User Panel
User Panel
User Panel
|
Posted: 1/17/2013 6:33:13 PM EDT
[#1]
If you are going for big signal look at the dx engineering 80m vertical. Get the tip up kit and all if you are going to do it. Also the radial system is everything with a vertical.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/17/2013 7:14:24 PM EDT
[#2]
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results.
If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 2:16:02 AM EDT
[#3]
Seek2 has the most reliable and far ranging signal of all of us on the arfcom digi net.
How many radials did you put down, Seek? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 2:50:21 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 2:55:32 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. They have 100, 200 and 500W models. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 3:14:41 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. They have 100, 200 and 500W models. That won't work  . Next idea...
If I use a non resonate antenna it needs to be able to do 1500w key down. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 8:02:07 AM EDT
[#7]
This:
http://www.dxengineering.com/search/department/antennas/section/hf-vertical-antennas/part-type/hf-vertical-antennas-and-packages/brand/dx-engineering/vertical-antenna-mount-type/tilt-base/hf-vertical-antenna-type/monoband-adjustable/hf-vertical-antenna-band/80-meters/product-line/dx-engineering-80va-3-monoband-thunderbolt-vertical-antennas?autoview=SKU With this if you want the tuner at the antenna. Otherwise a good tuner in the shack. http://www.dxengineering.com/search/department/antennas/section/hf-vertical-antennas/part-type/hf-vertical-antennas-and-packages/brand/dx-engineering/vertical-antenna-mount-type/tilt-base/hf-vertical-antenna-type/monoband-adjustable/hf-vertical-antenna-band/80-meters/product-line/dx-engineering-80va-3-monoband-thunderbolt-vertical-antennas?autoview=SKU |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 8:06:49 AM EDT
[#8]
I use an ultimax double bazooka at home for 80 and 40 meters usually, and it can supposedly handle a kilowatt and a half... although i have only ran 800watts into it so far with an AT1000pro tuner
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9391 i use a bunch of wire dipoles tuned for a single band as well... |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 11:38:41 AM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
I use an ultimax double bazooka at home for 80 and 40 meters usually, and it can supposedly handle a kilowatt and a half... although i have only ran 800watts into it so far with an AT1000pro tuner http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9391 i use a bunch of wire dipoles tuned for a single band as well... I really don't want a NVIS antenna. My OCF dipole works well for that. I am looking for the lowest takeoff angle possible. Thanks for your suggestion though. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 2:40:56 PM EDT
[#10]
How much space do you have for the antenna? Any tall trees around? Have you considered a vertical delta loop?
I think the second post was referring to DX Engineering Hy-Tower vertical. It sure looks attractive. 250 kHz bandwidth. DX Engineering Link Either way, keep us posted on what you end up purchasing. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 3:38:42 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. They have 100, 200 and 500W models. That won't work . Next idea...
If I use a non resonate antenna it needs to be able to do 1500w key down. This will do what you want. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 4:53:32 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Seek2 has the most reliable and far ranging signal of all of us on the arfcom digi net. How many radials did you put down, Seek? I have 30 radials, 24 feet long, on top of super crappy low conductance desert dirt. On top 'cause it's so hard I can't cut the soil enough to get the radials in, and I had to use an electric drill to make holes in the dirt to pin the ends of the radials -- those plastic lawn staples actually shatter if I try to hammer them in. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 5:59:44 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. They have 100, 200 and 500W models. That won't work . Next idea...
If I use a non resonate antenna it needs to be able to do 1500w key down. This will do what you want. Not using anything MFJ with an Alpha amplifier. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 6:12:45 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. They have 100, 200 and 500W models. That won't work . Next idea...
If I use a non resonate antenna it needs to be able to do 1500w key down. This will do what you want. Not using anything MFJ with an Alpha amplifier. LOL. No mighty fine junk with your Alpha?  How about some pictures of your rebuilt amp? Is it working any better?
Would you recommend refurbished Alpha amps from HRO? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/18/2013 7:34:50 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Everyone here with a 43' vertical and a SGC tuner (including myself) has been pretty happy with the results. If performance on 80M is key, I'd go for the full 1/4W, but man, that's a big antenna. How much power can the sgc tuner handle. They have 100, 200 and 500W models. That won't work . Next idea...
If I use a non resonate antenna it needs to be able to do 1500w key down. This will do what you want. Not using anything MFJ with an Alpha amplifier. LOL. No mighty fine junk with your Alpha? How about some pictures of your rebuilt amp? Is it working any better?
Would you recommend refurbished Alpha amps from HRO? There is a thread if my Alpha floating around a page back or so. I have nothing personal against Mississippi's Finest Junk, however a component failure in a tuner from a company with QC issues could cost me $1000 in tube replacement. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/19/2013 7:13:54 AM EDT
[#16]
Elijah,
What bands are you wanting it to cover? |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/19/2013 12:19:18 PM EDT
[#17]
80-15 at the most.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/19/2013 5:29:46 PM EDT
[#18]
I have an inverted L for 160 and it works decently on 80m. I have DXCC on 10m so I am not too worried about that band. 12m is not really that big of a deal for me, and my dipole works ok for it. I may try and put up a loop for 10m at some point, but since this solar cycle sucks, it isn't that much of a worry for me.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/20/2013 7:49:36 AM EDT
[#19]
I know it's not DX, but seek2 usually blasts into here w/ his vertical on 40m and 20m.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/20/2013 7:59:09 AM EDT
[#20]
I'm currently using a Butternut and happy with it.
Did just put down a bunch of radials. When I had my Alpha 99, I used an LDG AT-1000. Only ran about 800 watts though. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/20/2013 9:09:42 AM EDT
[#21]
Have you considered a Hex-Beam? I know it wouldn't help on 40 and 80 meters, but every time I hear someone using one, they have a great signal and audio. I think they will handle 1500 watts, too. I hear a lot of DX happening on 17 and 15 meters, when I sit down at the radio with my morning cup of coffee. A couple of those guys are using Hex-Beams, and they always seem to be having QSOs with DX stations, that I can't even hear.
BTW, I've had great luck on 12 meters. I'm sure you have heard me griping about not being able to hear Europe with my attic dipole, but in the past couple of weeks, I've made contacts with Spain, Portugal, Wales, Denmark, the Isle of Man, and this just morning, Belgium. All SSB, and all on 12 meters. And I've heard several other DX stations on 12 meters, but couldn't break through the pile up. I'm really starting to like it.
|
|
|
|
Posted: 1/20/2013 1:11:23 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Have you considered a Hex-Beam? I know it wouldn't help on 40 and 80 meters, but every time I hear someone using one, they have a great signal and audio. I think they will handle 1500 watts, too. I hear a lot of DX happening on 17 and 15 meters, when I sit down at the radio with my morning cup of coffee. A couple of those guys are using Hex-Beams, and they always seem to be having QSOs with DX stations, that I can't even hear.
BTW, I've had great luck on 12 meters. I'm sure you have heard me griping about not being able to hear Europe with my attic dipole, but in the past couple of weeks, I've made contacts with Spain, Portugal, Wales, Denmark, the Isle of Man, and this just morning, Belgium. All SSB, and all on 12 meters. And I've heard several other DX stations on 12 meters, but couldn't break through the pile up. I'm really starting to like it. +1 on the Hexbeam. People seem to like them a lot. I talked to a guy in California who was using a Hexbeam and 100 W radio. He was breaking my S-meter on 20m band. He said Hexbeam is much quieter on receive than an equivalent Yagi antenna. Kekoa, glad you are enjoying HAM hobby! |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/20/2013 1:16:00 PM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
I'm currently using a Butternut and happy with it. Did just put down a bunch of radials. When I had my Alpha 99, I used an LDG AT-1000. Only ran about 800 watts though. This is what I currently use as a vertical. They are good antennas but known for breaking 47pF caps on 40 and 30M coils. New caps from the antena manufacturer are $53 each (highway robbery!). There is a simple mod to keep this from happening. I had to order replacemet caps from Bulgaria. There were none to be found in the US for a reasonable price. |
|
|
|
Posted: 1/20/2013 3:45:41 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Have you considered a Hex-Beam? I know it wouldn't help on 40 and 80 meters, but every time I hear someone using one, they have a great signal and audio. I think they will handle 1500 watts, too. I hear a lot of DX happening on 17 and 15 meters, when I sit down at the radio with my morning cup of coffee. A couple of those guys are using Hex-Beams, and they always seem to be having QSOs with DX stations, that I can't even hear.
BTW, I've had great luck on 12 meters. I'm sure you have heard me griping about not being able to hear Europe with my attic dipole, but in the past couple of weeks, I've made contacts with Spain, Portugal, Wales, Denmark, the Isle of Man, and this just morning, Belgium. All SSB, and all on 12 meters. And I've heard several other DX stations on 12 meters, but couldn't break through the pile up. I'm really starting to like it. +1 on the Hexbeam. People seem to like them a lot. I talked to a guy in California who was using a Hexbeam and 100 W radio. He was breaking my S-meter on 20m band. He said Hexbeam is much quieter on receive than an equivalent Yagi antenna. Kekoa, glad you are enjoying HAM hobby! Hex beam won't work for my needs. I still live in a HOA and that would not settle well. Which is why a vertical is on my list. I can hide it and don't have to get it high up in the air to get a low takeoff angle. Good thinking though. |
|
|
Win a FREE Membership!
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.
