| Author |
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Mike Long
| | Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2001 - 8:30 am: | 
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What is the best all around ground plane antenna to buy? |
Hamcber
| | Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2001 - 6:48 pm: |
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Is this the same Mike Long that used to live in Stockton? |
Bulldog
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 12:41 pm: |
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Get the SKYLAB antenna. A lot of antenna for $38.00 Got mine in the backyard on a 10ft pole, and have talked to Texas when the skip was in. |
Hamcber
| | Posted on Monday, October 22, 2001 - 11:56 pm: |
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Oh, back to the question at hand....
If you want an honest to God 'ground plane' antenna, the Maco V-5/8 is a winner. Hands down, the most gain for the size and bucks. In order to get the performance, you need to get the antenna at LEAST 30 feet off the ground (at the mounting point).
If you don't mind a seal-a-meal (a.k.a.: fiberglass) antenna, the Shakespeare Army Big Stick is a good antenna. Get it at least 20 feet up.
If you don't have the ability to get the antenna high off the ground, but still want a good signal, get a CTE 'Top One' which is an Astroplane copy. Doesn't need a lot of elevation to get a flat H-field pattern. |
Vernonott
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2001 - 10:39 am: |
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Hamcber: I'm surprised that you didn't mention the A99.Put it up and forget about it.Five years down the road take it down refiberglass it and you're good to go again. |
Hamcber
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 2:47 am: |
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I didn't mention the A99 because it is not the best ground plane antenna. He asked what was the BEST ground plane. So, I told him and then threw in a couple of other suggestions too.
Now, if somebody asked "What is the cheapest fiberglass antenna that still works fairly good and only needs to stay up for 5 years before self destructing in the elements and turning into a fiberglass thorn bush", then I would be sure and suggest an A99. (Man, that's so true too!) |
Vernonott
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 10:43 am: |
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Hamcber : I think for the novice just starting out the A99 can't be beat.I have yet to install one anywhere that needed any adjustment.Throw it up ,have instant 1.2 swr without ever touching the trim rings.I wouldn't call myself a novice,but the A99 is all I use .Had a hurricane break one some years ago.Refiberglassed it and stroked again.When a bad storm wrecks a aluminum antenna it's usually scrap. |
Marconi
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 2:16 pm: |
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You all make good points about the different antennas you suggest. My experience with the first few A99's was all bad, they worked just fine but they were dirty (TVI) but that doesn't alway mean they are a problem.
I hear the arguments that antennas don't cause TVI, but I don't believe that is always the case. I bought 3 NIB old one's from a shop going out of business and they all worked fine and made no TVI. I was amazed.
My personal opinion is that they work great if you get the tip as high as any other antenna even the larger 5/8's style. They can produce about the same signal both TX/RX.
They also work close to the earth, 20'-25'+. They work skip very well. As some note, they do need some regular maintenance.
The Starduster and the Astroplane are also fine antennas. The Maco V-5/8 and the Sigma IV are also very good, but require some tuning and matching which can present problems, and these kits require construction.
I don't think much about the SP Big Stick and have no experience with their newer bigger versions.
If you really want some gain, you have to go with a good beam. I like them on the flat side.
Marconi |
taz
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 3:25 pm: |
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i agree
taz |
814
| | Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2001 - 12:25 am: |
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Hamcber:
Please keep us posted on the CTE Top-One antenna. I'm shopping for a new antenna and the Top-One looks very interesting. |
JYD
| | Posted on Monday, November 05, 2001 - 2:39 pm: |
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DONT BLAME THE ANTENNA FOR BEING DIRTY ITS ALL IN HOW YOU ARE SET UP. I HAVE A A99 RUNNING ABOUT 450 WATTS IT DOES NOT BLEED ON ANYTHING INCUDING PHONES TV'S NO BLEED OVER!!!! BUT I WOULD RECOMEND I-MAX 200O SECOND MACO 5/8 WAVE,AND BY THE WAY MY SWR WITH POWER ON IS 1 |
Hamcber
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 06, 2001 - 12:36 pm: |
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The only problem is: Do you se any ground planes on an IMAX?? Not unless you add them. The IMAX is not a 'ground plane' antenna as it comes stock.
What updates would you like on the CTE Top One? I forgot that thing was even there. The only thing I did differently was I got new marine grade stainless hardware from West Marine to replace all the crummy hardware it came with. Also, I used Nylock nuts instead of the regular ones.
Someday, the plastic will get all yucky, but the aluminum will be around forever. I think my method of spraying all the plastic with clear 1-part epoxy paint with some UV retardent mixed in it before putting up the antenna will keep the UV's from aging it too terribly fast. |
814
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - 9:53 am: |
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Hamcber:
Could you please clarify some things about the CTE Top One?
1) How does the antenna attach to the mast?
2) How does the coax attach to the antenna?
3) how far down do the ground radials extend from the mast/antenna contact point?
4) Wind Rating?
5) Frequency Range? (Saw two different ranges, same bottom end, but one site claimed 30mhz top, the other claimed 28mhz top, no tuner)
I wasn't able to find any of these answers by searching the web. |
Hamcber
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - 11:29 am: |
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Well, let's see...
1) At the top bracket, there is a U bolt. About half way down (3.75 ft.), there are plastic arms that hold the vertical elements still.
2) Via an SO239 connector on the top bracket.
3) There are no ground radials. The 2 lower parallel vertical elements extend about 7.5 feet below the top bracket.
4) I have no idea. I have seen 80 MPH winds not effect the antenna much at all.
5) About the middle of the 10 meter band. Trim some length off the ends of the capacitance hat and it goes higher. |
814
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 - 1:56 pm: |
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Sigh, the antenna extending down 7.5 feet is a problem. I have a 10 foot mast on the chimney. A few feet of that 10 foot mast is against the chimney. The bottom of the vertical elements touch the chimney. Darn. I guess I'll have to wait for the IMAX 2000 to come back in stock. |
Marconi
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 4:40 am: |
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Hey 814, something to consider. The chimney is not a very good place to put an aluminum or FG antenna. The constant lateral movements of the mast and antenna in the brackets can do damage to the chimney and that can be expensive to fix and dangerous. The emissions from the chimney could also damage the antenna and/or the coax. I know it is a convenient mount but try a pushup pole attached to the side of the house at a peak and you will also have a better path to ground in case of lightning. If you make or get a good sturdy standoff up high on the house and you don't go to high up you probably won't have to guy the pole either.
Just some thoughts,
Marconi |
814
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 9:41 am: |
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Marconi:
I have had my big stick up on the chimney for over 10 years now. No problems, my chimney is in very good condition and is quite thick. The chimney isn't in use so there are no emissions. Right under the chimney there is earth. So it's a direct shot down to the ground for the ground wire. The only other option would be to use a side mount on the house. I'm not willing to do that because my house is brick. So I think I'm pretty much stuck with using the chimney. But I'm glad you brought up the points you did. I will be sure to check the condition of the chimney when I go up there. It looks fine from the ground though.
814 |
Hamcber
| | Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2001 - 12:53 pm: |
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Too bad you won't consider adding a short extension to your mast and using a CTE Top One. At lower elevations (above ground), the Top One will perform a lot better than an end fed IMAX or Big Stick.
Even a ground plane antenna like the Maco V5/8 will outperform the fiberglass antennas to some degree from low elevation. The only way to get an end fed fiberglass antenna to perform well is to get the base of it at LEAST 1 full wavelength (36 feet) above ground level. Coils and ground don't mix very well on lowband... |
rightwing
| | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2001 - 12:41 am: |
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a silly question .. are those so called ground plane kits for the a-99, big stick etc.. really work? or as lou franklin from cbcity would say just another gimmick to thin your wallet? my personal opinion is they are a waste of money. as these antennas mentioned have a ground already. |
Galileo
| | Posted on Thursday, January 03, 2002 - 8:13 pm: |
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Am curious, you say the a-99 needs to be at least 36 feet above the ground??? do you still run a wire from the mounting bracket at the antenna to the ground rods??? my mast is exactly 36 foot...Also what about using 3 102" whips for a ground plane kit for the a-99...I just happen to have them laying around....Thanks for any input... |
Tech181
| | Posted on Friday, January 04, 2002 - 12:38 am: |
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Galileo,
I have the base of my A-99 around 30' feet above the ground. Works fine for me. Yes, you still have to ground it. Never tried the ground plane on the A-99 much less used 102" whips.
Steve
Tech181
Tech181@copperelectronics.com |
Hoosiercardinal
| | Posted on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 1:36 am: |
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HamCber.
I have a astroplane that was made back in the mid 1970s.
How does the new "TOP ONE" stack up against the older avanti astroplane? |
Ponytail
| | Posted on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 8:55 pm: |
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I'm not a big CTE fan. I bought the new Skylab 27 5/8 wave ground plane and up 'til today it's been a big headache. First, the set screws for the radials were tiny. I had to drill and re-tap the mounting holes to accomadate larger, stronger screws. Second was SWR's. They were great as long as it didn't rain! I checked everything I could've possibly screwed up; The solder joints on the PL-259s, the ground, the antenna length and elevation. Finally today, in desperation, I took 2 10mm. open end wrenchs to the nuts above the feed line and guess what??? they were never properly aligned or tightened at the factory, so every time it rained, the water would run right in and jack my SWR reading higher than the tip of the antenna!!! I corrected this problem myself and I'm sure it's okay, as it was pouring rain tonight and my SWR's didn't go over 1.2 |
Allagator
| | Posted on Sunday, December 29, 2002 - 3:24 pm: |
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i just got one thing to say !!! i got a a-99 and its been up for 8 years with no problem yet just had to paint it when i stuck it up at 56 feet and forgot it !!!!!!!!
but i still have my maco y-quads up for a backup
lol !!!!!!!!!!! |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Monday, June 16, 2003 - 8:51 pm: |
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I'll give a full report when I get my Astro plane up next week--somewhere on this site. Seems like the most logical antenna for performance if you can't get it up over 30'.
mikefromms |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 5:58 pm: |
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Mike Long
Click on "Subscriber Preview", then click on "Product Review". The A-99, Sky Lab and the I-max were all reviewed and tested by Tech881 and a few other Techs. I believe you will find some very interesting facts about these antennas.
For some reason or other, it appears that not many people on Copper's Forum visit that (very informative) section. If they did, they would see that many of the questions that are put to the Techs are already answered right there in the review section.
Many topics are covered. What I appreciate about that section is the fact that if they find something to be a piece of trash, they will tell you just that. These Techs hold nothing back. Show me another Forum, other than Copper's (that runs a high profile business) that has the balls to be honest enough to reveal a products NEGATIVE SIDE along with the positive side. You'll be a-long-time-lookin!!
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Tech808
| | Posted on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 8:59 pm: |
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Jeff,
I think that the reason that a lot of the Forum members do not know about or read the Tech Section's is that they have not fully registered.
Therefore, they cannot get into these Very Informative Sections.
Thank you, for your kind words about us Techs and Moderators.
Have a good weekend!
Lon
Tech808  |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 1:57 pm: |
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I'll second that, they give honest information. Honesty keeps customers coming back.
I'm a top one fan.
Mikefromms |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 10:31 pm: |
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Well, the top one seems to be a good antenna. The instructions could be improved. If you buy one ask someone here how to put it together and what to double check. Be sure to do it right the first time. You may want to replace some of the hardward. I replaced the allen screw with a real longer screw that goes in the top hat to hold the 2 horizonal wires in place. Believe me, it didn't take long for the fun to run out working on the roof reworking my AP. I got everything going and it is walking the dog from about 25ft at the tip of the antenna. I'm getting good reports and my set up is quite. I'll add some really good quality coax later. Dummy me got in a hurry and got some Rad Shack coax with the toy ends on it.
My AP covers the CB band up to about 28.880 mhz with a 2.1 and less swr. Mine is not much good for below 26.800 mhz. Mine becomes resonant somewhere around 28.300 mhz 1:1. Maybe better coax will improve my bandwidth but I don't use the below the cb band channels anyway.
I have the new President Lincoln as my base station on a 10 amp power supply. It's a good set up. If I was going up higher in the air I would get the Maco 5/8 or try the I-max 2000. I don't know if I ever want an antenna I have to figure out how to put together again. They say AP is the best groudplane under 30 ft heights. It seems to be doing it's thing.
mikefromms |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 11:00 pm: |
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My AP is good up to about 28.990. After that, the swr is too high to take a chance on transmitting.
If I trim the hat wires on the top will this chance the wavelengh of the antenna? If I trim a quarter inch off each end of the two wires at the top will this bring the swr down a good bit so I can talk on fm repeaters up around 29600?
mikefromms |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 3:56 am: |
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Tech808
I've been giving a lot of thought to your Friday, June 20, 2003 above posting .
1- Why does one have the option to be "Fully Registered" or not, on Copper's Forum?
2- Why IS that option even there?
3- Don't you think the "Unfully Registered" ones make it harder on the Moderators and Techs to keep up with the forum because of all the rewriting and rewriting and rewriting of answers to the same questions asked time and time again by the "Unfully Registered" ones?
4- Aren't the "Unfully Registered" ones missing 90% of this forum and what it has to offer with/from all the time-consuming work that has been put into it by you guys?
5- I know you Techs love what your doing, but, don't you ever want to scream or pull your hair out because of the repeated questions from the "Unfully Registered" ones that could easily (if they were Fully Registered) find what they're looking for just by going to "Keyword" or reading the "Tech Reviews" in the Subscriber (Preview) section?
6- Do you guys get much sleep?
7- See questions # 1 & 2.
----------------------------------------
If you don't print this, I wouldn't blame you. I am just curious. And I just want you guys to know that, I for one, look at this forum both from the members side and your side. You people sure seem dedicated to the forum and I think by now you know that you have some dedicated followers here. I hope I speak for all of us when I say that we apreciate you and all of your time and work that you put into this forum. You certainly have my total respect.
Jeff, kc0gxz.
PS: You can disreguard the questions. It's none of my business how Copper runs their forum. It's 5 minutes to 3 in the morning here and about this time I REALLY ask stupid questions.
PSS: How do I make my Cobra 148 talk louder? |
Tech808
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 10:38 am: |
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Kc0gxz,
Jeff,
#1 ~ I will leave this one for the Forummaster.
#2 ~ I will also leave this one for the Forummaster.
#3 ~ If they were Fully Registered they could find the answers to about 65-70% of there questions.
A lot of the answers can be found by useing the Search Area to the left of this column and in the Tech & Review Section's.
#4 ~ Yes, they are missing a Lot of the Benefits that this Forum has to offer and the FORUM can be a big Help, if Forum Members would read and check out ALL OF THE FORUM OPTIONS avialiable to them.
#5 ~ LOVE what I am doing, that's a BIG YES! 
SCREAM, Only when the 1st Sargant wacks me in the back of the head and say's are you ever going to turn that Darn computer off and come to bed. 
PULL MY HAIR OUT? Well when I started as a Tech on here last August my hair was 14 inches long. Look at my Picture when we drove down to visit Copper Headquarters. Maybe 1/4 inch long now and I forgot what a barber shop was. BUT then again I have more money for More Radio TOY'S. 
#6 ~ Sleep WHAT's THAT? 
#7 ~ See answers for 1 & 2 above.
PSS, Put a Astatic 575-M6 on it:
http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodA70-05014+
Well, I better get to the other question's.
Have a good one. 
Lon
Tech808 |
Forummaster
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 1:17 pm: |
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Kc0gxz,
Two problems, Identity Theft, and readers who want to get a feel for the forum without having to register.
Members want to setup and maintain an identity. If a member isn't registered I can't stop someone from stealing their identity and posting under their name. If they are registered then their name is unique in the registered name database and no one else can register that name.
Now what do we do with visitors who want to get a feel for the forum without registering? We decided to let them read and post into designated areas until they decided to join.
As you can see we have tried to accomodate everyone. It leads to some confusion but everyone is included. |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 12:39 pm: |
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Some of these questions are not found when you conduct a search. Some posts do not get direct answers and therefore must be repeated under another simlar heading on the forum. I don't think anyone wants to waste the Tech's time. Some people here (myself included) have the potential to become good customers. Who knows which person posting here might get the answer he needs and suddenly spend $2,000 at Coppers? One thing is for sure, if a person is offended enough, they will take their business elsewhere. And someone says, "so what?" Well, there's a thing in advertising called horizonal communication advertising (word of mouth). People relate their experiences to others in the hobby. Some of us are preachers and excecutives and the like whose opinions carry clout.
A simply, please run a search on this question will do, if needed. No offend taken there, if there is indeed an answer. But to laugh in someone's face is another matter. When someone makes fun of a customer and a tech chimes in "that was a good one," which is more funny: making fun of the customer or losing his account?
mikefromms |
Forummaster
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 5:27 pm: |
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mikefromms,
We don't want anyone to feel insulted. Please tell me where you felt that this happened. The techs, moderators and myself work hard to make the users feel that every question is important but sometimes we fail. If we have in this case I apologize. |
Kc0gxz
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 12:02 am: |
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Forummaster
Well, that certainly took care of my curiosity. Thank you.
I guess the ones that aren't fully registered are missing a wealth of technical information that can be had for free.
To be honest, I didn't think that post was actually going to be put up for all to see. It was aimed more or less towards you and the Techs.
The post was written because I was confused as to why more people don't want to take full advantage of what Copper's Forum has to offer. But, now I know why. I think.
I hope I didn't ruffle any feathers by asking.
Jeff, kc0gxz. |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 3:12 pm: |
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ForumMaster, maybe I took some things too personally when they weren't really directed at me. I felt that I was being laughed at when I remarked about the "Choosing an Antenna" article that, "The Top One looks like it wins out in the under 30' catagory." I thought the posts that followed were making fun of me, apparently for repeating myself. I'm over it. Probably wasn't even about me.
Thanks for being man enough to post my complaints. Everything's cool now.
mikefromms |
Tech808
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2003 - 11:19 pm: |
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Mikefromms,
If you were talking about the Rolling faces I posted to Tech833, I apologize as they were for Tech833 and his comment and wording of it.
We e-mail and talk and I knew he would understand what I meant, but I think he forgot about mentioning it to me when we talked last month.
Again, I apologize for any mis-understanding that may have occured.
Guess I just could not help myself from teasing Tech833 a little.
Lon
Tech808 |
Tech833
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 12:51 pm: |
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I can take it. |
Znut
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 12:39 pm: |
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Yeah, I knew that Mike. They are driving me nuts withholding the revelation of a new antenna or something. That is why I said I want to smack those little smileys. Those things are taunting and teasing and.... aaaaaarrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhh.
Anyway, they aren't picking on anyone at all.('cept maybe my curiousity)
Okay, where is the antenna? |
Mikefromms
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 5:35 pm: |
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Everything is cool. Thanks for the reply. I get too serious sometimes. I love this site and I love to research my hobbies.
You guys are great.
mikefromms |
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