| Author |
Message |
    
Cskyhawk722
New member
Username: Cskyhawk722
Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 3:39 am: | 
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Hi guys... been reading this forum for a long time, and have learned a lot of great stuff from you all. I've got a quick question for you all now though...
I just picked up a Magnum 257 from a friend, and want to mount it in my 1999 Explorer Sport. I've currently got a Firestik NGP setup, but am wondering if a 102" whip will do the job better (ok, we know it will... but are the advantages of a 102" antenna that noticeable?)
I was thinking of keeping the Firestik for driving around, but having the 102" for when I plan on sitting and talking. Not sure though.....
.... any help is appreciated!!!! :-)
Thanks!! |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 417
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 10:23 am: |
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well each antenna has its good and bad points
firestick
solves no ground on vehicles with lack of ground
shoulnt have too many heights issues
bad points are
being small antenna only average performance
mre than likely wont handle much power
102ss whip
good points very good antenna
will handle any amount of power
very good price
bad points are
alot of height problems like garages,drive thrus,parking garages.swrs can be diffucult 2 adjust on these if ya live in or by a small city/town this antenna would be more of a pain than its worth my opion.if ya never go in any of the places above i listed go with the 102.but if ya do you might be in for a dissapointment.if ya want a short antenna id recommend a lilwil,if ya want a good bigger antenna i get either a wilson5k or preadator10k easier removal and removal may not even be needed.just gotta weigh the good/bad points on each sorry about this long post |
Georgeodjungle
Intermediate Member
Username: Georgeodjungle
Post Number: 108
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:26 pm: |
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whips rule...
& not that hard to tune. |
Capt205
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt205
Post Number: 100
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:01 pm: |
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I like the Wilsons 1000/5000's and if you are stock (no power) the K-40 is a good one. Center of the roof. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1412
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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The best antenna you can get for the mobile is the 102 inch whip! They are the correct electical wavelength to begin with and need no matching! Installed correctly just mount it and forget it. Be sure to have a tie down clip for the whip for low under passes. If you want a shortened antenna then I suggest a Predator 10K. From my expierence the Predator is the next best thing from a 102 inch whip. Remember the longer the better. If you desire premiun DX performance then stay away from Any antenna less than 60 inches in length. If you just want good local performance then anything over 40 inches is good. Don't waste your money on an antenna thats less than 40 inches! Regardless of brand! |
Yankee
Senior Member
Username: Yankee
Post Number: 1222
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
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Myself, I like what I have on a trunk lid mount. The K-40 Trucker, there are many different mounting kit options that can be bought for this antenna.
The Trucker has a very low SWR, and is an over all very good antenna. Copper Electronics does sell this antenna and at a right price. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2905
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 3:37 pm: |
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don't skimp on coax! forget a mag mounted wilson or anything like that. i had a '92 explorer xlt that had the WORST noise problems i ever heard! EVERYTHING electronic in that truck made noise in the radio! & i do mean everything. i drilled a hole in the roof of that....thing....& didn't see any improvement til i used some old 9086 i had laying around. it just lessened the noises, didn't eliminate 'em. i used a wilson 2000 trucker. a 2 x 2290 amp was unusable-RFI to everything. a single mrf455 was OK. for the truck. not me. sold it  .
on my vehicle, under my 'use' conditions, my 86" predator outperforms a 102" whip. |
Navyrebel782003
Intermediate Member
Username: Navyrebel782003
Post Number: 170
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 6:09 pm: |
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I am running the wilson 1000 mag mount in the center of my roof right now and have talked to tech 808 from Va Beach, so far I like this antenna, and if I remember right the whip on it is 62" long, great antenna in my opiniion.
James
CEF#590
CVC#49
Va Beach |
1861
Advanced Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 502
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 6:51 pm: |
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PAT , WHICH SHAFT , COIL COMBINATION DO YOU USE THAT TUNES AT 86" ? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 10126
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 6:52 pm: |
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Cskyhawk722,
On our Explorer we run the Wilson 1000 Mag Mount and it works great. 
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9CEF
CVC#2 |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 2911
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 8:13 pm: |
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1861-22" dual coil on a triple magnet mount. mag mounting vs hard mounting affects the overall length. my single coil, hardmounted to a post welded to the spare tire carrier on my 'glas topped blazer tuned SHORT when the mount put the coil just above the roof, but 3" longer when i raised the mount so the whole shaft was above the roofline. or maybe it was the other way around...
my explorer was a '92. the newer ones have a different computer & ignition system. the early distributorless ignition made some nasty noises. high RF levels affected EVERYTHING controlled by the computer. fuel pump noises are generic to ford, though i've heard a much newer explorer have a heavier 'whir' then mine had. 200 watts would stop the pump from pumping, making any noise a moot point if i really needed to run the engine  |
1861
Advanced Member
Username: 1861
Post Number: 503
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 9:03 pm: |
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THANKS PAT , I RUN 27 SHAFT SINGLE COIL , HAVEN,T TRIED ANY OF THE OTHERS |
