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How to Build a No Ground CB Antenna

A no ground CB antenna can function without a ground connection, such as a cold water pipe. This antenna can be erected vertically with four radial wires hanging below. The radials create an artificial ground that balances the impedance, or resistance to the flow of current, between the antenna and CB radio. When this matching occurs, the radio can deliver maximum power to the antenna, providing optimal transmission strength. The amateur CB radio hobbyist can use this antenna at home or in the field.

Things You'll Need

Speaker wire, 16- to 18-gauge, 27 feet long
Coaxial cable, 50-ohm, 10 feet long
Coaxial connector
Wire-stripping tool
Electrical tape
Soldering iron and solder
Utility knife
Ring terminal lug, solderless
Pliers
Small piece of twine

Instructions

- 1
  Separate the speaker wire, and cut five single wires, each 105-inches long. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from one end of each wire.
- 2
  Remove 1 inch of insulation from an end of the coaxial cable. Pull the braided insulation back over the cable. Strip 1/2-inch of plastic insulation from the inner copper wire.
- 3
  Solder one 105-inch wire to the inner copper wire of the coaxial cable. This will be the antenna wire. Solder the four remaining 105-inch wires to the braided insulation. Stagger the wires around the cable. These will be the radial wires.
- 4
  Wrap electrical tape around the coaxial cable and wires. This will take the strain from the solder joints.
- 5
  Crimp a connector to the free end of the coaxial cable that fits the external antenna jack of your CB radio.
- 6
  Crimp a ring terminal lug to the top of the antenna wire. Tie a loop of twine through the ring terminal. Hang the antenna from the twine, allowing the four radial wires to dangle.
- 7
  Connect the antenna to the radio.

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