| Author |
Message |
    
Sniper_62881
Member
Username: Sniper_62881
Post Number: 51
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 9:31 pm: | 
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I know someone might have already asked this but what do you all think is the best choice for a 11 meter antenna to set on top of a tower?
thanks
marc/cef613 |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3749
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:48 pm: |
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a 5/8wave or any beam |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1442
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:12 am: |
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you are never going to get everyone to agree here.
if you want the best help in your decision; check out Tech833's review on "choosing a groundplane antenna".
i think its in the "articles" section.
a .64 wave antenna will give you the lowest angle of radiation, which would be better for long distance "skip" communication.
matt |
Dx431
Senior Member
Username: Dx431
Post Number: 1170
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 1:56 am: |
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Maco V5/8 or Imax 2000 for verticle
and M103C or M105C for a beam. |
Sniper_62881
Member
Username: Sniper_62881
Post Number: 56
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 8:28 am: |
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I should have said this before but I'd like to talk to locals and skip. Is there one antenna to fit both of those in? or do I need two? Also I'm kind of new to the base antena thing whats the difference between vert andbeam?
marc/cef613 |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1316
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 9:50 am: |
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I agree with Bruce.
Look into an Imax 2000. |
Jameslarson
Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 55
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:07 am: |
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Yes, the IMAX 2000 looks promising. Although I hear that top whip can really start flapping in the wind. |
Mayor513
Member
Username: Mayor513
Post Number: 70
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 12:40 pm: |
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--Maco V5/8. I bought one from Copper Electronics and it has been the best antenna I have used. I talk anywhere from 2 to 120 miles locally, and, of course, skip is no problem. I like aluminum antennas because if sections break or whatever, they are easily replaced. |
Tech237
Moderator
Username: Tech237
Post Number: 286
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 3:11 pm: |
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There realy is not such thing as a "best" antenna. An antenna that works in one location may not work or work well in another.
Have a look around,see what other's in your area are using.
In general a .64 before a halfwave before a 1/4 wave |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1347
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 8:10 pm: |
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I agree with Tech 237.
And it's all in what your needs are in an
antenna. Good Luck! |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 787
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:07 pm: |
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Jameslarson sed: "Although I hear that top whip can really start flapping in the wind."
Oh yeah but it's supposed to, that's what keeps it alive! I've seen mine lay flat out, even droop with ice. I recently had it take a long journey into a corn field via a tornado and although everything else was trashed the Imax made the trip just fine! Just mounted it up to a fence post to check the SWR and it's just as normal!
It's a tough Sucka!
Chad |
Starface
Advanced Member
Username: Starface
Post Number: 560
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 10:18 pm: |
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Long live the IMAX 2000 ...Works GREAT on 10-11-12 meters!
Till next time
Starface
KI4NBE
CEF476
CVC14
HAM181
Southeast Net Control
Auburndale,FL |
Sniper_62881
Member
Username: Sniper_62881
Post Number: 57
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 8:33 am: |
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Thanks for the responses.
marc/cef613 |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1196
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
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Sniper,
One of the more knowledgable guys here can explain it better but I will try.
A vertical antenna is omni direction. It transmit in all directions evenly and your signal is well, vertically polarized.
Now we have 2 types of beams. Vertical beams and horizontal beams. Beam antennas point your signal in the direction you wanna talk to. Your signal will go further out. Beams need rotors to turn them. Horizontal beams do just what it sounds like. They polarize your radio signal sideways. Most hams and cbers who enjoy skip prefer horizontal beams. They tend to work better for skip and long distance. If you go beam its best to have dual polarity cause if you have only horizontal most contacts you make will be horizontal to. Its harder to copy a vertical antenna with a horizontal antenna and vice versa. Also if someone is behind your beam you maynot even hear them until you turn around the beam facing them.
Beams can be some work. Personally I have never owned any. If your a beginner for starters I suggest getting just a regular vertical ground plane antenna like the Maco 5\8 wave or the Max 2000.
Hey try this. Do a search, look for a site called " The Ultimate 11 Meter Antenna " You will find every answer to your question there! |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1197
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 12:22 pm: |
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One more thing Sniper, You can make just as many skip contacts with an omni antenna like the Imax as you can any beam antenna. Last summer I made near 300 contacts in 3 months with my Imax! Most was done very easily with little power!73 |
Sniper_62881
Member
Username: Sniper_62881
Post Number: 58
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 4:58 pm: |
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thanks hotwire.
marc/aka sniper |
