Any Astro Plane Fans ?

[HomerBB]

I know this is the AP thread... but it does have crooked radiator and matcher tubes.

I worked with it more following encouragement from my neighbor and got it resonant across the whole 2m band. It is 1.2:1 @ 144Mhz & 148Mhz with 1.0:1 @ 146 Mhz.
I'll share the dimensions should anyone want them on another thread.

 

[Oscar Goldman]

Now see what you made me go and do, Bob!

View attachment 21364 View attachment 21365 View attachment 21366

Nice J pole you have there

 

[Tib2K]

Well the AP is up!

Tip is exactly 25' off the ground. Pole grounded, no isolation, no choke. 100 foot of coax. installed as avanti instillation instructions recommend.

MFJ-259B

MHz 25.050 SWR 2.0 R=33 X=27
MHz 26.940 SWR 1.0 R=51 X=0
MHz 29.775 SWR 2.0 R=51 X=41

 

[HomerBB]

I've seen this lower than ch1 resonant frequency with the AP before.

 

[Tib2K]

I don't have any complaint with a antenna that is 2.1 or better for all of the 10, 11 and 12 meter band.

Seems like a good match for my new President Lincoln II+ V3

 

[Oscar Goldman]

Looks great
Does it stay at 1.0 swr all the way to 27 600

I would like to know your down tube measurement, from the bottom of the mounting bracket to the bottom of the hoop. What is the diameter of your lower hoop.
Thanks

 

[Tib2K]

MHz 27.600 SWR 1.3 R=67 X=1

 

[Oscar Goldman]

MHz 27.600 SWR 1.3 R=67 X=1

That is not bad at all.
You can trim your capacitance hat a 1/4 inch on each of the rods, this will shift the swr bandwidth up higher a little.
I put a cap hat on mine and that is how I tuned it real nice.

 

[Tib2K]

all of my measurements are here.

http://www.worldwidedx.com/threads/any-astro-plane-fans.178398/page-26

and the mast pole is 21' of 1.33" toprail

 

[HomerBB]

Based on the circumference you provided, the diameter become 29.5", correct?

 

[Tib2K]

The 93.375 circumference measurement I gave was because the hoop is not really round. The clamps in the middle and the down tubes made it impossible for me to get a 100% accurate diameter.

And to be honest this morning I just assembled it and put it in the air. The only measurement I made was 21' to the bottom of the main bracket. To place the top of the top cap at exactly 25' from the ground.

 

[Tib2K]

The reason it took so long to get it in the air was, I was waiting for a pre-ordered 20 foot piece of 1.5" mast... It never came. I settled 2 10.5 foot 1.3" fence toprail...

 

[Meglotron]

The reason it took so long to get it in the air was, I was waiting for a pre-ordered 20 foot piece of 1.5" mast... It never came. I settled 2 10.5 foot 1.3" fence toprail...

is fence rail actualy strong enough to support an antenna?

 

[silver devil]

I used to talk to an old guy several miles from me that ran an AP about 40' above the ground and it almost talked as good as his shooting star beam he had at the same height. I have one in the original box that i got cheap (antenna is used) and i cleaned it all up and installed new hardware i just havent had it up yet. I have owned them before and they always did work good.

 

[HomerBB]

is fence rail actualy strong enough to support an antenna?

It can, but only if properly fastened to a building, and guyed to keep it rigid. I've used it, but it cost me a crashed antenna once. Many swear by it, but I prefer to use electrical conduit (EMT)in its place.