Antenna accessories.

Accessories.
There are many different accessories available for CB antennas. Some accessories are designed to improve your distance, some are to help with ease of use, and others just look good or simply allow your wallet to dissipate extra cash.

Antenna switch.
If you have 2 or more CBs at the same location, but only use one at a time, a switch is used to change which radio is connected to that antenna. This can save messing about unscrewing the plug and screwing it in the other radio.

BEWARE: Only one radio has a load connected, so transmitting on the wrong radio could cause serious damage. Although there may be electronic versions that automatically work out which radio is transmitting, as such devices use the RF to do the switching, they are illegal for use on UK CB.

Quick connect plug.
The alternative to a switch, is a quick connect plug.
This plug has no threads on the inside so, rather than being screwed on, this plug just slides on.
The main use of this would be for someone testing many radios, such as in a repair environment.

BEWARE: You must remember which radio has the antenna connected, as transmitting on the wrong radio could cause damage to it's output. Problems can also occur if the connections are not tight.

Antenna ring.
These are designed to improve the distance of transmission by modifying the radiation pattern of a mobile antenna. They are clamped on to a mobile antenna, just above the loading coil.
Although these may look impressive, I doubt if you will notice any difference in distance.
For base antennas, which are more rigid, adding a proper capacity hat to the top can make a difference.

Antenna matcher.
Used to match the antenna to the CB radio.
Please note that this will NOT improve the efficiency, and other problems which can be caused by a high SWR (such as interference to TVs) may still exist. However, this may prevent damage to the radio if the SWR is otherwise high.
This should only be used as an emergency or short term measure, the best option is to correctly tune the antenna to match the radio.

Antenna splitter.
This device allows you to connect your CB radio and car stereo to one CB antenna. The CB antenna plugs into one end, and the two leads are connected to the CB and the car stereo system.

Antenna light.
Also called a Wally light, this fits to the top of the antenna and lights up whenever you transmit. The light is easily fitted, it simply fits on the tip and is tightened in place by a small screw in the bottom of the light.

The device needs NO wiring, it contains a neon bulb which is lit by the high voltage generated at the tip of the antenna when you transmit.