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W5LZ · #17 02-15-2011, 11:58 PM

I don't see a problem with that thingy being both a corona-ball and a capacitive-hat. Of course, the size of the thing will determine how -much- capacitance it adds. The size also determines how much voltage the thing can handle before emitting a coronal discharge. The -shape- of that thingy has more to do with the coronal discharge than it does with being a capacitive-hat. Corona-balls tend to have no points, are more of a smooth ball or rounded shape.
That 'audio ball' thing is just more oxymoron stuff...
- 'Doc

Shockwave · #18 02-16-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerBB

I didn't. I asked a question. but if you're wondering what prompted the question it was this post by SW:

I was wanting to know whether or not the ball would increase performance, or if these things are matters relating to what is performance parameters of antennas.

Homer, It depends on what your definition of increased performance is. If it applies to wider bandwidth then the answer is yes. If you mean can it equal or add to the gain of a full length radiator without the cap hat, the answer is no.

It is likely that a shorter antenna will have better performance if less electronic length was added in a center loaded inductor and more electronic length were added in the form of a top hat. That said, nothing can equal the performance of a straight radiator of equivalent wavelength.

Another funny thing I've seen one CB antenna maker throw together was the top coil loaded 1/4 wave fully equipped with a top capacitance hat. You NEVER combine these two devices with one directly over the other. To make a long story short, it's like stepping on the gas and the brake at the same time. They both cancel each other out and accomplish nothing.

jazzsinger · #19 02-16-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwave

Another funny thing I've seen one CB antenna maker throw together was the top coil loaded 1/4 wave fully equipped with a top capacitance hat. You NEVER combine these two devices with one directly over the other. To make a long story short, it's like stepping on the gas and the brake at the same time. They both cancel each other out and accomplish nothing.

this wouldn't be the mythical merlin 55 would it?

another classic piece of cb bullshit.

MrSuburban · #20 02-16-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwave

Homer, It depends on what your definition of increased performance is. If it applies to wider bandwidth then the answer is yes. If you mean can it equal or add to the gain of a full length radiator without the cap hat, the answer is no. It is likely that a shorter antenna will have better performance if less electronic length was added in a center loaded inductor and more electronic length were added in the form of a top hat. That said, nothing can equal the performance of a straight radiator of equivalent wavelength.

Another funny thing I've seen one CB antenna maker throw together was the top coil loaded 1/4 wave fully equipped with a top capacitance hat. You NEVER combine these two devices with one directly over the other. To make a long story short, it's like stepping on the gas and the brake at the same time. They both cancel each other out and accomplish nothing.

Agreed

HomerBB · #21 02-16-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shockwave

Homer, It depends on what your definition of increased performance is. If it applies to wider bandwidth then the answer is yes. If you mean can it equal or add to the gain of a full length radiator without the cap hat, the answer is no.

It is likely that a shorter antenna will have better performance if less electronic length was added in a center loaded inductor and more electronic length were added in the form of a top hat. That said, nothing can equal the performance of a straight radiator of equivalent wavelength.

Another funny thing I've seen one CB antenna maker throw together was the top coil loaded 1/4 wave fully equipped with a top capacitance hat. You NEVER combine these two devices with one directly over the other. To make a long story short, it's like stepping on the gas and the brake at the same time. They both cancel each other out and accomplish nothing.

Thanks for the answer. I am soaking it up.

#22 02-16-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzsinger

this wouldn't be the mythical merlin 55 would it?

another classic piece of cb bullshit.

http://www.firecommunications.com/gr45.pdf

Shockwave · #23 02-16-2011, 08:53 PM

Jazz, you picked the Merlin base antenna I was thinking about in my post. Booty, you came up with the mobile version I had completely forgotten about. I haven't seen a Goldenrod 45 since it had a much smaller top loading coil many years ago. I guess the power increases over the years mandated that beefier coil. In either case, you never combine inductive reactance and capacitive reactance at virtually the same point on the radiator.

#24 02-16-2011, 09:22 PM

but the merlin has up to 15 S-UNITS of tx gain over a big coily base antenna and jays i10k too !!! hehehehe

http://www.mauldroppers.com/showthre...n-test-results

Timber and other Videos on StupidVideos.com

"you never combine inductive reactance and capacitive reactance at virtually the same point on the radiator."

just for the record , can you tell us why that shouldn't be done ?
thanks

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Capacitance Hat's Don't add Audio