| Author |
Message |
    
Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447
Post Number: 15
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 4:48 pm: | 
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after reading the reviews and reading everyones comments i'm still undecided which antenna i should use . i'm under 40 ft. and have a large amount of trees in my area. i hardly get high winds so i don't have that to worry about.so which antenna? THANX |
Airplane1
Advanced Member
Username: Airplane1
Post Number: 777
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 8:04 pm: |
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Either will work but I think out of the two you ask about I would go with the skylab. your going to go 40ft so it will work great.
AP |
Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447
Post Number: 16
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 8:38 pm: |
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AP, i have just measured to the top of my pole and measured 36ft.i had an A99 on it,will the skylab out perform the A99? |
Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious
Post Number: 1718
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 9:27 pm: |
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if you have a 36' mast, then you want to get the IMAX or the MACO V5/8.
those will outperform most other antennas out there in your install.
if you are only choosing between the two antennas you mentioned; then i would choose the top one, only because i know it will work very well at that height.
i have never owned or played with a skylab, so i cant say for sure, but think that the top one is the better design. just my opinion.
matt |
Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad
Post Number: 867
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 10:48 pm: |
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I have to suggest the Imax too. Mine has been bent over from ice, survived ignorant winds, then a tornado that took it sailing over 300 yards over a river, through trees and into a corn field. I put it back up today and it works and looks like new. It was the only thing on that mast that survived, I had to cut it off the mast because the U bolts were so buggered. Yes, it's rather flexable, but I think that's what makes it survive.
Mine WAS at 20' Now it's at 36' and today I wanted to bring it down to 20 so I could talk to locals  I have 1/2 of a notebook page full of contacts, relatively low power, many barefoot, no GPK. For the money I think you can't get much better, especially considering the fact that it's on it's 3rd life So far the only one I have heard of failing was Lon's, lightning hit it and made his yard look like someone spread a 20Lb bag of uncle ben's finest all over.
Chad |
Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 3890
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:20 am: |
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I have had a skylab, top-one and A-99
How i found them .....
1) Skylab ( however it will not handle high winds cut for CB )
2) top-one very good at even 15 foot up ...... mine suvived winds untill they hit 100+
3) A99 a nice strong antenna but not as good it does work up to 17 meters with a tuner ...... |
Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:30 pm: |
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thanks for the advice everyone but money is an obstacle and the IMAX or the maco is a little more than i want to spend. i have an A99 up already and hoping the top one or skylab was upgrading? THANX |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1557
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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Deadkey-talk alot of local or mainly DX/
or both??? |
Deadkey447
Junior Member
Username: Deadkey447
Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:13 pm: |
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talk some local but if there are conditions,DX! |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1561
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:07 am: |
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Deadkey- those A-99s are usually good DX
talkers. Upgrading would mean purchasing a
5/8 wave or .64 wave antenna.
Don't think your going to see much improvement
with a Top one or skylab over a A-99.
If the A-99 works fine for you, just enjoy
it. If not, try something else. Good Luck! |
Newoperator
Junior Member
Username: Newoperator
Post Number: 42
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 11:57 am: |
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the topone does perform quiter from what i read so it should help your ears with the dx contacts with all the static coming in from the antron.
382 - 123
Dont Sweat The Technique
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Dale
Advanced Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 885
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 5:34 am: |
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yes it will help[ on the recieve end may/maynot
see a difference on the ctransmit side.iuf
your just wanting a antenna with quieter
recieve id say go for it.my 2 cents
dale/a.k.a.hotrod
cef426
cvc#64
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4449
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 6:08 am: |
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Having used both the skylab and top one and had the chance to conpaire them with the A-99 If your looking for a big change it is not going to be there.
Im not impressed with fiberglass antennas and have started replacing then with aluminun ones. ONE DRAWBACK with fiberglass ones is power rateings.
I have a A-99.
My picks under 30 foot TOP ONE is king ..... then the SKYLAB then the A-99 but again you will not see big changes .
On 6 since 66
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Newoperator
Junior Member
Username: Newoperator
Post Number: 45
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 12:05 pm: |
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bruce the topone has to be quitter than my antron becuase of the aluminum and it being quiter will surely eliminate alot the of static that comes over locals sometimes thats my main issue.
382 - 123
Dont Sweat The Technique
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Bruce
Senior Member
Username: Bruce
Post Number: 4451
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 12:33 pm: |
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Im convinced that fiberglass is not as good I have run them from 27 mhz to 470 mhz and good old alcoa beats them every time ......
On 6 since 66
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Newoperator
Junior Member
Username: Newoperator
Post Number: 46
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 1:59 pm: |
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Its funny my father was telling me when they released the fiberglass antenna's back in the day everyone was praising them and when i was a kid the a99 was the best they all said.
382 - 123
Dont Sweat The Technique
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Marconi
Advanced Member
Username: Marconi
Post Number: 712
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 5:11 pm: |
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Newoperator, I see your main problem is having to do with which antennna will work best in the hills and mountains around you.
For me, in the flat lands of Texas is one thing. I prefer the AP or the Starduster because I can get them real high because they are very light and they are deadly quite compared to the A99.
Just a thought, I believe the A99 types use common mode currents to work effectively and CMC are said to produce considerable ground noises.
You might have to try a Starduster 1/4 wave to get out of those mountains effectively. |
