That seems like a pretty ambitious claim. I’m comfortable running 3-400 watts SSB into it, but I don’t think I’d try 5,000, or even 1,000.
You can’t tell what they mean, either...5,000 AM carrier? Or is it 5,000 CW or maybe 5,000 FM?
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7' Skipshooter (Pictures and measurements)
- Thread starter 2NC995
- Start date
That seems like a pretty ambitious claim. I’m comfortable running 3-400 watts SSB into it, but I don’t think I’d try 5,000, or even 1,000.
You can’t tell what they mean, either...5,000 AM carrier? Or is it 5,000 CW or maybe 5,000 FM?
i agree with this.. yes they advertise 5000 watts. but 500- 1000 ssb power is most id run thru it..maybe it can handle more ...idk ..i wouldnt try it
I ran a 16 pill into a 6 ft and 7 ft skipshooters for a couple of years. Usually 750 watts carrier and 3k pep. Max avg power was around 2200 and occasionally cranked the carrier up to 1200. I never had any issues.
The corona discharge and heating might "darken" the shrink-wrap at the top - due to smaller tip surface area but if you had to keep the duty cycle of the amp low -the tip would easily survive.
I've run TS-450 into a 4 foot Tiger wound and found out the melting point of the solder the hard way...
An excellent thread...nice to see this work so well...
Got to give Kudos to both @2NC995 and @Marconi for the extra mile in this...
I've run TS-450 into a 4 foot Tiger wound and found out the melting point of the solder the hard way...
An excellent thread...nice to see this work so well...
Got to give Kudos to both @2NC995 and @Marconi for the extra mile in this...
Was this done on 27mhz? I would think the cheapest of CB antennas would take a 100 watt radio.
I am quite curious as to what they mean as well. I just sent them an email asking as to how they tested the antenna. I forgot to ask if if they tested on fm though... am & ssb were asked about. If they respond maybe we will have an answer from someone in the know there.
Nope, the day was shot...wish I still had that antenna - kinda funny how it all happened.
A 4-foot antenna heats up it's tip a lot faster than the Skipshooter.
The Skipshooter, being closer to the natural physical resonance that is The heating effects of a tighter wind like any 4-foot top load is a lot closer together than the skipshooters 3/16" spacing - you have plenty of free air space to cool that off...
So when it comes to the size of tip - some never measured up - period. Some couldn't cool off unless you're moving.
It's why I say...
If you're making comparisons, it's why I've been a big fan of taller antennas.
Solves more problems than it creates from the size of the needed mount and the weight/mass helps to remove some of the heating as well as the height the physical aspect of the antenna is - the construction and weight distribution is better with less inductance. You get far better performance off of a longer antenna - period...
The shorter the antenna the worse this voltage to current heating problem exists. That's was the reflection of my post...we've come a long way...
A 4-foot antenna heats up it's tip a lot faster than the Skipshooter.
The Skipshooter, being closer to the natural physical resonance that is The heating effects of a tighter wind like any 4-foot top load is a lot closer together than the skipshooters 3/16" spacing - you have plenty of free air space to cool that off...
So when it comes to the size of tip - some never measured up - period. Some couldn't cool off unless you're moving.
It's why I say...
If you're making comparisons, it's why I've been a big fan of taller antennas.
Solves more problems than it creates from the size of the needed mount and the weight/mass helps to remove some of the heating as well as the height the physical aspect of the antenna is - the construction and weight distribution is better with less inductance. You get far better performance off of a longer antenna - period...
The shorter the antenna the worse this voltage to current heating problem exists. That's was the reflection of my post...we've come a long way...
Walter
Our antennas are used in Shootouts and competitors are putting 5,00 watts dead key into the antennas. If you run high wattage you can't run a plastic cap on top because the nail dissipates the heat from the high wattage being run.
Tom
A copy & paste of the email I received from the people at skipshooter antennas.
Our antennas are used in Shootouts and competitors are putting 5,00 watts dead key into the antennas. If you run high wattage you can't run a plastic cap on top because the nail dissipates the heat from the high wattage being run.
Tom
A copy & paste of the email I received from the people at skipshooter antennas.
Thanks for all your help Dan 2NC995, I could not have done this model without your great help. This model is finally over real Earth. I fixed the model using your most recent dimensions and suggestions and the match is now near perfect.
This antenna model reports a <2.00:1 SWR bandwidth = 4 mhz and that is very wide. If you ever get your antenna redone with shrink wrap and it is working well on you mobile, maybe you could report the Bandwidth you getting.
The match is also surprisingly GOOD, and if you get that on your mobile I don't know why it couldn't handle some big watts. Back in the days I had several buddies that ran big mobile amps with their 7' Sharpshooters.
Sorry for the delay.
Model in PDF file below.
This antenna model reports a <2.00:1 SWR bandwidth = 4 mhz and that is very wide. If you ever get your antenna redone with shrink wrap and it is working well on you mobile, maybe you could report the Bandwidth you getting.
The match is also surprisingly GOOD, and if you get that on your mobile I don't know why it couldn't handle some big watts. Back in the days I had several buddies that ran big mobile amps with their 7' Sharpshooters.
Sorry for the delay.
Model in PDF file below.
Im not sure I believe that theory. There is high voltage/low current at the tip of the antenna. IMO the nail would act as a corona ball and prevent arcing. The sharp point of the wire in other antenna tips would be much more likely to make a light show.
Wow! Excellent work!
Thanks so much for putting this together. The antenna is definitely a solid performer, but my center SWR is a little lower than shown. Probably something specific to the vehicle...but no major issue.
As time permits, I will plan to post the data from my VNA and compare with the results.
Thanks again, Marconi.
I know very little about antennas, I'm here to learn. I posted that as that was the response I got to an email I sent them asking how they tested the antennas. I figured that the ones in the know would be able to chime in & shed more light. I personally, think it just makes more questions.
I understand. I just threw in my two cents and could be talking out my ***.
With a 1/4 wave antenna, like most mobile antennas, the highest current, most radiation and lowest voltage is at the bottom of the antenna.
At the tip you have high voltage, low current and minimum radiation. Current makes heat. And high voltage can cause an arc or corona discharge.
Sharp points will begin to arc at much lower voltage than something larger and spherical.
Another reason I disagree with the nail dissipating heat is because the antenna would still fail eventually when the nail became saturated with heat. The nail is small and a poor heatsink.
My theory is that another fiberglass antenna with the same dimensions and gauge wire will take just as much as a skipshooter with a modification. Pull out the end of wire at the tip and solder on a small ring or corona ball.