Base A99 Height question

[Recon]

That’s what I’m thinking first. I want the antenna as right as possible. I’d go higher but there this thing called a wife to get it past . My SWR’s are pretty good. 1.3-1.4

If you move the rings about 3/4" UP from the current position, you might see a lower SWR.

 

[W4KVW]

Approximately One wavelength of height will greatly improve the local & distance signals.I think that's around 38 feet or so.I have been running my FREE Antron 99 at just 30 Feet for about 10 years & I have worked the world on 10,11,12,15,& 17 meters.Some will Poor Mouth them but they still perform so I'm keeping mine until it no longer works.It has survived several Florida Hurricanes,many Thunder storms,a few hail storms,& an Ice Storm.It's a tough antenna & I work everyone that I hear on it.Also there is only ONE SWR = Standing Wave Ratio & no SWR's = Standing Wave Ratios.. {:>)

SIX-SHOOTER
W4KVW
WRMX520

 

[Joe 610]

If you move the rings about 3/4" UP from the current position, you might see a lower SWR.

I double checked my SWR when I got home from work. Just about an even 1.2 on 1 and 40. That was the best I was able to get. Can that change with height or is it the same since the antenna length isn’t changing?

 

[undertaker]

There is nothing wrong with 1.2 swr!!

 

[Recon]

Approximately One wavelength of height will greatly improve the local & distance signals.I think that's around 38 feet or so.I have been running my FREE Antron 99 at just 30 Feet for about 10 years & I have worked the world on 10,11,12,15,& 17 meters.Some will Poor Mouth them but they still perform so I'm keeping mine until it no longer works.It has survived several Florida Hurricanes,many Thunder storms,a few hail storms,& an Ice Storm.It's a tough antenna & I work everyone that I hear on it.Also there is only ONE SWR = Standing Wave Ratio & no SWR's = Standing Wave Ratios.. {:>)

SIX-SHOOTER
W4KVW
WRMX520

I double checked my SWR when I got home from work. Just about an even 1.2 on 1 and 40. That was the best I was able to get. Can that change with height or is it the same since the antenna length isn’t changing?

Don't touch it ! Don't touch it!

I double checked my SWR when I got home from work. Just about an even 1.2 on 1 and 40. That was the best I was able to get. Can that change with height or is it the same since the antenna length isn’t changing?

Don't touch it! Don't touch it!
"If it isn't broken...........don't fix it!"
Oh yeah.......DON'T TOUCH IT!

 

[Joe 610]

Don't touch it ! Don't touch it!

Don't touch it! Don't touch it!
"If it isn't broken...........don't fix it!"
Oh yeah.......DON'T TOUCH IT!

Yea I fiddled a lot to get it there. One last question that I have gotten mixed answers on. When I take the antenna down this weekend should I use dielectric grease at the connections on the 3 sections of the antenna, where the antenna clamps against the galvanized mast, and the coaxial connection? I left everything bare when I put it up. Where I bought the antenna they said either way was fine for the antenna sections but they would leave it bare. I didn’t do the coaxial connection because I can just reach it and I disconnect the coaxial when not in use. I made a cap out of a PL 259 connector and some heat shrink to keep the water out. That won’t be happening with the antenna going up another 6 feet.

 

[Recon]

Yea I fiddled a lot to get it there. One last question that I have gotten mixed answers on. When I take the antenna down this weekend should I use dielectric grease at the connections on the 3 sections of the antenna, where the antenna clamps against the galvanized mast, and the coaxial connection? I left everything bare when I put it up. Where I bought the antenna they said either way was fine for the antenna sections but they would leave it bare. I didn’t do the coaxial connection because I can just reach it and I disconnect the coaxial when not in use. I made a cap out of a PL 259 connector and some heat shrink to keep the water out. That won’t be happening with the antenna going up another 6 feet.

I don't have a qualified answer, but, get rid of those cheap-a** chrome plated U-bolts, washers and nuts which will rust and replace them with Grade 316 stainless steel fasteners. Marine Grade 316, not standard 304 stainless steel. Go to a marine supply place or a boat marina. Also, I'm almost certain the lock washers between the sections are junk. NOTE: 304 stainless steel has carbon content and will rust. A magnet will cling to 303 and not to 316.

 

[Recon]

Yea I fiddled a lot to get it there. One last question that I have gotten mixed answers on. When I take the antenna down this weekend should I use dielectric grease at the connections on the 3 sections of the antenna, where the antenna clamps against the galvanized mast, and the coaxial connection? I left everything bare when I put it up. Where I bought the antenna they said either way was fine for the antenna sections but they would leave it bare. I didn’t do the coaxial connection because I can just reach it and I disconnect the coaxial when not in use. I made a cap out of a PL 259 connector and some heat shrink to keep the water out. That won’t be happening with the antenna going up another 6 feet.

A layer of Liquid Tape on the antenna sections may be a good idea.

 

[sp5it]

Those SWR slaves... My dummy load have perfect SWR and so what?
Put that antron properly, and I'm not talking about it's height.

 

[338_MtRushmore]

My dummy load have perfect SWR and so what?

So the SWR dip of a properly designed antenna system indicates resonance. Oh wait, you just had an urge to be negative. Carry on...

 

[sp5it]

Lowest SWR doesn't represent resonance of the antenna in the most of the cases.
Maybe in perfect world with perfect antenna.
Antron is very problematic antenna and best solution is to get rid of it and use decent aluminium antenna.
Mike

 

[338_MtRushmore]

Lowest SWR doesn't represent resonance of the antenna in the most of the cases.
Maybe in perfect world with perfect antenna.
Antron is very problematic antenna and best solution is to get rid of it and use decent aluminium antenna.
Mike

I said "antenna system" but this isn't really the place to argue about it. I'll leave you to it.

 

[sp5it]

Only issue that I have is that some people can be educated by reading a book while others can be educated with shotgun and shovel only.

 

[W4KVW]

Lowest SWR doesn't represent resonance of the antenna in the most of the cases.
Maybe in perfect world with perfect antenna.
Antron is very problematic antenna and best solution is to get rid of it and use decent aluminium antenna.
Mike

No matter if you like the antenna being used the Facts are that people like myself work the world with Ease with an ANTRON 99 Daily & I have been doing it for well over 10 years & at just 30 ft so if you don't like the antenna then maybe you should purchase your Favorite Perfect antenna & ship it to him so he knows how much better he can do.It's the right thing to do so go ahead & break out the Credit Card & do him right.

SIX-SHOOTER
W4KVW
WRMX520

 

[Recon]

Lowest SWR doesn't represent resonance of the antenna in the most of the cases.
Maybe in perfect world with perfect antenna.
Antron is very problematic antenna and best solution is to get rid of it and use decent aluminium antenna.
Mike

I was loaned a A-99 for a back-up and I did (would) not believe the "tuning rings" were actually a functional "gimmick" until I had to adjust / move them to lower the SWR, but, I'll admit that the two aluminum rings are a PITA to adjust to get a decent SWR. I have seen photos of corroded tuning rings and a damaged element inside the base which caused havoc with SWR and transmit and that alone steered me away from the A-99. Three years ago, I purchased the Colossal 10K because there is no coil, resistor / do-hicky to worry about, but I did have to adjust the aluminum pipe which covers the Teflon sleeve to get an acceptable SWR.