Radio Shack 102" Whip & Predator Freedom Antennas Test!

In this video an old time classic the 102" whip from Radio Shack gets tested against my special Predator Freedom Antenna. With the help of Kale Cavel of Cowtown Antennas in Texas inventor of the world famous Predator 10-K Antennas he made me a custom 36" high quality aluminum shaft. This shaft was machined to accept a cut down 102" whip. Depending on the install the total length will be 108" or more. I am using a barefoot Cobra 148 GTL (new version) with a RF Limited Xtreme 2018 with the noise reducer on. The antenna is mounted on a custom L bracket level with the inner bed rail and using mini 8 coax. I am in a parking lot at Wal-mart in Skowhegan, Maine. The parking lot is full of cars and I'm about 3 miles from my base station. The receiving base is a Cobra 2000 GTL with dual CA-2000 speakers hooked up to an Imax 2000 with a GPK using 400 series coax. After I studied the video footage using the Quick Time Player the new antenna proved to have an advantage. The video was paused at both dead keys. Both antennas had the say exact dead key signals. The video was paused on both their peak signals. The Predator Freedom Antenna proved to have the edge over the 102" stainless steel whip by the thickness of the Cobra meter needle! At peak modulation on the 102" distortion was heard in my modulation. During the peak modulation on the Predator Freedom Antenna not only it was clear but full modulation! Now these antenna is not currently on the market. Please stay tuned for a follow up video with the introduction of the Predator Freedom Antenna!

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Predator
• Cowtown Antennas
• Bulldog Radio Communications
• Cobra 2000 GTL
• Cobra 148 GTL

[kc8ntp]

There is no way an antenna can make a difference in PEP like you are trying to indicate. Yes, SWR and RF getting back into the radio can, but not the antenna, per se! This is very misrepresented. And don't tell me I don't know, since I have 3 degrees in Engineering. Plus, I would like to add, there is no loaded mobile antenna that can match the efficiency of a 102" whip, period! 5000ft of wire on a 5ft form is still a 5ft antenna!

[BLUZUMR]

@kc8ntp Hello kc8ntp! Thank you for your input. In this case there was a slight difference. Unfortunately the resolution on YouTube is not so great. I have done many comparision tests and for some reason the Freedom DX-K was slightly better. If you have some time go on Facebook - Predator Freedom DX-K Mobile Antenna, Quarter Wave Killer. I am not claiming gain numbers or anything outragious except this antenna is just another alternative to an all stainless steel whip, Bulldog.

[125or200px]

Here in England the steel whips are around £15,and the Predator needs importing,and prices range from around $85 just for the antenna.

With so much difference in price i would expect a VERY HUMONGESTLY HUGE difference in performance,but in this test the result is hardly noticable.

I think ill go with the long whip,but will it need cutting to use on the triple 5???

[BLUZUMR]

@125or200px I sent you a message.

[uglytothebone5]

to me it was close i run the 102" thanks

[HabibAlby]

Wow, I have the 2018 mic as well, I LOVE that mic! The truckers don't but it's a blast. I actually shot DX from N. California to Indianapolis Indiana to a gentleman that was using a 102" whip in his driveway which is pretty impressive!

[nashvilleoutlaw]

@BLUZUMR True I was thinking of the Predator 10k with 9" shaft I've been running for over 10 years. I switched from a radioshack 102 mounted on the back bumper to the Predator mounted in the middle of the bed by the back window. The 102 on the bumper acted more like a beam than a ground plain where the Predator 9" by the cab gave better all around performance. Just something for the new cb people to think about. The best antenna in the world is junk if you cant mount it how it needs to be

[BLUZUMR]

@nashvilleoutlaw You are thinking of other Predator Antennas. This one is a full length 108" non-coil antenna! Heck this think can be as long as 138" or as short as 38"! You can tune this antenna for the band needed to communicate and it is broadbanded too!

[nashvilleoutlaw]

@dbbigdaddy The thing about the predator antennas is they are a little better than the old 102's and about 2 and a half feet shorter, so less smacking trees with it and the roof of my carport

[dbbigdaddy]

@XxClemsonTigersXx yes it is and it's the same one that he modded and used on a predator base load shaft...not really seeing the point except the 102 is still way cheaper and works just as well as a predator base with a 102 whip stuck in it.