Where should I install my 102" whip CB antenna on my Pickup Truck?

Question

I want to install it where the trailer ball hitch goes on the center bumper, but was also thinking on the left side of the bumper or like the state police have them on the left rear quarter panel. I just want a place where I will get the lowest SWR or a good plane. Also do I need extra hardware like plastic gourmets to prevent it from grounding to the vehicle or do I want to ground the antenna to the vehicle. Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

There are a series of factors to consider here.  First, the higher the antenna base is on the motor vehicle, the greater the reception and transmission capabilities.  Two the center of the motor vehicle is best as it give and oval radiation pattern in all directions.  Placing the antenna on the left rear give you three radiation patterns.  If to draw a oval loop parallel to the veicle, then one diagonal from rear left to front right, and a third perpendicular to direction of travel and each loop extends three times the length of the length, the diagonal distance and the wide of the vehicle, then draw the perimeter of those three overlapping loops and that is your radiation pattern.  Thus your storngest signal will be in front, front diagonal and to the right side of the vehicle.

If you want to consider the twin trucker antennas, remember their radiation pattern is two long narrow loops on the direction of travel with 2/3s in front and 1/3 behind, but weak to the sides.  Truckers are talk on a ribbon of highway so the sides are not of great inportance.

The reason the police mount whip antenna on left rear deck of the police cruiser is for height and to avoid lower hanging obstacle on the right side of the road, like tree branches.  And the roof is too high for them and has a great chance for damage.

The 102" antenna with spring and ball mont base is a good combination.  Stainless steel is stronger than fiberglass, but it lays down easier at higher spped than the fiberglass, thus cut the signal range.  Fiberglass stand up best in the wind, but is can shatter easily on impact with low bridges (like less than 10 feet high), tree branches, and other low obstacles.  Drive up overhangs can file down both stainless steel and fiberglas as it slide under them.  As the antenna shorten, your SWR increases.  The higher the SWR the greater the chance of burning out the CB during transmission.  It will not hurt the CB to recieve, but reception will be lower.

I SWR meter is a good investment as you can easily check your SWR periodical yourself, which I do about once every three month or after and accidental impact.

The long whip antenna will give you the best andf greatest range of all antenna.  The shorter the antenna the lesser the range or the greater your power needs to be.  For example to match the transmission output of a 102" whip in a 48" whip, your would need approximately 12 watts in stead of four watts.  Or invest additional money into a linear amp, which could cost more than the CB.

If you do not want to use a spring on the ball mount, than you must use a 108" whip.  I beleive 108" whips are hard to find if still manufactured.

To qualify myself, I cit my teeth installing and setting up CB in motor vehicle and residence back in the 70's and 80's when they were very popular and there was a thing call a CB Shop.  I worked in one of the old shops for years.  I had to supply my own tools for the installations as I was a subcntractor to the shop.  I still have and use my tools on my own equipment now.  I am out of the business for 20+ years, but I remember.