Thanks. Will mounting the antenna(s) to an aluminum tire carrier present issues?
Not at all, aluminum is an excellent conductor. Just make sure to remove any paint or anodizing from where the antenna mount needs a bare metal connection. If you need help with that part I can post an illustration that explains it tomorrow.
 
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Thanks Jerry. Just need to find antennas similar in appearance now (simply for aesthetic reasons). I have a 2’ Firestik for my CB. I’m not opposed to changing that but would like to keep both antennas about that length.
 
Also, for best results, make sure the tire carrier is well grounded to the chassis. A braided cable works best for this. @Jerry Bransford will likely point this out with his pix.

You also don't want both antennas close to each other. Maybe one on a hood mount and the other on the tire carrier.
 
Dual band (70cm/2m)?

You'll have to forgive my ignorance as I'm a complete noob when it comes to Hams. What I'm looking for is an appropriate CB antenna and an appropriate Ham antenna, but having both of them somewhat similar in appearance and size simply so it's visually balanced.
 
You'll have to forgive my ignorance as I'm a complete noob when it comes to Hams. What I'm looking for is an appropriate CB antenna and an appropriate Ham antenna, but having both of them somewhat similar in appearance and size simply so it's visually balanced.

Do you have your ham license yet? What radio do you have for which you need a ham antenna? For which ham bands do you need an antenna (i.e., 70 centimeter, 2 meter, etc.)?

You may be putting the cart before the horse.

However, to answer your question in general, there are 2m antennas and 70cm/2m dual band antennas that come with black finishes. Length will depend upon the frequency range of the antenna and also whether it is a single band or dual band antenna or whether the antenna is 1/4 wave, 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave.

When the time comes you will be able to find a ham antenna 2' or shorter to complement the look of your black Firestik 2' fiberglass antenna. (Or a 2m or dual band antenna similar in length to a 4' CB antenna.) However, it is highly unlikely that you can match your CB and ham antennas. (My inclination is to say 'impossible' but as @mrblaine says, one doesn't know what one doesn't know.)
 
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Do you have your ham license yet? What radio do you have for which you need a ham antenna? For which ham bands do you need an antenna (i.e., 70 centimeter, 2 meter, etc.)?

You may be putting the cart before the horse.

However, to answer your question in general, there are 2m antennas and 70cm/2m dual band antennas that come with black finishes. Length will depend upon the frequency range of the antenna and also whether it is a single band or dual band antenna or whether the antenna is 1/4 wave, 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave.

When the time comes you will be able to find a ham antenna 2' or shorter to complement the look of your black Firestik 2' fiberglass antenna. (Or a 2m or dual band antenna similar in length to a 4' CB antenna.) However, it is highly unlikely that you can match your CB and ham antennas. (My inclination is to say 'impossible' but as @mrblaine says, one doesn't know what one doesn't know.)

Haven't started on the licensing process yet, but have lots of online resources saved to get me through that. Was looking at a Yaesu FT-7900R as some guys that I wheeled with recently ran them and recommended them. The antenna wouldn't have to match, i'd just prefer it to be similar in size is all so that it's not too obvious of a difference from side to side.
 
You really do have the cart before the horse. You aren't ready to zero in on specific ham antennas. You should focus on becoming a ham and then on which will be your first ham radio. Antennas and antenna mounts come right after that.

When you are ready, you should look at Larsen, Comet and Diamond brands. MFJ has some good options as well at a lower price point. All are far better choices than any ham antenna marketed by Firestik.

I am partial to Larsen. And since I know that you will resume shopping for antennas just as soon as you finish reading this post [;)], here are some antennas that I own:

Larsen NMO 2/70B (34.5"black, 2m/70cm dual band)
Larsen NMO 2/70SH (19" stainless steel with spring, 2m/70cm dual band)

The ham antennas I currently use for my jeep, which has a Kenwood TM281A 2m radio:

Larsen NMO WB150BCO with W490B black whip (49", from mfr. 18" when cut to tune, 2m only, wide band 1/2 wave)
Larsen NMO 150B (51" black whip from mfr., 38.5" when cut to tune, 2m only, 5/8 wave)

In addition, I have an MFJ 1724B 19" mag mount dual band antenna that I bought years ago when I first obtained my ham license because the local Ham store was out of the antenna I wanted. It was supposed to be a temporary solution but it stayed stuck to the jerry can rack on my CJ-7 for many years and now resides in my "survival backpack" together with a Baofeng handheld dual band radio.


I currently own the following CB antennas, each with a quick disconnect for interchangability:

2' Black Firestik II
4' Black Firestik Firefly

Still in the original packaging: Francis Hot Rod 4.5' fiberglass cut-to-tune antenna that I won in a raffle and keep "just in case."
 
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You really do have the cart before the horse. You aren't ready to zero in on specific ham antennas. You should focus on becoming a ham and then on which will be your first ham radio. Antennas and antenna mounts come right after that.

I very much concur with this. I also have a Kenwood 281 and use a Comet SBB5 for local and a Larsen NMO-150 for out of town/forest runs use. I use a Teraflex mount over a taillight.

For more fun, I also hang an HF antenna for portable, not mobile use, on the Jeep.

I use the same Teraflex mount for both VHF (just take off the VHF antenna) and HF. The pic shows it running 40m setup with a Wolf River Mini coil.

It will very much depend on what you will want to do after you get licensed. (Note: that 'what' will very likely be a fairly liquid condition.)

You will find that you have many options.

jeep40m.jpg
 
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I am partial to Larsen. And since I know that you will resume shopping for antennas just as soon as you finish reading this post [;)], here are some antennas that I own:

Larsen NMO 2/70B (34.5"black, 2m/70cm dual band)
Larsen NMO 2/70SH (19" stainless steel with spring, 2m/70cm dual band)

The ham antennas I currently use for my jeep, which has a Kenwood TM281A 2m radio:

Larsen NMO WB150BCO with W490B black whip (49", from mfr. 18" when cut to tune, 2m only, wide band 1/2 wave)
Larsen NMO 150B (51" black whip from mfr., 38.5" when cut to tune, 2m only, 5/8 wave)

In addition, I have an MFJ 1724B 19" mag mount dual band antenna that I bought years ago when I first obtained my ham license because the local Ham store was out of the antenna I wanted. It was supposed to be a temporary solution but it stayed stuck to the jerry can rack on my CJ-7 for many years and now resides in my "survival backpack" together with a Baofeng handheld dual band radio.
Hi Bill

I am familiar with the brands you are talking about here and the need for a license to operate. I have seen these "Rugged Radios" and was wondering what exactly they are. Do you know? They say they are replacing CB radios.
 
Rugged Radios aka "race radios" are commercial band VHF radios which actually require an FCC licence although Rugged Radios and other similar companies try to hide that fact on their websites.

Many off-road teams illegally operate on business-band frequencies (150Mhz) without any license. Many off-road teams also illegally operate non-type approved (ham) devices on business-band frequencies. They are flying under the radar, and so far the FCC hasn't seemed to put much energy into enforcement or compliance, but there is a risk of a substantial fine if caught using these without the proper license. To me, it simply isn't worth the risk when one can purchase an inexpensive ham radio and obtain a license for less than the cost of a "race radio."

Some observations:

Claims that race radios aka VHF radios aka business band radios are replacing CB are just a sales pitch. While these radios are used by race teams and some offroad clubs, there is no evidence that these "grey market" radios are replacing CB radios among the general offroading population.

Race radios are useless unless you have someone to talk to who also has a race radio. It is not like CB where anyone can use one or ham radio where there are amateur radio operators all over the world monitoring the ham frequencies. Everyone in your group will need to have a race radio for them to be an effective communications tool. How likely is that?

At least for now, CB and to a lesser extent 2m and 70cm ham radio are the primary means of offroad radio communications. FRS, GMRS, MURS and VHF race radios are not used by enough people to be useful.
 
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I guess this is what confused me. I did not know there is so much allocated frequencies out there. Be aware before you jump into a certain radio. Sold by somebody who is selling radios illegal to use without a proper license. They do make them sound like you don't need a license.
 

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Are there specific frequencies for VHF/UHF or channels for CB that are characteristically used by off-Roaders?
99% are in the CB band, all 40 CB channels are used. Those using VHF are in the 140-150 MHz band area. Keep in mind you need a ham license if you're in the 145 MHz ham band or a FCC business license if you're in the 150 MHz band just above the 2m ham band.
 
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