| Author |
Message |
    
Al_lafon
New member
Username: Al_lafon
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 2:53 pm: | 
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Hello All i got one here to talk about just picked up a new V58 by Maco they give you a
chart for the overall length but no info on
the gound plane length. some input here be nice. |
Danusee
Junior Member
Username: Danusee
Post Number: 19
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, April 22, 2005 - 9:59 pm: |
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The instructions says to place a mark 4" from the end and insert them to the mark and tighten the clamp. The exact length is not critical.
If I remember correctly is was 104".
I used stainless screws for the radial joints instead of the clamps. Also for the vertical secection after I got the proper length. My v58 tuned out to 252" on channel 20. However I used a larger 1st section from a old antenna that had a tapered end that just fit the bottom and the original first section.
I cut a Moutian Dew bottle for a rain guard and slid it down over the bottom joint and put silicon over it for a seal. I took a bottle cap and done the same for the top of the coax connector. I don't like the idea of rain crossing the plastic joint and also shorting out the wire at the coax connector to ground.
By the way the ring clamp seemed a little loose so I wrapped it with aluminum foil several times first. Setting the swr was a pain but if you stay after it it will go to nothing on your desired channel.
Good luck
Dan |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 511
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 12:13 pm: |
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I have a Maco V5/8, it essembled pretty
good as per the instructions.
Made no changes to the antenna.
For the radial length as Danusee said,
mark 4" from the end on all radials. Insert
the marked end to the mark and tighten
the clamps. The exact length not critical.
Good Luck with your installation...
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 512
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 12:13 pm: |
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I have a Maco V5/8, it essembled pretty
good as per the instructions.
Made no changes to the antenna.
For the radial length as Danusee said,
mark 4" from the end on all radials. Insert
the marked end to the mark and tighten
the clamps. The exact length not critical.
Good Luck with your installation...
JIM/ PA/ CEF 375 |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 389
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 3:16 pm: |
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Al lafon, I have a maco v too, I think the instructions are straight forward and easy to follow.just do the mark like RW said and you will be OK, I found it easy to tune also. I measured and set the length of the antenna to what the instructions say for 27mhz and had to make it about 8-10 inches longer to get a good swr, flat 1.1-1.2 all 40. Maybe I measured wrong to begin with but it all worked out fine. you will love the maco v, Just take your time and read and reread the instructions and ask all the questions you want on coppers here, you will always get answers. It was my first ever base antenna and if I can get it right you can.
AP |
Al_lafon
New member
Username: Al_lafon
Post Number: 6
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2005 - 5:06 pm: |
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Ok found what went haywire the loading coil
the ring at the bottom got knocked to close
it was upsetting SWR real bad works now.
worked some bases and cars out to 45 mile
with it just 5 ft off the ground. |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 390
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 11:06 am: |
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Thats what I mean, they are great, mine is only 7ft off ground and works stations that far too, can you imagine putting it up 36 or more ft.
I cant imagine a A99 or Imax 2000 doing that.
have fun with the new maco your going to like it better and better with use, it has great ears.
AP |
Al_lafon
New member
Username: Al_lafon
Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 01, 2005 - 3:47 pm: |
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Well been playing with it! I am going to mod this
Maco that ring is coming off and a Gamma Match
go's on then i plan to make it a ture 5/8 !! |
The_rev
Junior Member
Username: The_rev
Post Number: 27
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 4:28 pm: |
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Hello there, I know this is an older post but I wanted to know if anyone could explane why the swr on my maco is a 2.2 on 40 but only a 1.1 on channel 1.
I adjusted the ring to its optimum position and the length is bang on with the instuctions and the match still stinks?????
any help would be appreciated! |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 465
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 11:14 am: |
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Hi, If you adjust your SWRs to the best you can get on ch 20 then move the ring adjustment to get the SWRs close on either end of the band.
just move it very little at a time so you know if your going in the wrong direction and so you dont go to far.
this is what I did and it only took about a 1/4-1/2 inch clockwise looking down at the ring from top.
hope this helps
AP |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 467
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 1:29 pm: |
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even though the antenna is set at the length on instructions it still need to be adjusted, mine needed about 8 inches to get it right but I could have measured wrong. anyway try to adjust it again on ch 20 and go from there. are there any obsticles around close enough to affect the antenna?
Give tech 291 a private message and ask for help, he knows about the maco 5/8 and gave me alot of advice/help on mine.
AP |
Marconi
Intermediate Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 434
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 03, 2005 - 8:50 pm: |
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He Al Lafon, how did your mod using a gamma on your V5/8 turn out? |
Ind224
Junior Member
Username: Ind224
Post Number: 10
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 10:44 pm: |
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I just bought one too. Is the tubing for each of the vertical sections all supposed to be slotted at one end or just the large lower section? I don't see how the tubing can compress if it is not slotted. Maco did not return my LD call today so I may just slot it myself. Don't see how the tubing can compress without it.
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6291
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 08, 2005 - 10:55 pm: |
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Ind224,
No Need to slot anything.
Just follow the Maco assembly instructions and you will be all set. 
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 472
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2005 - 4:59 pm: |
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Lol is correct, mine was not slotted and when I called Maco they said there is no need anymore to slot them, just folw the instructions and all will be fine,the only problem that I see is the screw digs in the tubing and if you ever want to take it apart you will need to drill out the dend it makes.
Just get the screw nice and tight but dont over do it. tighten then check the tubes to be sure they are tight in each other befor you move on.
AP |
Ind224
Junior Member
Username: Ind224
Post Number: 11
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 12:48 am: |
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Thanks guys, she's up. Tried to do 3 10 footers bolted together but my bro and I could not get her to the chimney..very limited space on the ground and up in the air (other antennas).
She came down twice and I had to replace the SO239 and the wire (used a chassis mount and 8 gauge)85'ft of LDF5-50. She is about 45' AGL. The noise level has dropped considerably over an antron 99 and I'm sure the Heliax helped.I did not even measure the upper section because we had to install it to the base on the roof. Still has two funny looking ground radials from the bounce...SWR very good at lower end and a high of 1.5 on 40. With some tweaking I know it will be flat across all 40.
I am very happy with her and will fix the radials and the SWR next week.
Thanks again for the input!!
Stu |
Airplane1
Intermediate Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 479
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 7:12 am: |
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Good to hear you got it up and working, I know you will like it more as you use it. I am still amazed at mine after a year and even tried a Imax for awhile but was not near as good at my location for some reason so I gave it away/LOL!
Power to metal/LOL.
AP |
