Best CB Antenna For RV Reviews & Buying Guide-2022

Top 05 Best CB Antenna For RV Reviews

How To Choose The Best CB Antenna For RV

If you browse through search engines, you come across hundreds of cb antennas for rv. In such a situation, it becomes confusing to select. But, there are some fundamental principles you can follow. They will direct you to the perfect antenna to suit your needs.

Length

The major role of the antenna is to trap signals. And as you see, the length gives a larger surface area to capture more signal. Thus, when you want a wide range of radio stations on your device, then select a long antenna. The ideal length is 8 feet and a half.

Many people think that such a length is ridiculous. Also, it does not fit many garages. So, they opt for shorter antennas for a smoother ride through a drive-through and packing in the garage. However, they miss out on several radio signals that the antenna will not capture.

Brand

Antennas are relatively cheap. However, as in any other market, high-quality antennas are more expensive than the rest. For instance, you will have to pay more for brands like Cobra, Firestik, K-40, Wilson and other big brands.

As any expert would advise, you will get away with cheaper radio as long as you have a high-quality antenna. Thus, you have no reason to buy the cheapest brand in the market.

Mounting

There are antennas you can screw on the car while others you attach with a magnet. A magnetic antenna is better since you can move it around to find better reception. Also, you don't need to mind about the length since you can unmount it before you drive into a garage.

Coil Location

There are three designs of coil locations. They include the top-loaded, center loaded and base loaded.

Top-loaded is the cheapest and the most common cb antenna for rv. They have low wattage and are highly effective. Thus, it will save you on power input. However, with such low wattage, you cannot use it on ham radios.

 The antenna material is mainly fiberglass coated with a thin wire. Since the coil is at the top, you can mount it lower on your rv. It is known to be the most versatile kind of antenna.

The center loaded has the coil located near the bottom of the antenna. Then, there is a thick stainless steel shaft below the coil. You can get the coil in a plastic case. However, the upper part of the antenna is normal. You will mainly find these antennas on trucks and semi RVs.

For the base loaded antenna, the coil is at the base covered with a plastic case. The antenna has a magnet that allows you to mount it at the roof of your vehicle. They are heavier than other kinds of antennas and require higher power input.

Wattage

How To Install CB Antenna On A Motorhome (Step By Step Guide Line)

Follow the following simple steps to install a cb antenna on your motorhome.

Choose an Antenna Stop

On this step, you have to select the spot based on your preference. Observe your motorhome to determine if you need an extra antenna kit. You can fix your antenna at the front, back or at the side.

Set the Antenna

Use the instruction manual to set the antenna. There are clear steps to handle that, depending on the brand and design. When you set, you can seal around the cable to prevent moisture from reaching your rv.

Tune your Antenna

Once you set the antenna, it is ready to use, But you have to check if it can access a wide range of radio signals. Thus, you need to tune your antenna to make sure it is effective. At this stage, you will know any adjustments you need to take.

Mount Your Radio

Every cb radio has instructions on how to mount. Follow instructions depending on the brand. The only standard measure is a flat spot to mount the radio.

Perform a Radio Check

The last step is the crucial one. Please check if the radio signals are working. You need to turn on the radio and tune the channels available. However, you need to avoid channel 9, which is an emergency channel. Also, channel 19 is known to collect truck information. Thus, it might infringe on your privacy.

For you to announce your presence, you need to sit 'Break' or 'breaker' at the conversation gaps. You then remain silent and wait for a response. Alternatively, you can request for a radio check.

When We Use No Ground Plane CB Antenna In RV?

There are some instances you will mount a ground-based antenna, and it won't just work. The reason could be that the rv needed a no ground plane antenna.in this case, you will experience poor performance and high SWR.

Where To Use NGP Antenna

Examples of vehicles that should use NGP includes camper shells, motor homes, motorcycles, and boats. You will need a special NGP coax to install the antenna. If you are not purchasing everything as a kit, you can get them separately at radio spares stores.

The basic requirement for a ground-based antenna. The absence of the metal surface will force you to use a no ground plane antenna. This antenna radiates downwards. Then the metal surface collects the signals and launches them to the atmosphere. An insufficient metal range will limit the transmission range.

What is a FireStik antenna? Is it the best CB antenna for RV?

Firestik is a brand that produces high-quality cb antennas for the American market and beyond. Their cb antennas for rv are coated with a wire. The company also manufactures various antenna accessories. The brand is very popular for its superb performance and availability of spare parts and replacements.

There are several designs of firestik cb antennas. Each one is made to meet a specific need. Thus, with firestik, you will get what you need. Most of their products are best sellers in their category. The company prides in selling over 9 million antennas around the world. What other reason do you need to see that the brand is the best?

Are Firestik Antennas Reliable?

There is no doubt that the Firestik Antennas are the best in the market. You definitely need an antenna that will give you high performance and will last long. You will get all that with a firestik antenna.

When you need a cb antenna for rv, select a firestik antenna. You will have a smooth radio experience with the best antenna in the world. They have improved their technology since 1975. The customer service is excellent. Thus, you can get a replacement or a refund if you are not satisfied with their products.

What Is The Most Common CB Channel?

CB is an abbreviation of Citizen band. The name was coined in1976 to refer to personal radio services. Truckers and home movers are the largest consumers of the cb radio channels. They depend on the information to know the road conditions. That way, they can avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Anyone can access the cb channels. There are no licence, citizenship or age requirements. However, you should only use channel 9 for emergency cases. The only restriction there is on foreign governments and tier representatives. The aim is to protect American citizens from intruders. There are 40 channels you can access from your radio. Only a few are locked for special reasons.

Which Channel Is Common?

Since many people who use the cb channels are truckers, the common channel they use is channel 19. They need to gather the information they will use so that they have an idea of the correct turn to take. Due to this, there is a dedicated channel on most radios to bring the channel instantly.

Since channel 19 is dedicated to inland use, there was a need to have a channel to cater to RVs in the sea. In this case, channel 13 is popular among marine users. However, if you have a recreational vehicle on land or the sea, you can use this channel.

There was a point when channel 9 was popula1. But since some agencies started relying on information to the authorities, it was converted into an emergency channel. The move dropped the popularity of the channel.

Why Do We Use Wireless CB Antenna For RV?

Most antennas have a wire connecting the radio and the antenna. Thus, it is so limiting since you can only use it inside your vehicles. However, if you need to walk around your vehicle and use your radio, you will need to use a wireless antenna. Also, it improves efficiency since there is no chance of the wire breaking down.

When using RVs, you step out of the vehicle on many occasions. When you are out, you need to keep up with the traffic news. You can also contribute to various chats with other truckers. Thus, a wireless cb antenna will enable you to keep in touch.

Where Else Do You Use Wireless CB Antenna

Do you have a low range car and you need a cb antenna? Then a wireless antenna is what you need. It is perfect for highway use. You can use it in a 1-mile radius away from the vehicle. Also, you can use it in marine applications.

The wireless antenna holds the future of cb radios. They give user flexibility and are compatible with most RVs. Also, they are affordable and easy to install.

Conclusion

We have answered your question on the best cb antenna for rv. As you can see, there is no straight answer as to which antenna you can buy. Each design is made to suit a specific need. What you need to assess is the needs and the type of RV you have.

Other factors that affect how you choose your cb antenna includes the brand of your preference. Also, look at the power watts that your radio emits. If the antenna supports lower wattage, it will not work on your radio. You can select a higher wattage, but it will not affect the performance of your radio.

Follow the steps we have given above to select a suitable cb antenna for your cv. Keep in mind all the factors that may affect the installation and performance of the antenna. More so, do not mix the components of the ground plane and no ground plane antenna.

FAQs

How Many Watts Should my CB Antenna Be?

Every antenna has a specific wattage rating. That rating indicates the wattage the individual antenna will handle. Anything above the rating will damage the antenna. Thus, before you purchase an antenna, check the wattage that your radio pushes out.

Many radios have a power of 4 watts. Thus, if the antenna rating is 4 watts and above, it is just okay. However, there are a few radio brands that push out up to 12 watts.

What is the Best Height for a CB Antenna for rv?

The radio wavelength determines the antenna height. Experts recommend that the height of the antenna should be ¼ of the wavelength. In many cases, the antenna ranges between 5-10 feet. However, the FCC allows you a limit of up to 60 feet. 

If you choose a short antenna, it locks you out of some of the radio channels. Thus, you should select a reasonable height for your antenna. You can choose a long antenna and install it lower on your vehicle. But ensure it's tip is above the roof by at least 1 foot.

How far does CB radio reach?

Cb radio has the purpose of keeping people in a certain range in touch. Also, users can access up to 40 channels within their range. You can use the b radio for personal or business purposes. Thus, it does not have to cover a vast region.

Various cb channels have a range of between 3 miles and 20 miles. The range is affected by the terrain. On smooth terrain, the range is longer as opposed to rough terrain.

How do I maximize CB range for rv?

Several factors affect a radio range. The first is the terrain. There is not much you can do about the terrain. However, you can review other factors such as your station location and radiofrequency output.

You can also increase your antenna height to increase your radio range. Also, a bad antenna setup affects your radio range. Other factors that affect the range are weather and time of the day.

Does coax length affect SWR?

The loss of signal over a cable is relatively insignificant. However, if your coax cable is 50 feet, then you can notice some loss in signal. The loss will increase with an increase in length. There are cases that you will notice a loss of ⅓ if the original signal is a cable of 100 feet long.