chopping an antenna

[87hillbillyoter]

hey guys i know nothing about antennas or whatever so if this is a stupid question tell me. i bought a 5 n a half foot antenna not thinking that it would hit everything above me on the trail until i wheeled with it. well im gettin sick of that clanging noise and i wanted to know if i could just cut it down a little bit. ive heard you cant, and ive also heard you can. thanks yall

[crazykooter]

If your just going to talk to people close by then your fine.  The length of the antenna is more about distance.  Example is when your adjusting your CBs SWR which is how you tune your CB to get maximum distance.  When adjusting this you simply raise and lower the antenna till it matches.  So cut it but dont expect it to get out that far.  Also where you mount it has to do with the distance as well.  If its a fiberglass whip then remove the rubber cap on the end then cut and put the cap back on.

[87hillbillyoter]

thanks man. yea thats the one thing keeping me from cutting it. i dont know if you can see it in this pic but this is where its mounted 

[crazykooter]

I wouldnt bother cutting that.  Its a steal whip and looks to be a wilson 3000 or 5000.  Just move it down to the bed rail if you can.  If you must cut it then cut it so the top of the antenna is what you plan to keep.  You want to keep the tip as high as you for the best range.

[86rustbucket]

dont cut it,   it wont work for if you do, you might as well give it away
just sell it and buy a magnetic mounts with a short rubber whip

[TURBO]

check the faq