The Best CB Antenna
Our focus is on a CB antenna which is ideally small, portable and can be attached on a vehicle’s roofing with the help of a mounting stud. If you think that a top of the line CB radio is a substitute for an antenna, then you may be far from the point. You still need an antenna to perk up the CB radio’s overall performance and to boost the radio experience.
Citizens Band (CB) antennas are tailored to receive signal at even lower frequencies (26MHz or less) in comparison to other remote receivers. A CB antenna, therefore, picks up sound waves that would have otherwise been missed by the CB radio.
A CB antenna is also relatively cheaper and more wind resistant in comparison to a regular radio antenna. Furthermore, if you have a CB radio, then you will notice that a factory truck antenna is rather useless. So why not go for the best antenna in the market? We will help you look into some of the best Antennas that will give you the ultimate communication experience. Let’s dive in.
Product by Wilson Antenna INC. A leading manufacturer of CB radio parts and other accessories.
Main features
- Compact profile of 5 by six by 37.5 inches
- Weighs 5.5 pounds
- Rated 300 Watts
- Heavy-duty coil with a 14-gauge copper wire
- Built from High Impact Thermoplastic
Product Review
The WILSON 305-38 is a magnetic CB antenna that offers more range than other magnetic CB radio antennas.
When it comes to the coil design, this beauty has a 14 gauge copper wire suitable for the heavy-duty coil.
It is also a foot taller than other antennas, and the coil will mostly fall just at or above your roofline.
The base also features a scratch resistant rubber protector to prevent scratch marks on your vehicle’s body.
- Lightweight
- Easy to install
- Taller than most magnetic CB antennas for better performance
- Aerodynamic wind resistant design
- The magnetic base doesn’t scratch your paint job
- Comes at an affordable price
- Has a powerful magnet for stable mounting
- Sold with a heavy duty coil
- The antenna slides off your vehicle when the magnet gets wet
What are the customers saying?
The Wilson 305-38 is everything that a CB enthusiast is looking for. The Wilson Little Wil antenna will not let you down even when you drive at speeds of around 90mph.
Regular antennas would break at speeds beyond 70mph, but this baby takes you all the way. You can also install the antenna easily by just following a simple YouTube video.
The only downside is that it is slightly more expensive than other magnetic base antennas.
Main features
- Measures 15.5 by 4.2 by 1.5 inches
- 7 feet tall
- Weighs 1.3 pounds
- Stainless steel whip
- Center loaded
- 5-inch magnet mount
- 17ft RG58 cable with PL-259
Product Review
The TRAM 703-HC Center Load CB antenna can cover all 40 CB frequencies in your locality. What you can expect is a high-performance antenna that doesn’t sacrifice the space on the roof of your vehicle and can be acquired at a budget-friendly price.
You can get an SWR reading that is as low as 1.0.
Its center load design features a 3.5-inch magnet mount meaning that the antenna doesn’t need to be fixed on the roof. Also, the magnet mount also offers extra stability during installation.
The kit also contains a shock spring and a stainless steel cable. The shock spring ensures the antenna remains stable no matter how many bumps or potholes you hit while driving.
- Perfect for all needs as it covers all CB frequencies
- The kit comes with all the necessary accessories
- Great price
- Low SWR reading of about 1.0 with proper tuning
- Built with a sturdy magnet mount
- Comes already fine-tuned by the manufacturer
- Only criticism is that the top part is short and thereby makes adjusting the SWR to a low setting difficult
What are the customers saying?
The TRAM 703-HC Center Load is a good CB antenna if you are on a budget. It comes already tuned, so all you need is to adjust the screw turns and have an SWR reader to get a perfect reading.
Where most antennas shoot above the roofline of your truck, this antenna is quite low and can be installed inside your car and still offer you topnotch performance.
That’s pretty convenient figuring that most antennas get damaged by being exposed to weather (rain or snow) and other road elements.
Product by Wilson Antenna, INC. A well-known brand that designs base loaded CB mobile antennas suitable for road communication.
They also offer coaxial cables, mounts and studs, CB microphones and fiberglass antennas through a network of distributorships, dealers, and importers all over the world.
The company has its headquarters in Rock Island, Illinois.
Main features
- Made from high-impact thermoplastic material
- Measures 5 by five by 9.8 inches
- Weighs 6.4 Pounds
- Rated at 3000 watts
- 26 MHZ to 30 MHZ frequency range
- Ten gauged silver-plated coil winding
- NOAA weather-ready with a weather cap included
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Product Review
The Wilson 1000 series raises the bar in terms of features and performance with its 3000 watts power capacity. We are talking of an extended coverage offered by a single antenna which translates to miles upon miles of communication and capturing signals.
The Wilson 1000 series was made to address the fact that most CB antennas lose more than 50% of power through heat loss. Typically, the power that goes through an average base loaded antenna is wasted after being converted to heat in the coils and as dielectric heat loss via the plastic inside the coil form.
In that instance, we have more power which is getting converted to heat instead of radio waves. Heat is also lost when a capacitor is used to match the coax and antenna.
Even though it makes an SWR look good, there is plenty of power loss via the capacitor, and you experience more blowouts when high power is applied.
The Wilson 1000 series optimizes performance by eliminating 95% dielectric loss thanks to its high-impact thermoplastic material and further induces a dose of 3000 watts to strengthen signal reception by effectively converting power to radio waves.
Design
Away from the performance, the magnet base entails a vehicle finish protective coating that limits the chances of your paint getting scratched upon installation.
To put the consumer at ease, the manufacturer guarantees that the Wilson 1000 series is durable and will give you no trouble when using it.
If you are worried about leaving the mount exposed after removing the coil, then you will be glad to know that this antenna comes with a weather cap that’s placed over the mount to prevent damage.
- Good customer care from Wilson
- Mind blowing 3000 watts power capacity
- First class signal reception
- Backed by a 2-year warranty
- Made from durable material
- Not many options for a location being a bottom loaded antenna
What are the customers saying?
Wilson CB antennas are the best the best in the business. The Wilson 1000 series, in particular, is rugged looking, highly portable has a high power capacity.
It is better than other antennas within its price range plus the magnet base keeps the antenna in place even when driving at high speeds. This antenna is highly recommended for anyone who needs a good reception over a long distance.
A product from FireStik. A USA based trusted brand that manufactures high-quality CB antennas. FireStik products are tested for safety and reliability.
Main features
- Measures 4 feet
- Weighs 9.6 ounces
- Rated at 900 watts
- 5/8 by 24 standard thread
- Features NOAA emergency weather alerts
- Custom-blended glass fiber shaft
- Ground plane dependent design
Product Review
We’ll tell you that the 4ft Black Firefly is a reliable 5/8 inch antenna that features both a lightweight and solid design.
The antenna can handle up to 200 watts and also has a bare-hand tunable tip that easily lets you adjust to the frequency you need.
To reduce corrosion, the shaft is reinforced with custom-blended glass fiber, the tip is made of brass, and it also features an insulated copper wire construction.
Do you hate getting caught up in storms and other forms of severe weather? If yes, then this baby is what you need in your corner as you will be able to get all emergency weather updates via NOAA technology. You no longer have to worry about getting caught up in a storm.
- East to set up
- Lightweight
- NOAA alerts help you keep up with weather patterns
- Provides excellent sound quality and a clear reception
- Reasonably priced
- It’s not very durable. Needs extra care to prevent damage
What are the customers saying?
The 4ft Black Firefly is both a high-quality and decently priced CB antenna. The Antenna seems to be fragile, but as long as you treat it like a baby, then you will never have to worry about getting it replaced.
You also get a bonus of weather alerts which is something not very common with regular antennas.
Main features
- Measures 40.75 by 7.13 by 4.75 inches
- 36-inch whip antenna kit
- Rated at 300 Watts
- Stainless steel whip
- Weather-channel capability
- Roof/trunk mounting
- Scratch-resistant rubber boot magnet
- 17 feet coax cable
Product Review
The Tram 300 Magnet-Mount CB Antenna Kit gives you the option of installing your antenna on either your roof or your trunk.
It is the ultimate mark for antenna quality form its outstanding features that come together to make one durable and high performing antenna.
Its 17 feet coax cable helps in easy wiring, and the base is made with a rubber boot magnet for scratch resistance.
It also features a stainless steel whip to prevent corrosion or rust. The Tram 300 antenna offers weather channel capability as with most CB antennas, and you can, therefore, get updates on weather changes.
- Durable antenna
- Easy to install
- Roof or trunk mounting
- High power output
- Weather channel capability
- Limited reviews on the performance feature of the antenna making comparison difficult
What are the customers saying?
The Tram Tram 300 300 Magnet-Mount CB Antenna Kit is all you are looking for in a simple magnetic CB mount.
You can purchase the entire mount and antenna unit at an affordable price and get started on your work immediately.
It also has a sturdy construction that prevents damage to your CB system and maximizes performance.
FAQ/Buying Guide
Contents:
What is the Best CB on the Market?
The Wilson 1000 series has all the special features you make it the best CB antenna in the market.
Are fiberglass CB antennas good?
Yes, they are. Since fiberglass rods are durable, they are perfect for off-roading. They offer a range of about two to seven miles, but it mostly depends on where you mount it.
How do CB antennas work?
A CB antenna is an aftermarket antenna that works by boosting the range of a CB radio to give a clear reception and wider coverage.
Do CB radios need antennas?
Yes, you need to use an antenna to increase range and to also boost the performance of the CB radio.
How tall should my CB antenna be?
An antenna should be just as tall as the roof of your vehicle or slightly taller.
How do you adjust a CB antenna?
You can easily adjust a CB antenna without the help of a professional or by following YouTube videos. Most CB antennas come with a tuning feature that lets you adjust the frequency and a coiled antenna that lets you adjust the antenna length to the height you need. Adjusting them is easy after following the instructions on the manual.
In conclusion, now that you have everything you need to know about CB antennas, go out and shop for some of the best antennas in the market. Goes without saying that our review covers most of them.
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