I'm looking for dual antennas that will get decent range for my 01. I want to mount them at the front of the bed. I want a clamp on type. Any ideas where to look?

 

Dual antennas need to be at least 9 feet apart to work correctly. I believe that is 1/4 or 1/2 wavelength apart. They will work closer but the performance will be less than a single antenna. I currently run a 5 foot Wilson Silverload on a firestick extended stake mount on the driver side with firestick "fire ring" coax. This length antenna keeps 3 feet of the antenna above the cab of the truck and can be tuned for a 1.5 SWR. Anything shorter will raise SWRs dramatically because too much of the antenna is shielded by the cab of the truck. The best performing antenna I ever used was a Wilson 1000 or 5000 mag mount mounted directly in the center of the roof. The SWR was nearly 1.0 and the range was amazing.

 

I agree with surfram although duals look cool they need to be 8-9ft apart to work properly. Duals will still work but not to there full potential. If you run a single antenna mount it in the center of the cab the antenna uses you truck as a ground plane. If using a antenna with a load on it the load needs to be above the cab. If a fiberglass antenna at least 2/3 of it needs to be above the cab I’m running a galaxy 949, Texas Star dx250 killer bee and a 20,000 watt monkey made antenna. My SWR’s on ch1& 40 are 1 and ch20 is 0.4. I’m very happy with this setup. look at any truck stop for a cb antenna they should have every thing to set you up. .
Good luck

 

I used to think that too, until I read the Tech section at Firestik.com
They dispute the fact that duals need to be 9' apart. Their FAQ and Tech Fact section at Firestik.com is excellent and I recommend anybody getting a CB or antenna check out that site. More than you will ever want to know.

Tech Help

Here is a quote from their "Things Every CB'er should Know" section:
~Rob

 

What type of tool is needed to "adjust" the SWR?

 

An SWR meter. I got one at Radio Shack. I think it was about $30
Setting SWR is critical. If you have too high of a SWR, you could damage your CB (too much energy being reflected back at the transmitter).
I would rather have a $5 CB and a $50 antenna that is properly installed than a $500 CB with a $5 antenna.

I like the dual look as well, but my two antennas are for different equipment, 1 is for my CB, 1 is for my scanner.





~Rob

 

I got dual antenna as well, but sane set-up as hotdram 1 CB 1 scanner