| Author |
Message |
    
Rumblefish
Member
Username: Rumblefish
Post Number: 56
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, May 23, 2016 - 11:30 am: | 
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I recently installed a maco v58. I was in search of a quieter antenna. I thought it would better than the imax2000. I was wrong. The maco picked up the same amount of static as the imax. The maco tuned up on 11 meter at 19ft. long for the entire length of the antenna. This means the actual length of the radiator is around 18 ft. I'm beginning to think this antenna is really a 1/2 wave ringo with a ground plane kit. It would only cover 100 channels before the swr would rise over 2 to 1. Both antennas were mounted at 20ft. to the bottom. Local signals were identical. However, on long distance ground wave 30 miles or more the Imax2000 outperformed the maco by half an s unit. I usually hear that the Maco will beat or "blow away" the imax2000. I was really hoping the maco would "smoke" the Imax2000. Maybe the maco should be advertised as a 17/32 wave. The new and improved Maco V1732 !?? |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 2363
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 25, 2016 - 3:44 pm: |
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The Maco is a 5/8 wave. Sounds like you started tuning with the vertical element too short.
The Imax 2000 has MUCH better bandwidth (covers more 'channels' at low SWR) than the Maco.
I have told people for years that the Maco won't "blow away" the Imax 2000. That's a fact. However, strong winds can certainly "blow away" an Imax 2000, and that is where the Maco has a slight edge. Also, some OPs feel that the narrow bandwidth of the Maco is actually a benefit when trying to block out of band signals from overloading your receiver.
Your radio 'Mythbuster' since 1998
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Rumblefish
Member
Username: Rumblefish
Post Number: 57
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2016 - 7:26 pm: |
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I think the problem was I put the feedline wire on the wrong side of the tuning coil. when looking at the so239 bracket I attached mine on the left side closer to the ground side of the coil.
I have two pages showing different attachment spots?
Hopefully I can get it to tune up at 20 ft. instead of 18.5 ft. If I caused this problem,I will repost my findings with a big plate of humble pie for myself.
Thank you Tech833 , your input made me rethink what I might have done wrong. I have to admit though I'm really impressed with Max 2000 so far. 73 |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2282
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 04, 2016 - 2:41 pm: |
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over the yrs and money spent ive found that most 5/8 waves perform very close too the same.
the maco has to be set for 248 inches for 27mhz
ive seen 2 imaxes snap in two in high winds. one being mine.imho i feel the maco is the better choice.now if ya a ham then id look into the imax2000
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Rumblefish
Member
Username: Rumblefish
Post Number: 58
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2016 - 10:46 am: |
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I tried getting the w58 to tune again and same results. If my imax fails i will get an aluminum antenna from sirio. I would try the gainmaster again, but once bitten, twice shy. sirio even offers a guy kit for it now,go figure. I wouldn't have been able to use it anyway. One of the guy wires would have to be tied on to my neighbors roof! I can't seem to find any pictures on the web of broken Imax 2000's still on the mast. Dale where on the imax you had break. was it the bottom section or was it the middle section. I'm wondering if it is possible to strengthen the trouble spot with some fiberglass matting? Thanks for the reply. 73 |
Dale
Senior Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 2291
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2016 - 10:12 pm: |
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rumble mine broke where the 2nd and bottom section cnnect as the antenna was folding in half due to high winds. if ya try a sirio get the 827 its heavy duty
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
454 [dx numbers]
38lsb
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Gunner357
New member
Username: Gunner357
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2020
| | Posted on Monday, August 31, 2020 - 5:06 pm: |
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I just purchased a V58 And My total length was 250 before I could achieve a ch 1:1 ch20 1:2 ch40 1:5 Thats the best.. yes with ch 40 it says it needs to be shorter but those numbers are the best I can get I spent days trying also those numbers were better a 10 feet from the ground I raised the antenna 30 feet and got those SWR numbers shown all taken with a AA230 Zoom analyzer |
Cedar_mountain_radio
New member
Username: Cedar_mountain_radio
Post Number: 2
Registered: 4-2022
| | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2022 - 8:38 pm: |
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I always set up the MacoV58/Workman/Tram vertical radiator to 19' 8" from the top of the base insulator and hook the wire to the bolt holding the two halves of the matching ring together, works every time. |
