Top 7 Best CB Base Station Antenna in 2023: Reviews & Buying Guide

f you came looking for the best CB base station antenna, then one of these two things is probably be true:

• You’re conversant with CBs and wanted to dive further into the amazing world of CBs
• You finally realized that the stock antenna that your CB radio came with isn’t the best

Whichever the case, one fact remains true. Without hooking your CB to an equally great antenna, you won’t be able to maximise the performance of your radio.

However, getting the best CB base antenna also comes with its own set of challenges. With the huge range of CB base antennas that you can find online, in can be a challenging task to identify the CB base antenna that is ideal for your setup.

Well, that’s where we come in. We’ll be highlighting seven of the best CB base antennas you can buy in 2023. Our top pick? The Solarcon A-99.

CB Base Station Antenna Comparison Table

 

What is a CB Base Station Antenna?

A base station CB antenna is an antenna designed for use with a Citizen’s Band (CB) radio system. It is typically used to transmit and receive signals from a CB radio base station, which is a permanent installation typically located at a fixed location such as a home or business.

Base station CB antennas come in a variety of designs and configurations, including:

• vertical,
• omnidirectional,
• directional,
• ground plane,

They can be mounted on a mast or pole, or attached to a wall or roof. They are typically larger than mobile CB antennas and are optimized for longer-range communications.

Ideally, base station CB antennas increase the range of your CB and allow it to communicate for longer distances. 

How To Choose The Best CB Base Station Antenna

To choose the best CB base antenna, you would need to know what you intend to use the antenna for (CB or Ham radio) and where you are going to place the antenna.

In addition, you must also assess the quality of the antenna as this will determine if will last or not. Low-quality CB base antennas usually use cheap materials that make them less durable.

1. Frequency range: Ensure that the antenna is designed for the frequency range of your CB radio.

2. Gain: Antennas with higher gain can provide more focused and directional signals, which can be useful for longer-range communications. 

3. Directionality: Omnidirectional antennas provide coverage in all directions, while directional antennas focus the signal in a specific direction and this generally means a longer range. Choose an omnidirectional antenna if you want to communicate with stations in all directions, or a directional antenna if you want to maximize the range in a specific direction.

4. Height: The higher the antenna is above the ground, the better the signal coverage will be. If you want to seriously boost the range, choose an antenna that can be mounted as high as possible.

5. Compatibility: Make sure that the antenna is compatible with your CB radio and the type of connector it uses.

6. Durability: Consider the elements you plan to use your antenna and choose an antenna that is designed to withstand those elements, especially if it will be installed outdoors.

Reviews of 7 Best CB Base Station Antennas

Solarcon A-99

The Solarcon A-99 is one of the few and true high-gain fiberglass antennas you can find on the market today. It is effortlessly powerful and it also doubles as one of the most versatile CB base antennas in its category. This is because the antenna is ideal for both 10m and 11m amateur use.

This whip fibreglass antenna can handle up to 2000W of PEP power which allows it to be used by very high-end CB radio systems or even powerful ham radios.

With insulation that can withstand up to 14,500V, you will have less to worry about picking up unnecessary noises during transmission or getting lightning strikes. In fact, you will hardly need a lightning arrestor.

We equally found its heavy-duty mounting plate convenient since it enables the radio to withstand strong winds. Standing tall at 17.5 feet, any antenna would have lots of difficulty staying in an upright position whenever it gets too windy.

The antenna is also easy to assemble since it comes in three sections which don’t require a lot of effort to fix.

PROS

• Lightweight for an antenna of its height
• Affordable
• Superior performance and it works great with many SWR meters
• Great quality (USA-made)
• Durable mounting plate
• It can withstand relatively intense winds

CONS

• Coating of the antenna susceptible to UV photodegradation
• The top section is not so strong against extreme winds

Solarcon IMAX-2000

Having survived all the way from the late 90s to date, you can probably tell that this is a high-quality antenna that is highly revered by CB enthusiasts. Formerly known as IMAX-2000, this antenna comes with a few perks that make it stand out from the other Solarcon antennas.

Unlike the Solarcon A-99 which stands at 17.5 feet, this full 5/8 wave antenna is 24 feet long. It comes in three 8-feet pieces that are easy to assemble. You certainly won’t need a manual to assemble it.

Other than that, it has a 5.1dBI gain and can support a broad bandwidth. The Solarcon IMAX-2000 performs exceptionally for bands that exceed traditional CB channels, and this means that you could practically have endless uses for it.

The CB base antenna can also handle up to 5000W of power which is phenomenal considering that most can handle 2000W. It is equally lighting protected like the Solarcon A-99 and has a superb wind rating of 100 MPH.

Expert Tip

To get the best out of the antenna, consider the following:

• Place the IMAX-2000 as high as you can wherever you’ll be installing it for the best performance
• Consider getting the radial kit. More radials will improve transmission efficiency

PROS

• Superior performance
• Great wind resistance

CONS

• None

Sirio Antenna Sirio GPE

You may criticize it for delivering less power (250W continuous and 750W short time). However, it is super ideal for use with a CB because it packs just the amount of power you need.

The antenna is not only ideal for CB use, but ham radio operators with mid-range ham radios. The bulk of the antenna is made of aluminum alloy 6063 T-832 which makes it strong and durable.

Similar to the IMAX-2000, this is a 5/8 wave ground plane antenna that supports a frequency range of 26-28 MHz. It can deliver a bandwidth of 1400KHz at S.W.R 2:1 while at the resonant frequency, it is capable of an SWR of 1.2:1. You won’t be relying too much on your SWR meter though since the radio can handle itself pretty well.

The design of the whip is also worth talking about. This antenna has a waterproof jointing sleeve which equates to less gradual damage to the radio because of the elements. In addition, it is also protected from static discharges and has a wind resistance of up to 75MPH.

PROS

• Easy to setup and install
• Fairly easy to tune
• Affordable
• Made from quality materials

CONS

• Limited power (250W)
• Has cheap plastic sleeves

Solarcon A-99CK

There are few differences between the Solarcon A-99CK and the Solarcon A-99. Whereas you can assemble the Solarcon A-99’s pieces to create an antenna that extends for 17.5′, the Solarcon A-99CK is a few inches short and comes in at 17 feet. Similarly, the A-99CK also ships in 3 pieces as well.

Another similarity is the amount of power that the antenna can handle. This CB base antenna handles up to 2000W of power like the A-99. Considering that ham radios are also limited to 1500W, the Solarcon A-99CK would also double as a ham radio operator’s ideal antenna.

This half-wave antenna is insulated for up to 14,500V. As such, you shouldn’t be too worried about lightning strikes and getting static discharge units.

In addition, the A-99CK comes with the Solarcon Twin Ring Adjust-a-Match tuning. It enables you to tune the input to the antenna so that you can obtain the ideal SWR over a wide range of frequencies. Simply raise the ring to raise the frequency or lower the ring to bring down the frequency.

Since this antenna uses the standard PL-259 connector, you can hook it up with any other compatible radio.

PROS

• Lightweight
• Impressive performance
• Durable mounting plate

CONS

• None

Workman Saturn B100

The Workman Saturn B100 is also popularly known as the Workman Signal-mate or simply Saturn B100. It might not be as powerful as the Solarcon antennas, but for CB radios, the Saturn B100 is more than enough.

It can handle a maximum of 500W PEP, and it operates on a frequency range of 26-39MHz which is equally ideal for 11-meter radios. In addition, this low-profile CB base antenna is not as tall as many of the other antennas since it only measures 39″ and would require you to have a PL-259 compatible coax cable that is approximately 18 feet long.

While relatively short, it does come with some great advantages. For one, it provides the less wind resistance when compared to many other antennas. This means that it can stay upright longer even in adverse weather conditions and still provide you with the service you need.

Other than that, since it is fully weatherproof, you won’t need to retract the antenna because of poor weather conditions.

The Saturn B100 also pushes versatility to new heights. Since it measures 39″ and requires a coax cable, you have the liberty to place the antenna in a hidden location which will be harder to spot. This is slightly tricky with a regular-sized antenna.

PROS

• Powerful and ideal for CB radio
• Weatherproof
• Low bleed over

CONS

• Short and requires lengthy coax for best results

Tram Amateur Dual Band Base Antenna

Tram’s amateur dual band base antenna is a great choice for those who would love an all-around antenna that focuses on performance and versatility.

This omnidirectional CB base antenna is made using heavy-duty fibreglass, making it durable and rugged enough to survive extreme conditions. The antenna uses an anti-cordial aluminum tube and comes with plastic arm brackets that further reinforce the radio’s radials.

The radio also packs some decent features that make its moderately powerful. For one, the base station antenna operates around the 26.5 to 30 MHz frequency which is the frequency in which CB radios operate too. Since it goes past the 27MHz frequency, ham operators who aren’t looking for extremely powerful antennas can thus pick up this CB base antenna too.

It has a power capacity of 200W which is low for ham operators who have radios that can handle over 1000W. Nevertheless, since CB radios are capped at 4W and 12W for SSB, there’s no reason why you should disregard the Tram Amatuer Dual Band Base Antenna over other antennas.

Additionally, since it extends over 17 feet, you won’t be needing lengthy coax cables as was the case with the Workman B-100.

Expert Tip

Make sure to apply silicone sealant on all the joints. Also, whenever you need to tune the radio, you can always pull apart the elements by backing out the set screw near its SO-239 connector.

PROS

• Durable construction
• Good quality and minimal background noise

CONS

• None

Sirio Antenna m400

If you need a mid-range CB base antenna that is not overkill and is well-balanced, then perhaps the Sirio m400 might be the antenna for you. It has an SWR of less than 1.5 at resonant frequency and can deliver 1000W of power continuously and 3000W (PEP) power in a short time.

We found that the reception on the CB radio is great on all 40 channels, and this must mean Sirio packed in just enough power to make the radio perfect for CB owners who are just starting out.

Its transmitting range is not the best, but when paired with a mid-range CB radio, there is little to complain about.

PROS

• Low SWR
• Good transmitting range
• Good reception on all 40 channels

CONS

• Unclear instruction sheet

What to Consider Before Buying a CB Base Station Antenna

CB base antennas are slightly different from your conventional CB antennas in that one of their main goals is to offer extreme performance. With that said, here are a few things you should keep in mind when going to purchase a CB base antenna:

Cable Length

The length of cable you require will depend on the type of CB base antenna you pick and where you intend to install it. Short antennas like the Workman B-100, for instance, require lengthy coax cables. This might come as an additional cost to you and can be a mood killer especially if you budgeted everything to the last cent.

Thus, you need to know the antenna you’ll be picking since the price tag you see while shopping might just be one of the costs that you are going to incur.

Antenna Quality

CB base antennas can naturally handle all sorts of harsh conditions. As such, picking an antenna that has durable components is a sure way to prevent yourself from spending another +$50 on a CB base antenna.

Since antennas are merely accessories that you can use with different types of radios, many have cropped up in the market. This has made it a bit challenging to simply rely on a brand to assess the quality of an antenna. A far better way would be to read reviews about an antenna that you liked first.

Power

While buying any CB base antenna puts you miles ahead of someone who is still using a stock CB antenna, it is equally good to consider the power-handling capabilities of an antenna.

Typically, you can find CB base antennas that can handle anything from 200W to 2000W. However, if you intend to use the antenna for other purposes e.g. with ham radio, then it would be wiser to aim for the more powerful antennas as they will give you the best value for your money.

Typically, the more power the antenna can handle, the clearer the better it will be at receiving both strong and weak signals and this will result in overall good audio quality. On the same note, it would also be a good idea to consider whether you want a dual antenna setup or the conventional setup.

Mount Location

If you’ll be picking the CB base antenna for use in your vehicle, you should know that there are specific areas where you can get stronger signals. For example, placing the antenna at the highest point with half of the antenna over your vehicle’s roofline will give you the best performance.

Final Verdict on the Best CB Base Station Antenna

Evidently, there’s more to CB base antennas than most people think. For one, most of these antennas are versatile and could equally be used with ham radios. This is because they can handle a lot of power which lies within the limits of ham radios.

However, your primary focus whenever selecting a CB base antenna should be the purpose you intend to use it for. If you’re aiming for something that we think sits in a sweet spot, we recommend the Solarcon A-99.