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Sirio opinions

Blackcat630

Sr. Member
Apr 2, 2013
1,143
1,841
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Central Illinois
I lost my last 10/11 vertical in August of 18 due to lightning. I have been on the fence about what to put back up for a while now.. probably wont get around to it till next spring but I figured this gives me more time to research and review my options.

I have had good luck with the Sirio 5000 mobile antenna in the past and am curious about trying out a base flavor. I have run a v58 and multiple A99s and Imaxs through the years but I want to try something new. The reviews and reputation of the Gainmaster makes me want to go down that road but the power handling isn't up to par. I sometimes like to dump out some heat.. on 10m of course..

I checked the dnj site and they have three options I'm considering. The 2008, 2016 and the 827 are all up for deliberation or do I just go back to the old standard (Imax)...
So my question to all you fine folks who have them or have had em.. tell me what you think. Opinions, good bad & ugly.. In the words of the late R. Perot " I'm all ears"
Thanks & 73
 
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Thought so. My neighbor growing up ran a starduster off a chimney mount mast on top her 2 story. She always got out better than I expected with that and a Pres Dwight D & D104. I will also keep the m400 in mind. Thank you
 
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X2 on the M400. I have had one on the corner of my garage at about 23 feet for about 4 years now. Solid performer and is direct driven. Looks like it could take some power.


I always had very good results using my Stardusters, both real SDrs. One lasted about 10 years in the air, but the most recent one started falling apart after about 3 years. Bad radial support brackets.

The Sirio M400 looks to me to be a bit stronger.

I have two modern day Sirio antennas, A New Top One and a Gain Master. The GM worked great for me until a nearby lighting strike took it out in the middle where the matching is. I got the New Top One put up shortly before I got really sick and could not work with my real antennas anymore, so I never got it over about 23' feet high and never really compared it against my other antennas.

I consider Sirio product instruction manuals and kits to be a step above most in helping with tuning. I don't like their cheep mast bracket hardware however, or their lack of using Stainless Steel hardware.

Here is a link to a report that Bob85 talked about the 827 model you mentioned. I know he also reported another Sirio 5/8 wave that had a problem with a short in the tuning coil, maybe due to flexing and/or water in the coil area. I didn't find that post however.

Bob also mentions the New Vector 5000, but very little is reported...other than suggesting it is great and shows more gain than any other CB antenna. That said, others mostly from Western Europe, tend to report it is not strong enough if mounted in windy locations.

Check this link: Sirio vs Imax
 
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I lost my last 10/11 vertical in August of 18 due to lightning. I have been on the fence about what to put back up for a while now.. probably wont get around to it till next spring but I figured this gives me more time to research and review my options.

I have had good luck with the Sirio 5000 mobile antenna in the past and am curious about trying out a base flavor. I have run a v58 and multiple A99s and Imaxs through the years but I want to try something new. The reviews and reputation of the Gainmaster makes me want to go down that road but the power handling isn't up to par. I sometimes like to dump out some heat.. on 10m of course..

I checked the dnj site and they have three options I'm considering. The 2008, 2016 and the 827 are all up for deliberation or do I just go back to the old standard (Imax)...
So my question to all you fine folks who have them or have had em.. tell me what you think. Opinions, good bad & ugly.. In the words of the late R. Perot " I'm all ears"
Thanks & 73

I have used Sirio mobile and base antennas and think they're decent enough for the money. Reading the posts I see mention of the Starduster. I don't know how much better the original one is compared to modern clones but I'm pretty sure I saw an original A/S M-400 in-the-box on EBay the other day but it was kinda pricey vs. M400 clone models though.
 
Good link STM. How do your two antenna compare and what are their heights to the feed point?
The M400 is about 23 ft and the Vector is a little over 40 ft to the feed point. When I have both stations on while I am working around the house, I find that the Vector definitely has better receive. Of course they are different heights and different locations with different radios. Neither one tuned on an analyzer either. Just tuned for low swr. Some day when I get a beam, I will get an analyzer too.
 
I have had good luck with the Sirio 5000 mobile antenna in the past and am curious about trying out a base flavor. I have run a v58 and multiple A99s and Imaxs through the years but I want to try something new. The reviews and reputation of the Gainmaster makes me want to go down that road but the power handling isn't up to par. I sometimes like to dump out some heat.. on 10m of course..

Do you know what the difference between 500W and 1000W is on a S meter to the other end? Half to one S point depending if the meter is to IARU standard or Japanese.

From 2010-2013 I used to do a lot of contesting as a ham. I ran 100W and regularly got into the top 20% of all entries worldwide beating many stations running 1.5kW into an antenna farm with nothing more than my paltry 100W into an inverted L and a Cobweb antenna. Power is not everything.

Thought so. My neighbor growing up ran a starduster off a chimney mount mast on top her 2 story. She always got out better than I expected with that and a Pres Dwight D & D104.

If you're talking about local contacts that was because of the height. I once moved an Imax 2000 at a friends house from the 20ft pole he had bolted to a single storey extension to putting it at the top of the back wall of his 3 storey house. It more than doubled his signal to all the local stations and he ended up at 30+ for several miles around the town.
 
I really like this site but one thing that really bugs me is every time someone mentions running 100w + we have a select few that constantly feel the urge to "educate" on why it's just a waste of time and money and you always hear the same shit about the "double your power and see 1/2 s unit"
Even though I dont have me call sign as my username, I understand what this is all about and have worked the world QRP on 20-10m and have 122 countries confirmed with 100 watts or less.

Also thanks GVZ. I get that the increase of height increases range of the antenna..

I really do appreciate any and all comments I just had to vent!
 
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Everybody has their opinion. When it comes to power, I run a kw for maximum hammering effect. Those peeps can say what they want, won't hurt my feelings because it's what I want to do. The rest is left up to mother nature. Just keep on what your doing, Blackcat630 and don't let that noise in the background bug you none :)
 

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