UPDATE: Up to this point the 4' Firesticks have worked pretty well however human nature is always looking for something better. Stopped into Clays shop yesterday with the intent of buying a Hustler HQ27 ( have one already) and trying 2 of them, but after speaking with Robert, he felt the best antennas to use on the T680 would still be a top loaded fiberglass whip so he suggested maybe trying the Procomm 4.5" Quad wound fiberglass whip in place of the Firesticks. So I bought 2 of them ( $37.95 each) and will give them a try. The antenna has an adjustable stinger that is held in place by 2 allen screws and the top windings ( radiating portion) is a good 6 inches longer than the Firestick and the antenna itself seems to be more flexible which is a positive because last week in Montana Firestick got covered in ice and with wind was putting alot of stress on mount. With stinger all the way down SWR was 1.2 on 1,20 and 40. I will use these for a while and in the future will report any feedback.
Kenworth t680 would ideally need an 81 inch antenna. Oil coil with a custom longer shaft would fit the bill. This kenworth easily reaches me from 30 miles away with a striker 655 and this antenna mobile to mobile at same altitude.
The antenna shown in the 2nd picture looks alot like the Hustler HQ 27, is that what it is? I should of bought the Hustler when I was at Clays but I didnt, but Im sure I will be by there, or another shop that carries them, or get one from amazon.
Must of made a rookie error and didnt get an accurate swr reading when I first put Procomm antennas because as I was driving from San Antonio to Paw Paw michigan my transmit range didnt seem normal so when I got to Paw Paw I rechecked swr and it was 2.5 to 3.0, yikes! So I tried adjusting the stinger and couldnt get it down below 2.5 so I put the two 4' Firestick II' s back on and swr is 1.2, dont understand why the procomms presented a problem. I was really impressed with the receive with the Procomms and they are a little more forgiving in wind and are more flexible so less stress on mount, will just keep using the Firesticks and stop experimenting, that could get costly.
Once again driving in Iowa the firestickes got coated in ice and causes too much stress on the mounts so when I got back to Florida yesterday, and everything thawed out, I put the 4.5' Procomms back on and swr is 1.4 so I will keep them on, as I stated earlier the receive seems to be much better than the Firesticks or the stock antennas.
Not sure, when I first installed them I was in Texas and swr was 1.4ish, when I checked them the second time I was up in Michigan, and now that I think about it , they may of had some ice build up on then. I reinstalled them yesterday ( Friday) and have rechecked them today, about three different times, and it is still good, so to answer your question not really sure what caused high reading.
