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Bill
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 9:46 pm: | 
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Has anyone tried the AR-10 ringo antenna on 11 meters?I have one and would like to use it on 11 meters but could not get any better than 1.8 between channel 20 to 40 channel one was a littel over 2 swr?Would adding a longer top section allow me to obtain a better match?Would increasing the length of the coaxial tuning stub increase the band width and how can i determine the new length.How would this antenna compare to the a99 or imax 2000.Any help would be greatly appreciated Bill |
Marconi
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 8:55 am: |
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Bill, this antenna is very reactive to old mother earth. You will see a lot of match changes as you move up and down.
The coil is likely sweet spot built for high in 10 meters and may not be the right size to resonate in 11 meters even if you add material to the element length to get closer to 11 meters.
As you change resonance, moving the element up and down inside the capacitor, you will also be affecting the match point on the coil. Even if everything is designed for the frequency you want to work this thing is likely very sensitive to adjustments, like 1/16" adjustments and less.
If you are concerned with bandwidth at all, then you have probably already gone well beyond the true resonance range of this coil.
1.8 is not bad though, if you are getting a good reading.
Marconi |
bruce
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 11:30 am: |
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I tried 10, 6 and 2 meter ones JUNK.... not the same as a ringo ranger they work fine Now i found the mosley or hygain worked MUCH better |
Bill
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 6:26 pm: |
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OK my next question is which cb antennna is better
the shakspeare 2010 or imax 2000?They are both about the same money so i want the best one for the money.I have read a few write ups about bad fiberglass elements and bad crimps on the imax.But seem to work well if you get a good one.I have not found to much in the way of write ups on the shakspeare.The only thing i ever here about it is that they gave it a 12db rating?Well we know this cant be true but i know they used to do a good job making there antennas.The reason i say this is i had one of there 176-su big sticks up since i believe about 1984.I dont remember the exact year i bought it but it only recently went bad.When the wind blows the match moves around.I changed coax new 8214 belden so now iam ready for the new antenna.I dont want to write off the big stick just because some advertising guy decided to over rate the antenna it could still be a very good unit and may be better built unit.A friend of mine has the imax and he likes it except the middle section seems to have a warp in it and the bottom sections fiberglass feels sticky to the touch.I know these are not things to worry about but it seems there quality control just is not very good.He also does not like the extreme flexing it does in the wind.He has told me there was a few times he did not think it was gonna straighten out again it bent over so far if anyone has experienced the 2010 or 1600 let me know how you liked it.The 2010 is just the white version of the army stick thanks Bill |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 9:11 pm: |
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Bill,
I have an IMAX 2000 that I am very happy with, however I have never had a Big Stick to compare it to. Anyone I've known that had a big stick was very loyal to the antenna and would purchase another. I believe Tech883 might be going to do a review on one soon but could be mistaken.
The IMAX is indeed extremely flexible, almost to the point of hard to install (based on how you install it). They are designed that way but I will take mine down prior to any hurricanes as to not push it to the breaking point.
I am not an antenna expert by any means, and bought mine based on the good review here on the Copper forum in the Subscriber preview section. But I am curious about the big stick. Shakespeare engineers tend to believe in the 3/8th's wave theory whereas the IMAX 200 is 5/8th's wave. Is bigger better? I do not know. I think Karatebutcher runs a big stick and he may have his own opinion on performance. We have talked cross country and his antenna gets out. Yeah, we can always blame our antenna's performance on conditions but I am intrigued by the big stick living up to MILSPEC. I sure would love to see a head to head comparison.
I think either one of those antenna's are a great choice that you would be proud to call your own.
There are definely more expensive antenna's out there that are junk, as well as superb. For the price and performance, you have two great choices in my opinion. Enjoy the shopping.
Alsworld |
Bill
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 7:46 pm: |
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Thanks for the reply.The shakespeare 2010 is rated as a 5/8 wave not 3/4.Anyway i will take my chances and try the 2010.I will let you guys know how it works for me.To many bad reports on the 2000.Hope i have good luck with the shakespeare?The friend i mentioned took his imax down to put it on a longer mast only to discover the top section has developed a small crack along the length of it.He has tried to contact solarcon but last i heard he has not heard back from them yet.Thanks again for the input. Bill |
Tech833
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 10:44 pm: |
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The 2010 has a 3/8 wavelength radiating element and a shortened 2/8 wave counterpoise sleeve (1/4 wave vertical sleeve ground plane). The 3/8 radiator and 2/8 wave sleeve add up to 5/8 wave. Look at Shakespeare's web site on the 2010 and you will see that it says "5/8 wave performance".
I have a Shakespeare Army Big Stick that is completely disassembled in my shop. I took some photos of its guts for an upcoming article.
Keep in mind, the 3/8 wave antenna DOES have gain over a 1/4 wave GP antenna. No argument there. The Shakespeare will serve you well. |
Bill
| | Posted on Thursday, September 12, 2002 - 3:12 pm: |
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Tech833 Ok i understand that the 2010 is not a 5/8 wave?another spec misquoted by shakespeare.It seems like there really are not any good cb antennas left on the market.If i understand you correctly the 2010 radiates out of the top section of the antenna.Would this elevated point of radiation allow this antenna to get out better than one that radiates along its entire length?I guess iam just over analyzing this subject.If you are doing a write up on this antenna please let me know.I will hold off my purchase until i read it.I almost feel like just giving up on this project as i hate throwing money in the wind Thanks Bill |
Bill
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 4:57 am: |
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Tech833 Is the imax 2000 that much of a better antenna?Due to it being a true 5/8.How can they do this without any ground plane.If you say its better i will take your advice and take a chance with the imax.The antenna iam replacing is the 176-su was this a true 1/2 wave or another misquote by shakespeare.I know it worked good for me and am anxious to try one of the bigger antennas.I cant wait to see your write up on the 1600 army stick and thanks for all your help.Bill |
Tech833
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 12:15 pm: |
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Hi Bill,
I hope you don't base your buying decisions purely on what I think! I like to give people as much information about the products as possible so that they can make their own informed decisions. The problem is, there are so many untrue claims in advertising of CB related products, I thought it was time that someone told the truth about them so people didn't have to buy one of everything and find out for themselves under uncontrolled and unequal test conditions.
I'll bottom line this for you:
If you can mount the antenna at least 40 feet above ground and use metal guy wires to hold it up, buy the Imax 2000.
If you are mounting the antenna with the base at least 40 feet above ground and you don't have metal guy wires attached right at the base of the antenna to hold it up, buy the Imax 2000 and the GPK.
If you have to mount your antenna less than 40 feet above ground at the base, buy the Shakespeare ABS.
Regardless of how high you will mount your antenna, if you have winds over 60 MPH during any part of the year, buy the Shakespeare ABS.
Regardless of how high you will mount your antenna, if you intend to run more than 1 KW (assuming you are a licensed ham and this will be on 10 meters), buy the Maco V-5/8.
If you get winds over 100 MPH, there are a couple of other antennas that Copper may begin carrying in the near future that would be better suited. |
Marconi
| | Posted on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 12:46 pm: |
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Bill, things are not as bad as you suggest. It is human nature to puff the truth. I have no way of knowing what 833's report will say, but at this point I will bet it will not show a big difference from the others. On the air, side by side, I doubt you could really tell the difference. Between the two, even if you see a little difference in a signal from some station out there, just wait a few minutes and you will probably see the exact opposite from some other signal out there in the distance.
The difference in the 5/8 and 3/8 he talks about is probably just a matter of where the real feed point in the antenna is located. Of course there will be other differences as well, but don't let an advertising claim get you down or you will really get upset when you go to your local supermarket, hardware, or autosupply.
Bill, 833 can speak for himself, but I don't think he implied what you indicated by saying;
"If i understand you correctly the 2010 radiates out of the top section of the antenna. Would this elevated point of radiation allow this antenna to get out better than one that radiates along its entire length?"
I cannot disagree that this difference could or could not make some differences, but I just don't think he meant it like you think and for sure it has noting specific to do with the top section alone.
Hang in there,
Marconi |
Bill
| | Posted on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 4:46 pm: |
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Teck833 where will i be able to read your write up on the shakespeare and the I-10k from jay.This antenna is a littel out of my price range for 11 meters but iam still curious about it.It would probably blow away the shakespeare and i have not totaly ruled it out.But i want to read the write ups first. Bill |
Tech833
| | Posted on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 12:05 pm: |
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I think the Forummaster will likely publish them under the Subscriber section. |
Bill
| | Posted on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 4:41 pm: |
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Where do i go to sign up as a subscriber.I can not find this option anywhere.Bill |
Alsworld
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 10:32 am: |
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Bill,
all you have to do is register here. Look to your left on the screen and click on the "register" box. Once all registered it will give you access to the rest of the board. Welcome aboard.
Alsworld |
Karatebutcher
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 3:23 pm: |
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Bill I have noticed where Alsworld has mentioned that I have a Big Stick, yes I do, and may I say that it is a good antenna for me, I have talked from here in Northern Calif to Alsworld a few times in Flordia,and may I say in return his antenna rocks my radio room, , and up and down the east coast, and Hawaii, my antenna is at least 27 years old or older, it has been in pine trees in Georgia, large pine in Tahoe, and oak trees here in Calif,[ maybe its the trees,] but I have never had any problems with it, I have had to spray paint it once, black, to hide it, it is an old 1/2 wave 2 piece 9 foot sections, and if for any reason you buy a shakespear antenna and you are not happy with it, you can send it to me at no cost and I will pay the shipping. |
Bill
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 17, 2002 - 3:55 pm: |
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There is nothing marked register to the left on my screen?There are 5 pictures to choose from one takes you to the top then there is a arrow up and down and one that takes you to the bottom page.Last looks like a small file?I have tried these all none of them take me to a register page is there another way to register? Bill
Forummaster Note : Bill can you see the words "Copper Electronics Forum" with a gray background with black and blue letters on the left?
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Bill
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 - 3:18 pm: |
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Forummaster.No The only other words to the left that are blue with a light gray background is the name or handle of the person that wrote it.Could i be having problems because iam not using a computer?This is a webtv unit.Iam leaving my e-mail address in the box marked e-mail.I dont want this posted but maybe you can e-mail a registration form to me to sign up thanks.Bill |
Forummaster
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 11:12 am: |
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Bill,
I have been researching the problem. I believe it has something to do with how webtv handles frames. For some reason you cannot see the frame to the left where the menu is located.
As a temporary solution I have added a menu to the bottom of the main page. You should be able to see the menu just below the "Under Construction" group.
Let me know if this menu is viewable and you are able use it to register. |
Bill
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 4:17 pm: |
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FORUMMASTER.Yes it worked great thanks.I had no problem at all registering. Thanks again Bill |
Skywatcher925
| | Posted on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 7:42 pm: |
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FORUMMASTER.I recieved my password and when i clicked on the copper address provided i now have the copper electronics forum menu on the left of my screen.I originaly located the copper site was during a search and it must not have loaded all the info but all is ok now thanks Bill |
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