Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Antennas » My SkyLab, she is a no more................... « Previous Next »

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Sodapop
Intermediate Member
Username: Sodapop

Post Number: 289
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 7:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well as some of you may remember, I have been without a base radio for almost 2 years.

When I bought my new home, I brought my Skylab with me. It was a great antenna that I loved. But after getting it up, the SWR was super high.

Well last weekend I got it down at last. And when I got to looking at it, well it wasn't good. The antenna had water in it, and not a little, but alot. Which is odd, I can't see how it got in there. And the other side effect, where the coax plugs into the antenna, well it was all worn and just coming apart. It just fell apart when I got to playing around with it.

I am very sad about this. I only had 4 or 5 months on the antenna before I moved. But what can you do?

So I have a brand new A99 coming. I will need some new coax and mounting brackets as well. But with any luck, before the end of next month, I will once again be on the air.

I just hope I haven't forgotten how to shoot DX!
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 729
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 8:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The A99 will come with the mounting brackets. Buy the best coax you can afford.

Mikefromms
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Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 784
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 8:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sorry to hear about your Skylab.
Good Luck with your A-99.

JIM/CEF375
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Sinker
New member
Username: Sinker

Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 8:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sorry to hear about your Skylab. Just got the mounting poles set in concrete today and the 8' Ground rod for my A99. I do not know much about this antenna but guess it should work.

While reading the other posts sound like mine will not be high enough as it will be mounted on 25' of mast with 3 feet of it buried, so 22 feet - that will make the bottom of the antenna just above my roof line.

Unfortunately where I live that is all I can get away with and am pushing it at that. Used the thick coax & 8 gauge grounding wire.

Still have to feed it down the wall and all that good stuff. This weekend is booked with the family so not sure I will get it done but hope so.

Best of luck to you with your new antenna.
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Yankee
Advanced Member
Username: Yankee

Post Number: 850
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 12:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Sinker, trust me that will be high enough. My PDL-ll beam to the boom is about 26-28 feet, and my IMAX-2000 to the feed point is about 24 feet. I live on a small hill over looking the rest of the city I live in. The main part of the city is about 4 miles north of me and down in a valley, where I live here in Southcentral Oklahoma we get some very strong winds and I wouldn't want my antennas any higher than what they are at present. Best of luck with the new A-99.
Carl CEF-357
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Sodapop
Intermediate Member
Username: Sodapop

Post Number: 290
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 9:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As for mounting brackets, I meant the ones I use to attach the pole to the house. Sorry I wasn't to clear on that.

As for the poles, it's 25 feet all together, which should be ok. I am a hill, but loads of trees, but not hugh oaks or pines. Well not close anyways!

But I think I should do ok, any higher and I would have to guide it off. I'll see how it works, and if I need to, then I'll go higher next spring.

But for now, I am pretty happy to be getting back on!

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