Cb bracket why rear vs front hood?
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GChristo
New member
There's not going to be a one-right-answer with antennas. There's always some type of compromise. The thing that stands out to me is that CB requires longer antenna's for proper performance vs amateur radio. By sticking the antenna on the rear, you can get more antenna length with less overall height (though the higher the unobstructed antenna the better). There are some negatives of course. A large proportion of the antenna will radiate right into the back of the vehicle (unless mounted higher). If the antenna sways (rebounding from a tree hit), it can knock into the car body. I'm not sure how ground plane affects CB performance, so there's that to consider too. That's my non-answer answer.
Best place is a full-length whip right in the middle of the roof, drilled, with no obstruction. Can imagine why you don't see that too often.
One member here has a long CB antenna on the hood as you suggest, and bends/tucks the antenna tip back under the roof rack while not in use. Convenient way to keep a tall antenna garage-able while not in use.
Best place is a full-length whip right in the middle of the roof, drilled, with no obstruction. Can imagine why you don't see that too often.
One member here has a long CB antenna on the hood as you suggest, and bends/tucks the antenna tip back under the roof rack while not in use. Convenient way to keep a tall antenna garage-able while not in use.
BobsTrail
Senior Member
When I had my Cobra WX75 I used a mag mount in the middle of the roof. It was a stainless steel whip that just bent and bounced back when I hit low trees or forgot and drove in the garage. I put it on when needed and removed it so it did not look like I had some type of radio equipment in there other times when parked.
I ran the cable in the side rear door or the back hatch. Trapped it between the soft door seal. I had a cable run from the rear to the front that I connected when needed and left it under the back seat and floor mat.
I ran the cable in the side rear door or the back hatch. Trapped it between the soft door seal. I had a cable run from the rear to the front that I connected when needed and left it under the back seat and floor mat.
i'm skeptical that a long antenna on the rear would work better than a basic 1/4 wave whip antenna on a hood lip mount. You have a much better ground plane on the hood and if you use something flexible like a whip antenna you don't need to worry about it like you do with a heavy fiberglass antenna. (and if you get something NMO mount it takes like 2 seconds to unscrew the antenna and requires no tools)
JSS16
New member
That’s my thinking to do hood mount and just unscrew when not used
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wcjeep
Member
I would put the antenna somewhere convenient to you. It can make a difference having the antenna rear vs forward. Also makes a difference with full length metal whip vs fiberglass. However, CB's in general are short distance only. Ham radio has the best distance. I typically have a cellphone booster with me. It's not magic. However, I have cell service longer than others. When I do lose service I pick up cell service well before anyone else. I also carry a Ham for which I'm licensed. Not every one carries a Ham radio.
Other problem with CB's in high population areas is the extreme language. It's called "Childrens Band" for a reason. CB in the mountains among a group of rigs within short distance is when it works best.
Other problem with CB's in high population areas is the extreme language. It's called "Childrens Band" for a reason. CB in the mountains among a group of rigs within short distance is when it works best.
my favorite thing about ham is being able to text message people via APRS when i don't have cell service, it makes my wife a lot more comfortable when i'm out exploring. (email and weather reports from wxbot are good too). I'm in an area with pretty good 2m repeater coverage, although HF APRS exists if you're really remote.
I only have CB because some people refuse to use anything else on trail rides. In my opinion the FRS/GMRS radios are much better than CB for trail rides because they are cheaper, easier, and sound clearer and for anything longer than a few miles ham radio is the only option. I do still get traffic updates and police reports on CB from truckers, but in my experience that's limited to major interstates with lots of long haul traffic and usually (and i usually get waze or radar detector reports as early as trucker reports)
I only have CB because some people refuse to use anything else on trail rides. In my opinion the FRS/GMRS radios are much better than CB for trail rides because they are cheaper, easier, and sound clearer and for anything longer than a few miles ham radio is the only option. I do still get traffic updates and police reports on CB from truckers, but in my experience that's limited to major interstates with lots of long haul traffic and usually (and i usually get waze or radar detector reports as early as trucker reports)
Jetboy
New member
I just use a handheld CB - or I should say I own a handheld CB. The last time I used it was I think in 2016 on a TLCA club run event where it was the required radio. A $20 Baofeng HAM radio works better than a $500 CB radio setup. I'd rather buy a 10 pack of Baofeng's and just give them to everyone in my group than install a full hard mounted CB setup. And I'm not joking. I have a couple Baofengs that I just loan out if anyone doesn't have a HAM. Not a 10 pack - but it would still be cheaper and better than a good CB setup.
Just my .02.
And you can take the HAM with you hiking or spotting or whatever.
Just my .02.
And you can take the HAM with you hiking or spotting or whatever.
people using the dual band ham radios as the new CB band are the worst. definitely don't pass out ham radios, instead encourage everyone in your club to get their tech license to use them legally so they don't interfere with repeaters or other operators. (the fact that FRS radios are so cheap makes it even less excusable)
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Jetboy
New member
People should get their HAM license. It's easy. It's cheap. And you can do a lot of useful stuff with them. But - I suspect the days of HAM remaining regulated are numbered. I suspect the only reason the FCC hasn't deregulated it by this point with the current FCC makeup is because so few people care about it. Either way - it's the current requirements. So you should get your license.
But... if you program the HAM for simplex and lock the programming - it's pretty hard for them to screw it up. Legal or not.
But... if you program the HAM for simplex and lock the programming - it's pretty hard for them to screw it up. Legal or not.
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