When it comes to dual CB antennas, there is quite a bit of misinformation out there. Some swear by dual CB antennas and claim they are better than singles in every way, but is that true?
On average, dual CB antennas are a better choice for truckers because they:
- Reduce signal blind spots caused by your own trailer and other obstacles on the road
- Increase your range in front and behind your truck at the cost of a shorter range on either side
While that’s a basic summary of the main advantages of dual antennas, there’s much more to the story. We’ll investigate whether they truly work better, how long your dual antennas should be, and everything else you need to know about them.
Do Dual CB Antennas Work Better?
There are numerous reasons you might want to consider installing dual antennas. It’s not uncommon to hear some truckers swear by them and claim they outperform single antennas in every single way. It’s also not hard to believe that people will do anything to get better range, since a CB radio is essential gear and helps stave off loneliness.
But the real story is much more complicated than that. Of the claims made about dual antennas, the two most popular are that they give you a longer range and their signal is never interrupted.
Let’s go over each claim individually.
Partial Myth: Dual CB Antennas Give You Longer Range
This one is half true and half not. When it comes to range and radio frequencies, things don’t always act as common sense might indicate.
Dual CB antennas don’t extend your range—that depends more on your antenna height and radio power—but they do modify the shape of your range. The explanation behind this has to do with how radio and antennas interact electromagnetically, but we’ll keep it simple today.
The practical upshot of this is that your range with dual antennas is extended much further in front of and behind your truck, but your range on either side of the truck is much shorter.
If you think of a single antenna’s range like a circle, then a dual antenna setup’s range is more like a long ellipse. This is usually an upgrade since you typically want to talk to people in front and behind you on the road, anyway—just remember to mount the antennas at least 5’ apart or you’ll have poor performance. 8 feet or more is ideal.
But if you drive in a setting where you need good range in 360 degrees, like on a survey team or on a large construction site, then it’s best to stick to a tall single antenna setup.
Truth: Dual CB Antennas Give You Better Reception
This one is actually correct. Radio waves of any kind can easily be blocked by any number of things, including your own trailer.
Having dual antennas means that you have far fewer “blind spots” for your signal and it won’t be blocked nearly as often. Since you have an antenna on either side of your trailer, there aren’t many places a signal can come from where your trailer will block it from both antennas.
What is The Best Dual CB Antenna?
If you’ve decided that a dual setup is going to work best for you, then you’re in luck—we have a stellar recommendation.
Our pick for the best dual CB antenna is a pair of Firestick FS-4 tunable antennas. Not only are Firestik antennas known to be absolutely bulletproof, but a pair of these 4’ antennas are rated to handle up to 900 watts.
These Firestik antennas also:
- Have a range of 4-7 miles (depending on conditions)
- Come in 4 different colors
- Have Firestik’s patented “Easy-Tune” tip for quick adjustments
- Contain a high quality loading coil, as opposed to many other cheap antennas
Keep in mind that the antennas themselves don’t come with mounts, studs, or a coax cable, so pick up a good set of both of those as well. Here’s our recommendations:
- For mounts: A pair of these Pro Trucker 3-Way mounts can handle the 5’ length of the Firestik antennas.
- For studs: Get a pair of Firestik K-4A studs to go with your antennas—the two make a pretty pair and the quality is as good as the antenna.
- A coax cable: This thick, heavy-duty cable from TruckSpec has 18’ of high quality cabling to make sure both of your antennas can reach the cab.
All of those items together make for a killer dual CB setup. With 6+ miles of range up and down the road, easy tune antennas, and bulletproof studs and mounts, the days of dropping signals around every turn are over.
Dual CB Antennas: Usually Better
Now that you’re armed with information on dual CB antennas, you can make an informed choice on whether they’re the answer for you.
In most cases, truckers can only benefit from a dual antenna setup. It will give you longer range where you need it and keep your signal from dropping in most directions.
However, they aren’t magic and aren’t the best for everyone. If you have no complaints with your current single antenna setup, or drive in places where you need good 360 degree range, then they may not be a good fit for you.