CB Antennas & Lightning/Powerlines

[farmerjon]

So I'm interested in installing a CB Antenna (possibly this - thanks to clownmeat).

What happens if I hit a powerline that's too low (I can think of one nearby)? Or in a lightning storm? If I don't ground it properly, what happens?

Also, why does the CB antenna say "Whip" element for a CB antenna? Does that mean the antenna goes inside of it? Or is it the actual antenna itself?

Thanks!

 

[Brilliant]

If you're hitting a powerline, you should get off the roof, and drive on the street.

 

[farmerjon]

If you're hitting a powerlines, you should get off the roof, and drive on the street.

What happens though if I hit it? (I haven't. yet.)

 

[steezemcqueen]

Simple fixes for this would be

1: don't drive under low hanging power lines

2: get a shorter antenna

3: take the 20ft lift off your 4runner.

 

[Skybill]

The "whip" just refers to the part of the antenna above the mount, whether it's the 48" fiberglass "whip" you linked to or a 102" metal "whip" like this one; RadioShack® 102" Stainless Steel Whip Element for CB Antenna - RadioShack.com

Unless you have one huge lift on your 4Runner (In the neighborhood of 6 feet!!!) I can't think of any place you can mount a 48" antenna that should hit a power line. If you know of a place that it will hit, call your local power company so they can fix it!

That being said, if your antenna (that one in particular) were to come in contact with a power line most likely it would only be momentary as you drove under it. That antenna has an insulating sleeve (probably heat shrink tubing) over it so there shouldn't be any electrical connection made. Even if it did your tires insulate you and the vehicle from ground.

The real danger would come if it did indeed make an electrical AND you stopped the vehicle while the antenna was touching the power line and you tried to get out of the vehicle. In that instance the body/chassis would be energized and when you stepped out and put your feet on the ground....zappo!

Lightning...If lightning is going to strike your vehicle, then that 48" antenna won't make a hill of beans difference!

The mount for the antenna should (if it is installed correctly) ground the antenna to the body of the vehicle. If it doesn't, the antenna will not work properly and you will have a high VSWR.

 

[tinman]

What happens though if I hit it? (I haven't. yet.)

Nothing will happen to the antenna (or your Runner), as long as the antenna doesn't break from whatever it hits. (Fiberglass whips will break just above the threaded stud at the bottom if they are attached to a solid mount with no spring to help it give.)

I run a Wilson 1000 magnetic mount antenna on top of my 4Runner, and it has a 62" steel whip on it. It does hit tree limbs sometimes, and has even hit a low-hanging power line before. Not a big deal, it does make a noise, but I just keep rolling. I've had that Wilson 1000 magnetic mount for 12+ years and the whip has never broken. That's one of the reasons I love steel whips...they'll take just about anything you throw them at, and bounce back, undamaged. (I also think they "hear" and talk better, but that's just my personal preference/opinion speaking.)

I also seem to get flatter SWR easier with my Wilson antenna than anything else. Good luck!

 

[Brilliant]

I knew someone would answer it seriously. Welcome to the forum.

 

[CodyX36]

You will laugh the first time you enter a parking garage, I have a 4ft firestik with a spring mount mounted on my front bumper, first time I went though a parking garage that thing would slap every single thing that got in its way down there, pillars, exit signs, pipes, etc. I was cracking up the whole time while getting looks from people all around wondering what the slap echo was from.

:guitar3:

 

[3rd gen king]

If you're hitting a powerlines, you should get off the roof, and drive on the street.

I do have to say my friend, your name suits you well

 

[BrazilianT4R]

Once I forgot to take away my CB antena before entering the garage and hit the 11,000 volt security fence with it (yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous to have that but it is common practice over here). Nothing happened to the CB transmitter, it still works. Lightening wise, as far as I know cars works like a Faraday cages, so I have never heard of one being hit.

 

[J-money$$$]

Once I forgot to take away my CB antena before entering the garage and hit the 11,000 volt security fence with it (yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous to have that but it is common practice over here). Nothing happened to the CB transmitter, it still works. Lightening wise, as far as I know cars works like a Faraday cages, so I have never heard of one being hit.

Exactly. Vehicles are very safe in a lightning strike as long as your not touching bare metal in side.

 

[scojoe]

I have had lightning strike a work vehicle while I was in it. Other than the fact of the heat it gave off. The truck ran fine and didn't miss a lick . It did feel I got a sunburn for a few minutes

 

[scojoe]

We also had a employee that took a strike. That blew about a 4 inch chunk of meat out of his backside. But he lived and came back to work :-\

 

[steezemcqueen]