The 18-2983 package includes a hefty antenna base, with the magnet on the bottom, 17-feet of attached coaxial cable, and a fiberglass-coated whip antenna that is secured to the base by a knurled nut. The knurled nut provides a tight grip, but can easily be unscrewed with your bare hands. Once assembled, the unit stands over 3 feet tall.

The magnet is covered by a thin circle of smooth foil that prevents bare metal from touching your vehicle's paint; still, you must keep the spot on which the antenna sits free of dust and grit, or you'll end up with scratches on the finish. Unfortunately, the 18-2983 does not come with a transfer box. This means the antenna cable has to come into the vehicle through a gap or hole of some kind, which isn't good in bad weather. For example, you may have to leave your window cracked open. However, the good news is that, in our tests, reception was good--on par with that of permanently mounted antennas of similar length. But, if you plan to use your CB all the time, we recommend installing a more permanent unit that comes with a transfer box. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Easily installed and detached
• Good reception
• Plenty of cable to reach to the CB

Cons:

• No transfer box; cable needs an opening to enter the vehicle
• Sliding base may scratch paint

Assuming you put this on your roof, there is plenty of cable to run into the trunk and then through the back seats, and then weave it around inside so you wouldnt even see it. The trunks on most cars have a gap, a gutter to catch what comes through the gap when it rains and then the seal, which is raised above the gutter, you can easily fit this cable through that gap, and the seal will be big enough to compress and allow the cable through, no water will get through, unless its some kind of tropical storm, and even then it will be a small amount, and you shouldnt be out then anyway.... If you dont like having cable running from middle of car roof down to trunk, just put it on your trunk lid, or a rear corner of your roof.

If your going to moan about mag mounts, either get a through-glass style, or a permanent fixture. Through glass are usually small and lack RX and TX power, are permanent, ruin your window if you ever remove it, and permanent whips, well if you own a car, most people dont want a 7 foot whip.. Weigh up the pro's and cons of each style before you buy, dont buy something and then complain about its design, and doesnt your door seal have enough give to place the cable where the door closes?