| Author |
Message |
    
Wildrat
Senior Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 1028
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 6:25 pm: | 
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I was having problems hearing the locals in my jeep Wrangler. I tried several different antennas trying to get better ears. I tried Wilson Silver Loads, Monkey Made, Penetrator, just different antennas nothing worked well. I had decided several months ago to co-phase antennas on the Jeep, but was talked out of it from people saying they would not work well because they were not spaced far enough apart. On FireStix web site they said pretty much that you could benefit from co-phased antennas but they would not optimal. I installed the antennas on the back of the Jeep on the tail lights using a couple of custom brackets that mount to the tail lights. I was not able to use them back in July because I had surgery and was not able to adjust the SWR till today.
I got the SWR adjusted and I can tell you that it's the best thing I could have done on the Jeep. I can hear for miles now from any angle or front to back. The radio is working great. I am very happy with my old Super Star 3900 and the Skip Shooters. I guess part of the moral of this escapade is "Don't be afraid to try something when you people nay saying!"
WR
P.S. I had several of my locals tell me if I had not told them I was in my Jeep they would have thought I was on the base. That says a whole lot because I have a pretty good station. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1924
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 12:36 pm: |
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Yep, always experiment to see if something
just might personally work for you.
My friend just loves skip-shooters. His
are the fiberglass with the nail like thing
on the top to adjust SWRS. We talking about
the same antennas here? |
Goat373
Intermediate Member
Username: Goat373
Post Number: 291
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
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thats why RF stands for "Rather Funky"
still seems they would be to close for a nice egg shaped plot...but hey, if it works...dont question it, it'll change it's mind!!! |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1353
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 3:46 pm: |
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The laws of physics don't work differently for different people. I don't know how you were mounting the single antenna on your Jeep before, but you've obviously done something better now than before.
The only benefit you'll get using dual antennas on a small vehicle would be a less directional signal unless you can get them a good distance apart, and I don't recall ever seeing someone with an antenna installed on the middle of each bumper.
I've seen all kinds of attempts to put antennas on a Jeep without drilling holes, and they all are inferior to a ball mount on the side of the body. I find it funny that people who own a vehicle built specifically for it's utility won't drill holes in the body. |
Wildrat
Senior Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 1031
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 7:13 pm: |
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yes, it is the antenna with a nail in it. Actually while adjusting SWR the nail was too short so I went and got a longer nail, cleaned the coating off and used it. I had no need to put ball mounts on with the custom brackets I had. They bolted to the Jeep behind the tail lights, then I ran another ground down to the frame just to make sure the ground was good. It does not matter about the laws of physics. I tried several setups, with no better results than the last till I co-phased these two antennas. My reception has increased significantly and I am very pleased about that. I may not even replace my old 3900 now since I can hear again.
Wr |
Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 885
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 10:00 pm: |
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Hummmm.. co-phased 102's.... hummmmm....  |
Streaky
Junior Member
Username: Streaky
Post Number: 40
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, September 17, 2006 - 11:11 pm: |
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Coyote
I'm thinking maybe I'm going to try it |
Coyote
Advanced Member
Username: Coyote
Post Number: 887
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 8:26 am: |
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Streaky, let me know how it turns out if you do try it. There's no telling what my wife would say if I put another 102 on the Jeep.... But I'm willing to find out.  |
Wildrat
Senior Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 1033
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 9:07 am: |
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It's actually only two 84 inch antennas. They are Skip Shooters.
WR |
Streaky
Junior Member
Username: Streaky
Post Number: 42
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 7:05 pm: |
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Wildrat I understand that but I am going to try cophasing the whips anyway (just for fun and I can just see my wife rolling her eyes now!!!!!) |
Wildrat
Senior Member
Username: Wildrat
Post Number: 1036
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 8:14 am: |
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10-4 |
