fire stick

[steelrain]

have not seen anything on here about fire stick so are they junk or are they ok. Just put a cb in with a 3 foot fire stick. on a budget and not much to chose from at the local shop. also have a lot less static when my truck is off, is this normal. thanks for any help

[oknaz]

If i were you i'd contact Mike @ Radio Active the man know's radio's very well and can help you make a good choice . We also have other sponser's that are willing to help . But i'd contact mike he sales big radio's that are Super Wacked Packed that will swing big watt's and make it hear better . But for Fire Stik those are good antenna's but the best are Predator 10K or Mr.Coily or a Wilson 1000 , 5000 .


Just ask any of these guy's and they'll tell you what's good and bad .

[521 Houston]

have not seen anything on here about fire stick so are they junk or are they ok. Just put a cb in with a 3 foot fire stick. on a budget and not much to chose from at the local shop. also have a lot less static when my truck is off, is this normal. thanks for any help

Nothing wrong with a Firestik if it fits your installation needs. Couple of things to reduce noise - make sure you have a good ground on the antenna, and a good chassis ground from your battery. It's also best to run the radio power wires straight to the battery. Lots of times the electrical system and wiring in the car causes static interference. Running the power off the battery often times will help.

[Drifter]

Some folks like to run the power line straight to the battery, then get a very close ground, like a seat post bolt. Most auto installs will get noise, especially from fans and such. I run mine straight to the battery and get some noise, but I kinda expect that in a mobile. If you do run your power line straight to the battery, you MUST install a fuse for the power line right at the battery post. If it shorts out your in big trouble. My sons buddy installed a car stero with no fuse at the battery, the wire shorted in the fire wall, burnt his van down If you radio has automatic noise limiter, or some such, it helps a great deal with noise. My 148 GTL "anl" circuit does a nice job.

Firesticks are good antennas, just get the match down as low as possible and it should do a good job. I really like K40's myself, I love how they come off very quickly for going through the car wash. I think most here prefer Wilson who also make a fine antenna. I doubt you'd see any big difference, especially if you've already bought the Firestick. A good SWR match will be your biggest recieve and transmit difference regardless of the antenna.

[crazymikey555]

i have firstiks my self but i switch to a 102 she seems to work better so i'm thinking about getting the firstiks all together. pm if your interested there 4 foots

[Mr Gote]

IMO: If you have a tight budget go with the 102" stainless. It may not be the Monkey-made or the 10k but it definitely does a good job. I don't like firestiks myself.

Again, just my opinion

[Rex_foxhound]

As stated earlier, Firesticks rae ok. There are better antennas but if your happy with them, thats all that matters. As for the static, to get rid of most of it either get a filter or ground everything on your vehicle. Check out the "introduction to radios" for tips on grounding.

Where exactly is your 3 ft firestick mounted and what kind of vehicle is it?

[steelrain]

thanks for all the help. i have the fire stick mounted on my bed rail be hind the cab drivers side. 99 ford ranger. i think i will try running my power to the battery to cut down on noise then go from there. also i was thinking about getting the 4 or 5 foot fire stick and the three foot can go on my wifes jeep. thanks agin

[Drifter]

If your going to run the wire and need to buy it anyway... just go ahead and get 8 guage, although 10 gauge would probably be okay and a lot easier to find. The bigger the better. You want to run a stranded wire. Later on if you get hooked into radio bigtime, and want to run an export radio or a linear pushing 200 watts or so, you'll be all set up and not have to do it over. Don't forget the fuse at the battery!

[Rex_foxhound]

Walmart has a Amp Hookup Kit in the car audio section that has all the wire, fuses, and connectors that you'll need for about $25. Thats what I used.

I would suggest either gettin a taller firestick so it would come up over the top of the cab or move it away from the cab. Where it is now is not going to get you much signal because most of your signal will be firing right into the cab. You'll probably also be able to hear people behind you rather than in front of you because of the cab being in the way.

[steelrain]

thanks for the wal-mart tip for the wire and fuse and wire size i was going to ask that. curntley the antenna is only about a foot above my cab. didnt really want to drill in the cab or use a magnet so i think i will just go with a longer antenna. thanks for the help

[521 Houston]

thanks for the wal-mart tip for the wire and fuse and wire size i was going to ask that. curntley the antenna is only about a foot above my cab. didnt really want to drill in the cab or use a magnet so i think i will just go with a longer antenna. thanks for the help

DEFINITELY get a longer antenna! You need as much above the cab as possible. The firestiks are top loaded, and the higher above the cab the better. Also, consider moving your mount to the center of the bed rail behind the cab. Sitting to the side, it is directional towards the opposite side front.
Best location is center of the vehicle and as high as you can get it. So if not the roof, the center of the bed rail behind the cab is your next best choice.

[steelrain]

thanks i will relocate it to the center and get a longer ant. also when i get the longer ant. i think i will need a spring. so if i travel down the highway and the wind pushes the ant back will the effect my signal much since you tune with it straight up. or will a stiff spring hold it.

[521 Houston]

thanks i will relocate it to the center and get a longer ant. also when i get the longer ant. i think i will need a spring. so if i travel down the highway and the wind pushes the ant back will the effect my signal much since you tune with it straight up. or will a stiff spring hold it.

Don't worry about a spring, but ya might want to stick the antenna through a tennis ball so it don't beat the hell outta the back of your cab if you hit a tree limb or something. Slide the tennis ball down to just below the top of the roof but not on the glass for obvious reasons. The wind pushing the antenna back will effect the SWR some, but only a negligable amount, so don't sweat that part. You'll be ok.