| Author |
Message |
    
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 181
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 10:51 am: | 
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Well, as many of you may know, Shakespeare has discontinued the CB antennas including the NBS-2010 Army Big Stick. In my web searches over the past week, I've noticed that they are selling like hotcakes. For example, last week I could find a few on the web, now, everyone seems to be sold out.
It never really caught on here at Copper, the Imax 2000 seems to be the antenna of choice. Too bad the 2010 big stick exposed article never came about either. Maybe it was not quite as broadbanded as the Imax 2000 but from what I read it was just as good in transmit and recieve at any height providing the Imax didn't have the g/p kit. Under 30' it whipped Imax. As for quality of build, again, from everything I've read, don't you think the Shakespeare NBS 2010 was better built--more sturdy-- than Imax? What's your personal experience? It's a sad day to lose any CB product, especially one that has been around for decades.
mikefromms |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 714
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 9:55 am: |
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Mike,
The ABS 2010 was not around for decades. Although not as strong, the Imax 2000 is a better performer than the ABS.
The best CB base antenna Shakespeare ever made was discontinued over 10 years ago. It was known as the Pogo Stick. The top 2/3 was aluminum. See if you can find one of those. Otherwise, make good on your promise to buy another Top One. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 186
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 11:31 am: |
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I might buy one of each.
mikefromms |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 440
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 1:41 pm: |
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The guys (there were a few of them that had them) that had the pogo stick here were I live had problems with the top sections blowing apart or off the antenna. IMHO it wasnt really well made. The bottom tuning coil would load up with ice and rain water and cause sky high swrs... Not a very popular antenna here. Now the original Big Stick (the one in 2 sections) was extremely popular here in the 1970s80 and early 1990s up until the A 99 came out about 1988 or so..
Yeah its too bad they dont make CB antennas anymore but there are other fiberglass antennas out there that are better or just as good. I am not really suprised Shakespere axed the CB antenna line now with the I max 2000 and the other antennas being so popular now..
hey, anyone know if they made the Radio shack Crossbow antennas? They looked just like the 2 section big stick except they were light blue.. they were another very popular antenna here a few decades ago... |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 187
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 9:27 pm: |
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I don't know who made the Rad shake fiberglass, but the big sticks were very popular here in Mississippi. They were good antennas. You are right about the competition. Imax 2000 has the market now. I've just got to break down and buy me one of these. I'd like another astroplane too. Oh well, I guess I'll just wait until my Thunder 8 gets blown out of that pine tree and then make a new start. LOL!
mikefromms |
Pig040
Intermediate Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 439
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 10:15 am: |
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I have a pogo stick, It has survived 80 mph winds just fine, no rain/ice here so that is not a problem, it outperforms my 99 hands down.
Rich |
Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 147
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 7:29 pm: |
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CM3885,recently got rid of one of the rat shack crossbow antennas.Do not believe it was made by Shakespere due to too many differences in its construction.The most notable difference it seemed to have a better quality resin used that did not seem to suffer from U.V. exposure.Another difference is the top section screws on with a left hand thread and a rubber o-ring to seal moisture out of that connection.Wonder how many were ruined when people tried to take one apart that didnt know that? At the base they used the same aluminum mount that Archer used on all but their 1/4 wave 11meter antennas.I never opened one up but it also appeared to have the same matching coil at the base they used on their 1/2 and 5/8 wave antennas.as far as performance a Solarcon A-99 I replaced it with would out talk it easy mounted on the same tower at the same hieght.Also the Crossbow had no means of adjusting the SWR unless you started clipping the top section,not recommended. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2570
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 10:17 pm: |
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And when there were not that many of them out there before being dis-continued they go even FASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTER.
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