Antenna Question...

[i2oadi2unnei2]

Fellow FJ'ers, I want to order my bandi mount and antenna before lunch and I'm wondering if anyone can explain to me in a nutshell to which I should get, what you have and what worked/ or not worked for you regarding:

-Firestik Firefly
-Firestik II (hand tune)
-Firestik KWx (cut to tune)

Cheers,

Rick

[OlyWaFJ]

4' Firestik II if you want great reception

3' Firestik II if you want great reception behind you and ok reception in front of you.

The cut to tune is a pain, don't go there.
Hand tune is super easy to swr out... I have the 4' Firestik II - black.

Don't forget a spring too or you will break the 4' while on the trail.
B

[swamp thing]

Hey, i'm researching the same thing i2oad! Good question. I don't know if you've seen these threads yet:

fjcruiserforums - cobra-75-wxst-bandi-mount-install

fjcruiserforums - 2-foot-2-firestik-cb-antenna

One interesting tidbit was:
outside guy previously said: I chose the 4' Firestik because the signal goes out the top according to the guys at Firestik, vs the Firefly where the signal goes out the middle of the antenna. I made the mistake of a medium duty spring, so I had to upgrade to the heavy duty.

dbbd1 said: That is being "top-loaded" vs "center-loaded" vs base-loaded"
Top-loaded is usually better.

[i2oadi2unnei2]

Thanks all for the info and link. I'll go w/ the Firestik II 3' and go from there I'm planning to get it installed at D & R Communications at Clackamas because I'm too lazy to install it myself. They have been great to talk w/ and several folks here vouched for them and the quality of work.

rick

[swamp thing]

i2oadi2unnei2 previously said:

Thanks all for the info and link. I'll go w/ the Firestik II 3' and go from there I'm planning to get it installed at D & R Communications at Clackamas because I'm too lazy to install it myself. They have been great to talk w/ and several folks here vouched for them and the quality of work.

rick

Keep us posted when you're finished. I might just follow in your footsteps - I'm a little lazy, too

[i2oadi2unnei2]

swamp thing previously said:

Keep us posted when you're finished. I might just follow in your footsteps - I'm a little lazy, too

My installation appointment is this Saturday @ 9:30am. As soon I get home I'll take some pics and post them up

[noworries]

Egecko, also had a great installation...haven't seen him on here much lately though.

[egecko]

noworries previously said:

Egecko, also had a great installation...haven't seen him on here much lately though.

HAHA yeah Perry, I'm still here, but not as much. Been busy with getting married (21Jul07), having boy (14Oct07), work and everything that goes with it. I want to go out sometime!

noworries previously said:

I know nothing about cb's. Egecko helped me out a lot with some of the info on them and told me of an awesome Midland cb. However I like how small and compact this one is. For someone that has very little experience with cb's is this a good choice?

Well, here's what I have....


Midland 75-822 which can be purchased at Wal-Mart for $79.95 brand new, but also available from Walcott CB (refurb) for the same price. Converts to handheld to in-vehicle-use. Has two battery packs, one for Alkaline batteries and the other for rechargables with wall adapter.

*click pic for specs



1 x Firestik Firefly 4 Foot Flexable Antenna $19.95
1 x Firestik - K1A - Internal Locking Quick Disconnect $15.95
1 x BANDI - All Pro FJ Cruiser Antenna Bracket $49.00
1 x UG363 Double UHF (PL259) Female Connector $4.95
1 x Vanco - SWR1 - SWR Meter (The One Our Installers Use)
- Coax Cable: - None $24.95
1 x Firestik - SS3H - Stainless Steel Spring $11.95
1 x Firestik - K48R18 - 18 Foot Fire-Flex Coax w/ Fire-Ring & Stud $17.95


Other prople have been ording this because there's no need to solder the conector on, btw, it's very easy to do. Also note that you HAVE to order the FireRing Stud Mount with this, but the one listed above comes with it.

1 x Firestik K4R FireRing Stud Mount $3.49
1 x Firestik - MU8R18 - 2-Piece 18ft "EZ-Install" Single Coax $18.95


I added this in because I needed the little bit to make $150 for the free shipping.
1 x Firestik - TTK1 - Firestik II Tunable Tip Repair Kit $1.95


Bought this at Radio Shack because I didn't find them at Walcott CB. It's to connect the cb to the coupler without having to use a 3' extension cable.
1 x - 300-435 - Double Male UHF Connector $2.95

*click pic for link



Here's where I mounted the coupler for the antenna for those interested..... Perry, if you need any help, let me know and I'll do what I can.




more pics to see how tall the antenna is....

[NYCTRD]

FYI- "Top loaded, bottom loaded or center loaded" are not nessesarily better or worse...they're better or worse depending on the unique situation (the "ground plane" and effects that the vehicle have in relation to the antenna).

A "phased array" is the best way to go if you tune the system properly. Also a full wave antenna is ideal, but would be close to 40 feet long!

My point is, take it to someone who know's what they' re doing...anyone who says a "top loaded antenna transmits from the top" obviously DOESN'T know what they're talking about.

[i2oadi2unnei2]

egecko previously said:

HAHA yeah Perry, I'm still here, but not as much. Been busy with getting married (21Jul07), having boy (14Oct07), work and everything that goes with it. I want to go out sometime!

Congrats! And not sure if you know, this year chinese calender is the mark of the 'golden pig', which comes around once every 60yrs, so your new boy is very very special My elder sis also gave birth to her first son last month on the 20th.