Copper Talk » Open Forum » Archived Messages » 2004 » 05/01/2004 to 05/31/2004 » A mobile antenna lesson learned « Previous Next »

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Sparkomatic
Intermediate Member
Username: Sparkomatic

Post Number: 309
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A friend of mine runs a Xforce 5 pill with a francis 8' whip on the toolbox. The Francis retails for under $20 and is lightweight.
He was talked into an "Extreme" coiled antenna which sells for $85. The coil is solid 3/4" aluminum and has about 4 or 5 turns to it and it is a long shaft made for tool box applications. It was suppose to be the greatest mobile antenna on earth. It is the most impressive and heaviest mobile antenna you will ever see. Awesome looking!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But on the transmitting end it exactly equaled the unimpressive looking 8' Francis fiberglas whip.
Moral of the story is Just because an antenna will handle 60,000 watts doesn't mean it will perform better at 400 watts.
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Rattlesnakejake
Intermediate Member
Username: Rattlesnakejake

Post Number: 141
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 8:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree. It actually works better to drive a low rated one hard than a heavy duty one lightly.
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Tech548
Moderator
Username: Tech548

Post Number: 65
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 11:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Exactly. Very well put.

It's called gimmikry. It was and still is something different. The trouble is, some CBers actually think that the more you spend on an antenna, the better it must be! And we'll forget the fact that these antennas were built for competition to used on stationary vehicles.

1- They DO NOT transmit farther.

2- They DO NOT broadband farther.

3- They DO NOT handle a windload very at all.

4- They DO NOT "gain wise" out perform a Wilson 1000, a 8' Firestik, 8' Francis, a 6' Anntron, and many, many others. Since 98% of these big coil antennas are only 1/4 waves anyways, don't expect miracles.

So, just what is their purpose in life?

1- They DO have the capabilities of absorbing thousands and thousands of more RF power than the average CBer will EVER put to them.

2- They DO cost far more than antennas that will easily out-perform them as far as wavelength is concerned.

3- They DO look rather rediculous on a moving vehicle since that isn't what they were designed for.

4- And most importantly, they DO look cool to some CBers.

Yes, they are a real working antenna but they are NOT "The Wonder Antenna". That one is still to come.

Jeff.