FireStik® - Firefly™ No-Ground Plane CB Antenna Kit

These kits utilize a stylish mount made specifically for mounting on the vertical side of a vehicle or structure. Aside from being a NGP kit, the main feature of these kits is that they utilize a lightweight antenna. The antennas are at least 40% lighter than the heavy-duty antenna used in the FGX-648 kits. This offers a more stylish look, while at the same time reducing mount stress that is caused by physical weight and wind load.
ANTENNA: The antennas used in these kits utilize the same 5/8 wave design as the patented tunable-tip FireFly antennas. The antenna's frequency is altered in order to maintain a desirable center band position when used with the tuned coaxial feedline. Accordingly, these antennas may only be used with the Firestik NGP cable. The core material is a 5/16-inch (0.313" or 8 mm) diameter reinforced plastic (fiberglass) tube. Custom blended formula offers a preferred balance of flexibility and strength. The chrome plated machine brass mounting base has standard 3/8"-24 threads. A high efficiency, voltage increasing helical wind is utilized. Heavy insulated, light-gauge copper wire is used to guard against shorted coils and corrosion induced resistance commonly found on non-Firestik brand antennas. The antenna used in these kits have patented "no tools required" tunable tip for fast and easy SWR adjustments. The rated wattage for these kits is 100 watts. Each antenna is covered with a static reducing, heavy PVC shrink tubing with both pigment and UV stabilizers mixed in. Available colors are black, red or white with a black tip.
COAXIAL FEEDLINE: The seventeen' (5.2 m) coaxial cable used in these kits is of the highest quality. As a matter of fact. NGP cable assembly utilizes a custom manufactured coaxial cable that can only be found at Firestik. Unable to find the performance characteristics in any of the commercially available coaxial cable. designed own. First use a multi-wire stranded center conductor to the prevent breakage that can occur with solid center conductor cable. A condition known as "cold working" occurs where vibration is present and this action can cause solid conductors to become brittle and eventually break. Surrounding the center conductor is a long life, flexible, polyethelene insulation. Since shielding is extremely critical on NGP systems, used a double shield around the center conductor. First, a 100% aluminum tape covers the center conductor insulator and then a copper wire braid (averages 95% coverage versus the industry standard of 70%) is applied over the aluminum tape. The coaxial feedline, besides being the conduit for the signal to reach the antenna, serves as a tuned circuit that creates the necessary counterpoise. If a longer cable length is required, the user may add standard RG-58 A/U cable between the radio and system cable, preferably in lengths that are multiples of nine feet. Because it is a tuned circuit, the length cannot be reduced without causing non-repairable damage. Should the cable become damaged, order replacement cable model K-8NGP.
MOUNT AND HARDWARE: These kits use molded "teardrop" side mount. The black plastic shell has a textured finish to keep it looking nice. All hardware and coax connections are hidden in the inner wall of the vehicle to maintain visual integrity and prevent weather exposure. For additional contact protection, a spring may be added between the antenna and the mount. If you choose to add a spring, a split-lock washer should be added between the spring and the mount for proper seating.