| Author |
Message |
    
Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 361
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2014 - 2:05 am: | 
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My question is simple. Have you ever tested the Maco 5000 antenna to see what the real gain of this antenna is? If you have is it 5 db gain as claimed? If not what is the gain? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2298
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2014 - 9:55 pm: |
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No, I have not tested an actual Maco 5000 antenna. However, I have tested similar antennas.
I can tell you with complete confidence that the Maco 5000 does NOT have 5 dBd gain.
The Maco is a 5/8 wave antenna. It is not magically almost twice higher in gain than another 5/8 wave antenna. In order to achieve 5 dBd gain in an omnidirectional vertical antenna, you need to stack dipoles upon one another, i.e.: colinear array.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1816
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2014 - 7:13 am: |
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833 -CB did not say if that was dBd or dBi they were claiming.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 362
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2014 - 7:36 pm: |
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On the Copper product page for the Maco it said 5 DB gain. Of course from the conversation's we have had on antenna's I did not see how a Maco antenna could have the gain of that close to a beam antenna. Maco should give the real gain. I want to thank you both for your help. |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2113
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 7:37 pm: |
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charlie that 5 db claim is from maco. like most they over exerrate the gain.checkout sirios
lineup of antennas i THINK there claims are
probaly close to being true
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 367
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 9:32 pm: |
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Tech 833 had said the same thing but I have been wondering what the real gain is. You would think that would come under false advertising. Tech 833 covered that as well also. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2299
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2014 - 4:50 pm: |
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A 5/8 wave antenna has about 1.2 dB gain over a 1/2 wave antenna. This goes both for free space and at the same height above ground.
Since an isotropic antenna is a theoretical one, I don't like using it for comparison. I prefer to use an antenna that really exists and can be easily built and tested and compared to another real antenna. Makes life much easier.
The isotropic antenna is only useful when comparing some specialty antennas, like GPS or low earth orbit antennas, where an isotropic pattern is desirable.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 368
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 6:10 pm: |
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Thank you 833. If I remember did you not already compare the maco 5/8 antenna against the I max and had seen very little difference on the performance? |
N8fgb
Intermediate Member
Username: N8fgb
Post Number: 111
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2014 - 9:37 pm: |
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It is not false advertising, it is 5 DBrd. DB over rubber ducky.
Rich |
Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 802
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2014 - 4:34 pm: |
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Just my 2 cent!
I love that, db over a rubber ducky.
Something I've learned from life.
If you want to sell it, pump it up! Make the numbers so grandiose that the masses will flock to it.
Let's say you have a new swimming pool built, there are so many different ways to set the pool up and each carries it's own good and bad. How are you going to heat it or are you? There's solar (my choice) but if it's overcast, what then. So, do you add a gas heater for back up or a heat pump. Gas is quicker than a heat pump but at what cost? I know, what about a blanket right, in most cases it'll only help keep the heat in. Wind will remove the heat. Are you going to use a salt generator or tablets, how are you going to feed the tablets? All things to consider.
Thing I've noticed with antennas, if you want to compare one to the other, then compare them to a 1/4 wave, see what gain you get over a 1/4.
833 has rated several GPs for us and rated them as to use and mounting height. I like the Astro Plane. I live in Florida on the east coast and with the winds and distance to the Ocean, it is my best pick. If I had varying terrain to contend with, I'd want a different "Take Off Angle". Every time I've put up a fiberglass antenna, lightning has taken it down.
Beams are really good here. Ever looked at the gain figures on them?
Most folks want gain, gain, gain. OK, but, how much space do you have? Can you put 30ft of antenna over your house and still get along with your neighbors. Is 17db really better than 14db or 9 for that fact? How big a rotor can you afford. All things to consider.
OK, you can have the soap box back now.
73 Pressman
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