Using CB Antennas for Portable Ham Radio

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  • Опубліковано 4 лют 2025

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  • @WECB640
    @WECB640 Рік тому +12

    I vote for the 102" whip (as someone below suggested) and a remote tuner at the base of the whip. I had a setup like that in my car and worked 40M-6M all day long and could always hit the UK in the afternoon on 20M. Thanks for another great video Walt. 73

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +2

      Ok you sealed the deal my friend, I’m shopping for a 102” whip. Thanks for another great comment and 73 my friend!

  • @ddouglas3687
    @ddouglas3687 Рік тому +3

    Hey Walt! Fun exercise!
    I don't know what's more interesting, cool radios or bizarre antennas! I'm saving up for a "decent" cheap(!) ham radio and studying for my tech!
    See you out there whenever!
    Hey from Western Hanover, Va! 73!😂

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +2

      Thanks! Hope to see you out there soon and to catch you on the air! 73, Walt

  • @frankmooney7282
    @frankmooney7282 Рік тому +6

    I use 102" cb whip with 4 10ft elevated radials on top of my garage roof. 48 dx countries on 10m and also with a slight twist of a tuner 16 dx countries on 12m from Arizona. Of course 4800 ft elevation helps as well. Thanks for the videos! de KI7MJU

  • @badcompany3828
    @badcompany3828 Рік тому +1

    When I was trucking I used a Wilson 2000 center load antenna with my Icom 706 and LDG pro 200 tuner on 10,12 and 20 meters. Always had a 5-9 plus reports.

  • @brendanwebb4600
    @brendanwebb4600 Рік тому +3

    I've got an original 5ft Valor antenna for 26-30mhz. Tried it with a ground spike and radials. Worked fantastic and had 1.2 swr at 28.5mhz

  • @adam-g7crq
    @adam-g7crq Рік тому +2

    Cheers Walt you've given me an idea, I picked up a second hand seven foot fire stick year's ago for five quid at a car boot sale I shall pop around to my local park and see how well it works 😁👍

  • @Old-Painless
    @Old-Painless Рік тому +1

    Walt, since I dropped you the email on using my Tram 1411 that was my CB and SDR antenna, I've gotten so I'm using it all the time now on 10m while I wait on some parts to build my "real" 10m vertical. Since Jan 2, I've made 120 contacts mostly on FT8 but a lot of SSB as well. I'm now up over 50 countries using the Tram which is physically tuned to 11 meters. I use my LDG IT-100 tuner with it and it's a blast. I may not be so quick to swap it out when I get the new antenna made. 🙂

  • @Bryan-vz6jh
    @Bryan-vz6jh Рік тому +1

    I drive a truck and always liked the K 40 whip with the sleeve at the top to adjust the SWR

  • @Blaculo
    @Blaculo Рік тому +1

    The firestick looks very durable and sounded the best out of the three that you tested. I've got a mag mount K30 and look forward to some experimentation when I have the time.

  • @stevetelford2821
    @stevetelford2821 Рік тому +1

    Hi Walt, I like to use the Hamstick with a Slide winder coil on either a mag mount on the car or like you on a mirror mount with a wire. Does well for me on 10m through to 40m. A nice easy setup.
    Keep up the good work mate. de Steve G7HUJ West Yorkshire, UK.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому

      Hi Steve! I have those and I need to give that a try. Thanks!

  • @mrw1160
    @mrw1160 Рік тому +1

    Fascinating stuff, thank you!

  • @WR3ND
    @WR3ND Рік тому +1

    I have many of the Moonraker coil antennas, not specifically for 11m, but like 160, 60, 30, 17, 12, and a few others. Doing some testing with resonances among the general tinkering. They're fun and easy enough to mess with even if they're a compromise in other regards. Cheers.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      Interesting, I need to check them out. Thanks! 73, Walt

    • @WR3ND
      @WR3ND Рік тому

      Yeah, they're fun messing with. They have a long tuning whip on the top that slides into the coiled section with the two bolts to hold it. Some of them you can stack and extend together, but also fun to test running in parallel to let the RF out on different band renascences. 73

  • @FrancoDX
    @FrancoDX 11 місяців тому +1

    Cool experiment Walt.
    I just picked up a 10m Mobile transceiver with the idea of trying a Wilson Little Will and an Orbital I have lying around. I think I’ll have to cut the whips down to get the antennas resonant but looking forward to the outdoor project, that’s if it ever stops raining over here in England! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
    73 Franco

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  11 місяців тому +1

      Thanks Franco! The weather will be nicer soon

  • @doubleD_K2DRD
    @doubleD_K2DRD Рік тому +1

    Thanks very much. Really appreciate your efforts. K2DRD. Winston Salem NC

  • @daron2428
    @daron2428 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for sharing Walt 😊

  • @joeblow8593
    @joeblow8593 Рік тому +1

    Interesting experiment

  • @stefanpaul9443
    @stefanpaul9443 Рік тому +2

    I sometimes use a foldable „tactical“ antenna for CB radio on my xiegu x5105 and it tunes quite nicely on the 10 and 15 meter band. Putting it on an antenna analyzer the swr in fact is best at 29 MHz what seems bad for an antenna build for CB….

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      I have 6 section and a 7 section foldable manpack antenna. I need to do a scan of those. Thanks for commenting!

  • @jimmcfall7769
    @jimmcfall7769 Рік тому +4

    Love your content Walt! You should try the tried and true 102 inch stainless steel whip. It would probably tune well with your internal tuner.
    73 de Jim K9KXW

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +2

      Thanks Jim! Great call on the 102 whip, I need to get one.

    • @jimmcfall7769
      @jimmcfall7769 Рік тому +1

      @COASTALWAVESWIRES the 102 inch stainless steel whip is still reasonably priced compared to other CB antennas. $45.38 from CB World

    • @rockshelter
      @rockshelter Рік тому +3

      Second the 102 steel whip. But would like to get some shortening coils to make it resonant on different bands without tuner. Are there something like this available?

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +2

      @@rockshelter absolutely, a 102 whip on a Slidewinder DX coil or a Wolf River Coil would work exactly as you’re saying without a tuner.

    • @ryankc9oza118
      @ryankc9oza118 Рік тому +4

      I used to have ballmount with 102 whip on car with ah4 tuner and it worked great

  • @mobiltec
    @mobiltec Рік тому +2

    How about the good old fashioned 102 inch springball whip?

  • @LB0FI
    @LB0FI Рік тому +1

    I need to get some of those CB antennas.

  • @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE
    @acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE Рік тому +1

    That was good fun Walt and interesting. I wonder if you have an original K40 CB antenna or a Rebel 500 or 600, which was a flat wire wound very tightly on a fibre glass rod and then a gel coat. At first glance it didn't appear to have a wire as it was hidden by the gel coat.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому

      Thanks! I've always wanted to try the K40. I'll check out the Rebel antennas. Thanks for commenting! 73, Walt

  • @agoraphobicadam1171
    @agoraphobicadam1171 Рік тому +1

    Hi Walt, On the Firestick Did you only have to use the tuning screw on top in side the cap?
    KO4HPC 73

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      Yes only the screw at the top and for 10 meters I screwed it down almost to the bottom.

  • @anthonyglaser929
    @anthonyglaser929 10 місяців тому +1

    Walt, thanks for posting these videos, they are really educational on some creative antenna ideas. In this one you use a ground rod as an antenna mount. The ground rods I see at Home Depot are 8 feet long, did you get one of those and cut it down or find another piece of copper rod? What are you using? thanks again.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  10 місяців тому

      Mine is actually the MFJ rod. Here’s the one I have: mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1936t

  • @Samsung123492
    @Samsung123492 9 місяців тому

    I think the most famous CB antenna is the DV27L. I‘ve been told there is a variation called DV27LC with a coil in the middle. Give it a try!

  • @CalPil0t
    @CalPil0t Рік тому +2

    My son's home is in Chesapeake in the Western Branch area. It sits near the end of a 100 yard long inlet and has a small dock. I will have to try out the noodle counterpoise with a screwdriver antenna I got some time ago that I have been wanting to try out. In the meantime I will try out the waters of Okaloosa county Florida and see how I do.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +2

      Your son is very close to me and the Elizabeth River in Western Branch has a pretty high salinity level so that should work great!

  • @CamilleCullen-ow6qj
    @CamilleCullen-ow6qj 9 місяців тому

    Great video, many thanks!!! Robert K5TPC

  • @padredanro
    @padredanro 7 місяців тому

    Dear Walt, thank you so much for this video. You and your lovely videos are the reason I returned to my old passion after 25 years, finally getting a new danish call sign after moving from Romania. And this one got so close to my case, that I need to ask this question: I have a Sigma Venom 1/2 wave Silver Rod CB Base Station antenna for 10 & 11 Meters and I know you work with SE HF-360. Would a 6:1 UNUN added to my antenna bring it closer to what you have, being able to work in other bands too? Thank you again and hope to hear you on my old FT-200 someday, Daniel, 5P7DR

  • @richiec7602
    @richiec7602 Рік тому +1

    Hey Walt. I had a K40 mobile CB antenna many years ago and I loved it (long gone). I would like to see you try it.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      I’ve always wanted either that or a Wilson. I will look into getting a K40!

  • @cWatts-zv3oo
    @cWatts-zv3oo Рік тому +2

    Wondering how the trusty old 102 in. Stainless steel whip would do.

  • @blueelectricfusion
    @blueelectricfusion 10 місяців тому +1

    kc8yyo waving a hand... I am working on a 22m cb antenna cut down to 20m... surprisingly the math and other antenna theroy works... its basicly a big coil antenna cb base with a 102" full wave stinger... huuge antenna but pretty good on 20m cheap! 🎉

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  10 місяців тому

      Zero Four Zero - Salty Walt ummm I mean K4OGO waving a hand back. That’s awesome and sounds like a great antenna for 20. 73, Walt

  • @kurtstefans5738
    @kurtstefans5738 Рік тому +1

    Try a Wilson, Little Will. I've made contacts as far away as Europe and Calgary CA from the Chicago area while driving the expressways. 50Watt and with no tuner. I cut the antenna for 10m.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      I had a Little Will on my car for CB a few years ago. Great antenna.

  • @gaptastic
    @gaptastic Рік тому +1

    I'm not a big CB guy. Back when I was younger, hell yeah.
    Are you using/buying Cb antennas cause they are cheaper than 10m ham antennas?

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      I’m using them because I like experimenting with as many different antennas as I can. They’re not too expensive and something different.

  • @christophersmith1155
    @christophersmith1155 Рік тому +1

    I USE A 102" WHIP. NO COMPRAMISED COIL. 27.2850 IS BOOMING !

  • @MikeN2MAK
    @MikeN2MAK Рік тому +1

    I'm putting my request in for you to build and use an 11m dipole, LOL. Then run it as a vertical. Just do some quick maths for the middle of the CB band and the G90 will take care of the rest 👌

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому

      hahaha ok! I've done a 10 meter vertical dipole, I'll have to stretch it out. 73 my friend!

  • @David-km8in
    @David-km8in Рік тому +2

    Hi Walt, you could try the Road King/Truck King CB antenna they are cheap antennas, about 18 pounds here in the UK. Or maybe a Wilson 5000. But they are not cheap.
    The red tipped antenna seemed to work better. Much quieter receive.
    All the best David M0DUU

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      Hi David! Thanks for the tips, I’ll look into those antennas. 73, Walt

    • @CalPil0t
      @CalPil0t Рік тому +1

      On that third contact, the other station swung his beam toward Walt, so that may gave been the main factor in the red tipped antenna's performance. Good luck with your CB antenna experiments as eell.

  • @knacknockin1
    @knacknockin1 Рік тому +1

    Walt, I watch all of your videos. I am wondering what you use for coax?? Thanks for the education.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому

      I usually use RG8X and it’s great, lately I’ve been using this Chameleon coax with built in choke and I’m really liking it: chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-50-coax-with-integrated-rfi-choke

    • @knacknockin1
      @knacknockin1 Рік тому

      Thank you Walt.

  • @janhenkins
    @janhenkins Рік тому +2

    Thank you Walt, it's amazing what you can do with that Sodium Chloride amplifier, I have to find myself a nice corner in some harbour here in the UK and try it out myself. The pool-noodle counterpoise is simply genius! Where did you get the orange "knobbery"? I would like to get a set for my G90 to save the somewhat flimsy originals. Cheerio and 73, Jan M7HNK

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +2

      Hi Jan! They came off my RS-918 which is a clone of a UK designed radio called the mcHF by MØNKA. I can’t find them from a supplier but you may be able to in the UK. Cheerio my friend!

  • @Don008Ramon
    @Don008Ramon Рік тому +1

    What settings do u suggest on the Xiegu g90 noise blanker setting, I’ve played around with it and it either did nothing or just muted the signal

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      I really don't use the NB on mine or if I do the setting is very low.

    • @Don008Ramon
      @Don008Ramon Рік тому +1

      Oh ok, I just saw it was on in your video, thought maybe u found a trick on how to get it to work. Thx 73

  • @johnnorth9355
    @johnnorth9355 Рік тому +1

    Pretty much like the noise I get on all bands during the day at my home qth. As things get warmer I will get back in the shack in the evenings which will be good for your time zones. 73 M7BLC

  • @2m0rot
    @2m0rot Рік тому +2

    Walt, try the T2LT 1/2 wave antenna made of coax, it'll blow yer socks off. There's plenty videos on here on how to make one.

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому +1

      Yes looks like a great antenna, my friend Tim G5TM has made them. I will give it a try!

  • @F4LDT-Alain
    @F4LDT-Alain Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the interesting and instructive video, Walt. Seems that the CB antennas with coils at mid-height perform better than the ones with coils at the bottom, don't they?
    I recognize your magical counterpoise in salt water here 😁, wondering what's the point dropping the coax in it?

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Рік тому

      Yes the midpoint coils perform better. I choked the coax at the radio and knew the coax would be acting as a counterpoise too, I just thought having it kissing the water would help give me a saltwater boost.

  • @WX4CB
    @WX4CB Рік тому +1

    i did a pota this morning while i was down at the cape. 10m was nigh on dead so i moved to 20.

  • @ke8wlw
    @ke8wlw Рік тому +1

    As a 100% mobile operator, if you're gonna run a cb antenna, predator 10k with the 27 inch shaft. I used them forever.

  • @CB-lz4zv
    @CB-lz4zv Рік тому +1

    Try the GR45 from Lightning Antennas

  • @pasjeihobby
    @pasjeihobby Рік тому +1

    Unfortunately I have similar high level of interferences so it's not really pleasant to listen this band near me :(

  • @TheFlyingSquerill
    @TheFlyingSquerill Рік тому +1

    7 foot skip shooter....
    predator K29 ....

  • @sp5xyz
    @sp5xyz Рік тому +1

    A comment to feed the YT algorithm

  • @intakemanifold4193
    @intakemanifold4193 Рік тому +1

    102

  • @joedefreece1947
    @joedefreece1947 4 місяці тому

    Are you not doing anything to run the antenna just hook up and go.

  • @Philip-KA4KOE
    @Philip-KA4KOE Рік тому +1

    The outrageous behavior and borderline blasphemous behavior continues! Just pulling your chain, my friend!