ANTENNA: the antennas used in these kits utilize the same 5/8 wave design as the patented Firestik II tunable tip antennas. The antenna's frequency is altered in order to maintain a desirable center band position when used with the tuned coaxial feedline. Accordingly. these antennas may only be used with the Firestik NGP cable. The core material is a 3/8-inch (0.375" or 10mm) diameter reinforced plastic (fiberglass). A custom blended formula offers a preferred balance of flexibility and strength. The chrome plated machine brass mounting base has standard 3/8"-24 threads. A high efficiency. voltage increasing helical wind is utilized. Heavy insulated copper wire is used to guard against shorted coils and corrosion induced resistance commonly found on non-Firestik brand antennas. The antenna used in these kits have the patented "no tools required" tunable tip for fast and easy SWR adjustments. The rated wattage for these kits is 100 watts. Each 4-foot antenna is covered with a static reducing. heavy PVC shrink tubing with both pigment and UV stabilizers mixed in. Available colors are black or white with a red tip or. red or blue with a white tip.17-foot ((5.2 M) RG-58 A/U coaxial cable used in these kits is of the highest quality. Due to the vibrations found on all mobile installations. a multi-wire stranded center conductor is used to prevent breakage. Surrounding the center conductor is a long life. flexible polyvinyl insulation. To guard against signal leakage. the center conductor is shielded with a copper wire braid that averages about 95% coverage (versus the industry standard of 70%). The coaxial feedline. 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. for ease of installation. the end of cable that attaches to the mount is bare allowing routing of the cable. Supplied ring terminals then can be crimped on.MOUNT. SPRING and HARDWARE: To compliment the quality of the antenna and feedline. the mount used in these kits is FireStik's stainless steel. 3-way 90° angle mount. SS-64. Mounting options are. 1) any vertical bar. rail or post. or 2) any horizontal bar. rail or post. and 3) any flat vertical surface such as the side of the vehicle. A stainless steel spring with machined brass ends acts as the coupling between the antenna and the feedline.