Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Antennas » SIGNAL ENGINEERING ~ WHITE LIGHTNING « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech808
Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Well the 1st Sargant and I have been trying to decide on whether to repair & put the Old gunn's 3+3 back up or go with something New.

We decided after a few e-mails back and forth with Tech 833 and several conversation's with ANTHONY from SIGNAL ENGINEERING to go with a set of Signal Engineering Beams.

Anthony and Tech 833 have been very helpful in this matter.

We are very Interested in trying the FULL QUAD Design rather than the YAGI/QUAD combination for DXing and Local area up to 30-35 miles.

At first due to space limitations and cost we were going to try the SUPER HAWK.

But after talking with Anthony he suggested we would be much happier with the WHITE LIGHTNING.

He has been very helpful and has answered every question I threw at him.

So folk's we have one on the way. When it arrives and we get a chance to get it together and up I will keep you updated on the result's.

In the past we have had the Butternut beams, the Moonraker 4 and the Gunn's.

It will be interesting to see how they go together and the results and how they perform and compare to the others we have had.

The last Quad antenna we had up was over 20+ years ago, and it worked very well.

We have not decided yet if we will mount our ANTTRON 305 above it or leave is on it's own pole.

Thank you, Tech 833 and Anthony for all of your helpful information and tip's.

We will keep you all posted.

Lon
Tech808
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech833
Posted on Wednesday, January 22, 2003 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I'll be listening for you on channel 6!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bigbob
Posted on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 9:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tech833 what is the power advantage of the white lightning over the PDL2,I need one,my closest contact is 90 miles away half of that over lake michigan.It'll be on a 36 foot mast and I'll be using a dx2517 and a boomer 400.The topography rises about 100 feet to the north over a distance of 8 miles then drops to lake level in another 10,my contact sits 200 feet above lake level 28 miles inland in the upper peninsula,and I'm shooting N BY N.WEST.On skippless nights we give each other 3 s-units I'm hoping for six is this unreasonable and I'm told this antenna has a lot better ears than the the one I'm using(PDL2).Please respond,I value your advise greatly,thank you,sincerely Bigbob.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech833
Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 9:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bigbob,

The Signal Engineering antennas will handle more power than the PDL will. This is because of the series capacitor in the PDL gamma matches arcing under high power. The SE beams do not have series capacitors or gammas.

You will not notice a huge difference between the PDL and the White Lightning in signal off the front. Both antennas have essentially the same gain off the front. However, you will notice better rejection off the back of the White Lightning compared to the PDL since it has a slightly higher front to back ratio.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech833
Posted on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 9:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

One more thing...

If you want to really improve your signal over the path you mentioned above, bury a horizontal web of copper wire in the ground beneath and around your antenna mast, then bond it to your antenna ground connection. This will lower your takeoff angle and help 'bend' your signal over that 100 foot hill quite a bit. That should give you a noticeable increase in S units, though your mileage may vary with ground conductivity.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

123upmichigan
Posted on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 9:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i have heard of this trick with omni's but i did not think it would help with beams. got a hundred foot hill half a mile to the south think it would help.. if it does look out big bob i will be makin niose inn yer recieve.lol
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bigbob
Posted on Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 2:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tech833 I have water at 7 feet every where and an 8 foot ground rod,oh sandy soil with 8 inches of top soil(lawn).
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sixkiller505
Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 11:02 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

tech 833 how much do the super hawks cost? and what do you think of that ground plane they make(the one that is a beam or ground plane)and how can you get a price list?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tech833
Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2003 - 1:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The best way to get prices from Signal Engineering is to email or call them.

If I recall, the Super Hawk was just under $200. It is a solid design.

What do you mean 'that ground plane they make'? Do you mean the Thunder 8? I think it is a good antenna. It will have gain over an A99, even in omni mode. However, your coax types and lengths have to be EXACT in order for the omni mode to work properly.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stealman
Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2004 - 7:46 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

how much is the white lightning beam



NOTE!

Around $280.00 Plus Shipping


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ca346
Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 1:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If you're from California like I am, you get to pay SALES TAX TOO... I have the LIGHTNING 4+ Great antenna, but not fun to put together...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stealman
Posted on Sunday, January 11, 2004 - 4:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

how do you mounted the white lightning do you have to it on a put it on a tower this would be my first beam i try to decide which one to get iam going to choose between the super hawk or the white lightning i was try find some info on this form about both antenna


NOTE!

GO to the Left of this forum and you will see the search box.

Click on Search "By Word"

Then type in White Lightning or Super Hawk and read what others have posted on them.

Hope this help's.

Lon Tech808

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ca346
Posted on Monday, January 12, 2004 - 12:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

StealMan:

Since you said this is your "first" beam antenna, don't forget to budget for the rotor. It is extremely light weight, and very easy to lift, but also very awkward to mount without it being supported by something or someone ( a crane or another helper). It bolts very quickly to a vertical mast with help.

CA346
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stealman
Posted on Friday, January 30, 2004 - 8:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

CAN I USE A RADIO SHACK ROTOR WITH THE WHITE LIGHTNING
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Ca346
Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2004 - 12:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It should work fine for a long time. But the torque when it stops might cause alot of strain on the gear box. Sure be alot cheaper with a Radio Shack rotor. Mine is a Yaesu but I have another antenna on the same mast.

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action: