| Author |
Message |
    
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 402
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2014 - 5:02 pm: | 
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This is my first beam antenna. I am going to tune it for 27.205 ( CH 20 ). I will be using it on all 40 channel's but I have a MFJ tuner to take care of that. I am also mounting it horizontal. I need your advice on how to avoid mistake's that any of you may have had that would help other's and myself from making so it would save time on the installation process. |
Sonoma
Intermediate Member
Username: Sonoma
Post Number: 309
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2014 - 3:00 am: |
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I have one of these also. just follow the instructions. rest it on a pole about 5 or so feet above the ground 1st to get your swr down. will be easy since you are going to go horizontal |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 403
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2014 - 11:46 am: |
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Thank you Sonoma. I have a concern about the metal tower. Not to high. Just about 30 foot off the ground. How high should it be above the tower or any other metal object so it will not affect the SWR or pattern? Also how low did you get your SWR when mounted horizontal and 5 foot off the ground? How long did it take you to assemble and tune? |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 811
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2014 - 3:27 pm: |
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Sonoma hit it on the head as usual! All I can add is take your time (measure 2/3 times then tighten it.) I do it standing on the roof about 5'above the roof so as to avoid objects it might read.
73 Pressman
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2139
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2014 - 5:16 pm: |
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make sure spacing is correct and elements are
correct lenth . ive seen people make them
all same lenth before this is wrong. also
if ya got a mfj259b or can borrow one i highly
recommend doing that just easier that way and
tells ya whats really going on.use ya gamma match
tune it for band ya want ya said 11 meters so tune
it there and shouldnt need a tuner at all for there. maybe 10 meters
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 404
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 10:18 pm: |
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Thanks you guy's. I do not have the MFJ 259b. So I will just use my SWR meter and go from there. I will follow instruction's as best I can and hope I get it tuned right without much adjustment. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2140
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 12, 2014 - 8:33 pm: |
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wit a antenna likea beam most likely you,ll
need to adjust the gamma a few times to dial it in
the in directions are for just a starting point
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
|
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 405
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 14, 2014 - 6:29 pm: |
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Dale how close are the direction's to getting it right? Like I had said this is my first time doing this. I also wonder if once it is right and mounted would it help to spray clear coat on the antenna? |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 815
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Monday, December 15, 2014 - 11:48 am: |
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Mornin CB;
I put a couple of 103s together and had no real problems. I did measure and re-measure a couple of times. Take your time, check your measurements from the center out then check the overall lengths. BTW, it's up to you but I replaced all the screws, washers and nuts with high grade stainless steel. I used dielectric paste too to make better contact on the tubing joints. I even used shrink tube on all the joints, tape loosens and looks bad over time plus we all tend to pull the tape real tight and it fatigues quick then it loosens and falls of.
73 Pressman
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 406
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 15, 2014 - 5:37 pm: |
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Thank you for the tip's Press man. I had planed on getting the heat shrink. You would think the heat shrink along with the dielectric paste would stop the screw's nut's and washer's from rust. But I will take your advice for I find it to be real good advice. Did you use the nylon rope inside the radial's to stop vibration and the metal from breaking or did you use the wooden rod's? I had even thought about using clear adhesive caulking on my joint's along with the heat shrink. The reason I am asking these question's is I am getting old and my health is not the best any more. So if I am able to do it myself this time I want it done right for it to last as long as possible. Any more advice that any might think of would be nice. By the way, what do you think about the clear coat on the antenna? Do you think this would help keep it from oxidation? I mailed 833 a week ago and I have not heard anything from him. I pray he is doing well. Once again I thank each and every person that is helping me on this forum and I wish each and every person a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. P.S. I will get the stainless steel bolt's, nut's and washer's also |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2144
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 15, 2014 - 6:44 pm: |
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ive only HELPED assemble these . but they
always started at the refector [the longest element]. then work towards the front shortening each on with the director being the shortest.
as pressman said check ya measurements over and over on all elements and spacing.the directions
will be ya starting point thats all .you will
need to fine tune the gamma match a little
easiest way is once assembled put on short pole
5-6 feet on flatside and tune gamma
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
|
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2309
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 15, 2014 - 9:34 pm: |
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Hi C.B.
I have been away, sorry I missed your email. Instead of responding to your email, since you asked the same questions here, I will just respond here so everyone can share and comment. Seems like most of your questions are already answered here anyway.
The tuning method described above is good advice. Do that.
The joints will not benefit from tape or heat shrink, but will benefit from cleaning them with some sandpaper and using Penetrox or similar on the joints.
Putting rope inside the elements? Seriously? I think you're pulling our legs.. But, just in case you are serious... NO! The rope will absorb moisture and get real heavy. Will also help speed corrosion of the tubing from the inside out.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 407
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 - 5:55 am: |
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Thank you 833 and I am glad all is well. No joke, I had read on a forum either on this one or one of the many other's I had looked at that a person had stated that the vibration from the wind would over time cause the antenna radial's to break. Their suggestion was to use nylon rope or a wood rod inserted as to give them more strength and cut down the vibration. I did not come up with this on my own. They further had stated that they preferred the nylon rope because the wooden rod would swell with moisture, also it would make it heaver and also burst the element's. Do you think it would be wise to get change the bolt's nut's and washer's to a higher grade so they will not rust? One other question. What about clear coating the antenna? Like I had said earlier I need all the good advice I can get because this is my first rodeo and I do not want to have to pull it down again from any mistake I might make. I ask here because many have a lot of experience and good advice. I always take your advice when given. With your degree and being an expert we could not go wrong. I trust you more than the people that make the antenna. Good help is hard to find in this times we live. Around here so many people are into drug's and they are hard to trust. |
Scrapiron63
Advanced Member
Username: Scrapiron63
Post Number: 939
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 - 8:17 pm: |
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CB you won't have any problems, that 3 element Maco is the easiest to put together. That rope idea came from Maco. Below is a clip from maco instructions. I've never used it but know people that have. The only Maco beam that I've seen that had the breaking problem was the Maco 500. Almost all of the lower ends of the vertical elements fell off over a 2-3 year period on that one. I've never changed out the bolts on a new Maco. If you take one apart thats been up many years you might need to replace some of them. We put my son a 4 element up on a seventy foot tower almost 30 years ago and it's still standing straight and proud. Good luck with yours.
Scrapiron, CEF 108
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 408
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 - 8:31 am: |
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Thank you Scrapiron 63.I guess I had over looked that on the instruction's. I can not thank each and everyone enough for the kind help and information that had been given. It is so nice to know each and everyone on this forum for each of you show kindness and want to help each other. This is the best place I have seen to use to learn and get help. So much can be learned here. I ask this question here because in everything we do in life there is some little trick's of the trade that would make thing's we do easier, more efficient. I was a mechanic and an electrician by trade and there are in's and out's that make a job go better and safer. You know what I mean. I count on the education and experience of other's to guide me on this venture. Once again thanks to all and a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2310
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 1:03 pm: |
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Even the manufacturer can give really bad advice.
If you have trouble with elements over flexing or "singing", then a can of minimal expanding spray foam applied in one end of the elements until it comes out the other end will do the trick. Putting rope through the elements is a good idea if your goal is to sell more antennas.
To answer your question about replacing all the hardware, unless the included hardware is really bad (it shouldn't be), then don't bother.
As for clear coating the antenna, I have done it and the coating didn't last more than a year. The aluminum flexes too much for paint to stay together upon it. This is another area where I would say don't bother.
I have put heat shrink tubing over joints before, and it doesn't hurt. I'm not sure it really helps either. At least, it keeps the nuts from backing off. However, if you tighten your hardware properly, they won't back off anyway.
Seriously, just put the antenna up as-is and you should be quite happy with it.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 816
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 2:17 pm: |
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I never heard of using rope, just seems like if moisture finds a way in, the beam would gain weight. When I mentioned stainless hardware, it's because I'm less than two miles from a salt river and the Atlantic ocean.
73 Pressman
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 409
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2014 - 7:15 pm: |
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Press man I did not know about your salty condition's. I have had nut's and bolt's rust bad here as well. As I had said 833 I trust you more than any antenna company. I have never seen you wrong. I guess Maco does want to sell more antenna's just like other's. Once I get the antenna up I hope I never have to take it down again. I am though going to take the advice given and I thank you all very much.I most likely will use the heat shrink but wait on the foam spray. |
Starface
Senior Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 3318
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2014 - 4:47 am: |
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I'm just asking even those I don't have this problem with antennas, if one was going to put anything inside of the elements what about using pvc inside the elements? it's light weight and used for water anyway so will not speed corrosion of the tubing from the inside out. and I do know people do use pvc to make antenna. would that work inside the elements?
George
KI4NBE
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 410
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 19, 2014 - 12:42 pm: |
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Good idea. I do not know but I am sure 833 would. Thanks and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year |
Keithinatlanta
Senior Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 1023
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, December 22, 2014 - 5:51 am: |
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Hey everyone. Once again, the Copper forum rises to the TOP. This is why I go on this website. Because I learn!! I had never heard of the rope idea either. And like the man said above, another way to sell antennas.
Thanks to all who gave input to this.
Happy Holidays everyone.
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2314
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - 1:49 pm: |
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PVC is a good idea also. However, a LOT more trouble and cost than a can of spray foam.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 411
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2014 - 4:38 pm: |
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I put the Maco up temp. so I could adjust the SWR and mark the connection's so it would be ready to go this spring.. I could only get it above ground about seven foot. I mounted it horizontal .I did as everyone told me to do here and on the instruction's and my SWR on channel 20 is a 1.2 My SWR on channel 1 is a 1.3 My SWR on 40 is a 1.1 So do you think my SWR will stay the same , better , or worse when I get it 22 foot or higher off the ground this spring. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2150
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 26, 2014 - 7:40 pm: |
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imho it SHOULD drop. however your swr is fine as is. anything lower than 1.5 is fine. sounds like
ya did a great job. now stick some coax to it
and talk flatside you,ll be amazed even at only
7 feet above ground
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
|
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 412
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 27, 2014 - 8:19 am: |
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Happy New Year everyone and thank you Dale for you help and reply. I have already taken it down so I can be ready for spring to put it up for good. I did notice what a difference it made in my receive. I know it will help me with my skip. Flat side is the way I will mount it. Have great day Dale. perhaps now I can reach you some day. |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 818
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2014 - 3:43 pm: |
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Hey CB!
Congrats on the beam! Spring is soooo far away.
PM
73 Pressman
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 414
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 29, 2014 - 12:35 pm: |
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Yes I know but here Press man people are so sick with a stomach bug and the flu I do not want to take a chance of getting any of that. Of course the weather has been so bad. Nothing but rain snow and wind. Bad condition's. The ground is so saturated it is very slippery on the hill. At least if the weather were to improve I would be prepared. |
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 417
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - 9:07 pm: |
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I have one last question. On a beam antenna, how wide is the directional path of the signal ? |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 819
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, January 01, 2015 - 5:36 pm: |
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Depends on overall length and number of elements. 2-3 element beams are pretty wide, a 30 ft beam will be narrower and many times the expense.
73 Pressman
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 418
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 01, 2015 - 8:16 pm: |
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Thank you Press man. I guess wide is better. Mine is three element. I can hardly wait for a couple of good day's of dry warmer weather to get it up on the top of the mountain. So far it is going to be wet and colder for a while. No big deal though. Spring is getting closer now. |
