Old Wilson 5000 gone bad?

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Toyman, Jun 21, 2013.

  1. Jun 21, 2013 #1
    Toyman

    Toyman Light Load Member

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    Mar 28, 2009
    Central MO.
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    Anyone seen a Wilson 5000 lose performance but still tune perfectly? It is an old (before they sold out) antenna I've had for about 12 years. SWR of 1.1-1.2 on all 40 channels but have taken a loss on tx and rx. Had radio checked and everything is fine on bench. Just installed new coax, mount, stud, all new ground straps from cab/sleeper/frame, and still the same. If it is bad or even not, thought about trying a Predator 10k SW. Always read great things about them.
     
    Toyman, Jun 21, 2013
    Toyman, Jun 21, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jun 21, 2013 #2
    Chuckie86

    Chuckie86 Light Load Member

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    Jun 19, 2013
    Lake Butler, Florida
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    From my experience with Wilson antennas I haven't seen one really go bad unless the coil housing is cracked or leaking which could be the case in your situation considering the age...I have a buddy that runs a predator with a galaxy 99 and a 1650 amp and he loves the antenna he says there is no comparison to the Wilson 5000 he use to run on that setup
     
    Chuckie86, Jun 21, 2013
    Chuckie86, Jun 21, 2013
    #2
  4. Jun 21, 2013 #3
    TheDude1969

    TheDude1969 Heavy Load Member

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    Joliet, Il
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    12yrs on a enclosed coil load doesn't sound good, it may be the corrosion inside making the radio see a happy 1:1.2 SWR... and work as good as a well tuned hand held cb.

    Pick your antenna for what you use it for! A wilson 5k goes great on a day cab or flat top sleeper, but remember the load is your downside as well. A Predator will do better with an amp, and increase your bandwith. But nothing at a truckstop will out perform a properly tuned top loaded fiber glass whip running on a <500 watt radio in the 40ch CB range...except the 102" SS whip

    BTW: which ever you choose is right for you... make the antenna as tall as possible without destroying it on bridges, or low branches.
    Good luck!
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2013
    TheDude1969, Jun 21, 2013
    TheDude1969, Jun 21, 2013
    #3
  5. Jun 21, 2013 #4
    Toyman

    Toyman Light Load Member

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    Mar 28, 2009
    Central MO.
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    As far as picking an antenna, i put a new 4ft. Firestick on last weekend and it works good but sure pulls in a lot of noise. Its going on a 2007 379 with a standup sleeper, passenger side and does get beat around with delivering fuel to stations in town. About 5ft. is max height for some places I load at, they get bent back pretty hard and sure the Firestick wont live very long. That's why I've always had a steel whip of some type, either 5k or k40 but thought of the 10k because its not much more than a 5k and is made in the USA. Just running a 29 ltd and old rk56 mic with stainless stud and did have lmr-240 ultra-flex but now just mini-8 coax.
     
    Toyman, Jun 21, 2013
    Toyman, Jun 21, 2013
    #4
  7. Jun 22, 2013 #5
    Chuckie86

    Chuckie86 Light Load Member

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    Jun 19, 2013
    Lake Butler, Florida
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    Browning makes a pretty good whip think they usually run around 40 bux I personally haven't used one but have a few friends that do they seem to like em
     
    Chuckie86, Jun 22, 2013
    Chuckie86, Jun 22, 2013
    #5
  8. Jun 22, 2013 #6
    Voltrucker

    Voltrucker Medium Load Member

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    Sep 24, 2012
    West TN
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    You've got your use out of it man. Buy a new one and use the old one as a backup lol.
     
    Voltrucker, Jun 22, 2013
    Voltrucker, Jun 22, 2013
    #6
  9. Jun 22, 2013 #7
    TheDude1969

    TheDude1969 Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 10, 2013
    Joliet, Il
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    The only benefit to the K40, W5k is you can increase the mast length, to get the load up higher, and trim it on the stinger end. I don't suggest doing that with the 10k, the PVC insulator breaks easily when smacked around.

    I know its not feasible to make the 5k's load higher than your roof line, for that reason you can expect the same performance from either ant.
    The Predator 10k gets my vote for being made in USA, and looks badazz :smt023
     
    TheDude1969, Jun 22, 2013
    TheDude1969, Jun 22, 2013
    #7
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