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Starduster - Watt rating?

D

distortion

Active Member
Jan 1, 2006
106
1
26
atlanta, ga
How many watts do you put into your starduster? Right now my dad has been putting 1500 into his w/ his 2x6, and he's about to put his 2x8 on the base.

We have ran the 2x8 on the base for short periods, and it seemed to do fine.. he's been running at least 1000 on it ever since it went up. He says he's ran 1000 into them multiple times for years, so I trust him when it comes to that, that's for sure.

What is the breaking point, I wonder? We will soon have the ability to put at least 3000 watts into it, but we will be holding off due to the fact we don't think the antenna will hold it.

Just wondering what you guys experience is.

Josh
 

distortion, I would think the SD'r would handle the 1000 watts for a short period. I seem to recall something about 800 watts max however.

The problem is the insulator in the hub holding back any arcing to the ground thru this insulator. Maybe the bronze or brass stub in the bottom part of the upper element where it goes into the hub might tend to burn a hole in the tubing at the base of the radiator too. You might check that out and see how it is wearing on your antenna. I have seen some that looked like high currents destroyed this area, but it could have been the metals reacting or water deposits also.
 
I can see where a little water around the base of the antenna could cause some problems with arc-ing. I've even seen this on a Maco 5000! You won't ever see this on an I-10K as this antenna shorts to ground at DC.

There is no matching network on the SD so the weak link is the connector.

I'd like to see some improvements where the threaded insert is installed in the main radiator also.

Could you imagine if Kale actually made Stardusters with the same material he uses to make P-10Ks! That would be an awesome antenna!

Hey, can we talk about the SD being a center fed 1/2 wave dipole rather than a 1/4 wave ground plane? (Sorry, I guess I'm just in a mood!) ;)
 
Hey Distortion,I think I would be looking for a better antenna than a Starduster....Is that one of the original Starduster antenna by Antenna Specialist ?...seems like such a waste of power with very little gain....BTW what are you going to do with all the Iota power supplies?
 
distortion said:
How many watts do you put into your starduster? Right now my dad has been putting 1500 into his w/ his 2x6, and he's about to put his 2x8 on the base.

We have ran the 2x8 on the base for short periods, and it seemed to do fine.. he's been running at least 1000 on it ever since it went up. He says he's ran 1000 into them multiple times for years, so I trust him when it comes to that, that's for sure.

What is the breaking point, I wonder? We will soon have the ability to put at least 3000 watts into it, but we will be holding off due to the fact we don't think the antenna will hold it.

Just wondering what you guys experience is.

Josh
Click to expand...

If you are referring to the Workman M-400 Starduster antenna the Max. power is 800 watts. But if you are referring to the Antenna Specialists "StarDuster" of the 1970's I am really not sure of the max. power.
 
Follow up on the max. power handling of the M-400 Starduster:

Some web sites have this antenna rated at 800 watts max. power, and others have it rated at 1000 watts max. power.
 
Yeah, ours is rated at 800 watts.

We have been putting 1000 pep all year into it, and sometimes up to 1500.. and on a rare occasion up to 2000+. It'll probably have to come down soon, but this antenna has been a real soldier. I posted wondering if maybe it was just underrated..

Just FYI, I'm extremely satisfied with the actual performance of the antenna. It has taken out alot of locals with better antenna system's in dx land several times, along with taking them out locally.

Unfortunately, the watt rating has me scared.. what other antenna's can I look at gettin my dad maybe for Christmas that will be reasonably priced but handle more watts?

Thanks,
Josh
 
Antenna Specialist "Starduster"...Omni-directional Base Antenna
Half wave Dipole.full aperture design puts more usable signal at horizon.all elements are active.5.0 db gain.VSWR 1.5.1 or less power handling capability provides 500 to 1 safety factor.
100 mph plus wind loading factor.6 ft. wing span.threaded for 1" pole or accepts 1 1/4" steel tubing.made of seamless aluminum.weighs only 3 1/2 lbs. 8'10" radials.so-239 connector at feedpoint...Three small "capacity hat" radials on upper element improve current distribution and reduce static.1000 Watt Capability...height 17 ft. retail (1977) $44.95
 
Now you did it! You posted the part about this antenna actually being a 1/2 wave dipole! Better get your flame suit on because here it comes! Glad to see I'm in good company though!
 
M.C.,
Naaaw, don't worry about it. Yeah, he did say the {{1/2 wave}} thingy but made up for it later, the 5 db gain thingy. Ever thang is OOOkay...
- 'Doc
 

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