Copper Talk » Product Reviews » Antennas » A-99 ..vs..maco 5/8 wave « Previous Next »

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Capt_hook
Intermediate Member
Username: Capt_hook

Post Number: 298
Registered: 6-2004


Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 7:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would like to know which one would be the better of the two.oh yea at the same hight
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833

Post Number: 1603
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 11:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Maco.
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Dale
Advanced Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 623
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 7:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

definately maco
dale/cef426/ae953
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 3498
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Sunday, February 11, 2007 - 9:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

maco
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Danusee
Member
Username: Danusee

Post Number: 63
Registered: 10-2004
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 7:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Did you say Maco was a 5/8? I think it is a V58. Measure the section from where the coax ties in to the top and I believe it just slightly longer than 1/2 but not by much.
It will beat the a99. I put a longer metal gpk on the a99 & a metal top section on the a99. Transmit now is right close to the Maco. The receive is slightly behind. The Maco hears the pin drop!
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 982
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Sunday, February 18, 2007 - 9:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

There is a slight detected increase in transmit and receive on the Maco because it is a real groundplane. No offense to any other antennas intended. But for what little bit you lose on the Antron 99, you gain a much broader banded antenna than the Maco. It's a trade off.

Mikefromms
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Ronin
Member
Username: Ronin

Post Number: 56
Registered: 8-2006


Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 7:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All good information! I was wondering the same things myself. I have a Maco V58 in the box waiting for some spring weather here. The Maco will replace my A-99 and I am hoping for some improvement. I will post my findings when I get the Maco up and make some comparisons.
Jim
CEF-813
K3ZOR
OT-235
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 983
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 - 9:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I beleive you will notice a difference in your ears. Write down what other base stations put on your s-unit meter and compare. Be sure everything is the same except your antenna.

Mikefromms
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Maxgain
New member
Username: Maxgain

Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2007
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 7:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

5/8 single element vertical always beats a half wave single element vertical.
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Dale
Advanced Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 688
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 8:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

recieve should be quieter
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Oldpirate
Intermediate Member
Username: Oldpirate

Post Number: 128
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 6:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The Maco would be my choice and that is after using an A99
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Dale
Advanced Member
Username: Dale

Post Number: 720
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 8:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

sounds like maco wins hands down
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Revpo
Intermediate Member
Username: Revpo

Post Number: 168
Registered: 7-2006
Posted on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 8:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

MACO I have one and they are great, and stand up against high winds..excess 70 mph a few days ago, still standing tall

revpo/CEF795/doctor/Indiana
73
REVPO/DOCTOR/CEF 795
Wavin a hand from the cornfields of INDIANA
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Dx_freak
New member
Username: Dx_freak

Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2007


Posted on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I run a maco 5/8 ground plain purchased form copper and I have done side by side comparisons with the a/99. As far as operating and ease of instillation, a/99 is easier to assemble and put up. As for operation, maco 5/8 is best on receive and transmit. Bar none, go with the maco! Degree of assembly for 5/8 maco far exceeds operation of a99. If I were to go with any of the fiberglass base antennas, id go with the Imax 2000. I have done side by side comparisons with the Imax 2000 and the maco 5/8 also, little difference as far as receive, but the transmit of the maco 5/8 was a bit better that the I max 2000 also. Just a little info I have personally achieved.
Dx_freak
Richey
CEF 885
DX freak

I can only do the best I can with what I got.
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Airplane1
Senior Member
Username: Airplane1

Post Number: 1051
Registered: 5-2004


Posted on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 7:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ronin,

Just wondering if you ever got the maco up and what your findings are. did it make a big difference?
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Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack

Post Number: 320
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 1:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

have had a maco up on house at 10' above roof for 1 year now and think its great, would like to have another above tv antenna that is on 6 sections of tower. there may not be any skip now but i can tx and rx all over, they must really be getting popular because they have gone from about $73.00 to $100.00 in just over a year. oh well, if you wanna play you gotta pay.....aj cef 174 central ohio
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Canal_digger
Junior Member
Username: Canal_digger

Post Number: 45
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 3:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

1) 5/8 wave (Maco) will usually out-perform a 1/2 wave (A99)
2) Aluminum (Maco) is more hardy in bad weather (High winds, ice, etc.)
3) Height advantage to Maco 21' vs 17.5'
4) Ground Plane (3) advantage to Maco for better signal/angle
You get what you pay for these days. Now, if you must get an easy to set-up antenna similar to A-99 and don't want to spend over $125, w/ excellent performance, Imax is my favorite.

See a pattern here? :-)
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce

Post Number: 4880
Registered: 9-2003


Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 2:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The A-99 at best is not a very good 1/2 wave and radial kits dont work well on a 1/2 wave anyway.

I run a 12AVQ with a dozen radials cut for 3 bands It works just fine .....
On 6 since 66
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Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack

Post Number: 324
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

well while im in here let me ask this; what is the minimum distance above a tv antenna that you can mount a v58 and not interfere with standing wave or performance. not worried about interferring with the tv.

next question, what is the minimum distance above a 3 element horizontal beam to not interfere with the beam or the v58? ...aj cef 174 central ohio
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 16327
Registered: 8-2002


Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Applejack,

Check out the picture's of Dindin / Tech291's antenna's in the Member's Picture area.

Before moving my IMAX 2000 to a separate tower I had it mounted 5' above my flat side beam's.
Lon~Tech808
CEF#0808/HAM#001/CVC#0002

Tech808@copperelectronics.com
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Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack

Post Number: 326
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 12:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i saw dindin's pictures before, and again before coming here and it wasnt clear, he has a coupler for smaller mast pipe for v5/8 3feet long, but how much distance is between the beam and the coupler?...aj
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Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack

Post Number: 327
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Tuesday, December 09, 2008 - 12:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

went to dindin's pics again and reread text, 43'agl to beam and 53'agl to 5/8. so, its 10' above the beam,but what is the minimum i can use?..aj
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Johhn
Intermediate Member
Username: Johhn

Post Number: 160
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 1:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dec 28, 08 Well man, I hear all the little people
out there. The Maco can do 65 Miles on A.M.
Still the Best choise for me.. johhn M.
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Airplane1
Senior Member
Username: Airplane1

Post Number: 1151
Registered: 5-2004


Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 7:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

From experience, I had a A99 and mounted it at the same place on same mast as my Maco 5/8 was on to give it a try. The maco ran rings around the A99 on receive and transmit. I used it for about a month and evey one I talk to on reg. basis said I droped 2-3 s units. I know it will perform different at different locations but I would asume every one would see about the same.

AP
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Applejack
Intermediate Member
Username: Applejack

Post Number: 340
Registered: 8-2003


Posted on Tuesday, March 03, 2009 - 9:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

just put up another 5/8 today. left the ground radials off and mounted it just inches above horizontal 103c. standing wave was the same as when checked on tuning pole as when above beam with no radials. tonite i am on air testing it.
you dont need an amplifier, you need a BIGGER ANTENNA

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