CB Antenna Question

[MiddleMike]

Ok, so I'm walking around the Matrix and looking for a place for the antenna. It's a pretty long antenna, in theory it should go right up on the roof. Problem is, I park it in a garage and the antenna is far too long (and not flexible) for that when the garage door is up/open.

I'm trying to think of an alternative that I could use and coming up a bit short. Glass antennas seem a bit restricting, especially since its a hatch back. Are there "car" type antennas that you can *shudder* drill into the front or sides that are worthwhile? Are there antennas still for sale (now that the 1970's are over) that look like a standard radio arial that you'd have on a normal car (up front, passenger side) or something like that?

The last car I put a cb/ham radio in was a regular type car and it was no issue. This Matrix is turning out to be a real pain in the seat cushion to customize.

[RW'07]

Hey Mike, welcome to this GREAT forum :wink:

I drive a 4-wheeler and park it underground where you can't fit a Lincoln Navigator inside, very low clearance underground... also I run a CB radio http://www.midlandradio.com/comersus...idProduct=3108 with a http://www.wilsonantenna.com/w5000.htm and I removed the original freaking long whip that comes FREE with the antenna and replaced it with the http://www.wilsonantenna.com/short.htm

If you like the above setup, feel free to post your legitimate questions...

And drive safely

[MiddleMike]

Thanks for the reply. I'll check to see if the local (ha! local! It's 30 miles away, lol) CB shop carries that brand and the replacement whip you noted.

Well, first actually, I'll get out the tape measure and see if it will fit comfortably under the garage door. Then I'll go to the CB shop.

With the mag mount and short whip installed, do you know the total measurement of height on your setup (assuming mag mount I mean)? Do you have it c-clamped or is it on the roof of your 4-wheeler?

[AirMoore]

I own both a Wilson 1000 with the extended 66inch whip (over the 62.5 stock on the 1000, and 5000's), and also a Wilson Little Wil.


I would suggest ... the Little Wil.


It has a very small magnet, so it doesnt look half bad when mounted... and it only stands ~3Feet tall.


You will find that even with the Wilson 1K/5K with the short-load whip... they still look very funny... because their magnet looks like the size of a dinner plate on your roof. You can spend 30bucks, and get the Little Wil... its performance is great (for its size). Just last night I was talking to a guy 12 Miles away on a base station.

[RW'07]

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=33319

You're not gonna get into your underground parking with the short load on top of your car, you will just have to simply take off the coil (the short load never leaves the coil), then attach a little weather cap that comes with the antenna, get underground and next day, get out, take off the weather cap and simply put back the coil on (again, the short load never leaves the coil)... maybe 20 secs to take all off and another 20 secs to put it back on, too long?

You have no reason to take off the freaking heavy and rock-solid magnet that always stays on top of your car, just the coil (short load so part of the coil) on and off :wink:

[RW'07]

I own both a Wilson 1000 with the extended 66inch whip (over the 62.5 stock on the 1000, and 5000's), and also a Wilson Little Wil.


I would suggest ... the Little Wil.


It has a very small magnet, so it doesnt look half bad when mounted... and it only stands ~3Feet tall.


You will find that even with the Wilson 1K/5K with the short-load whip... they still look very funny... because their magnet looks like the size of a dinner plate on your roof. You can spend 30bucks, and get the Little Wil... its performance is great (for its size). Just last night I was talking to a guy 12 Miles away on a base station.

You're right BUT I've already got used with my system, over 2 years now, and most importantly, I don't freaking care what others think about me, important what I think about myself, a freaking smart individual :wink:

[AirMoore]

I own both a Wilson 1000 with the extended 66inch whip (over the 62.5 stock on the 1000, and 5000's), and also a Wilson Little Wil.


I would suggest ... the Little Wil.


It has a very small magnet, so it doesnt look half bad when mounted... and it only stands ~3Feet tall.


You will find that even with the Wilson 1K/5K with the short-load whip... they still look very funny... because their magnet looks like the size of a dinner plate on your roof. You can spend 30bucks, and get the Little Wil... its performance is great (for its size). Just last night I was talking to a guy 12 Miles away on a base station.

You're right BUT I've already got used with my system, over 2 years now, and most importantly, I don't freaking care what others think about me, important what I think about myself, a freaking smart individual :wink:

Oh, I agree with you... trust me I have no problems with my little red Honda Civic looking like a RC Car with a 6foot Wilson 1000K ontop of it... if I did... I wouldnt have one. Its ALWAYS up on the Thruway trips.


I always say to people who comment on how goofy the 1K with the extra long whip it looks:

"Yeah sure, the CB antenna looks goofy ontop of my car... but you know what looks even goofier? Being pulled over on the side of the road with a cop behind you, getting a ticket."

Normally people shush after I say that.



Anyways, I do find the clearence with the Wilson Little Wil to be beneficial, and I like having it as a antenna for everyday use. Its just much more practical for driveways and drive-thrus at fast food places and other such things...


Picture I just went out and took with the little Wil on the car:

[RW'07]

Oh, I agree with you... trust me I have no problems with my little red Honda Civic looking like a RC Car with a 6foot Wilson 1000K ontop of it... if I did... I wouldnt have one. Its ALWAYS up on the Thruway trips.

You have a pretty normal setup, mine is at the back so the wire is pretty much invisible...

It's over 2 years since I bought the CB and the antenna, and using it all the time, I think the advice I got at that time made me go for those devices, CB and Wilson 5000 antenna, before that didn't know nothing about the fascinating world of the CB and especially how useful it is on the open road (even in the city when I see a trucker driving slowly I always ask him if he needs any help with traffic directions and if he's got the radio on it's up to him to reply to me)... I bet Wilson Lil Wil is very good, also the 500 and the 1000 as well, it's up to each individual to get the one that fits him/her the most... free country and free men... and girls :wink:

[AirMoore]

Oh, I agree with you... trust me I have no problems with my little red Honda Civic looking like a RC Car with a 6foot Wilson 1000K ontop of it... if I did... I wouldnt have one. Its ALWAYS up on the Thruway trips.

You have a pretty normal setup, mine is at the back so the wire is pretty much invisible...

It's over 2 years since I bought the CB and the antenna, and using it all the time, I think the advice I got at that time made me go for those devices, CB and Wilson 5000 antenna, before that didn't know nothing about the fascinating world of the CB and especially how useful it is on the open road (even in the city when I see a trucker driving slowly I always ask him if he needs any help with traffic directions and if he's got the radio on it's up to him to reply to me)... I bet Wilson Lil Wil is very good, also the 500 and the 1000 as well, it's up to each individual to get the one that fits him/her the most... free country and free men... and girls :wink:

Yeah, I personally just run it through the door because its easiest... with that said though on the thruway, I have been known to tuck the Wire straight down into the Sun/Moon-roof. It also makes it essentially invisible (maybe 1inch showing).

Also I prefer not to put my Antennas on the back for 2 simple reasons:

1) It wont give you (as) good 360degree TX, because the antenna is so far off on 1 end of the car...

2) I prefer mine to be as high up as possible... with that said, they do seem to work just fine on on the hatch. again with only an inch or 2 of wire showing, running into the trunk.


As for my choice on the 1K vs 5K...
I really didnt find the extra money worth it, since I will be putting 18-20watts max through my system. After my research the slightly better components of the 5000 (coaxial mainly) many said would have no noticeable difference in either TX/RX or anything. Just because how little wattage there is. I prefered the extra few inches of whip, for both RX/TX and tuning purposes.



All in all... a Good CB antenna is all Wilson makes, and I love having both of mine; each for its specific purpose... and I love seeing other Wilson users out there... right from the Little Wil' to the 5000.

[RW'07]

.. they do seem to work just fine on on the hatch. again with only an inch or 2 of wire showing, running into the trunk...

My case, lucky me :wink: