Anyone have any input on the strength of the boom on the L4+? I was planning to use phillystran support but it appears to be very ridged, much of it is double wall. I just don't want it to sag over time.
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My Lightning 6 Quad antenna
- Thread starter Drifter
- Start date
To be sure are these numbers stretched or not?
What is the wire diameter?
Are the wires bare copper?
The model I posted earlier was not a SE L4+, not even close. I was trying to demonstrate CMC of my Quad models since you asked about it. The 5" difference I reported between 10 & 11 meters was for a single 1/4 wave side of the driven element...not the total element length. 5" x 4 = 20" is pretty close to what your difference shows above as the overall lengths. In modeling we can only make straight wires, no bends, so each element for a standard Quad model will have 4 wires connected at the ends for each element for the beam.
Of course go with the specs Dennis.
I will try a model, but I'll have to try and figure out how to voltage feed this one or try adding the physical 1/4 wave feeder. I'll try making a conventional Quad first and check the bandwidth you reported 0.50 MHz if the match is near 50 ohms at resonance.
Can you confirm the spacing below?
R to Dr = 84.25"
Dr to D1 = 56"
D1 to D2 = 72.25"
Boom length about 17' feet 10" inches.
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I would like to know the difference too. I know there is a difference in the SE 2 element beam.
Hi Dennis ,
I will have to wait a while it is still under about three feet of snow up at the lake ...everything from what I can see it the same except the matching network signal engineering used a length of rg/59 as a matching network ...I think .
But will post some pictures when I can get at it .
Mur
I don't know for sure, but I would added the extra support anyway and consider it as insurance. I tried phillystran antenna guy line with nylon cover and it tended to stretch a little, so I used very thin steel wire on my beams and based on no changes to the match...I could not tell a difference.
Ask 543_Dallas, I think he use to run SE L4+ or larger.
It's not going to hurt anything adding the phillystran as a support...Don't really think the L4 needs it tho, mine never sagged while it was up...was only up a bout a year tho.
Marconi
Not sure what it is to tell you the truth the old guy told me it was a Signal Engineering reason why I say that is the element supports are the same as the lighting the way they come through the boom ....but will look up the CubeX and see .
Murray
Those are stretched dimensions.
Don't worry before this thing leaves the ground I'm going to document all the dimensions, photograph it and probably give it a proctology exam as well. Work and other stuff keeps getting in the way so will be a slow process. I will post updates along the way. I'll try to slip the boom together and get the spacing for you maybe tomorrow. My wife is pushing me to do something so I will see.
I'm thinking since I am pushing the limits of the mast, I don't want any more wind drag than necessary.
The thin phillystran I have been using for boom support does not have the nylon cover like the bigger stuff I use for guys. It doesn't seem to stretch at all. That is good info that the cable did not affect yours.
Signal Engineering "is" Lightning Antenna's...Lightning bought out Signal Engineering, and made a few changes on the designs, but still I think basically the same.
CubeX quads are not dual polarity....
Don't rush on my account Dennis.
I don't see a difference in spacing, so I think you're right the boom on the 10 meter version is very likely the same in length as the 11 meter. If I get started on the model I'll just use the spacing dimensions that both Harvey and Elliott gave me.
I have been refreshing the construction of the antenna and I have lots of questions, but I'll wait for your reports. I just got excited with the idea of modeling the L4+.
Thanks for the wire dimension and letting me know the wires are coated. I can try some common data for insulated wire antennas. I have noticed on the Moxon the insulated vs. bare wire can make a noticeable difference in resonance for the model. Some Moxon generators provide details for wire use. I have not seen the same wire insulation feature with Quad generators however, so maybe there is a difference the way wires work...due to the design. In the manual I just noticed some images of the wires were depicted as being insulated wires. I missed that in my past study for this antenna.
Take you time.
I don't see a difference in spacing, so I think you're right the boom on the 10 meter version is very likely the same in length as the 11 meter. If I get started on the model I'll just use the spacing dimensions that both Harvey and Elliott gave me.
I have been refreshing the construction of the antenna and I have lots of questions, but I'll wait for your reports. I just got excited with the idea of modeling the L4+.
Thanks for the wire dimension and letting me know the wires are coated. I can try some common data for insulated wire antennas. I have noticed on the Moxon the insulated vs. bare wire can make a noticeable difference in resonance for the model. Some Moxon generators provide details for wire use. I have not seen the same wire insulation feature with Quad generators however, so maybe there is a difference the way wires work...due to the design. In the manual I just noticed some images of the wires were depicted as being insulated wires. I missed that in my past study for this antenna.
Take you time.
I remember now asking George about the element spacing being different on the 10m vs 11m and he said only the wires were changed.
I happy to help with anything I can, it would be great to have a model of this antenna!