CB Radio Antennas

CB Radio Antennas

Keep your communication options open with a CB antenna. These personal radio signal receivers give you a solid alternative to mainstream media sources and come in handy during emergencies. Whether you use your CB radio for commercial uses, entertainment, or family safety needs, a capable CB antenna makes many things possible.

What are the basic types of CB antennas?

These CB radio signal receivers come in several basic varieties. The industry classifies these antennas in several ways, but the most basic classification is the location of the coil. This feature is known as the load position, and it affects the performance and mounting capabilities of your antenna.

  • Bottom loaded aerials: Also called base-loaded or magnet aerials, their thick wires concentrate in the bottom of these receivers. Magnets often attach to their bases, allowing you to mount them at various locations on your vehicle. Their low centres of gravity make them well-suited for external mounting.
  • No ground plane aerials: These receive signals even if mounted on non-metallic vehicle surfaces and have wire wrappings mounted in their bases.
  • Whip aerials: These derive their names from their whip-like shapes. Whip antennas are coil-less, and their effectiveness comes from their greater lengths.
  • centre loaded aerials: The wire wrappings in these receivers sit towards the centres of the shafts.
  • Fiberglass aerials. Durable and light, these aerials have small coils in their tips. The longer they are, the more range they give you.
Can you use these receivers for CB and ham radios?

You can use them for both CB and ham radio signals, according to the instructions from the manufacturer. Some manufacturers make CB radio signal receivers capable of capturing signals from both ham and citizens-band radio transmitters. This multi-functional capability gives you more options in emergency situations.

What range can you expect from CB antennas?

The range of your aerial depends on several factors including total wire length, but 3-10 miles is a standard measure. If you choose receivers of the right length, of the correct mount-type, and of the highest possible overall quality, you will be on the right track.

Do you need to tune your CB antennas?

You may, depending on the situation of your vehicle and your particular antenna. Your vehicle acts as an electrical base for your radio receiver. The size of this foundation varies from car to car. To get the most out of this effect, tuning your pickup is necessary. By doing this, you help your aerial to pick up signals in its frequency range with ease. Plus, you can increase your range when you tune up your aerials. Lastly, a tuned antenna can help your gear last longer.

Does wiring make a difference?

It does. The quality and type of wire you use affects the performance of your aerial. To get more out of your system, you can use shielded coaxial cable. This material resists outside interference, resulting in cleaner, clearer signals.