Maco V-5/8 ?

[Banshee 79]

When you mount the aluminum clamp onto the hoop ring assembly it says to measure 6 and a quarter inches over and make a mark, and place the edge of the clamp against that mark. What side of the clamp do you place against the mark? If you started from the measuring point at the center of the hoop screw and slid the clamp towards its mounting position would it be the first side of the clamp that hit your mark you made or the backside if that makes any sense. I know its not that much of a difference, but just wanted to get things right. Thanks.

 

[W5LZ]

I can certainly understand why you ask that question! But it's not going to make much difference one way or the other. If you don't have to do some adjusting for a good impedance match, you are just luckier than most people. As a rough SWAG, I'd say the leading edge, if that makes sense?
Good luck.
- 'Doc

 

[Banshee 79]

I can certainly understand why you ask that question! But it's not going to make much difference one way or the other. If you don't have to do some adjusting for a good impedance match, you are just luckier than most people. As a rough SWAG, I'd say the leading edge, if that makes sense?
Good luck.
- 'Doc

Makes perfect sense, thanks for the reply. I didn't figure it would matter much, but i have seen some people on various forums that have put these antennas up and couldn't figure out why there swr was so high. Then I look at there installation pics. and they have half there antenna put together wrong lol.

Thanks, Again.

 

[Dr_DX]

When you mount the aluminum clamp onto the hoop ring assembly it says to measure 6 and a quarter inches over and make a mark, and place the edge of the clamp against that mark. What side of the clamp do you place against the mark? If you started from the measuring point at the center of the hoop screw and slid the clamp towards its mounting position would it be the first side of the clamp that hit your mark you made or the backside if that makes any sense. I know its not that much of a difference, but just wanted to get things right. Thanks.

You will notice that the holes in the standoff brackets that the hoop attaches to are not centered. If you put the hoop coming in from the side closest to the mounting hole, the hoop direction will be the opposite of the instructions, and the measurement for the RF tap point will be 6.25 " the other direction from the center screw that holds the two hoop halves together.

Do your self a favor and lose the SO-239 that came with the antenna and get a case mount one that has a flange with 4 holes. Pop rivet it in place (you'll have to round the hole out) and seal around it so moisture can't get in and you will have a lot better ground and a connection that won't spin on you.

I would also suggest losing the bare stranded copper wire and use an insulated stranded one in it's place. Make sure and solder it to the SO-239's center pin and to the ring connector and then insulate the ends so moisture can't get in and corrode the wire over time. With the SO-239 facing up as it does, it will collect water where the center pin comes through the insulator when it rains which will make your SWR go up. If you use some liquid tape or silicone and form a cone coming down off of the pin to the outside edge of the SO-239 the water will run off and not collect there. This also keeps water from getting into your coax.

By doing the above changes, my Maco had great SWR, even in the rain, and worked great for many years. Just my .02

 

[airplane1]

Great advice Dr_DX.

AP