New base antenna poll

[bigred222]

Looking to put up a new antenna for the base well new again. Should i stick with the antron or should i buy something a little more expensive that will yeild a decent amount of gain that will justify the extra money.

not looking to spend any more than 130 bucks
also not gonna be running more than 500 watts into it
so options are as follows
A99
imax 2000
maco v 5/8

 

[binrat]

Maco,
I've had a 99 and it never lasted here with the weather, alum antennas has.

 

[Robb]

Since you are a CBer; then the Maco 5/8 is your ticket - IMO.
If you were a Ham or going to get your license; then the Imax would be the best choice.

 

[bigred222]

i am a ham actually but i only participate on field day. i guess ill order the maco tomorrow unless anyone suggests otherwise


SHOCKWAVE WHERE ARE YOU!!!!

 

[Marconi]

I see this a little different.

I've had A99's since the early 90's. All I do is take them down from time to time, clean them up, redo the seal around the metal couplings where necessary, refinish, and paint.

Except for getting a couple of bad ones over time, I've never had one fail me, and contrary to popular reporting on these antenna forums that it is nothing but a dummy load...the A99 works very well. If it doesn't work well for you...then IMO, you're just unlucky or you got a lemon.

For the money and ease of installation...it is hard to beat. And if you hear a signal on your CB, then chances are very good that the signal is from an A99, for both local and DX contacts.

Can anybody really and honestly argue this is not close to the truth?

IMO, the others can be up to double the expense, and the V58 is notorious for being somewhat difficult to get tuned unless you really know what you're doing. At best, the other two may in some situations respond a little bit better in performance.

 

[Lil'Yeshua]

I see this a little different.

I've had A99's since the early 90's. All I do is take them down from time to time, clean them up, redo the seal around the metal couplings where necessary, refinish, and paint.

Except for getting a couple of bad ones over time, I've never had one fail me, and contrary to popular reporting on these antenna forums that it is nothing but a dummy load...the A99 works very well. If it doesn't work well for you...then IMO, you're just unlucky or you got a lemon.

For the money and ease of installation...it is hard to beat. And if you hear a signal on your CB, then chances are very good that the signal is from an A99, for both local and DX contacts.

Can anybody really and honestly argue this is not close to the truth?

IMO, the others can be up to double the expense, and the V58 is notorious for being somewhat difficult to get tuned unless you really know what you're doing. At best, the other two may in some situations respond a little bit better in performance.

It's A99's and Maco V5 8's and the occasional Maco 3 element beam around my neck of the woods. Some have them at some magical 30 or so feet for DX,the others have theirs 70 to 80 feet up in a pine tree

 

[Road Squawker]

spend another 20 buks and get a p500......... a MUCH better antenna and more durable that any of the other 3

 

[roadrage]

I like the aluminum 5/8 and .64 waves. Mine is a knock off of the Penetrator 500 and it is awesome. Even testing it out on a 4' pole I hammered into the ground next to my house, I almost buried the needle on my wife's S-meter, two miles away. I was using an old EF Johnson 4230, totally stock. My roof mounted 102" was giving her 9 lbs at the same distance and with a more powerful radio. The only issue is the matching network can't take a lot of power. But the beauty of them is that if you get them at a good height, you don't need much power to blister the airwaves.

Plus it is easy to just build your own matching device that can take more.

 

[bigred222]

Thanks road rage. I just dont have a antenna analyzer but i think im leaning towards the maco. Be a nice change of pace over the antron. How are they with interference over the antron. i know i took out my alarm system in my house with a 1x4 and my antron when it was up. do you think the maco will cause less interference???

 

[roadrage]

My aluminum is a Super Penetrator style ground plane antenna, but not a Maco. I have only run barefoot through it, but no noticeable RFI with it. At some point I do plan on running a small amp through it, but until then I can't give any input on how much RFI will be a problem for you. I do know that A99 and Imax antennas are known to have some issues with RFI.

 

[Shockwave]

i am a ham actually but i only participate on field day. i guess ill order the maco tomorrow unless anyone suggests otherwise


SHOCKWAVE WHERE ARE YOU!!!!

In your application I wouldn't consider any other than the Gain-Master. It will have more signal in the distance than the others, has much more bandwidth so you can get on 10 without a tuner and handles all the power you're going to run. That's my advice and what I use. No ugly radials on the roof or RFI problems either.

 

[bigred222]

In your application I wouldn't consider any other than the Gain-Master. It will have more signal in the distance than the others, has much more bandwidth so you can get on 10 without a tuner and handles all the power you're going to run. That's my advice and what I use. No ugly radials on the roof or RFI problems either.

Wayyyy out of my price range shockwave

 

[Shockwave]

If signal and interference issues are of concern, I'd suggest you keep what you have until you're ready to make an upgrade that you'll notice.

 

[Mudfoot]

Save your pennies.