Utilizes
a built-in ball and socket that allows the user to hand loosen
the loading coil and either adjust the antennas angle or lay
it down for storage
PURPOSE:
The DS14-FG 'No ground plane" (NGP) CB antenna kit was specifically
designed to solve the lack of ground plane (counterpoise) problems
found on vehicles constructed of plastic, fiberglass, wood or
aluminum. This includes, but is not limited to, motorcycles,
motor homes, boats, automobiles and 18-wheeler trucks. Ground
plane problems typically show up in the form of high standing
wave ratio (SWR) and poor performance. The isolated ground plane
that is built into this kit will also eliminate problems on metal
base vehicles that lack the sufficient ground plane for proper
operation. This could be due to the size of available ground
plane (ATV, bicycle, motorcycle, wheelchair, etc.), or because
the operator chooses to mount the antenna in a location that
is unable too properly take advantage of available ground plane.
The DS14-FG kit has an adjustable base so you can mount it on
the roof, trunk, top of fender or on side of a vehicle with up
to 70 degrees of tilt from vertical. This is the perfect kit
for motor home roofs, the roof of a pick-up camper or cap, the
trunk deck of a Corvette, or the roof of a fiberglass or aluminum
18-wheeler tractor. The installed height above roof line is a
mere 13.5" (343mm).
COMPONENT INFORMATION:
ANTENNA: The antenna used in this kit is similar
to that which is used on our regular Designer Series DS14 antenna
kit. The antenna's frequency was altered in order to maintain a
desirable center band position when used with the included tuned
coaxial feed line. Accordingly, the antennas may only be used with
the Firestik NGP cable. The radiating element on this antenna has
a series of spring-like coils similar to most cellular phone antennas.
The base coil has a built-in ball and socket that allows the user
to hand loosen the loading coil and either adjust the antennas
angle or lay it down for storage or washing. Adjusting the SWR
is as easy as loosening a pair of set screws and moving the whip
up or down as required. The rated maximum wattage for the antenna
in this kit is 30 watts, which far exceeds the FCC authorized output
of 4 watts by 650%. All parts of the antenna are finished in black.
COAXIAL FEEDLINE: The
seventeen-foot (5.2 M) coaxial cable used in these kits is of
the highest quality. As a matter of fact ... our NGP cable assembly
utilizes a custom manufactured coaxial cable that can only be
found at Firestik. Unable to find the performance characteristics
in any of the commercially available coaxial cable ... we designed
our own. First we use a multi-wire stranded center conductor
to the prevent breakage that can occur with solid center conductor
cable. A condition known as "cold working" occurs
where vibration is present and this action can cause solid conductors
to become brittle and eventually break. Surrounding the center
conductor is a long life, flexible, polyethylene insulation. Since
shielding is extremely critical on NGP systems, we used a double
shield around the center conductor. First, a 100% aluminum tape
covers the center conductor insulator and then a copper wire braid
(averages 95% coverage versus the industry standard of 70%) is
applied over the aluminum tape. The coaxial feed line, besides
being the conduit for the signal to reach the antenna, serves as
a tuned circuit that creates the necessary counterpoise. If a longer
cable length is required, the user may add standard RG-58 A/U cable
between the radio and system cable, preferably in lengths that
are multiples of nine feet. Because it is a tuned circuit, the
length cannot be reduced without causing non-repairable damage.
MOUNT AND HARDWARE:
The base of the mount is about 1.25" (32mm) in diameter. An integrated rubber o-ring on
the base seals the mount tightly to the vehicle. One 13/32" (10mm)
hole is all that is required to install the mount. All necessary
hardware is supplied with the kit. |
