How to Choose and Mount a CB Radio Antenna

 

by Andrew Youderian

Photo by Andrew Youderian Fiberglass antennas are compatible with a number of specialized mounts and accessories, such as this hood mount and spring. Photo by Andrew Youderian Tunable tips allow you to easily adjust an antenna's length and are a highly recommended feature.

The CB antenna is the most critical component of any CB installation. An improperly installed antenna will result in poor performance from even the most expensive radio. Consequently, it's important to understand the different types of antennas and available mounting options, as well as which one is best suited for your needs.

While there are a number of different CB antennas available, there are two types that are most commonly used with passenger vehicles: base-loaded antennas and fiberglass antennas.

Base-loaded CB antennas

Base-loaded CB antennas derive their name from the location of their coil. An antenna coil is a tightly wrapped section of wire that compensates for the short length of most vehicle-mounted antennas. As the ideal antenna length for use with CB frequencies is more than 8 feet, antenna coils allow for the use of shorter, more conveniently sized antennas.

Base-loaded antennas traditionally consist of a plastic antenna base which houses the antenna coil and also serves as the mounting platform. Several different mounting applications are common, including magnetic mounts, trunk-lip mounts and permanently installed roof-top mounts. Base-loaded antennas usually also include a stainless steel whip, which extends up from the base, as well as coaxial cable for attaching the antenna to the radio.

Base-loaded antennas are popular choices for passenger vehicles as they are easy to install and include all the necessary antenna components in one package. Additionally, entry-level antennas can be had for as little as $30. For a convenient, all-in-one antenna solution, base-mounted CB antennas can't be beat.

Fiberglass CB antennas

Fiberglass antennas are made from fiberglass rods. Unlike most base-loaded antennas, they don't include a mount or coaxial cable; rather, they utilize an industry-standard bottom thread and screw into separately available mounting devices. What fiberglass antennas lack in convenience, they make up in versatility. A wide variety of available mounts allow for antenna installation in significantly more places than base-loaded antennas, including hood channels, mirror arms, truck stake-holes and bumpers. While more versatile, fiberglass antennas tend to be less convenient to mount and often require drilling holes in the vehicle for a permanent installation.

Mounting and selection considerations

So which type of antenna is right for you? The answer depends on several variables including your vehicle, budget, willingness to drill holes, common driving habits and a number of other factors. While it's impossible to categorically recommend an antenna or mounting location, there are a number of guidelines that will help you pick the best antenna and mounting location for your needs:

While there is no perfect antenna or mounting locating, following these guidelines will help you get the best performance out of the antenna you do choose. Antenna type and mounting location are important, but the single most crucial step you can take to ensure peak CB radio performance is to tune your antenna. In my next article, I'll discuss what CB antenna tuning entails, explain why it's important, and provide step-by-step instructions.