Hey all. I'm looking to upgrade my antenna's. Currently, I use the Wilson Silver Load, 36 inch whip dual setup in my Peterbilt. I would like to upgrade to a 10K dual setup. However, I have clearance issues. Which 10K do I need? My silver loads catch the doorway at one of the places I load. Does 10K make one shorter? I've seen the 9 inch referenced as a trucker antenna, but no mention of overall length. Please help.
TIA
Wanting a Predator 10K but need low profile for Semi
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SmallTruckBigRadio
REVISED MEASUREMENTS 5/7/06
Because of uncontrolled confusion, this section of this thread has been targeted for destruction.
BigGuns, fire for effect... :shocked:
In case this is your first read on this thread. SmallTruckBigRadio started an avalanche of confusion, and has been sent to the corner for "time out" while those who know what they are doing, step in, and help TIMSTER.
BigGuns, fire for effect... :shocked:
In case this is your first read on this thread. SmallTruckBigRadio started an avalanche of confusion, and has been sent to the corner for "time out" while those who know what they are doing, step in, and help TIMSTER.
Last edited by SmallTruckBigRadio on May 07 2006, 21:09, edited 5 times in total.
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Phaze91460
Where are your antennas mounted ? most trucks have them mounted on their mirrors and you still have 6' to the top of the air diflector over the cab. A 3' antenna hitting something on a big truck is definatly a problem. I have a lower 10K than the 9". If you to to our sponsors link for pred antennas and give him a call he can get the shorter version for you. It is still more than 3 feet though.
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-TIMSTER-
Thanks for the response guys. I haul grain which may explain why the clearance is an issue. As you may know, some grain elevators which I load from have a low door entry of 11 feet 8 inches. Some are the full 13 feet 6 inches or higher. Also, I drive a Peterbilt 379 which has a mid roof sleeper as most Peterbilts do.
The antennas are mounted on the mirrors using the factory dual coax setup. I like the dual look more for asthetics. But, if single is better, which I have heard and seen from many drivers, then that's what I may have to do.
So, the whips will not be an issue? SmallTruckBigRadio, if I read your post correctly using your setup, I should have 30 inches of whip with 14 inches where contact will be made. Will that 14 inches be enough to allow the whip to flex?
The antennas are mounted on the mirrors using the factory dual coax setup. I like the dual look more for asthetics. But, if single is better, which I have heard and seen from many drivers, then that's what I may have to do.
So, the whips will not be an issue? SmallTruckBigRadio, if I read your post correctly using your setup, I should have 30 inches of whip with 14 inches where contact will be made. Will that 14 inches be enough to allow the whip to flex?
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Daddyroccop
I have a similar problem with an 07 International. I am using a Predator 10k (trucker) but i have been dinging over head head wires and it's driving me nuts. I also haul fuel and have to get under some pretty low canopy's at stations. I was speaking to Mr. Radioactive last night and he suggested I mount the antenna on the lower bracket of the mirror mount, I am going to give that a try tomorrow and see if that affect the swr's I'll let you know. Would that be an option for you?
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Guest
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-TIMSTER-
I thought of the same thing in the last hour. Yes, let me know how that works with mounting it lower. Come to think of it, I could mount it lower and on the side of the mirror mount. You know how the Pete's mount looks right? That just may be the ticket.Daddyroccop wrote:I have a similar problem with an 07 International. I am using a Predator 10k (trucker) but i have been dinging over head head wires and it's driving me nuts. I also haul fuel and have to get under some pretty low canopy's at stations. I was speaking to Mr. Radioactive last night and he suggested I mount the antenna on the lower bracket of the mirror mount, I am going to give that a try tomorrow and see if that affect the swr's I'll let you know. Would that be an option for you?
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SmallTruckBigRadio
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Phaze91460
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-TIMSTER-
NP on the incorrect measure. A few minutes ago, Predator 10k called me and said the K26, is 48" in length. He said that is the shorest dual coil he has. Now, you mention I will have to take off 12 inches. If that's the case, then that would put me right back where I am as far as length... 36" which is perfect. I presume the K29 is just 3" longer. Perhaps I would be better off with that leaving just 3 inches to rub on the top of the entrance. Rubbing doesn't hurt the building as it has been done many many times. What to do now.... hmmSmallTruckBigRadio wrote:TIMSTER, I made a mistake.-TIMSTER- wrote:...So, the whips will not be an issue? SmallTruckBigRadio, if I read your post correctly using your setup, I should have 30 inches of whip with 14 inches where contact will be made. Will that 14 inches be enough to allow the whip to flex?
I just went out to double check things on my Predator. Depending on how your antenna tunes, you may need to add 10-12 inches to the whip length that I mentioned earlier.
The measurement that I stated earlier is a 10" short. (I apparently had used measurement of the whip from my Mr. Coily for the length on the Predator, but the Predator ended up tuning with a longer length, sorry)
Make that a 22 inch shaft with a 40 inch whip. Total 62 inches instead of the previously mentioned 52".
I bent over the whip on the Predator 1/2 way, and that would be the maximum that I would recommend.
Trying to bend the whip a little more than 50% will not hurt the whip or the antenna, but it may get kinda rough on your mount, mirrors, and customers building because this is the thickest Stainless Steel whip I have ever seen. I think it's 3/16" diameter, very hard stainless.
So adding the predators 22" shaft plus bending the 40" whip 1/2 way (20"); would put you at about 42 inches maximum recommended bend height above the top of the antenna mount. You could push that a little more if you think the mounting equipment and the structures can take it. It will be noisy like Daddyroccop mentioned.
Sorry for the bad measurement earlier.
The whips are some sort of tempered stainless steel. I think Kale at Predator orders them from the planet Krypton.
They are very hard to cut, and plan on having to cut nearly 12" off of what comes with the antenna when if you get one. Don't freak out on the length that comes out of the box. A cutoff wheel would be very handy for tuning. I used an old set of Klein 9" lineman pliers, and my hands knew they'd been working when I was done. Ask again for details when you get closer to tuning.
Last edited by -TIMSTER- on May 07 2006, 18:56, edited 1 time in total.
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Guest
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Phaze91460
Well, I didnt shop either, I needed info because of my hight issues. I have to have 12' clearance right now.
Timster, I have the 10k 2-6 and it is a total of 56" tip to end with the SWR set. I just measured it. That measurement was after tuning and I had to cut about 1 1/2 feet off to get the SWR correct.
Timster, I have the 10k 2-6 and it is a total of 56" tip to end with the SWR set. I just measured it. That measurement was after tuning and I had to cut about 1 1/2 feet off to get the SWR correct.
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SmallTruckBigRadio
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Rex_foxhound
:atombomb:-
-TIMSTER-
You guys are kewl! LOL. Sometimes I wanna make things go boom... LOL.SmallTruckBigRadio wrote:Double check shaft length, if the unbend-able shaft on the dual coil K29 is what I think it will be, you may have a problem.-TIMSTER- wrote: Predator 10k called me and said the K26, is 48" in length. He said that is the shortest dual coil he has. Now, you mention I will have to take off 12 inches. If that's the case, then that would put me right back where I am as far as length... 36" which is perfect. I presume the K29 is just 3" longer. Perhaps I would be better off with that leaving just 3 inches to rub on the top of the entrance. Rubbing doesn't hurt the building as it has been done many many times. What to do now.... hmm
Predator 10k called me and said the K26, is 48" in length.
48" shaft, or tuned?
If this creates a shorter whip bending more than 50%, It may still be rough.
Now, you mention I will have to take off 12 inches.
That kinda changes now, with the different antenna, maybe more or less than 12" of what he sends out with that antenna.
If that's the case, then that would put me right back where I am as far as length... 36" which is perfect.
I presume the K29 is just 3" longer.
Double check to be sure
This is all a bit of a pain, but at least your typing and clicking instead of climbing and cursing.... :Peace!:
BigGuns can hook you up with some military weaponry, so that clearance won't be an issue anymore.
I beleive that is 48 inches before tuning??? He didn't specify
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Phaze91460
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SmallTruckBigRadio
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SmallTruckBigRadio
Wow,Phaze91460 wrote:no, not before tuning. back up and read my post. Thats the antenna I have and its 56" after tuning.
Good catch Phaze.
TIMSTER mentioned that kale told him 48", there is also some confusion on the total hard length without the whip.
Phaze,
What is the hard length of the K26 without the whip?
I think BigGuns need to blow up this whole thread, after we get me, and TIMSTER lined out.
I think I will go back and delete alot of my info, to shorten the antenna question that has turned into a monster... :shocked:
Last edited by SmallTruckBigRadio on May 07 2006, 21:00, edited 1 time in total.
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jessejamesdallas
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Tryed my best to read thru all those post's....But WOW!
If were still talking about the 10K...Way I was reading the post's. Your needing a small or rather short version of the Predator 10K. There is one that's shorter than the 9" shaft one you were looking at.
It's the Predator 10KSW. Use's two small coils, each has been re-designed and placed on a 6" shaft. Makeing this antenna the shortest 10K avalible.
It is avalible from Clay's rdio sop. (Had to miss-spell "radio shop", so the sencors would'nt bleep it out) :Peace!: ...clays also has the best price's on 10K's!
If were still talking about the 10K...Way I was reading the post's. Your needing a small or rather short version of the Predator 10K. There is one that's shorter than the 9" shaft one you were looking at.
It's the Predator 10KSW. Use's two small coils, each has been re-designed and placed on a 6" shaft. Makeing this antenna the shortest 10K avalible.
It is avalible from Clay's rdio sop. (Had to miss-spell "radio shop", so the sencors would'nt bleep it out) :Peace!: ...clays also has the best price's on 10K's!
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
