Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Antennas » Top one or skylab antenna « Previous Next »

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Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447

Post Number: 15
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 4:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

after reading the reviews and reading everyones comments i'm still undecided which antenna i should use . i'm under 40 ft. and have a large amount of trees in my area. i hardly get high winds so i don't have that to worry about.so which antenna? THANX
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Airplane1
Advanced Member
Username: Airplane1

Post Number: 777
Registered: 5-2004


Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 8:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Either will work but I think out of the two you ask about I would go with the skylab. your going to go 40ft so it will work great.

AP
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Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447

Post Number: 16
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 8:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

AP, i have just measured to the top of my pole and measured 36ft.i had an A99 on it,will the skylab out perform the A99?
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1718
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 9:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

if you have a 36' mast, then you want to get the IMAX or the MACO V5/8.

those will outperform most other antennas out there in your install.

if you are only choosing between the two antennas you mentioned; then i would choose the top one, only because i know it will work very well at that height.
i have never owned or played with a skylab, so i cant say for sure, but think that the top one is the better design. just my opinion.
matt
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 867
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 10:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have to suggest the Imax too. Mine has been bent over from ice, survived ignorant winds, then a tornado that took it sailing over 300 yards over a river, through trees and into a corn field. I put it back up today and it works and looks like new. It was the only thing on that mast that survived, I had to cut it off the mast because the U bolts were so buggered. Yes, it's rather flexable, but I think that's what makes it survive.

Mine WAS at 20' Now it's at 36' and today I wanted to bring it down to 20 so I could talk to locals :-) I have 1/2 of a notebook page full of contacts, relatively low power, many barefoot, no GPK. For the money I think you can't get much better, especially considering the fact that it's on it's 3rd life :-) So far the only one I have heard of failing was Lon's, lightning hit it and made his yard look like someone spread a 20Lb bag of uncle ben's finest all over.


Chad
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce

Post Number: 3890
Registered: 9-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have had a skylab, top-one and A-99

How i found them .....

1) Skylab ( however it will not handle high winds cut for CB )

2) top-one very good at even 15 foot up ...... mine suvived winds untill they hit 100+

3) A99 a nice strong antenna but not as good it does work up to 17 meters with a tuner ......
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Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447

Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

thanks for the advice everyone but money is an obstacle and the IMAX or the maco is a little more than i want to spend. i have an A99 up already and hoping the top one or skylab was upgrading? THANX
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Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 1557
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Deadkey-talk alot of local or mainly DX/
or both???
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Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447

Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

talk some local but if there are conditions,DX!
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Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior

Post Number: 1561
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Deadkey- those A-99s are usually good DX
talkers. Upgrading would mean purchasing a
5/8 wave or .64 wave antenna.
Don't think your going to see much improvement
with a Top one or skylab over a A-99.
If the A-99 works fine for you, just enjoy
it. If not, try something else. Good Luck!
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Newoperator
Junior Member
Username: Newoperator

Post Number: 42
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

the topone does perform quiter from what i read so it should help your ears with the dx contacts with all the static coming in from the antron.
382 - 123

Dont Sweat The Technique
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Dale
Advanced Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 885
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 5:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

yes it will help[ on the recieve end may/maynot
see a difference on the ctransmit side.iuf
your just wanting a antenna with quieter
recieve id say go for it.my 2 cents
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce

Post Number: 4449
Registered: 9-2003


Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 6:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Having used both the skylab and top one and had the chance to conpaire them with the A-99 If your looking for a big change it is not going to be there.
Im not impressed with fiberglass antennas and have started replacing then with aluminun ones. ONE DRAWBACK with fiberglass ones is power rateings.
I have a A-99.

My picks under 30 foot TOP ONE is king ..... then the SKYLAB then the A-99 but again you will not see big changes .
On 6 since 66
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Newoperator
Junior Member
Username: Newoperator

Post Number: 45
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 12:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

bruce the topone has to be quitter than my antron becuase of the aluminum and it being quiter will surely eliminate alot the of static that comes over locals sometimes thats my main issue.
382 - 123

Dont Sweat The Technique
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce

Post Number: 4451
Registered: 9-2003


Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 12:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Im convinced that fiberglass is not as good I have run them from 27 mhz to 470 mhz and good old alcoa beats them every time ......
On 6 since 66
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Newoperator
Junior Member
Username: Newoperator

Post Number: 46
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 1:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Its funny my father was telling me when they released the fiberglass antenna's back in the day everyone was praising them and when i was a kid the a99 was the best they all said.
382 - 123

Dont Sweat The Technique
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Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi

Post Number: 712
Registered: 11-2001


Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 5:11 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Newoperator, I see your main problem is having to do with which antennna will work best in the hills and mountains around you.

For me, in the flat lands of Texas is one thing. I prefer the AP or the Starduster because I can get them real high because they are very light and they are deadly quite compared to the A99.

Just a thought, I believe the A99 types use common mode currents to work effectively and CMC are said to produce considerable ground noises.

You might have to try a Starduster 1/4 wave to get out of those mountains effectively.

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