| Author |
Message |
    
Okie
New member
Username: Okie
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2010
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 02, 2015 - 9:41 pm: | 
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I am fixing to purchase my first beam and going to build a tilt tower for it. The beams will probably be a Maco Comet or something of that size.
I have a 30' tower my A99 used to be on that I could put on but I assume I need something higher.
Is there really a big difference in having a beam at 60'+ vs 36'? |
Wire_saber
Junior Member
Username: Wire_saber
Post Number: 18
Registered: 4-2015
| | Posted on Thursday, September 03, 2015 - 11:52 pm: |
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Hello Okie: I subscribe to the theory that a horizontal Yagi feed point height that equals to one or 1 1/2 full wave in length of the transmitting frequency (36 or 54 feet above ground for 11 meters) is ideal for long-distance QSOs. For local rag-chewing, I've read that a height of at least 5/8 of a wave length, is good. Suggestions will vary with your intended use, soil characteristics at your place, nearby structures, local statutes and the type of antenna that you choose to install. Most hobbyist will instinctively suggest to go as high as you reasonably can. Your 30' tower may be all you need for local talk, but you may not be able to realize the full DX potential that a Maco Comet is capable of. Good luck! |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2229
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 04, 2015 - 11:55 am: |
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as always higher is better. what local do here is with a small beam they mount them 54 feet or 1 1/2 wave lenths above ground. but if its a big beam moon raker 4 or 6 then they mount them 36 feet or 1 wave lenth.to my understanding every 18 feet you,ll see a noticable improment. so if ya start at 36 feet and want better then go to 54 feet.seems to work 4 them anyways
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Press_man
Advanced Member
Username: Press_man
Post Number: 878
Registered: 5-2008
| | Posted on Friday, September 04, 2015 - 4:43 pm: |
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Hello Okie;
Welcome to Copper!
A lot of guys will use the Maco 103 or 104 on the horizontal side and mount their omni, in your case the A-99 above it. Omni for local and Horizontal for DX.
I used a stack boom with a V quad on one end, and a 10 element 2 meter on the opposite end with a GP up through the center and a 440 beam to the right of the GP on the boom. Takes a strong rotor.
The Maco Y quad is real good in tight spaces. Consider though you're allowed 60 ft and the Y quad offers low wind resistance as do beams mounted horizontal. If you use a light rotor (TV type) use a thrust bearing to strengthen the rotor. Copper has them. Good light rotors and thrust bearings.
73 Pressman
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Okie
New member
Username: Okie
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2010
| | Posted on Saturday, September 05, 2015 - 2:24 am: |
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Thank you all for the responses. They are appreciated. I live on a farm in southwest Oklahoma, sandy loam with some clay in spots. Mostly open. I'll try 36' but if it does not do well enough I will build the tilt tower to where the beam will be at 54'. I no longer have the Antron, was going to use the beam for local and dx. Thanks again. |
