| Author |
Message |
    
Jjk9
Junior Member
Username: Jjk9
Post Number: 12
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 4:11 pm: | 
|
I am considering a small beam type antenna. I've been running an Imax with good results, but would like to get some more distance capabilities. My nearest "local" contacts are in the 14-20 mile range. A few of my questions are:
I'm looking for a smaller size beam that can be mounted on a mast and HD tripod mt on the roof, along with a rotor. Can this be done? and which beam would you recommend?
The base of the antenna would be about 28' t 30' above ground level; is this a practical height? I know the higher the better, but if I use a 10' mast thats about as high as I can get it)
A tower just isn't in the budget.
Can I mount it appx 24' from the Imax and leave both up? or would you recommend eliminating the Imax? Is there a beam that would offer descent tx/rx in both the vertical and horizontal without getting too large a unit?I have never had a beam before, so please bear with me if any questions seem too elementary. My budget would be in the 350-400.00 range for everything (bought too many radios!) and I can't go too large of a unit due to some local considerations (neighbors). Any advise/recommendations would be appreciated. Joe |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4690
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 6:23 pm: |
|
Copper sells a 3 elm beam which would give you about 6 DBD of gain. As for horizontal 99% of people on CB are vertical. If you use a small rotor ( like a U-110 ) buy the thrust bearing I use one and it will turn a fairly good size beam.
On 6 since 66
|
Sonny
Intermediate Member
Username: Sonny
Post Number: 178
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 6:24 pm: |
|
Jjk9, the maco 3 element would be good mount it Horz. and put your Imax on top should work fine. |
Radioreddz
Member
Username: Radioreddz
Post Number: 75
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 8:25 pm: |
|
the 3 element Maco or the Maco Y Quad. the 3 element would give you either horizontal.or vertical one or the other which ever way you chose to mount it. if ur into Dxin mostly mount it horizontal. with the Imax 8'to 10' above for your local ragchew. with the Y Quad you get the advantage of having both horizontal. & vertical in one beam that is switchable. with a poloriztion switch. Y Quad is a 2 element beam that has the same performance if not better than the 3 elemnent. the Y Quad is a great beam for the price. check it out two but still keep the Imax always good to still keep a Ground plane even with the beam. both beams can be a had for under $200.00. and you won't go wrong with either. there both light weight & can be tripoded or chimney straped with light duty Tv style rotors. although i do recomend a medium duty for longivity. also both are low maintinace antennas for many trouble free days of Cbing. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4695
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 6:08 am: |
|
This is a light weight rotor with thrust bearing
Cost about $100
On 6 since 66
|
Jjk9
Junior Member
Username: Jjk9
Post Number: 13
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 10:14 am: |
|
Thank you all for the advice guys; and Bruce that picture helped clarify the mounting possibilities a lot! One question, the "thrust bearing" I take it is the mounted piece above the rotor? Is that a tripod mount you are using? How tall is the mast you are using? And finally Bruce is that the rotor copper has on their website? Again for give me if some of the questions seem elementary or dumb; although I'm not new to radios a "beam" is totally new to me as well as some of the terminology regarding same. |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4696
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 6:25 pm: |
|
The bearing goes ABOVE the rotor it prevents the pipe from wobbling around so all the rotor has to do is TURN it. It is mounted on a 10 foot pipe on a pointed part of a tile roof using antenna mounting brackets. The antennas ( cropped out of the photo ) are a 4 elm hygain on 6 meters and a 9 elm M2 on 2 meters and withstood everything the weather here in TAMPABAY has tossed at them.
Look around before you buy since there are many rotors and antennas to choose from .
This rotor is old however the bearings can be bought on the internet and that copper rotor does look the same as mine. All you have to do with this combo is line them up ..... no matter who makes them.
Rotors can get very pricy but if all you are going to turn is a 3 elm beam this would work just fine.
Beams are neat ..... no matter what band .....
even that 3 elm beam give you a ONE s unit advantage.
On 6 since 66
|
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 4245
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 10:22 pm: |
|
hey bruce, where did you get the thrust bearing for that rotator? i have 1 of those rotators, not sure what brand though, was going to try an antenna a bit bigger then recommended, but can't find a thrust bearing anywhere..... |
Canal_digger
Junior Member
Username: Canal_digger
Post Number: 17
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 7:46 am: |
|
Another option for a small but effective beam is the V-Quad. About 8-9 lbs, so a light duty rotor would probably do fine. On paper, about the same gain as the 3 Element Beams out there & Copper seems to have the best price as well. Added bonus of having both Vertical and Horizontal for solid Local+DX wave coverage. |
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 761
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 9:57 am: |
|
canal digger, the V-Quad will setup either vertical, horizontal, or a mixture of both, but it is not switchable as you suggest. You can do the same with the M-103, but it too will not result as switchable. The Y-Quad has two driven elements and can be made switchable. |
Canal_digger
Junior Member
Username: Canal_digger
Post Number: 18
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 9:10 am: |
|
Hi,
I was referring to the "mixture" of Horiz/Vert with no need to switch - did not know a M103 could do the same. The 7 foot turn radius is also very convenient in a small beam set up, especially if it's tucked behind the lower side of a house peak whereas a 103 needs about 10-11 feet and a "flat" surface (so elements don't hit the roof). I view the Y-Quad as a small step up from V & 103, and if you have the room, probably the best choice of the 3. Just my opinion- but then again, I'm holding out for the Sigma Mantova Turbo Omni! |
Train_man
Junior Member
Username: Train_man
Post Number: 26
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 1:41 pm: |
|
What Marconi was driving at is the m-103 will talk vert or hor depending on installation. If it was me, and Ive done this with excellent results, mount the m 103 hor and install the stick above the beam
about 6". Also get it as hi as you can.
Move along. Nothing to see here.........
|
Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 762
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 10:04 am: |
|
What Train man indicates is true, but the combination 50/50 polarity setting that is suggested for the V-Quad is also an effective configuration for the M-103. Just angle the M-103 at a 45 degree angle.
I'm not convinced that doing so is as effective as being either vertical or horizontal under typical conditions, but it will work. |
Greenghost
New member
Username: Greenghost
Post Number: 3
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 9:14 pm: |
|
You may want to try an antenna made by Signal Engineering called the Superhawk Quad. It is a small qubical Quad with vertical and horizontal polarity and I have had amazing results with it mounted around 36 feet up. |
Jjk9
Junior Member
Username: Jjk9
Post Number: 15
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - 6:37 pm: |
|
Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice. Finished the beam install on Sunday. I ended up with a Jogunn Smokin Gunn II antenna and a rebuilt AR22 rotor; have it mounted at appx 34' from ground to boom on a 5' tripod. I am going to try and put a photo up (hope for the best!)I'll try and give a very non-technical type of review in the future if anyone is interested. I have to say the beam is built like a tank, and the instructions were thorough... one thing that impressed me the most was when I pulled that large bag of hardware (nut & bolts) out of the box... inside were several manilla envelopes with the parts clearly marked as to was in each; saved a bit of time on that! All hardware was stainless steel. I do agree they overstate their claims on gain etc... but the 5' boom was what swayed me (neighborhood constraints) Sorry it isn't the best photo, but this beam is tough to describe, It has both vertical and horizontal polarity with 2 sets of coax. |
477
Intermediate Member
Username: 477
Post Number: 317
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 5:30 pm: |
|
Wow that look so much like mine lol.
looking good my friend.
CEF:227
Lewistown,Pa. |
