| Author |
Message |
    
Dave1
Junior Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 44
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 9:50 am: | 
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I am going to buy a new beam but would like to have some input as for what one right now im running a Cobra 200GTL DX and the A-99 I have it set on a 30' tower I have all the room to put up any beam that is on the market today I only use 11 meter as I dont have my ham ticket (I know get it lol its a 3 hour drive 1 way to the testing spot here) I have an old Moonraker 4 a few super scanners and a few small 4 Element beams all bought about 20 to 30 years ago so its time for a new one I have been looking at the Maco M107 7 element and the Maco Laser 400 if you know of different ones that I might want to look into any help would be great as I dont know it all and dont want to I dont care if this is your first week on radio or if your a tech thats been in it for years you might be able to help were all human and like I said dont know it all so lets hear your thoughts on this and I will let you know what I go with
I just want to make a few CEF contacts and the A-99 just dont seem to be doing it lol I get Barbados all the time on 27.2650 on AM
Thanks
Dave1
CEF 638 |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1098
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 10:35 am: |
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If it were me, I would get a 5 element and lay it flat right below the antron. I ran a similar setup ( A99/3 element) on a 50' tower and it worked for me.
my .02.... |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 565
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 10:59 am: |
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Dave1, this time of year at least in my neck of the woods most skip comes out of the south like Mexico , South America and all the islands around the Bermuda Triangle etc,etc. I have made contacts all over the country and abroad when the conditions favor Indiana with just my Imax 2000. Anyways....the beams you listed are good in my opinion. Exspensive no doubt. You could use the stack kit with the M107. The Laser would be better I think. I been looking at beams too and soon will install a set. I have narrowed it down to 2 sets,the Maco Comet and the Maco Shooting Star. I can afford the Comet no problem and can save for the Shooting Star. Give the Shooting Star a look, I bet you will like it. A local in my area has a Shooting Star, just a cb but man does it walk the dog! Barefoot at that. When he turns up the watts you better look out!!
B.T.W. what state are you in??? 73, Kenny CEF 491 |
Dave1
Junior Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 46
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 11:59 am: |
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DX431
I was thinking of doing that with one of my 4 Elements that I have but im just not sure how. I have seen it done and it looks good but not sure if it would give better gain or if they would work against each outher
HOTWIRE
The Maco shooting star looks to be the same as the Moonraker 4 and I already have 1 of them 16' boom and they both have vert and Horz but I was looking to get a little better DB out of it
Im in Maine North west of Bangor in the woods 
Dave |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1099
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 1:15 pm: |
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The MR4/Shooting Star's are good ants. Some of the best. But are high mainetance ants. especially if you live in an area with high winds and ice storms.I personally would go with a yagi ant and a verticle like the Imax or Solarcon. A depenadable setup that you can enjoy talking on for many yrs.
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Dave1
Junior Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 49
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 3:48 pm: |
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DX431
this is what im trying to work out is the Icestorm trouble I havent had much trouble with the winds but the ice is a whole different story the Moonraker4 did ok but the match in the winter wasnt so good and I would like a year round radio not just summer |
Allagator
Advanced Member
Username: Allagator
Post Number: 685
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 4:32 pm: |
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MORE POWER AND MELT THE ICE OFF !! !! HA HA HA !!
but all jokes aside the M104 works great with the Imax and the A99 but the closer the A99 is to the 104 the better the recive gets but the signal dont change but the i max works better closer to 6 inches higher than the 104 !
oh and another thing there not much good with lightning ! LOL !!!
Hope it helps !
Allagator
CEF 115 |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 50
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 4:52 pm: |
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I have been on CB for over 25 years and havent been hit by lightning yet I know I shouldnt talk because I could get the next ZAP
Dave1 |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 861
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 4:59 pm: |
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You may want to try spraying your aluminum
beam with clear spray paint to prevent
SWRS from climbing in wet weather.
Click on Subscriber (preview) section on this
forum and under articles look for "Do Aluminum
antennas need time to settle"
Plus, the skip cycle is declining.
JIM/CEF 375 |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 51
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 7:38 pm: |
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The only time I have trouble is in the winter the Ice builds up at nite but as soon as the sun hits it its gone unless we have an Icestorm then it stays for a while like a week to a month I wouldnt think the paint would help as the Ice I am talking about is hard to get off a car that has a good coat of wax on it
Dave |
Wally38
Junior Member
Username: Wally38
Post Number: 27
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - 9:44 pm: |
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I have a Maco shooting Star and really like it alot! Just got it up this year. I still have my Antron99. The locals sure can tell a difference when I switch to the beam and aim it at them. I like having the choice of running the A99 or my beam.
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Kb9umt_don_123
Member
Username: Kb9umt_don_123
Post Number: 52
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 12:47 am: |
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Dave1,
What is your goal for this new beam with better db gain? Is it for DX or for local talk or for do you want to do both? Also, do you have a tower for this new beam and if so what kind and how high will it be? Rotor...I assume you already have one with the stock pile of antennas you have but what kind of rotor or do you need buy one?
I will try to respond and I will look for your answers to the above questions in the next few days.
Just some thoughts out loud to you...the more gain the longer the boom...how big are you willing to go? The Maine weather and icing is a big issue so you might have to keep the new antenna smaller and less gain than you would like or it might be up in the summer and iced for repair by spring. You already have all those old antennas lying about...if it were me I might try thinking of reusing them and cleaning them up, putting on stainless parts...buying or homebrew my own gama or matching network...here's a thought if you use one of the 4 elements you have laying about and let's say it has as much gain as a MoonRaker4 (4 elements is 4 elements although their stated gain I don't think to be real)..but let's say 4 elements has 13db gain...buy stacking them you will get the best next gain jump of 3db or a total of 16db which is more than a 6 element and maybe even a 7 element yet small booms and less hassel if put horz...just a thought.
de kb9umt Don/123
http://www.HamRadioHelp.com |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 53
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 8:40 am: |
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Ok first I dont talk local much I am looking for the best DX antenna that I can find as for a rotor I have a Telex that handled the Moonraker4 just fine if I need a bigger rotor I will buy one but I think I bought the good one about 8 years ago around $400. I am missing some parts ( son ran it over with the lawnmower) for the Moonraker but they can be bought but the Horz parts always had a ton of Ice on them this is the reason I am looking for a new Beam as long as I stay Vert I should be able to put a 30' boom little bigger or smaller my tower is 30'or 40' I dont remember but I will look into thas today (have my 18 year old son climb it with a tape and jump)
Dave |
Road_warrior
Advanced Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 864
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 10:11 am: |
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Horz is best for shooting DX. Our sunspot cycle
though is nearing the bottom, so, conditions
won't be that great too often.
When you had up your moonraker: did you
have gamma on the top driver element or the
bottom driver element??? Having it mounted
to the bottom element is best in my opinion.
Maybe try some kind of product that contains oil
or grease on elements, gamma to prevent ice from
sticking to beam. No matter what beam you get it
will ice up in your bad winters unless you
find something to prevent some of the build-up. |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 54
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 11:16 am: |
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Yes Horz is best for DX but the ice sticks to the Horz because it gives it alot more flat space to cling to and I did have the Gamma rod on the bottom as the book shows you to
How to people make there beams turn NSEW and Horz and Vert is there a small rotor that is made for this? Or what would happen if I set a 4 Element beam at a 45 deg rather than stright vert or horz?
better yet why dont you guy down south just send me some heat in the winter
Dave |
Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 572
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 11:22 am: |
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Speaking of ice on your antenna.....Try this trick guys, you might like it. Works great for mobile antennas but may not last long for a base unless you can access the antenna easy.
I use Rain-X on my mobile antenna in the winter. It will keep ice from sticking to any antenna. Never tried it on a steel or aluminum whip but I bet it works just as well. I put on about 3 coats reall heavy and let each coat dry before starting the next. Dont use the cheap stuff it stinks!! Get the good stuff only RAIN-X!!!! Oh yeah! Works good on windshields too , lol 73 kenny |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 56
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 1:34 pm: |
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Your right I dont think it would be good to climb a tower to spray RainX on my beam in the dead of winter I might not unthaw til July
Dave |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1100
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 1:45 pm: |
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Dave1, there is a way to make a yagi ant turn vert/hor with the use of 2 rotors. It's a bit of work, but, can be done. There is a rotor on the market that will do the samething, but is pricey.If you would like some more info, let me know.
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Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 57
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 2:03 pm: |
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DX I could use any info you can give I am just tired of working on the Horz elements of the Moonraker if I could get a Yagi to turn I could leave it Vert when not in use this would stop most of the Ice build-up as for the cost of a rotor I dont mind that just not sure what one to buy that will do this
Dave |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 58
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 7:10 pm: |
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My tower is 30' if this helps
Dave |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7307
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 21, 2005 - 8:48 pm: |
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Dave1,
Yes you would use 2 Rotors one on the Verticle Mast Pipe to turn the Antenna in the direction you want and another Rotor Attached to the Mast Pipe and with the Boom of the Antenna running thru the Center of the 2nd Rotor to turn it Vert or Horiz.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1102
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 2:18 am: |
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Dave, I know what ya mean about the ice. That was one of the reasons why I sold my MR4s. Installed a 3 element on the flat side with an A99 right above it and never been happier.
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Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 59
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 12:30 pm: |
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Tech808
Wouldnt I need a rotor that has the hole going thru it so the mast can run thru the ones I have it dont run thru If I do where can I find one I didnt see any on Copper.
Dave |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7351
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 12:45 pm: |
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Dave1,
YES the Hole runs thru the Center of the Rotor as I posted above.
Do a GOOGLE SEARCH for Ham Radio Stores or Antenna Rotors and you should find them but they are NOT CHEAP and then you will also have Double the Wire and another Rotor Box also.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 61
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 12:48 pm: |
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I forgot to ask what do you think of the Maco M105C 5 Element
Dave |
Kb9umt_don_123
Member
Username: Kb9umt_don_123
Post Number: 53
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 9:52 pm: |
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Dave,
I think the Maco M105C 5 element would be a very good choice for your application. You want something that is not too massive to handle the Maine weather it will have take....snow, ice, wind etc...so the shorter boom of 26 ft would be better for you and your area (longer the boom the more gain but you have to consider your limitation). You will not lose that much more in gain compared to the longer 30 to 40 foot yagi/beams and they will be hard to keep up in your area. Please try get them at the one wave lenght height or 36 feet. If DX is what you are looking for it will do a good job for you...the elevation rotors are out there and you can do a search on Yaesu 5500 (new cost $650 used $500) or M2 MT1000 (new cost $1,400) but I doubt worth the time or money if you are not interested in vertical operation and have a small vertial GP for that application. The only thing that I would say beat this is going with either a set of 4 element beams or stacking the 5 element (usually 1/2 wave lenght to stack between the antennas or 18 feet or so...1/4 feedline with 't')...again stacking even the smaller 4 element antennas will give you as much gain as 1 long boom 40 ft yagi since you will add 3db gain by stacking the smaller yagi/beams and also lower your take off angle which is better for DX. There is no doubt in my mind that when the higher bands are at sun cycle minimum that the bigger stations are the ones that will be heard in the shorter band openings. Far too many of us now are restricted and can't get up in the are a wave lenght (36ft) or better two wavelenghts (72ft) with big arrays with gain...you need that in order to work the openings when the sun cycle is at bottom. One more thing...I have been there and done the 45 degree angle back in the 70s and it will work well for DX but you lose about 6 to 9 db gain on both vertical AND horizontal BOTH when you do this...so it's really best to direct your total gain one way or the other in my view. As far as the icing goes...hey mother nature is hard to beat so have those extra parts if needed in the spring to repair but most the antenna will bend with the ice load (use to keep a long telescopic pole to knock down the ice)...it's the wind and wind load that will kill you with large arrays and icing! GL on your beam antenna and you will never regret putting money in the most important part of your system...the antenna!
de kb9umt Don/123
http://www.HamRadioHelp.com |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 65
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 9:17 am: |
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Ok I know I am going to go with the Maco M105C But I want to run the 2 rotors and I cant seem to be able to find the 2nd one that will let me go from Vertical at nite and local to Horizontal for DX if any of you know where I can find one can you send me the site I have done the google and no luck I still dont know how to use that google thing that good
Dave |
Dave1
Member
Username: Dave1
Post Number: 79
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 4:20 pm: |
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Went with my old Moonraker6 not the old Moonraker4 the 6 just seemed so much better than whats out there now
Dave1 |
Beeker7104
Junior Member
Username: Beeker7104
Post Number: 24
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 4:13 am: |
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Has anyone got or tried JO GUNN beams? |
Skyliner
New member
Username: Skyliner
Post Number: 1
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 5:05 pm: |
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You may want to look for a rotor designed for amateur radio satellite use. It will do exactly what you want with only one control cable. They are more expensive but would give you the ability to turn your antenna and change the polarization.
Do a google search for AZ/EL Rotor. |
Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero
Post Number: 1690
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 7:14 pm: |
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go with a maco shooting star, laser or whatever. the jogunn is bigger, heavier, etc-PROBABLY a bit more durable then the maco, but that means more wear & tear on the rotor-no matter how you mount it, as well as the mounting system. have helped replace a jogunn 6 star & 8 star, with a moonraker 6 & a laser, owners were happier with performance from those then the gunns. |
Wally38
Junior Member
Username: Wally38
Post Number: 44
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 7:57 pm: |
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I'm very happy with my shooting star. Only had it a few months and am very pleased with it.
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Marconi
Intermediate Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 446
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 20, 2005 - 5:29 pm: |
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Dave, forget the Azimuth/Elevation rotors with even the Moonraker which has a boom a bit less than 2" and is probably the smallest around.
They will not fit. Those rotors are meant for fairly light systems anyway. I honed a Yaesu out one time to handle a Moonraker boom and it worked an 11 meter 4 element flat side OK, but I was always concerned when the wind made it twist and turn like it did. It was not a sturdy as the old Ham IV's. |
