You can now help support WorldwideDX when you shop on Amazon at no additional cost to you! Simply follow this Shop on Amazon link first and a portion of any purchase is sent to WorldwideDX to help with site costs.
The Feb 2025 Radioddity Giveaway Results are In! Click Here to see who won!

Reply to thread

Message

My experience would tend to agree with Bob85 from a performance standpoint. It was the best receiving vertical GP antenna I have used. My I-10K does as well or better on TX due to the lower losses in the matching network.

But after my 3rd Saliut LW-150/vector 4000 went down due to ice build up on the main vertical, it was time to put up a stronger antenna. I originally went with a Maco 5/8 which didn't perform as well but it lasted about 5 years before the ice got it too. After I put up the I-10K, I haven't had any more problems; the reinforced center radiator is able to handle the ice and high winds.

The LW-150 is a "dirtier" antenna. Since the matching network (gamma match) is below the ground radials, it isn't "shielded" and you have a lot more RF going below the antenna.

IMHO, even though it is probably the best RX ground plane, the thin wall aluminum just doesn't hold up. My best bang for the buck would be a Workman W-58 (re-branded Maco 5/8) for less than half the price of the Vector 4000. Not the best performing antenna, but definitely the best from a cost vs. performance ratio.

<blockquote data-quote="Dr_DX" data-source="post: 180343" data-attributes="member: 1260">My experience would tend to agree with Bob85 from a performance standpoint. It was the best receiving vertical GP antenna I have used.&nbsp; My I-10K does as well or better on TX due to the lower losses in the matching network.&nbsp; But after my 3rd Saliut LW-150/vector 4000 went down due to ice build up on the main vertical, it was time to put up a stronger antenna.&nbsp; I originally went with a Maco 5/8 which didn&#039;t perform as well but it lasted about 5 years before the ice got it too.&nbsp; After I put up the I-10K, I haven&#039;t had any more problems; the reinforced center radiator is able to handle the ice and high winds.The LW-150 is a &quot;dirtier&quot; antenna.&nbsp; Since the matching network (gamma match) is below the ground radials, it isn&#039;t &quot;shielded&quot; and you have a lot more RF going below the antenna.IMHO, even though it is probably the best RX ground plane, the thin wall aluminum just doesn&#039;t hold up.&nbsp; My best bang for the buck would be a Workman W-58 (re-branded Maco 5/8) for less than half the price of the Vector 4000.&nbsp; Not the best performing antenna, but definitely the best from a cost vs. performance ratio.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Dr_DX, post: 180343, member: 1260"] My experience would tend to agree with Bob85 from a performance standpoint. It was the best receiving vertical GP antenna I have used. My I-10K does as well or better on TX due to the lower losses in the matching network. But after my 3rd Saliut LW-150/vector 4000 went down due to ice build up on the main vertical, it was time to put up a stronger antenna. I originally went with a Maco 5/8 which didn't perform as well but it lasted about 5 years before the ice got it too. After I put up the I-10K, I haven't had any more problems; the reinforced center radiator is able to handle the ice and high winds. The LW-150 is a "dirtier" antenna. Since the matching network (gamma match) is below the ground radials, it isn't "shielded" and you have a lot more RF going below the antenna. IMHO, even though it is probably the best RX ground plane, the thin wall aluminum just doesn't hold up. My best bang for the buck would be a Workman W-58 (re-branded Maco 5/8) for less than half the price of the Vector 4000. Not the best performing antenna, but definitely the best from a cost vs. performance ratio. [/QUOTE]

Top Bottom