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Best CB Antenna for Truck
Best Magnetic Radio CB Antenna
Best CB Antenna for Jeep Wrangler
Best CB Antenna for the Money
Best Powerful CB Antenna
Best CB Antenna for Car
Best Base Station CB Antenna
The market has become oversaturated with hundreds of different antennas for many types of vehicles. If you’re having trouble deciding which one should you buy then maybe this article will help you. I have assembled a generous selection of the best CB antennas in terms of value per price and overall reliability. Read my article about the best cell phone signal boosters if you need one.
Some of the most common types of CB antennas are fiberglass, magnet mount, whip, center-loaded. They all have their pros and cons and there is no perfect solution as it all depends on your vehicle and your specific needs.
Where to mount the CB Antenna?
One aspect to consider when buying CB antennas is the mounting location. They can be positioned in many places but the general idea is that higher is better for performance. Antennas also need to have their coil above the roofline of the vehicle. All things considered, for the best results you should try to keep at least a half of the antenna above the roofline.
Without any further introductions, let’s take a look at what the market has to offer for CB antennas:
Best CB Antenna for Truck
1. FireStik FL3-B Three Foot FireFly Antenna With Tuneable Tip
FireStik has some of the most reliable fiberglass CB antennas out there and a great example is the FL3-B, a three-foot Firefly antenna with tunable tip.
The highlights of this one are the weight, very light; the high-performance coil design and the ease of use as it has a ’bare-hands tunable tip’. The fiberglass tube is very flexible, the black finish looks good and overall the antenna is sturdy and not at all very wobbly.
The range is decent, approximately a few miles on the highway and the only minus is that Firestik didn’t include a quick disconnect feature.
As most other antennas, the package lacks mounting hardware which you’ll have to buy separately but considering the price of the antenna, this won’t really strain your budget. When taking into account the easy tuning with an SWR meter, the good reception, and the light weight, this is really a solid buy. Firestik once again demonstrates that relying on authentic proven tech is the only way to go.
Specifications list:
- Lightweight
- Flexible fiberglass tube
- High-performance coil design
- Tunable Tip (Black)
- Three Foot FireFly Antenna
- Product Dimensions: 38 x 3 x 1 inches
- Item Weight: 7.2 ounces
Best Magnetic Radio CB Antenna
2. WILSON 300-Watt Magnet Mount Antenna
The „Little Wil” as they’ve called it is one of the most performant CB antenna made by Wilson. One of the world’s leading manufacturers of sports equipment and all kinds of accessories, Wilson has built itself a powerful brand because they put passion and dedication for quality and reliable products above all else.
This model is a magnet mount antenna and is the ideal choice for a low-profile antenna. Thanks to the big 10-ounce magnet, you can rest assured that it will stay attached to your vehicle. Because clarity is one of the most sought out qualities in any CB antenna, a heavy-duty coil featuring 14-gauge copper wire should help a lot in this regard.
The antenna tunes to the standard CB frequency range and even though this model is a short antenna, the range is surprisingly impeccable. Tuning it can be a bit difficult but you can get the gist of it if you do some careful reading of the included instructions. Where Wilson truly shines is performance and the „Little Wil” doesn’t disappoint. Right out of the box installed and the SWR is 1.7 on Channels 1 and 40 and 1.25 on Channel 19 and there is no special adjustment required to get these results.
Considering the reasonable price, Wilson delivers a very quality product that performs just as advertised. If this looks like the CB antenna that’s the right fit for you then you should probably stop hesitating and seriously consider getting it. A great buy and highly recommended.
Specifications list:
- 300W
- Large 10 oz magnet
- Heavy-duty coil used 14-gauge wire
- 17-7 SS whip
- Product Warranty: 1 year
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 6 x 37.5 inches
- Item Weight: 2.2 pounds
Best CB Antenna for Jeep Wrangler
3. K40 300 Watts Stainless Steel Magnet Mount CB Antenna
Thanks to their commitment to product excellence and their real world expertise, K40 developed a powerful company that keeps customers coming back again and again. In this review, we’ll take a look at their magnet mount CB antenna K-30.
A short glance at the specs of this model tells a few things about the K-30. It has a 15 feet pre-wired RG-58AU 95 percent shielded coax cable that’s stranded so as to prevent any breakage. Its thickness is quite balanced and the cable also includes a PL259 connector which is a nice bonus. For a 35 inches stainless steel whip antenna the SWR readings are pretty good and the assembling job went smoothly.
A great advantage of the K-30 is that the package includes everything you need. The magnetic base and the coaxial cable for connecting to your CB radio are all included. On a decent day, the antenna can transmit and receive somewhere around 6-8 miles away. The magnetic mount is very potent but it won’t scratch your car.
The PL-259 connector included is not of amazing quality but still is just fine for the job. There are some interesting capabilities that this model offers and coupled with its affordable price, the K40 K-30 CB antenna is truly a strong deal that you shouldn’t pass up.
Specifications list:
- 300 watts AM power handling capability (ICAS)
- 15 feet pre-wired RG-58AU 95% shielded coax cable
- Cable includes PL259 connector
- 35 inches, 17-7 stainless steel whip antenna
- Radius 180-degree tip
- Product Dimensions: 37 x 4.3 x 5.9 inches
- Item Weight: 1.9 pounds
Best CB Antenna for the Money
4. FireStik 5 feet II TUNABLE TIP
Another Firestik CB antenna makes this list and is not at all surprising. Firestik is known for keeping a constant level of quality across their models. This one is a heavy-duty antenna a bit on the larger side at 5’ or 152 cm that features a tunable tip.
The main strong point of this antenna is the performance. After proper calibration with an SWR meter, this Firestik will allow you to get a strong reception for miles. The tuning part is actually simpler than on some other antennas but you need to be careful because the tuning knob is extremely sensitive. Even in less than optimal weather conditions, the antenna performs flawlessly and considering the size and price, this one is truly a steal.
If getting the best performance for the best price, I think it would be difficult to recommend another model than this Firestik. It’s very hard to find a better deal than this so if you’re interested, make sure you check this one out, you won’t be disappointed.
Specifications list:
- 5′ (152cm) Firestik II Heavy-Duty Antenna
- 5/8″ Wave
- Product Dimensions: 62 x 5 x 5 inches
- Item weight: 12.8 ounces
Best Powerful CB Antenna
5. BROWNING High-Performance Broad Band 63- Inch CB Antenna
Coming from Wholesale Parts, the BR-28 is a decent choice if you are looking for a more fancier CB antenna. The antenna is 63” high and it features a stainless steel whip, along with a stainless steel shaft and a robust triple chrome-plated copper coil.
The unique thing about this particular antenna is that it’s able to handle 10 kW of power. This could be useful for some, especially for truckers. The BR-28 works nicely on all the CB frequencies and interestingly it doesn’t require a spring.
The SWR readings are in accordance with the expectations considering the description of this model. You can get 1.1 – 1.5 SWR across all frequencies with a three magnet mount. Certainly some great potential there, perhaps even above the fiberglass antennas. The stainless steel construction is very solid and reliable, the antenna just screams quality all-around. For anyone wishing to put together a good low price setup, this model by Wholesale Parts is ideal. It gets the job done easily and without any hassle.
Specifications list:
- 10,000W
- Triple chrome-plated copper coil
- Freq: 25MHz–30MHz
- Stainless-Steel, 3-Way Mount
- 49″ Stainless Steel Whip
- 6″ Stainless Steel Shaft
- Product Dimensions: 48 x 6 x 5.8 inches
- Item Weight: 1.4 pounds
6. Midland Mobile CB Antenna
Established in 1972, Midland is now a major player in the industry of radio communications with a very wide and diverse range of products including CB antennas. They use the most advanced technologies for covering all kinds of communication needs. One great example of their dedication to quality is the Midland 18-2442, which is a center load mobile antenna system with a magnetic mount.
This one features a 17-7 stainless steel whip and with the help of a relief spring, the whip damage is minimized. The antenna uses a center-loaded coil to boost the efficiency and for optimal adherence it has a plastic coated magnetic base. It also comes prewired with cable and connector and works without any issues with all Midland Mobile Cb Radios.
As all CB enthusiasts who are just starting to get into this hobby, a CB antenna like the Midland 18-2442 needs to be finely tuned to run efficiently. If you follow the instructions correctly, this antenna will surely reward you with a powerful range with at least 3 miles of guaranteed distance. Spending the extra money on an SWR meter and jumper cable could pay off in the end and that’s especially true for this antenna.
All in all, Midland did a decent job with this setup. It comes with plenty of coax cable and the magnet is very strong and reliable. It’s also quite fittingly priced considering what it offers, so you can definitely be satisfied with this one. With such strong capabilities, the Midland 18-2442 gains a spot on this recommended list of the best CB antennas on the market.
Specifications list:
- Center Load Mag Mount Antenna
- 17-7 Stainless Steel Whip
- Prewired with Cable and Connector
- Works with all Midland Mobile CB Radios
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 1.4 x 5 inches
- Item Weight: 1.6 pounds
7. Firestik 4ft II FS Series Tunable Tip CB Antenna – Firestik FS-4RD
A decent investment, the FS-4RD CB antenna is the last Firestik product on this list, worth taking a look at thanks to a set of very balanced features. There is no need for more introductions regarding Firestik, a well-appreciated brand in the community of CB enthusiasts.
The FS-4RD is a powerful antenna when paired with a CB radio and one of its main selling points is the tunable tip. This allows for some refined calibration that brings out all the potential of the antenna so that the communications can be smooth and for distances as long as possible. So considering this, how exactly does this model fare in a real world scenario? The range is great, the performance of this antenna is actually above average with a listening range of about 20-25 miles. One downside about the FS-4RD is the size, at 4 feet, the antenna is quite long and you should be careful especially in places like underground parking lots. This, of course, is not necessarily a disadvantage as usually the longer the antenna the better the signal.
If you think this CB antenna matches your needs, then you should seriously consider it. It has nice features, reliable construction and a quality red finish which is an added bonus. All in all, this one is highly recommended for anyone looking to enhance their radio communications.
Specifications list:
- 4′ Firestik(R) II FS Series
- Tunable Tip CB Antenna
- 900 Watts
- Color: Red
- Product Dimensions: 48 x 1 x 1 inches
- Item Weight: 15.2 ounces
Best CB Antenna for Car
8. Cobra HG A 1000 Base-Load Small Mount 100W CB Antenna
Cobra Electronics is the company that’s famous for creating the first CB radio back in the 60s so they pretty much know what they’re doing in this industry. Today they’ve grown immensely thanks to their innovative products suitable for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
One of their most revered products in the CB antenna sector is the CBRHGA1500. It has a magnet mount, was designed to handle 300-watt power and works within 26-30 MHz frequency range. Cobra incorporated a black stainless steel whip and hardware and included a SO 239 connector. Something the CBRHGA1500 gets right is the tuning which can be done very quickly and you can easily push values like 1.1 on the 1 and 40 channels.
A problem many magnet mounted antennas have is the weak magnet which doesn’t keep the antenna in place correctly. This Cobra’s magnet is strong enough though so you shouldn’t experience such issues. The range is excellent with decent clarity.
There’s hardly anything left to say about the Cobra CBRHGA1500. It’s a solid product that earned a spot on this list because of its powerful features and the surprisingly low price for what it offers.
Specifications list:
- 300 Watt Handling Power with 26-30 MHz frequency Range
- Weather Channel Capable
- Base Loaded Medium Magnet Mount CB Antenna
- SO 239 Connector
- Black stainless steel whip and hardware
- Product Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 1 inches
- Item Weight: 2.1 pounds
Best Base Station CB Antenna
9. Solarcon A-99 CB Base Station Antenna
For those looking for something a bit more professional, the Solarcon A-99 CB Base Station Antenna could be a smart choice. This one is the highest gain fiberglass antenna currently on the market and it works with the GPK-1 ground plane.
The A-99’s high power antenna can handle 2000 watts of power and is extremely well insulated to withstand up to 14,500 volts. Its intended use is for commercial, export and 10-meter ham. To be able to resist stronger winds, this base station CB antenna is equipped with a heavy-duty mounting plate.
Something worth mentioning about this antenna is the weight which is light enough that you can simply maneuver and install it by yourself without any help. The fact that is made in the USA is once again something to consider because nowadays is quite rare to see some quality locally manufactured products.
If you take a look at the price of this CB base station antenna you might think is a bit high but there is some incredible value here. The cost is rather affordable considering the capabilities of this antenna. The performance is top notch, with very low SWR readings right out of the box. This one is definitely a recommendation geared towards the more advanced users of this amazing technology but it’s an excellent pick nonetheless.
Specifications list:
- Omni-Directional Fiberglass Base Station CB Antenna.
- Handles 200 Watts PEP
- For 10M-12M Amateur Use too.
- Requires Optional Mounting mast & Optional coaxial cable.
- Tuneable for lowest SWR reading
- Product Dimensions: 78.7 x 2.8 x 2 inches
- Item Weight: 1 pounds
10. Firestik FL4-B 4′ Firefly TUNABLE TIP CB Radio Antenna
FireStik is one of the most trusted brands in the industry of CB antennas and for good reason. Their products are of high-quality, extremely reliable and still made in America despite so many other companies relocating their manufacturing factories to China or other places.
The 4ft Black Firefly is a 5/8″ Wave CB antenna and has a solid construction while also being very lightweight at the same time. This model screws into a standard 3/8″-24 threaded antenna mount and as such you will require one of these mounts and a fitting coax to be able to use it. Depending on the place you were thinking of attaching the antenna to your vehicle you might also need to purchase a flexible spring which goes right in the place between the mount and the antenna.
Before you go, you might want to check out my articles on the best outdoor antenna or the best electric cooler
The Black Firefly becomes more flexible after attaching a spring but one interesting aspect is that you won’t have to worry about stability. It’s a sturdy piece of equipment designed to withstand even some powerful winds. Firestik implemented a decent range for this product and all in all this one is one of the best deals you can get on the market for a CB antenna. Just keep in mind that you might need to get the required accessories I’ve mentioned to fully complete the experience.
Specifications list:
- Firestik 4′ (122cm)
- Light Weight Antenna
- 5/8″ Wave (Black)
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 50 inches
- Item Weight: 9.6 ounces