cutting whips ???

[tmaxxman]

OK this may be a dumb ??? but can you cut whips down and if so how would i do it i have 4 foot ones on my truck there to long for me to put on my garage i can pull in just fine its backing out that is the problem they cant bend down like they do when i pull in so i wanted to cut them down so they don't hit my garage door it would be about 1 foot i would have to cut off of them to fit
but i don't want it to look dumb any help would be appreciated
or is there some other way i can mount the to not have to cut them

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[Rangered06]

make up a swivel mount that just requires a pull of a pin to lay them into the bed. would require a little extra effort to get in and/or out of the garage but it would keep your look u got going. Plus you wouldn't have to cut them even though i think it is possible to cut them. It will just reduce the range on them i believe don't quote me on that though.

 

[colby450xc]

Wire snips? I don't think cutting the antennas will degrade the cosmetics of your truck. It is already 3/4 primer and 1/4 black in the first place. No offense, just pointing it out.

 

[Rangered06]

something like this might work as well i believe it might work for your application goes between your mount and antenna and if i remember correctly they hold them up straight great till u grab it to bend it over

 

[bilzy7]

what about tie downs like military humvees

 

[bilzy7]

get a longer antenna and make it go over your cab and tie off somewhere on the side of hood. not on hood but like directly to the side of it. ohh...
or you can mount it to end corner of your bed just run longer wire, and tie it off to top of your cab at the back, thatd be like 6 feet of antenna if you let it reach the rear of cab.

 

[bilzy7]

Bam. google is my god.
If you notice springy bottom of antenna, it allows more flex, but you also need a more flexible antenna.

 

[Black'03LevelII]

To the O.P. if those whips are name brand like fire stix or wilson yes they can be cut down. The rubber cap should could come off the end very easily, use cable cutters to cut them and put the caps back on. However you will loose some range by shortening them. The pivot that Rangered06 posted works very well for this application. I have seem them sold in the c.b. antenna area at Pilot truck stops.

 

[bilzy7]

fine dont go with my idea w.e! plus i dont know if that antenna is FM or not. but thats for you to google if you like the idea. i think it looks good, i didnt expect to find a ranger photo.

 

[--weezl--]

1, those white antennas aren't whips,

2, no you cannot cut those down without doing serious damage,

3, driving into your garage and bending them is already damaging them

your best solution is loosen the antenna from the mounts, and screw them in hand tight, so you can unscrew them when you pull in, and put them back on when you need them...

those springs help, so i'm told, but not as much as i think you need... i do plan to get one for my truck, just to take the stress off the mount, with the antenna swaying on the highway and 4x4ing

you can also get twist lock connectors, like these

which will be gotten along with my spring, and i will also be upgrading my coax

 

[--weezl--]

To the O.P. if those whips are name brand like fire stix or wilson yes they can be cut down. The rubber cap should could come off the end very easily, use cable cutters to cut them and put the caps back on. However you will loose some range by shortening them. The pivot that Rangered06 posted works very well for this application. I have seem them sold in the c.b. antenna area at Pilot truck stops.

if you don't care what your SWR is...

honestly, i would not buy a non tuneable antenna, or a trim to tune, as so many things can change your SWR, including a good hit to the antenna, or a kink in the coax

 

[fishman67]

If your swr gets to high, it will take out your finals. Use a spring or a swivel mount, or if you do shorten them, do not shorten the wire. after you do it, get an swr meter and set it up. Lee

 

[tmaxxman]

if you don't care what your SWR is...

honestly, i would not buy a non tuneable antenna, or a trim to tune, as so many things can change your SWR, including a good hit to the antenna, or a kink in the coax

i don't know yet i haven't got a swr meter yet and i just got the whips from a junkyard for 2 buck hell no one around here talk on them anyway but i like how whips look on a truck

 

[tmaxxman]

got the problem fixed now and i didn't have to do anything but bend them to the side a little and put them under my razorback just to get in and out of my garage i don't see were that will hurt them

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[bilzy7]

Lmao then it isn't worth investing alot. Since you don't really use them.