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spectrum 1600
- Thread starter RugRat235
- Start date
Flimsy. They work fine, but they are not a quality product. You'd be better off with a Maco V-5/8.
This is a horrible antenna, but locals use it with decent results. I'd run away .... FAST! 
Mechanically it is a pile of junk. This antenna uses thin wall, corregated tubing. As long as you make a good electrical connection, you will be OK. But, those small gaps WILL let water and air in! These two elements WILL cause corrosion and oxidation. Its a ticking time bomb.
Electrically, it WILL burn out if you use too much power! They use PLASTIC instead of teflon or delrin. I've seen a melted coil section and it wasn't pretty. They also use multiple shortened radials to compensate for full length radials, and as we know, full size elements are ALWAYS better than shortened or loaded elements!
You will spend close to $80.00 for one, and have a $25.00 antenna for your efforts.
On the up side, it is a 5/8 antenna and a 5/8 is a 5/8 is a 5/8. Use it with low power, don't expect it to last long, and be willing to put up with the lossy matching section, and you'll do fine!
If you want the best, get the I-10K! If you can't afford the best, get the Maco V58.
Mechanically it is a pile of junk. This antenna uses thin wall, corregated tubing. As long as you make a good electrical connection, you will be OK. But, those small gaps WILL let water and air in! These two elements WILL cause corrosion and oxidation. Its a ticking time bomb.
Electrically, it WILL burn out if you use too much power! They use PLASTIC instead of teflon or delrin. I've seen a melted coil section and it wasn't pretty. They also use multiple shortened radials to compensate for full length radials, and as we know, full size elements are ALWAYS better than shortened or loaded elements!
You will spend close to $80.00 for one, and have a $25.00 antenna for your efforts.
On the up side, it is a 5/8 antenna and a 5/8 is a 5/8 is a 5/8. Use it with low power, don't expect it to last long, and be willing to put up with the lossy matching section, and you'll do fine!
If you want the best, get the I-10K! If you can't afford the best, get the Maco V58.
This is a horrible antenna, but locals use it with decent results. I'd run away .... FAST!
Mechanically it is a pile of junk. This antenna uses thin wall, corregated tubing. As long as you make a good electrical connection, you will be OK. But, those small gaps WILL let water and air in! These two elements WILL cause corrosion and oxidation. Its a ticking time bomb.
Electrically, it WILL burn out if you use too much power! They use PLASTIC instead of teflon or delrin. I've seen a melted coil section and it wasn't pretty. They also use multiple shortened radials to compensate for full length radials, and as we know, full size elements are ALWAYS better than shortened or loaded elements!
You will spend close to $80.00 for one, and have a $25.00 antenna for your efforts.
On the up side, it is a 5/8 antenna and a 5/8 is a 5/8 is a 5/8. Use it with low power, don't expect it to last long, and be willing to put up with the lossy matching section, and you'll do fine!
If you want the best, get the I-10K! If you can't afford the best, get the Maco V58.
Aren't they only about 19' 6" tall and therefore not a full 5/8 like the I-10K which is ~23'?
I agree about the crappy tubing and screw-together radiator sections. You gotta split the tops and use an automotive type hose clamp instead of those crappy screws which ovalize their holes, back out, allow aluminum oxide build-up and eventually let loose sections telescope down inside itself.
If you do all that, plus use Deox to seal it at each section it should perform OK, for a while.
And the Sirio 2016? - Same-o, same-o from what I can tell.