Posted: 2/7/2012 8:15:56 AM EDT
| Thinking about setting up a Traffie Hexbeam for 10-20 operation. Has anyone here used one before? Good reviews on eham. I'm thinking about this and a double bazooka for 80/40 meters. |
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KIO Broadband Hexagonal Beam
I would take a look at these. The prices are very good and basically the same design. |
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Quoted:
KIO Broadband Hexagonal Beam I would take a look at these. The prices are very good and basically the same design. Thanks for the link. Definitely looks like an affordable alternative. |
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working on one myself...
couple of additional links... www.karinya.net/ www.leoshoemaker.com Note the traditional vs the newer broadband.... and... www.mgs4u.com who has some extendable fiberglass poles... 50 ft telescoping pole option... They have the wire, rope and rod kits you can buy too.... |
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They're a great antenna in many ways, and I seriously thought about getting either the K4KIO or the DX Engineering one.
I decided against a Hex Beam type for two reasons though. One is silly, I just don't like the way they look. That wouldn't stop me from getting an antenna I really liked though, especially if the neighbors thought I was contacting the home-planet with it. 
The main reason is that I don't feel they're up to the Iowa weather. I've seen too many Winter storms make my wire antennas and trees bow to the ground to put something like that on a tower. It's just asking for a failure. Probably not a problem in the OP's AO, but a deal-breaker for me. Just check out these guys, and I'd call this mild weather. http://home.comcast.net/~k0mph/MyBeam/HexagonalBeamRev2.htm Then look up the page of W8JER on QRZ, I can't seem to link direct. Not gonna buy one with a history of failing like that. They're all so happy in the photos until the weather comes. Like I said, a superb antenna for many people in many ways. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Mosley, probably the TA-63-N. Built like a tank to survive snow and ice among other things. |
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Quoted:
They're a great antenna in many ways, and I seriously thought about getting either the K4KIO or the DX Engineering one. I decided against a Hex Beam type for two reasons though. One is silly, I just don't like the way they look. That wouldn't stop me from getting an antenna I really liked though, especially if the neighbors thought I was contacting the home-planet with it.
The main reason is that I don't feel they're up to the Iowa weather. I've seen too many Winter storms make my wire antennas and trees bow to the ground to put something like that on a tower. It's just asking for a failure. Probably not a problem in the OP's AO, but a deal-breaker for me. Just check out these guys, and I'd call this mild weather. http://home.comcast.net/~k0mph/MyBeam/HexagonalBeamRev2.htm Then look up the page of W8JER on QRZ, I can't seem to link direct. Not gonna buy one with a history of failing like that. They're all so happy in the photos until the weather comes. Like I said, a superb antenna for many people in many ways. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a Mosley, probably the TA-63-N. Built like a tank to survive snow and ice among other things. Luckily I dont have to deal with any weather like that here in Texas. Worst case scenario would be a hurricane and I would have several days notice to take the antenna down if needed. |
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I haven't made a great deal of progress on mine yet... but the plan is to make it collapsible, similar to an umbrella... fold up the radials...
I've got the parts and pieces drawn out in cad... looking for someone who can cut out the central hubs for me... well, for a price I'm willing to put into this... :) At my QTH, leaving this type of antenna up, isn't an option. I have to come up with a simple put up and take down option... folding it up like an umbrella seams like a good approach if I can pull this together... I'll post some pics as I get this a little further along... |
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Quoted:
I haven't made a great deal of progress on mine yet... but the plan is to make it collapsible, similar to an umbrella... fold up the radials... I've got the parts and pieces drawn out in cad... looking for someone who can cut out the central hubs for me... well, for a price I'm willing to put into this... :) At my QTH, leaving this type of antenna up, isn't an option. I have to come up with a simple put up and take down option... folding it up like an umbrella seams like a good approach if I can pull this together... I'll post some pics as I get this a little further along... Have you checked online pricing for hubs? I have a friend that owns a metal fab shop but for what he would charge I could probably buy online cheaper. |