Put a beam up on the flat side 1/2 wave up or more and point it where you want to talk. You will not be disappointed.
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Best CB Radio DX Antenna?
- Thread starter CB RADIO FREQ
- Start date
In order of importance
From a "dx" point of view:
1- Location (a dipole on a sea island will outperform a 7el in down town brooklyn)
2- heigth (heigth lowers your take off angle especially for horizontal ants)
3- polarisation (often horizontal will be better due to 6dB additional ground gain and tao)
4- boom length (boomlength equals gain...not the number of elements)
5- type of antenna. (hence.. different yagi types/quad etc)
regards,
Henry 19sd348
From a "dx" point of view:
1- Location (a dipole on a sea island will outperform a 7el in down town brooklyn)
2- heigth (heigth lowers your take off angle especially for horizontal ants)
3- polarisation (often horizontal will be better due to 6dB additional ground gain and tao)
4- boom length (boomlength equals gain...not the number of elements)
5- type of antenna. (hence.. different yagi types/quad etc)
regards,
Henry 19sd348
Henry, I don't claim to understand the math or science behind them, but I am so glad the first antenna I tried was one I could afford, the simple dipole with balun. It works for me, I talk DX on a barefoot little mobile or big radio and there is enough mystery involved to keep me interested in the results for years. And, it's stealthy. Even I can't see it from the parking lot and I know where to look. 
you have made a good point..
Most CB users seem to:
"overrated" the difference in antenna's and
"underrated" how good simple antennas are.
A dipole beeing placed high above earth will produce about 6..7 dBi under a a nice low angle. Math tells us 6 dB is equals 1 s-unit.
Roughly, a 4 elements has that "6dB" over a dipole antenna.
So, if a station is S2 on that 4 elements yagi, you will hear it on the dipole minus 1 s-unit.
With that said the "strength" of a beam is that it illuminates everything comming from the side/back. Making the signal to noise ration larger. For that reason it seems the difference is much larger.
Its the same with "larger" boom lengths.
if one only looked at gain.....If you double the boomlength you will add about 3dB in gain.
thats a halve S-unit. But a large investment.
When "buying" a beam gain shouldnt have the higherst priority.
As most beams are more or less equal.
One should search for the one with "overall" best performance.
Hence...tigth back..tight front to side...no matching system, preferbly closed loop.
things like "less sensitive for rain / p-static etc.
Those make the difference between yagi's now a days, in beeing able to hear a station.
But all those difference will only help in few situations.
In most circumstances you will "switch" back to that dipole and be impressed with its performance.
Kind regards,
Henry
Most CB users seem to:
"overrated" the difference in antenna's and
"underrated" how good simple antennas are.
A dipole beeing placed high above earth will produce about 6..7 dBi under a a nice low angle. Math tells us 6 dB is equals 1 s-unit.
Roughly, a 4 elements has that "6dB" over a dipole antenna.
So, if a station is S2 on that 4 elements yagi, you will hear it on the dipole minus 1 s-unit.
With that said the "strength" of a beam is that it illuminates everything comming from the side/back. Making the signal to noise ration larger. For that reason it seems the difference is much larger.
Its the same with "larger" boom lengths.
if one only looked at gain.....If you double the boomlength you will add about 3dB in gain.
thats a halve S-unit. But a large investment.
When "buying" a beam gain shouldnt have the higherst priority.
As most beams are more or less equal.
One should search for the one with "overall" best performance.
Hence...tigth back..tight front to side...no matching system, preferbly closed loop.
things like "less sensitive for rain / p-static etc.
Those make the difference between yagi's now a days, in beeing able to hear a station.
But all those difference will only help in few situations.
In most circumstances you will "switch" back to that dipole and be impressed with its performance.
Kind regards,
Henry
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you will get a huge responce for different type of antennas. if you are serious about just talking dx it starts with a good receiver (radio) the antenna would have to be a beam on the flat side or horizontaly polarized 3 element or more the better the ability to be able to turn this antenna wich means buying a rotor to turn it. then the knowledge to read the propagation conditions usually europe in the morning africa etc in the afternoon south pasific early evening etc. etc. all depends on the solar conditions solar spots etc etc. the internet is a great source for this kind of info. good luck and good dx. 73
Hy Gain 500
I could not agree with you more! I have been using a HyGain 500 for three years, and it is a great antenna! I have made contacts all over the world, holds up well in the wind too. Overall great antenna for someone that doesn't want to mess with a directional antenna. I feel like it does just as good as a directional, I have been able to make long distance contacts when other locals with beam antennas could not. I always get great comments about the antenna when operators ask how my station is set up and I tell them I have a HyGain 500.
I could not agree with you more! I have been using a HyGain 500 for three years, and it is a great antenna! I have made contacts all over the world, holds up well in the wind too. Overall great antenna for someone that doesn't want to mess with a directional antenna. I feel like it does just as good as a directional, I have been able to make long distance contacts when other locals with beam antennas could not. I always get great comments about the antenna when operators ask how my station is set up and I tell them I have a HyGain 500.
for sideband build a little inverted V and talk with any antenna. Aussie on 5 watts sideband. it is quieter cheap and can be used at home. go out in the mobile and throw a string over a branch, pull the center up wit coax attached. pull the stringers out to about 45 degree angle. and fire it up. have dx'ed the world with this. ON SIDEBAND. make them from old coax. done.
I researched antennas on the internet for a week or so before I bought one. Even before I bought the radio. I was not disappointed and now 8 months later, I still use it and even if the lease rules changed here and I was allowed to use an Antron or something similar, i would not bother. My inverted V easily talks to France, Austria, England, Ireland Italy, Spain and Australia. For $20 and it's only 17 feet at the point. LOL
In my case I was looking for a temporary setup with a simple installation for a IMAX2000 in western Canada. I set it up on the first section of my tower lashed to my deck (someday to install which will be ready for solar cycle 25) + 4ft. push up = 12ft. Does not fall into the category of the "best" but I've made a few contacts on 11m.
it's all in the stars.....or really the sun. & sometimes in the clouds in between
i've talked to 6 continents on 10m, 11m, 12m, 20m & 40m....70 or 80 watts from an ic706mk2g on a magnet mount antenna-20 or 40m hamstick, or predator on 10, 11 & 12-on my mobile. Best Cb radio reviews
at the risk of making this a 'mine's better then yours' thread, for 11m, if you can't use a beam, ANY REAL 5/8's wave antenna.....such as maco v5/8......is BEST. vertical vs horizontal, there's so much noise & congestion on 11m dx, choice is really up to you. if you plan on talking to locals that only have verticals, or local mobiles, a vertical beam is just fine for skip.
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Try the carne asada fries.
