Well I looked at my old CB whip and its is pretty bad shape so I was going to get a firestik. Which firestik model and length would be best for my truck? its going to be mounted on one the mounts that Alon makes.

Thanks!

 

I'd say a 4 or 5 foot firestik2. The firestik2 have a tunable tip on them....real nice option. 5 foot is as big as you can go with a firestik2. The origonal Firestik comes up to 7 foot. I just bought 2 firestik2s for $21.95 each.

http://firestik.com/index.htm

 

get eh firestick2 for the tuning tip..... or a wilson dont know of a certian model by they have a tuning whip that is stainless steel and you move up and down and set it with a set screw. both are good antennas.

need to dig up my SWR meter and check mine.

 

well im going to try to go by 4wheel tomorrow (if i dont win the FS 2 i bid on ebay) and pick them up so let me know if/when you find that meter...im in simi at my parents right now so not too far from ya...

 

the meters are fairly cheap...like 20-35 bucks, but a cb shop could tune it for you for like $10.

 

here in cali anit many good ole CB shops left. there was one really good one in sunland i think but the oleboy just got old and died.

my dad drives truck and ive helped him many times to tune up his co-phased 4' sticks.

 

yea i dont know of any CB shops...or truck stops really unless you start heading north on the 5 aways...

ill send ya a PM later today about tuning the CB...

 

sounds good.

around noon or so im heading to Pt. Mugu beach so might not be around for a while.

 

air show today? thats cool i still need to swing by the 4wheel parts outin TO today...

 

I have the 4ft firestik2 and i hate it, it's way to heavy and unflexible, ur mount will probly bend if u dont run a spring with it and will still probly bend if u do run a spring... id say go with a K40, i loved mine before i broke it, light as can be and flex's like crazy...

 

im useing a firestick with a spring. its not bad. ive whacked it against many things and sofar its doing well. also useing a spring for tuning reasons.

 

A spring is horrible for tuning. Cuz you tune it when your stopped then you drive down the road and it bends over so your SWR is not the same anymore.

Yes a firestick II is not very flexible but damn near indestructable. I broke my spring off and the antenna is still good.

 

in my case where i have my antenna mounted its not the best location for proformance. with out the spring the antenna is too short for swr. and the tuning screw is not long enough to geat even near proper tune. with the spring i can add 3" or so to the antenna and then use my adjusting screw to tune in to ch.20 for best overall coverage from 1-40. something i might try is a peice of threaded rod to make the antenna longer, and then cut thr rod down as a course adjustment then thread it up and down as a fine adjustment

yea the swr changes but ive checked mine and the tenna in a still position where it the closest to the cab the swr is highest about 2.1:1 and when the antenna has flexed back while driveing its came down in the 1.5:1. a spring is a comromise but sofar ife not had any major problems with tuneing. if anyhitng in my setup in my truck its the dang coax. i need to re do the PL259.

been in amateur radio for 5 years now and ive lerened alot on tuning antennas. im not saying i know everyhting but i know more than i did.