RadioBanter - View Single Post

January 28th 06, 04:53 PM posted to rec.radio.cb

On 24 Jan 2006 19:28:09 -0800, wrote:

Im thinking of getting a 102" whip, I dont think I need the spring
because of where im mounting it. But is it nessesary? Should I get it
with the whip ?

You don't need the 102" stainless. I will re-post two separate tests
that confirmed that an antenna like the X-Terminator can perform
better than the 102" stainless.

*The main reason I did the test in the first place was to debunk the
notion that a short antenna like the X-Terminator could outperform the
102" stainless. I couldn't debunk it.

********************************************
FIRST TEST

I have just completed another test of mobile antennas. Last time I
posted the results of the 7' Firestik compared to the 108" whip.
The Firestik won by a small margin. This time six antennas were
tested. They were kept anonymous to the signal readers until
after the figures were compiled. Each antenna was assigned a
letter. Here's the list:

108" stainless steel whip A
8' Francis Amazer B
7' Firestik C
6'6" Hustler top load D
5'4" X-Terminator double coil E
9' homemade 1" braid antenna F

A picture of these antennas and the mount
is located in (alt.binaries.pictures).
The file is called (antennas.jpg)
* The braided antenna is not shown.
It was included in the test after the picture
was taken.

The conditions of this test follow:

1. All connected to Hustler Quick disconnects
2. All used at 1.5 : 1 match or better
3. All tested with a constant tone, constant power transmitter
4. All used on a three magnet mount on the roof of a truck
5. All tested from a parked vehicle that never moved during the test
6. All tested within a very brief time period of each other (15 sec.)
7. All used two stationary receivers 14 miles away.

The analog S meter of a Kenwood and Tentec were used to
compile these numbers. These numbers were averaged after
numerous checks and rechecks to make sure the order of
best to worst was accurate. Here they a

Tentec: F, 3.1 S units
E, 3.05
A, 3
B, 2.85
D, 2.7
C, 2.65

Kenwood: F, 2.3 S units
E&B tied at 2.2
D-C tied at 2.15
A, 2.1

Two things come to mind.
1. All these antennas are close.
2. Antenna E, easily the shortest, outperformed
or equaled everything except antenna * F

* ( antenna F is an impractical antenna. It consist of
a one inch wire braid covering a fiberglass rod 9'
tall)

***************************************

FOLLOW UP TEST

I won't dare say anything about the results. I'll just post the
numbers. Comments welcome.

The antennas:

108" whip
7 foot Firestik
5'4" X- Terminator double coil

The conditions of this test follow:

1. All connected to Hustler Quick disconnects
2. All used at 1.5 : 1 match or better
3. All tested with a constant tone, constant power transmitter
4. All used on a three magnet mount on the roof of a truck
5. All tested from a parked vehicle that never moved during each test
6. All tested within a very brief time period of each other (15 sec.)
7. All used a stationary Kenwood 940 receiver.
8. 940 used a vertical beam free and clear of obstacles.
9. A video camera and 31" television was used to display
a (31" S- METER) and record the results.

Thirteen mile free and clear test

108" 5.2 S-units
Firestik 5.3 S-units
X-Term 5.4 S-units

Thirteen mile in the middle of the woods test

108" 3.3 S-units
Firestik 3.7 S-units
X-Term 3.9 S-units

Twenty four mile free and clear test

108" .25 S-units
Firestik 1.3 S-units
X-Term 1.5 S-units