CB antenna questions

Manvan

Member
Can someone explain what it means when antennas are advertised as 1/4 wave or 5/8 wave. Also antennas listed as 500 watts or 1000 watts or 2000 watts. Lastly, stuff like base coils and top loaded. Thanks

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Kavanji

Member
1/4 wave or 5/8 are resonant lengths of the frequency you want to transmit on. obviously longer is better. until you go off road and bang you antenna against trees and other obstacles. then shorter is better.
the wattage is just a silly numbers game as you are only allowed 4 or 5 watt on CB. even with a ham radio your normal output is around 100 watt. unless you hoof a huge 1kw amplifier and the necessary battery along this point of the sales strategy can safely be ignored.

top loaded antennas are usually better but again if you off road and you smash your antenna into a overhanging branch the coil gets damaged and it is game over for you antenna. get a base loaded antenna with a stainless steel whip that can take the beating of branches and urban onslaught like garage doors and the such.
 
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