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firestik questions

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  #1  
Old 01-16-2006
nated0g's Avatar
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From: Millington, TN
firestik questions

i have a couple of questions about a firestik antenna. i want to get etiher a 3 or 4 foot model.
1 how much of a wack can one take?
2 can you take them into carwashes with the brushes/chammie material?
 
  #2  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Columbus Ohio
They cant take much of a wack since thier fiberglass, they normally snap i beleive...or snap off the base if its mounted good....Im not sure what you mean by car washes...as in a do it yourself? or a drive through? my magnet mount is mounted on the back drivers side corner and i figured it would get thrown off when i go through the automatic but it doesnt....

Rocky
 
  #3  
Old 01-16-2006
nated0g's Avatar
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From: Millington, TN
yeah the drive thru.
i might have to keep a cap and remove it when need be then .
 
  #4  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Garner, NC
the steel whips would be your best bet for durability
 
  #5  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: The Keystone State
I have a 4' wilson fiberglass stick and that thing can handle some flex. It doesn't clear any garage or carwash. It just flexes back. i'm sure if you got into a nasty enough perdicament it would snap.
 
  #6  
Old 01-16-2006
LILBLUE04FX4L2's Avatar
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From: Exit 105 New Jersey
I have a 4 foot Firestik mounted in the front stake hole on passenger side
it is mounted on a spring which I recommend
off road it takes a lot of abuse
I remove it and leave only the spring mounted if I go through a 'soft cloth' wash
all are screw mounted at the base and I just spin it off the spring
 
  #7  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Fairbanks, AK
Pics^^^
 
  #8  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
I've seen these quick disconnects for firesticks, are they good?
 
  #9  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Exit 105 New Jersey
as requested - pics of my antenna set up
 
  #10  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Fairbanks, AK
Cool, dude, where'd you get it??
 
  #11  
Old 01-16-2006
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From: Exit 105 New Jersey
it is firestik part #SS-294A
I am sure there may be other makes of similar design
I ordered it along with the antenna from the same supplier
 
  #12  
Old 01-17-2006
tideguyinva's Avatar
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
and what supplier is that
 
  #13  
Old 01-17-2006
mx98ranger's Avatar
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From: GA
nice on the spring.. thats a good idea
 
  #14  
Old 01-17-2006
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
I'm surprised you get good transmitting power with it that close to the cab.

Did you happen to tune the VSWR's?

Reason I ask is, I tried two Wilson antennae (1000 & 5000 - or was it 500, anyway the shorter, smaller version of the 1000) and I couldn't have the base anywhere near bedrail height without reflected power causing a squeel when transmitting. Couldn't tune it out either. If I mounted it further back at bedrail height (more than 1/2 way to the tailgate) it would operate fine, but I didn't want it so exposed back there.

Ended up going with a magnetic mount on the top of the cab. Easier to remove / reinstall but the trees smack it around pretty good. But all in all a good compromise. It's only been smacked off the roof a couple times in 4 hunting seasons mounted like that.
 
  #15  
Old 01-17-2006
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From: Fairbanks, AK
Well, gues that one is goin on my list of mods to do...

hmmm....number 5,356...
 
  #16  
Old 01-17-2006
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From: Havre De Grace,Md
i got dual 4ft ant. They work good but i want a more flexable whip. but not 10000ft long. ant the good ol sticks flex's pretty darn good from my abuse
 
  #17  
Old 01-18-2006
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From: The Keystone State
that's where mine is mounted, only on the driver's side. my swr is @ 0-1. I get real good reception.
 
  #18  
Old 01-19-2006
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From: hesperia, ca
i have a 5 or 6 foot antenna on mine. i put a thing on the bottom of the antenna that lets me fold it into the bed when i need to go through a drive through or low clearance area
 
  #19  
Old 01-19-2006
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From: The Keystone State
what like a locking hinge?

got pics?
 
  #20  
Old 01-19-2006
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From: hesperia, ca
yeah, i'll see when i can get them up
 
  #21  
Old 01-19-2006
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From: hesperia, ca
i put a little metal loop that turns so i can hold the antenna in and keep it from bouncing around in the bed. to put the antenna up, i just turn the loop, and the antenna locks into place standing up. not that great, but it works...
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  #22  
Old 01-19-2006
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From: San Antonio , Tx
anyone have the firestik "Push-N-Twist" Quick Disconnects ??? if so how youl iek nad they worth price ?
 
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