Is it safe to paint aerial whips?

[dewby]

I want to purchase a CB27 but I would rather save the eight dollars for the B, and just spray paint it. I wouldn't want to do this though if it would hinder the performance.

Since I am making this thread I may as well go ahead and ask. I have a scanner and I want to put an outside nmo scanner antenna on my car, but I was looking at the nmo cables with bnc connectors and they all say good up to 512mhz. Will that work for my scanner or do I need something else?

[Motor On]

I want to purchase a CB27 but I would rather save the eight dollars for the B, and just spray paint it. I wouldn't want to do this though if it would hinder the performance.

99/100 times I'd say this is a non issue, I've done the exact same thing, light coat flat black; just avoid metallics and make sure the contacts off all the parts are clean.

Since I am making this thread I may as well go ahead and ask. I have a scanner and I want to put an outside nmo scanner antenna on my car, but I was looking at the nmo cables with bnc connectors and they all say good up to 512mhz. Will that work for my scanner or do I need something else?

Depends what system your listening to, you'll be all set for VHF and UHF communications but SOL on 700/800mhz bands but there's a few wideband scanner antennas that should do the trick.

Here's one I think I've seen Stealth Stalker recommend before; but he can give you a few more details on the options they offer.
Austin Spectra Mobile Antenna

I've found my dual band HAM radio antenna to be a supurb scanner antenna as well.

[dewby]

I noticed that you painted your antenna, did you see a decrease in performance? Also what type of spray paint did you use?

It's not the antenna that I am wondering about, it is the coax itself. The police channels I listen to are in the 800mhz range.
Is this what I need?:
http://www.theantennafarm.com/catalo...oducts_id=1558
or this
Antenex MB8X [MB8X] - $17.95 : The Antenna Farm :: , Your Two Way Radio Source!

[Stealth Stalker]

Interesting question. I have only painted receive-only antennae, not transmitter antennae. Consequently, I can't say for sure about what effect it might have on a CB antenna. It wouldn't be the first time that something small and seemingly insignificant negatively affected performance. Especially if it is metallic paint.

[srtga]

I painted mine with some rustoleum satin black. No problems.

[fire65]

My Little Wil is painted flat black. I didn't notice any difference in performance, but didn't really do any testing.

[The Chariot]

It shouldn't impact performance but the antenna companies generally recommend re-checking SWR after painting them.

[dewby]

I definitely would have rechecked the swr reading, I just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with it and could tell me what I was getting in to.

[Motor On]

No problems whatsoever, I used whatever flat black spray i had lying around in the garage at the time, I made sure the bottom 3/4in or so was sanded clean, so where the whip attached to the base was a clean contact for reduced risk. No true testing done though, as it was step one on the install

If you dig there was a thread here in the summer about painting whips.


With the coax, it's likely a shielding thing, will be fine for the CB, you might get away with it for the 800mhz stuff, but you'll probably want to buy the better shielded stuff, which is more $$.

[autobel]

what about rubber shink tubing . u knwo the kind for wires?

its flexible