Predator 10k Competition k-1-22

[Neo1975]

Hey guys, I have a newbie question. I have a Predator 10K Competition antenna that I plan to mount behind the cab of my '94 F150. I plan to use a Breedlove # 313 straight bar front bedrail bracket, Hustler heavy duty spring, and a Breedlove fold over mount. I have some room to move the straight bar bracket up and down to mount it where needed. I know the coil should be above the roof. The question is how high above the roof does it need to be? Everything I read says above the roof, but nothing states a minimum distance. Seems like the higher the better, but I don't want to get into the trees. The trees being a concern is the reason for the spring. It could very easily be an issue in the area where I live if the antenna is as high as some I've seen. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

[Gunner357]

I have a P10K on my roof of my truck and my other Ram and had it mounted on the front of the bed rail with a home made extension mount and HD ball mount and a 17 shaft it was way up not sure exactly but I think they recommend a min of 3" above ...the higher the better for a GP..... PM JesseJamesDallas he is the King he use to REP for Cowtown ....

[jessejamesdallas]

Best thing to do, is have the antenna mount "Roof high" then the antenna will sit like it was mounted to the roof. (if that makes any since)

As for the spring....good luck with that on a Predator...Most likely whats going to happen, is the antenna is going to flop around like a fish out of water at highway speeds from all the wind drag...

Here's how I have my Predator 10K mounted on my Tacoma, it's mounted to a piece of square inch steel tubing, which is mounted to the bed of the truck, and it puts the antenna roof-high...SWR is 1.0 on the MFJ, and I have no problems getting back to anyone I can hear.

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[Gunner357]

Best thing to do, is have the antenna mount "Roof high" then the antenna will sit like it was mounted to the roof. (if that makes any since)

As for the spring....good luck with that on a Predator...Most likely whats going to happen, is the antenna is going to flop around like a fish out of water at highway speeds from all the wind drag...

Here's how I have my Predator 10K mounted on my Tacoma, it's mounted to a piece of square inch steel tubing, which is mounted to the bed of the truck, and it puts the antenna roof-high...SWR is 1.0 on the MFJ, and I have no problems getting back to anyone I can hear.

Thats how mine used to be Now I have it on a mag mount on top that Kile?? built me

[Neo1975]

Thanks for the quick replies. Luckily, a crew recently trimmed back the trees hanging over the road where I live. I will try to mount it high and try to be careful in areas where it may be an issue. Maybe a test drive with the spring would be a good idea to see how it handles the size of the predator. It is the Hustler super heavy duty spring. It can be removed if it doesn't live up to the hype. JJD, it may not be as high as yours but it should be up there pretty good. I appreciate the help.

[jessejamesdallas]

Thanks for the quick replies. Luckily, a crew recently trimmed back the trees hanging over the road where I live. I will try to mount it high and try to be careful in areas where it may be an issue. Maybe a test drive with the spring would be a good idea to see how it handles the size of the predator. It is the Hustler super heavy duty spring. It can be removed if it doesn't live up to the hype. JJD, it may not be as high as yours but it should be up there pretty good. I appreciate the help.

Just remember, once you tune the antenna using the spring...If you remove the spring later, then the antenna is going to show to be too short and SWR will be off...Just something to consider.

What I would do, is hook it up with the spring before trying to tune it, and drive around and see what happens...If you think it's "OK", then tune the antenna...

[Neo1975]

Added 19 days 16 hours 54 minutes 3 seconds after previous.
Predator 10k Competition k-1-22

As for the spring....good luck with that on a Predator...Most likely whats going to happen, is the antenna is going to flop around like a fish out of water at highway speeds from all the wind drag...

I've been extremely busy, so I didn't get to try out the spring until today. Exactly what you said is what happened. I never made it out to the highway and it was moving to much. Probably only going about 45 mph. I took the spring off and drove back home, and it was much better.

[jessejamesdallas]

Added 19 days 16 hours 54 minutes 3 seconds after previous.
Predator 10k Competition k-1-22

As for the spring....good luck with that on a Predator...Most likely whats going to happen, is the antenna is going to flop around like a fish out of water at highway speeds from all the wind drag...

I've been extremely busy, so I didn't get to try out the spring until today. Exactly what you said is what happened. I never made it out to the highway and it was moving to much. Probably only going about 45 mph. I took the spring off and drove back home, and it was much better.

Yeah, they are not heavy antennas, but the coil will catch wind...you would have to have one heck of a stiff spring to keep it from bobbing up and down like a bobblehead...