Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Antennas » Mobile for Base Antenna Opinio « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bullseye
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullseye

Post Number: 328
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 11:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As some of you may have read in my other post I killed both my radios so I'm starting over. Until I can afford my new Galaxies I'm looking for a stand-in SSB base BUT I'm not sure about antenna regs where I'm staying now. Here's the stunt I'm gonna try I'm getting a push-up pole,if I can find one,and I'm going to put a mobile antenna on it to start with and if I get away with that I'm soing to slowly increase antenna size until either I'm back to the Maco V58 or code enforcement tells me to take it down. Anyway which would be better a 102" whip or a 7' fiberglass antenna? What I'm hoping for is I can start off small and unobtrusive and maybe by the time I get to the Maco I'll have had it all up long enough that they'll leave me alone. I'm going to be using a low-pass filter and Belden 9913F coax so I should be good there I'm just hoping that maybe the neighbors don't really mind and no one else notices.
Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Scrapiron63
Advanced Member
Username: Scrapiron63

Post Number: 858
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 9:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bullseye, here's something to think about. An A-99 antenna would not be much more obtrusive than the mobile antennas.
It would perform better, less trouble to setup and not much more expensive.
Keep it low for a while and it might not even be noticed.
Of course the imax 2000 is better but it's longer and might be noticed more. Just my opinion.
---------------------------
CEF 108
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 1170
Registered: 4-2004


Posted on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just remember any mobile antenna is going to require some form of groundplane - either 3 (or more) x 9ft rods are a metal plate of about 3ft diameter.

Best bet is as Scrapiron said go with something like the A-99 or Imax.

As a last resort put up a 2oft PVC flagpole (complete with flag) and hide an A-99 or similar inside it with buries coax.
Simon
Tech237
N7AUS
.
I thought he said, "there was no rust for the wicked, and I own an MGB"
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bullseye
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullseye

Post Number: 329
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 9:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If thats the case Does anyone have any experience with the Patriot 12 (12 ft. 1/2 wave?)antenna. Its 6 ft. shorter than the 99 and half the price but I know nothing nor can I find anything about them.
Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237

Post Number: 1171
Registered: 4-2004


Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 3:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here at the stats I find for it:

* Threaded tuning
* 10-12 meter
* Rugged fiberglass construction with Chrome Plated ferrules
* Single coil circuit for best tuning and reliability
* Included mounting hardware
* EASY to install and operate
* 2000 Watts maximum power PEP
* 7.5 dBi Gain
* 1.5"1 SWR
* 26-30 frequency range
* 12'
* Weight 3.5 pounds

That gain figure seems a little high to me as I would expect to see 1/2 wave to have around the same as a dipole (also a half-wave antenna). Secondly at 12ft it ,means that this that is is either using a loading coil (and they state it has a coil) or it is a 3/8 wave using a matching coil.
Simon
Tech237
N7AUS
.
I thought he said, "there was no rust for the wicked, and I own an MGB"
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bullseye
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullseye

Post Number: 330
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 7:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well unless someone says that this thing will destroy my equipment at the first key down I'm assuming it's ok for what I plan to do with it. As long as I can at least get ahold of Starface at around 45 miles with the KL-60 then I'll be happy til I can sneak back up the Maco.
Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Starface
Senior Member
Username: Starface

Post Number: 2448
Registered: 1-2005


Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 8:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"As long as I can at least get ahold of Starface at around 45 miles" WOW I'm heart felt now hehe someone loves me :-) I'll be listening for you Bullseye no matter what antenna you choice.
Good luck.
George
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bullseye
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullseye

Post Number: 331
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 9:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well As soon as I get something coming together I'll post here so we can work out a time to see if i can make it that far. Anyone else in Central Florida available feel free to chime in here that way I can really find out how this setups gonna work. Hopefully I'll find a Washington or a 142 on ebay to use until I get my Galaxys. I know there's nothing wrong with either of those I've just always been a Galaxy kinda guy. It seems everytime I get a radio that's not Galaxy something bad happens.
Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Big_m
Member
Username: Big_m

Post Number: 73
Registered: 9-2007
Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 10:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

You would do alot better with an A-99. Taller is better in this case. I would do what Tech237 said. Put an A-99 inside PVC Pipe. It will work very well. And you would be happier with it. The Pat 12 don't work to good. But it's your money.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi

Post Number: 808
Registered: 11-2001


Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 6:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you do use the 102" ss whip or any other resonant mobile antenna, you need to do what 237 says about installing it with 2,3, or 4 ground plane radials or you will soon be looking to replace a third burned up radio.

The 102" whip will not work well by itself even if it is attached to a resonant pole. Use a mirror mount L-bracket to mount the antenna. Slip an A99 hub over the mast and tighten it right below the L-bracket and screw several whips or the short radials that come with the A99 GPK into the hub.

You might even be able to get by using the short radials that come with the GPK that are built for the A99. Plenty of guys have bought these A99 GPK's before and did not like the way they worked or didn't work, so they just took them off and set them aside. You may be able to find one cheap among your local buddies.

My Marconi 1/4 wave antenna
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bullseye
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullseye

Post Number: 332
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well it may take a while as finances are a little low due to replacing said truck that met its demise with the S-9 but I'm working as fast and hard as I can to get this thing together. I MISS MY RADIOS!!! I'm thinking the A-99 will be ok I'll just have to raise and lower the push-up pole to kinda keep the antenna out of sight as much as possible.
Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bullseye
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullseye

Post Number: 333
Registered: 1-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 11:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I hope everyones not sick of this post but I found a place I can get an "Imax-99" for about $92 shipped. Are these equal or better than the A-99. I've never heard of the distrubutor but if it's a better antenna I guess it's worth the chance. I don't want to post the name cause I don't think I'm allowed but if Copper can get me one I'll buy it from them.HINT HINT
Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: