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sirio ground plane kit?
- Thread starter Bearcat
- Start date
Are you talking about this? That is the only Sirio ground plane kit I can find anywhere online. There isn't even mention of one on Sirio's web site.
Looking at that closely, it looks just like a Starduster.
In any case, it will work the same as a Starduster, although I wonder if it is missing its vertical element as they are only calling it a "Ground Plane Kit"? As far as I know Sirio doesn't sell just a ground plane kit, and that link above is the only one I can find anywhere for such a device. Its not even on their web site.
Unless of course you are referring to something else...
The DB
Looking at that closely, it looks just like a Starduster.
In any case, it will work the same as a Starduster, although I wonder if it is missing its vertical element as they are only calling it a "Ground Plane Kit"? As far as I know Sirio doesn't sell just a ground plane kit, and that link above is the only one I can find anywhere for such a device. Its not even on their web site.
Unless of course you are referring to something else...
The DB
The main difference I see is this GPA 27 45 version is noted to be adjustable from 27 mhz to 45 mhz.
It also looks to mount to the side of the short tube that extends below the bottom of the hub.
Not sure where the feed point is, but it could be on the side of the hub or up-inside the hub like I think the M-400 does.
It also does not look to have radial supports for wind and weather like the M-400 does.
Below is an image, and this one is made at various frequencies ranges from 30-230 mhz.
http://www.sirioantenne.it/images-antenne/GPA_series.png
It also looks to mount to the side of the short tube that extends below the bottom of the hub.
Not sure where the feed point is, but it could be on the side of the hub or up-inside the hub like I think the M-400 does.
It also does not look to have radial supports for wind and weather like the M-400 does.
Below is an image, and this one is made at various frequencies ranges from 30-230 mhz.
http://www.sirioantenne.it/images-antenne/GPA_series.png
I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a antenna...this is one I'm looking at and the Sirio Tornado
The sirio tornado is a good lightweight antenna, but it's just that, lightweight. The alum. Is thin walled and the antenna can get bent very easy if not careful putting it up. It is a great performing antenna for the money though. Had one up for about 1.5yrs. It got ruined when I tried to move it by myself. You will need at least 2 people to install this antenna due to its length and the antenna being thin walled. Take your time putting it together and add some blue loctite to all the Allen screws. And use no-ox on all the self tapping screws. Use the table sirio provides and if you go by the dimensions it will tune well. The 2 most important parts are to get the radials to the right length and the top whip to the right length. The table chart for tuning is right on the money so go by it to the T. This should make installation a breeze. For the money this antenna is a good one. As long as you don't line in a high wind area or get bad storms this antenna will be fine. Now if you want an HD antenna the 827 or the 2016 are pretty stout antennas and they work well too. Just a lot heavier and this means a more robust tower or mast pipes are needed. With the tornado you need to place the antenna up at about 30ft to the feedpoint and it will work well. The higher the better. Anything from 18ft up will work, but getting it up to around 30ft makes a big difference. Just my experience with this antenna. A very light weight antenna that does work well. Another to look at is the GPE 27. It's not as tall but works well too. Get the tip heights the same and I would think it would work as well as the tornado. The GPE27 is a shorter antenna so that is why I say having them both at the same tip height. The GPE27 is a super light antenna as well. It's weighs about 5lbs. The tornado is about 1.5lbs heavier. This is most likely due to 4 radials and a longer center whip. Research the antenna before buying as like I said if you live in a storm or heavy wind prone area, you might want to think about a more HD antenna like the 2016 or 827. JMHO. And I'll also say this. The vector 4000 is another antenna to consider as well. It's a heck of a vertical antenna!! It's tall as heck, but boy is it a great local and dxing antenna. But it's prone to damage from high winds as well due to its length, although I haven't noticed any issues yet and it did take a heck of a storm the other nifht. Wind gusts of up to 50+ mph we had. It was howling!! Antenna made it and is working great for me. Making contacts locally further than ever before. And I had the tornado up to 30ft at the base. It did well, but the nv4k beats it hands down IMO. Or maybe I am just imagining things. I just know I can talk further and hear further than I had previously. Anyway. Hope this helps clear the air about the sirio tornado. Good starter antenna and well worth the money as long as you aren't placing it where the winds and storms aren't real bad. JMHO.
I installed a Maco v58 by myself but about killed me and the antenna...never could get that beast set up right..but damn it talked...i think the tornado would be alot easier....great review!
I have the tornado also great antenna for the money. Like 222 said its tunes easily and is very light weight, kind of depends on where you live and how it will hold up. I live in Ca. and the weather is very mild and mine has been up for about three years and still going strong. Now I picked up a sigma 5/8's antenna from the 60 or 70's and there is no comparison on the build quality but they are hard to come by, Good luck.
I really like the maco v58 but had problems with the stinger element sliding inside itself...tuning was a bit hard too..but like I said I had a hard time getting it up past 20ft
Bearcat, I never owned a V58, but I remember a point in time passed when Maco announced they were no longer slotting and dressing the tapered tubing in their kits. I thought that was a big mistake...just for the reasons you note above. Using those little screw clamps to crush the tubing so it will hold fast...is not good in my book.
I don't know how much difference it makes in performance with the V58, but I have also heard it said they are difficult to tune, and as a result some complain it does not work so good. At the same time I've heard guys claim it is a great antenna, and I know some operators personally, and they talk big time using their V58 when they get it up at a good height.
Maybe you could fix the problem on your V58, but IMO 20' feet high is the bare minimum with CB...unless you live on flat land or on a hill with no obstructions around for maybe a mile or more.
Good luck,