Old Antenna Newly Tuned Radio

[imadj]

First off I have a uniden 78LTW. I took it to my local cb shop and had it "tuned" he told me its putting out about 40 watts now. My question is, I have a 36" mag mount antenna I got from radio shack on the back of the packaging it says it will handle up to 20 watts. I still have my radio hooked up to this antenna, is it just limiting everything to 20 watts or how does that work?? How much would would it help it I upgraded my antenna to maybe a 'lil will? I'd go with something bigger but its going on top of a durango and I don't want to hit bridges. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

[Tinman590]

Hi, welcome to the forum. An antenna upgrade would help, the little wil is nice has good performance but if you could go to a wilson 1000 that would help even more. As far as putting 40 watts to that 20 watt antenna I dont think you will heat it up enough to damage it but I would still upgrade to a better antenna. I read here somewhere from one of these great people. " a $125 radio with a $20 antenna and you got a $20 setup" something like that. I hope my two cents helped


PS Id get a 108" whip lol nothing like the sound of stainless whip and a tree limb..

[Texas Mobil 219]

I agree with Tinman. A new 108 in whip will work great with that radio. I have a 78 ltw that has been peeked and tune with a swing kit.

I have one ? tho. How are you getting 40 watts out of it? Mine is tuned to the max and it only swings 20 watts.

['Doc]

The power rating for an antenna is very "iffy". It's determined by how the antenna is constructed, not so much it's 'style', but in the size of the components that make up that antenna. With most base loaded antennas, or antennas that use some sort of inductive matching, it's the size of the wire used in that/those coils. Smaller sized wire just won't handle as much current/power as larger sizes will.
All things considered, your antenna MAY work okay, maybe. But then, since 'they' rate it as only for about half of what you want to feed it, I'm not so sure it would be a real good idea. Find another antenna and be on the 'safer' side, you know? Which antenna? Uh uh, ain't going there, pick one you can live with.
- 'Doc

[Roper]

Good deal IMO I would go with a 102' SS whip with a 6' spring and that would make it 108's

[imadj]

well I would love to have a 108" but like I said I have a 4x4 durango. I would tear it up in no time going under bridges. Thats why I mentioned a lil will. I think I can clear overpasses with it. As for how am I getting 40 watts... I have no clue thats just what they told me I was hitting. If there is anyone in Indiana close to Lafayette that has a power meter I would love to see my radios power for myself.

[Texas Mobil 219]

I run a 108 whip. The thing smacks alotta trees and phone lines. The antenna stand at 15'6''to the tip when parked. But going down the highway its layes back and it hasn't hit a bridge yet.
One thing tho. This 108'' antenna from MFJ is a tough one. Its hit alot of stuff and it isn't bent yet. My 102'' tho got bent about two weeks after install.