| Author |
Message |
    
Justpassingthru
New member
Username: Justpassingthru
Post Number: 6
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 2:14 am: | 
|
Hey guys, I just went to my local CB shop looking @ stuff and stumbled across a aluminum base antenna. This is 18 ft in length with 4 ground planes that are horizontal, the GP's are 9 ft long, and "droop" is the best way to describe them. Is this a "Magnum"? I will be putting this up, to compare to my A-99. I will post the results as i have them
Thanks, JPT
|
Dindin
Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 76
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 8:41 pm: |
|
JPT,the best way to discribe an A.S.Super Mag is on top of an 18' radiator was a "static discharge ball" made from 4, 1/8inch dia.aluminum wire about 12"long formed into a half circle,the top end was held by a 3/16 machine screw and the lower end by what resembled a hose clamp.the 4 ground plane radials were made of 2 different diameters of alum.rod,5/16 and 3/16.The mounting plate for them had a tendacy to rust badly only after a short time in the weather.The plastic sleeve over the matching coil was molded in red plastic with a corrugated texture to it.also it was not a uv stable plastic resulting in red turning to grey before crumbling to dust.The Super Mags biggest fault was the swr would skyrocket after a rain and stay high for several days till the coil had time to dry out.its only my opinion but I believe it would have been a more stable antenna without the cover on the coil.when dry they would talk fairly good.to compare it to your a-99,I highly doubt you'll see any improvement.hope this helps.good luck. |
Justpassingthru
New member
Username: Justpassingthru
Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 9:07 pm: |
|
Dindin,, thanks for your input. I definently have a A.S Super Mag, as it has the red plastic over the coil. do you think I could either paint the plastic, or make a sleeve out of PVC pipe? I am getting better results broadcasting and my ears as I can talk with someone that could not hear me before. As for the high swr's I wonder if I could make a rubber cap to top it and seal the entry points? I am pleased with the Magnum and would like to extend it's lifetime. JPT |
Dindin
Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 82
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2004 - 9:12 pm: |
|
JPT,It would probly be alot easier to paint the coil sleeve than to try and disassymble it without damaging the coil.be sure the paint is u.v.stable.if you go the other route,grey pvc electrical conduit is u.v. stable.1and1/2 inch should fit properly.sealing entry points is a catch-22 situation.moisture can condense inside the radiator and will end up in the coil if a weep hole is not drilled just above the nylon coil form but that would drain into the sleeve.some manufacturers solved this problem by eliminating the sleeve and potting the coil in epoxy inside a plastic form.examples are Hy-gain,Newtronics,and the manufacturer of radio shack's 1/2wave,.64 and their .75 wave metal verticals.As far as sealing entry points beware of some household silicone sealers,most create an acid which would be corrosive to clean aluminum and copper.Any blue or black automotive silicone would be safe to use on these or any other metal.Your post on this antenna tell me what I like to hear from others,you have found something YOU are happy with and want to make it perform and last as long as possible.To often I have seen antennas just thrown together and when they dont perform as expected then they are put down as just another lousy design.and heard people whine because a cheaper,1/4 wave simple design would out perform a bigger vertical.hope this gives you some ideas on how to go about putting longivity into your antennas life.73's |
|
