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looking for the right antenna

pretty shallow pockets . already have a pole 36' high with a 102'' whip and getting 3swr with a galaxy Melaka. Not going to work, too high, I mean the SWRs are too high, not me, my TEXAS brother!

Does the 102 whip have any radials? It needs at least one to have a low swr. What you have to do is connect a 9ft wire to the ground side of the mount. It has to have continuity to the coax shield. Tie that wire off at a 45ish to 90 degree angle with some rope. It can be any kind of wire you have laying around. Trim that wire for lowest swr. Use at least 3 radials if you can.


https://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/using-a-102-whip-as-a-base-station.111390/
 
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One thing I don't quite understand, is how can a antenna be illegal for 11 meter? What could possibly make it illegal?

I had previously heard that the materials that the antenna is made of does not do enough to protect us "Dumb CBers" in the event that the antenna should come into contact with power lines during installation. Whether true or not?????

73's
David
 
I had previously heard that the materials that the antenna is made of does not do enough to protect us "Dumb CBers" in the event that the antenna should come into contact with power lines during installation. Whether true or not?????

73's
David
Makes about as much sense as anything else...You don't hear about this as much as you use to, just happened to see it stated on the ad for that Penetrator...

maybe seller's just got so use to adding that statement to the ads for 10 meter radios, they think they just have to stick it on every ad listing anything related to 10 meters?
 
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yea! being a newbee I noticed that too! what are they gonna do? come to my house with a measuring tape? to see if I'm legal? LOL!
 
I had previously heard that the materials that the antenna is made of does not do enough to protect us "Dumb CBers" in the event that the antenna should come into contact with power lines during installation. Whether true or not?????

73's
David

That has been the law for several years now
 
Since about the early 80's we (as in Radio Shack) stopped selling certain antennas. Yes, there was a ruling but not from the FCC, from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Antennas, as well as CB's were not just communications equipment - they were appliances (Plugged into the wall, used in a home) - so they fell under another "Umbrella" of consumer protection. Apparently too many people were getting hurt, killed or otherwise harmed due to the metal skin of any antenna touching a power line was a potential electrocution hazard. Some antenna designs were so flimsy they easily fell over onto power lines, or in neighbors yards or even started fires from arcing. So the feds started protecting the consumer from harm by allowing lawsuits even class action ones, to be applied to the antenna makers in court - so they pretty much "regulated" bare metal antennas to death. Did not prevent them from being sold, just not protected from liability. Ones that could be sold had to provide some protection from electrocution so they had to switch over to other materials like plastics, sheathed PVC and Fiberglass sheath designs - to pass that UL and CPSC rating. Too much liability on the antenna maker and not enough onto the customer for being stupid and putting that Archer Crossbow antenna right on top of the Power lines just like the picture graphic in the Antenna Installation Manual showed them HOW NOT TO...

So the FCC didn't prevent the them from being sold, there were other factors involved - the FCC only regulated the location parameters (height mostly) - you are responsible for how you use the antenna and the effects of using it. Local Zonings were enforced because of the classification that CB's got - labeled as "Appliances" that can be used in a home. (Amateur radio is a little different. The FCC has your back. - they figure you know what you are doing - you took a test or two to show proficiency - you are held to it - else perjury is committed by your false representation and lying on the application as being a responsible individual.)

So you are not prevented from buying a metal antenna - you just can't get them thru certain makers that got sued for their construction flaws and electrocution hazards bare metal antennas' are. The antenna should have a UL rating (or UR now) - but as you can see many don't - so you are on your own. So if you do an install be sure to check your homeowners insurance for proper coverage for property damage to other neighbors' not just your own property.

So because of the CB craze, the antenna maker was responsible for claims made by the product, but due to the poorly planned setup installed by the consumer, that issue became moot. False advertising made the world turn an ugly glare-stare at the CB world in general for the "harassment" of others whom were not into CB had received as "Thanks for being my neighbor", over their stereos, TV's and toasters.

So companies that were "retailers" of such devices, took a proactive stance and provided protected sheathed antennas once older stock got used up just to keep up sales. They were not cheap and by the time the fix was "in" the craze ended and a lot of the older antenna makers faded away. They are still out there - just not as visible vying for your hard-earned dollar as they once were - they just don't want to be sued for your problem with not following instructions.
 
The Starduster will hold up against high winds better than any of the others mentioned. Is it *as* good as a 5/8 wave SPT or Gainmanster? Well, that depends on how high you can get it. I have both a Gainmaster and a Starduster, I can't get the SD as high due to the nature of the design and other environmental restrictions and therefore it performance isn't quite as good. I am not in a high wind area, if I were I would spend the time to get the SD as high as I could.

ETA: the SD is better than the A99 by far. The A99 is good for limited space situations however.
 
The A99 is good for limited space situations however.
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