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Message |
    
Kf4gyp
Junior Member
Username: Kf4gyp
Post Number: 27
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2012 - 1:27 pm: | 
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High Fellas'
A couple of years back I put up a Brand new sirio m-400 star duster that preformed great until last week when I got hit hard by the master maul dropper with real fire for my wire. This aside 2 months after I put it up wind slightly bent (dog legged) the top of the 8'7&1/4" top radiator element.
I was wondering if there are any antennas (non fiberglass) that could handle a 100 foot tower with very strong winds without any bending damage or is this going to be an I-10k investment that I need to make to keep a straight antenna in the air? My 7/8" heliax is fine but the 213 that hooks up to the center of the old star duster is fried so I will be replacing that with 1/2" heliax as well as the antenna it self.
73 Ray/Hawk-Eye
DE KF4GYP
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Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 1606
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2012 - 3:09 pm: |
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Ray,
Give me a week or two to finish it off, and I'll have plans for a fairly rugged antenna posted on here. The original version was designed to be used on 27Mhz marine Radios in Australia, and the redesign now uses staggered size PVC pipe (4"inches down). Although designed to be self-supporting (includes legs in the design) I see no reason it would not work up a 100ft tower.
The original version survived a few "rough" sea days (30ft plus waves) for 7 years when I last saw it.
Tech237
N7AUS
God made me an athiest, who are you to question his wisdom?
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Kf4gyp
Junior Member
Username: Kf4gyp
Post Number: 28
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2012 - 9:30 am: |
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Hi Tech237
Sounds great look forward to seeing what you are working on. Seems no commercial antenna is going to lend it self to my needs without costing an arm and a leg/first born ect.ect. I also want to thank you for the quick response.
Ray
73 Ray/Hawk-Eye
DE KF4GYP
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1879
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 24, 2012 - 2:22 pm: |
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ray for the money and you said it worked great
id say just get another m-400. the sirio topone
will probaly handle more winds imho.
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Kf4gyp
Junior Member
Username: Kf4gyp
Post Number: 29
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 10:54 am: |
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Thanks Dale
I will need to get something going but want some opinions before I do.
Thanks
73 Ray/Hawk-Eye
DE KF4GYP
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2198
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 - 11:47 am: |
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Nothing wrong with the M-400 at all. If it worked well for you, stick with it. They are very cost effective, lots of "bang" for the buck.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Kf4gyp
Junior Member
Username: Kf4gyp
Post Number: 30
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2012 - 3:06 pm: |
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Hi Tech833
Only thing is with the M-400 is how fragil it is to the wind. It did have a low enough swr over all of the 10-11-12 meter bands with tuning out the very edges of 10 & 12 meters with a tuner. I was happy with way it worked. If I could get my 1/2" heliax through the middle of the pipe.
Thanks Tech833 i will have to consider that.
Ray
73 Ray/Hawk-Eye
DE KF4GYP
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2202
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2012 - 10:50 am: |
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You can add tubing to stiffen the antenna. A short length of correct diameter aluminum tubing (snug fit) slid into the bottom element near the bottom connector will go a long way in ruggedizing the antenna.
If super high winds break that, then the only option you have left is buying mobile antennas (like the 102" stainless whips from Copper Electronics) and mounting them over ground planes made from more mobile antennas.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 266
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 02, 2012 - 1:38 pm: |
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Tech 833, What about filling the inside of the antenna tube with foam like they did in the old day's? Would this help enough in such high wind or is the pipe you had mention the best ? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2203
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2012 - 11:21 am: |
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I have tried the spray expando-foam route. It doesn't last very long. Also- It will split chinese made tubing.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Charliebrown
Intermediate Member
Username: Charliebrown
Post Number: 267
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2012 - 3:19 pm: |
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Tech 833, Thank's for the information. I was not aware if it splitting the antenna nor it not lasting long. |
Kf4gyp
Junior Member
Username: Kf4gyp
Post Number: 31
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2012 - 3:24 pm: |
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Hi Fellas
The 102 steel whip might be a very good option. how ever foam sounds like a good idea too or where would i get the reinforcement tubing.
you fellas got me doing some thinking.
Been real busy at work thanks for youre patience.
Ray
73 Ray/Hawk-Eye
DE KF4GYP
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Kf4gyp
Junior Member
Username: Kf4gyp
Post Number: 32
Registered: 11-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 11:48 am: |
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Hi Fellas
I hope the new imax 2k will handle the winds at 125 feet to the tip and the range on this antenna that far up is no less than impressive. I dont think I will be putting the ground plane kit on this one but did put a rf choke on to keep the coax from becoming a part of the antenna. Talking 100 mile with 50 watts is easy to other base stations. The star duster was realy fried up bad where the coax connected in the center to the point of prying was required on the connector for disassembly.
Thanks for all the help.
Ray
73 Ray/Hawk-Eye
DE KF4GYP
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Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 1885
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 07, 2012 - 8:39 pm: |
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so you already got the imax? imho id would
stuck with another m-400 seeing how it worked well.
what exactly fried your m-400? how about a review
on the m-400 on your local contacts.
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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