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Message |
    
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6768
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 9:08 pm: | 
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This Topic has been moved here from the Open area of the Copper Forum.
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 723
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 9:01 pm: |
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I saw this antenna on another website. Just wondering if anyone has tried this Z-180. They make some pretty big performance claims such as it will outperform a Wilson by 20%.
Mikefromms |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2158
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 6:10 am: |
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So,you need 50% to just be noticed,but I won't put down any antenna that has real improvement over an established brand,but nope haven't heard of it till now.Bigbob |
Bluegrass
Intermediate Member
Username: Bluegrass
Post Number: 379
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 3:42 pm: |
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I have and I know what website you're talking about but I have not used it and I don't know anyone who has. |
Wolverine
Intermediate Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 458
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 4:51 am: |
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That's just it, big performance claims. Looking at that tiny coil that it has, it looks like the equivalent to the old Moonraker mobile antennas. Don't waste your money, unless you must donate the cash, to do side by side comparisons with other antennas. Experiment with it if you must. My suggestion is to buy a Wilson antenna. That money look's better in your own pocket.
Wolverine. |
Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 368
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 1:53 pm: |
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i just got one
it blows wilson out the water
its a great ant.i have both wilson 1000and the z180 there is no compairison
the z80 is the winner hands down |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 727
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 10:31 pm: |
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Thank you for sharing your actual experience. Further, thank you for your honest reply. I hope to have this antenna by Saturday. It is a longer antenna than the wilsons; so, I figure it must be just as good. Can't wait to try it.
Mikefromms |
Jon666
Intermediate Member
Username: Jon666
Post Number: 369
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 12:56 pm: |
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its 77 1/2 inches long
sorry it took me so long to reply
been really busy here |
Wolverine
Intermediate Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 462
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 8:20 am: |
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Mikefromms, go to the Copper topic titled "Product reviews", and go to Antennas. Finally, look up the thread "Predator, Astatic, Stryker, 102"....(Comparison)". You will see how the Z-180 fares against all of antennas including Wilson. When you read the thread, make sure that you are "Sitting down", with tissue in hand. The thread with the test results of the Z-180 as conducted by "Patzerozero", as compared to the others, will bring tears to your eyes. I will say, that the Z-180 is at best an "Okay" local talking antenna.
Wolverine |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 737
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 10:33 am: |
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Yeah, but who is to say this is an unbiased test? If I start out believing the Wilson is better I'm inclined to give it a higher mark. Some folks are highly, highly prejusticed against some products, i.e. Galaxy. I'll read the comparsions, but right now I'm getting wonderful reports with my Z-180 and it hears fine. I do have my Wilson 1000 in the trunk in case this longer sucker get knocked off the car and destroyed by a limb! The jury is still somewhat out, but right now I really like this antenna. Time will tell if it is a keeper.
Oh, thanks for the information. I do appreciate it.
mikefromms |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 745
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 - 3:25 pm: |
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Well, I read the comparision and...hand me a kleen-x. I might just have to try one of those Astatic 3k's for myself. In the search for the perfect mount for the antenna. I guess that big magnetic mount is about it, huh?
mikefromms |
Wolverine
Intermediate Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 467
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 4:39 am: |
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No problem Mikefromms. We are all here, to learn and experiment with our toys by trial and error. I own both the Astatic 3k and the Predator double coil antennas, and they are both great antennas. Try not to run over 300 watts RMS with the astatic though, Patzerozero had a bad experience with that antenna running that much power. Go with the 3-pad or 4 -pad mag-mount for the Astatic, that will hold that sucker up in the air loud and proud. Long live the hobby!!!.
Wolverine. |
Jellybean
Member
Username: Jellybean
Post Number: 84
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 9:02 am: |
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I had a couple of the 3K's I bought about 3yrs ago and ran them on my big truck, Volvo 660, and ran them with a 2970DX into a six pill Joker and it handled them well. SWR's were easy to set. The only thing I didn't like about them, though they don't look it, was they broke easily from limbs etc....
I ended up just running one on the drivers side. I get into hospitals that have lots of trees. These didn't break off at the all-thread, but at the base just above the chrome piece. They look thick enough to handle low speed limbs, these aren't big limbs either. That was the only dissappointment I had with them. The Coily's, Predators, Wilson's held up just fine.
Just my humble experience, but I tried a little experiment of my own. Where I park is noisy with power lines. I tried the 3K, Wilson 5K, Predator dual coil, Mr Coily, and a Wilson Silverload 5'
all single mounted on drivers side.
These antennas were all close in swr, and about the same height. The base I was talking to was about 30 mi away. I wanted to see if any would make a difference in the noise area. All performed about the same, the 3K was just a tad noisier, the signal strength was identical on all antennas tx/rx. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 746
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - 6:22 pm: |
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Thanks for the information. Let's keep it coming. For the time being, I will wait and learn more. Still getting good results with the Z-180 myself. But I know what I will eventually try...
mikefromms |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 785
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 - 12:25 pm: |
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One issue I have with the Z-180 and that is limbs keep knocking the set screws loose on the antenna base. The screws are so tiny, too! I can't believe a company would put such tiny set screws on such a big antenna. Other than this problem everything is fine. Swr is ok even with antenna loose in the base.
mikefromms |
Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 522
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 4:42 am: |
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You get what you pay for. Stock up on the tiny set screws just in case. Otherwise, enjoy your antenna.
Wolverine. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 786
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 1:49 pm: |
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I have my Wilson 1000 back on the car. May get the Astatic 3K later. We'll see. BTW, paid $50 for the antenna, not cheap.
Mikefromms |
Magnum410
Member
Username: Magnum410
Post Number: 60
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 7:47 pm: |
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I have had the Z-180 for a while now and It seams to have slightly better ears (mainly on sideband) than the Wilson 1000. I like the Z-180 for sideband and the Wilson 1000 for am. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 787
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 12:25 pm: |
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No doubt, the Z-180 performs excellent. I'm going to run my Wilson 1000 awhile and see if anyone comments. There's some guys I talk to going to work and I'll see if our signals hold consistantly at given distances. Several tests are in order due to change in weather conditions and various factors that may affect test.
mikefromms |
Vanillagorilla
Intermediate Member
Username: Vanillagorilla
Post Number: 268
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 3:23 pm: |
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A buddy over my way just installed a Z-180 on his van in place of various glass stick and Wilson 2000. Likes the Roadmaster the best so far. Has it mounted on the r/r corner up high.
I'd say he's not really hitting me much better within a few miles..signal-wise but does seem to reach out a little better over 20mi. He's running it with a 95T or my old S-9.
Mikefromms...whats your mounted on and where? Just curious....
Hank |
Wolverine
Advanced Member
Username: Wolverine
Post Number: 526
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 3:18 am: |
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That's the true test of an antenna, "Distance".
Wolverine. |
Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 793
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 - 1:40 pm: |
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I'm mounted in the center of the roof of the car. I use the mag mount of a Wilson 1000 since it fits perfectly into the mount and holds well.
You won't catch me knocking a Wilson 1000 fine antenna, but I believe the Z-180 will give you a little more distance, and it should since it is about 15" higher than the whip on the Wilson. I'll tighten up the set screw and try the Z-180 again. It is just about to tall for a roof mount.
Mikefromms |
