Base Change of plans-:(

[Greg T]

As everyone knows, I was contemplating a new Penetrator in the spring. Well, fired up the radio today and I have a dead short in my antenna. So, took some measurements and realized I cannot use a Penetrator because I don't have room for the ground radials. Now I need suggestions on the best 5/8 wave with some shorter radials. Been looking at the V58 and the Tornado 27. I'm pissed because I wanted the 4+ db gain of the Hygain, but it's not going to happen. Keep in mind, I am an over weight 67 year old asthmatic with a bad back. My antenna is on a rooftop tower on my storage shed. So, ease of installation would be nice. I'm all alone here.

 

[543_Dallas]

This may not fit your needs but has more gain and no radials. It looks to be a clone of the vector 4000 / sigma 4. It says out of stock but I'll bet they are made to order.

https://www.davemadeamps.com/Davemade-Ground-Plane-Antenna_p_37.html

 

[Greg T]

This may not fit your needs but has more gain and no radials. It looks to be a clone of the vector 4000 / sigma 4. It says out of stock but I'll bet they are made to order.

https://www.davemadeamps.com/Davemade-Ground-Plane-Antenna_p_37.html

I looked at those but the price is nuts for what ya get. I'm also looking at the SIRIO 827. I see really good reviews on it and it looks like it would fit in my space.

 

[Tokin]

As everyone knows, I was contemplating a new Penetrator in the spring. Well, fired up the radio today and I have a dead short in my antenna. So, took some measurements and realized I cannot use a Penetrator because I don't have room for the ground radials. Now I need suggestions on the best 5/8 wave with some shorter radials. Been looking at the V58 and the Tornado 27. I'm pissed because I wanted the 4+ db gain of the Hygain, but it's not going to happen. Keep in mind, I am an over weight 67 year old asthmatic with a bad back. My antenna is on a rooftop tower on my storage shed. So, ease of installation would be nice. I'm all alone here.

Meh, that 4 db gain is probably bullshit anyhow.
I have a maco v5000, the same as the 5/8 but the base insulator is virgin teflon instead of fiberglass on the 5/8.
Im a one man band also and i had no problems walking around the yard with it. I leaned a 20' fence rail on my ladders tool/paint tray and mounted the antenna to the pipe and up it went. You should have no problems getting that on your shed by yourself.
I love my maco. It just works great.

 

[Greg T]

Meh, that 4 db gain is probably bullshit anyhow.
I have a maco v5000, the same as the 5/8 but the base insulator is virgin teflon instead of fiberglass on the 5/8.
Im a one man band also and i had no problems walking around the yard with it. I leaned a 20' fence rail on my ladders tool/paint tray and mounted the antenna to the pipe and up it went. You should have no problems getting that on your shed by yourself.
I love my maco. It just works great.

How long are the radials? I can't seem to find the specs

 

[Tokin]

How long are the radials? I can't seem to find the specs

I believe 104"

 

[Greg T]

I believe 104"

Crap!

 

[The DB]

For the CB band, most antennas with radials will be over 100 inches in length. There is a very good reason for that.

There are a few exceptions out there, Sirio 827, and some that have no radials. For the no radial antennas I would personally recommend the Gainmaster, unless you have some means of properly choking off CMC's...


The DB

 

[dave457]

For ease of installation and lightweight
X2 for the GainMaster

 

[Greg T]

After exhaustive research I think I'll get the 827. Radials are about 4.5 feet and will fit.

 

[Greg T]

Looks like I cant buy one.

 

[Tokin]

So, i have a ground plane antenna but its not going to handle a bunch power but the radials are short. I dont know what it is. Anyone have a clue?

 

[Marconi]

HyGain CLR2 probably, but Radio Shack had a similar design made.

Here is the manual.

http://www.cbtricks.com/ant_manuals/hygain/model_473/graphics/hy-gain_473_clr-2.pdf

 

[Tokin]

HyGain CLR2 probably, but Radio Shack had a similar design made.

Here is the manual.

http://www.cbtricks.com/ant_manuals/hygain/model_473/graphics/hy-gain_473_clr-2.pdf

Yep, i believe its the rad shak version. Is there a way to beef up the matching section? Ive put 300 watts pep thru it but i wouldnt trust much more.
I cant say its a bad antenna for what it is. Ive kept it as a portable or emergency antenna.
This sounds like what Greg is looking for as far as size goes. Still has that 4db gain too.

 

[Marconi]

That was the first base antenna I ever had. I thought it was super, I could talk 30 miles to my buddy across town that gave it to me.

I never really compared it to other CB vertical antennas I had over time, but it seemed to work just about as good. I popped the circuit board with the Tesla coil idea in the bottom hub too. I repaired it, and it worked, but I didn't trust it.

I took down a bunch of these for neighbors over the years, and some told the got them at Radio Shack. They did have a stronger looking coil in them, but I never tested one...the elements were often missing or broken when I was asked to get them out of a yard somewhere. I got lots of good aluminum and some that was worthless. I built a couple of beams over the years using those parts where I could.

Those were the good old days!!!!!!!!!!!