Mobile Antenna: PRESIDENT Texas 1800

[slowmover]

Have to make runs every so often across a rural property where low tree branches are an occurrence. 4-5/strikes each way. About 1-2’ of antenna “hit”.

So far, not a problem. Crawl speed due to cow path being followed. Set the TurboDiesel into First and idle along using clutch & brakes to modify headway.

With a PRESIDENT Lincoln + V2 and a DSP extension speaker am getting good enough reports. (The new Washington is the replacement).

I’ve too many component controls to have to balance against each other for optimum performance, but when I do is when the 7’ class of antennas really shine.

If you find a T1800 NOS and deal with its design . . there’s no hard feelings.

Another man used some sort of film wrap to “hide” the chrome base. Said it didn’t seem to affect performance. That done (and a more low-key mount than mine) this antenna would almost disappear. He would loosen the base and lay the whip flat to listen thru his work day (contractor; usually for SSB DX). Raised it up at quitting time to participate on his long drives to his home. It was his experience 4-5/years ago convinced me I wanted VG SSB performance, so I saved and got the gear he ran (radio & antenna of Linc + Texas).

Yeah, it’s obvious I’m running a tall antenna. But it’s not neon glare, either. The mid coil antennas are what jump out at one.

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[slowmover]

The Road Trip Antenna for perspective.
Same heighth, but that coil is over 2’ above roof.



PREDATOR 10K 10-1-27

I’ll get around to mounting and tuning one of the big truck pair on here: SIRIO 5000 3/8”

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[jcrmadden]

Yeah, it’s obvious I’m running a tall antenna.

The 7' skipshooter on my Tacoma makes it look like a RC toy truck...

PREDATOR 10K 10-1-27

I will inevitably own one of these...

 

[slowmover]

This has been base-load permanent choice for many years. But since being sold the quality became questionable.

 

[slowmover]

DRIVER EXTREME Silver Bullet 66”​

The back-up antenna

Underneath black sheathing we’d see:

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66" Black DRX-4661​

66" Fiberglass CB Antenna Black
UPC Code: 734139846610

Am running this as backup to the 1800. Got it out while in town a few days ago as a wreck on the nearby Interstate (and Friday traffic before Christmas) made for more local than usual on AM-19.

Atop the puck mount it tops out at 5.75’ above the roof (11.75’).

Is obviously easy to tune. Very “solid” is the impression. Quite a lot of thread depth on the 3/8” mount screw which is welcomed.

As the drive home made clear, height is might as it lost RX as I got away from the highway and got behind hills and down into stream crossings near the Brazos River. Sooner than with any of my 7’ as was expected.

With that said it gave me clear RX & TX as I invented a few reasons to get on-air first parked then moving. Sounded as good as the T-1800, overall.

It stores easily across the rear seat back and is said to tune broadly. 25.5-28/Mhz will be the test someday. Maybe it’ll be good for when parked (easily re-tuned).

I will have to add a spring at base.
There’s NO flex with this design.



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[jcrmadden]

I like that tuning tip. Looks a lot easier than a decking nail with a set screw. Stainless I would hope.

 

[slowmover]

I like that tuning tip. Looks a lot easier than a decking nail with a set screw. Stainless I would hope.

Silver Bullet Antennas

driverextreme.com

 

[slowmover]

Antenna Springs

Stuck a medium weight spring underneath it.


Nope, need a barrel spring (avoid highway wobble & bend). I’ll first have to get some idea of how much it moves with sunlight angles. And Ck SWR at highway speed.

A 4.0” HUSTLER C30 should do it.

C30 - Hustler Heavy Duty Chrome Antenna Spring

C30 - Hustler Heavy Duty Chrome Antenna Spring

www.wearecb.com

The similar-appearing 4.5” C29 is likely too stiff.

The SSM-3 is what I need for the 102”.

Note: All three (3) of these look almost alike, but they aren’t. Same is true for the spring at top. There are engineered differences and price alone won’t tell you.



Figured I’d have to re-adjust the tip. Nope, actually showed better across spectrum.

Will take the expensive meter with me on next trip. Will also take a radio along that has weather channels and check that as well. See what higher & lower than 11M is like.

Get this backup antenna as good as can be for now.

FWIW, anyone playing with AM-19 don’t expect much the day before, during, and the day after a major holiday. With big trucks off the road the cars won’t or can’t carry the burden. It’ll just be Skip with punks on splatter-boxes.

That said, maybe your region has men on other channels. A holiday period would be very good for that (off of 19). I know that SSB can be lively. That’s what I’ll be checking at some point. An open area I can park and “scan around”.

I try to avoid springs as they add failure points. Mainly used as a crutch for a poor antenna choice. And, the center woven braid gets old. One can wick a light amount of LPS to it, but be sparing. A spring is “consumable” (same as coax) as it will wear out. And these examples can’t be rebuilt to my knowledge.

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