Has anyone actually mounted a 102" whip? And do you have pictures or info. of where you mounted the antenna?

Btw, I'm not interested in what the antenna will hit, who won't let me run it during their event, etc. I've searched these forums, and all I come up with is posts of why you shouldn't or can't.

 

Here's what I have. Can't fit the whole whip in the picture but the one with the tennis ball is the 102". Like you mentioned, you'll find various posts why my mounting location is bad, but I like it. The only thing is it slightly interferes with my rear wiper on the hardtop. So I need to do some rearranging.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I also have a 102'' whip antenna and dont know where to install it. I have a ball mount for it already as well.

 

Thanks for the info and pics. I also have a ball mount but I'm leaning towards not using it and doing a solid mount instead.

I'll post up as soon as I get it mounted.

 

Nice setup!

A couple questions:

1) mechanical: With the whip being so flexible do you feel any improvement using the spring?

2) electrical: do you get better performance with the 102in whip than with a 4ft fiberglass? Assuming you are using it for a CB. Or are you using it with a tuner for HF HAM?

Thanks!

 

Thanks!

For #1) The flex is really nice to have with an antenna this big, so the spring comes in handy. Wind loading is a factor so it does bend down quite a bit on the highway. And I worry about cars behind me when I take off too fast at the lights!! Yes, you could probably be better off without the spring, but for me I need it to add just a bit of length to the antenna for a good SWR. That leads into answering question #2.

For #2) There is no comparison from an 8ft antenna to a 4ft antenna. Like they say, big is better and in the case of antennas the same holds true. I don't know the physical characteristics of the 4ft antenna you are referring to but it could be a 1/8 wave or have some coils or wiring windings to make it appear as a 1/4 wave antenna. Either way, it doesn't have the same physical length as a quarter wave antenna like the 102". Electrically it works with a radio but it "doesn't get out" (or receive), like they say.
Having said that, there are many good reasons for having a shorter antenna too, if you only need to talk on the trail and not "shoot skip" (you're not supposed to anyway) and be able to fit through drive-thrus.

If you want to read up on the 102", here is a good article.

http://signalengineering.com/ultimat..._antennas.html

And I forgot to mention, it just looks cool hanging there off the back of the Jeep.

Cheers,

 

I just installed a 102" steel whip from radio shack. I like it. Good quality. My swr is just over 3, but I suspect a bad coax, as the connection at the antenna is loose. I have it on a rigid mount on the rear end of the frame rail, as I have no rear bumper.

 

Sorry I don't have a pic, but I have a 102" on a Rugged Ridge (I think) mount that mounts on right side of spare tir carrier. I have it on a spring mount, no problems at highway speed even with a tennis ball. It does hit everything in the world, but my kids get a kick out of that anyway lol. Only problem is you have to have the cargo door open all the way for the rear window to clear on opening. It is so flexible that I have bent it completely over and duct taped it to trailer hitch so I could get through drive through car wash lol. Very durable stainless steel, will be installing a Uniden 520 on Tuesday so I can update reception/transmission quality then. I love it, especially when it smacks the overheads going through drive throughs, but then again, I'm an asshole (but I'm comfortable with that) lol.

 

Hope it works and you can see my installation.
I used a piece of stainles angle plate and attach inside the hinge using existing bolt.
Extended post is not necessery, but it was used on previos antena that had top coil and I wanted the coil above roof line.
If you can find wider angle so the antena mount leg is further away from the door. Thats why I left the riser.
Also you can run the coax trough the gate, but do not try to feed it trough door wiring harnes, leave it on the outside.
I did that on my 08 and in the winter the coax got mangled inside the harness.

Cheers.

 

I just pulled the trigger on a Cobra 29lx. I am thinking about mounting a ProComm JBC986 - Ball Mount & Spring from Walcott on the rear passenger corner.

If I did this reply correctly, here is the link
ProComm JBC986 - Ball Mount & Spring