Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Antennas » My predator 10k whip snapped off « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 237
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So I am driving yesterday, and I hear a louder than usual "bang" on the roof of my vehicle. Didn't think nothing of it as I was still able to hear people talking on the CB.

Today, I wake up and look at the antenna on the roof of my vehicle. The whip is gone. The bottom half of the antenna with the shaft and single coil is still there though. So for the heck of it I check my SWR's. 2:1. Not horrible considering. Anyway, just thought I would share that with everyone. It is a Predator 10K, 27" shaft, single coil. Thanks.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 412
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I had a similar thing happen to a 2m?70cm whip a few years back. I just replaced the missing whip witha suitable length of coathanger. Worked great.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1516
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 11:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Did the stinger break off or just come loose and fall out? You know if you remember where you was at when you heard the loud bang maybe you can retrieve the stinger. That is if Pat or Hank don't see it first. I would probably stop in the middle of downtown Indy rushhour traffic on the interstate for a FREE Predator whip!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 246
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 12:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I thnk it may have snapped off. I don't remember where exactly. No big deal. I have s spare one here. Thanks.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Milkman21218
Member
Username: Milkman21218

Post Number: 67
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 2:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

James,maybe with all the heat that you run in your van it just melted. Or the power blew the whip out. I've seen your pictures.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Vanillagorilla
Advanced Member
Username: Vanillagorilla

Post Number: 662
Registered: 4-2005


Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 9:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If that allen key wasn't tight enough I could see a tree limb grabbing that LARGE antistatic ball on the whip after a few "loosening" whacks.
Where did you get a spare? Did you order it with the 'tenna?
That thing is big diameter stainless and judging from how HARD mine was to cut (grind! :-))...you pulled it out....seems hard to believe you actually broke it. IF the replacement stinger you have is too small(if it came from another antenna) in diameter you could always hit a good welding shop and find the SS rod you need. It won't have the ball on it though :-)

Get on the air James..the skip has layed down at night! Maybe a chance to grab you out there again!

Hank
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson

Post Number: 252
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2006 - 11:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I just checked it. It snapped off. There was still some whip inside the shaft. I actually did not have the ball on top, because I had to trim the whip, and I also figured having it up there would allow it to snag above items. I remember when I hit this particular tree branch, It was a real low one, I was going fast, and Bang.....

I ordered a spare from the same place I bought the antenna.

I am on the air from time to time. What times at night are you talking at night? Channel 22? I was out by your way the other night (about 12 midnight), I did not hear you on though. Thanks.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: