102" vs. 10k

[tx213]

I keep reading about how great the 10k is. But is it better than a 102" whip? If I mount the 10k on the cab of my truck with a magnet mount will it out preform a 102" whip mounted to my tool box? Please help me decide which way to go.

Thanks

['Doc]

The biggest difference between those two is that the 102" whip doesn't have enough 'starch' in it, it tends to bend over when moving. The '10k' doesn't. That can certainly make a difference. Sitting still, I think the 102" would have the edge. That's also if they are both mounted in the same place. Moving one to the tool box would lessen that 'edge' to some extent. No idea how much.
There is no one absolute 'best' antenna. There are only 'better' antennas for a particular situation. You have to factor in all the 'other' things that a particular mounting location will bring about. If something works well for you in your particular circumstances, it doesn't matter what it's reputation is, good/bad/indifferent, it works.
- 'Doc

[djrebel236]

nothing is better than the 102inch whip, now there are diffrent styles of antenna that a person may lean toward to using instead of the 102, i always run a Wilson myself, now if i had a pickup truck, i would put my 108 back on it, right now i have a red chevy and the 102 is just too big for it, so i run a wilson instead...Dj

[tx213]

Thanks Doc.

So sitting you think the whip would have an edge but moving you think the 10K would? Whats the difference between the single coil and double coil? The 27" single coil is cheaper than the 22" double coil. How durable is the 10K? I live in the country will it stand up to the occasional limb? Also would putting a real mount on the pickup cab show a big difference from the mag mount?

[backwoods]

Well I run both. The whip works great at low speeds and can take whatever as far as limbs. On the other hand I run the 10K most of the time because it will not bust light bulbs in the shop!

['Doc]

I don't own a '10K' so can't really say anything about how durable it is. From what I've read, they are pretty heavy duty, so might not present a problem.
What's the difference between a single and a dual coil? Only the 'looks'. Electrically they are the same thing. You'll get arguments about that, but there's no difference in performance.
There is/can be a big difference in how an antenna is mounted. A mag-mount is -always- a compromise, will always be less than optimal compared to a 'hard' mount. If you have a problem with drilling hole in a vehicle, a mag-mount might be your best alternative. That's up to you. If it's that big'a problem, 'hard' mount either of them on the tool box (tool box to bed, bed to frame, etc.). You will see a huge percentage of antennas mounted that way, they do work fine (contrary to what most people seem to think). 'Best' way of doing it? Nope, so what?
- 'Doc

[get r done]

i have tested the 10k an 102 same mount same swr the 10k had 1 s unit stronger signal then the whip recieve was not enough to say there was a change.audio was louder on 10k its a 10k world

[BLACKMAGIC]

All i have ever ran is the 102" whip and spring on toolbox mounts. Ive been running them for 15 years now. I decided to try the 10k. As far as sitting still i really coundnt see any difference in the 2. Now at highway speeds i can tell a difference in rx and tx between the 2. The 10k has the advantage. I guess its because of of the whip laying back so much more than the 10k. Hope this helps

[Turbo-T]

What about the 108 whip? Someone makes a 108 whip which is supposed to eliminate the barrell spring and thus not lay back as much on the interstate.

(Yes I know even a 108 still will lay back some, but most antennas do,.....just wanted to see how a 108 stacks up against the 10k)

[tx213]

Thanks guys. I still don't know which way to go. I'm thinking maybe the 10K. If it isn't as good as the whip I can always resell it I guess.

Turbo where in MO are you? I'm about 60 miles NE of KC.

[Texas Mobil 219]

Turbo.

MFJ-1966 is a 108 whip. Order mine a few days ago from MFJ Enterprise.

As for the question at hand. Doc is right about the two antenna. There performance is the same. Just look different. I have both. Just cant wait to see how well the 108 '' whip performs. True quarter wave.

[North Texas Mudduck]

if you are wondering about the 102 and the 10k
and taking on a ocassional treelimb if you can remember where tree limb is and move over or go another route then your best bet is the 102
and leave the 10ks to the road warriors
and the 102 to the backroad bandits

[jessejamesdallas]

What about the 108 whip? Someone makes a 108 whip which is supposed to eliminate the barrell spring and thus not lay back as much on the interstate.

(Yes I know even a 108 still will lay back some, but most antennas do,.....just wanted to see how a 108 stacks up against the 10k)

I have a mfj-108" Whip. (and a Radio Shack 102") The MFJ 108" is a little bit thicker antenna over the RS 102" (at the base) And the 108" won't bend back as much as a 102" w/a spring...(this should be obvious) And the Predator 10K stacks up the same with the 108", as it does with the 102".

One reason some have noticed that they seem to have a "Louder signal" with the 10K's, is because of the surface area of the 10K vs. the surface area of a Whip. Some have also noticed less noise using the Predator 10K's vs. the Whips.

Bottom line, I think the Predator 10K Antenna's have a strong enough reputation now, that they basically sell them selfs. You can read post after post of people who have used Whip antenna's forever, then bought a 10K and were sold on it within minutes of getting the thing tuned...

As for as taking a hit, the Predator 10K is a strong light weight antenna, but if you hit something hard enough on the antenna itself (not the stinger) you can snap it off at the mount...Just like if you hit something hard enough with a Fiberglass antenna, the thing is going to break. Monkey Made antenna's, the 55's, Bad Boy's, Mr.Coily's, Stryker's, Al Capone's, and any other aluminum antenna will break if you hit something hard enough in the right spot...sorry, that's just the way it is!

Best thing to do if your thinking of getting a New Antenna, is first to evaluate your driving habits, and where the antenna will be mounted, and if your going to be driving around areas where there is a good possibility of hitting low hanging obstacles on a regular bassis...

Oh, and one other thing...For those who think the 102" Whip "Can't be broke"...It can! It can also get hung on tree Branch's and literally ripped off your ride! And, can get you in some serious Hot Water with the Law, if it takes out someones lights at a drive-threw fast food place, or smashes Traffic Lights at intersections...

When deciding on a CB Antenna...A little "Common Sense" go's a long way.

And the "difference between the Single Coil 10K, and the Dual Coil 10K"...Just the "Over-All Hight"...the Dual Coil will tune at a shorter height, vs. the Single Coil...Everything else stays the same...

[Turbo-T]

Thanks guys. I still don't know which way to go. I'm thinking maybe the 10K. If it isn't as good as the whip I can always resell it I guess.

Turbo where in MO are you? I'm about 60 miles NE of KC.

I'm about 60 miles E-SE of KC.

[coondog]

even though i prefer my 27 inch single coil compitition 10K the 102s and 108s are good ant"s.i stopped using my 102 because friends on there bases said my signal would always vary when driving.its still in the corner in here and i"ll keep it.

i"ll never stop using my 10K :D


one other thing thats good about those big whips is that when a deer runs out in front of ya all you have to do is just tap your brakes and your whip will smack them in the a#$&