Author |
Message |
Airplane1
Junior Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 40 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 8:21 pm: |
|
Hi, I heard that the Interceptor-10K is the best omni made, It`s very expensive but would it be worth it if it`s that good and will last a long time? Thanks, airplane1 |
Twa77
Intermediate Member Username: Twa77
Post Number: 114 Registered: 1-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 12:01 am: |
|
i cant say it would be THAT much better than a maco 5/8. you can get 4 macos for 1 I-10k. |
Airplane1
Junior Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 43 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 1:01 pm: |
|
Well I just ordered the maco v 5/8, I guess I cant justify the extra $. Hope it dont take long to get to me. airplane1 |
Dindin
Intermediate Member Username: Dindin
Post Number: 203 Registered: 2-2004
| Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 1:49 pm: |
|
Airplane1,
|
Tech808
Moderator Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2726 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 - 2:18 pm: |
|
Airplane1, You made a Very Good Choice and be sure to follow Tech833's advice/tips on assembly. I am sure you will be very pleased with the performance of it. Lon Tech808 |
Airplane1
Junior Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 49 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 9:21 am: |
|
I was wondering if I could mount my antenna only 5 ft off the ground for a weeks till I get my tower, Just to listen? I guess I cant talk far but Thats ok, I think it would be alot better than what I got now. Also would swr be ok at this hight? Thanks for all the help, airplane1
|
Dindin
Intermediate Member Username: Dindin
Post Number: 213 Registered: 2-2004
| Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2004 - 8:30 pm: |
|
Airplane1,you shouldnt have any trouble with swr at 5' agl.when i assyembled mine the ground radials were about 5' agl and swr didnt change when i put it up on the tower @ 45'.just ck'd it and its 1.5:1 on40 and 1.1:1 on ch1,works for me! be sure to keep it just high enough so that nobody pokes an eye out on the gp radials! |
Pig040
Intermediate Member Username: Pig040
Post Number: 472 Registered: 7-2003
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 10:21 am: |
|
Airplane, I had an antenna on a temp mast fall over, and I didnt know it, listened and talked on it for a few hours before I looked out the window, and saw it laying on the ground! |
Tech808
Moderator Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2776 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 11:40 am: |
|
Airplane1, If you want an Aluminum Antenna I would suggest the MACO V 5000 or the ALPHA V 5/8 about the same performance but a whole lot less money. Here in central IL we get the Storms, Ice, Snow Humidity, Sun and Very Strong Winds and the MACO Antennas have survived it all for many, many years with excellent performance. http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05172+ http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodM00-05140+ Or just go with the Solorcon IMAX 2000 5/8 antenna. http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodA65-00001+ Lon Tech808 |
Airplane1
Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 50 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 2:31 pm: |
|
Hi and thanks, Lon808, I did get the maco v 5/8 from copper and it came on Friday, I just about got it together and am mounting it on a tem. post about 5 ft above ground. I have two problems though, the vertical tubes dont have slotts cut in them, The instructions say to measure 6 in. from the end without slotts. Also I`m not sure how long to make it, Ihas a chart for different hights but do I set it to 26.0mhz or 27 mhz length? Please help I want to get this up before the cef on Sunday. airplane1 |
Tech808
Moderator Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2779 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 5:06 pm: |
|
Airplane1, Set it for 27.0 MHZ = 240" Lightly sand all tubes before connecting them and use No-Lox or Pentrox on all of the joints during assembly. Good Luck and Hope to hear you on the CEF Net Sunday. Lon Tech808 |
Airplane1
Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 51 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 5:28 pm: |
|
Thanks Tech808, I called all the hardware stores in my area and none heard of the products you say to use on the antenna. Would an aluminum wire protectant anti oxident that comes in a squeeze bottle work? I think it`s for keeping aluminum wires from oxidizing. Also would scotch brite pads be OK to use instead of sand paper? Thanks for everyones help again, airplane1 |
Tech808
Moderator Username: Tech808
Post Number: 2781 Registered: 8-2002
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 5:57 pm: |
|
Yes on the Anti Oxident and Yes on the scotch brite or use Steel Wool pads. |
Dindin
Intermediate Member Username: Dindin
Post Number: 223 Registered: 2-2004
| Posted on Friday, June 25, 2004 - 8:07 pm: |
|
Airplane1, I use Noalox sold at Lowes,Home Depot and other electrical suppliers,it is manufactured by a company called Ideal.same company that makes wire nuts,conduit fittings,crimp on connectors and other electrical supplies. |
Airplane1
Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 8:26 pm: |
|
Thanks, I put three of the upper tubes together and forgot to sand and treat the joints, now I cant get it apart. will the antenna still work if I just sand and treat the remainding parts? Also the part that connects the copper wire to the circle part only gets snug not real tight, is that OK? Thanks, airplane1 |
Dindin
Intermediate Member Username: Dindin
Post Number: 228 Registered: 2-2004
| Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 10:09 pm: |
|
Airplane1,I would still try to get the top three sections apart to weatherproof them.try some wd-40 and see if that helps.did you have to cut your slots in the ends oh the tubes?I also wasnt happy with the snug fit of the wire clamp to ring connection,so on mine after i found the sweetspot for the swr I marked the ring on each side of the clamp.then removed the clamp,drilled a 3/32 hole in the ring between the marks and used a #8x3/8 stainless sheet metal screw and attached the wire.did not change my final swr setting.be sure to use the antioxidant on the wire connection also.hope you have it talking for the net tomorrow,the way ground wave has been running we might be able to connect! |
Airplane1
Member Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 53 Registered: 5-2004
| Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 2:30 pm: |
|
Hi Dindin, I called the maco company and asked about the slotts, They said that they dont cut slotts any more and that the tubes dont need it. The clamps used put an indentation in the tubes and hold them together, That is why I cant get them apart. Unless I can think of a way to push the indent out from the inside i`ll have to live with it. I should get it up by next week, I hope. airplane1 |