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Message |
    
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 138
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 6:56 pm: | 
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Seems my antenna dilemma continues SO:
I am seriously looking for a tower that can be winched up and down.
If I am going to go through this hassle then I would like to know:
Can you have a Beam Antenna AND a Vertical (my Maco V-5000) on the same tower? Since there is still no news on the Maco if you can recommend a better antenna than it please do as well.
If I can have both antennas on the same tower then What would be a GOOD but not overly large Beam Antenna. Also looking for something that will at least cover 10, 11 & 12 meter bands / AM, FM & CW.
So far I have taken all of your advice - running LMR-400 cable, polyphasers, all grounds are tied together, independent breaker for just the radio equipment, running on a conditioned line prevent brown outs and spikes via battery, Using ground straps and wires on EVERYTHING, got a meter and dummy load as well.
Looking for and needing SOLID advice here guys THANKS...
Tim
CEF-634 |
Tech833
Intermediate Member
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 105
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 07, 2005 - 8:05 pm: |
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You can mount a vertical antenna above a beam mounted for horizontal radiation or a quad.
LMR-400 is perfect unless you have a rotor. You need the flexible LMR-400 called LMR-400M (if I remember correctly). Otherwise, the LMR center conductor will eventually fracture from being bent back and forth while turning the beam. |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 141
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 9:46 am: |
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Tech833, Again thank you for your speedy reply.
Time to start researching some of the smaller beams I guess along with rotor and of course finding a winch tower.
The coax problem can be taken care of with an order I guess so the only things are MONEY, TIME, ABILITY TO INSTALL & WHAT BEAM TO GET.
Recommendations would be appreciated guys:
Tim
CEF-634 |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1060
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 7:36 pm: |
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Oh, I forgot to mention! If you mount your vertical antenna above your beam, leave the ground planes off of the vertical antenna. If you mount an Imax or A99 above your beam, do not use the GPK.
You can run LMR-400 coax to the top of the tower and then use RG8 jumpers to go past the rotor to the antennas. That would work just great. |
Hollowpoint445
Advanced Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 802
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 8:00 pm: |
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"Also looking for something that will at least cover 10, 11 & 12 meter bands"
It's unlikely that you'll find a directional antenna that will cover this much bandwith with only one set of elements. Beams tend to become rather narrow banded as they go higher in gain.
A log-periodic antenna would easily fit your requirements, but the gain and rejection would be pretty low.
Quad antennas are nice in that you can add additional bands on the same set of spreaders to gain more spectrum. There are kits available that would allow you to have 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, and 20m all in the same antenna and fed with one coaxial cable. They're rather expensive, but that would be how I would go. |
Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 143
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 8:06 pm: |
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Do the Ground planes come off the Maco V-5000 ???
Any recommendations on a good solid but small Beam Antenna ??? |
Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 255
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, October 08, 2005 - 8:39 pm: |
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Sinker,
Yes the elements can be removed from the hub so it can be used as Tech833 recommends.a good small beam would be a Maco m-103 or the m-104.More than likley the hardest part of the setup you describe is finding the crankup tower.You might check the e-auction sites.
tech291
cef#291
kc8zpj
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Dcrusty
New member
Username: Dcrusty
Post Number: 7
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 10:28 am: |
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You guys that are using the lmr 400f really need to take a look at the coax cable called bury flex from DAVIS RF.It has the same spec's and is just as flexable for about thirty cents cheaper on the foot.I have two runs of 150 ft. and this stuff works great!!!!!!!!! dcrusty Oh by the way, could you us a tilt over tower instead of a crank up? I built one out of the three legged american tower for about a hundred bucks. |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7550
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 10:39 am: |
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Dcrusty,
They can also LOOK at the RG213U NC Bury Flex Coax which is made by S.I.W. which is the Oldest Coax Maker in the US that Copper carries and is even CHEAPER at .49 a foot & .45 for 500' than the Davis with the Same Specs.
Just CLICK on the LINK below. 
RG213U NC Bury Flex Coax
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Hatchet
Junior Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 28
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 11:01 am: |
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What are the specs on this coax 808? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7551
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 11:10 am: |
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Hatchet,
It has the same Specs as the Davis Bury Flex.
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Hatchet
Junior Member
Username: Hatchet
Post Number: 29
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 11:26 am: |
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Copper dosent have a spec sheet? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 7552
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 11:40 am: |
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Hatchet,
50 Ohm,
100% Double Shield Flexible Coax.
Direct Bury Poly
(None Contaminating (Not PVC)) Jacket
Stranded Center Conductor,
Low Loss - 2.9 dB @ 100ft @ 400 MHz
Hope this helps,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN |
Dcrusty
New member
Username: Dcrusty
Post Number: 8
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 2:55 pm: |
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Tech 808,This is what I came up with before I bought my bury flex.This came off of the times microwave caluator.lmr-400uf (bury flex has the same spec's)Frequecy 27.205, Attenuation db/100ft. 0.773 Average power (kw)2.92 Total run lenght 150ft. Total run attenuation (db) 1.2 Total Efficiency 76.5% Rg-213 mil spec. Frequency 27.205 Attenuation 1.03 Average power 1.97 (kw) Total run lenght 150ft. Total run attenuation (db) 1.5 Total efficiency 70.1% For longer runs between the two the efficiency really goes crazy.Shorter runs (50 to 75 ft)there was not much difference.I am not a engineer, I just figured I could use the extra 6% efficiency. I paid 54 cents a foot,copper wants 49 cents, for a nickel I am glad I went with the bury flex. dcrusty |
Moderator136
Moderator
Username: Moderator136
Post Number: 122
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 3:00 pm: |
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I have a coax Question Hardline Coax!
I have 1 inch od (outside dia) with a number 12 gage copper center with a foam insulation. Also the hardline is aluminium case.
Not shur what the application was used for!
Also doint know the ohm ratio.
I have a hundred foot and was wondering where to get conectors to fit a so-239 or to have a adaptor to reduce to fit the pl-259?
Like to hook up to a 2 meter vertical anttenna!
Also checked the internet and cant find connectors or the coax information.
It would be helpfull to give information on what coax it is, But i have know ideal! Im not shur but they put a new tower for a low power fm station near by, and i found this at the local dump and paid $12.00 for the roll. Also this was still on the wooden spool the only marking on the spool is (75-012-HL) hope that helps!!
Also the spool is 4 foot across!
Like to have info on this before winter hits us so i can try this out!
Moderator 136
CEF136
kc0svc
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Sinker
Intermediate Member
Username: Sinker
Post Number: 146
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 4:39 pm: |
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No offense here guys as I like learning as much as I can and find the coax info interesting but I already have the coax and now need to get some good solid info on an awesome Beam Antenna that I can have my Maco V-5000 mounted above. I am looking for a good winch tower to put this on.
So far I have found a 30' tower for $60.00 but it is not a winch type nor do I believe high enough. Also found a 50' tower that is a winch type but they want $800.00 and would need some work.
So back to the original question:
- How high do I need to get the beams up to work well? Code restricts me to 35' - roof peak is 27' -
- Does that make this not even worth it?
- Recommendations on smaller but good Beam Antennas I can have the Maco V-5000 above?
Moderator136 - sounds like you might have scored BIG TIME -
Tim
CEF-634 |
Tech291
Moderator
Username: Tech291
Post Number: 256
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 5:51 pm: |
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Hal,
sounds like what you have is 75ohm hardline.do a msn search for"catv hardline".several hits there on how to use it in radio.
tech291
cef#291
kc8zpj
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Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1109
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 6:49 pm: |
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Sinker, go with the M103 mounted horizontal, but, you will have to mount the v-5000 at least 8' above the beam. The Imax would have been a better choice for this setup. The Imax can be mounted right above the boom.
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Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1062
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, October 09, 2005 - 7:56 pm: |
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I need to repeat myself.
Hardline comes in 10 foot sections and is not bendable.
Heliax is semi-flexible and has the foam insulation.
What you have is HELIAX, you do NOT have 'hardline'.
Try doing your search for Heliax and you may come up with some hits.
The aluminum jacketed Heliax was used for AM broadcast arrays at one time, but was not very popular. It is nearly impossible to find connectors for it anymore. |
Starface
Intermediate Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 245
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 15, 2005 - 1:47 am: |
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Sinker if you go to member's pic and click on my name there is a pic (drawing)of how I'm going to put both my vertical antenna above a M-104 beam..
The beam will be horizontal as I been told putting beams horizontal works better for Skip talking...
Also "ALWAYS REMEMBER" If you ever need help let me know and I'll drive over!
Till next time
Starface CEF#476
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL
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