Anyone ever use stacked V-quads? what would be the benefits

[G GOLLY WAlly]

I have a V-quad, and I can't complain about it I think it's a decent little beam, made a lot of contacts on SSB with it. I was thinking sometime in the future of buying another and running stacked V-quads. Might not be a big time setup, but it would look big time. My wife has already started grumbaling about it, so I know her thoughts about it. Just wondering what y'all think?

 

[Slowmover]

It won’t be a StarGun
A little ol’ smoothbore

But it might qualify as The StarCannon
A Missouri-Class 16”/50 Mark 7

Just show her the paperwork for the FAA permit approval for towers of that height. Rotating beacons, and all. Someone here may have gone through that already.

And the third home mortgage.

But, . . you're on your own explaining how the second one came about

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[G GOLLY WAlly]

After waking and looking at the thread, I realized I should have stated I wanted to know if there were any benefits of running stacked V-quads, not if I should run them.
Because I'm probably going to run a stacked set of them just out of curiosity.
I was just wondering if anyone had run a stacked setup like this and what the results were or what you think the results would be.
I apologize, I guess that's what happens when you stay up past your bedtime and browse WWDX.

 

[Slowmover]

After waking and looking at the thread, I realized I should have stated I wanted to know if there were any benefits of running stacked V-quads, not if I should run them.
Because I'm probably going to run a stacked set of them just out of curiosity.
I was just wondering if anyone had run a stacked setup like this and what the results were or what you think the results would be.
I apologize, I guess that's what happens when you stay up past your bedtime and browse WWDX.

Adequate explanation for 98.7% of my posts

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[Captain Kilowatt]

If EVERYTHING is done PROPERLY you can expect to see a 3dB improvement or about half an S-unit on both RX and TX. Simply using a larger beam will accomplish the same thing and you will have less wind load and less electrical and structural issues to deal with. Stacking is a lot of mechanical effort for a small return. Your call.

 

[G GOLLY WAlly]

If EVERYTHING is done PROPERLY you can expect to see a 3dB improvement or about half an S-unit on both RX and TX. Simply using a larger beam will accomplish the same thing and you will have less wind load and less electrical and structural issues to deal with. Stacking is a lot of mechanical effort for a small return. Your call.

Thanks Captain Kilowatt, you're right, after I read your reply I did some quick checking and found for just a little more money I could buy the Gizmotchy 4 element and probably get a lot more for my money.
But that's what I was looking for an honest opinion, a new beam is sometime in the future, but you made me realize for the money I think a bigger beam would be the better choice.

 

[kopcicle]

If EVERYTHING is done PROPERLY you can expect to see a 3dB improvement or about half an S-unit on both RX and TX. Simply using a larger beam will accomplish the same thing and you will have less wind load and less electrical and structural issues to deal with. Stacking is a lot of mechanical effort for a small return. Your call.

Benefit increases with frequency

 

[w9cll]

Agreed, it's not worth the effort. As CK said a larger antenna would be a better option.

 

[w9cll]

Benefit increases with frequency

Yes as I used to have stack 17 element CushCraft 17b2 on VHF. That was worth the effort but not the cost. I did have them at 100' though.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Benefit increases with frequency

3dB is 3dB at any frequency. Perhaps you mean that the complexity decreases with increasing frequency. WE are talking 11m here so VHF/UHF arrays mean nothing for decreased complexity of mounting systems.

 

[Mudfoot]

I ran a single V-quad years ago. It did alright. I only seen 2 of them stacked in my area. They are fairly cheap beams that perform decently. They are odd looking, especially in the vertical position. They look better stacked and in my opinion, it causes less stress on the rotor, especially a TV rotor. In the vertical position, all the weight is on one side and not equal. If stacked, I suppose it would distribute the weight equally. Probably not a problem with a "real" rotor.

I'm getting ready to put up another one. I wouldn't have room to stack one, though. Just like before, I'm only doing it to be able to talk to couple dudes that are on the fringe of my receive. I need the extra oomph over my Gainmaster. I'd prefer a larger single beam. I've never been interested in stacking anything. To much hassle. I'd have no problem stacking V/U stuff, though.

 

[Mudfoot]

One advantage the V Quad has over similar gain yagis and other traditional quads, is no elements are below the rotor. Yagis have 7' ish elements that hang down when vertical. The V Quad, when vertically polarized, has an L shaped configuration, so nothing is below the rotor. This feature is what's required at my QTH.

No matter the polarity, they are an awkward antenna to put up. Horizontal is easier than vertical. Mounting vertically, is more difficult due to the one sided loppy weight. At least this time I'll be able to tweak the gamma, cause I'll be able to straddle the roof peak. Hard to do on a traditional tower mount, like my last one was. They aren't very broadband, either.

 

[BJ radionut]

Never had the desire to take a Big Ass Yagi beam and run it Vertical.
Most manufacturers when they give you "wind load" and wind survival rating are giving that the antenna is in the Horizontal configuration.
You rotate that beam Vertical and that stress load becomes a 2x or 3x+ load factor.
Good example: Take a 30 gal. garbage can lid, hold it by the handle above your head then walk out in the clear from your house with 15-20 mph wind.
Not much trouble holding on to it.
Now turn it Vertical and face that lid into the wind...that's the mechanical EXTRA stress you put on the antenna, the Mast/Tower and the Rotor...
RIP $$$
Enuf said
All the Best
Gary

 

[2RT307]

I had a friend back in the 70's that ran them stacked. According to him, the rear rejection was better than his Moonraker IV. Also, there's a thread on here somewhere from years ago... one of the Needlebender guys in Canada stacked 4 of them on a truss setup. Pretty crazy. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after finishing the project.

73,
Brett

 

[Slowmover]

I had a friend back in the 70's that ran them stacked. According to him, the rear rejection was better than his Moonraker IV. Also, there's a thread on here somewhere from years ago... one of the Needlebender guys in Canada stacked 4 of them on a truss setup. Pretty crazy. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after finishing the project.

73,
Brett

Well, we know what done him in.

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