How to protect CB Firestik antenna?

FlyingFischer5

FlyingFischer5

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Spokane, WA
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What is a good way to protect my Firestik antenna when I pull into my garage? My antenna is about 1ft taller than my garage opening and am getting tire of taking it off every time. Is taking it off every time something I have to live with or is there a way to protect it without compromising the reception?

Thanks
 
I actually have two antennas. I run a 2' one daily (it just barley hits the door opening) and keep the 4' one behind the back seat for if and when I need it. I run a spring under both.

To be honest, I run the 2' just so I can have a CB antenna on my truck so I can look cool. :laughing:
 
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KonzaLander said:
You can easily install a spring or quick disconnect, but your best option will be a shorter antenna.
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I have a WILSON 5000, with both a spring, and a quick disconnect. The most important item was a clip I made to bow the antenna in a loop. This allowed clearance in parking structures.

Now I know a firestick is fiberglass. I have seen people use a spring and tie-dowm to create the clearance needed for low over-hamgs with them. Now they were mounted on a corner, and not centered, thus creating a ...HOOP...across the vehicle, rather than front to back. As was stated by a poster above, using a spring AND a quick disconnect is your best bet.

A spring whip has that little button on it which allows my home-made clip a grab point. Something I did on a fiberglass dune whip, was using a old fishing pole steel line quide with glue and thread to make attachment point on the whip similar to the original fishing pole. Make a string or thin nylon strap with a clip to use with it, if and when needed.

I hope this gives you ideas and options. Fiberglass is not as forgiving as steel, but fire sticks are one of the better antennas, and are worth exploring options with.
 
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Thanks for some tips. I'm debating on if I want to go with shorter, quick connect, and/or spring. Maybe I'll have to do a combo of those to get the setup I want. I jumped the gun on the 4ft without measuring what I really needed. Ha
 
Just my 2 cents. I tried the fire stick quick disconect as well as the spring. I could not get it tuned under a 3.5 on the swr meter which is useless. After attaching antenna directly to mount tuned it to a 1.2 on the swr meter. I believe these mods are a great idea but do not work to say the least. Good luck & like I said just my 2 cents.
 
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Jku Ben said:
Just my 2 cents. I tried the fire stick quick disconect as well as the spring. I could not get it tuned under a 3.5 on the swr meter which is useless. After attaching antenna directly to mount tuned it to a 1.2 on the swr meter. I believe these mods are a great idea but do not work to say the least. Good luck & like I said just my 2 cents.
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That's good to know by those exploring options. It will probably save people some money and a lot of aggravation.
 
Jku Ben said:
Just my 2 cents. I tried the fire stick quick disconect as well as the spring. I could not get it tuned under a 3.5 on the swr meter which is useless. After attaching antenna directly to mount tuned it to a 1.2 on the swr meter. I believe these mods are a great idea but do not work to say the least. Good luck & like I said just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Well thanks for the heads up! Looks like a short one is the way to go!
 
KonzaLander said:
You can easily install a spring or quick disconnect, but your best option will be a shorter antenna.
Click to expand...
I use the spring and quick release setup. The spring will help when going through the drive through windows also.
 
Jku Ben said:
Yes it was very agrivating ordering parts waiting,installing, then to try to tune & did not tune for @#¥§
Click to expand...

I feel your pain. Been there. I eventually went with a Wilson 1000 and never looked back. Yeah, it drags on drive throughs and I do have to tune it once in a while because of that but gawd it works good.
 
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smritte said:
I feel your pain. Been there. I eventually went with a Wilson 1000 and never looked back. Yeah, it drags on drive throughs and I do have to tune it once in a while because of that but gawd it works good.
Click to expand...
I have had good luck with my WILSON 5000. I have also used fiberglass units. The steel is more forgiving if you expect to be bumping it.
 
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