?? Tuning the new Maco V58 ??

[Marconi]

Right. So to do that were shooting for 50 ohms and the reactance to be as low as possible?

I agree, 0 reactance suggest resonance if the measurement is taken at the feed point.

 

[Rok55]

Welcome to the forum Rok55.

Do a search at the top of the page on my computer. Type in "matching a Maco V58." You can leave all the other boxes blank. Click on "search." This will give you discussions on the subject back to 2010. This may give you some ideas. Then come back and ask questions.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm amazed at the level of knowledge exhibited by some of the folks here. Great reading, much of it completely over my head, but I am catching on.

Took the V58 down and rechecked / reset everything to mfg spec and put in an RF choke of 5 wraps about 6" down from the feed point. Within 20 mins (6 trips up and down the ladder) I was able to get it tuned in at 1.2 across the band.

Now to fab some standoffs to keep the feed line away from the mast, get some guy lines setup and push it up another 20ft. That'll put the feed point at approx. 29ft.

Q? Is RG8U direct bury or does the feed line need to be in a sleeve underground? Running about 30' from the mast to the house then up the wall to second story.

 

[Needle Bender]

Most of the decent RG-8 is direct burial, but with the internet at your fingertips you should be able to check the manufacturer's website and find out conclusively.
Good job on the 1.2:1!
Can you share your measurements - to help the next guy?

 

[Rok55]

Good job on the 1.2:1!
Can you share your measurements - to help the next guy?

To maintain structural integrity keeping a sufficient amount of the lowest vertical radiator inside the BA1P base unit, I made initial adjustments at the bottom of the lowest radiator and secondary adjustment at the bottom of the second radiator and final minor adjustment at the hoop ring.

I didn't take measurements after tuning but will when I get up for final install and push-up.

Thanks for all the comments and help ......................
now if I could just figure out how to wire an American Electronics Model 95-328 4 pin powered microphone for use with the 6 pin Uniden

 

[wjm1129]

If you bought the radio new there is a 6 to 4 pin adapter in the box. If not then you can do a web search for the adapter.

 

[Rok55]

If you bought the radio new there is a 6 to 4 pin adapter in the box. If not then you can do a web search for the adapter.

Thx for the input.

I have a 4 to 6 pin adapter but the Pace wiring scheme is not same as other standards such as Cobra. After a bit of research and tracing out the wiring I did manage to figure it out and get it working and verified Tx, however, the gain control doesn't seem to function.

 

[vance perino]

SWR of 1.5 is completely usable for stock radio but you should be able to get that antenna to tune to a 1.2 to 1.3 across the band. I've set that antenna up multiple times and it usually didn't take much tweaking to get it lower.

Hi having some difficultly matching the antenna, your help will be greatly apricated, Vance

 

[Tokin]

Hi having some difficultly matching the antenna, your help will be greatly apricated, Vance

You ever get up and running? I just set up and tuned my v58.

 

[vance perino]

No never did

 

[Tokin]

No never did

So if your measurements are correct your problem might be in your feed line placement. Also be sure your mast pipe only goes into the base 6", no more. I found my feed point to be almost opposite of what is shown in the directions. Use a sharpie to mark your adjustments so you can find your way back. Trial and error. Remember also that the total antenna length is the lenght of the entire unit, ,bottom of the base unit where your mast goes in to to very top. I think I measured around 250" total length and my feed point was on the lower ring, 4 or 5 inches from the mounting bolt.
I had little problem getting below 1.5/1 and with a little more fiddling and a decent antenna analyzer I know I can do better.

 

[Tokin]

Also, I put a 6' length of 1 1/4 pipe in the ground and did my feed point adjustments from the ladder. Made that a lot easier.

 

[WINKDOGG]

Finally got the Maco up and temp coax run. Set up for tuning is antenna 10' off the ground, 18' RG8X to an Astatic SWR Meter, 100' RG8X from Meter to Uniden 880.

Initial check at radio showed 1.12 on Ch 40 and 1.76 on Ch 1 using the Uniden on-board SWR calibration.
Initial check outside at the Astatc meter showed flat response on Ch 40 and 1.7 on Ch 1.

Adjustment of the ring lead (rather than overall length) resulted in 1.6 across the band on both the Astatic and on-board calibration.

Is that good enough or should I now strive for lower SWR by adjusting total length of the vertical?

Thanks ......... Rocky

I dialed mine in at 12' and mounted it at 52' to base and it got a tiny bit worse and now I cant reach it ;( do what you have to do with the radiator length and the matching ring to get it as FLAT as possible before it goes into the air ! Mine went from 1:1 at 12' across the 40 to 1:1.03-1:1.7 across the 40 when it went up . If your not flat on the ground it will only get worse ..

Best Omni I have ever owned though ! I had the v5/8 then the radials sagged so I got the 5/8-5000 and its a beefy performer no doubt !!

My 2 Cents , 73's 4-2-Zero New Jersey . Brian

 

[babybuddy]

SWR of 1.5 is completely usable for stock radio but you should be able to get that antenna to tune to a 1.2 to 1.3 across the band. I've set that antenna up multiple times and it usually didn't take much tweaking to get it lower.

Sir, you mentioned setting up this antenna, I have read discussions regarding overall length measurements taken at different points. Also I am bit confused, perhaps you will shed some light. Isn't the over length for 11 meters 21 to 24 feet

 

[Mustang 131]

Finally got the Maco up and temp coax run. Set up for tuning is antenna 10' off the ground, 18' RG8X to an Astatic SWR Meter, 100' RG8X from Meter to Uniden 880.

Initial check at radio showed 1.12 on Ch 40 and 1.76 on Ch 1 using the Uniden on-board SWR calibration.
Initial check outside at the Astatc meter showed flat response on Ch 40 and 1.7 on Ch 1.

Adjustment of the ring lead (rather than overall length) resulted in 1.6 across the band on both the Astatic and on-board calibration.

Is that good enough or should I now strive for lower SWR by adjusting total length of the vertical?

Thanks ......... Rocky

Check at the antenna with a jumper to see what it is at the antenna. It should be darn near flat across the 40 channels. Its not bad for low power operation. But a 1.7:1 will cause stress on any amp or coax connections.

 

[Tokin]

Sir, you mentioned setting up this antenna, I have read discussions regarding overall length measurements taken at different points. Also I am bit confused, perhaps you will shed some light. Isn't the over length for 11 meters 21 to 24 feet

Here are the measurements provided in the assembly instructions.