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My dad gave me an Uniden Pro 510XL CB. I need to get an antenna, but I don't really know what type to get. I was on this website http://www.walcottcb.com and noticed that there are baseloaded, center loaded, and external loaded types. I don't really want a magnet base, and nothing exotic as this is a free radio.
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2009 Flex limited, everything except navigation, and the cooler in the back armrest.
2002 Ford Ranger, 4.0l 4X4, lifted, 35" tires
1999 Ford F350 ex. cab, long box, 4X4, 6 speed, manual hubs,171k, build date 7-98
For a good inexpensive antenna that will perform well check out a Francis fiberglass antenna. Either 4' or 4 1/2 foot long. No need to set the SWR after mounting, they are non adjustable. As long as you have a good ground to it you shouldn't have a problem. I prefer to mount mine on the mirror arm but they also work well mounted on the bed rail behind the cab. You just have to figure out how to run the coax cable which should be a piece that is 18-21 feet long.
You can pick up the antenna at most any truckstop for less than $20.00. A mirror mount and coax will be around another $15.00.
That little Uniden is a good little radio, nothing fancy but with a good antenna and coax they really work pretty good.
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"Early" '99, 4-98, F350 2WD CC DRW Lariat, Diablo tuner, Swamps 20* HPOP, 4" turbo back straight pipe & a 5" tip, S&B 12" open element air filter, CCV mod, EBV gutted, Vedder's built 4R100 with triple disk convertor, 6.0 trans cooler, Dfuser T/C lockup mod, DieselSite coolant filter, DieselSite TurboMaster, ITP reg fuel return, 4:10 gear w/lmtd slip,Centramatics, Western Diesel gauges, AIC, Ride Rite air bags & onboard compressor kit, Super-Vu convex mirrors, R.D.S. 91 gal. diamond plate aux fuel tank & toolbox combo, B&W gooseneck & 18K companion 5th wheel setup, Rhino lined, Drawtite 1,000lb leveler bars, Drawtite Activator II, Brown's Welding shop (New Braunfels,Tx)full grill/bumper/headlight guard, TurboNet V-Gate.
The antenna is not the problem, are you willing to drill holes in your truck? If not, you need something like the mirror mount or a trunk mount. Then most anysize whip antenna will work.
I use Francis 3'ers from home made hood mounts. Best place for an antenna is center of your roof.
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97 F250 SC LB 4X4 PSD TDE0, E4OD,3.55's, 285/70/16"s ,Modified fuel tank vents, 375+k headed for 500k
Back in the 80's they sold combination AM/FM/CB antennas that replaced your factory unit and had a splitter for the different frequencies. I believe JC Whitney carried them.
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1985 International rollback, 6.9L 5 speed "Li'l Big Truck"
Currently using MAG mount, but also have mounted elsewhere.
Have mounted on mirrors, but one's with metal arms. I'm thinking want work without ground on newer style plastic mirrors??? If so, more reason to go with mag.mount (center of roof cab/mentioned) Groundless antenna maybe still avail. one I used never performed very well. Otherwise get the drill out.
As mentioned low cost antenna will work ok. You'll probably get a descent swr match with francis (plug/play),but without swr meter you really want know. Other's are swr adjustable & IIRC have basic info. for setting swr without meter. Good luck!
btw..why do we mention importance of SWR's. Loose of signal strength etc. Extreme, but anyone ever puke cb due to extremely hi swr's. Don't ask me how I know. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
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