My company is starting to order new 579s. I was wondering with the antenna brackets being above the doors, will my Wilson 2000s (short base) be too tall on them? Or will I have to get shorter antennas. I'm not wanting to buy mirror mounts for it. I have them on a Cascadia now and have always hated the mirror bracket look.
Dont work well in factory position anyways..To close together....SUPPOSED TO BE 108" apart... Run 1 ant with yer own coax would be better
Could run cophased if he can get them grounded(braded ground straps req to bond to cab for SOME ground plain simulation)to the back of cab wall..
The factory antennas can be tuned better than they’ll arrive from factory. If they’re RAMI (as on Volvo: wire wound clear in appearance) they aren’t known for longevity. I’ve replaced those in the oilfield with similar length Firestick. An upgrade. I didn’t use the Wilson 2000’s I had because I don’t believe those mounts to be very strong. I see this done on some I’ve observed, but if the mount fails, it won’t be easy to access.
I'm not super knowledgeable on antennas, what would you recommend for sturdier ones? I've never used Firesticks, but have heard good things. My worry is the Wilson's breaking if they are even a little too high. My company does a lot of downtown metropolitan areas. 13 6 bridges, low trees all that. I want to use two and keep them on the stock mounts. Any reccommendations would be appreciated!
I use the Hustler FG27S center load steel antenna on this 378 Pete I drive. I hit trees from time to time while driving through town. After 5 years it still looks good. Got mine from cb world.
I see some of our competitors are using 579 Pete’s. I haven’t had a chance to ask drivers yet about the Wilson 2000s I’m seeing. Extra short lower shaft and extra long stinger. The Hustlers mentioned above are classics. I had one on a car forty years ago. Clays Radio carries them (and Wilson’s; and Firestik). Ask for their recommendation. As before, I’d want to be able to replace that mount. So, can you get to it from interior? I’d find out first. Craig notes the “ideal” distance. They’ll work even if a lesser distance, but not to best effect. For many of us with company trucks just have to work with what you have. But it’s more than possible that a single antenna with high end coax could work better. Be willing to experiment. Spend for results. Antenna more important than “a big radio” and a lot cheaper.
The Wilson's worked great on our 386s we had. I just hate how they redid the mirrors and moved the brackets on the 579. I may end up just running a good coax, and using one. And maybe just using the other as a dummie antenna so it looks even. I'm thinking with them only being maybe 6-7 ft apart on the 579 I would probably get identical performance out of one as I would get with two.
Not sure how a dummy any will affect working antenna but i vaguely remember something in a negitive way..a firestick or skip shooter with tuneable tip will work better than a wilson...Your coil is up higher and very easy to tune.. Just subtract the mirror arm mount height from 13'6" and that will give you max length of ant you should buy... Dont get into those bih ext coiled any just yet..I dont trust those mounts..
