I found my old Jo Gunn beam the other day in the weeds out back. Id like to put it up but i lost my directions and im not about to pay Jo Gunn $15.00 for a copy! What id like to know is the long end or short end the director or reflector? I had the ends marked with marker, but it rubbed off.
-
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.
Jo Gunn 3x3 beam
- Thread starter Zman
- Start date
yeah........... right............... LOL. That stuff is laughable... Its just a 3 element beam nothing more nothing less. I called them once and disputed thier audio gain clams and they told me they have "thier own gain figures" and that the ARRL handbook is full of lies, LOL. Yes they DID in fact tell me this!!!!!!!!!
The Jo gunn beam is built like a tank. No denying that.
If you live in a location where there are high winds, snow and ice problems it is maybe worth the cost.
If you live in a milder climate then other antennas for less price will work just as good if not better.
The only issue with JO Gunn is their advertising hype and price.
I do like the design only three elements and gives both vertical and horizontal polarization.
I built a home brew four element but stretched the boom to 17' in length worked well.
I used EMT conduit for elements. Built it for less than $30.00
If you live in a location where there are high winds, snow and ice problems it is maybe worth the cost.
If you live in a milder climate then other antennas for less price will work just as good if not better.
The only issue with JO Gunn is their advertising hype and price.
I do like the design only three elements and gives both vertical and horizontal polarization.
I built a home brew four element but stretched the boom to 17' in length worked well.
I used EMT conduit for elements. Built it for less than $30.00
Iroinically I just got a JoGunn 4 + 4 Star last Thursaday along with a van full of equipment the Antenna is Brand New and the Rotor which is a Yaesu G800-SA was also Brandnew I just assembled the rotor last night actually.
The problem Im having is The main sqare boom is MISSING!! I called the lady and shes not sure why its not in the box. I told her that before her son who was a friend of mine had passed away from his illnes he was battling ( He also had Cancer not the same as mine but still Cancer) He had put the anttenna together and then broke it back down in sections and put it away.
I told her that the boom is 12 foot and Allen has to have it there somewhere and he just put it in a safe place. I called Jo Gunn last Friday and they told me $175.00 shipped for that damn boom section!!! Needless to say Im going to the house with my wife to look for that damn boom today I know its there it has to be Allen was a ver maticulous person as I am and would have put that boom where it would not get damaged and because of its size.
I never noticed that the boom was not in the box with the other assembled elements until we were about home and I was looking through the instructin book!! So my fingers are crossed that Kim and I find this boom section today. I decided eitherway I am not gonna replace my Gizmotchy but will indeed call and order the extra element (booster kit) and ad it. I cant believe how heavy the weights listings are on these Jo Gunn antennas!!
My Gizmotchy is a 1/4 of the weight of the Jo Gunn 4 + 4 Star if I have to order a boom for the Jo Gunn Ill have to sell the Jo Gunn for $300.00 or so instead of cheap as I would if all pieces are there. I was thinking about putting it up but a friend of mine on 75 meters had ran a test or comparison between these 2 antennas and he said the Gizmotchy though a mor simple construction had performed better than the Jo Gunn or as he called it (Insect in the sky) LMAO!! I will however install this Yaesu Rotor in my Ham IV spot
Had you not found your instructions Ide have just sent you a coppy of my 4 + 4 which the assmebly is the same although measurments are different.
The problem Im having is The main sqare boom is MISSING!! I called the lady and shes not sure why its not in the box. I told her that before her son who was a friend of mine had passed away from his illnes he was battling ( He also had Cancer not the same as mine but still Cancer) He had put the anttenna together and then broke it back down in sections and put it away.
I told her that the boom is 12 foot and Allen has to have it there somewhere and he just put it in a safe place. I called Jo Gunn last Friday and they told me $175.00 shipped for that damn boom section!!! Needless to say Im going to the house with my wife to look for that damn boom today I know its there it has to be Allen was a ver maticulous person as I am and would have put that boom where it would not get damaged and because of its size.
I never noticed that the boom was not in the box with the other assembled elements until we were about home and I was looking through the instructin book!! So my fingers are crossed that Kim and I find this boom section today. I decided eitherway I am not gonna replace my Gizmotchy but will indeed call and order the extra element (booster kit) and ad it. I cant believe how heavy the weights listings are on these Jo Gunn antennas!!
My Gizmotchy is a 1/4 of the weight of the Jo Gunn 4 + 4 Star if I have to order a boom for the Jo Gunn Ill have to sell the Jo Gunn for $300.00 or so instead of cheap as I would if all pieces are there. I was thinking about putting it up but a friend of mine on 75 meters had ran a test or comparison between these 2 antennas and he said the Gizmotchy though a mor simple construction had performed better than the Jo Gunn or as he called it (Insect in the sky) LMAO!! I will however install this Yaesu Rotor in my Ham IV spot
Had you not found your instructions Ide have just sent you a coppy of my 4 + 4 which the assmebly is the same although measurments are different.
The Jo Gunn beams are perfect for northern climates as they are heavy duty. I have a old Moonraker 4 up at 60' and i put it up last fall after taking oit down and refurbishing it and it already has lost a couple of elements due to high winds over the winter. I'll bet that Jo Gunn i have would have survived intact! I have the 3x3 star up in the backyard all put together and tuned.. Im suprised at how easy it was to tune. I have a 1.1-1 match on both horizontal and verticle all 40 channels. I have it only 12 off the ground and im running it with a realistic TRC 434 AM base sitting in the back laundry room with the coax going to the beam in the back yard... All is good so far!!!
I know most techs and tech savvy people hate these antennas but for what they are they are an ok antenna but id NEVER pay what they cost new!!!
I know most techs and tech savvy people hate these antennas but for what they are they are an ok antenna but id NEVER pay what they cost new!!!
I have never owned or used one. I remember them being cursed and spurned ever since they came out.
A friend of mine had the four element. We assembled it and tuned it no problem.
Can not change the laws of physics though. After assembling it, measuring the spacing between elements there is definitely room for improvement.
IMO seems like the JO Gunn is set up for MAX gain and does little for rejection, there is some but it can be improved at the cost of forward gain.
By lengthening the boom and changing the spacing of the elements it becomes a good all around performer.
Can not change the laws of physics though. After assembling it, measuring the spacing between elements there is definitely room for improvement.
IMO seems like the JO Gunn is set up for MAX gain and does little for rejection, there is some but it can be improved at the cost of forward gain.
By lengthening the boom and changing the spacing of the elements it becomes a good all around performer.
Zman, do you know why most techs and tech savvy people hate the Jo Gunn star antennas?
I know they're expensive, and they're not set in a conventional yagi cross design, but why do you think it's so hated?