help choosing an home base antenna

gentle giant · Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:54 am

Hi all
Due to being new to the world if cb radio was looking for help
Choosing the right antenna for the job I want to get out as far as
Possiblebut live in a dip which may hamper me I have a13ft piece of sciffold pipe
To add to the hieght or would I be better of with something for the loft
What antenna would you recommend

Thanks gentle giant

stampman · Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:11 pm

definitely an outside mounted one the higher the better possibly 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave one

gentle giant · Sat Mar 17, 2012 9:32 am

Hi stampmam

Thanks for the reply could you recommend an antenna have read
Good things about the thunderpole 5 but what would you.
Recommend and which would be better 1/2 wave or the 5/8 wave
I ain't got a clue mate

Thanks gentle giant

stampman · Sat Mar 17, 2012 10:27 am

the consensus seem to be 1/2 wave for dx and 5/8 for local work so if you want to dx them the 1/2 wave is the one to go

ie: antron 99 with the top adaptor

wildfire · Thu Feb 21, 2013 1:31 pm

a 1/2 wave is for local dx but typically a 5/8th wave is around 1 - 1.5 dbd over a quarter wave dipole, (ignore manufacturers boastful claims) it also has a lower angle of radiation, making it a better DX antenna, but it does require some form of matching as is does not naturally give 50 ohms, but 100 Ohms. This reduces effcience slightly & also adds to price. A reasonable 5/8th wave gets my vote over a half wave every time, if there is a choice. i would also add sugar / garden canes in to the antenna to help it against strong gale force winds.

http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/base-cb-an ... -gain.html

but it all depends on your location if your in a valley & have hills around you or if you have high buildings around you then something like a sirio starduster m-400 will do you pride the starduster only has 6 db & is also 16 ft tall but will get you over high buildings & hills as the signal bounces over hills & buildings,