| Author |
Message |
    
Pmktsc1
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 9:01 pm: | 
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HELLO EVERYONE , IM SORTA NEW TO THE FOURM SO BE NICE.(PLEASE) IM USEING A MIRAGE 2950EX AS A BASE RADIO AND WANTING TO GET SOME KIND OF BEAM FOR DX'ING . WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST TO GET? IM IN WARNER ROBINS GA. THANKS , WOODCHUCK |
bruce
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 10:06 am: |
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This would be a nice antenna if you could do it on 11 meters ........
http://web.wt.net/~w5un/qsl.jpg
Serously most beams are good but all are full of **** as far as gain.
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Znut
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 5:53 pm: |
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You said for DX? So you would be okay running one horizontal. I've heard a TV rotator will turn a M103. I may get a Y-quad someday so I can have vertical polarity also to talk around middle GA here, a little farther out but not DX.
All I know is, when on sideband when I flip over to my 2 element quad the other DX'er's signal jumps way up and I can talk barefoot.
I've heard your radio, by the way. It sounds great on sideband. Well, you already know how much I prefer sideband Woodchuck.
Znut (451) |
Scrapiron63
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 7:16 pm: |
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Woodchuck, what ever your using now really sounds good, you were loud in Arkansas sunday, did you get the relays fixed. I use a M-103, after trying all kinda beams up to a 32 foot lazor 400, I settled on this 3 element because it's easy to keep up there, and I can't tell a lot of difference. scrapiron |
bruce
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 7:37 pm: |
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a 2 elm quad will give you a 1 s unit advantage and lots of noise rejection znuts right even a small beam works wonders .... by the way w5un antenna is 48 stacked antennas ..... the rest of us can only DREAM. |
Bullet
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 3:07 am: |
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scrapiron63,
nice eagles on the desk!
woodchuck,
do you want a single polarity beam only or a dual polarity beam?
in either case the "midle of the road" is a four element beam.
they have good gain, are still small enuff for most locations and are small enuff to put up by your self on a tower if using a belt, have good band width decent rejection both rear and side.
i favor the longer antennas for dxing but they are more to deal with,need bigger rotors, good guying, but do the best job at getting you down the road. they also have more side rejection than smaller beams
and smaller bandwidth usually. and are "much" more directional.
i cant talk local as well on my big beam as i can on a 2 element or a ground plain as its got to be within about 30 degrees of them to hear so im constantly on the rotor control box and that gets old pretty fast.
thats why i think a four element is a good all around antenna. |
Scrapiron63
| | Posted on Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 9:42 am: |
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Thanks Bullet, guess your a Browning fan too. I did have a good collection, but they got too valuable on e-bay, i'm down to 3 sets now. But I have several other radios, I use the Ranger 3500 hanging to the right of the eagles for sideband talking. The old Browning is great on AM. I use it mostly on the low channels, but do ping it up on 6,12 or 21 sometimes. scrapiron |
Bullet
| | Posted on Friday, August 15, 2003 - 5:45 am: |
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yes i do like them birds |
Pmktsc1
| | Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:58 pm: |
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thanks for all the input on antennas , im not sure OF the differet types of antennas there are . i was just wanting to find something to help me get out farther and to pull in more distance . im running what i call a big stick . its a 3 pieces pointing straight up.kinda like a antron 99.thanks for the compliment on sounding good out there scrapiron63,and no i didnt get those relays fixed yet .boy do they have a mind of there own and act when they want to. everyone would die laughing if you could see my setup!!!!ill post a picture latter. sorry it took so long to reply as i was in the hospital again.im kinda ticked at myself for missing last sunday(17),but i will be in there this sunday for sure. I would really like to buy that antenna bruce , but i think i would have to call the air force base to be certain it would'nt be in the way for them.(HA HA HA) 73's to all woodchuck |
bruce
| | Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 5:08 am: |
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Because of size most people are stuck to buy a 2-3 elm ant at most So if you can swing it that would be the way to go. Now which is the best? There all close..... remember only 2 things determin gain............
1) the number of elems.
2) The boom lenght ... how long is the pipe that the elems are mounrsd on.
I dont care how much gain they claim .....( AUDIO GAIN Lets not go here )The numbers used for CB are at best streched to the limit. Dr Lawson, NBS and others determined it using REAL measurments the numbers are like this.....
2ELM beam 5DBD MAX
2ELM QUAD 7DBD MAX
3ELM Beam 8DBD MAX
3ELM QUAD 10 DBD MAX
Go look up any chart done to NBS standards ( ref to a 1/2 wave dipole ) you ll find im right here is a example of real gain measured....
http://www.csvhfs.org/CSANT01.HTML
Antennas are your station even a 3 elm beam can make a 4 watt radio sound like 40 .... and what you gain on transmitt you also gain on receive.
Bruce
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Bullet
| | Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 5:47 am: |
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right on |
RCI 2990
| | Posted on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 6:51 pm: |
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Get a quad and you wil be happy. SE makes some awesome stuff for 11 meters kinda pricy but their stuff is soo cool! Im sure you will be happy with their lightning 4 beams... |
672
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 9:29 am: |
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hi people ..I live in N.Idaho about 60 miles n. of spokane wash. Iam surrounded by mountains and trees.but I would like to reach spokane to talk to some of the big rigs there . Iam running a president licoln on the 11 meter band. can anyone suggest a good beam.and how high to run it to reach that far and sound respectable. I do have neighbors and I'd hate to mess with their satillite dish |
Ca346
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 10:00 am: |
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Depends on what your $$$ budget is and your neighborhood restrictions, if any are?
I have a COPPER IMAX 2000 (24ft high) with the tip at 60 ft that is very good at receiving and pulling in stations all over the world. They sell for $70. Pretty good deal. But not a beam.
I also have a Signal Engineering Lightning 4+, which is a dual polarity (both horiz. & vert.) 4 element full Quad on a 18ft boom, at 50ft on a tower. As RCI 2990 said in the posting above, its expensive. Around $300. Probably alot like the COPPER MACO 8 element in efficiency?
Both antennas blend into the background here in the country where I live, so NO eyesore.
I've talked to Australia and Ireland on both antennas. The signals are always stronger on the Quad. |
Ca346
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 1:25 pm: |
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672:
here is the comparison:
COPPER is closer to you.
"http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05124+"
Signal Engineering is in California.
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672
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 8:23 pm: |
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ca346.. thanks for the input.Iam going to try the imax 2000 .Ive heard alot of good things about them.Ihave a tree in the back yard that stands at least 70 ft. I'll probely use that.for the Imax.but how high is recomended for a 4element beem.or does it really matter with a beam. thanks again |
Crafter
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 10:48 pm: |
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I would go at least 40 foot on a beam. If your wanting to talk 60 miles with a CB your going to need justa bit of help. I can talk 45 miles to my north but only 25 to my east guess cause the elevation drops so much that way and the canyons. Im south about an hour and a half of you. 150 miles nw of boise in baker or. Guess were neighbors. Whatever you do get a good low pass filter. |
Dx431
| | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 11:29 pm: |
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The higher you can get a beam,or any antenna for that matter, the better it will play. |
672
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 11:18 am: |
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thanks for all the good input.looks like I got some money to spend! the last time I checked towers were 100$ per 10 ft. Iam going to need something strong enough to support any beam I may get something bigger than a 4 element. do they still make moon raker IV . I've heard some loud rigs running those.also Iam looking for a good rotor and I couldent find one on the copper web site do they still sell them?. |
Ca346
| | Posted on Sunday, December 07, 2003 - 10:54 pm: |
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Read it and weep... I have a Yaesu 800DX
Yaesu G800DXA YAESU MED/HD 17 SQ FT/PRESETS $429.99
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Dx431
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 9:57 am: |
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672, They stopped making the MR4's quite few years ago. Call Antenna Specialists, thats where I got mine, they may still have one.
http://www.antenna.com/contact.html
Occassionally you can find them on eBay.Look around, you may get lucky.I run an a99 and a Maco 3 element beam horizontal on a 40' tower with an Alliance HD-73E rotator and this setup works good for me.
Hope this helps.....
431
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672
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 12:23 pm: |
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thanks 431. I found one one ebay.i'll look at that web page too. thanks again"73" |
Bullet
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 12:50 pm: |
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maco makes a good beam, that will most likly stand side by side with the moonraker4 the shooting star,its almost the same beam.
ive never run one but, i like the construction of the maco better. no funny tips on the elements to get misalined or hubs to spinn around.
and i wouldnt be surprised if it didnt have a very slight edge in gain over the moonraker4.
anyone here have both that can compare them for us? |
Tech808
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 1:20 pm: |
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I would suggest the SHOOTING STAR or the COMET from Maco.
Depending on how much you have to spend.
I have helped assemble several of these Antennas with friends and put up.
Both are good quality, and have good performance, and reasonable in price.
Please see link's below:
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05124+
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05122+
Just my Suggestion's,
Lon
Tech808 |
672
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 1:46 pm: |
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Tech 808 and bullet thanks the shooting star is in my price range and it looks like the mr4 and I bet I could get parts for it too if any thing should happen to it.but how big of a rotor would I need to turn it.I have one of those little tv rotors now would that work? |
Tech808
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 2:31 pm: |
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Well, to be safe I would suggest at least a Medium Size Rotor.
The MACO SHOOTING STAR has a "Wind Load" of (6)
Assembled Weight is: 31 lbs
As for parts, they are very hard to find for the MR4, but with the MACO they are still in business and part's are very easy to find & get.
Hope this help's.
Lon
Tech808
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Crafter
| | Posted on Monday, December 08, 2003 - 8:03 pm: |
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Well there spec shows 14 dbi gain on the shooting star and 14.5 on the moonraker but bet there so close you cant tell. I out talked a shooting star with my PDL once. I know how do you know because we used the same radios and lived next door to each other beams were 65 ft apart (NO JOKE) and we used the same radio's at the time and oh yes I had tuned both but who knows he might have had a element out wack. Diiference in the moonraker and shooting star is takes four pieces of alum and a hub to make each element on a raker, and only takes 3 pieces on a shooting star no hub it uses a muffler clamp style. I like them both. Had both and still got my moonraker.
With that said either one is a good beam for the money. |
Oldpirate
Junior Member
Username: Oldpirate
Post Number: 33
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 1:31 am: |
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Hi Bruce and Jim if you want to have a good chuckle over gain figures have a look at Mr Jo-gunns website the man must work miracles. lol
Murray |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1340
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 06, 2004 - 7:37 pm: |
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Nor using exact numbers the adds for common antennas look something like this........
JOGUNN GAIN = 20 DB and 25db AUDIO GAIN
MOONRAKER = 14 DB gain NO AUDIO GAIN
CUSHCRAFT = 10 DB GAIN NO AUDIO GAIN
REAL WORLD a 4 elm beam does about 8 dbd (10.5 dbi) and AUDIO GAIN DOES NOT EXSIST ...... SO who is lieing ? Well they all are some just more than others if you REALY want to know what gain you can get go look at cushcrafts 2 meter beams and remember gain is consistent no mater what frequency a 3 elm runs about 6 DBD and 8 DBI a 4 elm beam about 8DBD and 10.5 dbi. My 4 STACKED 17 elm beams on 2 meters ran about 20 DBD and i worked moonbounce with them. Just don't beleve what you read when it comes to gain! |
Cm3885
Intermediate Member
Username: Cm3885
Post Number: 498
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 2:52 am: |
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Ahh! The audio gain song and dance!! LOL!! what a joke!! Yeah i called them once and they told me it makes a radios modulation go over 100% just by using their magic beams!!! Yeah ok whatever guys is what i thought. Plus some of the guys at Jo Gunn are rude on the phone if you ask snoopy questions about their so called gain spects and were they got their "audio gain" spects. Ohhh!! that one will fire them up!!!!
Anywho... I have my raker 4s up and aside form the broken back wire it works fine!!!!! Wouldnt have it any other way!! |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 1341
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 7:06 am: |
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Now if this is REAL move over JOGUNN
http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/?id=2659 |
Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346
Post Number: 870
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 10:39 am: |
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Bruce:
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't.... But I'll wait and see. This looks like one to watch. After the patent is approved, we should see more details of the design. It may solve my potential antenna problems if I EVER move off this mountain into the city.. |
Capt_hook
Junior Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 31
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 6:45 pm: |
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ok all jokes aside BS on the shelf what antenna do i want to get as long as i don't have to skip a morgage payment ?i have a40'tower on the ground just waiting for a new hat .so what kind do i get .nothing that will block out the sun (bruce) i was thinking lol 3 el or 4el ??? |
Capt_hook
Junior Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 32
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 6:48 pm: |
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also maybe a comet 6 el a nice looking thing |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2924
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 11, 2004 - 6:56 pm: |
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Capt hook,
Go to the link below and you will see the 11 Beam Antennas that Copper Carries.
They are all Good Beams and vary in price to suit your budget.
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/product_display.cgi?categories=ANTENNAS-BASE
Hope this helps.
Lon
Tech808
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Capt_hook
Junior Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 33
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 7:36 am: |
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ok beam i will get later i will go with a vertical antenna. now out of these two wich dog runs faster?? forget the $$$$ Imax2000 or Maco V-58 . |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2929
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 8:12 am: |
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Capt hook,
Check out Tech833's GREAT ARTICLE on How to Choose a Ground Plane Antenna. 
You will find it listed under:
Subscriber (Preview)
(Articles)
(How to Choose a Ground Plane Antenna)
It will answer all of your questions and allow you to choose the best antenna for your needs.
He also includes a comparison chart of the antennas and the performance of each.
Hope this helps.
Lon
Tech808
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Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 254
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 12, 2004 - 7:39 pm: |
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Capt Hook,havnt used an I-Maxx 2000 but have used the A-99.I would put my money on the Maco. |
Capt_hook
Junior Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 35
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 6:11 am: |
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din din where is a good place to get this maco v -58 from Ron |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2948
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 9:12 am: |
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Capt hook,
How about COPPER ELECTRONICS.
MACO Alpha V-5/8
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05140+
MACO V-5000
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05172+
Just a thought as COPPER has the Lowest prices and will match or beat anyones prices.
Lon
Tech808
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Dindin
Intermediate Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 256
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 - 7:22 pm: |
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Lon beat me to it! |
Capt_hook
Junior Member
Username: Capt_hook
Post Number: 39
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2004 - 8:32 pm: |
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ok if i were to get a maco comet 6what size rotor would i need and dose copper people sell them both ?? |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 233
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 11, 2004 - 11:18 am: |
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That Astroplane Top One will outperform any groundplane when the tip is under 30'. Just thought I'd throw this in as a reminder.
mikefrommms |
