GoldenRod 45 A+ antenna

[Slowmover]

With the MFJ analyzer (259b) just putting the GR45 together, with the top hat loops flat out to the sides, with no adjustments, SWR was at 1.5 across from channel 1 to 40...

OK, not bad, I think that was what Lightning stated the antenna to be at.

But, X=4 to X=9 too and Ohm was 59 to 60...

Bending the loops out just a bit made things worse, but I did notice on the MFJ the lower band channels below 11 meter was almost flat on the analyzer.

So, bent the loops back to where they were originally, then started tilting them down (making them look droopy) then I seen SWR get to where I was expecting to see it, and the more I angled the loops down, the better my readings got.

So, bent down to where the loops almost touch the coil, SWR is at 1.0 across all 40 channels, Ohm is at 51 - 52, X=0 across all channels, match efficiency was at 99%...

So either this is the best tuned mobile antenna I have ever had, or it's one expencive dummy load...

It does get out at least 15 air miles from downtown Dallas over to the east side of Mesquite, I did make a contact Friday with one of my buddys with it, but then again his Base set-up is pretty good, I could probably make a contact with him from Oklahoma using a wire coat hanger...so, may need to do a little more "on air" comparison checks.

Didja bend ‘em skywards?

Let ‘em reach up HIGH to catch more?

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[Slowmover]

"Dealer" doesn't ring a bell...but if he was west of Fort Worth thats probably why...West Ft.Worth too far from me for local talk, specially with all the ground clutter in between...If he were east of me, that would be a different story, I have better ears east since there's less electrical interference.

The Top Hat bracket is weak....Nothing IMO on this antenna looks like it was meant to fly down the road at 80mph on the top of a vehicle...

The shaft is sorta flimsy looking, fairly small diameter compared to other aluminum antennas with shafts the same length...But I didn't notice that being a problem, it seems to ride just fine at highway speeds.

The coil itself I thought could have been attached better, Just thinking over a long period of time on a mobile, some of these small screws they used putting it together, might wiggle loose.

IMO it looks like it would make a better small base antenna, than a mobile...But I'm going to give it a week or so to see what it will do.

Mines not ever lost OEM parts.

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[Slowmover]

"Dealer" doesn't ring a bell...but if he was west of Fort Worth thats probably why...West Ft.Worth too far from me for local talk, specially with all the ground clutter in between...If he were east of me, that would be a different story, I have better ears east since there's less electrical interference.

Durn. I’m on the NW side of FTW.

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[jessejamesdallas]

Didja bend ‘em skywards?

Let ‘em reach up HIGH to catch more?

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Didn't try that, once it tuned the way it did bending them down, I didn't want to mess with it anymore!..............But the thought has crossed my mind.

My biggest concern, is the signal pattern....It's got to be screwy as hell...Maybe this weekend I'll get out my field strength meter and try and figure out the pattern the way it is, and then maybe experiment some more with the loops...weather permitting.

 

[Marconi]

My biggest concern, is the signal pattern....It's got to be screwy as hell...Maybe this weekend I'll get out my field strength meter and try and figure out the pattern the way it is, and then maybe experiment some more with the loops...weather permitting.

Jesse, can you shoot us a picture of your setup?

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Have a 1x2 amp in the toolbox for a little extra punch!

 

[Slowmover]

Any update after a month?

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Any update after a month?

I got it out and played with it a little more, and got a few radio checks and best I can figure, the GR 45 was doing just about the same as my single coil Predator 10K...No better, and not worse...Just about the same signal on both from what my locals were telling me 25+ miles away...

Not real happy with the flimsy build of the GR45...Might be OK on something that don't move or run up and down the freeway all the time...But feel better running the Predator 10K, I know nothing on it will change just driving around.

 

[Slowmover]

I got it out and played with it a little more, and got a few radio checks and best I can figure, the GR 45 was doing just about the same as my single coil Predator 10K...No better, and not worse...Just about the same signal on both from what my locals were telling me 25+ miles away...

Not real happy with the flimsy build of the GR45...Might be OK on something that don't move or run up and down the freeway all the time...But feel better running the Predator 10K, I know nothing on it will change just driving around.

Thanks.

As to “flimsy”, remember my SE-built GR45 has thousands of highway miles riding a triple-mag on an SUV roof. Hundreds more atop a Peterbilt.

I bring this back up as: if it’s a good choice, let’s put it to lengthier test as motivation suits.

I do appreciate you opened your wallet and gave it a warmup inning. Were I home more (and finished the PUCK MOUNT install thread), I’d be out there giving it parallel miles and days.

Until then, I’m impressed that the man who’s done much to help get the word around about Kales’ Predator lets the chips fall where they will. You’ve not ever not given generously over the years on CB forums, and that’s highlighted in this thread.

It’ll be fun to p.o. someone to state that a 102” whip, a Predator and a Golden Rod 45 vie for top spot.

Winter’s here today. Here’s the fun thread topic for those chilly mornings.



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[Marconi]

James, I never ran my GR45 on a mobile, but I found the same results comparing it to a 102" whip on the same Starduster type ground plane.

Thanks for testing it out...I was curious.

 

[Marconi]

As to “flimsy”, remember my SE-built GR45 has thousands of highway miles riding a triple-mag on an SUV roof. Hundreds more atop a Peterbilt.

Can't beat experience Mr. Slowmover.

Thanks for all your service on the road too.

 

[jessejamesdallas]

Thanks.

As to “flimsy”, remember my SE-built GR45 has thousands of highway miles riding a triple-mag on an SUV roof. Hundreds more atop a Peterbilt.

I bring this back up as: if it’s a good choice, let’s put it to lengthier test as motivation suits.

I do appreciate you opened your wallet and gave it a warmup inning. Were I home more (and finished the PUCK MOUNT install thread), I’d be out there giving it parallel miles and days.

Until then, I’m impressed that the man who’s done much to help get the word around about Kales’ Predator lets the chips fall where they will. You’ve not ever not given generously over the years on CB forums, and that’s highlighted in this thread.

It’ll be fun to p.o. someone to state that a 102” whip, a Predator and a Golden Rod 45 vie for top spot.

Winter’s here today. Here’s the fun thread topic for those chilly mornings.



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When I say "Flimsy" I guess I'm referring more to the top hat gizmo more than anything...Just the way you bend the top hat to tune the antenna IMO just looks like that could become a issue over a period of time riding around on the truck...Maybe-not...but I know the Predators (or any other antenna with a stinger) is not going to get out of tune unless maybe somehow part of the stinger brakes off...

But for what the GR45 is, it seamed to do just as good as the Predator which is over a foot taller which was impressive...Most of the time when you compare a antenna thats a foot or more shorter than the other, you notice a difference in distance real quick, but that wasn't the case here.

 

[Slowmover]

When I say "Flimsy" I guess I'm referring more to the top hat gizmo more than anything...Just the way you bend the top hat to tune the antenna IMO just looks like that could become a issue over a period of time riding around on the truck...Maybe-not...but I know the Predators (or any other antenna with a stinger) is not going to get out of tune unless maybe somehow part of the stinger brakes off...

But for what the GR45 is, it seamed to do just as good as the Predator which is over a foot taller which was impressive...Most of the time when you compare a antenna thats a foot or more shorter than the other, you notice a difference in distance real quick, but that wasn't the case here.

The only times the top hat to mine has become distorted was with improper storage or storage-related accidents.

I believe that with a verified antenna analysis (your choice of defining terms) a paper tracing of the top hat when flat would suffice (and how many degrees deflection afterwards).

I don’t (yet) own a Predator. But the coil windings don’t appear substantial (compared to some other antennas) yet it works (barring accidents). I don’t find it a concern based on many testimonials.

The top hat of a GR-45 is easily modified by hand. Could I bend a Predator coil winding by hand? If I can’t, that’s maybe a mark against it.

I’m NOT trying to say the concern is misplaced.
I AM saying it’s easily fixed.

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[Marconi]

My biggest concern, is the signal pattern....It's got to be screwy as hell...Maybe this weekend I'll get out my field strength meter and try and figure out the pattern the way it is, and then maybe experiment some more with the loops...weather permitting.

Not necessarily.

I got it out and played with it a little more, and got a few radio checks and best I can figure, the GR 45 was doing just about the same as my single coil Predator 10K...No better, and not worse...Just about the same signal on both from what my locals were telling me 25+ miles away...

Too bad, you didn't get to test the pattern with your FS meter. I was looking forward to your report.

That said, my models in the PDF file below, show the pattern and gain are also similar...with the edge going to the GR45 in this case. Your report shows them producing the same results mobile and my models show them similar at 36' feet setup like a base antenna.

But for what the GR45 is, it seamed to do just as good as the Predator which is over a foot taller which was impressive...Most of the time when you compare a antenna thats a foot or more shorter than the other, you notice a difference in distance real quick, but that wasn't the case here.

Long ago, I remember folks claiming matching coils on mobile antennas...should never be positioned near the tip, and for sure if you place the coil close to the Top Hat you'll blow your rig.

Jesse, I was not impressed with those comments, and when I first saw the GR45 I bought one just to test the idea.

Coils can certainly show losses, in some cases, and for sure on cheep made shortened mobile antennas. But, this short GR45 showed no lossy effects anywhere near like those old CB BS'rs use to spew on the air and write on the restroom walls at Truck Stops.

The GR45 talks like a big antenna.

Models show this below.

 

[Robert Cook Sr]

Jesse, it has been a long time since I worked my GR45, but I recall the square bracket that supported and connected the Top Hat wires could be made a bit longer or shorter. I did get a good match, but the details are probably all buried in my old Antenna Notes somewhere.

The Top Hat on my old SP500 models was just such a tool to used to help adjust the match...go slanting up and/or go slanting down with those 9" x 1/8" would make a difference in the match to some degree.

The AstroPlan Top Hat adjustment have a similar effect as best I can recall.

I bought one several years back, mounted on tool box of Nissan frontier mwas adjusting SWR ,hear guy from Road Island breakin. I'm in South Carolins Cental. Said He was checking flat side of his antenna. I talked with him on my GR45 no problem I had very good copy on his Flat side antenna.