I think i've settled on this radio:
But I don't know what to do about an antenna. I think a firestik would look better but from some sources I've read that a whip provides significantly better range. Just looking for opinions. I'm new to CB so if I sound stupid, don't flame me.

 

I have a firestick and in my opinion they look a lot better than whip antennas, even though whips work a lot better.... I don't use my cb very much but it works alright on the interstate, I use it more for the PA system. If ur planning on using it a lot and don't mind the look of a whip then I would go with that. Its just whenever I think of a whip I think of the POS old chevy stepside trucks that r lifted with terrible sounding exhaust that ride around my town with the tennis ball on the whip.... Just my opinion

 

i think ive decided on a firestik, i just dont know if i should do 1 or 2 of them and then a 3' or a 4'. ive heard that having 2 can cause problems somehow (once again, im new to this) so i need some advice

 

Those reviews sound really great. What antenna are you getting?

 

You might really wana consider your CB options. You get what you pay for. Are you looking for a small CB is that why you chose that Midland? There are some better options. Also a place like amazon probably won't do the peak n tunes on the radio which help it receive and transmit better. You might wanna checkout www.sparkyscbshack.com - A lot of the big CB gurus like that place. (or just call him and talk to him, very friendly guy) as far as antenna's go..Do only one antenna. There is a whole big techincial thing about it. A lot of times you'll see guys with 2 antennas because it looks "cool" but they won't have it hooked up. You can also check out CBRADIOTALK.com for a lot of info. If you're gonna be doing offroading. You might wanna consider the wilson 5000k magnet mount. It puts out good. You can always remove when you need to get into parking garages. ANd the steel whip will take a much better beating then the fiberglass. I know... I've taken many fiberglass antennas off the mirrors. Another thing to consider is if you're gonna get into linears. (big power, puts out a lot further) then you need a better antenna.

 

i have wilson 1000 and if you tune the fiberglass antanas they work really well i think the fiberglass ones look alot better then wips firesticks is a really good brand and so is wilson it just depends on how big you want themand what color

 

i have a cobra cb from walmart for $30, it works great, same features as that midland, i run dual fiberglass whips, one a firestik, the other is a cheaper firestik style whip, ran one for awhile then added the firestik, to be honest, i really can't tell much difference, maybe its cuz the cheaper radio, the tunable tip made it easy to tune but the other one was really close without tuning it anyway, the biggest thing i've noticed with radios is to get one with an RF gain **** to get rid of road noise, i get alot of tire hum through the speaker of mine

 

thanks for the help. i picked up a 4' firestik and a bed mount

 

One more tip locktight your stick to your bed mount.

 

Location is everything when you place your antenna.The antenna location determines the radiation pattern of how the antenna with xmit.Having two antennas co phased(meaning one mounted on the left&right side of the truck)gives the best range.As a signal is xmitted,the radiation pattern is that of an oval shape pattern&not a perfect circle.Two antennas mounted shotgun to each other helps the range that other antenna misses.If you just mount a huge whip antenna on the bumper or something,the greatest range will be to the front of the vehicle&very limited to the rear,so so either side.
Thing you have to remeber about CB radios.They xmit on the 11 meter band which are the shortwave frequencies.MEANING that when atmospheric conditions are right,its prone to alot of inteference&you will be lucky if you get out a mile!The sunspots have a lot to do with what happens on the CB band.The sunspot cycle is quiet for now so range should be decent depending on conditions.A nice SSB unit would be nice too(Single Sideband)&you can have increased range with this radio.
had my share of CBs back in the 70s&had fun with them