top load vs center load antenna

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by fgb3, Dec 18, 2011.

  1. fgb3

    fgb3 Light Load Member

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    Nov 2, 2011
    elba ny
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    ok so heres my situation. i have a 2012 cascadia with a new mirror mount from walcotts on drivers side. ran 18 foot k 40 coax around dash up passenger side and to my new general lee(18 feet was almost perfect only about 1 foot extra so i kinda just pushed it back)now the swr reading is below 2 any ways 1.7 on 40 and 1.5 on 1 so im ok so far with that my question is with the mount so low on truck is a top load antenna going to be a better fit? right now i run a wilson 5000 but am not sure if i would gain anything by using something different.I was thinking about buying a new preditor but want to make sure its not a waste of money? question #2 can you just use a longer bottom shaft on a center load with out trimming the top or will that put everything out of wack? the reason for this was i saw preditor has a 10 inch shaft or a 27 inch one but yet the over all height is the same so im assuming theres a reason for this.id like to have a 27 inch bottom and long top also or is that just a waste? if so whats the best top load antenna? thanks for any feedback fgb3
     
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  3. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    When you increase the length of the bottom shaft then you have to decrease the length of the upper stinger. You must keep the over all length the same. Meaning that if your antenna tunes best at 5 ft long then if you add 10 inches to the bottom then you have to remove 10 inches from the top.
     
    slim6596 and darthanubis Thank this.
  4. kd5drx

    kd5drx <strong>Master of Electronic Communications</stron

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    Nov 28, 2006
    Some where USA
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    This question is like which radio is best. There are 20 answers to 20 people. In my opinion and only my opinion the best antenna you can buy is also the cheapest. The Francis fiberglass in 5.5 or 4.5 feet is IMO the best there is it will out last them all and as far as i am concerned out talk and out hear them all but that is my opinion again.
     
  5. OutLawRadio

    OutLawRadio Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2011
    Texas
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    therefore you run Francis . . . . . . . :biggrin_2559:
    You couldnt possibly be more wrong if you tried "again"


     
  6. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    They are an OK antenna but far from the best. Forget about running them in freezing temps as they are about the worst antenna when running in ice and snow. They will be hanging by nothing but the wire after very little time running in ice conditions because they are not constructed heavy enough to take it and will snap.

    As far as how they work, well a tuned wilson 2000 will do far better then a fancis antenna not to mention any of the other wire wound fiberglass antennas.

    Heck them cheap fiberglass Diesel antennas work as good if not better and will last longer int he wind etc.
     
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  7. kd5drx

    kd5drx <strong>Master of Electronic Communications</stron

    485
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    Nov 28, 2006
    Some where USA
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    There again its my opinion and i will stay with it so you can come on here and spout all you want with out fact or documentation to back up a statement i don't make statements i can't prove i offer an opinion when it warranted and a fact when warranted and in this case there is no proof or can there be any with out hours of extensive lab work on each and every install.
     
  8. OutLawRadio

    OutLawRadio Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2011
    Texas
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    when you have run a few dozen or more of them glass sticks out here OTR
    and not hanging off the tailgate of a Ranger pick-up
    Come give me some real world experience on mobile antenna's
    and those that dont suck up conductive RF like a fat girl on a twinkie

    A'ight!!
    (you need a few more opinions,IMO)
     
  9. Happy_Hamer

    Happy_Hamer Light Load Member

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    Aug 28, 2011
    Illinois
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    Can you take a picture so we can see how the load looks near the roofline?

    Can you measure the distance from the cab to the center of the shaft?

    The stinger will not slide down much further or do you really need to cut it?
     
  10. Rat

    Rat Road Train Member

    I know for a fact that they can not take the abuse of a truck. We have alot of drivers that are too cheap to buy a decent antenna. I see them Francis sticks broken off all the time.
     
  11. OutLawRadio

    OutLawRadio Light Load Member

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    Nov 28, 2011
    Texas
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    My "lab" was 6-8 yrs burning asphalt,they were in their day,their are now very much obsolete!

     
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