Review on 📡 Enhance Your CB Radio Performance with Wilson's 5000 Series Mobile Antenna Featuring a 62-inch Whip by Timothy Cole

I'm returning to using CB after about 30 years of inactivity. Now I need to drive my car cross country a few times a month rather than a big car and I needed a good setup to use it on the road. Having not had a CB in a car for over 3 decades I started doing what I normally do which is searching the internet and asking around. It was difficult to ask as none of my acquaintances have CBs anymore. I've found a lot on the internet, but too much than trying to decipher what's still relevant and what's not has become quite a challenge. A lot of my searches for reviews or topics posted on the forums returned result dates from early 2000 to 2010 etc. I started looking for the most recent posts and actually read the old ones for general understanding. When I started narrowing the field down to this antenna, Stryker SRA10M, Tram 3500 and of course Wilson 1000 and even little Will. I knew I was on the right path when I got to this point. Much of what you read is so full of opinion rather than fact that it's hard to decide what to believe. This review is really my opinion on this antenna. I took the time to call the manufacturers: Wilson, Stryker, and Tram. I didn't get a response from either Stryker or Tram, but I was able to contact a few people at Wilson. It was at the helpdesk first, so she asked if I could speak to tech support. Pretty cute, I'm sure. I soon received answers to all my questions. Since there are many opinions as to whether the Wilson 1000 or Wilson 5000 uses different mounts, different coax cables, and even different magnets (if you choose a magnetic mount), I asked about these things. The Wilson tech said the only difference between the Wilson 1000 and the Wilson 5000 is the spool design on each model and of course the plastic housing that covers the spool itself. He said the magnet, 17-foot coaxial cable, and the design of the mount itself are the same on both models. When he found out I was going to use the standard CB with some minor modifications, he even suggested I save some money and go with the 1000.SO. After some additional research and considering what I learned from the phone calls, I settled on 5000. Do I need 5000 instead of 1000? No, I do not know. But I'm such a consumer that if I can get something to grow into right from the start, then why not do it early and upgrade in the future. I realized that by choosing out of 5000 possible SWR issues I was exposing myself. Results: With Revain Prime, it arrived in two days as promised. They used an outer box to hold the whip and it had a diffuser tip on it. Unfortunately, the bottom of the antenna came out of the packaging and had a slight crease in the last few centimeters. I managed to straighten it in a vice with a rag wrapped around the whip and some pressure. The carton containing the antenna base, reel, coaxial cable and accessories has been sealed at the factory. When I opened it up I found a connector, an Allen key, instructions and a connector for the CB end of the coaxial cable. FYI: Don't reassemble this end until you run the coax unless you plan to take it apart again to run through the hole etc. Everything looked brand new as expected. I followed the instructions and assembled the antenna on my desk. After a quick test install on the car to see if the coax was long enough, I installed it and routed the coax through the trunk (attached it to the rear decklid) and then routed the coax through the trunk opening under the rear seat and across the floor to the front middle hump. Left an extra coax cable in the trunk. Checked the SWR at home and then took a 14-hour multi-state trip the next morning. The antenna never moved. I've had excellent reception and confirmed driving at least 7 miles and over 10 miles in semi-urban areas. I like the practical magnetic holder. I like the antenna. However, the redundancy for my setup gives me room to grow should I decide to expand my system. I definitely recommend this plugin. Great service and great craftsmanship. Much luck!