Do I need a "No-Grounding-Pane" type CB antenna? What was installed OEM for 2005

[Mike Shumack]

BCS has one in stock ($16.80) so I have that coming.
Mike in sales, did not know whether or not it is a "non-ground-plane" type or not. But it is listed as the correct CB antenna for the Monaco/Beaver. If I can figure out what type it is once I have it in hand, I'll post back for anyone else that may need one some day.

[Bill Lampkin]

For that price, I'll bet its a 3' SS whip. NGP Firestics are more like $50. I mounted my SS whip to a spring mount so it can bend with the branches. Once you get the new antenna, you'll have to hook up an Swr meter to the antenna cable as it enters the Cobra radio box. Assume your's is a Cobra all in one like mine, all controls on the mike. It takes a contortionist to squeeze in front of the driver's seat, using only one arm, to connect the Swr meter. Then several trips up the ladder to make small (1/16") adj to the length of the antenna until the SWr is below 1.5. Someone on another forum was promoting the use of CH 13, I believe, for use by RV'ers.

[Mike Shumack]

Well BCS called me back and said it was not in stock (as their computer said) so he told me the Monaco part is "AU3-M-W" (Procomm I think) which they get from CB World.  I Googled that and found it - and I ordered one.

I still don't know what "type" it is, but it should will work so problem solved.

https://www.wearecb.com/au3-w-m-white-super-flex-antenna-3-feet.html

[Mike Shumack]

Assume your's is a Cobra all in one like mine, all controls on the mike.


 It takes a contortionist to squeeze in front of the driver's seat, using only one arm, to connect the Swr meter. Then several trips up the ladder to make small (1/16") adj to the length of the antenna until the SWr is below 1.5. Someone on another forum was promoting the use of CH 13, I believe, for use by RV'ers.

Yes, that's the CB I have.
I don't have an SWR meter. I'll have to use as is or go to a shop to have it adjusted. I did see a link to "antenna tuning" on the CB World website. I read up that process.

[Bill Lampkin]

Radio Shack used to sell SWR meters. Might find one at a garage sale. Inexpensive. If you don't tune your antenna for best SWR, you can damage the output side of the radio. SWR only comes into play when transmitting.

[Jerry Emert]

Assume your's is a Cobra all in one like mine, all controls on the mike.


 It takes a contortionist to squeeze in front of the driver's seat, using only one arm, to connect the Swr meter. Then several trips up the ladder to make small (1/16") adj to the length of the antenna until the SWr is below 1.5. Someone on another forum was promoting the use of CH 13, I believe, for use by RV'ers.

Yes, that's the CB I have.
I don't have an SWR meter. I'll have to use as is or go to a shop to have it adjusted. I did see a link to "antenna tuning" on the CB World website. I read up that process.

Pretty cheap!
https://www.amazon.com/METER-Radio-Antennas-Jumper-cable/dp/B002KRME3C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=11CV1QNKG5HNT&keywords=swr+meter+for+cb+radio&qid=1567077945&s=gateway&sprefix=swr+meter%2Caps%2C360&sr=8-3

[Mike Shumack]

Jerry, I'm a retired mechanic, not retired Navy electronics tech. 
I wouldn't know how to use that thing.

[Jerry Emert]

Jerry, I'm a retired mechanic, not retired Navy electronics tech. 
I wouldn't know how to use that thing.

LOL, pretty easy I'll be home in a couple of weeks!

[Paul Meehan]

Call CB World and ask if the antenna is a NGP or not. Those folks are very helpful

Paul

[Bill Lampkin]

I did some poking around on Firestick's website and their NGP antennas use the supplied, proprietary coax as the ground plane, so the price includes the antenna and 17' of their coax; $63, if I remember correctly.  I used one of their non-NGP antennas until the trees took it out (again).