Found this antenna. I figure it’s a “center loaded” or “helical coil” CB antenna. I’m just curious if there’s anyway to tell anything about it specs? Like the length it’s been trimmed to (15”) or the number of winds on the coil and their spacing.
Mystery antenna
- Thread starter thatcabledude
- Start date
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JLH
SILVER Star
Sure looks like something in the HF frequency range with a coil that large. Probably the best bet is get it connected to an antenna analyzer to see where it's resonant. Know any local hams?
JLH
SILVER Star
Given that description, I'm pretty sure he knows someone that has an analyzer or has one himself, there are some pretty inexpensive devices now.
The first picture didn't show the bottom of the antenna. What type of connection is on the bottom? Old guy in town with antennas out the wazoo ... Sounds like me but I'm a little out side of driving distance. There are hand held devices and ones that plug into the USB port, it makes my laptop a piece of test equipment.
Larry in El Paso
Larry in El Paso
- Thread starter
- #6
Oh yeah, my bad. It threads onto a regular stud that a Firestick CB antenna would thread onto.
For nothing more than grins I plugged it into a CB radio earlier to compare to my 4' Firestick. I can say that the nearest weather band came in clearer with it. I didn't have anyone to transmit to to see how that did.
Looks like a drive shaft to me.
Seriously though, the antenna is not familiar to me. Looks expensive for a cb antenna, but I have seen some truckers with one like that on their side mirror so it's possible I guess.
- Thread starter
- #8
I think that’s what it is... A mega overkill trucker antenna. I forgot to mention it was a roadside find. I’m going to leave it on the truck and see what it picks up when I’m closer to the interstate. It’s kinda goofy looking that’s for sure.
My nephew texted a pic of work where he is motorpool for county rigs including the Sheriff APC (whatever they call those SWAT -looking Ford platform (or sidemirrors anyhow) - It was some ~2yrs ago, but I think it had that antenna if the tip slides into the body (???)
I’ll see if pic is around, IDK dik about anything over Firesticks CB for land / marine UHF radios.
I’ll see if pic is around, IDK dik about anything over Firesticks CB for land / marine UHF radios.
check SWR before using it to make sure that you don't cook your radio...
Perhaps if it’s a Prius with antennas out the wazoo, the owner is trying to attract lightning. (The ultimate in “quick charge”)
- Thread starter
- #12
Lightning is actually why I came across this guy.
It blew up an amplifier across the street from his house. And of course he had to come talk to me. Next thing you know I’m adjusting antennas on his house.
Now that’s funny.Lightning is actually why I came across this guy.
I’m told that there is a HAM repeater on this tower. Does anyone recognize a repeater antenna?
