I got sick of my Wilson 1000 giving me problems so I pieced together all I needed for a 102" set up. I purchased a thing at a time, when I had the money. First the antenna, then the spring, then the mount.
So I finally have everything and I'm ready to go. My plan was to mount it at the front passenger side of the bed. "Well, that will make it directional." Then I thought I'll mount it front center of the bed and as high as I can get it on the center bed rail. "Well, the antenna will always be hitting the cab." Then I start getting impatient and I really get to thinking were I would put this thing. That is where I get myself into trouble. So the roof starts looking good. It is the best spot for antenna placement. So out comes the drill and down comes the headliner. So the baby is eating in his high chair in the driveway, I'm getting frustrated while I try to cram my fingers in between he roof supports with the nuts and washers, meanwhile the screw keeps popping up out of the roof as I try to get the nuts on. What seems like forever and a day later, I get it all together. I let out a sigh of relief. That is about when I notice the backing plate of the ball mount on the front seat. I have to disassemble everything and start over. I finally get it up and SWR is good, reception is good, and I'm happy.
So the next day I go to drop my son off at daycare. Twang, ding, thwack, boing. So now I start to do the math....6' of truck, 102" antenna, 6" spring, 4" mount. Hmmmm, 15' 4" at the tip is a bit high. I better tie this thing down. So then I find just how flimsy they are making trucks these days. The metal on my roof is almost at the point of crinkling when I tie the antenna back, and there isn't even much stress on it. It is a little late to change it now that the holes are drilled. But this thing looks awesome sitting in my driveway.
So I finally have everything and I'm ready to go. My plan was to mount it at the front passenger side of the bed. "Well, that will make it directional." Then I thought I'll mount it front center of the bed and as high as I can get it on the center bed rail. "Well, the antenna will always be hitting the cab." Then I start getting impatient and I really get to thinking were I would put this thing. That is where I get myself into trouble. So the roof starts looking good. It is the best spot for antenna placement. So out comes the drill and down comes the headliner. So the baby is eating in his high chair in the driveway, I'm getting frustrated while I try to cram my fingers in between he roof supports with the nuts and washers, meanwhile the screw keeps popping up out of the roof as I try to get the nuts on. What seems like forever and a day later, I get it all together. I let out a sigh of relief. That is about when I notice the backing plate of the ball mount on the front seat. I have to disassemble everything and start over. I finally get it up and SWR is good, reception is good, and I'm happy.
So the next day I go to drop my son off at daycare. Twang, ding, thwack, boing. So now I start to do the math....6' of truck, 102" antenna, 6" spring, 4" mount. Hmmmm, 15' 4" at the tip is a bit high. I better tie this thing down. So then I find just how flimsy they are making trucks these days. The metal on my roof is almost at the point of crinkling when I tie the antenna back, and there isn't even much stress on it. It is a little late to change it now that the holes are drilled. But this thing looks awesome sitting in my driveway.
