Retractable antenna possible?

[the Goat]

Hi all,

I have a 2008 f-250 crewcab and it does fit in my garage. The factory AM/FM antenna rubs on the door frame when I drive into my garage. I have about two inches of clearance between the cab roof marker lights and the door frame. So if I add a CB antenna that sticks up much higher then the cab roof it will hit.

Is there such a thing as a retractable CB antenna? Or can I get good performance from an antenna the size of the the factory AM/FM antenna?

[Lonestar]

There used to be AM/FM/CB power antennas that install in place of the standard AM/FM antenna, but I've not seen one in years. They were made by several companies, with varying levels of quality and "tunability." Ofttimes, even the best of them offered performance below a separate, dedicated CB antenna.

Diamond Antenna markets a retractable antenna mount that lowers to horizontal; I think that there is a 3/8"-mount version in addition to the NMO type that I've seen. It may be a bit pricey.

[linx]

You could always do something like STBR did on this thread: [Please login or register to view this link]

[the Goat]

Diamond Antenna markets a retractable antenna mount that lowers to horizontal; I think that there is a 3/8"-mount version in addition to the NMO type that I've seen. It may be a bit pricey.

Thanks for the tip about the diamond antenna motorized mount. Looks to cost about $100. That could work. It is rated for antennas up to 45" in length. What would be the best antenna length to use? Half of 102" would be 51" which would over load the Diamond antenna just a bit.

[Lonestar]

Thanks for the tip about the diamond antenna motorized mount. Looks to cost about $100. That could work. It is rated for antennas up to 45" in length. What would be the best antenna length to use? Half of 102" would be 51" which would over load the Diamond antenna just a bit.

Hmm...off the top of my head, if you're not running gobs of power, a Radiall/Larsen NMO-27 baseload might fit the bill, attached to the Diamond NMO motorized mount.

['Doc]

Is a retractable antenna possible? Sure, why not? Only depends on how much time/effort/money you want to invest in it. Or, the 'other' way of thinking about it, what are you willing to give up to get what you want? If you can't find just what you want, design the thing and find someone to make it for you (not easy, but far from impossible).
- 'Doc

(I can give you the name of someone who made a mount for me! His name's 'Boner', biker dude, owns 'Shovelhead's bar, does this sort of stuff on the 'side'. He likes anchovy pizzas of all things. Which reminds me, I owe him one, euyuck! Oh well.)