Cobra 29 ltd....antenna????

How much is not much, and how far do you expect to get?

And no matter what anyone tells you - don't mount the antenna at a 45 degree angle like so many do.
They seem to think that the radio waves shoot out the top and that it will get them more range - like a water hose.
The waves propagate parallel with the antenna along its length. If it is angled down, where do you think the waves will go?


The most important thing with the antenna is the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio).
The closer you can get it to a 1:1 ratio the better.
The Cobra has a meter built in that lets you check it. Learn to use it and adjust your antenna to get the best possible ratio. (That means you need an antenna that can be adjusted, if the OEM antenna is not adjustable and the ratio is more than around 1:1.2.)

 

@rabbiporkchop

 

Normally I would agree with totally vertical except on the Freightliner Cascadia which needs to be at a 45 degree angle if you mount it on the bracket that bolts to the door.

 

?? did I miss something ?

 

It was a call out to see your opinion on an antenna for his set up

 

Don't replace it until you have checked the SWR. I have had the same setup with very good results.

 

I know of a bracket that bolts to the side mirror, but I see no reason the antenna would have to be angled with it.
My XM radio antenna is mounted to it, and it is vertical. There is room on it to also mount a CB antenna.

 

One of the first things you should be thinking about is having the radio properly tuned.
Most good cb shops will charge around 40 for a good tuneup, what they call a tweak and peak.
Most radios are set at 4 watts out of the box, but you have to realize, in most cases these are machine tuned with some variables.
A good shop will test them with an oscillator to make sure they are transmitting and receiving the way they are supposed to.
Once that is done, the fire sticks are ok, but I prefer the 5/8 wave if I use a fire stick.
Another good choice is the Wilson 2500 or 5000.
Once the radio is properly tuned, it's much easier to set a proper SWR.
I run the Cobra 29 Chrome LMTD with a Wilson 2500.
My SWR is running right at .06. My out put is between 4 and 5 on the meter and my range depending on weather, location, and atmosphere is anywhere between 3 and 10 miles.