| Author |
Message |
    
Danusee
New member
Username: Danusee
Post Number: 3
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 6:06 am: | 
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I just got my tower up and was trying to decide which beam to get. It is right at 41' to the top. I only have seen the moon rakers that have the boom clamps which I don't like. They tend to break and if they get loose your elements easily get out of alignment. Just looking at the pics of the Jo Gunn conventional vertical only, they have a square boom which I like but are quite expensive. The Maco, only seening a drawing, looks to have a round boom. Does the Maco have some kind of alignment slot where the clamps attach that keeps the elements straight or will they slip around the boom if the work loose? Which beam rotor combo would you recommend? I would be using vertical only however sugestions of a horz/vert is welcomed. I probably wouldn't connect the flat side. Bang for the buck plus durability is a nice thought. With rotor cost that might not be possible. I am having trouble deciding size, surface area, type and cost with little info on durability. I don't want to spend $700 but probably would if that is what it takes. Thanks |
Pig040
Advanced Member
Username: Pig040
Post Number: 693
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 9:48 am: |
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The complete instruction for the maaco antennas are available on line, they show the total construction of the various antennas. I think the weakness of the maaco antennas as they come is those silly hose clamps they give you, but that is just my opinion. I had a maaco 3 element come apart. The plus side is they are very light as compared to most of the other beams, a light duty rotor would turn them fine. Personally if I was looking right now I would look seriously at that thunder line. I believe Lon runs one of those. I do own a JoGunn, which I love, but I bought it at auction, and paid half price. It is really heavy duty, but does require a rotor with some beef. It has performed flawlessly for me.
Rich |
Bburck
Junior Member
Username: Bburck
Post Number: 11
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 9:06 pm: |
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Danusee, I believe I have owned atleast 10 sets of beams in my radio life. I started out wit PDL2s, and was not impressed. Next I got a set of Wilson (now Maco) Shooting Stars and they did well for me. My next set were the moonraker 4s and the blew the wilsons out of the water. I picked up a set of super lazer 400s really cheap, but only put of a Maco M106 config. Through all of this, I would have to say, you won't be dissapointed with the Maco's, they are easy to put together, and like Pig said, very light weight. They don't have a channel or a groove to hold them up, but i live in a moderately windy area, and never once did my elements get out of whack. My only question is why vertical, get your ground plane up, up.. way up.. and set your beam on horizontal. Just my 2 cents..
73s
Brian Burckhalter
Augusta, GA
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