Gizmotchy Beam Antenna...Coming Review

[TonyV225]

I never used the antenna the rejection kit was on the antenna already I was told its not needed so I guess it depends who you talk to as a result of an answer to this as some people were firm believers that it has to be there or the manufactuer wouldnt sell the kit.

 

[Robb]

I'm interested in the 6 meter and 2 meter Antennas far as performance etc.

Moleculo or Happy Hamer will be reviewing that antenna in the next few weeks I believe.

 

[Shockwave]

I nevr used the antenna the rejection kit was onthe antenna already I was told its not needed so I guess it depends who you talk to asa result of an answer to this as some peoeple were firm believers that it has to be there or the manufactuer wouldnt sell the kit.

As I recall Wilson, Maco, Antenna Specialists, and Avanti never made these rejection wire kits and some of the assembly manuals clearly stated not to use them. The problem with the rejection wires is they are not resonant lengths required to act like a parasitic element. The only way I can see this would work is if the reflector was a full wave on all sides. That would be 36 feet by 36 feet and then the antenna would act somewhat like a corner reflector or dish with the wires acting like a mesh.

Another interesting thing is you only see this rejection kit gimmick offered to the CB market. That should be your first clue that it don't work otherwise we would see more widespread use of it. Furthermore I know of at least one person who used one and noted a drop in rejection. If it worked, all of the manufacturers in the 70's and 80's would have included another 50 feet of bare copper wire with the antenna.

 

[TonyV225]

Thank you shock I didnt want to bring this up in fear of people going on the defensive so I stayed clear but there were articles about these socalled rejection kits and what b.s. they really are.

We actually talked about it on 80 meters oneday and some of the other guys brought up some good point one being "Ok if these rejection kits atr so assential to the antennas construction and made such a huge difference then why dont any of the amateur beams have them"??

My Gizmotchy also DOES NOT sport one of these copper wire rejection kits if you think about it why would you want to add or innertwine anything into or onto an antenna system?? These antenna elements are cut and adjusted to specific lengths to begin with and adding so many feet of a metal type wire is completey changing or altering its resonance.

Like I said there are people who will argue this but aslong as people do just that and keep using these kits they will continue selling them and capitalizing on making money from the consumers.

 

[airplane1]

Yea, I read not to use one of the rejection kits. common sense told me the same as if they were good then the antennas would have the offered from companies who make the beams.

 

[Marconi]

More info to come...stay tuned here!

Hey Rob, what is all the business with white-outs at the bottom of the article's text and also in the image? Are we getting into National Security issues?

Maybe I missed your comments, but have you figured out when you might get to this comparison project?

Some might agree with you that making your comparison reports at a range of only 4 miles is fine, but IMO that is way too close to really tell anything significant. Maybe even 30 miles might not really be far enough to measure the real comparison responses from these high gain antennas.

You also tell us that you will have both antennas mounted at the same height to the feed point, and I understand that is the customary way to compare two antennas, but in my comparison work I find that the tallest antenna seems to always show better RX signals when mounted as you describe---and the tip of your Imax will be about 15' feet higher than the tip of the beam.

I also find that the opposite is also true---the shortest antenna shows the best signals when the tips are at the same height. As a result, I would expect that the Imax might respond better than the Gizmotchy 3 element operating vertically at a short range---even at 30 miles. I would not argue with your results however, even at 4 miles apart. Just something to consider.

 

[Robb]

Weather is the hold-up over here.
We have been getting a bit of rain out here lately. I am anxious to get this done too. Looks like rain in a day or so. Muddy outside where I have to mount it. I'd like at least a couple days of clear weather before I put it up.

I'm going to use a 4 watt Grant XL at a distance of eight miles to transmit with on these antennas across urban sprawl. I will take into consideration the factors you brought up. I appreciate the input. I will be documenting how I have set it up so you can comment about the results. This isn't a scientific effort; just what I have set up and what comes of it.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

As for distance to a test antenna or receiver, professional antenna ranges only use a distance of several wavelengths. That is more than enough to determine the actual antenna pattern,gain, and F/B ratio. Anything beyond that and the general surroundings of the antenna(s) comes into effect.Since every location is different this effect will be different for everyone. Tall buildings and hills all effect things. The best anaylsis is done over a relativley short distance free and clear of any obstructions and with equal ground conductivity in all directions.

 

[loosecannon]

one possible problem i foresee with this review is not what the results will be, but how they are interpreted (by the readers).
i think its important to state the "why's" as they relate to the "what's".

i only mention this because the interpretation of results is purely subjective unless they are compared to an accepted standard, and the different interpretations of the same results have caused many arguments on many CB forums.

just my 2 cents worth.
LC

 

[Robb]

Sorry the review is slow in getting here.
Weather conditions have recently gotten better. The site that I plan to install the mast section for the beam is very muddy presently. A couple more days of dry weather should help considerably. Compounding this problem, is finding an adequate but low-cost rotor & support bearing. I will call Tom Charles @ Gizmotchy this week for some tips on this - as well as other info that I need to gather for the review.

 

[Robb]

Talked with Tom Charles - the owner of Gizmotchy/Maco antenna company today.
He had some interesting news to give me.

He has just bought another antenna company recently, and would not discuss the name of that now-defunct company. Well; he told me what company it was - but I cannot say what company it was by his request. Needless to say, he has four semi trucks with all of the gear from that company being shipped to Illinois facility and going to be set up for production in the next few months. But within the next year or so, they will be offering a new line of mobile antennas for Hams and CB operators.

He employs American workers throughout the company.
No foreign parts or sub-assemblies are mfd and imported to make their products.

He also told me that they will soon be making FM antennas for commercial broadcasting stations. Seems that he is plowing much of his profits back into the business. He told me that he will send me a couple of the new mobile antennas after they have worked out the bugs in the prototype units as soon as they are available. So there well may ne a few more reviews in the coming year for their new product lines - more exclusives from mfr's to the WWRF!

 

[radioreddz]

whats going on with the beams looking forward to your testing results.

 

[Robb]

whats going on with the beams looking forward to your testing results.

You're right!

Just a couple of days ago, I got everything I need to put the whole thing together. I had a difficult time finding suitable cable for the rotor. We had rain in the mean time; so I may get it up and put together if the ground is dry enough tomorrow or the day after. We've had a LOT of rain in CA this year.

Thanks for asking...

 

[cbantenna]

gizmotchy vs Imax 2000

I dont know wy nobody ever give the result for that update yet but I will give you my result.
I just purchase a gizmotcy 3 ele to replace my Imax at 60' on a self support tower and the swr is flat on all 11M band and the result for dx is very good and for local I did notice a little increase in receiving and for tranmitting on local I did get good result like 1 to 2 s unit and a stronger modulation I spend $500 for the beam ,rotor I am happy but not enought, I was expecting better rx and tx in my sittuation but I did get a little improvment.
So far in my mind the Imax is one of the best cheap antenna and I do beleive to beat the Imax you need a 5 element beam to see a good improvment.
To be honest the monney spend dont realy worth it but it is a realy good antenna.

 

[TonyV225]

I went from Solarcon to the Gizmotchy and was absolute night and day difference!! 2 2 element PDL II makes a huge difference over a vertical. I ran my Gizmotchy 3 for a few years and then bought the 4th element booster kit and its still up. Mines used on 10 - 11 meters on a daily basis. They cost a bit but you wont find a light weight beam on the market which results in a huge money save in the end as you can use a "TV antenna rotor to turn this lightweight beam. Look at what a Ham IV, Tailtwister, or new Yaesu 800 or 1000 rotor costs.