| Author |
Message |
    
Roadking07
New member
Username: Roadking07
Post Number: 5
Registered: 7-2011
| | Posted on Sunday, July 24, 2011 - 5:13 pm: | 
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Hello,
I am undecided as to which antenna to get for my base station. Back in the 80's i ran a PDL 2 beam at 40 foot high with good results. But I don't really see them anymore for sale.
But which one would give me the most distance for the money? Just bought a Galaxy 959 from Copper and so far it is a great little radio for the price!!
Any info would be appreciated
Confidence Is The Feeling You Have Before You Know The Situation.
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1741
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011 - 9:01 am: |
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well the beam will give ya the best results.
of course theres alot with dealing with a beam as of know from owning a a pdl.also you looking to improve just locally or in dx. for locally
id say get the 5/8 and raise it up 36 feet or more .for dx id say definately the beam mounted on the flatside [horizonally]this is just what id do
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2006
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011 - 12:55 pm: |
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With a beam comes complexities you may wish to consider.
For instance, there's the need for a rotor, and along with outdoor moving parts, maintenance. With a beam, there are more metal joints, more metal in the air overall, and more cost. For that extra cost and maintenance effort, you get a few more DB of gain off the front, and the ability to reject unwanted signals to some degree off the back and sides.
The downside to having a beam, if it is your only antenna, is when having round-table discussions with the locals, you may have to constantly turn it in order to participate.
Suggest that if you can only have one antenna, make it an omni. If you can have more than one antenna, an omni and a beam are a great way to go. You can even mount the omni over the beam if you run the beam horizontal.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Roadking07
New member
Username: Roadking07
Post Number: 6
Registered: 7-2011
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011 - 4:35 pm: |
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Thanks Guys,
Do you think it would hurt if I were to run the ground plane under the beam , if the beam is horizontal?
Confidence Is The Feeling You Have Before You Know The Situation.
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2007
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 25, 2011 - 9:48 pm: |
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You do not want to have a ground plane antenna below your beam.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1745
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, July 31, 2011 - 6:11 pm: |
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tech 833 is correct.put the ground plane above the beam.
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Thehobo
Intermediate Member
Username: Thehobo
Post Number: 135
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 31, 2011 - 8:07 pm: |
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maybe he is talking about the hight if he has two poles, then can he run the veritical lower then the beam?? do believe this is what he is wanting to no.. answer is yes as long as the two poles are 36 feet from each other??
thehobo |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2011
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 01, 2011 - 2:09 am: |
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No, he asked if he could run the ground plane UNDER the beam if the beam was horizontal.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Roadking07
Junior Member
Username: Roadking07
Post Number: 10
Registered: 7-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2011 - 11:04 pm: |
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Hello, Sorry it's been awhile, I was looking at the 103 Maco, but bought the 104 Maco 4 element instead and was curious if a small ground plane could be erected under the beam.
But low enough to where they have room. Just wondering about the reflected SWR that might arise when talking on one or the other.
Thanks
Confidence Is The Feeling You Have Before You Know The Situation.
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2021
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 07, 2011 - 12:13 pm: |
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The GPK will distort the beam's pattern. You don't want to do that.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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