Will this CB antenna setup work?

[fblainen11]

I have a 3ft Firestick antenna and I've heard that a magnet mount on the center of the roof is the way to go.

Hustler has a 5" Heavy Duty magnet mount that has several solid reviews for its holding ability up to 4ft fiberglass antennas.

Anyone have any experience with a similar setup? How did the paint hold up.

Majority of the time the antenna will not be screwed in, but inside my runner. It will be used when visiting off road parks and will be only at slower speeds. 45-50 mph at the fastest really.
Input is appreciated. But from what I've read a rear or front bumper mount really compromises your ability to get the most range out of your signal. Additionally I've read that big metal roofs make excellent use of magnetic mounts strengths.

I'm a super rookie and am just trying to figure this out.
Thanks

 

[fblainen11]

Bueller?

 

[pauldub]

Center of the roof will provide the best ground plane you can get on a vehicle. It will result in a more omni-directional antenna pattern than a mounting at any other location on your vehicle. Bumper mounting probably will give you the worst performance possible, especially the rear bumper. The problem with using a stiff antenna on the roof is that anything it contacts, is going to knock it over. Better to use a springy antenna.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

I am running Wilson 1000 magnet mount and I absolutely love it the only other manufacture I trust other than Wilson is Tram antenna... The paint has not changed at all I have had 0 problems.... I had the fire stick but just didn't really get the range that I wanted... Made the switch and haven't looked back

 

[pauldub]

I use one like this https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo27c-699.html?zenid=7f82f2b94d19041fd3a1755e0af30566

You'll need an NMO mag mount to go with it. You can also add a spring at the bottom to give it more flex.

Regardless of what antenna you use, you need to tune it. You can google for that.

 

[pauldub]

Either of these will serve you well:

Wilson "Little Wil" Magnet Mount CB Antenna Kit, Boxed - Merchandise - Wilson

Wilson W1000 Series Magnet Mount Mobile CB Antenna Kit with 62.5" Whip - Merchandise - Wilson

 

[fblainen11]

Center of the roof will provide the best ground plane you can get on a vehicle. It will result in a more omni-directional antenna pattern than a mounting at any other location on your vehicle. Bumper mounting probably will give you the worst performance possible, especially the rear bumper. The problem with using a stiff antenna on the roof is that anything it contacts, is going to knock it over. Better to use a springy antenna.

If I understand correctly I can take the antenna off and just have the base up there. Then, when I need it, screw the antenna back on.

Am I missing anything?

 

[DK327]

If I understand correctly I can take the antenna off and just have the base up there. Then, when I need it, screw the antenna back on.

Am I missing anything?

You're correct, what he's trying to say is, fiberglass is stiff and does not bend as well as a steel whip, so if you hit a branch or something the magnet base will come off, if you use a steel whip like Wilson, it will bend and not put pressure on the magnet.

I have the magnet mount from a Wilson 1000 but am using Sirio Turbo 800S PL antenna screwed on it. You can fold the Sirio down without having to take it off totally, but can do that too if you want. Prior to the Sirio I had Wilson Little Wil and Sirio's performance is comparable to it. It won't be as good as a Wilson 1000 which is longer whip but will get the job done across all 40 channels with acceptable SWR at the edges of the CB band with a flat SWR midband.

Sirio Turbo 800s PL Blue CB & Ham Mobile Antenna (PL Connector) | eBay

 

[acr_ted]

If I understand correctly I can take the antenna off and just have the base up there. Then, when I need it, screw the antenna back on.

Am I missing anything?

You will need to cover the exposed connectors with a plastic cover so that rain doesn't get inside the mag mount and cause problems.

Ted

 

[fblainen11]

You will need to cover the exposed connectors with a plastic cover so that rain doesn't get inside the mag mount and cause problems.

Ted

Cool. Will do!!!

 

[fblainen11]

You're correct, what he's trying to say is, fiberglass is stiff and does not bend as well as a steel whip, so if you hit a branch or something the magnet base will come off, if you use a steel whip like Wilson, it will bend and not put pressure on the magnet.

I have the magnet mount from a Wilson 1000 but am using Sirio Turbo 800S PL antenna screwed on it. You can fold the Sirio down without having to take it off totally, but can do that too if you want. Prior to the Sirio I had Wilson Little Wil and Sirio's performance is comparable to it. It won't be as good as a Wilson 1000 which is longer whip but will get the job done across all 40 channels with acceptable SWR at the edges of the CB band with a flat SWR midband.

Sirio Turbo 800s PL Blue CB & Ham Mobile Antenna (PL Connector) | eBay

I like the folding antenna! I'll stick with what I have for now, because I already have it, but if taking it off and putting it back on becomes a pain (I don't think it will) I will look into getting that.

I appreciate the input and the idea!