| Author |
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Mean Machine
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 8:24 pm: | 
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I am going to upgrade from my A-99 and wanted to get thoughts on these two antenna's? Which one is better? I have had people in my area tell me the Shakespeare tends to have less TVI/RFI then the IMAX. Any other sugestions on a good base antenna?
THANKS - Mean Machine |
Taz
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 10:44 pm: |
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go with the imax |
jyd
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 7:56 am: |
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i-max |
Dinker1
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 8:50 am: |
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I have the Shakespeare up and it is the second one if there is a third it will be shakespeare; compareson yhe imax drags more garbage noise in on them does the shakespeare.. I'm in a mobil home park 20 ft in the air and i'm getting by . imax i would tear everthing up, even steros and telephones.. |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 4:05 pm: |
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Check out the Maco Alpha V 58. All aluminum,better lightning protection,and in my experience no TVI or RFI. Have mine about 12 feet over my shed and running about 900 watts or so through it does'nt even twitch my neighbors tv less than 25 feet away. Talks good,hears good,and probably most importantly it does'nt irritate the neighborhood. Make sure you use a good SHIELDED COAX AND GOOD GROUND. Mine is grounded with 2 ga. wire and using 45 feet of Belden 9913. |
Taz
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 5:18 pm: |
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trust me, go with the imax2000, i have owned the shakspeare and the a99 and a good buddy has a macov58 and the imax is the best!!!!! |
Dinker1
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 6:31 pm: |
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Bullseye, I never gave The Maco 5/8 A thought, I do know of A few up and the people are doing A good job, and they seem to be happy with them. I still say not enough money to put up the Imax or the a 99-- Shakespeare all the way, next would be
the Maco...DEAN- |
Taz
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 8:42 pm: |
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You wont be happy with that shakespeare or the maco. The a99 is better than those. |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 10:12 pm: |
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Taz, Remember the basic theory of this forum is to share different views. I have had the A99 the Shakespeare and used an Imax. The Maco has given me the best all around results. It has less interference than any of them. The tx and rx may be better or worse depending on conditions and who you ask. But the truth is the A99 has a reputation,unfounded or not,as a "splatter stick" which has proved true in my case. All of the other antennas are decent choices for most applications so please refrain from insisting that someone won't be happy with something just because it is not your top choice. Remember we are here to share info. not push our choice as the only one because you like it. All of us have different tastes in equipment. All equipment works a little different even different productions of the same antenna. So let others air their opinion and let Mean Machine make his choice based on that. |
Mean Machine
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 11:38 pm: |
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Thanks for all the info on the antenna's. I hate to add more fuel to the fire but what about the new Skylab (STARDUSTER) antenna? I was looking at the Maco and I rent & really to not want to put up an antenna with large radials.
THANKS ALL
MM |
Taz
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 11:42 pm: |
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Whos to say that he will have problems with splatter. I have used all 4 antennas and i like the imax2000 the best. It even has a gpk that you can put on it now |
Taz
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 11:45 pm: |
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It beats the antron, but imax is still better |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Friday, March 01, 2002 - 11:54 pm: |
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MM,If you want to read a review on the Skylab go to the subscriber section of the forum click on reviews and bingo there it is. I have read it and it seems to be a fairly written,in depth look at the antenna.The maco really is'nt that hard to put up or down but I agree with all the choices given hear but the A99. The new Imax 99 may be better but the old model just seems to have a lot of unneccessary problems. Just look hard and try to find reviews on this and other web sites before you buy. If you want to look at it Macos website is www.majestic-comm.com. Hope this is helping you out. |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 12:21 am: |
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Also not to dispute my own post but Maco has been in business since the 60's. Think about it you can't make junk and stay in business that long. Sorry if this post seems hypocritical Taz. I try not to do that.This is my last post on this subject. I'll give someone else a little breathing room here. |
bullet
| | Posted on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 1:27 am: |
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I-MAX2000
except no subsitutes ! |
Mean Machine
| | Posted on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 11:48 am: |
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Bullseye
I went to the Maco page for information and could not get the weight of the antenna. I cannot use any guy wires in my new location and do not want a real heavy antenna. I want to attach it to the roof peak that is 20'with a 10'pole and want it to be safe. I live in New Orleans and we really do not get any high winds. Would you say that this antenna is like the Penatrator of the 70's? I had one of those and it TALKED! |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 7:50 pm: |
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MM, I've never really weighed the antenna but I'm not a real big guy and I can put mine up and down by myself. If I had to guess I'd probably say between 15 and 20 lbs. Are you saying that you need to anchor the pole to the house? If so can you use a house bracket screwed or bolted to the side of the house because if you can your set. Get about a 15 ft. long pole and bracket it at the peak of the house and the bottom of the pole,or you can use a "telescoping mast" better knowm as a pushup pole and dig it into the ground about 3 ft. and bracket it at the top. Thats what I have mine on in central Florida. If we get any high winds or storms I just let the antenna down to roof level.Never had any problems Are you in a house(duplex etc) or an apartment. |
Mean Machine
| | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 1:11 am: |
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I Live in an apartment now but I am moving to a 1/2 of a double shotgun house next month. It has a chimney and I was thinking of mounting the antenna to that so that it would be high without using a large pole. I have a 20' push up pole now on my 2nd story balcony now.
THANKS AGAIN
MM |
Taz
| | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 10:40 am: |
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"I-MAX2000
except no subsitutes !"
From Bullet
Thats right!!!!!!!!
Dont worry about being hipocritical or anything around me, i think i have taken it from the truck drivers long enough that its normal and it dosent bother me. |
Taz
| | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 10:42 am: |
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HECK, THE IMAX IS ONLY 6-8 POUNDS AND IT WILL STILL OUT PERFORM IT!!!!!! |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 11:47 pm: |
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MM You could go with a mount of some sort on the chimney in the new house and know you'll be anchored solid just make sure you have a good ground no matter what antenna you end up with.I'm not sure what weight has to do with per formance but ??????? As for all the posts on here I have a lot of confidence in 307's opinion and he loves the Alpha. The very best advice I can give you is to read up thoroughly on any antenna and use that along with opinions given here to make your choice.The Alpha is simply mine. All but the A99 I have found to be good antennas so any you choose should be sufficient. The best reason I have for using the Alpha is resistance to lightning which we get a lot of in Florida and it has a tendency to destroy fiberglass.I'll not post on this again as it is using up a lot of space on the post for a matter that will never be settled. Eveyone on this forum has their favorite gadgets and gizmos that they will defend as long as life goes on.Sorry so long but I've said all I will on the subject here. MM if you have anything else you want to ask me on this feel free to email me the address is in my profile.Thanks and lets move on to someting else!!!!!!! |
Bullseye
| | Posted on Monday, March 18, 2002 - 10:03 pm: |
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Just thought I'd post on this again to bring it up higher on the page for a while. Alot of ?s about omnis floating around. This will help alot. Thanks for putting up with all of us Moderator type person I appreciate all you guys do here cause I cant do it and I'm sure you guys fix alot on these posts that we mess up. |
Westwind
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 11:40 pm: |
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I was in Louisville,KY. today so I had to stop by at Coppers and have a look around.Decided why I was there to go ahead and buy the I-Max 2000 since it would save on the shipping charges.I really can't wait till the weekend so I can get it hooked up.Anyone got any advice on the instalation process I should be aware of?I was thinking of getting one of those poles like I use to see on outdoor TV antenna's.I could sure use some info.on installing this baby....
Thanks........Westwindwizard |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 11:57 pm: |
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cool man, i would love to see copper electronics. |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 4:57 pm: |
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Westwind, The poles you mention will be fine but it really will need some kind of support. I've got mine snaked up through a tree on those same style poles. The very bottom pole was hammered two feet into the ground (use a wooden block to not screw up the end of the pole). I've also got it bolted to a home made saw horse that's overbuilt to handle outboard motors. The limbs of the trees support the pole enough where the sawhorse is really not needed. I had it using the sawhorse at the base only in an open spot but was concerned about the leverage of the sway on windy days. It never came down but as much as I'm on the road, my current setup puts my mind at ease. Look around your place and think what you can use. Some use those poles then bracket to the roof line. Radio shack has all kinds of brackets designed for antenna's. Just don't put it where if it falls it could hit any power lines. |
RCI2990
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 7:58 pm: |
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Taz id like to know more about that I max 2000 GPK you mentioned! I used to have an I max 2000 and for a fiberglass jobbie i loved it!! But im set on my old Avanti and Hy Gain aluminum junk stuff from the mid 1970s.. LOL. Sigma 5/8, Sigma 4, moonraker 4, Hy gain penetrator 500...... Some locals think im wierd and behind the times because i dont run new stuff like they do and i mostly run older equipment and antennas .. |
Ironmask
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 8:35 pm: |
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You can get antenna poles at True Value Hardware stores or similar types of stores that will handle the antenna.
Through experience I would suggest the following.If mounted to the side of a building use a 2x6 long enough to go from ground to about 10 feet above roof line. Attach to wall at 4 foot intervals. Attach poles and antenna together on the ground. Place base at base of 2x6. Tie a rope to antenna base mount. have a person on ground hold base in place. Get on roof and pull antenna assembly to 2x6. When it is in this position temporarily hold in place with plastic ties. Get pipe straps the diameter of pipe. The ones with a hole at each end. Mount to the 2x6 from the top down at 6 foot intervals. Use carriage bolts. I should have said this first, Attach antenna guy wire to pole at 10' intrevals from antenna base down. Do this while on the ground. When the antenna is secured attach two guy wires away from the 2x6. This is how mine is installed and has weathered 65 mph winds with a little leaning of the antenna.
Iron Mask |
Westwind
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 8:22 pm: |
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Thanks Ironmask you have given me a good idea.
I was going to mount it using the antenna poles I mentioned.The way I was going to do it was mount it at the end of my house running it up so it would be centered at the peak,but my house has alumium siding and I really don't want to start nailing holes in it.So I'm going to mount it to my garage(I say garage but it's more like a shed)using your instuctions.I guess that the higher I can get it the better?From ground to peak I'd say my garage is about 15 feet.So if I get a 2x6 20ft long and nail it to the building and continue to use your instructions will the building work with it only being 15ft from ground to peak or do I need to use a longer 2x6?It probably would'nt hurt to drive the antenna pole acouple feet into the ground too?
Thanks for your help.......Westwind |
Westwind
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 8:31 pm: |
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Can anyone tell me how much a 20ft pushup pole costs? Ballpark figure will do.I'm trying to figure out how much it's going to cost me to put up this Imax I bought........Thanks |
Taz
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 9:44 pm: |
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i dont know off hand, but i am guessing about 35-60 bucks |
Ironmask
| | Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2002 - 11:14 pm: |
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Westwind,
I would reccomend a 10' 2x6 mounted below the 20' length. Attach them together with butt plates used in deck construction. They are metal plates 4"x 8" with a lot of holes in them as well as spikes to be hammered into the wood. Attach both as previously instructed to the building.
The antenna pole I spoke of comes in 10' sections and slip together. I reccomend drilling a pilot hole at the slip joint and installing a self tapping screw on the hole. Get the ones with a hex head that are about 3/4" long. I believe they cost about $15.00 a section.
You don't need to put the pole in the ground. Put a wood block at the bottom of the pole where you want the height set. Attach it to the 2x6 and run a #8 solid core cooper wire from the base of the pole to a solid cooper ground rod 8' into the ground. About 2" above the block attach a pipe clamp as instructed before.
One person on the roof pulls antenna and mast straight up. Person on the ground places bottom of mast on preinstalled block. Use plastic ties temporairly while installing pipe clamps.
When all this is done attach guy wires away from 2x6 at 45 degree angles to each other.
Just be extra careful. If something is going to fall LET IT don't try to catch it. The damaged part is less expensive than personal damage.
Iron Mask |
Westwind
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 9:00 pm: |
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Hey Ironmask I bought 100 ft of coax cable(thought I needed that much)but I can get away with using about 30 or 40 ft.Should I use all 100 ft and roll up the excess or should I cut it to a shorter length?Thanks for all your help.....Westwind |
Ironmask
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 10:17 pm: |
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Westwind,
52' would be optimum for your need. I would also reccomend that you run it to the ground [ ground shield to ground rod ] then run onto the radio.
To ground the shield use a grounding block available at electrical supply businesses. or you can remove about 1/2" of covering and wrap a solid 12ga. wire around the exposed shielding. Place this exposed area next to the ground rod and wrap the wire around coax and ground rod. Cover with antiseze compound and then cover with many wraps of electrical tape. This acts to protect your station from lighting. If only the mast were grounded the electrical force would travel thru the shielding to the radio.
Hope this helps. Iron Mask |
Taz
| | Posted on Friday, March 22, 2002 - 10:39 pm: |
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dont roll it up, it causes an rf choke. Try and run it through the attic and use as much as you can |
minitman762
| | Posted on Saturday, March 23, 2002 - 10:47 am: |
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an rf choke is not neccasarely a bad thing.They can help with splatter problems |
