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need antenna info

C

cornbread

Member
Nov 15, 2008
5
0
11
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What’s going on I need help with a antenna im going to mobile to a base want to start with a good antenna I do not have a lot of room Have to mount it to chimney so I think I cannot go to big I want to talk skip or the have the best of both world I was looking at a I max 2000, or
maco v/5000,or v whats is the best , i can not go to big
how good do maco v quad work, looks like i will need a rotor for that one
 

Imax 2000 would fit the build of what you're looking for. It's not a bad antenna for the price. When the conditions roll back around, you'll have no problem talking skip.
 
The advertising says '1200 watts'. If you don't plan to use that much power, or very close to it, it sounds like it's at least reasonable. Do you plan to run that kind of power? If not, it really doesn't matter.
- 'Doc
 
put up an antron 99 that can be had for $60.00 or less get a nice used RCI 2950 or 2970 $200.00 to 300.00 a good 10 amp power supply talk SSB world wide on 20 watts. talk to the whole world for under $500.00 conditions permitting.
 
Hey cornbread

The Interceptor I-10K with the LMR-400 coax should work very well

I have been using Jay's I-10K several years now
It is without doubt the best vertical ground plane CB antenna out there
I rarely talk 11 meter these days,but when i talk skip most think i am on a huge beam

You should have fun with it

The funny thing is how many my CB friends knock me for such a big and expensive antenna and yet the very same friends are like,hey how you able to talk so far so easily

To this day i still never use a amp (have no need for it) it is all about location as well as antenna and antenna height and then coax-feedline and then radio (not amps)
 
LMR-400 is overkill on 11M.

If it floats your boat, I have no problem with it, you just won't notice a difference if the run is under 100'. Maybe more.
 
I would have to say any decent 5/8 wave vertical with RG8/U Foam as high as you can get it - with as clear to other tall objects that you can. Using 100 ft of RG8/U Foam or less is the best way to save money and get maximum results. You can spend more money on the coax; but with the CB frequency it isn't necessary - and improvents with a better cable is almost nonexistant. If you had a HAM radio on 2m - then yeah, you would HAVE to use the good stuff - but not on CB...

The Maco Alpha V 5000 (list $180) has got 4 radials, tunable between 10m-12m (incl CB-of course)and can handle gobs of illegal power (5 kw). They also have a cheaper version (the 'Alpha V 5/8'; $120 - handles 1.2 kw) that I am considering at this time that is also a 5/8 wave. 5/8 waves are most preferred when talking skip because of the low-angle of radio wave propagation twards the ionosphere . Perfect for catching/sending skip.

Beams don't like high winds. Unless you have a lot of money for a real tower, forget about it. You will also need a antenna rotor, and then you are into it for another $400 - ouch. I had a single quad and used an old but decent TV rotor. But that setup still cost me - including the single quad - about $500!! I liked it; but I liked and missed my 5/8 wave a whole lot more

5/8 waves are cheap, plentiful, get low SWR across the band, easy to find used, have real/great gain, and easy to mount. They are great on skip days - I can attest to that! Even with a 100 heater on PEP I talked all over the US with a STOCK Cobra 1000 base station without batting an eye. Be sure and get it up as high as you can; but remember that they are 22'+ in height themselves. You can afford the RG8/U Foam with the money you save quite easily.
Now you are talking...
 
Last edited:
cornbread,
You're right, the 'best' money is spent on a good antenna and good feed line. But Rob is also right, there is such a thing as 'over-kill' as far as that 'best' thingy goes. There honestly isn't going to be a huge, or even noticeable difference between RG-8, RG-213 or LMR-400 at 27 Mhz in a typical, average run length. And as someone else said (too lazy to look to see who), it's your wallet, treat it like you want. At less than 100 feet, there's nothing wrong with using that nasty RG-58!
As for the 5/8 wave antennas, the biggest difference between them isn't electrical, but mechanical. If it will withstand your typical weather, any of them will work fine. Pick the one you can 'live with' and which can 'live' in the typical conditions where you live. As long as it works well, who cares what it is?
- 'Doc


(Psst - Lie about it, say you made it and if they want one you'll sell them one at some ridiculous price!)
 
The Maco V5/8...

...has served me well. Antrons and Imax antennas are a little more forgiving if you are skimping on mounting and very popular here. The Maco V5/8 I have catches alot of wind, but has weathered numerous texas storms just fine. It also outperforms the 1/2 wave GP it replaced by a noticable amount local and Dx.
 
Since you are limited on space and have to mount on a chimney, your selection can be a big issue. All of the GP antennas are big in 11 meters and as already noted, can be a problem considering wind and weather.

You might see some improvement using the larger GP type antennas, but I doubt it would be as remarkable as you might hear about. Try the A99. I don't like the Imax, but IMO it too would be much better in your situation and they are simple and easy to install.

Be careful.
 

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