102 Whip

[fowlarcher]

If 102" is ideal and I add a quick release fold-over on top of the stud for practical purposes have I added to the effective overall length of the antenna?
Edit: ...effective length... (rather than 'overall effective length')
I intend to adjust using an SWR meter before use, but input and thoughts/ideas are appreciated...

[mod=Bozo] added edit information for user[/mod]

[nk14zp]

Yes it will add to the length. Same way a spring does. 108 is closer to the magic number.

[fowlarcher]

That's what I wanted to hear. Thanks.

[MDYoungblood]

Around 105" to 106" total length is what you will be looking for to get the best SWR, this is depending on the vehicle and location of where it's mounted. Measure the whip, I have bought them in a range from 96" (yes, the tube was marked 102" from RS) to exactly 108" (Antenna Specialist model). Anything you add to it adds to it's length, ie; ball mount, puck, springs (I don't recommend a spring, the whip itself has enough flex), quick connects, they all add.

To make a 102" nicely adjustable look for a "102in. whip riser".

3's

Greg

[fowlarcher]

Uh-huh, see? I'm learning already!

That's what I saw about the spring. The whip I'm using came from a dark cobwebby corner of my friend's garage. Had a spring on it, and I thought, the whip is already a spring and it's a lighter spring than the spring. The spring isn't going to do much. Took it off, kicked it to a dark corner of the garage.

I'm mounting this whip on the left bedrail of my truck right behind the cab. And now, I'm thinking about groundstraps from the bed and cab to the chassis. I'd like to hear some insight on that from those who know...

Thanks, guys.

[MDYoungblood]

Here is how I mounted the whip on my pickup,

You can see a spring wasn't needed, just the nut off a stud mount got the SWR to 1.16:1 in the middle of the band, 1.2 on channel 38, without the nut it lets me do plenty of the upper freeband. With the antenna in that position the SWR goes up to about 1.6 at 80mph so I'm happy with it.

3's

Greg

[nk14zp]

Bonding never hurts.

[MDYoungblood]

I added bonding as well. Added straps to the bed, one on each side from the frame to the bed mounting bolts, added 2 to the cab at the rear mounting bolts and 2 straps on the hood hinges. I did add a strap across the all the door hinges bolts but saw no improvement except for the windows winding up faster.

3's

Greg

[fowlarcher]

I didn't think to bring the hood into the loop. Good stuff. Chuckled about the windows rolling faster.

Is the rear of the bed likely better than right behind the cab?

[MDYoungblood]

Having it in the left back corner like I do makes it a little directional toward the right front but skip doesn't know directions and I have no problem talking to locals no matter which way the truck is pointed.
I chose as far back because of low tree branches, I can bang the heck out of them and it doesn't bother me where on the roof I would hear it and cringe. When I first put it on I would tie it down to go through a local parking garage but that got old so through I go, should see the faces of the people I scare the heck out of, not to mention broken bulbs and fire sprinklers.

3's

Greg

[nk14zp]

I put my screwdriver mid way of the passengers side. Center is "best" but you have to work around what you have. On bonding some say the exhaust needs it. But the bonding shows its benefits at the lower freq of the ham bands. Just watch out for ground loops.

[ENIGMA6]

Be aware that placing the antenna at the extreme end of the vehicle seriously affects your radiated signal pattern. Where your antenna is, your radiated signal will be strongest to your right front. This can be advantageous, acting like a minibeam. It won't effect receive as much, but potentially off the left rear would be reduced.

[443 Arizona]

we have a bronco with a whip mounted on the sparetire rack and it does make one heck of a difference in direction of groundplane,, it is effectively a 3 to 1 difference i would say

[trx680]

I'm seeing talk about bonding.
So...educate me. Why tie everything together when everything is fastened to the frame? Isnt it already bonded?
Theres something here that I dont know that you guys know. Please fill me in.

thanks!!!

[JUMPY]

Trx,

This link may be helpful.

[Please login or register to view this link]

I haven’t bonded my vehicle either and run a 4 pill. I plan to upgrade to an 8 pill and will prob do some minor bonding between bed and frame and cab and frame.

V/r
Jumpy

[jessejamesdallas]

mounted right behind the cab is a bad idea...your liable to pickup alot of refection off the cab resulting in high SWR....

Roof or back of the bed would be your best bets for mounting. (NOT ON THE REAR BUMPER EITHER)

[ENIGMA6]

With the new Ford pickups with aluminum bodies, they are fastened on with special fasteners that effectively insulate the steel frame from the aluminum. This to prevent galvantic corrosion. I'm not sure they can even be bonded without creating a corrosion problem, unless all panels are bonded to each other but not to the frame.

[686Ghostrider]

Here is how I mounted the whip on my pickup,

You can see a spring wasn't needed, just the nut off a stud mount got the SWR to 1.16:1 in the middle of the band, 1.2 on channel 38, without the nut it lets me do plenty of the upper freeband. With the antenna in that position the SWR goes up to about 1.6 at 80mph so I'm happy with it.

3's

Greg

Is that a gen 4 Ram? Where did you mount your radio? My 13 has the center console that goes all the way up to the dash. I'm thinking I may have to settle with mounting my radio on top of the dash. I really don't want to but looks like that's my only choice.

[MDYoungblood]

Here is how I mounted the whip on my pickup,

You can see a spring wasn't needed, just the nut off a stud mount got the SWR to 1.16:1 in the middle of the band, 1.2 on channel 38, without the nut it lets me do plenty of the upper freeband. With the antenna in that position the SWR goes up to about 1.6 at 80mph so I'm happy with it.

3's

Greg

Is that a gen 4 Ram? Where did you mount your radio? My 13 has the center console that goes all the way up to the dash. I'm thinking I may have to settle with mounting my radio on top of the dash. I really don't want to but looks like that's my only choice.

It is a 2004 model year, no console to deal with. The trans hump at one time was loaded with radios but now it's just this;

IMG_1037 (1).JPG

3's

Greg

[686Ghostrider]

Yeah, my old truck was an 08 Ram. It had plenty of room for my mobile radio set up. My 13 Ram sure doesn't...

[ENIGMA6]

One of the things I despise about newer vehicles is the mandatory consoles even in pick up trucks. I have an 89 S10 Blazer. The console lid broke, so I removed it. Put a handgun vault where the front of the console was. On top of it was mounted a CB radio, a ham 2 meter rig, and a scanner. Actually looks good and is far more useful than a plastic console. And there's space aft of the vault for cups, gear, etc. I'm going to run that little S10 until it falls apart. Cheaper to keep it running than buy a new vehicle.

[686Ghostrider]

I agree with you enigma6

[G-Golly Wally]

In my experience with mounting a102 behind the cab I've never had a problem. In my 02 Ford my swr's were almost nonexistent but I bonded the crap out of everything.
In my 2010 Nissan Frontier they are 1.5 across the band and I've only got a ground from the antenna mount to the frame. But you better have a tennis ball on that whip so it doesn't whack your cab.