Anyone know if a 102" whip would work for the top of my a99? I got one from my cousin but the top piece is missing.
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A99 question
- Thread starter silver devil
- Start date
yes it will work, but you must cut it to the length of the original top section.
(approx 6 ft.)
the top and middle sections of the A99 are nothing more than a length of copper wire inside of fiberglass.
not sure of the actual dimension, but it should be the same length as the middle section.
If you cut the whip to make it work, be sure to round the end of it and don't leave any sharp edges. RF does not like sharp edges. (super simplified)
dont forget the lock washer! LOL
LC
(approx 6 ft.)
the top and middle sections of the A99 are nothing more than a length of copper wire inside of fiberglass.
not sure of the actual dimension, but it should be the same length as the middle section.
If you cut the whip to make it work, be sure to round the end of it and don't leave any sharp edges. RF does not like sharp edges. (super simplified)
dont forget the lock washer! LOL
LC
I've seen people use wire wound whip antennas and other types. I have a 102" whip. Kinda hate to cut it up as you don't see many fiberglass 102" whips here anymore.
well if you don't cut it, all you are doing is lowering the resonant frequency of the antenna. probably somewhere down in the 24-25 mhz range.
Make no mistake; changing the length or anything else about the top section of the A99 antenna WILL NEVER EVER increase the performance of the antenna.
you need to use the correct length regardless of whether you use a steel whip, a fiberglass whip, or a bunch of tin foil twisted together and embedded in epoxy.
also, when thinking about whether or not to attempt to increase the performance of any antenna, remember that you need a 6db increase in order to gain 1 S-unit on someone's receiver.
all CB vertical antennas are basically zero gain antennas, and there is NOTHING you can do to them to even gain 3 db, let alone 6db.
want to get better performance out of a vertical CB antenna? double its height above ground from where it is now.
other than that, you will have to step up to a directional antenna of some sort.
LC
Make no mistake; changing the length or anything else about the top section of the A99 antenna WILL NEVER EVER increase the performance of the antenna.
you need to use the correct length regardless of whether you use a steel whip, a fiberglass whip, or a bunch of tin foil twisted together and embedded in epoxy.
also, when thinking about whether or not to attempt to increase the performance of any antenna, remember that you need a 6db increase in order to gain 1 S-unit on someone's receiver.
all CB vertical antennas are basically zero gain antennas, and there is NOTHING you can do to them to even gain 3 db, let alone 6db.
want to get better performance out of a vertical CB antenna? double its height above ground from where it is now.
other than that, you will have to step up to a directional antenna of some sort.
LC
I didnt say i wasnt gonna cut it and yes i know all about the "hype" of these antennas. I have been in this hobby over 30 some years so im not some dumb arse that just got into it..
I run a 5 element yagi on a 50 foot tower and i have run everything from simple stick antennas to huge quagi, quad, and yagi arrays.. I have also built my own beams and wire antennas and ground plane antennas so you are preaching to the quire to me. LOL
Silver Devil, without knowing eachother, you have to admit that your statement kind of makes it sound like you were open to the idea of using some other type of antenna up there, as well as being open to the idea of just running the fiberglass 102" whip without cutting it.
If I'm going to assume anything, i'm going to err on the side of caution and give extra advice even if it's not needed.
so chill, and realize that this is a public forum and you and i are not the only ones reading the thread.
I post what i post because i know that it will be read by others for years when they come across the same questions in their CBing experience.
also, no offense intended, but anyone that can design and build their own antennas should understand the relationship between antenna length and frequency range and should not need to ask the question you asked.
since you asked the question, i made a reasonable assumption of your antenna knowledge, and then over stated my answer in order to help anyone that might see this later.
LC
Why not use a metal 102 whip and cut that down?
I have cut them before with large bolt cutters or you could use a grinder.
I have cut them before with large bolt cutters or you could use a grinder.
I'll have to look in my stash to see if i have one... I just don't really want to cut up this nice fiberglass 102" whip as you just can't find them around here anymore.. I also have a 96" frances that was given to me by my cousin but then again i don't want to cut that up either!!!
"also, no offense intended, but anyone that can design and build their own antennas should understand the relationship between antenna length and frequency range and should not need to ask the question you asked."
What, i can't come on here and ask a question? Wow you must be one of the hams from QRZ that jumps on someone ("well, you are a ham you SHOULD know better!") for just asking a simple technical question. Oh and btw, you have no right to question what i know and don't know. I'd prefer that you just not answer anymore of my posts...
What, i can't come on here and ask a question? Wow you must be one of the hams from QRZ that jumps on someone ("well, you are a ham you SHOULD know better!") for just asking a simple technical question. Oh and btw, you have no right to question what i know and don't know. I'd prefer that you just not answer anymore of my posts...
OK I guess we'll do it this way.
Please tell me where I got this wrong.
Post #1: you asked a question about the antron99 antenna.
Post #2: I answered your question.
Post #3: you replied to my answer with observations and a hesitancy to cut your antenna to length.
Post #4: I replied by reiterating my answer because i wasn't sure what you were intending to say with Post #3. Then i offered some perspective on vertical antennas and their performance just in case you needed it.
Posts #5 and #6: you replied by taking offense to my advice and made sure i knew that you already knew all you needed to know about antennas, and did not need any advice in that regard.
Post #7: I tried to give you some insight into what i was thinking and why i responded the way i did, and alluded to the defensive nature of Posts #5 and #6. I then tried to let you know that the level of antenna knowledge you purported to have should have been sufficient to answer your own question. again, after having answered it in post #2.
Post #9: you accuse me of being a snooty ham who condescends to people who know less than i do and judges what questions should be asked on the forum.
if you do not want me to respond to any of your questions, then you got it.
no problem.
If you would be so kind, could you refrain from reading any of my posts and gleaning information and knowledge from them?
K thanks bye,
LC
There are none so blind as those too full of themselves to see around their inflated ego. Well said LC!