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Message |
    
Mscott1212
Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 72
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 - 9:23 pm: | 
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I am trying to figure out what to put up in place of my Imax 2000.
I have a 40 ft tower and use the Imax on 10,11,12,15 and 17 meters with the help of my antenna tuner.
I have found a few examples of what I am looking for. The first is the Mosley TA-32-JR-N
The second is the Butternut HF5B Mini Beam.
I heard hex beams work good but the look of a upside down umbrella will not work for me.
Looking for any advice you may have in helping me decide on a small footprint hf Yagi.
I just want to experience the directional style antenna for once in my life.
Cef#1011
Ham#294
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2129
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 1:52 am: |
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The Butternut "Butterfly" beam is a solid choice.
However, keep in mind that any 'reduced size' antenna will be a compromise. You might find that your Imax works better than the Butternut beam in most cases.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Mscott1212
Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 73
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 2:34 pm: |
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How about a Maco 4 element? I'm sure it would work well on 10 and 11. Not sure how well it would work on 12,15, and 17 with the antenna tuner inline to keep the swr down?
Cef#1011
Ham#294
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1535
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 8:39 am: |
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What about a Hex Beam? There are multi-band versions around, and they seem to work pretty good. I've used one a few times in "temporary" setups - aka Field Day, Special Event stations etc.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2131
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 11:34 am: |
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A Maco 4 element is not broad-banded enough to do all of the 10m band, let alone 10 AND 11m bands. And, it will certainly not work on 12, 15, or 17m.
The hex beams are OK too, like Simon says (ha!, a pun!).
If money is not an issue, check out the StepIR beams. Continuous coverage in a fairly small footprint (when tuned to the highest freq.).
If space ever becomes a non-issue for you, then you need a log periodic! When the bands are falling apart, the only signals left on the bands are usually the guys running log periodic beams.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Mscott1212
Member
Username: Mscott1212
Post Number: 74
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 9:24 am: |
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The log periodic would be great but a 39ft ele is to large for my city lot.
I think the hex beam would be my best choice.
I made many qso's this summer with stations using a hex beam.
Ease of installation and the ability to use a rotor like a Yaesu G-450a, I could probably get used to the way it looked on my tower at 50ft.
How would the performance be on CB with a hex beam?
Right now my Imax 2000 is not good with stations over 40 miles on am or ssb CB operations.
It would be nice if the hex beam would show some improvement over the Imax, if not I would just put the Imax up somewhere else for Cb operations.
Cef#1011
Ham#294
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