I just bought a Uniden 980 SSB. I drive a lot in a work van, around a big city. I want to be able to stay more informed given today’s political nightmare. I have a Midland 18-2442 magnetic mount coming. Is that the best/better to use on top of that big metal van roof? Or should I go with long whip? I’ve been away from cb’s over 40 yrs. pardon my ignorance. I’m just looking for approval in my antenna purchase, or am willing to go a better route. God Bless us all.
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Radio/antenna match?
- Thread starter Tablesaw
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DaveJacobsen
Member
Mag mounts are a compromise... They are more forgiving on impact, but scratches and is not the best.
I would do a whip (102") on a ball mount & tune it.
I would do a whip (102") on a ball mount & tune it.
Thanks! It’s an older work van-not worried about scratches. What whip would you recommend? I don’t want to get an off-brand. And if I go the 102” whip route, I cannot mount it in the rear. I need both doors to open fully. Can it go low near the running board? What’s optimal?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Short antennas like that are often poor performers. They are marketed to people who "don't want an ugly antenna" on their vehicle.
Will it work? Sure, for short range stuff. Don't expect miracles and don't expect much in the big city. If you've been out of CB for 40 years, you're going to find it is nothing at all like it was. It is used in some areas, but nothing like in the 70's and 80's.
More efficient antennas are out there. A 102" whip is a great antenna, especially on top of a van, but you don't want to do mag mounts with an antenna that big. In a city, a whip that long on top of a van -will- hit something.
There are some good base loaded antennas out there that will work well. My personal favorite is the Larsen NMO-27. I've been running the same one off and on for 30 years now. You can install them on a permanent NMO mount, if you can drill your roof, or you can get NMO magnetic bases that will work, also.
I think for a SSB capable radio, you are going to be disappointed with that antenna. It's going to get you something, but not much. You can easily do better.
Will it work? Sure, for short range stuff. Don't expect miracles and don't expect much in the big city. If you've been out of CB for 40 years, you're going to find it is nothing at all like it was. It is used in some areas, but nothing like in the 70's and 80's.
More efficient antennas are out there. A 102" whip is a great antenna, especially on top of a van, but you don't want to do mag mounts with an antenna that big. In a city, a whip that long on top of a van -will- hit something.
There are some good base loaded antennas out there that will work well. My personal favorite is the Larsen NMO-27. I've been running the same one off and on for 30 years now. You can install them on a permanent NMO mount, if you can drill your roof, or you can get NMO magnetic bases that will work, also.
I think for a SSB capable radio, you are going to be disappointed with that antenna. It's going to get you something, but not much. You can easily do better.
Thank you big guy. I can’t mount the whip on the roof. I wish! I go through drive through’s and low garage parking. Maybe on the side , 1/3 way up from bottom?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
That would work, but you'll need a ball mount and a whip antenna to make that work. Ideally you want the antenna above the vehicle.
You could use a bracket mount off the fender on the front. I'm not a big fan of those types of installs, but with the roof off limits, you are going to need to make some compromises.
If I was doing this, here's what I'd do:
Always power your CB directly off the battery. Don't use cigarette lighter plugs. You want clean power off the battery. Tapping into existing vehicle wiring will expose your radio to all the RF noise that is generated by the on board computers and other noise makers. Trying to fix that will drive you nuts until you connect direct to the battery.
Ground the radio chassis with as short a lead as you can.
Install a fender bracket mount with an NMO style antenna mount on it:
Get yourself one of these two antennas:
Make sure the antenna is tuned with an SWR meter.
Have you considered a centerload antenna near the front of your hood? With lower starting point near the hood, you could try a 44-54" antenna (depending on your lowest drive thru). It might be considered ugly but better the mount = better the ground.
I use to drive through parking garages but switched to a 102" after switching jobs.
mmckenna is right, your going to have to make compromises. I finally switched to a 102 whip after a 60" fiberglass and haven't looked back...until I hear a bang and watch tree limbs fall around me.
I use to drive through parking garages but switched to a 102" after switching jobs.
mmckenna is right, your going to have to make compromises. I finally switched to a 102 whip after a 60" fiberglass and haven't looked back...until I hear a bang and watch tree limbs fall around me.
prcguy
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I would not put a ball mount low on the side of a van because the antenna will be running just a few inches away from the sheet metal for four or five feet and it will be difficult to get a good match. If you put the ball mount maybe a foot or less below the roof then use a shorter antenna like about 4ft it will work much better.
When you have an antenna where much of it runs close and parallel to sheet metal, you have made a length of feedline out of it and the antenna doesn't really start until it gets in the clear.
When you have an antenna where much of it runs close and parallel to sheet metal, you have made a length of feedline out of it and the antenna doesn't really start until it gets in the clear.
slowmover
Active Member
As a rule of thumb: antennas under five-feet (5’) aren’t worth much. Physical length counts, not just “longest to a predetermined height”.
I drive a semi. Besides the direct work-related benefits I already have experience where Citizens Band is the only way to communicate with any range. Hand signals and visual aids only do so much.
So, forget the drive-thru. One will still survive.
As to parking garages, I’ve had antennas mounted on Hustler Quick Disconnects to stop and pop them off for low clearances.
My pickup roof is such that a 9’ whip puts me at just over 15’. For GP, that’s too tall by a foot.However, a President Texas puts me to under 13’. A five-foot Skipshooter keeps me under 11’.
On this Peterbilt, clearing 14’ makes nearly all miles obstruction-free. Yes, I have to alter route-planning in rare instances Truck needs 13’6” clearance.
Most municipalities REQUIRE 15’ clearance for emergency vehicles (tree branch height). Snow, ice, heavy rain can cause those branches to droop. It’s been rare I’ve had a conflict past these circumstances.
Mindfulness is in play.
Are you sure you couldn’t use a roof-mount? Everything else won’t be much of a performer by comparison. If distance (faint contacts) really matter.
Breedlove Machine Shop
is where to find the 3/8 or NMO permanent antenna roof mount.
I ordered a PRESIDENT Lincoln II+ radio yesterday. They’ve gone OOS at some retailers. Excellent SSB performance (a McKinley is next step down)
I want the mount (part of the antenna system) to be as good as it can be. Some “inconvenience” (new habits) doesn’t any longer figure. I’m good to 14’ in the Peterbilt and — from experience — know I’ll be able to run UP to that height in the pickup (and where a 5’ antenna is under 11’ as the performance minimum).
What you hear may matter (serious consequences) only ONCE. So, like seat belts, the installation and habit of use are critical for that one instance.
Let that be your guide.
Mobile Install
I’m a long ways from home many days of the year. I’d prefer to avoid that which might prevent my return. A CB performing to its full capability is central to preparation.
“Learning to listen” is a whole other subject. As putative CONTENT isn’t always germane to understanding, only an aspect.
The game-changer with AM/SSB radios is the outboard addition of modern Amateur equipments incorporation of DSP. Variable digital signal processing of RX before it hits the speaker. Your radio is better than you think. And there’s no substitute.
I use a West Mountain Radio CLEARSPEECH DSP Speaker. Bounced it thru the oilfield and OTR the past six years. I’d no more leave home without it than I would leave without a CB Radio rig in any vehicle.
Other radio choices (and scanners) aren’t precluded. You’ll find that there are MANY other intelligent men with HQ CB rigs aboard work vehicles. (Quiet until it matters; just monitoring).
Everyone has a mix of info from other sources to offer.
Devil take the hindmost.
.
I drive a semi. Besides the direct work-related benefits I already have experience where Citizens Band is the only way to communicate with any range. Hand signals and visual aids only do so much.
So, forget the drive-thru. One will still survive.
As to parking garages, I’ve had antennas mounted on Hustler Quick Disconnects to stop and pop them off for low clearances.
My pickup roof is such that a 9’ whip puts me at just over 15’. For GP, that’s too tall by a foot.However, a President Texas puts me to under 13’. A five-foot Skipshooter keeps me under 11’.
On this Peterbilt, clearing 14’ makes nearly all miles obstruction-free. Yes, I have to alter route-planning in rare instances Truck needs 13’6” clearance.
Most municipalities REQUIRE 15’ clearance for emergency vehicles (tree branch height). Snow, ice, heavy rain can cause those branches to droop. It’s been rare I’ve had a conflict past these circumstances.
Mindfulness is in play.
Are you sure you couldn’t use a roof-mount? Everything else won’t be much of a performer by comparison. If distance (faint contacts) really matter.
Breedlove Machine Shop
is where to find the 3/8 or NMO permanent antenna roof mount.
I ordered a PRESIDENT Lincoln II+ radio yesterday. They’ve gone OOS at some retailers. Excellent SSB performance (a McKinley is next step down)
I want the mount (part of the antenna system) to be as good as it can be. Some “inconvenience” (new habits) doesn’t any longer figure. I’m good to 14’ in the Peterbilt and — from experience — know I’ll be able to run UP to that height in the pickup (and where a 5’ antenna is under 11’ as the performance minimum).
What you hear may matter (serious consequences) only ONCE. So, like seat belts, the installation and habit of use are critical for that one instance.
Let that be your guide.
Mobile Install
I’m a long ways from home many days of the year. I’d prefer to avoid that which might prevent my return. A CB performing to its full capability is central to preparation.
“Learning to listen” is a whole other subject. As putative CONTENT isn’t always germane to understanding, only an aspect.
The game-changer with AM/SSB radios is the outboard addition of modern Amateur equipments incorporation of DSP. Variable digital signal processing of RX before it hits the speaker. Your radio is better than you think. And there’s no substitute.
I use a West Mountain Radio CLEARSPEECH DSP Speaker. Bounced it thru the oilfield and OTR the past six years. I’d no more leave home without it than I would leave without a CB Radio rig in any vehicle.
Other radio choices (and scanners) aren’t precluded. You’ll find that there are MANY other intelligent men with HQ CB rigs aboard work vehicles. (Quiet until it matters; just monitoring).
Everyone has a mix of info from other sources to offer.
Devil take the hindmost.
.
Last edited:
Thanks “slowmover”! Great info there. I’m resolved to mount it on my roof. Yes, drive-throughs should not negate my decision. I just need a good roof mount now. It’s a work van. I could drill right thru. No worries.
I’ll research your info. Hope to meet you on the road someday around I-20 in N TX/LA or areas south. Safe runnin bro!
I’ll research your info. Hope to meet you on the road someday around I-20 in N TX/LA or areas south. Safe runnin bro!
russbrill
Member
K40 with the magnet mount if you don't want to drill a hole...
russbrill
Member
The K40 can be removed a lot easier than the Wilson.. K40 has a quarter turn quick disconnect.. It's performance is close to the Wilson product line..
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