very good, even up into the VHF Low band.

Anyone who runs one on their vehicle today is a breed apart.

 

[slowmover]

The 102-inch whip in a perfect world and the real world

Okay, McKenna, this one's for you! :) 102 inches of stainless steel - the standard by which all mobile CB antennas are measured. This true quarter-wave gem has earned the reputation as the perfect pairing for your mobile CB. The problem with it is that it isn't practical for most of us. If you...

forums.radioreference.com

 

[jwt873]

I have a 102" whip for my Jeep Wrangler.. I mount it on a special bracket that bolts on the spare tire mount. JK Jeep Wrangler CB Antenna Mount | Right Channel Radios

I use it for the Amateur 10 and 12 meter bands. I have dedicated antennas for those bands, but the 102 inch whip adds a 'sporty' look It works great with a tuner.

 

[mark40]

Remember the bumper-chain mount?

Sure do. Hooked it up to the bumper of my Dad's Ford Country Squire Station Wagon in 1975 for a Lafayette HB-525.

A nice memory that made me smile, thanks @slowmover

 

[WSAC829]

Just helped a buddy yesterday by installing a ball mount on his Ford Escape for a steel 102” whip he was kindly gifted by a former local CB'er. He’s got nerve damage, and i had the tools and the steady hands. Pretty simple to do. It still needs minor adjustments to tilt/angle as he didn’t bring the antenna over, just the ball mount kit and spring. This was the photo he sent me when he got home and attached the antenna.

 

[slowmover]

Under 13’, right? That’s easy to live with. My 7’ at about same.

Always a great look! A man serious about road comms. The exact vehicle whom in passing me I’d pick up the mic and start a conversation.

I want to know how it sounds.

If he’s willing, we can call out mile markers mobile-to-mobile as he pulls farther away from me. (A good test for us both).

— Hope he’s enjoying an NRC AM/SSB or that you planted that seed.

Thanks! from someone who from experience highly HIGHLY values the other men paying attention and using AM-19 as tradition intends.

If he gets the warning first of a road problem — and I can still hear him — then those around me are going to hear me repeat what he told me.

That’s one helluva long stretch of highway when (2) high performance mobile CB Radios are in contact. On a high volume route it’s hundreds of vehicles covered as with south of the IH-39/90 split thundering towards Madison, WI.

The radio might need to tell me it’s time to exit awhile. Take a 1.5-hr break due to a serious wreck:



And . . . on a good day too many others have no idea how much fun they’re missing as we get some miles behind us.
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[slowmover]

I have a 102" whip for my Jeep Wrangler.. I mount it on a special bracket that bolts on the spare tire mount. JK Jeep Wrangler CB Antenna Mount | Right Channel Radios

I use it for the Amateur 10 and 12 meter bands. I have dedicated antennas for those bands, but the 102 inch whip adds a 'sporty' look It works great with a tuner.

View attachment 187419

Have you tested Interstate radio range?

I’ve used a tuner sometimes in big truck.
MFJ-945e



I’ll need to get it into a hard transport case for the pickup when I’m using the 107”.

Thx for that reminder.

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[slowmover]

Post in thread 'Quarter Wave Antenna (102” Whip)'
Quarter Wave Antenna (102” Whip)

NIB $29.95

Archer Dual Chain Bumper Mount
(Radio Shack #21-910)

Archer 21-910 Dual Chain Bumper Mount for CB Ham Radio Antenna | eBay

New in box. Please see photos and feel free to ask questions. Thanks for looking!

www.ebay.com

“My Papaw radio so strong the antenna gotta be chained down”.

(Add pair of 2.0” wide woven-braid bonds prominently curled underneath with one to each frame rail, right?)

.

 

[slowmover]

I experimented with using an old 102" Francis Whip as a base antenna, roughly 30 years ago. I mounted it to the mast with a mirror mount from Radio Shack, substituting longer bolts for the factory supplied ones. Receive performance was very good, even up into the VHF Low band.

Anyone who runs one on their vehicle today is a breed apart.

Have posted this several times:



Proper Ground not shown.

A versatile antenna (base station use a whole other category of rabbit hole).

It’s not a substitute for a $99 half-wave vertical, but it can be a cheaper start.

.

 

[jwt873]

Have you tested Interstate radio range?.

I've managed around 10 - 15 miles over flat terrain.

 

[slowmover]

I've managed around 10 - 15 miles over flat terrain.

Height is Might.

.

 

[slowmover]

DX Engineering DXE-WP-102 DX Engineering Mobile Whip Antennas | DX Engineering

Free Shipping - DX Engineering Mobile Whip Antennas with qualifying orders of $99. Shop Mobile Whip Antennas at DX Engineering.

www.dxengineering.com

Amazon

Oversize shipping charges took the traditional low expense and cranked it far.

But it can be impressive.
From 15-years ago:

Post in thread 'Standard SS 102-inch whip - spring or no?'
Standard SS 102-inch whip - spring or no?

I think there’s only one manufacturer left.

.

 

[WSAC829]

Hope he’s enjoying an NRC AM/SSB or that you planted that seed.

Not yet. He’s disabled and is on a limited budget. Currently he’s running the Uniden 885 cb/scanner combo in the mobile as he travels a lot to visit his daughter in college a few hours away. I recently got a screaming good deal on an open box 980 ($94 shipped) that i gave him for his birthday to use as his new base station which we set up after another local gifted him an old splintered A99.

 

[slowmover]

Not yet. He’s disabled and is on a limited budget. Currently he’s running the Uniden 885 cb/scanner combo in the mobile as he travels a lot to visit his daughter in college a few hours away. I recently got a screaming good deal on an open box 980 ($94 shipped) that i gave him for his birthday to use as his new base station which we set up after another local gifted him an old splintered A99.

Makes me glad you and others are on the ball.

My two cents:

I’d feel his best upgrade would then be DRX-901 (as $$ DSP is just a little weird with U885). An @jcrmadden steel bracket.

A MAGNETIC MIC or GEARKEEPER for mic.

Did you do the Uniden Mic Mod?

Superstar/Aries 452 power mic would be a good choice as Uniden comes across kinda thin, mobile. ($30).

Superstar / Aires DM-452 Echo Microphone Review | CB Radio Magazine

Superstar / Aires DM-452 Echo Microphone Review When most people start out in the CB hobby they usually have a stock radio with a stock microphone. It's only a matter of time before they start hearing some of those big audio stations on the air and ask the following questions - "How do I...

cbradiomagazine.com

— Running U885/203 with d104 in OTR was an interesting experience.

Tell him for me it’s a spiritual truth that the more one speaks up, the more he’ll hear (being of service).

With that antenna system he’d be a REGULAR regular to hear out on “the highways & byways” given a 452 & 203.

Your corner of the world has a VERY HIGH percentage of local & regional drivers. A unique sound (as above) and he will be recognized quickly.

— I’m pretty happy with new coax feedpoint choke first trip out on my mobile. FT240-61 @ (11) wraps seems right on the money. ($15/ea at PALOMAR, cheaper elsewhere probably).

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[WSAC829]

I did the stock mic mod when he initially got the 885. Since then he bought an echo mic for it. I did rewire an old Cobra coffin mic for his 980 though. There’s something about the sound of those coffin mics that are hard to beat.

 

[kc2asb]

. I did rewire an old Cobra coffin mic for his 980 though. There’s something about the sound of those coffin mics that are hard to beat.

I agree. While my Cobra 142 sounds great with a D-104 TUG-8, the stock "coffin" mic does very well.