Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Antennas » Wilson silver load installation « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kwhubby
New member
Username: Kwhubby

Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 2:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi, I have a friend who baught a 4' wilson silver load antenna. He has a radio and a 100 watt amp, but he doesn't have a coax / mount for the antenna. He keeps saying he is going to get the coax just lay it down inside his car or put it inside the bumper! This sounds like a BAD idea to me. I need to find a mount coax assembly (mount more importently) that doesnt bolt right into the metal of the car frame. He will be using it on his pickup truck or his car (maby some bumper mount solution or something that replaces the comercial band radio antenna with an adapter to get dual use). I don't know what kind of connector this antenna has or I would probobly have found a solution that would work better then his idea. Thanks for the help I don't want him getting cancer from sitting on the antenna or blowing up his equipment with HUGE SWR.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431

Post Number: 1010
Registered: 2-2002


Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 11:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If he is going to use the ant on more than one vehicle, then a mag mount would be best. A mag mount comes with coax already installed. Screw than the ant into the mag mount set the mag on the vehicle run the coax to the transmitter and your done.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil

Post Number: 85
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 2:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kwhubby,

I mounted my 4' Wilson Silver Load on a Hood/Trunk Channel Mount made by Firestick. It is available on the web from several dealers or maybe in a local CB shop. You can go to the Firestick web site for a picture and other info. There are also some coax options there as well. If he will run that kicker you may want to go with at least RG 8 mini with GOOD shelding.
I mounted mine to an existing quarter-panel bolt inside of the hood of my Chevy Silverado. Also, I mount a 102" whip to the same mount and it holds and grounds VERY well.

Good Luck, let us know what you decide.

CEF447
Red Devil - 392
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kwhubby
New member
Username: Kwhubby

Post Number: 9
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 - 7:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks for your suggestions! but one major question is: how does the antenna connect? is it just a male pl 259 connector? or somethign else? O yea, the magnet mount sounds good to me but he is afraid of people stealing it since there are some people that stole some of his stuff off his car where he parks daily; also the mag mounts ive seen are expensive. I like some of these details you have given me. Hopefully I can convince him of something decent. Thanks!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431

Post Number: 1011
Registered: 2-2002


Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 1:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What type of vehicle is he mounting this ant on?
If we new that maybe we can give you a better seggestion of what type of mount to use.
Mag mounts aren't that expensive. You can pick one up for under $20.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Crackerjack
Intermediate Member
Username: Crackerjack

Post Number: 279
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 4:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a suggestion, mount it on a ball-mount with a 102" SS whip.

LOL, Sorry, just can't help myself.

The second best ant I ever had was a Wilson in the middle of my roof with a Mag mount. I ran the coax across the roof and into the door behind the driver.

But you will have to labor a little bit over the SWR. Make sure that all the doors are shut first.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil

Post Number: 86
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 10:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Kwhubby,

Coax options are quite wide. You will need a PL259 connector for the radio end (obviously). As for the antenna end, if you want to split the coax and run the center lead to the antenna lead and the shield to the grounding lug on a channel mount just remember to at least tin all of the connections prior to running them to the bolts. I’ve found it better to loop the ends and create a soldered loop just large enough to fit the bolt through. Also, seal the connections once complete (after all SWR adjustments etc.) with RTV to eliminate any water infiltration into the connections or the coax.
If you go for the magnetic mount option, there are several different options, some of which come pre-sired into the mount. Hunt around on the web, the options are nearly endless. The best mag-mounts I have seen (strongest magnets) are the K40 (which is designed for the K40 antenna) and a triple magnet in a triangular pattern.
Theft is always a possibility with ANY antenna system. My channel mount will at least save me from buying a new mount. As you can tell, I’m a guy who prefers a bolt on mount that does not require you to drill into the vehicle.
Whatever you decide, double check your continuity BEFORE you attach the radio. You should have fun! The planning and installation are sometimes as fun as talking.

Crackerjack<<< I am 102” whip fan as well. I DO get some odd looks with my 102 in the channel mount of the hood of my truck. NO SWR problems and a bit cleaner transmit than the Wilson. Low overhangs are also fun when I forget about the antenna.

CEF447
Red Devil - 392
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil

Post Number: 87
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have tried to attach a picture of the triangle mag mount available at ************** and other web sites. It goes for $50 at *********. hunt around for the best price.

popjpeg{79355,}

Good Luck, Have FUN!

CEF447
Red Devil - 392\
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 5519
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 12:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How about here on the Copper Web Site.

The 3 Mag Mount.

V10-06044 Valor MM 3401 Maxi-Magnet Mount Kit
$ 37.99


3 Mag Mount


or the 4 Mag Mount.

V10-06064 VALOR MEGA MAGNET MT
$ 49.99


4 Mag Mount

Hope this helps,

Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Red_devil
Member
Username: Red_devil

Post Number: 88
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Monday, April 18, 2005 - 10:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

DOH!!!!!!!!!!!

Lesson Learned…the HARD WAY. Always check the Copper site before you suggest any others.

Sorry Lon

CEF 447
Red Devil - 392

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: