Skid Posted July 5, 2008 #1 Posted July 5, 2008 I finally checked my CB antenna out this weekend and discovered I had just as much power going towards the radio as I did the antenna. No wonder it didn't work real well. Anyway I checked the radio with a good antenna on the truck and found about 2.5 watts output. So I am looking for a good place to buy another replacement for the bike. Does anyone have good information where to find a replacement? Probably will go with a Firestick.....
Condor Posted July 5, 2008 #2 Posted July 5, 2008 I finally checked my CB antenna out this weekend and discovered I had just as much power going towards the radio as I did the antenna. No wonder it didn't work real well. Anyway I checked the radio with a good antenna on the truck and found about 2.5 watts output. So I am looking for a good place to buy another replacement for the bike. Does anyone have good information where to find a replacement? Probably will go with a Firestick..... Skid, I'm not sure I understand how your getting a WATT reading off the antenna?? Have you checked your antenna SWR?? That I understand...
Skid Posted July 5, 2008 Author #3 Posted July 5, 2008 Skid, I'm not sure I understand how your getting a WATT reading off the antenna?? Have you checked your antenna SWR?? That I understand... Forward and Reflected power is your SWR reading. A poor antenna will reflect power from the antenna, this is called SWR.
Condor Posted July 5, 2008 #4 Posted July 5, 2008 Forward and Reflected power is your SWR reading. A poor antenna will reflect power from the antenna, this is called SWR. Yes it is. What was your reading???
Skid Posted July 5, 2008 Author #5 Posted July 5, 2008 Yes it is. What was your reading??? It was over 5:1 I been searching the firestik antennas and looking at the different mounting hardware....
Condor Posted July 5, 2008 #6 Posted July 5, 2008 It was over 5:1 I been searching the firestik antennas and looking at the different mounting hardware.... Yeah sounds like your center load might be damaged. What ever happened to those short 'Rubber Duckies'?? I wonder if they still make them??? I don't know about you, but the only time I use the CB is on a group ride. Not shooting much skip.... er... DXing.
Skid Posted July 5, 2008 Author #7 Posted July 5, 2008 (edited) Yeah sounds like your center load might be damaged. What ever happened to those short 'Rubber Duckies'?? I wonder if they still make them??? I don't know about you, but the only time I use the CB is on a group ride. Not shooting much skip.... er... DXing. I only use it in group rides myself and sometimes on the highway to check traffic conditions. I'm wondering where I might find the best price on a Firestik antenna. Anyone have any ideas? Edited September 25, 2009 by Skid
Condor Posted July 5, 2008 #8 Posted July 5, 2008 I only use it in group rides myself and sometimes on the highway to check traffic conditions. I'm wondering where I might find the best price on a Firestik antenna. Anyoe have any ideas? Since pure CB shops are few and far between any longer I'd try Radio Shack, or your local truck stop. Or for other options, maybe these guys... http://www.everhardtantennas.com/
davepa Posted July 5, 2008 #9 Posted July 5, 2008 I finally checked my CB antenna out this weekend and discovered I had just as much power going towards the radio as I did the antenna. No wonder it didn't work real well. Anyway I checked the radio with a good antenna on the truck and found about 2.5 watts output. So I am looking for a good place to buy another replacement for the bike. Does anyone have good information where to find a replacement? Probably will go with a Firestick..... Check your E-mail......Dave
Skid Posted July 5, 2008 Author #10 Posted July 5, 2008 Thanks Dave, Also, has anyone had any experience with the Firestik FL3 antenna on their scoots?
ChurchBuilder Posted July 5, 2008 #11 Posted July 5, 2008 www.sierra-mc.com has replacement antennas for first generations. And lots of other stuff.
Freebird Posted July 5, 2008 #12 Posted July 5, 2008 Skid, The FL3 "Firefly" is what I have used for years. It is a very good antenna, you won't find anything much better. I don't know what kind of price you are finding but here is one link. http://www.walcottcb.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_97&products_id=897
Bummer Posted July 6, 2008 #13 Posted July 6, 2008 I'm running a single Firefly on my '06. Seems to work fine. There's a write up on going to a single antenna that might give you some ideas.
Skid Posted July 7, 2008 Author #14 Posted July 7, 2008 OK, I've ordered a new black Firestik FL3 antenna. I liked the slim stock look of the original antenna, but decided to dress up the old girl with a new fiberglass antenna. The original was a little over four feet, but this one is only three feet tall. I suppose if I don't like it I can always change it later. It will be nice to have the CB working as good as it can. I already have the new coax and connectors to connect it up with. Since I removed the Class control to get to the CB, I also will attempt the fix on the E4 code I've been getting. The tech section had a good description of how to do this fix too. I'll follow up later to let you know how everything is going...... Thanks to everyone who responded to this post.
Skid Posted July 10, 2008 Author #15 Posted July 10, 2008 Ok I got time today to switch over the new antenna. So far I can tell it is working much better. So if the next Skid-In gets bigger, I will be able to hear my tail-gunner next year....
86er Posted July 11, 2008 #16 Posted July 11, 2008 So, Jeff, where did you get the firestick and what was involved in mounting it? What cost was involved with extras?
Skid Posted July 11, 2008 Author #17 Posted July 11, 2008 So, Jeff, where did you get the firestick and what was involved in mounting it? What cost was involved with extras? Todd, here is what everything costed me. It fit the 1/2 inch hole in the mount perfect. All I needed was the antenna and mounting hardware. I alkready had to coax to replace it. From: roberts-etronics45.com FireStik FL3 FireFly-Antenna.............. $ 15.90 FireFly lightweight antenna FireStik K4A firestik-k4A.........................$ 3.49 ...................................................Subtotal 19.39 ......................................................Shipping 8.01 ...............................................................Tax 0.00 ........................................................Total $27.40
BuddyRich Posted July 11, 2008 #18 Posted July 11, 2008 You may want to consider adding a heavy duty spring to it if gets to whipping around too much. The spring will change the way it moves at high speed.
Skid Posted July 12, 2008 Author #20 Posted July 12, 2008 You may want to consider adding a heavy duty spring to it if gets to whipping around too much. The spring will change the way it moves at high speed. I don't think it will move too much, it's pretty stiff. I think the spring would let it move more. I'l try it out tomorrow evening......
Skid Posted July 12, 2008 Author #22 Posted July 12, 2008 Not if he don't have CB!! That other antenna was worthless. I couldn't hear anything on it before. Last night I was hearing skip from clear across the country. First time I ever heard anything like that on the bike.
Skid Posted July 18, 2008 Author #23 Posted July 18, 2008 The CB and new antenna are working great together. Just like brand new again. I've taken the class control apart and should have it back in tomorrow. Hopefuly the E4 code will be gone. I've also hard wired the XM radio this week, so the cigarette lighter plug is no longer needed.....
GigaWhiskey Posted August 27, 2008 #24 Posted August 27, 2008 Hey Skid, what are you using for AM/FM?
Skid Posted August 27, 2008 Author #25 Posted August 27, 2008 Hey Skid, what are you using for AM/FM? It works through the CB antenna just like the original did. I don't use the AM/FM radio much, but seems to work good.
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