| Author |
Message |
    
Snowman404
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 1:41 pm: | 
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I have a ford ranger with an aluminum tool box on it.I have tried a 102" steel whip,and a trucker 2000.I cant get the swr below a 2 with them.I put a wilson silver load on it and they are just a little over a 1.I would like to run the whip.Anyone have any thouhts on this.
Thanks,
Snowman404 in the bayou state |
Tech671
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 3:18 pm: |
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The problem(s) with running an antenna behind the cab and on tool boxes can be hair pulling no doubt.
An antenna needs to see a groundplane or counterpoise. It also needs to have a clear view. Obstructions will cause reflection, deficiencies raise reflection as well.
You can run antennas on tool boxes *if* the tool box is made to be "one" with the frame, and if the high majority of the antenna is above the cab.
If you don't get what I said you can email me for further help. |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 2:56 pm: |
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Tech671,The antenna is mounted on the very back and middle of my toolbox.What do you mean about "one" with the frame?I dont have an email adress any more.
Snowman404 |
Tech671
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 8:10 pm: |
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Antennas require a counterpoise or "launch pad surface". This surface needs to be connected strongly and directly to the frame of the vehicle. On toolbox installs this usually requires two 4ga ground wires from either end of the toolbx to the frame below with solid contact.
Sometimes it's necessary as well to ground the bed to the fram, the cab to the frame. These can be done with 8ga, so can the tool box, just depends on how much power you'll be running.
The attempt is to make everything grounded as "one". Everything that is SUPPOSED to be grounded...... |
409
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 1:52 am: |
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Tried to run a whip on a ranger a few years back,never got the performance i wanted so went to a Wilson 1000....worked very well. The whip doesn't like it behind the cab very well and your signal will be noticeably directional. |
Dx431
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 9:07 am: |
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I run a whip behind the cab on the top rail in the center of the box on my Sierra and have a 1.2 swr and talk any where I want. |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 6:05 pm: |
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Thanks everybody.Does it matter that I have a foam type tape between my toolbox and the bed?Shouldnt th bed already be grounded to the frame?Also I did try a Little wil on the roof of the truck and the swr was high on that too.I have used 4 different meters and they all read about the same. |
Dx431
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 1:58 am: |
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Snowman......throw a Wilson 1000 mag mount on the roof. You should be good to go.Personaly, I like the whip, but, thats just me.....my 2 penny's worth.... |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 5:46 pm: |
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Dx431.....do you think I would get a low swr with the 1000.I would like to use my whip if I could get the swr low.
Snowman404 |
Dx431
| | Posted on Thursday, July 18, 2002 - 2:04 am: |
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Snowman, e-mail me. |
Dx431
| | Posted on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 1:49 am: |
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Hey, Snowmaan...did ya get the whip to work on your truck? |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 3:08 pm: |
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Dx431,I haven't yet.I have to buy another one.I'll let you know what I come up with.
Snowman404 |
Dx431
| | Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 9:47 pm: |
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Keep us posted..... |
Chester
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 10:23 pm: |
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Snowman404, I ran into the same problem on my '02 Ford SuperDuty. I have an alum. Weatherguard toolbox mounted in the bed directly behind the cab, to make a long story short I cured it by running (2) 4' Firestik antennas co-phase and just like magic the swr came down within spec. Started out with just the single ant. and chased the problem around like a dog chasing it's tail. Sorry about the late responce, just read your post tonight.
Take care, and hope this helps!
Chester |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 2:14 pm: |
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I forgot to add.I'm using a Galaxy44,18ft. of rg8x-95%coax. |
Snowman404
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 2:11 pm: |
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Yeah,I have been chasing my tail.I ran a solid copper wire from my tool box to my frame and it still didn't change,the swr still reads between 2and 3.With my wilson silver load the swr reads high until I hook up the little lead wire,then it goes below a 1.
Snowman404 |
The_Bandit
| | Posted on Sunday, August 04, 2002 - 1:04 am: |
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It is possible to run a 102" stainless whip on the toolbox on a Ford Ranger. I never thought this would cause anyone any problems.
Here is how I did it on one of my employee's 2001 Ford Ranger.
His toolbox was plastic so I was at a definite disadvantage. I started out by drilling the holes for a mirror mount bracket. I installed both sides of the bracket on the toolbox for support... antenna mount on outside other part on inside. I made a solid ground by removing the shield from a section of RG8 coax. The shield serves as a great ground strap. Run that from one of the antenna mount bolts to the bolts which secure the toolbox to the bedrail.
SWR 1:1 across all 6 bands of his Voyage VR9000.
- Bandit |
