FireStik 5 feet II TUNABLE TIP BLACK

Selected the 5" Firestick for my fender/hood mount position on pick-up truck. Needed some length to get the height over the cab height. Extended the adjuster all the way out which made the SWR usable, but not great due to my mounting location (1.6 to 2.1 on channels 1 and 40). I was able to make it much better by adding a quick disconnect for extra height. Without further adjustment, I am now at 1.4 or 1.5 SWR on both channels. This is good enough, but I might try to now shorten the Firestick adjuster to see if I can get it even lower. Happy with this antenna. Not sure about durability at this point, but it should be fine.

This is my first FireStik. I am a Ham radio operator with roots in CB. I decided that I wanted to put a CB back into my truck, just to be prepared. I used a diamond k400 3/8 mount on my door hopping that I would not have a problem tuning this antenna not being in the center of my roof. To my delight, the antenna gave me an SWR of 1.5 right out of the package. The antenna was tuned short. By simply by letting the screw out I was able to easily tune it until the needle on the meter just twitched. I live in upstate NY and was making contacts in AL, SC, NC, and GA with a stock, unmodified radio. Amazingly simple to tune, so far its holding up very well. The only complaint I have is the red cap on top.

I have this antenna installed on my 1997 Geo Tracker and the performance is great. Previously I had a 102 inch steel whip with a six inch spring in order the achieve the full 108 inch quarter wave installed on the spare tire carrier. No matter how I tuned it, it could never get the SWR below 2.0:1 on channel 1 and 2.2:1 on channel 40. I installed this antenna and the SWR instantly dropped to 1.2:1 on channel 1 and 1.5:1 on channel 40. I twisted the tuning bolt out about two turns and had the SWR at 1.1:1 on channel 1 and 1.2:1 on channel 40. I am completely satisfied with that. The antenna came packaged in FireStik's blister pack, exactly as you might see it hanging for sale on a truck stop wall. I ordered the black one which included a red tip. Installation into my 3/8-24 stud was quick and simple with the integrated half inch nut at the base. A couple of notes: CB antennas are NOT plug and play. While you might be able to use them without tuning you run the risk of at best, not optimizing your power output, and at worst frying your radio. With a $20 SWR meter, you could have your antenna installed and tuned in a half hour. When tuning the FireStik, make sure that you take the SWR readings with the removable tip in place. It does make a difference. Put a squirt of WD40 inside the tip before you put it on so that it's easier to remove until you have your tuning done. Giving the entire FireStik a rub down with WD40 will also help prevent ice buildup in the winter. I'll be sure to update this review after I've had some more time to judge the performance.

I have a mixed review on this antenna and part of it is my own fault. My fault- given my mounting location, an Orfab tire carrier on a 2010 Jeep Wrangler with a Firestik HD spring, the tip of the antenna is about 10.5 feet high. I hit everything with it... On the plus side, it has taken a beating and still looks like it did the day I installed it, very durable piece. Tuning- The tuning knob in the tip is incredibly sensitive. Less than 1/8 of a turn can "make or break" your tuning efforts. I was able to get mine tuned to .95 on channel 1, 1.1 on ch. 40 and very impressed. I am about 18 miles from the interstate over somewhat hilly terrain and had no problem sending or receiving to that point in less than optimal weather conditions... Then I installed the rubber tip and my SWR went to 2.5-2.6 giving me a WTF moment. Remove the tip and right back to the previous numbers. I was able to get down near 1.5 with the tip on. I have the patience of a ferret on crystal meth, so this is as far as my tuning went. I have excellent send and receive both using this antenna with a Uniden Bearcat 980SSB. Overall, this is a great antenna and far easier to tune than any others I have used. Definitely a Firestik customer for life. I plan to relocate this antenna to my bumper before spring so that I can ride with my rear glass open until naked weather gets here, so I will update my review when that is completed.

This is the best antenna for CB or 10 Meter band (can be tuned to either band). I don’t want to put a 102” whip on my truck, been there, done that. I installed this on the opposite side of my sup gainer 2m/70cm antenna where not only does it look appropriate it works exceptionally well. On 10 meters talking from Texas to New York or California is no problem at all (Icom IC7100 transceiver). I added a heavy duty spring to the installation so if I enter a parking garage I can just bend it over at latch it with a bungee cord. This is the second time I’ve owned a Firestik 5/8ths wave antenna. Next time I need one I’ll be getting the same model again if possible.

When testing for the very first time, I made contact to someone on the highway about 10 miles from my house with poor line sight. Right out of the box the antenna measured at 1.1:1 on channel 1 and 1.3:1 on 40 so no adjustment was needed. My absolute favorite antenna of all time!

Wow, 5 stars out of the box guys. Low SWR and durable. I have this mounted on a Chevy Malibu Sedan with the Firstik magnet mount and Heavy spring. It hasn't blown off yet even at 80+ mph. It does bend more than the 3 footer but nothing crazy. The range is amazing here in Florida. I got 2-3 miles with the 3 foot version. I'm getting 6-10 miles with this antenna. The furthest has been 12 miles but that was line of sight on a good weather day down hill. I'm so impressed with this I'm wanting to mount one on my jeep Tj.

I ordered the black on to match the color of my pick up. This bad boy has good range, have not played with it too much but through woods and across a lake I've been able to reach 3 miles behind me traveling in the opposite direction. I have it mounted just behind the cab on driver side to the bed. I did not have to mess with it in regards to tuning. My bearcat 880 has tuning ability and am running 1.0 swr on both channel 1 and 40 without needing to mess with the antenna tuning at all. The antenna does not come with a mount at all which was expected. I'm in Florida, Orlando area.

Awesome antenna. If you're looking for a fiberglass stick. This is it. None better!

As with all Firestik products, great quality!

Have not tested it out yet (next weekend I will), but fits well, and got some excellent SWR from it.