Since about the early 80's we (as in Radio Shack) stopped selling certain antennas. Yes, there was a ruling but not from the FCC, from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Antennas, as well as CB's were not just communications equipment - they were appliances (Plugged into the wall, used in a home) - so they fell under another "Umbrella" of consumer protection. Apparently too many people were getting hurt, killed or otherwise harmed due to the metal skin of any antenna touching a power line was a potential electrocution hazard. Some antenna designs were so flimsy they easily fell over onto power lines, or in neighbors yards or even started fires from arcing. So the feds started protecting the consumer from harm by allowing lawsuits even class action ones, to be applied to the antenna makers in court - so they pretty much "regulated" bare metal antennas to death. Did not prevent them from being sold, just not protected from liability. Ones that could be sold had to provide some protection from electrocution so they had to switch over to other materials like plastics, sheathed PVC and Fiberglass sheath designs - to pass that UL and CPSC rating. Too much liability on the antenna maker and not enough onto the customer for being stupid and putting that Archer Crossbow antenna right on top of the Power lines just like the picture graphic in the Antenna Installation Manual showed them HOW NOT TO...
So the FCC didn't prevent the them from being sold, there were other factors involved - the FCC only regulated the location parameters (height mostly) - you are responsible for how you use the antenna and the effects of using it. Local Zonings were enforced because of the classification that CB's got - labeled as "Appliances" that can be used in a home. (Amateur radio is a little different. The FCC has your back. - they figure you know what you are doing - you took a test or two to show proficiency - you are held to it - else perjury is committed by your false representation and lying on the application as being a responsible individual.)
So you are not prevented from buying a metal antenna - you just can't get them thru certain makers that got sued for their construction flaws and electrocution hazards bare metal antennas' are. The antenna should have a UL rating (or UR now) - but as you can see many don't - so you are on your own. So if you do an install be sure to check your homeowners insurance for proper coverage for property damage to other neighbors' not just your own property.
So because of the CB craze, the antenna maker was responsible for claims made by the product, but due to the poorly planned setup installed by the consumer, that issue became moot. False advertising made the world turn an ugly glare-stare at the CB world in general for the "harassment" of others whom were not into CB had received as "Thanks for being my neighbor", over their stereos, TV's and toasters.
So companies that were "retailers" of such devices, took a proactive stance and provided protected sheathed antennas once older stock got used up just to keep up sales. They were not cheap and by the time the fix was "in" the craze ended and a lot of the older antenna makers faded away. They are still out there - just not as visible vying for your hard-earned dollar as they once were - they just don't want to be sued for your problem with not following instructions.
