Which mobile antenna would you choose for distance?

“Use” of Jeep not stated.

I’ve a collection of Skipshooters in pairs:

5’
6’
7’

That’s probably just above $250 at my cost after shipping, etc. $42/ea, roughly. Primarily for any big truck I’m assigned (and have used all those lengths).

Best big truck performance ever achieved by me was with those 7’.

Expected maximum height is the question we deal with for semi-tractors. Just a little shy of 14’ was best. Five foot antenna minimum, then whatever was needed to get past 13’5” to 14’

I always knew there was no simpler tune & ‘ use top-load antenna (as other brands not in contention, IMO).

That said, my preference is for a metal antenna. Despite corrosion, fragility and replacement cost.

So, it comes back to use: what obstructions are expected? A guy living back East has a lot more problems than he would in Amarillo in this regard.

Can buy 2-3 Skipshooters for the price of a Predator. Nothing against that choice, but, frankly I’d try a SIRIO Performer 5000 before I threw a Predator into the mix. 6’8” tall.

I’ll take tallest over all other considerations as being first. The modular nature of the Predator lends itself to this.

So what budget exists to buy replacement components? A Wilson 5000, I’d have written the same thing. The antenna may be salvageable, so what parts to stock up?

Roof of a Jeep is gonna catch something. 10-11’, maybe not much. 12-13’, have to be much more aware.

Get both.

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A 17" bottom shaft of the Predator in the center of the roof of a Jeep?

 

I got to agree with top load fiberglass. I all depends on your clearance over head. Go out and pick up a 5 foot Skipshooter and try it out. I'd put a stainless steel pot belly spring at the mount in case you hit an unexpected object. Skipshooters tune very easy. Currently, I am using Firestik antennas as parts of a base antenna. That is only due to local availability. I am also running them uncut. I happened to be lucky, the Firestiks come long and happen to be set OK for my application.

 

Be advised that the diameter of the shafts on the Predator 10K is a "hefty wind catching / and no flexibility" 15/16" diameter. I have one installed on my pick-up with a Breedlove Stake Pocket Mount. The coil is 9"tall. The 9" coil attached to the 17" shaft plus the length of the stinger will surely knock the bees out of the trees.

 

Seems a bit unfair since the Predator is 77" tall and the Skipshooter is only 60" tall. Now if you were to compare it to a 7' Skipshooter (84") then it would be a more even contest.

You didn't say how much power you are planning on running but the puck mount and LMR coax sounds like it will be more than CB legal. A lot more.

With that in mind, even though the higher up the antenna the loading coil, the more RF is out on the horizon, the additional 17" length of the Predator, higher efficiency of the loading coil, and better power handling will probably give it the edge between the two antennas to a vertically polarized receiving antenna. Also, with more "capture" area, the Predator should "hear" better.

Just my .02

73
Dr_DX

 

Just remember the base loads and center loads work well. I have concerns that you may have issues with lack of proper ground plain on a Jeep. I am assuming you are referring to a Jeep Wrangler. I still think you should try the 5 foot fiberglass top load, I think you will have less problems tuning. Just from experience I have found that the top loaded fiberglass more forgiving to lack of proper ground plain. This may be a situation where a Francis 4 or 5 1/2 footer may work well due to the flexibility and continuous wrapped load.

 

Am guilty of thinking off-road “Wrangler” vs plush SUV.

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I definitely found that the 5' Skipshooter had a bit less wind load than the 5 Firestick2! And way easier to tune!

JD

 

LOL, just proves that Admiral Grace Hopper is correct:

"One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions."

 

https://www.walcottradio.com/oil-coil-high-performance-mobile-cb-radio-antenna-p-2836.html

I used one of these back in the 70's and talked international. Was called "AudioKing". Now I think it's "road pro", Found one online last year at home depot of all places...