Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Sept 21, 2013 12:09:58 GMT -5
OK ... for all you antenna guru's out there I have a question that is of interest to me in acquiring a good general census.
I am contemplating changing my antenna on my work vehicle. So we are all on the same page, my work vehicle is a Chevrolet Express 1 ton Extended Cargo Van. Presently I have a Wilson 5000 mounted through the roof approx. 4 ft. rearward of the windshield, and of course centered. This spot was chosen actually by using a magnetic mount base to determine the location to set the lowest desirable SWR.
Now, I just happened to be in Florida this past week (work related) and stopped into a Radio Shack just to see if they had available a steel 102" whip. Not only did they have a brand new whip still in the cardboard tube but also had the cast steel base and new coiled spring that is all chrome. I asked the GM how long they have been on the shelf at his store and he replied that he has been the GM for 35 years and he can not remember the last time he sold this package. I got a great deal off of him for all three pieces ($50.00) out the door.
Now to the question. Needless to say, I can not mount a 102" whip on the roof. Well actually I could but it is not practical, lord what a lightening rod that would be let alone all the overpasses I would be hitting driving under them at 70 mph ! In all your Guru's opinion, what would be a logical and functional place to mount this setup? Rear bumper where half or more would be "blocked" by the body and the tennis balls would be slid down to keep the antenna from hitting the body? Left or right rear panels on the side again with the tennis balls? If there, centered top to bottom of the body, centered in the lower half? I know everyone see where I am going with this question. Where possibly is the best location in ones opinion/experience?
Maybe I am better off to keep using the Wilson on the topside and if that is ones opinion, let me know. Any and all welcome to comment and thanks!
I am contemplating changing my antenna on my work vehicle. So we are all on the same page, my work vehicle is a Chevrolet Express 1 ton Extended Cargo Van. Presently I have a Wilson 5000 mounted through the roof approx. 4 ft. rearward of the windshield, and of course centered. This spot was chosen actually by using a magnetic mount base to determine the location to set the lowest desirable SWR.
Now, I just happened to be in Florida this past week (work related) and stopped into a Radio Shack just to see if they had available a steel 102" whip. Not only did they have a brand new whip still in the cardboard tube but also had the cast steel base and new coiled spring that is all chrome. I asked the GM how long they have been on the shelf at his store and he replied that he has been the GM for 35 years and he can not remember the last time he sold this package. I got a great deal off of him for all three pieces ($50.00) out the door.
Now to the question. Needless to say, I can not mount a 102" whip on the roof. Well actually I could but it is not practical, lord what a lightening rod that would be let alone all the overpasses I would be hitting driving under them at 70 mph ! In all your Guru's opinion, what would be a logical and functional place to mount this setup? Rear bumper where half or more would be "blocked" by the body and the tennis balls would be slid down to keep the antenna from hitting the body? Left or right rear panels on the side again with the tennis balls? If there, centered top to bottom of the body, centered in the lower half? I know everyone see where I am going with this question. Where possibly is the best location in ones opinion/experience?
Maybe I am better off to keep using the Wilson on the topside and if that is ones opinion, let me know. Any and all welcome to comment and thanks!
