Yeah, Ed, that’s why I opted for the 1/2 wave. Should hold up a little better In the wind than the 5/8 version. Hope so.
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New Sirio 1/2 wave Gain Master
- Thread starter Marconi
- Start date
Came today. Now just need the yard to dry out after the rain and snow and a warm day to get it up. Hopefully Saturday.
Oh heck yeah, can't wait to see more of that.Came today. Now just need the yard to dry out after the rain and snow and a warm day to get it up. Hopefully Saturday.
View attachment 62348
Antenna arrived earlier than expected and weather was nice (sunny and 50), so up it went.
Instructions said to set lengths of top two sections at 71.6” for 27.2 MHz. SWR was high at that length. Wound up using 69.5” for each, resulting in the following SWR’s:
1.2@CH1
1:1@ CH20
1:2@CH40
Here are a few pics:
Nice choke.
Preparing to wrap the connection per instructions.
In the air!
In a brief test, I am receiving a local CB’r 1/2 S Unit higher than with my homemade Starduster. He noticed the same difference on his end. In summary, the antenna goes together easily, looks good and seems to be working decently.
Instructions said to set lengths of top two sections at 71.6” for 27.2 MHz. SWR was high at that length. Wound up using 69.5” for each, resulting in the following SWR’s:
1.2@CH1
1:1@ CH20
1:2@CH40
Here are a few pics:
Nice choke.
Preparing to wrap the connection per instructions.
In the air!
In a brief test, I am receiving a local CB’r 1/2 S Unit higher than with my homemade Starduster. He noticed the same difference on his end. In summary, the antenna goes together easily, looks good and seems to be working decently.
Update. The local I mentioned above is only 2.5 miles from me. Just conducted a better test. Talked to a local 12 miles away. His signal has gone from a 3 to a 7. Before, I could barely hear him. Loud and clear now!
Update again.Update. The local I mentioned above is only 2.5 miles from me. Just conducted a better test. Talked to a local 12 miles away. His signal has gone from a 3 to a 7. Before, I could barely hear him. Loud and clear now!
Turns out the local was running an amp!
Hence the big jump in signal. However, when he did go back to barefoot, I received him at a 5. So the new antenna did improve his signal 2 S units.
Am loving this antenna. Will learn a lot about its durability in the next 3-4 days as freezing rain is forecast. It is definitely not as rigid as an Antron 99. Quite frankly am expecting a lot of sag/bend with ice accumulation. Will report back on any change in its SWR/Performance/Physical Condition as the week progresses. Fingers crossed.
I've had this antenna on my list of possibilities for a while and I'm very curious. Can't wait to see your update. I'm currently using the a99 and I-Max 2000 and they seem to be doing well enough.Am loving this antenna. Will learn a lot about its durability in the next 3-4 days as freezing rain is forecast. It is definitely not as rigid as an Antron 99. Quite frankly am expecting a lot of sag/bend with ice accumulation. Will report back on any change in its SWR/Performance/Physical Condition as the week progresses. Fingers crossed.
Well, the ice missed us. Had three days of sleet and flurries but no freezing rain and ice accumulation. As a result, the antenna remained straight.
No change in SWR or performance.
i have 2 locals here in north west pa with the full size gaimaster and they had no issues what so ever..your review is pretty much what i expected
Update.
Yesterday winds here were 38 mph with gusts to 55.
The Sirio Gainmaster 1/2 wave is standing straight and tall this morning. Actually, it didn’t even bend much during all of that.
Yesterday winds here were 38 mph with gusts to 55.
The Sirio Gainmaster 1/2 wave is standing straight and tall this morning.
Actually, it didn’t even bend much during all of that.
Heck yeah, that's a good test.Update.
Yesterday winds here were 38 mph with gusts to 55.
The Sirio Gainmaster 1/2 wave is standing straight and tall this morning.
Not the right thread, but the sigma venom took a beating yesterday too. 35 mph sustained with continuous 68 to 75 mph gusts. Yesterday was a rough one! Unlike your sirio, the sigma looked like a boomerang during all that. That said it stands straight this morning, hard to believe it's surviving the panhandle life.
Yes sir no doubt. Tomorrow isn't promised today, in anything!Glad to hear it, Ed.
We survived to talk another day.