Top 3 CB Base Station Antenna Picks. Pick the right antenna to get your station on the air!

There are a lot of options when it comes to base station antennas. While these three are certainly great picks, your wallet will be the final determination as to what to get.
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[@LandseerNorth]

I bought my Antron 99, 6 or 8 years ago after watching your videos. I've talked over 15 miles from base station to vehicle CB in heavily wooded, hilly terrain. Also talked to Montreal and New Hampshire and I'm in northern Wisconsin. Thanks for all of it Erik!

[@FarpointFarms]

Thank you for being a long term supporter of the channel. That is some good distance contacts you are making

[@user-hy4jt8sr6y]

Just 15 miles? I have talked over 60 miles local and many international contacts to different countries

[@thomaswarmouth2551]

And I must have this is my first home statement I've been driving a truck for 40 years and I always have my CB turned on in my truck it's not just a backup radio its life

[@FarpointFarms]

it is good to be able to know what is going on- you never know when you will need to know

[@MowerJunkie]

for vertical antennas I currently own an Antron A99, a Tram 1498, a Star duster, a Mighty Magnum III, a Sirio GPS 27 and a Maco V58. My favorite is the Sirio GPS 27, it doesn't handle a lot of power, but after extensive testing I found the Sirio to be the best for local talking. For DX I found the Star duster to be the best.

[@FarpointFarms]

I will have to check some of those out- I have room still on my post that I can attach more to

[@richb.4374]

I've been a radio hobbyist for 50 years now. I started in CB back in the early 70's, even before the Bandit movie. My second job was working in a CB shop where I installed mobile set ups, base antenna's and of course sold radios and accessories to customers. In the process of working there, I had the chance to try every CB antenna made. At the time, the two top dogs for a base were the "Penetrator" made by Hygain, which was a full 5/8 wave and the Avanti Sigma 5/8. I'm sure copies are still made today. Both were about equal in performance but the Hygain was a little more robust in construction. The fiberglass insulating tube at the base of the Sigma was prone to breakage. The Antenna Specialists "Starduster" was junk...nothing but a TVI generator and no gain. I tried one of those and it was terrible. Worst CB antenna I ever had. Fast forward a few years later and the Avanti company came out with what they called the Sigma 4. I put one up and tried it. By far, it blew away all the previous ground planes I ran before it. They really kick some azz even though they won't take any beauty prizes. When I first got my ham ticket and was a tech plus, I worked the world on that vertical on 10 meters. Great antenna. I believe a company named Sirio makes a copy of them as Avanti is long gone. I've been out of CB for 30 years now as I only operate amateur radio, but every now and then I like to watch some CB related stuff on YT for old times sake.

[@FarpointFarms]

Great! Must have quite a time working at a genuine CB shop back in the hey days of CB.

[@johnsiders7819]

That sigma 5/8 was the bomb back then wish I still had one !! me old ham too (but not a sad ham ) LOL

[@richb.4374]

@@FarpointFarms It was fun back in the day. I even got to see the Cobra assembly line at the Dynascan plant in Chicago. My boss was a Cobra distributor so we would get tours of the plant and access to Cobra items the general public couldn't get. We had Cobra coin banks, hats, shirts, all sorts of stuff. I wish I had some of that stuff today, it's probably collectible. My first good base station was a Cobra 135 I modified myself with extra channels, a slider and peaked final. The D&A Raider I had hooked up to it was a kick ass base at the time.

[@billdivine9501]

I had one of those Stardusters on my Cobra 142 gtl in the 80’s and it worked great until the wind decided it looked better in the neighbors yard! 😂 I was high up in north LA county had a pretty short coax run and super low swr and on am would talk to someone in San Diego, that’s like 130 miles away. I would do this at night when am was clean sounding, no sun spots. During the day on side band the skip got me to the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, just a peaked, tuned radio, with maybe 12 watts modulation on ssb.

[@spooner454]

I run the SP500 to this day. It's a new model and is made a little lighter than my old one, but it still works great. The only drawback is that they do not handle as much power as the V5000 or some of those monster custom-made antennas like the Coily

[@jamieryan5927]

Got my MaCo 103 beam and 40 ft tower for free on market place. I just had to take down and refurbish it. Put an A99 on top and I’m talking around the country. Just re-entered the hobby last year.

[@FarpointFarms]

Market place does have some great deals if you keep an eye out

[@jamieryan5927]

@@FarpointFarms For sure! Got most of my radios off there as well. Hey I appreciate your videos and insight!

[@Norris180]

Thank you Erik!!! After watching a bunch of your Vids I set up a Base with my teenage boys. We did the A-99 and went with 50’ of Rg400 down to a McKinley II on a power supply. Got it all working yesterday and we were talking skip to a guy in the Great Lakes region. Amazing!! Now we are going to set up our vehicles. 😃. Thanks again for the great info!

[@bluenetmarketing]

How far are you from the Great Lakes region?

[@FarpointFarms]

I am glad to hear that you are doing this hobby with your boys- It is about making memories that they will remember years from now.

[@indianakid4050]

My a99 is 35 years old, it still work. Talk on 11 , 10 meter very day , best antenna, i ever had, I've had a lot of antenna in the last 45 years. 73 from indiana kid, aka n9xyi

[@bluenetmarketing]

Could I use the a99 and a CB to talk from Indianapolis to Harrison, Ohio (about 100 miles)?

[@indianakid4050]

@@bluenetmarketing Maybe if the skip is running

[@FarpointFarms]

35 years on one antenna speaks worlds about them

[@fargoalspach557]

Almost have everything to get homebase setup, thanks Farpoint Farms for providing me with the knowledge to make this possible. Your videos have been very informative even almost a decade later and when I’m not sure on something I’m scanning over your archives to find some answers thanks again. You have encouraged me to play another hobby because ammunition is getting very expensive and communication is truly just as important.

[@FarpointFarms]

I am so glad that my videos gave you the knowledge needed to build it right!

[@mariodesmo]

I built my base CB antenna to use at home. I retired some years ago and heard that CB was coming back. Like many fiends back in the 70's, I got into the CB craze back then. And I've always had a CB in my vehicles for road trips. Eventually back in the 90's I got my HAM ticket and I've been a HAM since. Anyway, as I say above, I heard about the resurgence of CB so off I went to the local electronics shops for a radio and antenna. I couldn't find a base antenna locally, and shipping costs were ridiculous so I built my own. I went to the local hardware store and bought a bunch of stuff. I had the RF parts, so I then went home and ran the calculations, and built it. Once built I was happy to see a 1.1 SWR across the band and off I went! It's been working great!

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds cool! I want to make an antenna someday, but time is always slipping by.

[@rac558]

I put up the Antron 99 about 13 years ago and it's been durable, and a great performer. Just the kind of antenna you put up and forget about. It's been a long ride and great memories for me in CB radio starting off with my first mobile radio (a Pace 123A) back in 1971 and my first base radio being a tube driven Lafayette Comstat 35 running off a Starduster antenna. I also ran a tube driven Sonar FS-23 base with the matching Sonar BR-21 business linear in the late 70s, and I still have that Sonar set-up to this day sitting in my den! In 1979, I graduated to a Browning Golden Eagle Mark IV-A which I operated until I sold it back in 2015. I'm now running a classic Cobra 2000GTL or an RCI 2990 as base radios and I still copy the mail 24/7. The airwaves are much quieter now than they were back in the 70s and 80s until the skip starts to roll.....then I swing into action! 😊👍👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Agreed. All the bands are suffering from a slow decline in users, but it's still a fun hobby here in the mountians.

[@jgmopar]

In the 90's most of the guys ran the Antron A99's in my area. They seemed to get out really good with strong signals. My friends and I were in our Mobile units and the guys the city up from us were base stations. The range was about 13-18 miles. They came in like they were right down the street. I am really enjoying your videos.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thank you for watching-

[@jpe1701]

I recently put up a Sigma venom hy gain 1/2 wave that was performing very well today. It's all aluminum tube in sections that slide out and get clamped with hose clamps at marks they put on them. The swr was 1.4 on channel 40 and 1.2 on 1 when it went up after following the marks. Thanks for another good video. I'll be listening for you on the air. 73.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing

[@hb61-ce3lu]

i watched this when looking for antennas for my base a few months ago, i chose the maco and a good old cobra 139xlr. I can say that thing works amazing, it has got me lots of worldwide contact. thanks Erik for the good advise!

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for letting me know what you went with

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent video Eric :) I used in my first Cb Radio base setup in 1985 was RadioShack blue Crossbow in 1991 got hit by lightning strike blew apart too , for next put A99 till 2002 broke on rings just age but had Shakespeare Pogo Stick temporary got from friend of mine and November 11 2002 I max 2000 be up since ! Yes Antenna up prices in Ontario Canada too on !

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds almost like my Base antenna journey!

[@thomasbrustad5596]

I set up a base station about 2 years ago and stalled an A-99. It's been working great for me.

[@FarpointFarms]

glad to hear it

[@lonekyeagle]

In the 70's I used a Starduster. It was excellent. In the early 90's I used the long famous Antron A99 for 11 meters. I use, now, a different Antron A99 but I use it for 10m (I am a licensed amateur radio operator. I quit 11m (CB) back in the 90's. If you are going to stay on 11m, you seriously can't do wrong with the A99 or the Imax.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing that

[@geraldlowe2652]

me too,,nothing like the old Stardusters.I don't think their made anymore.

[@alzeNL]

As an amateur radio user, I went thru so many antennas its crazy. I got back into CB as there was a nice amount of chatter on SSB and AM, esp when the skip kicks in its busier than the local 2M repeaters ! (a bit more colourful tho). I got a bog-standard silverrod that goes up on a basic mast mount approx 10m in the air, its been great for the DX reception, I use RG213 from Amazon, and it does the job nicely. My CB Transciever is a CRT6900N, and it does the job nicely, although I am tempted by the latest president rig as that I could use for SSTV, which I really enjoy on 11m :) Also have a the basic thunderpole transciver for /M and the amazing Thunderpole T-X for /P - that radio is amazing, i'm not sure if its available in the US tho.

[@FarpointFarms]

I'd love to see a SSTV comeback!

[@robertmitchum2972]

My primary base antenna as a kid back in the 70’s was the Shakespeare Big Stick. Ran that thing for close to 20 years! Don’t ever remember Radio Shack selling the Big Stick. I did buy a A-99 clone from them many years later. Shakespeare were and still are big into marine antennas. I guess they jumped on the CB radio train when it hit its heyday back in the olden days of the 70’s I had the Yagi’s and the Co-phased arrays as well, not to mention lots of home brew ones ..... Still love building antennas,,, but that’s a story for another day!

[@FarpointFarms]

I have heard of them- most people talked highly of them

[@JD144-]

Very interesting, would love to have any one of them. Thanks!

[@FarpointFarms]

Like you said, any of them would be good

[@64valiant88]

I had a maco and it had the best ears of any vertical I have ever owned and I have had them all. That being said the gamma match needed to be cleaned up every couple of years to get a clean connection which is a pain in the arse. My imax never needs any maintenance and just keeps working and holding the tune. Maco did quickly replace the aluminum ground radial support when my telescopic mast dropped a bit and landed on the next lower clamp which snapped off two ground elements. I called and they sent out the part no charge. Great video BTW keep em coming

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for the info!

[@q95oldies57]

Like your t shirt. One wasted 1670 is that 'BIN' station down in Macon, GA. that regularly booms in here.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thank you

[@michaelltnv6741]

I've ran all of those antennas. All I would add is a starduster instead of a fiberglass. Adding a ground plane kit to the 99 is what would be better. The V 5000 was one of my number 1 pick also! Thank you for a good video. I'm just now setting up a base again. Its been almost 30 years since I've had a basestation or radio in my truck.

[@FarpointFarms]

Glad to hear that your setting your CB stuff back up!

[@Nostrildomus]

I set up my first base station in 1982 . The twenty four foot all metal with three ground radials . Located at sea level . While installed it was glorious , absolutely the best antenna performance since . There was one problem that kept me trying to get it back . Salt corrosion . I bought the Antron 99 and never looked back . T/C/E

[@FarpointFarms]

Once corrosion sets in- there is no bringing it back- Glad to hear that you are still with the Antron

[@mikecricket113]

Good morning. Great info. I’m still using my iMax 2000. I use it for 10,12,12,15,17 meter. No tuner needed for 10,11,&12 m. I always thought of getting an A99 but I like using 17m and don’t want to switch at the moment. It’s been up since 2017. But I know I will have to swap it out at some point. Hope you and Jen are well. Take care OM , 73.

[@FarpointFarms]

Take care my friend!

[@johnmayer158]

Hello, Erik. All of these antennas are good, one of the biggest issues for an antenna if the coax feeding it. The coax you mentioned are good, but I'd also recommend rg8x. I. A ham operator, and use it. And it's fairly affordable, and flexible when doing installation. Another antenna I would like to offer you for consideration is the Cushcraft AR-10. It is the old style Ringo, and these are an all metal antenna, thus avoiding fiberglass issues with time, and perform very well. And are broadbanded to do not only 11m cb, but 10m amateur band, as well. It has the tuning ring for impedance -(ohms) matching, and hose clamps on each section for good tuning. Hope this helps, sir. John, N8SGM, and 0576, Dustmaker, in Southern Michigan.

[@FarpointFarms]

Your suggestions are good ones- It is hard to cover everything in just 1 video

[@ProspectorsGhost]

I have had the I Max Solorcon 24 foot base antenna since the late 1990's and it seemed to work just fine without any ground-plane kit. And it seemed to be just fine on the SWR's I haven't had it setup or even used it since the early 2000's. If I remember correctly, I paid $135.00 for it new right out of the box at a CB repair shop in Albuquerque, New Mexico back in 1999. Before that from the early 1970's onward I always used either a standard mag antenna or a Starduster antenna though I dreamed of having a "Moon-Raker" Yagi beam antenna. Your CB video's reminded me to get up off my lazy behind and go get all my CB equipment out of temporary storage retirement, then set it up and get back into CB again after all these years now that I'm in full retirement mode myself. I started out in CB back in the early 1970's when CB was still only 23 channels and you still needed a CB license and my first base station was an old tube model Cobra Cam-88. After all these years of being in a storage shed out of the weather I hope the RG-8U coax I used on the antenna is still good or servicable at least long enough to get me back on the air again, then I will see about possibly getting some new coax. You say the RG213 is better but more expensive. If I can afford it maybe i'll try it. I've always had and used the RG8U on all of my base antenna's it seemed to work ok for what I needed it for. Instead of setting up my Pace DX2300 40 channel base, I think I'm gonna set up either my Cobra 148 GTL SSB, or my XYL's Uniden Grant SSB mobile unit as a base station as I need to find another mic with a 5 pin cable for my Pace DX2300 base, as the original one got lost in moving. But I still miss my old Cobra 1000-GTL base. I used back in the 1980's through 90's. I'm hoping after all these years of being off the air there will still be some CB'ers still on the CB radio channels. Anyway, thanks for all your Great Video's on CB they are very informative. They make a person want to get into (or back into), CB Radio. 73's to you out of Idaho, from the; "1880 Prospectors Ghost" ("283" on SSB).

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like you still have a great setup sitting there. Go for it!

[@ProspectorsGhost]

@@FarpointFarms Thank You Sir.

[@joeytr21x]

Good video. I have the Maco V58. It's a good ant. I feel the ears are better than transmit. But all in all it's a good ant. I had a alldirectional ant in the 80's and I admit I went with that design because it brings back good memories from those days...haha....I've had it the ant 1 year now and have had no issues at all. No wind issues and no components issues. Also I paid 162.00 from Walcott's .....So I think it's a good choice. Have a good day and happy CB'ing.....73's

[@FarpointFarms]

Not a bad price at all!

[@davidk1579]

I run the Galaxy DX 2547 radio and maco v-5000 now with rg 213 coax, was useing the 99. Great antenna, but the recive with maco went up 3 S bars big improvement. I can talk straight radio with 100 watts at about 90 miles, and skip at 2500 if condition is right . I'm in Oregon and that was to Dayton Ohio.and i can hear Australia on occasions.

[@FarpointFarms]

hearing Australia is very impressive

[@markhill9912]

My first antenna was given to me from my uncle, who got it from my dad. My dad bought it in 1977-78 and was an Antenna Specialists 5/8 wave, all aluminum monster of an antenna that had four, 9' or so groundplane radials, the vertical radiator was 23' tall. It got lost in a divorce I went through sadly enough. But, that antenna was the best I've ever owned. I had no choice but to buy an Antron 99 to get back on the air and it worked great, I worked all televisions, stereos and phones in my neighborhood as well as a few motion security lights, lol. I modified the A99 after noticing the 6' fiberglass tip developed cracks and splits so I found a stainless steel whip that someone cut down in length to 96" so I cut it at 72" and replaced the cracked fiberglass whip with the 6' stainless steel whip and noticed clearer recieve, stronger signals and became more broadbanded without having to re-tune it. Later years, I did the same with an I-max 2000. Removed the 8' fiberglass whip and placed an 8' stainless whip on top of it. It improved that antenna the same as the modified A99. All in all, the A99, Tram 1498 and I-max 2000 work very well and would never hesitate using them again. Recently, I purchased the 18' Tram 1498 antenna in all black instead of white. It works just as good as the original Antron 99. I got it for $121 shipped to my front door. It had all the brackets, u-bolts, bolts, washers, nuts and 2 different sized allen wrenches, instructions too but I didn't bother to look at them. I did save them though. The thing is this, have fun with your radios, experiments, tests and chatting with cool people all around the US, Canada, Australia and well, all around the world if you're hearing them! Have fun, 73's

[@FarpointFarms]

I remember someone on my street used to bleed over out TV back in the 90's that guy must have been using some serious power!

[@TARZ67]

I started on CB when i was 6 years old, when my Dad got his 1st radio. It was a relic, even in 1973, a tube type 3 channel boat anchor made by Globe Electronics called the "Citizen Broadcaster CB-100A" with a 102" whip mounted on the roof for the antenna. Within a couple years Dad graduated to a Realistic Navajo 23 channel radio and 5/8 groundplane. About a year later he added a 5 element Hy-Gan Long John Beam and a 50 foot tower. This lead to a lifetime of radio for me, including Shortwave, Longwave, scanners, FM and AM DXing, and eventually my Ham license. Currently I'm not on the air but hoping to change that soon. The best antenna's (beams excluded), in my experience, are 5/8 wave. I could get into brands but most have similar gain. Cheapest way to get on the air with a decent signal would be a homemade dipole. Wire antenna's are very effective and a vertically oriented full wave loop is also a good option. Just wanted to say I've watched several of your videos and it's good to see somebody like yourself promoting "the original social media" please keep up the great work! 73 and Happy DXing! Steelhead WDX-200, KNL4997, KD8FSN.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for the kind words my friend. I hope to hear you on the air someday.

[@TARZ67]

​@@FarpointFarmsI have some radio's I'd like to sell or possibly swap if anyone is interested. I have several handhelds, including 1 channel to 40 channel models, a mobile or two, and the Holy Grail of base radio's, a Tram D201A, has been modified to cover 15 channels below 1 through 27.605 if I recall correctly. Possibly a few other pieces of equipment. I can get pictures for you with an accurate list in a little bit.

[@PhoenixRising251]

I've had so many scatter sticks since the early 2000's, including all mentioned in this video. Luckily they were all used and in excellent shape that I either picked up cheap or given free of charge. The one I currently use since January 2021 is the Italian made Sirio Tornado 27. Come with a GP kit and has the best receive of any others I've had in the past. Only about $100 shipped brand new and really liked the construction of the unit. I definitely don't regret getting this one and still enjoy it today nearly 3 years later.

[@FarpointFarms]

I'll look into that one. Thanks!

[@PhoenixRising251]

@@FarpointFarms I'll say this it did lower the noise floor on the same radio.

[@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv]

I love my Sirio Gainmaster 5/8ths wave, with the feedpoint being only 4'f from the ground and mounted on a cast iron umbrella stand I talk around the World, ask Dallas Rife...lol he has a video gate on youtube of our conversation on the air, an outstanding antenna without question. One thing I learned about the Gainmaster is its center fed and transmits "In phase" unlike other verticles which inherently transmits out of phase, and for $130 bucks I find it a far superior performer than the A-99 and like fiberglass antennas. Something to think about, the A-99/solarcon/imax etc .. are "End fed dipoles" that are supported by fiberglass in a verticle position, adding their "Groundplane" kit can and in most cases will screw up your feedpoint impedance from 50 ohms to other factors, also putting a groundplane on a dipole doesn't work in the RF physics world. Regarding MaCo antennas, I cant find any issues with any of their antennas, whether its a groundplane, or beam MaCo is a top notch pick! If your curious about you ERP "Effective radiating power" multiply the D.B. gain of the antenna by the output power of your transiever this formula will give you the approximate radiating power of your station.😏👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for the info!

[@tommyj1811]

Great video. Thank you.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for watching

[@NLINE7]

My A99 is 31 years old, a 1992 year production according to data sticker. To be fair it was in storage for several years. It's been up a little over a year now still preforming well. I did have to repaint the fiberglass before I reinstalled it over a year ago. I used Plastidip white spray paint with Plastidip UV Clear spray paint on the fiberglass. It seems to be holding up well. I like the very low maintenance of the A99 since I'm getting up in years.

[@FarpointFarms]

thanks for sharing the tip about the plastidip- did not consider using it

[@repro7780]

Back in the day, I had a Shakespeare BigStik, and a 5/8 groundplane. The Big Stick was a better performer for me, but many years later, like you said, the fiberglass was flaking and cracking, so it was done. I've been out of CB for a while now, but getting the bug again! I had the 2 antenna setup to throw off people trying to track me down as they had different strengths, lol. Me and my friends had alot of fun on our CB's back in the day!

[@FarpointFarms]

Fox hunts! I remember those!

[@Hairball786]

Agreed, money has a lot to do with it. If the cost didn't matter, of course everyone would have the biggest and baddest of them all. I have an Antron A-99 with the ground plane kit I picked up in a pawn shop 20 years ago. Still kickin'. Thanks for the vid, Boss. 👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for watching- Glad to hear that your antenna from that long ago is still working well

[@hatchetjackphillips]

I’m using a 102” whip for a base antenna till I have the time to setup my Maco V 58. The 102 works great. I got the V 58 for under $200. I spent almost as much on the coax as I did for the antenna.

[@FarpointFarms]

you are right- the cabeling is way to expensive

[@blueboy1183]

For the money A-99 which I have used for many years!! But I upgrade again several years ago to IMAX 2000 which I love!!

[@FarpointFarms]

Both seem to be a great option!

[@thomaswarmouth2551]

Sorry just now catching up on the video a lot of us home operators have switched to a different antenna made in Italy is the Siro 827 Hitman I love it to death on 38 low side I can talk to California on my Stryker 955😊

[@FarpointFarms]

That is some good distance with it

[@flapper4579]

I have the 99 with ground plain thanks to watching your videos. Also have a metal roof but I wouldn’t know if there would be any difference with or without. Paired with the Lincoln 2 and my cobra 29. Have a President Bill on the way for my pickup so can’t wait to do some testing.

[@FarpointFarms]

You will love the Bill. Perfect tiny radio.

[@delmarbish3926]

If you have a metal roof a good quality magnet mount antenna can do a very good job, I discovered that I have a 30 x 60 shop building and put a K 30 up as a quick setup and have been amazed at at how well it works i have talked all over the country on side band , I plan to put a Wilson or a Stryker up there . Enjoy your videos I hope it is helping get folks interested in CB again, I am a Ham, KC5HHB.

[@FarpointFarms]

That is good to know about the metal roof- guess you made a nice ground plane.

[@quinnlane7257]

My 65'' president mag mount is on top of my Hvac unit on the house. I talked to Australia on SSB 😮

[@Romin.777]

Very, very timely video! Just bought a couple of 27mc's, a powersuply and a few antennas in one lot for a reasonable price. And an swr pwr meter seperatly. :)) Want to get into the hobby. Been looking at home made antenna videos too, there are some pretty good designs out there, if one wants the cheap road. :)) God bless

[@FarpointFarms]

Glad I could help!

[@mikewalsh511]

I use a Sirio Vector 4000 and it's mid priced, very sturdy aluminum and does better than anything I've ever used before both locally and in dx. I've formally run an Imax and Antron.

[@FarpointFarms]

I've been less impressed with the Imax than I had hoped.

[@johnnyh2606]

I still have my 32 year old Sigma 4 ¾ wave antenna in the attic storage. This was the best antenna in the late 80s and early 90s... I stopped using CB 25 years ago, but I never wanted to get rid of the antenna. You never know... 😉 My transmitter was a Ham International Jumbo2. I started listening a year ago with an RTL - SDR on PC. Quite interesting... Here in our region (north-east Belgium) the CB is as good as nothing anymore...

[@FarpointFarms]

SDR is a fun hobby to play with as well. Hook it to that antenna and really listen.

[@charleswills4554]

I have had A99s for years ,until recently I've had nothing bad to say about them. My first one has been up for probably 5 years and works great,I've talked all over the world. So I bought another a99 to put on a 40' tower. I couldnt get the match lower than 1.8:1 and last winter the whip broke off in an ice storm. So I decided to purchase another a99 to put on the tower,it was $350.00 delivered cdn. After taking everything down and putting up the new antenna it lasted about 5 months before splitting on the bottom. No ice, no wind just made out of inferior material. Be careful what you buy.

[@FarpointFarms]

I am sorry to hear that you had so many issues

[@williamoswalt4641]

I have a Mayco v5000. I personally really liked it. I actually bought two of them for me and my radio buddy two weeks before covet hit . Unfortunately there was a lightning strike not a direct hit but I’ve haven’t been a bold to get it to work right since

[@FarpointFarms]

I have heard that you don't need a direct strike to have damage

[@williamoswalt4641]

My ground wire I do believe absorbed mast of it. With I in stalled after watching your videos. Thanks again

[@user-bi7hr6zz9o]

Ground plane will bring down the impedance, giving a wider bandwidth at lower SWR, plus lowering the transmission angle, providing better local coverage. By then, antenna height above ground also affects the same properties. Depends on location.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing that

[@georgethayer3533]

Eric I've been running a starduster for many years started back in the late sixties early seventies great antenna old George Northern California

[@FarpointFarms]

Nice antenna!

[@JAFO.]

Hey George, in what part of Northern California are you? If you're anywhere near Wheatland we might be able to get together on the air, especially if you use SSB.

[@ku4uv]

I have been wanting to get a Hy-Gain Super Penetrator FOR 10/11/12 meter ham/CB operation. These antennas were the bomb back in the 70's, from what I understand. Once MFJ started manufacturing them, the quality went downhill, and you have to "fix" what MFJ screwed up on them, but they can still be made to be great antennas!

[@christophersmith1155]

I USE THE SPT-500. FROM MFJ ITS 5 YRS OLD. WORKS GREAT

[@ku4uv]

Yeah that's the one I'm talking about, and most of the reviews are less than stellar. I may try another brand other than MFJ.@@christophersmith1155

[@FarpointFarms]

Good deal! I hadn't heard of that one.

[@-einsamer_Wolf-]

My IMax 2000 works great the last 10 years. On a Thunderstorm my Bow goes down and i chance the Antenna to Venom 5/8. On my Position ist works horrible. About 40 feet off the Ground the Signal goes down. I change back in the Imax 2000 on the new bow and it works fantastic. Greads from South Germany NW172 Operator Nick

[@FarpointFarms]

My Imax is still working, but I have had some issues.

[@alexcadena1490]

I have a verified contact on QRZ with a Station in South Africa. 10K miles. 100 watts and my Antron 99. I've had 2 of them since the 90's. They work Great!

[@FarpointFarms]

Nice! Those ultra long distance contacts are always a rush.

[@MrArchiearcher]

b100 tuned out the box and when I got mine it was $35$ and all I was abele to aford at the time. maybe because I live on the I-5 but this thang dose well. for a 24" or less antenna I've had a 700+ mil. conversation on this thang (thanx uncle skip) I mean you have to par it with a 100' coax witch puts it at price with an a99 but.... side note I put this little antenna 75' in the air soooooooo... maybe that helps. hight is might after all. 73's y'all

[@FarpointFarms]

I just picked one up to play with!

[@Siskiyous6]

I have the I-MAX 2000 also, it is useful for the higher HF bands too. I would expect the mako to be wider banded, hardly a concern for CB usage. If price matters a lot, find a 49:1 balun and run a wire, it will perform just as well as any of these. Finding a tree to hang a 324 foort wire from is not that hard for many of us. I know homebrew intimidates a lot of people, but the books on the subject of antennas are far less expensive than antennas. The real radio boom is in GMRS, and those antennas are much smaller, thus easier to install.

[@FarpointFarms]

Good info!

[@Prep4SurvivingMe]

thanks

[@FarpointFarms]

You're welcome!

[@rekoil2010]

I recently aquired a sigma 4 aka vector 4000 but for the kat 2 years was using a vacuum cleaner cord cut to length for use as a 1/4 wave dipole stapled to the ceiling in my attic. Talked skip really well. Not so bad local but it is horizontal. 422 illinois 3's

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like an interesting setup!

[@rekoil2010]

@@FarpointFarms I'm going to upgrade it to a full wave delta loop and keep in attic as a backup emergency antenna.

[@tinamarie4875]

I really enjoy your CB videos--keep them going...thanks! -- I wanted to know how do you have multiple CB radios connected to the same antenna? You see, I am planning on upgrading my base station cb radio, but I still want to keep it running alongside the new one to at least monitor one channel or be able to use it and etc. if you already have a video about this, please provide a link.

[@FarpointFarms]

No, each radio has it's own antenna. Well, not all of them.. Some are on an antenna switch that let's me pick the radio I want to use.

[@Dez55166]

Hello from Scotland I’ve had a Sirio tornado but really struggled to get a good happy swr across bands . Back using the A99 which I find ideal but only downside for me is the static noise I get it’s ruffly 30ft in air , think it’s all today’s tech that interferes , have been considering the Sirio 827 . Kind regards 108 devision 👍🏻

[@FarpointFarms]

I am blessed to live in the rural area that has no power line static.

[@Dez55166]

@@FarpointFarms yeah your lucky there . What’s your thoughts on the astatic M6 575 microphones?

[@jamienoel]

Back in the day, the Sigma 4 and Sigma 5/8 were boss. I miss those days.

[@FarpointFarms]

The peak of the CB era.

[@rkaag99]

I still have my A99 in the sky purchased in the early 1990s. Granted, I have 1 layer of camo paint on it to mask it a bit from the neighbors and this might account for its lifespan. I started with CB as my gateway 'drug' and got my ham license. I hit Europe with the A99 on the 17M band (18MHz) as easily as turning on a lamp with just 100 watts. Best $69.95 I ever spent. That's 1990 price of course.

[@FarpointFarms]

They really are the best Antenna for the buck.

[@JunkyardFox403]

When I set up my base station three years ago I bought an A99 because of the price - I had no idea what, if anything, I'd find on CB and didn't want to be into it for too much if there turned out to be nothing. (There's a fair bit of activity on sideband but almost nothing on AM here.) I should've used a longer mast, though. I have great receive and a low noise floor, and there's some semi-local stations that I can hear clearly but who can't hear me at all.

[@FarpointFarms]

Keep trying! The mountains here make it tough to talk local at times. Still, when the weather is just right, I've made 35 mile ground contacts with my A99.

[@jarhead420WNC]

The colossal 10k by zero five antennas and the shockwave along with the Mr coiley enforcer are the top of the line antennas nowadays but expensive after that would be sirio

[@FarpointFarms]

The money is always the issue for me.

[@MM0IMC]

Fibreglass is transparent to radio waves at those frequencies. 👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Good to know! I figured it had to be a very small amount of resistance at most, but never knew it was 100% invisible.

[@johnblanton-fd3jf]

I have a Solarcon A99 , cost $120 ish about 2 yrs. ago at our local Radio Shack , now just need to find the time to set it up .

[@unitedstatesirie7431]

I been trying to tell people in my small country town in Washington State to buy a CB radios & 2 meter radios for their vehicles and CB radios & 2 meter radios for their houses (home base), because the corrupt politicians can turn off the cellphones & Internet any time they want to. ⚠️These 2 meter and CB 11 meter radios are also important for local emergency use !

[@FarpointFarms]

They are handy to have in case of weather emergency as well= The batteries in the cell towers are only good for a few days at most and it will be for the emergency use only

[@amrwhiskey3456]

The Tram 1498 does have a nicer mast mount than the A-99. If everything else is equal I would buy the Tram. I have had several used, Rehabbed A-99. refinished my last one last year on my channel. 73

[@FarpointFarms]

Good to know!

[@johnemmons9087]

Informative…thanx! How about the random wire end fed? A lot of people don’t like seeing antennas near their house.

[@FarpointFarms]

Then you would need an antenna tuner and with only 4 watts of power, that means maybe 2 watts out.

[@johnemmons9087]

@@FarpointFarms thanx!

[@thomaswarmouth2551]

I also run RGA 213 coax with my setup

[@FarpointFarms]

That would work well. Thanks for sharing

[@flhusa1]

Please try the add on section for the IMAX 2000. One is called the optimizer and goes in-between the top section and the section below it. I had some problem as everybody else with lowest swr I could get was a 1.8

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for the tip!

[@flhusa1]

I have a antron 99 with a cut down stainless steel whip for the top section. I call it my hybrid. I have the tram fiberglass one too but never tried it yet. Also have 2 imax 2000,s.the imaxs are notorious for high swr 1.8 being the lowest I could get. Also have a old antenna book showing a metal ground plane antenna with ground radials and another set of ground radials mounted a certain distance below the antenna on the mast supposed to lower the angle of radiation.

[@roberthoffman4713]

My first base station antenna was a PT-99 a clone of the A-99. It was up for 12 years and it was working great. I layed it down because it was shedding a little bit. I wiped it down and put it back up and I noticed the swr seemed to be changing day to day. It was not an expensive antenna and I figured it was at the end of its life and I picked up a A-99 and put it up and I was still having a issue with the swr. I found out I had a coax issue. I had picked up new coax and another PT-99 just to have on hand in the future. Overall they have been very good antennas. I wish I would have kept the old PT-99 since it was still working. Live and learn.

[@FarpointFarms]

Yup! I've also had wire issues that I blamed on the antenna. Then again. I also had a new base antenna that I thought had to be a wire issue. Turns out the antenna was no good.

[@James_Bowie]

At 6:35 ... correction! One S-unit corresponds to a difference of 6 decibels, not 1 dB.

[@FarpointFarms]

I must have misspoke- thanks for the correction

[@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee]

Everything I’ve ever read (in detail) about the ground plane kit , says it has a more effective takeoff angle . I’ve never used one without the kit , I’m on my 3rd one in 28 years ,, the visual cool factor is worth the money though !!!!

[@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv]

The groundplane kit is a marketing scam, you can't put a groundplane on a dipole, which is exactly what the A-99/solarcon/imax is, an end fed dipole supported by fiberglass in a vertical position. I was recently looking at the MaCo verticle "BOOM KIT" to put on my Gainmaster, but once I figured out how the Gainmaster works, the boom kit would have only caused more problems rather than improving the signal.

[@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee]

@@UDX4570PalmSprings-yh1mv I’ve never noticed a difference I only ran a 99 without one a few months After that I always used one Like I said it looks cool 😎 lol But all I ever read was they swear it helps your transmit and lobe pattern 🤷🏼‍♂️ I use mine fir local shenanigans 🫢

[@FarpointFarms]

Well, you have a point about things looking cool. I totally love my Stryker more than the QT60 but both are nearly identical spec wise.

[@skipcallaham1517]

I never could tell any difference with the ground plane kit. I've been through two A99's. The last one I converted to 10 meters. I had to "fix" the fiberglass several years ago. I just got some fiberglass resin and brushed it on. Got rid of all that loose fibers that get into your skin!

[@FarpointFarms]

I think that they work really well as is.

[@brianlastname3808]

Good video! I've had my Antron 99 for 15 to 20 years now and it's still going. I talked to someone tonight 12 miles miles away and he said I sounded real good. I need to check into RG213 though. I have RG8x or RG8 but I don't know much about what cable is better. Have you done a video on what wire is better for certain situations?

[@FarpointFarms]

No, I haven't but I can!

[@brianlastname3808]

@@FarpointFarms sounds good!

[@Wally_GTO]

Hello 👋🏽. Can you make a video or recommendation for Apartments Antennas . For the ppl that don’t live in farms or houses lol but wanted to still talk in their CB base stations. Thanks 🙏🏽

[@FarpointFarms]

Yes I can. I just bought a B100 antenna. It's the most common solution to that issue.

[@cottonpicker8124]

The ground plains helps the angle of takeoff

[@FarpointFarms]

thanks for sharing

[@Conn653]

I had an Antenna Specialist M-117 "Super Magnum" base station antenna but when my parents place was sold, I was unable to get the antenna(900 miles away). Great antenna! Can't find another one, anywhere, except for scammers 😞

[@FarpointFarms]

I hate scammers- I hope Karma comes to them

[@geraldlowe2652]

Back in the late 70s,,early 80s,,I had a Kraco base unit,,With a starduster on a 50 ft telephone pole,,and our house was on a hill.I could talk all over NC,,and some into Virginia...anybody remember "Stump Jumper"?

[@FarpointFarms]

no wonder you could talk all over NC- that set up sounds impressive

[@garyhopkinssr8561]

I had what they called a bandit 2 5/8 wave it works fantastic

[@FarpointFarms]

Haven't heard of that one.

[@garyhopkinssr8561]

@@FarpointFarms the guys who had been in CB for years wanted to come to my house and see if I was lying to him they said that thing work too good to be splatter stick

[@GR-RadioSouthCarolina]

I run both antennas the a99 and maco v5000 the maco has better ears,nothing wrong with either antenna you choose.

[@FarpointFarms]

That is good to know that they are about the same.

[@donmartin7460]

Currently using the A-99, but have a Crossbow .64 I’d like to set up someday.

[@FarpointFarms]

A-99 is a good antenna

[@user-eh9tt3zq6t]

My cousin gave me a antenna off a rental house he has.we will be taking it down before the snow flies here in Michigan. My question is,how in hack do I find out what it is and what it can be used for. I recently purchased a tower at a garage sale so I am getting closer to setting up some sort of radio. Thanks for all you do.

[@FarpointFarms]

There is a cool youtube channel- The Antenna Man (or something like it) his channel might have some good insight

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

I run the solarcon A99 on my Base station, With 100 feet of LMR 400 flex. Is installed on the side of my small house above a metal roof. And it performs flawlessly. SWR sweep on 11 m is 1.2 on channel 1, Up to 1.6 on ch. 40. For the money with a good cable run it's the best.. Just now ordered the new ranger 2995DX HP 200watt Base station , Will be my final upgrade for my system, Can't wait to go hot...😂 also, no ground plane..

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like a nice setup!

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

@@FarpointFarms We're going to need a good powerful com. system for when they finally do permanently shut down the cell phone network. We are in a infrastructure war whether people realize it or not.

[@FarpointFarms]

let's hope they are not that dumb.

[@jrinbody1]

Personally I like the Shockwave

[@FarpointFarms]

Fair enough

[@jhonsiders6077]

I would say the best ground plane I ever owned was the Avati sigma5/8 wish I had never sold it. The worst was a venom 5/8 that thing is made so lightweight the first storm bent it it felt cheap very thin. And it’s on a 100 foot tower on a stand off that makes things worse when it’s hard to get up to and work on it. When I had enough of it I replaced it with of all things a jet steam discone I’m a ham and I was surprised how well it worked on 10 meters plus it’s able to cover a lot of the spectrum . Yes I would say your metal roof would make a good ground plane I’d rain a good jumper from your steel pole to the roof it would be really well grounded . On that note even the best static discharge unit ( so called by so many a lightning arrester ) will do no good at all if you get a direct hit nothing stops that ! I’ve been around TV and radio stations worked with engineers even they get knocked out and seen the base of towers shattered from lightning if you fight with Thor your gonna loose ! A lot of the CB crowd I’ve shown long wire rigs to have made their own and if you have enough room you can build a full wave for 10-11 meters at a low cost you can even make a vertical one and put a in the ground your radials with excellent results . The last thing when your done with a radio disconnect the antenna and have it hang out away from the transceiver that way your safe from a strike and it’s out so you remember to reconnect before powering up .

[@FarpointFarms]

I have had a few things over the years that I wish I never sold. You have some great insight to the grounding part

[@rondellschuyler7074]

The Tram 1498 is a copy of the Antron 99, but the Tram 1498 is constructed better out of a PVC pipe type material. No fiberglass to split or paint.

[@FarpointFarms]

I always thought they looked similar!

[@jukingeo]

@Farpoint Farms What is your opinion on Sirio antennas? I hear they are pretty good and they are made in Italy, further, they are decently priced too. They have the kind with the extra elements that are perpendicular to the main antenna. Also, they say that the antennas are good for 10-12 meters, which is cool that you can use it for those ham bands as well. But then again, I guess that might be a given. I am still very new to this. For a radio I am considering these three: Uniden 980SSB, Galaxy 979, or the President McKinley.

[@FarpointFarms]

The new President George is a great option as well! As for the Sirio, I've never owned one so it's hard to say. I can say that I've never heard anything bad about them.

[@spooner454]

I have run the A99, the IMax 2000, the V5000, and the SP500 I like the 5000 and the SP500 the same but the SP500 kills the imax or the a99, The 5000 has the advantage of power handling but I run 2000 Watts pep into my SP500 with no problems but my IMax tip section burned up and fell to the ground

[@FarpointFarms]

That's a lot of power! Must get out really nice with that setup.

[@jpk6916]

Check out the Grazioli G-max or FE10V

[@FarpointFarms]

I will have to do that- Thanks for sharing it

[@bobdillashaw4360]

I just replaced my solarcon A99 with the Maco 58, I’ve had the Maco for about 7 years though, paid just over $100, really can’t remember what the price was, anyway, we had a wind storm that busted the Antron so had to switch it out, and what I noticed is while I got it almost perfect on 11m, it won’t tune as good as the Antron on 10m using the internal antenna tuner on my yaesu, but it does tune good enough.

[@FarpointFarms]

Interesting. I wonder why it's harder to tune. The A99 is flat 1.1 to 1.2 here at my house.

[@bobdillashaw4360]

@@FarpointFarms yeah my a99 was flat, but it tuned on both 11, and 10 meter under 1.5 on 10m this Maco I can’t get it under 1.7, not sure why but on 11m it’s 1.1-1.3, so good on the cb band.

[@BLACKHEAT1028]

What about the Solarcon Max for about 203.00, back in the 80's I ran a big stick but was given off TVI. I switched to a 5/8 aluminum with ground plane, looked like upside down cone. I am thinking about the Solarcon Max

[@FarpointFarms]

Solorcon max is a decent antenna-

[@rawlinharringtonke8tiq837]

I have the original (without the adaptor) IMAX 2000 and the MACO V5000 and the IMax is a WAY batter antenna.. the IMAX is more broad banded and has way better performance.. ive probably had almost every 10/11 meter antenna made over my 38yrs in radio.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing your experience

[@bluelinewall640]

Thanks for the info, I just picked up an Antron 99 this week. Does anyone here know if an old hydro service pole work as a good ground when the antenna is attached to it. There are no hydro wires in the pole any longer. Cheers

[@FarpointFarms]

I would still put a ground wire on that thing!

[@EricHultgren]

Looking at the IMAX antenna in the solarcon A99 you would not want to use the ground plane kit it lowers the angle of radiation on the antenna so the maximum signal does not get out to the horizon if you want to shoot skip with those antennas do not use a ground plane kit. On the Maco 5/8 ths, I don't like the aluminum build they do not hold up well in high winds you're constantly going up after a storm and straightening out the main radial back to a straight up and down versus at an angle. So a ground plane to invest in that's built very well like a brick house is the Zero Five Clossal 10K 5/8ths Yes it is a pricey antenna at just over $400 but it will be the last antenna you will ever buy. Unless the antenna completely falls off the house you'll never have to worry about it. It won't be the antenna itself it'll be your installation. Please look at this antenna sometime and please do a review on it.

[@FarpointFarms]

Never heard of that one. I'll look it up.

[@uncledanny7]

I’m in the process of setting up my base system which will include cb GMRS and ham. Any suggestions on how to set it all up on the same mast. Also would you recommend a roof mount setup or a stand alone.

[@FarpointFarms]

I tried that, and decided that it was better to put up more than one mast. The antennas are so close that I feared they would back feed into the other radios and damage them.

[@JM-te6ot]

Just sprung for the Maco v5000, $255 free shipping. 😎

[@FarpointFarms]

Sounds like a good deal!

[@danielkinsman1964]

I live by the ocean in Connecticut and one cold January night I hit Scotland with my Solarcon A 99

[@FarpointFarms]

That is some good distance

[@danielkinsman1964]

It was a cold January night about 10 degrees and the ocean took the signal like nothing@@FarpointFarms

[@danielkinsman1964]

It is amazing how a signal can travel across ocean

[@danielkinsman1964]

@@FarpointFarms I will do one better. In Massachusetts from a mountain top I hit Australia mobile with a 102" whip

[@mikepettipas690]

Hi Eric. What is your spacing between your outdoor VHF CB and HAM Antenna:s I have all 3 plus marine VHF and TV . I'm opening up a fishing lodge with boat and ATVs. Also have shortwave receiver so 4-5 base station antenna's Thanks Mike

[@FarpointFarms]

12 feet is the spacing I have. I try to only transmit when I have one radio on though to save the radio.

[@mikepettipas690]

​@@FarpointFarmsshould I mount one on my hydro poles or will the current effect the signal Thanks again Mike

[@dobermanguy9437]

I believe the vector 4000 is better than all of them the only one that is even close to the maaco which is a pretty good antenna if you remember back in the day the sigma 4 was an excellent antenna 27 feet long the vector is a remake

[@FarpointFarms]

I'll have to look into them. Never heard of it before.

[@KC3UVF]

Used the A-99 back in the day. No ground plane (they are unnecessary with this type of antenna and can even be counterproductive in certain configurations), up about 30-35 ft. Antenna kicked a$$. If I was starting out today though, I'd build my own end fed half wave. A sub $50 49:1 transformer (because I can't be bothered to wind my own... but you could for probably half that much) and 20 odd ft of dirt cheap 16ga speaker wire. Done and done, and the mounting options are endless. Plus it's easily portable. I'd also argue that mini 8 is perfectly acceptable coax for a 50ft run. Power loss is negligible at HF frequencies (probably less than a db for a 50ft run).

[@FarpointFarms]

Homemade antennas are often the best option, but many people find it outside their knowledge base to build one.

[@KC3UVF]

@@FarpointFarms Fair point. It's still vitally important to understand what an antenna is, and how and why it does what it does. If for no other reason than to see through the marketing hype. The information is easily found and construction is very basic. The A-99 is a T2LT antenna electrically. You can make one from a single length of coax, a pair of wire strippers, and a tape measure. Fear isn't really a valid excuse imo 🙂

[@BeingRomans829ed]

Just saw the V-5000 for $210 on Walcott site. I am certain that the actual performance of the V 5000 and the V58 are exactly the same. They are both 5/8 wave antennas with the same design and the same manufacturer. The V 5000 is built heavier and can handle much more wattage, but I am certain that the actual performance on transmit and receive are the same . The V 58 is designed to handle 1200 W whereas the V 5000 is heavy enough to handle 5000 W according to the manufacturer. If I were a betting man, I would bet dollars to donuts that if you fed 1200 W into both antennas, transmit performance would be exactly the same. And of course the receive performance would also be the same.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for sharing- you might be on to something

[@poppasmurf63]

At 11:56 what audio was censored out? Can't imagine anything Eric says YT would need censor.

[@FarpointFarms]

I am not sure about what I said- interesting