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852
Advanced Member
Username: 852

Post Number: 579
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Friday, August 24, 2012 - 12:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What are the pros and cons of these antennas? I have a Kenworth Dump truck with a wilson 2000 mirror mount ant..Seems as if anyone gets behind me or more than a mile away i can no longer hear them..Would one of these antennas help? The cab of my truck is mainly fiberglass with little aluminum...
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Press_man
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Username: Press_man

Post Number: 610
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2012 - 10:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tech 833 is the source for antenna knowledge but I'll take a shot from experience. When I install where there isn't a useable ground plane I always use an antenna like the Firestick (4'). Always worked best for me on Pickup. Installed one on my brothers KW mirror and changed his radio world. He hauled tile on a flat bed and would lose people behind him quickly, this changed with the Firestick. They won't take power above 500w though.
73 Pressman
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Tech833
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Username: Tech833

Post Number: 2194
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Sunday, August 26, 2012 - 6:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The NGP antennas are good at giving your radio a satisfactory match (SWR) but pretty lousy at getting a lot of signal out on the horizon. But they are certainly better than nothing.

If you have any other metal around, like the dump bed itself, that would be your best bet. Can you mount the antenna to the front ridge of the dump bed? Then run coax down the bed all the way back to the hinges at the rear of the truck, then forward along the frame into the cab?
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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852
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Username: 852

Post Number: 580
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 3:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I might try moving the ant. further out on the mirror arm..If that doesn't help, might try going with a 4ft. firestik mounted on the lower mirror arm. Can't go with alot of height due to having to pull under low asphalt plants..
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Tech833
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Username: Tech833

Post Number: 2200
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2012 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thinking outside the box...

Since you have to keep low profile, could you mount fiberglass sticks to the sides of the dump bed?
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Tech237
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Username: Tech237

Post Number: 1613
Registered: 4-2004


Posted on Friday, August 31, 2012 - 8:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Or use a tuned small loop mounted above the cab's roof?
Tech237
N7AUS

God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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852
Advanced Member
Username: 852

Post Number: 581
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2012 - 5:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for all the suggestions....

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