| Author |
Message |
    
Renegade
| | Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 2:58 pm: | 
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I'm looking for some opionions here. I moved to a new location and am finally getting around to putting my base station back up. Before I had a Antron 99 but without the ground plane attachment and it seemed to do ok. Quite awhile back I had a Starduster and it seemed to talk better than the Antron did. Right now, I staying away from beams because of tower/rotor/$$ issues....in other words...can't afford beams right now!
Whatever kind of stick I end up with I am planning on putting a ground plane attachment on it, plus whatever else goodies that I can afford that will increase effectiveness.
Anyway, what is currently the best stick antenna that you can get?
Thanks for your input!
BTW...I run a President Dwight D with a Siltronix 550 if that makes any difference. |
Jyd
| | Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 6:40 pm: |
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well as far as i know,you wont get a db gain increase with a ground plane kit.but it will help a little with tvi and it will radiate out words instead of raidiating downword.it is a help,but not a big diffrence.do like i am and get a i-max 2000 5/8 wave antenna.69.00 and save your antron for a spare. |
Tech671
| | Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 8:37 pm: |
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Best? Interceptor 10k made by Jay in the Mojave, around $300. Next? Imax 2000 around $90. |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 9:49 pm: |
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Id say the old Avanti sigma 5/8, the sigma 4 and the hy gain P 500 are some of the best GP made IF and its a HUGE if you can find one!! Im sure you will have 50 replies and they will be all different ones from diff people but thats what ive ranned and thats what i like! :-) |
bruce
| | Posted on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 10:25 pm: |
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interesting the interceptor 10 k is a copy of the mosley dipomat antennas of the 70's. I still have and use a DI-6 that i bought and first installed in 1974 it is only now begining to show its age. Now as for price the 10 k it's too pricy but not a bad antenna otherwise. |
Renegade
| | Posted on Saturday, July 06, 2002 - 10:20 am: |
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Just ran across some info on the Spectrum 1600. Anyone heard of it? Strange looking to say the least! I noticed that it has a lot of radials on it. Would that help any?
I've obviously got more questions than answers! |
jyd
| | Posted on Saturday, July 06, 2002 - 11:35 am: |
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there great as far as i know. |
Kirk
| | Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 10:57 am: |
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I agree with Bruce. $300 is quite a bit to spend on an antenna that is single banded (I assume) and is a vertical. Why not buy a Cushcraft R7000? Or a new Mosley, or a GAP Titan? At least for $300 you come out with a multi-band antenna...and yes..these can be tuned (if not already in the ballpark) for 11 meters. My experience has been that Gap (center fed) are an awesome vertical. Very, very low noise...and it's $320. Again these are Amateur antennas...but if your hell bent on spending more than $100 on a vertical, at least get your money's worth! off the stump and good luck on your find!---Kirk |
bruce
| | Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 4:05 pm: |
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NO CB BASE VERTICAL IS WORTH 300 BUCKS For that kinda money you can buy 6 A-99's use one keep 5 for spairs or You can buy a 3 elm beam and a small rotor for that price range.I had a gap it was very nice and know several 7000 users but when i moved last year the gap got riped off with some other things that " Walked" off the moving van. I also had and did not like and sold a MFJ vertical 40-2 meter antenna much too narrow but others love them. What im running and working the world with is a simple dypole cost me about 40 bucks to build and with my antenna tunner covers 80-10 meters just fine. Just my opinion but you will not see a 10k over my roof.
bruce |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 6:33 pm: |
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$300.00 for a GP antenna for CB radio is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much for me to spend on a verticle! I probably can afford it but i just cant justify it!! Ill stick with my old junk like my sigma 4's and my sigma 5/8 and my P 500. id spend 300.00 for a good beam or a tower or radio but umm, no, not for a vertackle GP antenna no matter how wonderful they are claimed to be.... Sorry guys but thats they way it is! |
Dx431
| | Posted on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 11:07 pm: |
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I agree with Bruce and Hoosier.$300.00 is a little steep! No way on God's green earth would I pay that kinda money on an omni. I didn't pay that for my beams! lol Why would I pay that for an omni? My $40 A-99 works just fine, thank you. |
Tech671
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 5:44 am: |
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Before you guys knock the product due to price.....
Ever built something yourself? Ever scrounged trying to find material (new) and found the material price kinda high? Ever spent years of time and $ researching and developing something? Ever finished building something successfully and then someone else liked and wanted it?
Think about the time, money, effort and quality put into Jay's efforts before being so quick to condemn his product and price. I would think that's fair to the man. |
bruce
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 10:37 am: |
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671 im well aware of what it cost to build antennas. As for design R&D ect i worked in that field for defence contractors for almost 20 years again im well aware of costs. In no way did i infure that his product was not well built although his trombone stub matching although much stronger than the mosley was used on several of the DI antennas 30 years ago and i might add is a very good way to match a vertical. This was on my part not a swipe at him but a refence to the fact that the average cb user was not in need of a antenna rated at 10,000 watts costing 3 times what could be bought at coppers producing very simular results. Jay's product is a fine one just like decebl products which run in the hunderds also. But at the same time like a BMW what precentage of the market is he aming at ? Jay dont take me wrong you have built a fine antenna made with good stuff but i cant see the average CB user kicking out 300 bucks for a 2 db gain antenna. Maby im wrong but if i was going to spend that kind of money I would cophase 2 antennas or go to a small beam.
bruce |
joeshmo
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 10:51 am: |
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Tech671,
I don't think anyone is "knocking" Jay or his antenna, they are just pointing out that there are more economical solutions. When entering into the market place with any product one has to be able to compete with existing products.
Jay's antenna may be made of superior parts but for the price differential I think most are saying they would go with something of lesser quality.
You talk of Jay's time and effort being worth something but then so is the time and effort of all of the other manufacturers. They have research and development time also. They are buying parts in the same market place. I think the other manufacturers have found that the average cber doesn't want to pay $300 for a ground plane antenna.
I once visited Valors manufacturing facility and was amazed at the equipment needed to produce a fiberglass ground plane antenna. They obviously didn't get their equipment and development cost out of the first 1000 antennas they sold.
I applaud Jay for his hard work but if he is entering the market place with all the other manufacturers then he must be able to compete by those standards. This is why free enterprise is such a great thing. We the consumer get the benefit of numerous hard working people competing for our dollars. |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 2:11 pm: |
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I say wait a few years and ill bet he will lower hgis pricing. When he makes a few thousand then the price will go down. I think its like anything thats out new! Look at PC computers. back in like about 1980 or so they were really high priced because hardley anyone had one then now just about anyone can aford one because the market is now saturated. I hope that Jays is aware of this and will react when he starts to sell them more and more then i hope he will lower his prices if not then he will have a very hard time selling his products............... |
Tech833
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 3:13 pm: |
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I have one of Jay's antennas at my shop and I am examining it. My preliminary conclusion is that this antenna surely isn't for everybody. For those who want an antenna that is commercial quality that they don't ever need to mess with or worry about in storms, then Jay's antenna is about the only game in town.
Full report coming soon. Stay tuned... |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 4:06 pm: |
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Ill wait a few years then maybe he will lower the price of it. If not oh well i can live without it! :-) There always will be someone out there with something better than what I have but I dont care because im happy with what i have and thats what matters............. right gang? |
Marconi
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 6:35 pm: |
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Eric, if you had a chance to really look up close at what Jay does with each and every part of his antenna, and how well constructed and supported it is, then I think you might wonder how he even does it for that price. You are right however, it is high.
The trouble he went to, just to develop the docs alone is worth a bunch in today's market. My I-10K tuned very well just from the general instructions and it came in dead nut on using the math procedures he gives. It does exactly where his docs say it will. There just is no guess work or chasing your tail with this one.
I show flat R=50,X=0,SWR 1.00:1, at the antenna and am true resonant at 27.400 with R=49,X=+3, SWR of 1.09, and a bandwidth below 2:1 from 26.600 - 28.400 thru a 75' piece Cable X-Perts, RG8/U. It produces a very nice curve also.
After several weeks in the air the I-10K, no longer shows any movement on my stations FS meter, even at 100 watts out, and I no longer interfere with my neighbor's, Blue Light special answering machine from K-Mart.
Jay even covers the top of the SO-239 with epoxy to help keep water from trickling down into the coax. He uses all SS accessories, he describes tight fits where appropriate, all tubing is deburred, and the parts fit. To a large degree Jay is probably still building this one by hand, and you can tell it in his workmanship.
I wonder how many Maco V-5/8's are bought and attempts to assemble fail with the thing ending up in the garage somewhere collecting dust. How many buy the plug and play, FG wonders, and are always hearing about TVI from their neighbors. Don't get me wrong, I think all those I mentioned are also great antennas. So as always, it's different strokes for different folks.
Marconi |
Galileo
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 9:04 pm: |
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1st Jay in the Mojave Antenna
2nd Maco 5/8ths
3rd imax 2K |
Tech671
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 10:23 pm: |
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I know what it's like to start something building yourself. You can't afford to buy the bulk of material the big guys can to get your prices down. I can appreciate the blood sweat and tears (beers) put into building something of high standard. When I look at the price of something I take these things in consideration and I happen to find much value in this product.
I don't disagree that the avg CB'er wouldn't be just fine with a Imax 2k. I own one myself. I also own a 6 element cubical beam. When I have the money to spare I will buy one of Jay's antennas because it seems to be the best built verticle I've seen in my 26yrs CBing and well worth the $ to me.
OTOH, I don't see why someone drops $50G on a Beamer SUV when they can get a Rodeo for $20, why they drop $20G on a Harley when they can get an Intruder for $8. Maybe they see the value in those where I do not. I see the value in the Interceptor 10k where others may not.
You know the deal, different strokes........ |
Funtimebob
| | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 11:13 pm: |
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i wonder if he would consider building a .64 wave version  |
Jaymojave
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 5:45 pm: |
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Hello All:
I see theres a lot of discussion on the 5/8 Wavelength antennas here. Let me make say a few things and tell ya all whats happening with the Interceptor 10K (or I-10K for short) 5/8 Wavelength Ground Plane Antenna.
The I-10K is not in the same world as CB Antennas are. The I-10K has been designed to work at many different bands, and be a top performer, not to fit into some kind of price bracket, or compete with any other antenna. All the materials used are of Aircraft, Marine or Commercial grade materials. And as these high quality Materials are purchased in low quantities, it will reflect a higher price.
The I-10K design is based on high wind survival 100 MPH+, very efficient (low loss) "Adjustable" Impedance Matching System which lends to stronger field strength signal levels, reduced interference in most installations to consumer electronics, Full legal limit power handling capability, and easy to assembly.
As more materials are purchased from the manufactures, at larger quantities, the price will drop, as it has two times all ready. The price is 250 dollars, plus shipping from So Cal.
If you compare a I-10K to any other Commercial, or Amateur Antenna you see the difference in the quality of materials.
The I-10K Antenna is not a copy of any other antenna, as suggested here. Its one of a kind design and use of high quality materials, again puts the I-10K Antenna into a world all by itself.
I will be happy to answer questions and show pictures by E-mail, a web site in the works that has pictures and will answer many questions.
Thanks for all the inputs and suggestions.
Jay in the Mojave |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 9:47 pm: |
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Problem wit me is i dont ahve the extra 300.00 to put into a simple GP antenna. Bottom line. I also cant see spending 20G on a Harley either just becasue they make a loud noise going down the road! Oh well. Like always JMHO.... |
Tech671
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 1:23 am: |
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Hoosier, what you have said is understandable. What you may consider is some may want an omni antenna that will handle extreme power. Some may want an omni that will produce less (or much less) interference with their and neighbors electronics. Some may want an omni that can sustain 100mph winds and not break apart.
With these things in mind, nothing can compare and a $250 price tag is extremely reasonable. |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 3:09 am: |
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well i run beams and rarely talk on my omni.. I also dont run much power and dont really bother the neigbors much so i dont need or want to spend 250.00 for a omni. Im happy with what i have and thats that........ |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 3:19 am: |
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Like i said though and i noticed on Jays reply when they start to get more and more popular and the price does drop i think i will get one but until then ill stick with what i have.. |
bruce
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 10:54 am: |
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These are the newer verson of the "DI" antenns i used in the 70's after 28 years my di-6 is still working My di-6 has suvived everything tampa weather could toss at it including huricane alina which produced 90 MPH winds here
Mosley makes a very good antennna
http://www.mosley-electronics.com/citizen_band.htm
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Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Saturday, July 13, 2002 - 2:37 pm: |
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There used to be a fella that lived 50 miles from me that ran a set of those mini beams. They worked well for him until he got a bigger antenna a moonraker 4... I didnt know they still made CB antennas i though they stopped making them back in the late 1970s... |
Taz
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 8:18 pm: |
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well thats his problem if he cant make a good antenna at a reasonable price. i would take a pdl-2 or an imax |
bruce
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 8:49 pm: |
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Now Taz thats a little cold shame on you |
Taz
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 10:41 pm: |
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but its the truth |
Tech671
| | Posted on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 11:47 pm: |
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Maybe the problem is Taz that you may not recognize a "reasonable" price for a "good" antenna.
Can't count the # of times guys have said "You want $50 for a Cobra 29? Forget it".
"Reasonable" is maybe in the eyes of the informed beholder. |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 2:56 pm: |
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Yeah but 250.00 for a ground plane antenna is well, a lot of $$$! A guy can get a beam for that much $$$!!! I can see Taz's point though. |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 12:41 am: |
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ANY BEAM IS BETTER THAN AN OMNI! AT THAT PRICE I COULD GET A USED MOONRAKER 6 OUT HERE! And the crane is no problem. Hey, im sure its a good antenna but to much! |
Kirk
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 9:15 am: |
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"ANY BEAM IS BETTER THAN AN OMNI"....not true! What are you using the beam for? Maybe in the case that someone wants to work a focused area then yes. Can't argue with the fact that the beam will multiply the pwr. factor, but if a guy wants to work everyone around him/her, the beam may not be the best choice, especially in a ragchew. Obviously, it also depends what kind of situation the person lives in. Room for a beam with tower? Some folks don't have or are monitarily restricted from the upfront cost of all involved in rotating a beam. |
Taz
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 12:24 pm: |
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Kirk, for overall signal strength a beam is better. Im not going to sit here and break it down with you. There is a sweet spot where you can put a beam and all of your friends can hear you! well, im sure if you can have an imax up or even an Intercepter from Jay that a pdl-II will fit there! Can be turned with a t.v. antenna rotator and does not need a tower! If you can put up an Intercepter you can put up a PDL-II!!! |
Hoosier Cardinal
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2002 - 3:17 pm: |
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Well i have both a beam and an Omni so if my beams are pointed west and someone is talking to me in from the east i can switch to the omni and talk to them and then zero them in with the beam when i turn it! |
Kirk
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 8:56 am: |
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Taz....I have a pretty good knowledge of antennas. I work in that situtation every day. And my point was, a beam is NOT always better. As I said in my prior post before your reply, "Can't argue with the fact that the beam will multiply the pwr. factor, but if a guy wants to work everyone around him/her, the beam may not be the best choice, especially in a ragchew." Anyway, no hard feelings here. Looks like you have a nice antenna set-up at your station. GL and 73. I appreciate your enthusiasm. This is a great hobby!---73 Kirk AB8BC |
Catfish638
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - 11:31 pm: |
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ANTTRON 305 AROUND $90.00 |
123upmichigan
| | Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 9:00 am: |
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homemade is the way to go where i live. i9 picked up an old antnna from a motel. it started out as a basic 1/2 wave ground plane. with a little ball on top and a broken insulator in the load. i do not have lots of test equipment, i have a field strenghth meter, an swr meter and lots of heart and patience. i build andtenna's for fun. i took that old 17 foot ground plane, bent my bottom radials to a 35 degree angle and lenghtened the top element to about 27 feet. built myself a homemade gamma matcher out of coper wire and threw it all together. i will tell ya what in upper mighigan their is no omni to match it. the only one that is close is a penetrator 500 that a freind has on the hill. i run a 2510 into this antenna and no power and i can talk to the soo-60 miles away,marquette 100 miles away. and to lake michigan and lake superior 40 miles away either direction. i have a better range than the local cell tower and i am only 70 feet in the air. i would love to hear more stories about homebrew antenna's cause to tell you the truth i am not sure how this antenna works at all but i have never had a better antenna before in my life. as far a s beams go i have no interest in the beams cause the trips i am making are trips usually reserved for the moonraker 4,s the three elements beams and the jo guns. everyoner in this town that runs on the c.b. has been to my hiouse to see for themselves that i run no power cause none will believe me. sometime homebrew is best and money needs to rest. the whole cost of this setup.....25 dollars and a case of beer. and skip has never been better if i hear them i talk to them plane as that. unless they are speakin spanish...lol well happybuilding have a ball....sam 123 upper michigan |
Tech833
| | Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 12:12 pm: |
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Keep in mind that almost every antenna was a 'homebrew' at one time or another. I assisted with the development of what became the 'Pogo Stick' base antenna. It started out on a napkin at the local Chuck's cafe. Then it turned into a crude model (on UHF for size convenience). Then it turned into a full scale antenna for 10 meters. Then it turned into a production model and eventually sold commercially.
It wasn't until the Shakespeare company took the ball and ran with it that it got its name. Before then, it was just a no-name dipole that worked really well. Marketing people are amazing.... |
bruce
| | Posted on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 6:06 pm: |
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Yep nothing like saying I MADE IT WORK GOOD SHOW 123! |
dale
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 2:56 am: |
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my pick i-max 2000 first it has a new mounting sytem NO OTHER ANTENNA HAS.second its 24 feet long .thats an extra 6 feet longer than a-99. ive use to have an a-99 with radials and after i tried the imax i sold the a-99 and radials for 30dollars. enuff said |
BIG FOOT
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 9:19 am: |
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...nah... nothing can bear at OLD ( fibreglass flaking, dingy colored ) SOLARCON 99... not a new one tht does not flake off fibres in your hand, but an OLD one tht fills your hands with fibers just picking it up...1.3 swr all across the band..no ear kit... (lol)...BIG FOOT |
bruce
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 3:33 pm: |
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sorry bigfoot the old mosleys were unbeatable i still have a di-6 bought in 1974 still up still working they made a cb one and a 2 meter one too but on 52.525 after 28 years this trusty workhorse is still under 1.5/1 ..... looks like junk but like a timex keeps on ticking |
dale
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 9:21 pm: |
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i personaly tested the imax2000 to the a-99 and talking locally 10-15miles the imax an extra 2or 3 s-units on thier meter the recieve was better espcially on those weak stations.that was done with a washington base same coax and extension pole.my opion imax all the way |
Taz
| | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 9:40 pm: |
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no doubt |
828
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 10:39 pm: |
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For the money - MACO 5/8 - THIS IS A REAL ANTENNA.
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Hoosier Cardina
| | Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 12:54 pm: |
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Avanti sigma 5/8 wave or the avanti sigma 4.. Both goodies but oldies. Or get a I max 2000. Great ears and a good talking antenna! |
Pirata33
| | Posted on Sunday, December 14, 2003 - 1:20 am: |
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Ilook for PDL-2 antenna model AV-122 and made for Antenna Spesialists |
