metal antennas vs fiberglass ears

[The DB]

There should be no difference. The only difference should be in bandwidth.

You can't measure signal to noise ratio with an antenna. An antenna merely transports signal and noise received by it, it doesn't generate any of its own unlike a transmitter, the galaxy, the planet, electronic devices, components within those devices.

The "cubical quad" antenna was developed by Clarence C. Moore (patent no. 2,537,191, W9LZX) to eliminate coronal discharge that the yagi antenna's they used suffered from. Coronal discharge is a source of noise in a radio's receiver.

Further, reports from people changing antennas make observations that disagree with this statement all the time. Look at virtually any a99/imax to Maco or more recently a99/imax to Gainmaster antenna swap reports.

It is true that some sources of noise will be the same from antenna to antenna, but there are also some sources that can be minimized if not eliminated based on an antenna's design.


The DB

 

[Road Squawker]

There should be no difference.... An antenna merely transports signal and noise received by it, it doesn't generate any....

not quite correct.

the design of an antenna DOES determine noise that can be actually generated BY the antenna.

 

[Bearcat]

I have a maco v5/8 if you want it. where do you live in Texas? I live in Victoria...

1-469-407-6820 txt me

 

[RadioDaze2.0]

Given the IMAX and Antron has the dial a match I would guess the extra reported noise might come from that. It is the only real difference except for the brass tube which forms a capacitor. Maybe the losses in the matching account for noise, reduced signal to noise ratio ? Or induce noise. No idea really but it is the only thing different in the Solarcons.

This guy went into the details of the insides....

http://www.k3dav.com/solarconimax2000antenna.htm

Although some statements seem a little dubious...

"Near the inside middle of the center section, there is a high power capacitor-coupler (Shown below), and yes it radiates and couples the top half of the antenna. This allows the center section to radiate a larger pattern than most verticals do."

It does seem quite a bit different than a "straight wire" 5/8 wave. All this brass tube induces RF on copper centre core etc. It seems to have quite a bit of passive circuitry going on (2 coils, tuning rings capacitive coupling at "B"and then another capacitive coupling in the centre section) Very convoluted. which we all know is as per laws of physics must be loss-y compared with straight wire with a simple coil and tap at the bottom.

Did they over engineer to have something to sell or is there some real special design that produces gain over a "normal" 5/8 wave with no radials attached ? Sure has perked my interest in this antenna again, very intriguing. I have one but it seems to do about as well as my GM and Silver Rod 1/2 wave. They all do ok.

 

[Bearcat]

Given the IMAX and Antron has the dial a match I would guess the extra reported noise might come from that. It is the only real difference except for the brass tube which forms a capacitor. Maybe the losses in the matching account for noise, reduced signal to noise ratio ? Or induce noise. No idea really but it is the only thing different in the Solarcons.

This guy went into the details of the insides....

http://www.k3dav.com/solarconimax2000antenna.htm

Although some statements seem a little dubious...

"Near the inside middle of the center section, there is a high power capacitor-coupler (Shown below), and yes it radiates and couples the top half of the antenna. This allows the center section to radiate a larger pattern than most verticals do."

It does seem quite a bit different than a "straight wire" 5/8 wave. All this brass tube induces RF on copper centre core etc. It seems to have quite a bit of passive circuitry going on (2 coils, tuning rings capacitive coupling at "B"and then another capacitive coupling in the centre section) Very convoluted. which we all know is as per laws of physics must be loss-y compared with straight wire with a simple coil and tap at the bottom.

Did they over engineer to have something to sell or is there some real special design that produces gain over a "normal" 5/8 wave with no radials attached ? Sure has perked my interest in this antenna again, very intriguing. I have one but it seems to do about as well as my GM and Silver Rod 1/2 wave. They all do ok.

They're all about the same..i don't think u will see huge differences in antennas...just the other day in dx a Imax was s9 on my receive...blowing smoke