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Message |
    
Keithinatlanta
Intermediate Member
Username: Keithinatlanta
Post Number: 408
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 7:14 pm: | 
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Tech 833. Which antennas are better in your opinion: cb antennas that we used in 70's like Antenna Specialist Super Scanner, Super Mag, Omni duster, etc etc etc versus todays antron or Imax etc etc etc. Include beams as well as omni directional antennas. And your thoughts as to why. Thanks!!
Keith in Atlanta
CEF 150 |
Tech833
Member
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 52
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 2:12 pm: |
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The antennas of yesteryear are certainly not without their faults, however they do have a strong following. I believe the reason is mostly because they were real metal, and that is attractive over fiberglass to most people. As far as actual performance, the comparison is not fair, there is no modern design equal to a retro design to directly compare.
If you want to compare the Super Penetrator to the Maco V-5/8, then that would be pretty fair. I believe the S.P. would be a slightly better performer because of the lower pattern distortion by the matching network and the capacitive top hat which gets the current up higher above the feedpoint.
Comparing directional antennas, the best antenna of yesterday is still the best antenna of today- Signal Engineering quads. The Avanti beams and Hustler beams were O.K. too, especially by today's standards. However, a true quad will outperform a yagi in vertical plane on these low frequencies because of problems with the support mast in the field between elements of a vertical yagi.
Now, I am a big fan of the Imax 2000, and I would not trade one for a Super Penetrator. So, perhaps that may help answer your question. If I was unable to build my own antennas and had to purchase an omni, since I have a tower tall enough to get the benefit of it, I would buy an Imax 2000. If I lived in a zone restricted area and could not put up anything higher than 20-30 feet above ground (overall), then I would jump on a Top One. If I was to buy a directional antenna for vertical, I would buy a S.E. quad. If I was going to buy a directional antenna for use horizontal, I would buy the biggest Maco beam I could fit on my lot
There it is, as simple as it gets.. |
Twa77
Intermediate Member
Username: Twa77
Post Number: 137
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2005 - 3:12 pm: |
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what would happen if you made the radiator on a maco 5/8 longer and added a top hat? would that improve the performance? |
Twowatt
Junior Member
Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 32
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 2:05 pm: |
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Twa77,
i think if u increase the length to between 21' 8" to 21' 9 1/2" (21'91/2" is the old penetrator's length), and add the cap hat, it should work fine. (this is 5/8 wavelength, compensating for aluminum vs freespace)
if u wanted to experiment more, lengthen it to 22' 2 1/4". (this is .64 wavelength)
if u try this, let me know ur results.
regards |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 488
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 9:07 pm: |
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Would it be posible to ad a tophat to a maco v? how would I make one and would it get the curent up higher? would it screw up the matching?
If it would be posible would it make a difference in performance?
AP |
Twowatt
Junior Member
Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 36
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 6:51 pm: |
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airplane1,
u might try adding a zing ring ro the top of the maco (inserting a short stainless steel bolt into the tubing so as to not chrush the tubing).
the match will probably change a little, but just re-adj the tuning ring.
as far as how much the lobes would change, i'm sure there will be some small change, as the zing ring is not that large, (maybe make your own version of zing ring and make it larger and stronger for more of a difference), but better ask Tech833 for the exact answer to that question.
regards |
Slowhand
Junior Member
Username: Slowhand
Post Number: 20
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 4:28 pm: |
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Best omni I ever used was a Sigma 4 ground plane |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 496
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 4:33 pm: |
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I`m sorry but I dont know what a zing ring is, Why did`nt maco do this top hat thing if it gets the signal up higher?
AP |
Twowatt
Junior Member
Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 40
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 10:01 pm: |
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ap,
i don't know - i guess because everyone is different and thinks their way is the best way, (of course that's not a bad thing to think). i think ALL base cb antennas should have a capacitance hat.
i tried to include a pix, didn't work to well.
imagine the matching ring at the base of the maco being a complete circle with two 'spokes' coming in to the center of the circle. this 'center' has a hose clamp to attach it to most antennas. they can be found, or u can make ur own. regards.
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Slowhand
Junior Member
Username: Slowhand
Post Number: 23
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 4:32 am: |
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I've played around with cap. hats. I hesitate to modify a commercial antenna. Their have engineers who are a lot more knowledgable than most about antennae. Its their living. |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 499
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 6:54 am: |
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I`m going to try this, how big should the circomfrence be? Or should I just experament on the size?
This will be fun.
AP |
Slowhand
Junior Member
Username: Slowhand
Post Number: 24
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 4:32 pm: |
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Bigger the hat the shorter your antenna will be. It will lower the resonant frequency. |
Twowatt
Junior Member
Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 41
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 19, 2005 - 9:29 pm: |
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AP
the zing ring is about 6-8" in diameter. i've used them for years on 9' whips, mostly to attach a string to  . however, they were useful for changing the band edge (i forgot which direction). enjoy
ps. did u find a pix, it can be found where a LOT of used cb's are.
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