Maco v58 radials question

[jrd426]

Hi guys, just looking for your opinion on a question i have regarding the 4 radials that come with the antenna.

My first question is: due to space limitations with next door neighbor where my antenna is being installed (we are in a townhome) im wondering if the radials can be used but with only 1/2 length (one section of tubing only). So each radial would be about 4' long rather then the entire 9' long for all 4
My 2nd question: i have the room to install 3 of the 4 radials full length. Only 1 of the radials i would need to shorten to 4 or 5 ft. Wondring about effect on swr

Lastly, what about only using 2 radials of the 4 at full lenth (weight balanced) running either n/s or e/w with 2 radials.

Thanks in advance guys for your thoughts on this.
73s

 

[Alexis Mercado]

Possibly if you do either of those, joy will have to play with the length of the antenna. Experimening is part of this hobby.

 

[jrd426]

Thanks Alexis. For now i mounted the spider connector lower down on the bottom of antenna base section and put 2 full length radials on across from one another. Swr is still perfect (got swr flat without radials beforehand). I will do some testing for a few days before i decide if i will attach the remaining 2 radials which would need to be approx 1/2 of their length (4-4.5' long) as i dont know if there would be any benefit adding 2 shorter radials opposite each other on the spider connector.
Lots of trips up and down the ladder but having fun.

 

[Alexis Mercado]

Thanks Alexis. For now i mounted the spider connector lower down on the bottom of antenna base section and put 2 full length radials on across from one another. Swr is still perfect (got swr flat without radials beforehand). I will do some testing for a few days before i decide if i will attach the remaining 2 radials which would need to be approx 1/2 of their length (4-4.5' long) as i dont know if there would be any benefit adding 2 shorter radials opposite each other on the spider connector.
Lots of trips up and down the ladder but having fun.

Any picture of the spider ?

 

[jrd426]

Yes. Ive taken pics of the one gp radial im disguising and will take a pic of where i currently have the spider mounted when I'm in the tree putting these 2 shortened (73") radials on the spider ring. I hope adding the pics here wont be a struggle

 

[jrd426]

The one shortened radial that im trying to disguise i started with wrapping it with black electrical tape to protect the aluminum. I then wrapped the visable area with camo cloth tape. I decided because the camo tape is cloth type that i would then hit it with a light coat of a product called clear flex-seal. After letting that sit for a day i then began to attach some light branches to the radial overtop of the camo tape. I used black tyraps as well as some small 4" brown tyraps i ordered online. Next i will touch up the shiney black plastic tyraps with some dark brown paint.

 

[jrd426]

Becoming a branch. Sorry about the poor quality pictures

 

[jrd426]

Side by side with the other radial that doesn't need to be hidden

 

[jrd426]

Sorry bout the pics not being clear. The spider ring is butted up against the bottom of the antennna base and tightened up on the antenna mast pipe

 

[jrd426]

Trying to get a better shot of the radials/ spider ring

 

[jrd426]

And lastly. The ring to the ground is only about 15ft but i have a great swr pretty much flat where i want it to be. The same tree has a antron99 popping out the very top around 25-30 ft from ground. This maco being basically in the middle of the tree causes no issues. I plan on seeing if i can squeeze a serio 1/2 aluminum dipole flatside in same tree. "3 in the tree"
Not sure if its doable horizonal in the tree with the macos 4 aluminum radials in there. Dont need another vertical in there so will see if i have a chance to mess with antenna #3 before the winter and snow sets in here.
73s
Jeff

 

[Alabama Buckeye]

SWR while it's raining?