cb questions

[wmh9680]

Good morning again. My 2014 RT LTD came with a cb. I am putting a stubby antenna on the radio side, is there such a thing for the cb and if so how good does it work? I've never had a cb. I'm in Illinois, what regulations pertain to it. What benefits can it provide me/is it worth messing with?
Thanks, Mike

[Easy Rider]

I am putting a stubby antenna on the radio side, is there such a thing for the cb and if so how good does it work?

Why ?

You may find that your radio reception suffers with a shorter antenna; maybe a LOT.

No, about the shortest workable CB antenna for most applications is 3 feet.......because electrically there is about 9 feet of wire in there.

If you don't know anybody else with a CB, it is probably pretty much worthless.

[viperryder]

I have a 2014 RTS with a factory installed CB. If you change the length of the antenna you will have to have your CB checked again as the length of the antenna and the CB work together. Mine works fine with standard equipment. There is a vendor out there that had a brass block which is changed out with the standard piece and replaced with the brass one. Hope this helps.

[Mick N]

Good morning again. My 2014 RT LTD came with a cb. I am putting a stubby antenna on the radio side, is there such a thing for the cb and if so how good does it work? I've never had a cb. I'm in Illinois, what regulations pertain to it. What benefits can it provide me/is it worth messing with?
Thanks, Mike

A CB can provide benefits other than chatting from ryder to ryder... asking for directions, reporting an auto accident, calling for assistance, etc... it's kinda like having a telephone available whether you need it all the time or not

[Easy Rider]

I have a 2014 RTS with a factory installed CB. If you change the length of the antenna you will have to have your CB checked again as the length of the antenna and the CB work together.

There is no "adjustment" in the radio to compensate for an incorrect antenna length.

It NEEDS to be what it needs to be; that is, an antenna designed for CB use that is not modified in any way.

[Easy Rider]

A CB can provide benefits other than chatting from ryder to ryder... asking for directions, reporting an auto accident, calling for assistance, etc... it's kinda like having a telephone available whether you need it all the time or not

Yes, true.

But that "phone" will only have a range of about a mile and a half.
For it to be useful there has to be someone else with a radio within that mile and a half.......and on the same channel that you are.

And when you NEED IT for an emergency, you'd better hope that the channel isn't being hogged by a couple of truckers bitching about something......or some guy in Mexico City tuning up his linear.

I've been a CB user on and off for near to 50 years but you need to be realistic about it's usefulness.

[canamjhb]

There is no "adjustment" in the radio to compensate for an incorrect antenna length.It NEEDS to be what it needs to be; that is, an antenna designed for CB use that is not modified in any way.

Correct. There is no adjustment in the RADIO. However, You must have the SWR dialed in and this is done by adjusting the antenna length using a SWR meter. Another option is to go with a non-ground plane antenna. These are pre-tuned and must not be altered in any way including the antenna cable length. To do so will only degrade performance.

[wmh9680]

Hum, Thanks, something to think about. I just don't think it will look good with a short stubby for the radio abnd a 3 ft one for the cb. Thanks, Mike

[canamjhb]

Take a look at the no-ground-plane antennas from Firestik. I used one on my Can Am Commander and it was excellent. They come as short a 2 feet which may work for you. They are a bit heavy and I'm not familiar with how strong the mounting area is on the Spyder. So, that needs to be checked out..... Good luck

[Easy Rider]

Hum, Thanks, something to think about. I just don't think it will look good with a short stubby for the radio abnd a 3 ft one for the cb. Thanks, Mike

Which is why I suggest that you KEEP the original radio antenna......just incase your new one doesn't work good OR the different lengths just grate on you TOO much.

[davehirst]

Good morning again. My 2014 RT LTD came with a cb. I am putting a stubby antenna on the radio side, is there such a thing for the cb and if so how good does it work? I've never had a cb. I'm in Illinois, what regulations pertain to it. What benefits can it provide me/is it worth messing with?
Thanks, Mike

As far as requlations go, when CB radios were in their prime, 30-40 years ago, the FCC asked you to get a license. Technically, you are still supposed to have a license, but no one, I mean no one does. The FCC is not interested in CB use, believe me. Use it as you would a walkie talkie, but you do have to have someone to talk with or it won't be much good to you. All the guys I ride with have CB's so mine is a worthwhile investment.