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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 11:04 am: | 
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I spoke with an owner of a little corner store radio shop yesterday, who told me Wilson antennas had been bought out, and because of that, their quality had gone to heck and were not worth bothering with.
Anybody have some feedback on that?
I will either be using a K40 (on order), or a 102" SS whip for now. But am interested in the Wilson brand.
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 15031
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 12:19 pm: |
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Longarcher,
WOW that guy must be wayyyyyyyy behind on the news.
Wilson Antennas was sold back in 2005 and purchased by Barjan in a buying war between Barjan and Das Inc who purchased K-40 and several companies.
The Quality has never changed as they are still made to the exact same specifications and on the exact same equipment as when Wilson owned the company.
Hope this help's,
Lon~Tech808
CEF#808/HAM#001/CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 6:36 pm: |
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Thanks Lon,
I've not been active in radio for some time now, but there are things that just don't change much, like electrical/electronic principles. 
I thought I would ask, because I just got the impression that this guy was smokin' crack.
I've run 102" whips before, both SS and Fiberglass, top loaded fiberglass sticks and base loaded antennas like the old M125 from AS. I've had good performance with all of them, but am partial to the 102" whip.
How would you rate the performance of the 102" SS whip against the K40 and the Wilson 1000/5000?
Thanks folks, for any opinions
Rich
CEF# TBD
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2ir473
Intermediate Member
Username: 2ir473
Post Number: 136
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 8:49 am: |
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The 102" whip, when used with a 6" spring, is a quarterwave length antenna, on Ch. 20. Probably the most efficient antenna you can use for 11 meters in a mobile situation. A stainless steel whip will also handle a lot of transmit power, if that is something you are interested in.
The down side is the overall height of the antenna. Not a simple antenna to mount on every vehicle.
The Wilson 1000/5000 is a good alternative, if you want to run a lower profile antenna, and the Wilson 1000 handles sufficient power for most mobile operators.
The K-40 is a fine antenna if you are running less than a few hundred watts, as they are not made for higher power situations. I personally would not run more than 150-200 watts into the antenna. The advantage to the K-40 is a much lower profile, if you are fussy about the look of an antenna on you vehicle.
I have had a K-40 and a W-1000, and between the two of them, I prefer the W-1000 as it seems a bit better constructed and the Wilson whip is 62" whip, as opposed to the shorter 48" whip on the K-40.
So, for max performance...102" whip, then the Wilson line in second place, with the K-40 following behind.
One other antenna that has got some good reports is the Z-180 antenna offered on Copper's site. It is long (77.5"), widebanded, and has a high power rating. Suddenly a new contender emerges
Paul
2IR473
CEF-218/ham #107
CDX8412
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Captian_radio
Intermediate Member
Username: Captian_radio
Post Number: 316
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 3:11 pm: |
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The Z-180 sounds like it may be a good antenna but I have yet to see very many owner postings here on the forum.A few more reviews would be great.I used to use a SS whip on my old Tempo,it was very broad banded and the SWR was great,problem is they are quite directional ,switched to the Everhart mag mount which is also very broad banded.I may get a Z-180 but only when I see some more personal reviews.Also didn't Copper show a mag. mount for this antenna instead of the trunk mount?
Bob CEF451/VE1CZ
Moderator Note!
Yes, the Z-180 will fit ANY standard SO-239 mount be it: Bumper, Mag, Roof, or Trunk, mount.
The picture you might be referring to is shown with a Z-180 mounted on a Wilson 1000/5000 Mag Mount on Tech808's red truck.
Copper Talk
» Subscriber (Preview)
» Product Reviews
» Mobile Antenna Shootout
» Discussion
Robert L. Spicer The days of radio are just beginning!
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1861
Advanced Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 698
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 4:41 pm: |
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I use the z 180 . it is a little better , both RX & TX than the wilson 1000 it replaced |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 15042
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 6:19 pm: |
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After checking with Suzanne in Copper Customer Service 18 Copper Forum Member's other than myself have purchased and are using the Z-180 Mobile Antenna so far. 
Lon~Tech808
CEF#808/HAM#001/CVC#002
Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Captian_radio
Intermediate Member
Username: Captian_radio
Post Number: 318
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 6:37 pm: |
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Tnx for the info Lon, I hope some more of the Copper members submit more reviews on the Z-180.I am looking for a new antenna and welcome more reviews.
Bob CEF451/VE1CZ
Robert L. Spicer The days of radio are just beginning!
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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 9:54 pm: |
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I've run my 102 whips off of my left front fender, about 8" down from the hood. It was somewhat directional, but still talked pretty good all around.
I currently drive a Chevy Colorado crewcab, so I've got a some great ground-plane real estate on the roof. So for the roof it would be between the K40, the Wilson 1000 and maybe now the Z-180... gee another choice... thanks Paul ;)
I was kicking around the idea of having two antennas. One on the roof (K40,W-1000,Z180) and one mounted on a plate(102" whip) coming off the bed rail, just behind the cab on the drivers, side.
The theory is that the roof antenna could be used while the truck is in motion, standard power from the radio and used on both 11 and 10 meter, but primarily 11 meter.
The side mounted whip could be used while stationary, and would take whatever reasonable amount of power I would ask of it, and maybe both bands, but primarily 11 meter.
Make any sense to do that? Or really not enough difference based on mounting locations to worry about 2 sticks?
Again, thanks for the conversation folks.
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Longarcher
New member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 6
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2008 - 9:32 pm: |
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I meant the whip would be primarily 10 meter... the roof antenna would be primarily 11 meter.
The local HAM group offers testing the first Saturday of each month, so I'm getting ready for February 2nd.
I did some more searching also about the 102" whip compared to other antennas, and I think the dual setup will work nicely.
So what type of coax/antenna switches have folks used, and would recommend that would work in a mobile setup?
Thanks!
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Longarcher
Junior Member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 9:52 pm: |
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um, yeah I guess I'll shutup now.
Rich
CEF# TBD
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Train_man
Junior Member
Username: Train_man
Post Number: 17
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 2:29 am: |
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If you're going to run the whip on 10 meters you will have to cut it down or use a tuner.If you cut the whip, it will be useless on 11.
Move along. Nothing to see here.........
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Longarcher
Junior Member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 11
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 9:03 am: |
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Thats pretty much what I figured. I'll probably just get a basic CB and hook it to the K40.
Thanks for responding Train_man.
Rich
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N8fgb
Junior Member
Username: N8fgb
Post Number: 40
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 2:53 pm: |
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I use a 102 on my Bronco.No spring,and get good SWR on both ten and eleven meter.So why use 2 different antennas?
Rich |
Longarcher
Junior Member
Username: Longarcher
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 5:57 pm: |
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Well, the idea of two antennas, has a few pools of thought behind it:
1. The antennas can be matched to the center of the bands I will be using them in.(or freq most used within those bands)
2. One antenna (102") can handle high power tx, so for use on bands other than CB.(if/when I choose to use an amp).
3. Gives me the physical capability to have a CB radio on one, and HAM radio on the other. [If I like HAM as much as I think I might, an ICOM-706 MKIIG would be in my future, and the install would be less painfull because most of the hardware to support that radio, is already installed... 'course I would then have 3 antenna huh? :| ]
...and there's my pools of thought, be they cesspools or not. ;)
Rich
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