| Author |
Message |
    
Midwess
Junior Member
Username: Midwess
Post Number: 27
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 7:08 am: | 
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Well, I am in need of some views on antenna's. I run a Jeep Liberty and am in need of a good mobile antenna that will handle a few hundred watts. My problem is mounting this antenna. Not sure how the Wilson mag mounts would work on the roof of the vehicle, plus when running some power, and also, do not want scratches all over the roof. I dont mind a ball-mount, but cannot find anyone locally who would punch a few holes in the side for me. I have tried some trunk mounts, mounted on the back hinge door, but get poor swr. I have a luggage rack, but is coated, so doubt I'd get a good swr there. So, what antenna would you guys/girls suggest in my case?Thanks for your advise. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2116
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 9:27 am: |
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I love my Predator 10K antenna! It has taken my DX hobby to a higher level.
The Predator 10K is always the first mobile antenna I recommend and I will never use another make if I can help it. Predator 4 life!
To install a Predator on the roof of your jeep I would drill a hole and use a roof mount. Other than that you could use a tri-magnet mount. They work very well.
The Wilson you mentioned is a good choice as well. A magnet mount Wilson 1000 or 5000 on top the roof of your Jeep will give great performance. Whatever antenna you choose to buy be sure it goes on the roof for best performance possible!
kenny
cef491 |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 953
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 11, 2006 - 7:11 pm: |
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If you have enough roof for a good groundplane, the Wilson 1000 or 5000 will work great. I've talked 60 miles mobile to base on my Wilson 1000 with a Galaxy 95T, that's about 150 watts swing. You don't need too many hundreds of watts to get out good. Oh, keep that antenna or any antenna away from the rear defroster wires that run thru the back glass, if you have such.
Mikefromms |
Midwess
Junior Member
Username: Midwess
Post Number: 28
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 6:49 am: |
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Mikefromms....and Hotwire, thanks for the input. Well, I am headed to a local communications shop to have installed a roof mount and will put the Wilson 1000 up there. Have to ask, what is the issue with the rear defroster wires? Thanks again for the comments! |
Doughboyx
Junior Member
Username: Doughboyx
Post Number: 25
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 9:33 am: |
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Midwess,
Have you thought about using your tire mount bracket. I have seen my vehicles around here use them. And would give you more options before drilling a hole on the top of that beautiful vehicle. Once drilled there is no turning back. There will be a hole up their for life. Just my opinion. And like you said magnets do scratch, but your vehicle is very high no one will see it. |
Mrclean
Junior Member
Username: Mrclean
Post Number: 46
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 3:23 am: |
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Hotwire I just put a 10K on my truck and am very impressed.1.1 to 1.2 SWR on 40 regular channels. Got it on the top of my truck. Started with a 9 inch shaft single coil but went to the longer 22 inch shaft single coil. Improved RX and TX after going to longer 10K |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 2119
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 1:17 pm: |
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Mr. Clean, Currently I am using a 17 inch shaft single coil Predator on my trunk. Tried the 27 inch single coil but was getting better performance from the 17 inch. Was just a better match to my groundplane. The 27 inch shaft is hanging up on the wall now waiting for its day to come to make history!
kenny
cef491 |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 958
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 1:40 pm: |
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I suppose a person could cut a square of sheet metal the proper size and mount it to the racks on top of that vehile and install an antenna on top of that. The sheet metal would give it an imediate and effective groundplane. Good luck with what you finally decide to do. This is part of the fun of the radio hobby fooling with mounting and chosing antennas. That 10K is a proven antenna as well.
Mikefromms |
Yankee
Senior Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 1387
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 13, 2006 - 4:29 pm: |
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I can not afford to be doing the try this try that mobile antenna, therefore I have to be content with what I have on the car, which is the K-40 Trucker and I've had very good luck with this antenna.
Over the past 40 plus years I've tried several different types of mobile antennas, so far the K-40 Trucker has been one of the better I've used. |
Midwess
Junior Member
Username: Midwess
Post Number: 29
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 5:47 am: |
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Well, just wanted to post my outcome, from previous posting. I have purchased and installed a roof mount Wilson 1000, and so far(first test drive this morning on the way to work); the reception and transmit is excellent! I am very happy with the installation, but will have to get used to the "whistling-hum" of the whip while driving down the expressway! The antenna is without a doubt built very well, and hope it performs as well as it does now, for yrs to come!Thanks again for the inputs! |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 959
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 7:59 pm: |
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Yeah, the Wilson 1000 is one fine antenna. Very quiet and every effective.
The issue of the rear window defroster is if you place an antenna too close to it and run power, the power enters the electrical system through these wires and can interupt all sorts of functions in your vehicle. For example, dash board lights might flash off and on, the electronic shifter will malfunction, etc. I've done this many time in the past.
Mikefromms |
Justlou
Member
Username: Justlou
Post Number: 52
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 5:20 pm: |
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I have a Wilson 1000 on my roof, with a magnetic mount. I am amazed on how the antenna works. Just yesterday I spoke to someone 25+ miles away with an old, unmodified Cobra 140GTL. |
Caledonia
Junior Member
Username: Caledonia
Post Number: 44
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 7:49 pm: |
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I have talked to South Africa and Hawaii from the Illinois prairie with a Wilson 1000 Magmount and a 25 watt President Lincoln! Both thought I was using a base HF rig! |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4264
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
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I have had very good luck with this copper antenna. i use HAMSTICKS on the ham bands and this is a clone of them .
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodA90-00006+ |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 978
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 2:01 pm: |
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One of the values of the Copper forums is people can learn from the very expensive mistakes of others. When you a buy a lesson you tend to remember it. Lots of knowledgeable people on this site.
I need to look into those hamsticks. Getting interested in doing 75 meters in the car.
Mikefromms |
Walterb
New member
Username: Walterb
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 11:32 am: |
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Best antenna, that a deep question, DX, DX ground wave, best Signal to noise ratio, quiet antenna, loudest antenna, most everybody rates antenna different because everybody has different needs. I like K40 products, are they the best NO, but they perform very well and when my radio is on there is little lessening fatieg. And they have good ears so that's what is important to me. If you want to be the BIG kid on the block get a Wilson 5000 and a BIG BOX and go for it..........walterb |
