Generally, the higher the antenna is above ground, the better it will perform. Good practice is to install your vertical antenna about 5 to 10 feet above the roof line and away from power lines and obstructions. Remember that the FCC limits your antenna height to 60 feet.

Is a taller CB antenna better?

Choosing the Optimal CB Antenna Length Yes, taller/longer is better for range of distance when it comes to an antenna and the optimal antenna length is 1/4 wavelength. That translates to 102 inches (8.5 feet), too tall to be practical for most mobile applications.

Where is the best place to mount a CB antenna?

How to Install a CB AntennaThe best place for your standard antenna is the center of your roof, where you will have the greatest ground plane coverage.When you install a CB antenna on the fender, bumper, or anywhere else around the edge of your vehicle, you will have a weaker signal going away from the vehicle.More items

Does length of CB antenna matter?

Length – Tall antennas generally work better and get a longer range than short antennas. The higher the antenna goes, the farther your message will go, and you can receive messages from farther away. Antenna Brand – Experts say that you can get away with a cheaper CB radio as long as you have a really good antenna.

Does a CB antenna need to be vertical?

So, ideally you want a vertical antenna. Pretty much any other shape is going to distort the polarization and result in less signal being picked up by other users. Also, a horizontally polarized antennas at CB frequencies gets to be a bit cumbersome.

Which CB antenna has longest range?

whip antennas The type of antennas with the greatest range are the stainless steel 102 whip antennas, which may not be practical for parking in garages, under trees, and so forth. The single center load antenna also has about the same transmit and receive range as the whip.

How far does CB radio reach?

CB radios have a range of about 3 miles (4.8 km) to 20 miles (32 km) depending on terrain, for line of sight communication; however, various radio propagation conditions may intermittently allow communication over much greater distances.

What CB channel do police use?

Channel 9 The CB devotee especially listens to Channel 9, the emergency CB channel commonly used by motorists in trouble. Electronics stores selling CBs say they are good for calling police in an emergency.

Will a CB work without antenna?

CB Radio – Most new CB radios come with a microphone, mounting bracket and power cord, so you wont need to buy those separately. CB Antenna – Without an antenna, your radio is useless! Failing to tune your antenna can result in poor system performance and even permanent radio damage.

What is the best CB radio for long range?

What is the Best Long Range CB Radio?Best for the Price. Uniden PRO520XL Pro Series 40-Channel CB Radio.Best Overall. Uniden BEARCAT 980 CB Radio.Best Premium. Cobra 29 LX Max Smart Full-Featured Professional CB Radio.9 Feb 2021

Can you use a TV antenna for CB radio?

It will not be good for C.B., as its not even close to what it should be for that band. If you attempt to transmit with your C.B. on a TV antenna, youll probably damage your C.B., as it will not load properly, and burn out the finals.

How do I increase the range of my CB radio?

There are several procedures for ensuring maximum output.TUNE THE RADIO. A CB radio is only as good as the coax and antenna connected to it. USE CB-SPECIFIC ANTENNAS. ESTABLISH A GROUND PLANE. CHECK THE VSWR. ELIMINATE RESISTANCE.12 Dec 2008

Can you listen to police on CB radio?

The Scanner feature operates alongside the CB radio features, there is no switching back and forth between modes; just press a button and youre listening to Police, Fire department, etc. , while standard CB channels are active.

What happens if you transmit without an antenna?

The electrical issue is that reflections from non-resonant aerials need to be coped with. With hand held gear, the power involved is relatively low. In a TV broadcast transmitter, it could be mega high, so even small antenna mismatches can cause pretty substantial reverse power, which can, and does cause damage.

Should I use a spring on CB antenna?

A spring is beneficial for most CB antennas, provided you are using a good, conductive spring of the correct size for your antenna. You should definitely add a spring if there is a chance your antenna will strike limbs or other obstacles, or when you need to add length to an antenna for SWR improvement.