Little Wil on an Econoline?

[Freightlinerbob]

Thinking of pulling the 148 out of the big truck and taking it along in the Econoline & Travel Trailer for vacation this summer. Would a Little Wil be an adequate antenna for this warmed up radio? The motivation towards the LW is that I can buy one with loyalty points from various truck stops vs. hard earned cash in eBay etc. But it is only a good deal if it works. Not drilling any holes.

 

[Robb]

Lil' Wil = nearly useless antenna
MUCH better off with Wilson 1000; now you are talking . . .

 

[The DB]

I second Robb that a Wilson 1000 is a much better antenna.

Will a Little Wil work? Yes. However there is a reason the Wilson 1000 costs about twice as much. You really do get what you pay for.

The Little Wil is a good starter antenna. If you get to talking a lot (or even just listening) get a longer antenna.


The DB

 

[gamegetter]

Thinking of pulling the 148 out of the big truck and taking it along in the Econoline & Travel Trailer for vacation this summer. Would a Little Wil be an adequate antenna for this warmed up radio? The motivation towards the LW is that I can buy one with loyalty points from various truck stops vs. hard earned cash in eBay etc. But it is only a good deal if it works. Not drilling any holes.

If it's something you need for just a once a year vacation then i suppose.

If you want performance then go with the longer antenna.

Although I did have a friend who ran a lil will and he did well even for local comms, but I think it was one of the old ones from way back.

If you have your mind set on a shorter antenna, consider this one:

Hustler Magnet Mount CB Antenna 43" | Right Channel Radios

On Edit: P.S. I have never bought from the above website, but I have seen the hustler antennas at a truck stop.

 

[JCH]

The W500 has an 8" shorter whip than the 1000 and a little cheaper based on a quick search, if that helps any, probably better than the Lil' Wil.

Edit: and there's the centeload whip you can use with the W1000, getting shorter anyways.

 

[Robb]

The Lil Wil is better than some antennas; but not many. But for no reason should you get a K-30 antenna. UGH. Pure junk and a total waste of money. Won't even work all the way thru the 40 ch w/o the SWR going so high as to make it unusable. Don't think much of the Wilson 500. You would be better off with a Wilson Silver Load or a Hustler 5 ft; at least they will work very well and you will get what you pay for - IMO . . .

 

[Freightlinerbob]

So can I just buy a magnetic base and add an antenna of my choosing? Or are these mag mount antennas purpose built?

 

[Mudfoot]

I ran a Little Will on an old 86 Ranger. I ran a Cobra 19. The truck had issues and I only drove it locally around the township.

It did okay and I liked the looks of it. I even ran a little 50 watt linear with it. Go ahead and try it, you'll eventually run into a deal on something better down the road. At least you'll be on the air quick and cheap.

 

[hotrod]

they ok for a short antenna. of couse the 1000/5000 is better. the 500 is slightly
better than the lil wil .if ya just wanna be able to chat down the highway the
lil wil is a fine choice. dont expect to shoot dx or talk long distances with it.
STEER CLEAR of the k-30 as robb mentioned its only good for a few channels.
only the wilson 1000/5000 are interchanable on the magnet mounts.