Predator 10K

[Groundhog KSS-2012]

Ordered a new Predator 10K finally. A single coil with the 27 in shaft.
I can't wait to compare it myself to my 102" SS Whip and see how much better it is!
Almost everyone on this site says they will out talk and out hear the 102 so
I can't wait to witness these results myself!
If it does, I will be very impressed. I will mount both in the exact same location and set the
SWR as low as possible on both. From what I've read by many here, the 102 doesn't stand
a chance!!!
We'll see.

 

[881TX6666]

Ordered a new Predator 10K finally. A single coil with the 27 in shaft.
I can't wait to compare it myself to my 102" SS Whip and see how much better it is!
Almost everyone on this site says they will out talk and out hear the 102 so
I can't wait to witness these results myself!
If it does, I will be very impressed. I will mount both in the exact same location and set the
SWR as low as possible on both. From what I've read by many here, the 102 doesn't stand
a chance!!!
We'll see.

Ordered a new Predator 10K finally. A single coil with the 27 in shaft.
I can't wait to compare it myself to my 102" SS Whip and see how much better it is!
Almost everyone on this site says they will out talk and out hear the 102 so
I can't wait to witness these results myself!
If it does, I will be very impressed. I will mount both in the exact same location and set the
SWR as low as possible on both. From what I've read by many here, the 102 doesn't stand
a chance!!!
We'll see.

I don’t think there will be much difference between the two. Remember the 102” whip is a full 1/4 wave antenna. That’s basically what all the bottom, center and top loaded antennas try to emulate. If anything I would think the 102” whip would be better depending on where you’re transmitting to and receiving from because of the radiation pattern. Depends on how your vehicle acts as a ground plane also. So it could go either way. But I doubt there will be much of a noticeable difference between the two. Of course the predator can handle more power. Either way I hope you’re happy with it and enjoy your new antenna. I’m currently looking into maybe replacing my 6 foot skip shooter.

 

[The DB]

Of course the predator can handle more power.

You have it backwards here. The limiting factor on the Predator's power handling is the loading coil. The 102" whip on the other hand doesn't have such a limitation and is instead limited to whatever power level the whip itself can handle, which is much higher than even a Predator 30k, much less anything else can handle if mounted properly.


The DB

 

[Recon]

I don’t think there will be much difference between the two. Remember the 102” whip is a full 1/4 wave antenna. That’s basically what all the bottom, center and top loaded antennas try to emulate. If anything I would think the 102” whip would be better depending on where you’re transmitting to and receiving from because of the radiation pattern. Depends on how your vehicle acts as a ground plane also. So it could go either way. But I doubt there will be much of a noticeable difference between the two. Of course the predator can handle more power. Either way I hope you’re happy with it and enjoy your new antenna. I’m currently looking into maybe replacing my 6 foot skip shooter.

I agree with hardly any or very little difference between the two antennas because I have used both antennas with the same radio, same truck and same location using a Breedlove stake pocket mount and quick disconnect. As I posted on another forum, I decided with the 102" whip because it is more flexible to stow in the bed of the truck than the Predator antenna.

 

[881TX6666]

You have it backwards here. The limiting factor on the Predator's power handling is the loading coil. The 102" whip on the other hand doesn't have such a limitation and is instead limited to whatever power level the whip itself can handle, which is much higher than even a Predator 30k, much less anything else can handle if mounted properly.


The DB

How much power can the 102”s handle? I always thought they were only good up to 7k or 8k watt’s depending on what brand. I know I’ve seen some with advertised rated power as low as 500 watts. But I haven’t done much research on them because I never wanted an antenna that big.

 

[undertaker]

Good God who needs 7 or 8 thousand watts????

 

[AudioShockwav]

I have run 1/4 wave SS , 1/4 fiberglass (96") and the 27" 10k all on the same truck, same mount.
The 10k did not beat the full size whip static on my mobile, but.....
All three antennas were so close that it was hard to tell the difference on the air.
I have done testing between Rob and myself at @100+ miles from my parked mobile to his base.
It's not a astronomical difference going from the 10k to a full 1/4 wave, don't expect to see the mythical 3 s units +/- either way that you see guys post on the net.
In normal everyday use its a toss up and even things like what vehicles they are mounted on have effects that can slew performance up or down.

73
Jeff

 

[Groundhog KSS-2012]

I have run 1/4 wave SS , 1/4 fiberglass (96") and the 27" 10k all on the same truck, same mount.
The 10k did not beat the full size whip static on my mobile, but.....
All three antennas were so close that it was hard to tell the difference on the air.
I have done testing between Rob and myself at @100+ miles from my parked mobile to his base.
It's not a astronomical difference going from the 10k to a full 1/4 wave, don't expect to see the mythical 3 s units +/- either way that you see guys post on the net.
In normal everyday use its a toss up and even things like what vehicles they are mounted on have effects that can slew performance up or down.

73
Jeff

Does a Predator talk DX better than a 102" ss whip?
Is that something they may do better?
I don't know but, I'm sure gonna try and find out.

 

[AudioShockwav]

When you are working DX it is all about band conditions, mother nature is a very good equalizer.
I have worked DX with a 23 channel stock radio and a radio shack mag mount.
The best way to judge antenna performance is local when you can sit in one place, no propagation and have several other ops that can give you reliable signal readings.

73
Jeff

 

[Groundhog KSS-2012]

I don’t think there will be much difference between the two. Remember the 102” whip is a full 1/4 wave antenna. That’s basically what all the bottom, center and top loaded antennas try to emulate. If anything I would think the 102” whip would be better depending on where you’re transmitting to and receiving from because of the radiation pattern. Depends on how your vehicle acts as a ground plane also. So it could go either way. But I doubt there will be much of a noticeable difference between the two. Of course the predator can handle more power. Either way I hope you’re happy with it and enjoy your new antenna. I’m currently looking into maybe replacing my 6 foot skip shooter.

Will be tried top dead center of an extended cab pickup truck cab. Both 102 ss whip and Predator. One right after another. I will drive about 9 or 10 miles away and will change antennas while my buddy Darryl gets readings from both. Should show which one does best on my particular vehicle, anyway.

 

[groundwire]

How much power can the 102”s handle? I always thought they were only good up to 7k or 8k watt’s depending on what brand. I know I’ve seen some with advertised rated power as low as 500 watts. But I haven’t done much research on them because I never wanted an antenna that big.

Not even 8k. They come to a sharp tapered point at the end which is their weak point, and the corona ball is almost non existent. I have seen a steel whip get red hot at the tip and arc at only 5kw. They definitely have a lower max power rating contrary to what people say.

 

[Recon]

Will be tried top dead center of an extended cab pickup truck cab. Both 102 ss whip and Predator. One right after another. I will drive about 9 or 10 miles away and will change antennas while my buddy Darryl gets readings from both. Should show which one does best on my particular vehicle, anyway.

Considering the abundance of cell phone towers, how much power do you need or want in a mobile CB radio?
I have a President Bill with the carrier set at two watts matched-up to a KL203P amp in one vehicle. The forty-watt carrier gets does a darn good job.
The other vehicle has a stock Galaxy DX94 HP, and it does a darn good job.

 

[Slowpoke]

Ordered a new Predator 10K finally. A single coil with the 27 in shaft.
I can't wait to compare it myself to my 102" SS Whip and see how much better it is!
Almost everyone on this site says they will out talk and out hear the 102 so
I can't wait to witness these results myself!
If it does, I will be very impressed. I will mount both in the exact same location and set the
SWR as low as possible on both. From what I've read by many here, the 102 doesn't stand
a chance!!!
We'll see.

I bought the exact antenna for my T680. It's OK, but I'm not impressed, especially with the price. My 5 foot Skip Shooter, 4.5 foot Procomm quad wrap, 4 foot firestick, and long shaft Wilson 2k all do equally well, in my opinion. I used to run a 102 on the rear side of my Pete. Honestly, they all things being equal, I'd go back to my $20 102 inch whip. I still do prefer cophase. Seems to have a better signal capture. The quad wrap does too, come to think of it. I'd be interested in your experience.

 

[undertaker]

Hard to beat the old 102 whip!!

 

[Dr_DX]

Not even 8k. They come to a sharp tapered point at the end which is their weak point, and the corona ball is almost non existent. I have seen a steel whip get red hot at the tip and arc at only 5kw. They definitely have a lower max power rating contrary to what people say.

All I know (first hand experience) is that a deceased "Bowl" friend of mine used a 102 SS whip on a chain bumper mount on the back of his 70's Caddy and it held his AC Blue Gill just fine. He even cooked me a hotdog on it; it took about 3 seconds.

Pretty sure it was doing more than 8K. The DK put my 10K slug in the corner. The chrome had peeled off his bumper in a 6" radius of the chain. Fun times...