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Wheelco505
Member
Username: Wheelco505

Post Number: 72
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 11:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

has anybody brought one of these antennas??how have they performed for you.they look nice and even better on my ford explorer(i'am going to order one friday 505
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2996
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 2:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i've tried at least 15 different large-open-air high power handling type antennas, & noticed very little difference performance-wise in them. most seem to tune to 1.1:1 relatively easily, most are pretty broad-banded, and most are considerably heavier & create more wind-load then my predator 10k. this all goes for the expensive 'name-brands' to the cheap 'no-name' brands, no offense intended but including the 'workman' in the 'cheap' class. some seem to need the coils centered, respaced & reconfigured to get the SWR's low, & that seems to affect performance if they're 'not right'. the only one that i've ever seen not tune right was the 'turbo-double-charged' thingie, that is more like a dual coil A3000 or penetrator in coil size. the only problems ever encountered with the type you're talking about are where the coil connects to the upper & lower shafts-poorly connected, dirty contact, poor conductivity have resulted in arcing, poor tuning/bad SWR's that were good the day before. just make sure things are tight & clean. keep in mind a generally longer antenna of the same type should work better then an overall shorter version-in the case of some 56 inchers vs those closer to & more then 7' in length. it should be a decent performer though.
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Wheelco505
Member
Username: Wheelco505

Post Number: 73
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 5:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

thanks! i was wondering if the workman name was a decent name to trust as for as antennas go.i guess what you are saying is the basic diference is workmanship.other than that,they are basicly the same in performace.i'am going to order one from copper fri.and put it on my jeep with a 2 pill.for summer traveling.i'll tighten those screws up as so as i get it. thanks 505
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2999
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Sunday, June 18, 2006 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

sounds good, wheelco!
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1461
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Wheelco, I recently purchased the double coil Workman for my dads mobile and installed it hard mount on the roof. As Pat stated the ciols arrived loose so check those and be sure they are tight. The plastic that supports the shaft at the coils gives the antenna some flex. Its not a bad antenna. The only thing I dislike about the antenna is the length, I think its to short. At least for me, I like big monstrosity type antennas. The Workman should perform well for you but I will suggest researching the Predator and similar highest qaulity types. I have also heard many good reports about the Astatic antennas! Remember! Length is the key, the shorter you go the less your gonna be heard!
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485
Junior Member
Username: 485

Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2006


Posted on Friday, August 18, 2006 - 6:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hard to beat a 102", unless your'e a fast food drive through junkie"
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1662
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Saturday, August 19, 2006 - 3:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

485, Actually I believe that a 102 inch whip mounted on the car roof with a spring is unbeatable! Installed one on my rear fender and was amazed at the effiecency. Only problem it was very directional in the postion. So I decided the Predator on the trunk was for me.
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485
Junior Member
Username: 485

Post Number: 19
Registered: 8-2006


Posted on Sunday, August 20, 2006 - 7:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I went through several coil type's, the Penetrator. (years back) was great but they all fell apart eventually, loosened up, won't take the abuse of whipping around for long. Height is the key to radio communication and the 102 is the Antron 99 of mobile antenna's. Broad Banded? at 26300 1.5 swr, drops to nothing through the entire 27 band then up to around 1.5 again at 28500.............Believe me, living in South Florida, sometimes you got to search that many frequencies before you can find someone not speaking spanish to talk to...........lol!.
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Allagator
Advanced Member
Username: Allagator

Post Number: 742
Registered: 9-2002


Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 7:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

hey they will break if you hit a tree around the rings ! dont ever use them for trail driving !
use the 102SS and you will never have any problems !

Just my 2 cent !

Allagator
CEF 115
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404
Junior Member
Username: 404

Post Number: 46
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 - 10:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Save your money and get a 10K.I love my 10K and it is the last mobile antenna I will buy.
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Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 1752
Registered: 1-2005


Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 1:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

404, I agree. The only other antenna I would buy is another 10K!
485,you stated that the coil types eventually loosen up and fall apart. I don't think you have tried the Predator 10K. Other than using the proper tools to dis-assemble it there is no way the 10K will fall apart from normal use. They are just to well built. They have such strong integrity the claims that it being the last antenna you will ever buy are true! The weakest part would be the Delrin center at the coil and the Delrin is used as the insulator betwwen the 2 pieces connected by the coil. Delrin is a steel substitute.
I can see the SP2000 vibrating loose but not the 10K.

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