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Message |
    
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 430
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 2:20 am: | 
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DOES anyone know what year they stoped making the
Shakespeare ARMY BIG STICK-1600?I always wanted to buy one buy now there no longer made *sigh*.The army big stick is very hard to find im looking for a used or a new one thats left over. im not even sure if they made the other white big stick cause copper doesnt sell them anymore. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1588
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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I suggest looking on auction sites for a
Army Big Stik 1600.
Shakespeare made a series of different models.
Not sure when they ended production on them.
The Imax 2000 would be similar to the Army
Big Stik in performance. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1589
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 11:13 am: |
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I suggest looking on auction sites for a
Army Big Stik 1600.
Shakespeare made a series of different models.
Not sure when they ended production on them.
The Imax 2000 would be similar to the Army
Big Stik in performance. |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 431
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 1:34 pm: |
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I have looked on those internet sites and nothing.no army big sticks to be found.i have the i max 2000 i dont like it sorry. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1592
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 5:34 pm: |
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That's ok, i don't either.
Just keep checking out the auction sites. |
Jameslarson
Intermediate Member
Username: Jameslarson
Post Number: 186
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 7:29 pm: |
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Hi Freebird and Road Warrior. What is it about the IMAX you do not like? Thanks. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1593
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 08, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
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Some people love there Imax, some of
us don't. Same as with any antenna. What
might not work out for us, may possibily
work out great for you. With that said:
I had a high noise floor level all the time
and had trouble hearing distance stations.
Trouble with causing TVI/RFI interference to
my neighbors running low wattages. ( 4 watts
and up). Did NOT use the GPK...
Antenna was tried at 30ft, 38ft and
45ft to Imax feedpoint from the ground.
The lower it was, the worse the issues were.
Also had same issues with a A-99 and a
Shakespeare Super fiberglass Big Stik.
Neighbors were 30ft and 20ft away from
Imax. Imax was grounded from u-bolts to
ground-rods with 38ft of #6 copper wire when it was attached to brackets on house. And
when it was on tower, it was grounded with
short 2" Copper strap from u-bolts to mast. Mast was grounded with short 2" strap to tower and tower base was grounded with 3 ground-rods.
Tried grounding radio equipment to outside
ground-rod. All rods were hooked together with
tower grounds. Did NOT solve TVI/RFI or high noise floor problems. Had low-pass filter on radio. Bought used Imax GPK and at lower wattages (4-20 watts) it was ok, but, anything over
20-30 watts issues started up again.
One neighbor bought a new phone and it did not
come through at all even with high wattages on
her new phone. But, i was still coming over
her Am-Fm radio and police scanner.
And bothering my other neighbors phones, police
scanner, computer. TV issues went away with
GPK. So, some of the problems came from
overloading there bad filtered products.
Gave up and bought a metal antenna with 4
long 9ft radials. Have not had any problems
since with high noise floor or TVI/RFI issues.
Radio is not even grounded, but, thats due
to layout of house and i can't use a short
enough strap or copperwire to outside ground-rod as it seems to want to radiate (even with a length of 8 ft). Which may have been a added problem to the Imax.
But, that's why i'm not a Imax fan. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1378
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
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The metal antenna truly is the way to go from an RF standpoint in almost every case. However, it is undeniable that for those who do not wish to purchase an antenna 'puzzle' (kit full of pieces), then the Imax and A99 are the way to go.
The Shakespeare Army Big Stick is the green one. The ABS 1600 is the white one. Both are good antennas, but if you had trouble with a standard Shakespeare Big Stick, then an ABS will not help. Stick with your metal antenna.
Shakespeare did stop making the ABS. There were not enough sales to justify the line. The good news is, Shakespeare still makes the most kick-butt top loaded fiberglass mobile CB antenna, and best marine NGP CB antenna known to man. |
Dale
Intermediate Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 465
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 12:18 pm: |
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i gotta an imax2k and theres points i like and dislike.the likes are obvious simple assembly ,good swrs.but theres stuff i dont like white noise,bad tvi.ive also tried the things roadwarrior tried |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1612
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 10:41 pm: |
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DALE- Do you have outside electric line
noise trouble at times? Just curious... |
Cdn_superpower
Member
Username: Cdn_superpower
Post Number: 61
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 6:37 am: |
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they didn't call 'em "splatter sticks" for nothin'!!
lol |
Dmh
Junior Member
Username: Dmh
Post Number: 24
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:29 pm: |
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Does Shakespeare still make Mobile antennas ?? I used to use them all the time & I didn't know you could still get them. I always had really good luck with them, I thought they made a great mobile antenna. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1682
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 2:34 pm: |
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I notice they still make Marine cb antennas
for boats. Not sure if they still make
automobile antennas or not. |
Dale
Advanced Member
Username: Dale
Post Number: 536
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 8:52 pm: |
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yea roadwarrior i do get eletric noise most of the time.when it rains seems to be even worse.
seems the higher up the band i go the louder it gets |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1687
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:33 pm: |
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That's odd: usually when it rains it should
calm electrical line noise way down. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1394
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:35 am: |
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From my post above, "The good news is, Shakespeare still makes the most kick-butt top loaded fiberglass mobile CB antenna, and best marine NGP CB antenna known to man."
(sigh) Yes, they still make mobile antennas. Affirmative. Roger. 10-4. Si. |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 441
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 12:04 am: |
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so if Shakespeare still makes the big stick why doesnt copper sell them?this is odd. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1697
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 12:22 am: |
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Shakespeare quit making base station
antennas (Big Stick). That's why copper can not sell them.
Shakespeare still makes mobile antennas. |
Freebird
Intermediate Member
Username: Freebird
Post Number: 443
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 - 1:08 am: |
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ah ok guess i shold of bought that used big stick I saw at a tag sale last week i passed up. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1713
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 - 11:32 am: |
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Freebird- the original Big Stick and
Super Big Stik were so so antennas. Not sure
what model you passed up.
Years ago i had original Big stick, upgraded
to Super Big Stick, then upgraded to A-99.
Never owned one of Shakespeare 5/8 wave antennas.
But, if you could pick anyone one of them up for a few bucks, be worth it. |
Tech833
Moderator
Username: Tech833
Post Number: 1401
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 - 1:44 pm: |
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RW- Did you see any improvement/loss over the big stick when you replaced it with an A99? |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1717
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 04, 2006 - 5:39 pm: |
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The Super Big Stick i have is 16ft long.
A-99 was maybe slightly better. (Close)
Yes, years ago i got fooled by the 9.9 dbi
gain of the A-99...LOL |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1510
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 10:28 am: |
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My dad used a Shakespear BigStick back in the 80's. It was a great antenna and lasted for years until we lost it in a fire. Although it looks similar to to the Imax 2000 I believe it is a totally different desighn. The feedpoint on the Imax is right there at the botton, BUT the feed point on the Shakespeare was actuallly a few feet up into the base of the antenna. So maybe the Shakespere is center fed? It had a long jumper that connected the coax at the bottom and ran up somewhere towards the middle of the bottom shaft. I'm limited on knowledge of base antennas so I don't know why it was desighned that way but I do know that the way the antenna is fed makes it way different than an Imax somewhat.
My dad also used a Radio Shack Crossbow base antenna which if I remember was light blue colored and more like the A99 and Imax but only 2 pieces. It was end fed with coax connecting at the bootom just like the Imax. Actually we thought it was a bit better than the BigStick but could be since it was a lot newer at the time we favored it over the other. Lost that antenna in the fire too! We lost so much gear in that fire we had. Enough stuff to open our own cb shop! Anyway the BigStick was an awesome antenna and was the choice during my child years of radio. The Crossbow was well made and a great design as well....in my opinion. |
Hotwire
Senior Member
Username: Hotwire
Post Number: 1511
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 10:46 am: |
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My memory is faded from those days long ago. I'm thinking the Shakespere we had was 2 pieces but could have been 3 pieces. Can someone refresh my memory? |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1722
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 2:20 pm: |
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5/8 wave Shakespeare i have no knowledge.
The 16ft Super Big Stick i have is 2 pieces
and feedpoint is at bottom of antenna.
Same as Imax,A-99 |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1723
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 3:22 pm: |
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Hotwire, i placed pics of the Super Big Stick
in the members picture section of the forum.
I just posted them, so, not sure how long it
will take before they appear. |
Milkman21218
Member
Username: Milkman21218
Post Number: 66
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 5:37 pm: |
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The Shakespeare Super Big Stick Was 18ft, the Big Stick was 16ft. My Big Stick had a lot less noise than my A-99,better TX & RX. It died in a storm. (a zillion little pieces). |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1724
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 9:15 pm: |
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The antenna i have says SHAKESPEARE SUPER
BIG STICK written on it. Measured it and it
measures 16ft from feedpoint to top tip.
I have a plain big stick which is alittle
shorter yet. There must of been different
models made is all i can think of... When
i get a good digital camera i will post clear
close-ups. I posted some pics which haven't arrived in the members section yet, but, the
camera i'm using doesn't do that great on
close-ups and clarity. |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1726
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 05, 2006 - 11:15 pm: |
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Now i'm curious to see how many models of
antennas Shakespeare made over the years.
I found the same one i have here listed on a
auction site. Read below
"This auction is for a vintage new-in-package Shakespeare Gold Band Super Big Stick CB/Ham radio omni-directional antenna, model 176-CBSU. It is 16 feet long when assembled and comes with u-joint type mounting brackets for attaching to a metal post (perhaps a TV tower?). I will ship in original package. This is what you need for your base station!" |
Road_warrior
Senior Member
Username: Road_warrior
Post Number: 1729
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
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I e-mailed Shakespeare on info of there past
base antennas. Below is returned info.
"Hi Jim,
While there have been numerous STYLE numbers there have only been five designs. The original Big Stick was an 18 foot centerfed dipole two piece design Style 176, and there was a marine version that had a marine type bottom mount fitting Style 176-1. When the CPSC required all CB base station antennas to withstand 14 KV powerline contact, there was a minor redesign done which resulted in the center joint protective boot and a DC ground protection which also resulted in a better VSWR and band width Style 176 GBS. Then there was severel different end fed half wave 16 foot two and three pieces models made to offer a reduced selling price and UPS ship-ability Style 4016, 376GB, 4016, 318GBT. There were various models made with Gold Ring etc marketing programs but no different electrical design. Then in the 90's we designed the first off-center fed 5/8 wave model ABS-1600 made camo green. After a series of wind related internal conductor failures we changed the internal coaxial feed line construction and renamed the product NBS-2010. Bothe th ABS-1600 and the NBS2010 were called Army Big Sticks.
Today we only market the 176-1 marine version which has the DC ground and bandwidth improvements made white in color."
73 Hope this helps
Tyler |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1295
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 8:07 pm: |
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Sweet - I didn't know that they still made an original style Big Stick. I would consider one when I replace the A99 on my roof. |
Hollowpoint445
Senior Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 1296
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2006 - 8:18 pm: |
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I retract my former statement after looking at their website and seeing what they cost - WOW! |
