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Antenna Opinions Please

F

flatsideDX

W9WDX Amateur Radio Club Member
Jun 13, 2010
23
0
11
Hey guys… I’m new here. I’ve been reading for about a month (especially antennas). I used to be really into DXing in the 70’s and early 80’s (huge box of QSL cards for memories) but life and career kind’a got in the way. I’m retired now and I just recently pulled out my 30 year old Cobra 148GTL and fired her up (had to rewire the mike) but got her going. Picked up a cheap dipole from the net and strung it up about 25 foot on the flat side in some trees. I built an air choke balun for it and have already talked to about six or seven states but the propagation is very sporadic here in Virginia right now. It seems like everything is going over my head. Everything from Canada to Jamaica talking to each other but I’m in the middle. I have a President 2510 in the shop (can’t wait to get it back). I’m getting ready to install a vertical ground plane antenna on my garage with a five foot tripod roof mount.

My question is probably obvious … which antenna? I have done plenty of research already. It is my plan (hopefully) to later get a tower and probably a 4 element Maco for flat side DXing. Right now I can do plenty of talking with a good ground plane. Unfortunately, I live between two mountain ranges (one right at my back door) so I have a better shot kind’a west and east. But not all is lost with the mountains and skip conditions. Like I said I have been talking north/south to six or seven states already including Canada on a dipole so I should be fine. In the past I have owned the Antron 99, Avanti Astro Plane, Avanti Moonraker Four, Cushcraft Ringo(?), and a Maco 5/8. I am looking at the Interceptor 10K, the Wolf Point 64 wave Omni, and the Maco Alpha 5/8 antennas. I have always loved the looks of the old Avanti Sigma IV (or newer Sirio Vector 4000) but I have heard that they are weakly built? I still love the looks of them though! My biggest question is that a few days ago (before the 4th) I emailed both Eddie @ Wolf Radio and Steve @ Interceptor (just found another address and emailed Jay). I really like the Wolf point 64 but I have had no answers yet from either party. Maybe because of the holiday or vacations? Sorry to ramble guys… if anyone has anything to add, expound upon, or just generally throw out… I would love to hear it. Thanks. (y)

Rodney
flatsideDX
CV105
 

I currently have a maco 5/8 antenna and it is a great antenna. I have talked all over the U.S. and Canada with it. The interceptor 10k is the finest ground plane out there period, but dollar for dollar the maco wins. If money isn't tight then the interceptor 10k would work wonderful. Also keep in mind the higher the better, most people like to have theirs around 36ft-40ft to the feed point.
 
For >$100, it's pretty hard to beat the IMAX 2000. When conditions are present, I've used it to talk to Sydney Australia or even southern Brazil on 10 meters. On CB frequencies, it does just as well. Not bad at all for vertical antenna. Locally, it works like a champ. There are better antennas out there, but for that little money spent, and for what you get - it's a bargain.

The Maco is a fine antenna. But they can be a pain to tune properly. So some people have said; never owned that one before myself. The IMAX comes out of the box already tuned. All one needs to do is assemble the three sections, mount it on a 30ft metal mast, and attach your coax. Done. You don't even need to buy the ground plane kit for it, but it would help. I have a ground plane kit for mine but haven't felt the need to install it over the past two years that I've been using it. Assembled, it is about 23ft long - a 5/8 wave antenna. Several friends of mine liked mine so much - they got one too...
 
flatsideDX said:
Hey guys… I’m new here. I’ve been reading for about a month (especially antennas). I used to be really into DXing in the 70’s and early 80’s (huge box of QSL cards for memories) but life and career kind’a got in the way. I’m retired now and I just recently pulled out my 30 year old Cobra 148GTL and fired her up (had to rewire the mike) but got her going. Picked up a cheap dipole from the net and strung it up about 25 foot on the flat side in some trees. I built an air choke balun for it and have already talked to about six or seven states but the propagation is very sporadic here in Virginia right now. It seems like everything is going over my head. Everything from Canada to Jamaica talking to each other but I’m in the middle. I have a President 2510 in the shop (can’t wait to get it back). I’m getting ready to install a vertical ground plane antenna on my garage with a five foot tripod roof mount.

My question is probably obvious … which antenna? I have done plenty of research already. It is my plan (hopefully) to later get a tower and probably a 4 element Maco for flat side DXing. Right now I can do plenty of talking with a good ground plane. Unfortunately, I live between two mountain ranges (one right at my back door) so I have a better shot kind’a west and east. But not all is lost with the mountains and skip conditions. Like I said I have been talking north/south to six or seven states already including Canada on a dipole so I should be fine. In the past I have owned the Antron 99, Avanti Astro Plane, Avanti Moonraker Four, Cushcraft Ringo(?), and a Maco 5/8. I am looking at the Interceptor 10K, the Wolf Point 64 wave Omni, and the Maco Alpha 5/8 antennas. I have always loved the looks of the old Avanti Sigma IV (or newer Sirio Vector 4000) but I have heard that they are weakly built? I still love the looks of them though! My biggest question is that a few days ago (before the 4th) I emailed both Eddie @ Wolf Radio and Steve @ Interceptor (just found another address and emailed Jay). I really like the Wolf point 64 but I have had no answers yet from either party. Maybe because of the holiday or vacations? Sorry to ramble guys… if anyone has anything to add, expound upon, or just generally throw out… I would love to hear it. Thanks. (y)

Rodney
flatsideDX
CV105
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum Rodney. It's unfortunate but it seems that Eddie and Jay have stopped responding to customers with respect to sales of either the .64 Wave or Interceptor. The Vector 4000 is the best vertical omni directional antenna in terms of signal gain but it does not hold up to harsh weather at all. The Maco V-58 is the next best compromise between signal, price, and durability. It is harder to assemble correctly then the Imax 2000 but in my opinion it's worth the time. I've picked the Imax 2000 over the V-58 when it meant the difference between installing the V-58 at 30 feet off the ground on my roof, or the Imax at 75 feet in the top of a tree. Then the radiation pattern of the Imax would be more desirable over what the lower V-58 could produce.
 
welcome to the forum rodney .
since youve owned the astroplane , moonraker 4 and maco 5/8 befor assembling and tuning another maco 5/8 should be no problem . if you dont need the strength of a i10k or dont have that much ($300ish) to invest in one of jays antennas the maco will do the job for you , an astroplane would be my second choice and then the others .
 
Thanks to nat19, Robb, Shockwave, and BOOTY MONSTER for your quick and informative replies. It is very much appreciated. I haven’t completely made up my mind between the Maco Alpha 5/8 or the I-MAX 2000. Is TVI a problem with the I-Max without a radial kit? I would be using a 1:1 balun. Sorry for all the questions, but it’s been 30 years since I have been in the hobby.

I’m getting ready to order some antenna project supplies:

(Arrived UPS today)
Heavy Duty Tripod Mount - #RON-1011 (use with 10’ mast pipe) Total height to antenna feed will be about 27 feet.
Heavy Duty 5 ft Tripod Mount

(Arrived UPS today)
PolyPhaser Lightning Protector, UHF Female Connectors, Flange Mount, 2 kW at HF, 1.5-400MHz -
# PPC-IS-50UX-C0 (will be grounded to a separate 8’ copper rod) PolyPhaser Lightning Protector Arrestor UHF Female Connectors Flange Mount 2 kW at HF 1.5-400MHz

120’ of Belden 9913F7 (where to buy?????) It will be running via overhead service drop line from separate garage to the house into my shack. I have to do it this way because I just had new pavement put down in parking area so “no” digging now!

Balun Designs 1:1 Balun (1.5 - 54MHz) 5kw - #1115
1:1 Balun 1.5 - 54MHz 5kw - #1115

I’m planning (please correct me if I’m wrong) to use a grounding wire from the tripod mast to an 8’ copper rod. Again… if anyone has anything to add, expound upon, or just generally throw out… I would love to hear it. Thanks. (y)

Rodney
flatsideDX
CV105
 
The maco in my opinion is a better antenna than the imax 2000, but it does take a while to tune properly. Not that it is hard it just takes a few extra minutes. The Imax 2000 usually comes tuned for 11 meters out of the box. As far as the ground wire, it is important to ground your antenna and the system you described should work fine. As for the Belden 9913f7 coax google it and compare prices at different places to get the best price, at least that's what I would do. You should be able to get it around $1.30 to $1.40 a foot. It is a bit pricey but it is some very good coax. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.
 
You do not use a balun on a groundplane. A balun is used for transforming BALanced line( twinlead) to UNbalanced line( coax). A choke might be useful if you have problems with transient currents, though. That should save you a few bucks towards the antenna.
 
To begin..

Welcome to the forum ( many good people here & lots of good info here as well)..
Also...i used to love doing skip in the 70's and 80's..( so welcome back to the hobby )

Now regarding your antenna..

STAY AWAY from A99 or Imax 2000 or the Ringo ( Garbage antennas )...too much noise from picking up electrical and static (they are designed poorly as well)

Avanti Sigma IV (or newer Sirio Vector 4000) but I have heard that they are weakly built?
and you are Right..

Interceptor 10K, the Wolf Point 64 wave ( Both Excellent antennas )

Although i have not used (nor do any of my friends use ) Maco Alpha 5/8..
This too is a great antenna..

So then...What do i use... The Interceptor I-10K
This is Both an Excellent performing antenna...Just as it is an Excellent made to last antenna ( I and many others here have written and can attest to this Fact..else where in the forum )

So what about the Wolf Point 64 wave..
I have spoken to a few who use this and seems just as amazing for talking as my I-10K
it also seems to be well built..

Yet years ago i decided and went with the I-10K and have ZERO regrets
(some of the storms this thing has survived is crazy)

I would suggest whatever you get...to keep the feedpoint 40 or more feet high or higher ( mine is 52 feet high and i have spoken with it all over north america...south america.. africa...europe and Australia and new zealand...

Do remember...whatever you get..
Remember the feedline/coax is way too often over looked ( i use LDF5-50a on my I-10K )

Let us know how you go...or if any other questions....
 
packrat said:
You do not use a balun on a groundplane. A balun is used for transforming BALanced line( twinlead) to UNbalanced line( coax). A choke might be useful if you have problems with transient currents, though. That should save you a few bucks towards the antenna.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong, but a 1:1 balun could easily be replaced for an open air choke on any antenna.
 
Thanks again to everyone for your helpful replies. I still haven't made up my mind about the antenna. My wife threw a "BIG" wrench in the works yesterday when she indicated she would not divorce me if I pursued a tower project. Man... now that could change all my strategy! I’m still leaning towards my original plan of a garage mounted ground plane and then pursue the tower (probably aluminum tilt over 40-50’) with a possibly a Maco 4 element flatside. I’ll post back with some updates and pics. Thanks. 73’s

Rodney
flatsideDX
CV105
 
flatsideDX said:
Thanks again to everyone for your helpful replies. I still haven't made up my mind about the antenna. My wife threw a "BIG" wrench in the works yesterday when she indicated she would not divorce me if I pursued a tower project. Man... now that could change all my strategy! I’m still leaning towards my original plan of a garage mounted ground plane and then pursue the tower (probably aluminum tilt over 40-50’) with a possibly a Maco 4 element flatside. I’ll post back with some updates and pics. Thanks. 73’s

Rodney
flatsideDX
CV105
Click to expand...
It's just radio - talking to a bunch of fools with radios isn't a right - it is just a hobby. Does she have a hobby? Maybe she can explore one too. Mine used to like to make/build colorfully-painted children's furniture. She used to sell it all and had a lot of fun doing it...

I run my antenna - a vertical - on my garage roof. Works great. Sure, a beam is nice and so is a tower. But you can compromise by not having a tower - by using a sturdy push-up pole with a beam. Cost is much less, and you only really need it to be 36 ft up for maximal results...
 
Robb said:
It's just radio - talking to a bunch of fools with radios isn't a right - it is just a hobby. Does she have a hobby? Maybe she can explore one too. Mine used to like to make/build colorfully-painted children's furniture. She used to sell it all and had a lot of fun doing it...

I run my antenna - a vertical - on my garage roof. Works great. Sure, an beam is nice and so is a tower. But you can compromise by not having a tower - by using a sturdy push-up pole with a beam. Cost is much less, and you only really need it to be 36 ft up for maximal results...
Click to expand...

Robb

I made a decision and ordered a Maco 5/8 today and 110’ of RG8-U (Belden 9913F7) from Palco Electronics. It will be going up on my garage roof with a 5’ tripod and the coax will be a drop service line coming from the tripod leg over to my house roof then down to my shack. I have to do it this way and it unfortunately makes it a long run. My temporary shack is in the garage with my President HR2510 and using an inverted V dipole in a tree. Man is it hot out in the garage… I need to get the radio in the house! :)
 
The Maco is definitely a better antenna than the Imax2000, and that's coming from an owner of an Imax2000.

I don't agree with this magic 36 foot thing, as opposed to going higher. 36 feet is fine, and it certainly will work better than having the antenna lower than 36 feet, but there is a HUGE advantage to going higher, especially when you are talking about direct or ground wave, i.e. non skip communications. 50 feet is WAY better than 36 feet, 70 feet will destroy any 36 foot mounted antenna when it comes to local talking.

Get it as high as you practically can. If the wife says get a tower, GET A TOWER, lol!!
 

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