| Author |
Message |
    
Audioman
Junior Member
Username: Audioman
Post Number: 10
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 2:21 pm: | 
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I am ready to purchase my first beam.
I have limited space (about a 20'x20' area). I was thinking of the Maco 3 element beam M103 on a push up 25 foot pole.
What rotor do I really need & where do I get it.
Also, what is with the gama match? DO I need one?
If it all works out & shows better performance then my Imax 2000, I will invest in a bigger beam.
Thanks for your help.
Audioman
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Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 151
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 6:46 pm: |
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If the beam is that low to the ground and your imax is up around 40' or so the imax will outdo it. I have a friend with both an imax and a 3 element maco at about the same heights at the base, 80', and he says he would keep the Imax if he had to choose between the two. Something like a PDL II or Signal Engineering SuperHawk would work well at 25' off the ground. You could use a tv rotor with any of these beams mentioned including the 3 element maco. You tune with a gama match and the gamma match will come with the beam if it needs one. A bigger beam will out do any ground plane even if there is a pretty good difference in height, but not a 100' difference.
mikefromms |
Dindin
Member
Username: Dindin
Post Number: 71
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 9:14 pm: |
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Audioman,The M103 or the m104 would both be a good first or last beam for a small area.turn radius is 10 foot for the m103 and 13 feet for the m104(when mounted vertically polarised).any medium to large rotor would handle them effortlessly(AR22 and up)depending on how it was mounted.not crazy about the idea of a beam on a telescopic pole though.The torque of the rotor brake could in time have an effect on the pole clamps causing them to slip.consider a tower if possible.30 foot of tower could be erected with a proper base and require no guy wires(which eat up real estate!)as for the gamma match,it is a part of and included with the antenna.it is the point at which you connect your transmission line and also adjust your standing wave ratio.hope this info helps.73's from the buckeye to the keystone state.hope to hear you on the net soon! |
Ca346
Advanced Member
Username: Ca346
Post Number: 728
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 23, 2004 - 10:55 pm: |
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I agree with Mike. If you are only going to be up 25ft of so, you will be much happier keeping the IMAX. I have a Signal Eng. 4 element Quad and it is a great beam antenna. But it takes a tower, rotor and concrete to keep it up there! I also have an IMAX2000. Sometimes it does just as well as the Quad. |
Mikefromms
Intermediate Member
Username: Mikefromms
Post Number: 152
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 6:35 pm: |
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If my thunder 8 ever blows down out of that tree, an Imax is going up and I plan to go as high above that tree as it can stand. Capture area, as I understand it now, and additional height are more important than gain given enough height.
Let's see now....if I have that Thunder 8xb pushed up as high as it will go then it will blow down and I can put that Imax in it's place and go higher....isn't cbing fun? (I like my antenna--don't get me wrong).--blow down you sucker...LOL!
mikefromms. |
Sitm
Intermediate Member
Username: Sitm
Post Number: 129
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 10:54 am: |
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I like the Imax 2000. I plan on going another 20 feet. Which would bring the top portion of the antenna 100 feet. Which means that I am going to have to stop. Its eight feet to the tower from broadcast station and I have 100 ft of coax. So I am maxed, unless.........I order more coax. |
Bullet
Intermediate Member
Username: Bullet
Post Number: 328
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 8:17 pm: |
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well i think youve been given alot of good advise so far.
i will say that id go ahead and get the bigest antenna you can fit there with comfort.
a m104 or a shooting star, SE lightning 4 would all be good choises and fit inside a 20x20 area.
a ham4 or yeasue 800 would be all you need.
i turned a 20 foot four element quad with a hd tv rotor for 2 years with no problems just used 2 sets of bearings and a torque tube. |
