short antennas
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Detroit
RE: short antennas
ORIGINAL: Toytech
If you are going to cut the O.E. antennas shorter please remember the CB antenna needs to have the gain readjusted. This job can be done using the rf gain meter available at your local radio shack. Needs to be hooked up in line with the CB cable. You then can adjust the antenna to the proper specs outlined in the rf meter instructions. Easy job but very time consumming. The Freedom Cycle Reno antennas have a adjustment "thingy" right on the antenna.
If the gain is not adjusted correctly the CB can be damaged or so I have been told by the local CB Nerd. In my neighborhood he is the guy know by his home "The Antenna House"
Joe
If you are going to cut the O.E. antennas shorter please remember the CB antenna needs to have the gain readjusted. This job can be done using the rf gain meter available at your local radio shack. Needs to be hooked up in line with the CB cable. You then can adjust the antenna to the proper specs outlined in the rf meter instructions. Easy job but very time consumming. The Freedom Cycle Reno antennas have a adjustment "thingy" right on the antenna.
If the gain is not adjusted correctly the CB can be damaged or so I have been told by the local CB Nerd. In my neighborhood he is the guy know by his home "The Antenna House"
Joe
Since your post I've been searching for a Rf gain meter. Radio Shack doesnt list one unless its built into a CB radio. How do you actually adjust the gain once you have a Meter? How much is a meter?
We lifted the antenna mast 1/4" up from the bottom of the base and got ALOT better performance out of the CB. Dont know if its any worse than factory set, about 5 mile range.
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
RE: short antennas
Wow! I got a hot topic started. I liked the idea of cutting the existing antenna and it worked out great. I cut the AM antenna to 11 3/4 ", which is a quarter of whatever fraction of the wave length the antenna was designed with. I measured from the top, so I maintained the little ball on the end. Since I do not use the CB, I cut it 11 3/4" from the top, took out the load with the remainder of the antenna and mounted the new top in the base. Now I have matching antennas. I considered cutting off the CB antenna mount, but then thought if I ever sell the bike, the buyer may want the CB. All he/she will have to do is buy a new CB antenna.
Thanks for all the input!
Thanks for all the input!
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 1
RE: short antennas
No sharp ends, IF you cut it from the top end, so that you retain the little ball on the end. Oh, and be sure you take the paint off the bottom end of the new short antenna, so that you make good contact with the wiring to the radio.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From:
RE: short antennas
V2,
Sorry I have been off this topic for awhile. You can order it from radio shack, thats where I got mine. Just need a competent sales person. You can also contact Sierra electronics, they have a web site, this is a good seller of CB stuff. If nothing more they CAN point you in the right direction.
Joe
Sorry I have been off this topic for awhile. You can order it from radio shack, thats where I got mine. Just need a competent sales person. You can also contact Sierra electronics, they have a web site, this is a good seller of CB stuff. If nothing more they CAN point you in the right direction.
Joe
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From:
RE: short antennas
I've been "THIS CLOSE" to placing the order (though I still haven't heard how well, or worse. the CB range is effected by these antennas)...but if they can;t ship the things out and have them in my hands in far less than 15 days...well....service is everything!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
RE: short antennas
Actually, you can just cut yours to length... I did this and it worked just fine... still did not like the thing, so I went to the peel and stick inside the fairing - Ya know, it works just fine in my area... Still listen to the radio and NO Stick out back...
Cut the end that goes into the backet... still leaves the top alone
Cut the end that goes into the backet... still leaves the top alone