So basically I should put this antenna on a 40ft pole? If i am understanding that correct how far of a range will I get?
OK, so If you live in a 2 story house -about 25 ft high- you would only need to put up 15 ft of mast - and then mount the antenna to the top of the mast.
If you live in a single story building, then you will need 25-30 feet of masting with the antenna on top.
OK?
Once the antenna is in place, you will need to check the 'Standing Wave Reflection' - or 'SWR'. This is a NECESSARY test that will tell you how well your antenna is tuned. Understand now - that your radio is transmitting very specific high-frequency alternating current - and the antenna must be able to load it up evenly. Radio = power and frequency; Antenna = load. Complimenting it, is another way of looking at it. Without this 'even-ness' or 'complimenting', the power coming out of your radio will be reflected back into the radio - because it cannot be effectively pushed out of the radio. It gets 'reflected' back at the radio -with nowhere else to go- and we want to reflect every single speck of it out of the radio. Where it does the most good; transmittng better and farther. The radio system that has the lowest SWR is transmitting all of the radio energy out - that is most efficient - and this is your new goal.
What? You thought that was it was just enouigh to have a radio, mic, coax, and antenna? Nope! If you had a guitar and didn't know how to tune before you tried to play it - you would sound terrible. Same-same...
Poor SWR/improper tuning can burn up your radio in a short time. While a good tune will ensure that the radio will last indefinitly and transmit all of the power out of the radio and thru the antenna efficiently. That will also ensure getting the maximum recieve distance for your system as well. This is the nature of your 'main' question; isn't it?
If you don't know anything about the SWR adjustment, that is the next most important logical step that you must learn.
It's all good, just look how far you came so far in short while?
Most modern radios come with a built-in SWR meter. Some older radios do not have this function; so you may need to purchase one online for $10-20 used/new. Not that expensive; but necessary. If you have a friend that has one, ask your friend to help you set up the antenna and radio, and learn that way if you have that opportunity.
To use thew SWR meter, the radio must be hooked up to your antenna and the power on. Turn your radio to ch 20 first. Flip the switch called 'calibrate' on the radio; also find the knob that says 'SWR CAL'. Turn down the mic gain all the way down (CCW). Now watch the meter and key the mic. The meter will have a place on it that says 'CAL'. Turn the 'SWR CAL' knob until it lines up with that spot on the meter that says 'CAL'. Unkey the mic. Now, flip the same switch on your radio that said 'CAL' over to 'SWR'. Key the mic and read the number that it shows on the meter. If the needle barely moves and says '1.1 to 1.5; you're good to go - DONE!. If it does not; then you will need to take down the antenna and either shorten the top pole or lengthen it. You may have to repeat the process a few times until it falls into spec. Different antennas have different means of changing the SWR' values; but they all can be adjusted. Finding the instructions to your particular antenna on line will be the best way to find out 'how to' for your model of antenna if you don't have the instructions for it.
It may be time consuming, but when it is right - youi won't have to mess with doing it again. Until you have to do the same thing to a mobile radio that you put in your car. Sme process and same results. That's how it is done. If you had to buy an external SWR meter; the process is still the same as described above. Even Ham radio operators have to do the same thing to their systems as well. Having a friend that knows how to do this will radically shorten the time it takes to tune it all up, and you will learn faster as well. If you have a CB radio operator or a Ham operator in your area, ask them to help. If not, then you can learn it on your won. Be careful about any power wires, as they can easily kill or maim. Respect that power wire.