What happens to my CB radio performance if i shorten it 5 or 10 inches?

i would like to shorten the antenna 5 to 10 inches to avoide garage celing contact, how will this affect the output and recieve transmission if i do. the original antenna is 57", or, is there another shorter antenna that i can use without hampering radio performance, its a k40 speech processor cb radio with magnet roof mount, can anybody help me?What happens to my CB radio performance if i shorten it 5 or 10 inches?
No. An antenna is tuned to the frequency you operate on. An antenna is an electrical component of your radio system. You would render your antenna worthless, and damage your radio.



It would be necessary for you to purchase an antenna new that is short enough for your use.



Some antennas have a "loading coil" in them that makes the antenna appear electrically matched to the radio. This is why antennas of different models come in different physical lengths. Changing this physical length electrically changes the characteristics of the antenna.What happens to my CB radio performance if i shorten it 5 or 10 inches?
cutting the length on antennas is NOT recommended

it will adversely affect your reception and transmission abilities

have you ever noticed that all passenger vehicles have the EXACT same length radio antennas??? if not...they do take my word for it...it's 31 inches...don't believe me??? go out to your car or truck with a tape measure and measure the length of your antenna...i bet you it'll measure 31 inches! instead of cutting the antenna to accommodate your ceiling issues...why not bend it like on old school army jeeps and police cars. they used to have it mounted to the rear bumper area and have it bow up to the roof or any other area that you might be able to affix it to so you don't lose receptionWhat happens to my CB radio performance if i shorten it 5 or 10 inches?
doing this will damage your radio,antennas are tuned lenght,you need to get a shorter antenna or lay down the one you have ,if its a base loaded antenna and just a steel wire antenna then it wont damage it if it hits,if its fiberglass you could fracture the antenna and water can get in and cause problems.you could also check for a breakaway mount that makes the antenna lay down if hit
get an swr meter and set the standing wave with the antenna in the position you want it on the roof, after you get the swr set take a magic marker and trace around your antenna, now you can take it off when you go in the garage and put it back on when leaving. 33yrs. cb and ham experience.

jayco