Back in a T680...

Since this thread is so dead (c'mon people... you all are really satisfied with the T680 factory junk?), guess I'll mention the next phase in the evolution. I'm trying to find the best combination to screw on the factory mounts without any drastic mods.

So I found a couple 7' Skipshooters. After holding them before I bought them I knew I'd be pushing things a little too far with the factory mounts. I opted for the 6' version and slapped them on. Checked the SWR and it was over 3 again. Went back through and made sure everything was tight/etc, no change. I'm thinking one of the antennas was bad and I will upload a pick of it later to show why. But those came back off.

Next up was a pair of Wilson 5000 Truckers antennas that I've heard so much about. Got great SWR with them out of the package. They came with the 10" bottom shafts, so that's what I used. These do not sit the antennas up high enough to clear the mirrors at the coil. I road tested them anyhow and was only slightly more impressed with them than the Wilson 2ks.

Well, I took them back off and managed to talk a Pilot manager into a refund.

Then I found a set of 5' Wilson fiberglass antennas at a Petro in Dodge City, AL. I grabbed 2, paid and went walking out to the truck and just happened to notice a CB shop next door. I ended up in there and came out with 2 Predator 10k Competition Coils.

The 10ks looked too big from the start, but they are REALLY light for their size. Even with the 27" shafts. I'm running them now. I'll update when I have an idea of how they work out. I'll also try the Wilsons (top loaded should be better) and let ya'll know.

 

I agree that they should get the job done. So should 1/2 or better of the other antennas that I've tried. I've been running back roads most of the day so the verdict is still out on them.

Here are most of the recent ones I've tried minus the Wilson 5k and the Wilson 5's still in the package:



And the 10ks:



I tried the dual coil Predators before (either on the T700 or T680, can't remember) and took them off.

Today hasn't been good to me so I still haven't even tuned the 10ks. And I need to get a pic of the ends of the Skipshooters so you all can maybe tell me what might be wrong but my photography skills aren't cooperating today. They have holes in the base like maybe they are meant to screw directly onto coax cable? That make any sense to anyone? And one of them looks plugged up from whatever is inside them.

I'll get to that later I reckon.

 

He posted once here with some pics but hasn't been back.

As far as the height, the angle of the camera there makes them look taller than they are. The tips might have an inch on a 13'6 trailer, max. And actually I'm not the only one running around with these on a 680. I've seen a few, just didn't realize they were 10ks because I was thinking the 10ks all had dual coils like the ones I had before.

I'll see if they don't lose around an inch or so after tuning.