I got a line on a 30 foot tower, rotor, controller, and a "starduster" antenna for $150. The seller is selling it as part of his father's estate.
Is the Starduster anything special?
Is the Starduster anything special?
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Starduster?
- Thread starter The Jerk
- Start date
Great classic 1/4 wave ground plane. Very broadbanded. Go for this package...NOW. Run....don't walk
Yeah, a Starduster is a great antenna - but what is the significance of the rotor with this antenna?
A Starduster - as I recall - is an omidirectional vertical 1/4 wave antenna.
Correct me if I am wrong - please.
But even if it comes with the rotor - you can either sell it or save it until you are ready for a beam antenna. Then - you will want the rotor.
Sounds like a fair deal to me
A Starduster - as I recall - is an omidirectional vertical 1/4 wave antenna.
Correct me if I am wrong - please.
But even if it comes with the rotor - you can either sell it or save it until you are ready for a beam antenna. Then - you will want the rotor.
Sounds like a fair deal to me
if you have to take the tower down yourself, you should read up on the use of a gin pole.
here is a link that will explain what it is, and they are not too hard to fab up.
IIX GINPOLE KITS.
this is just one article, but you should find more and study up on them.
oh, and dont forget to bring a couple of friends to help!
sounds like a good deal, id go for it!
LC
here is a link that will explain what it is, and they are not too hard to fab up.
IIX GINPOLE KITS.
this is just one article, but you should find more and study up on them.
oh, and dont forget to bring a couple of friends to help!
sounds like a good deal, id go for it!
LC
Rob: I googled it and it seems they are omni-directional...not sure about the rotor.
Loosecannon: first question I asked was whether it was up or down...its down and ready to haul away.
There is also another tower and antenna, closer, but still up. Its a 35 foot with a three element beam for only a little more...seller claims its an actual amateur radio tower. But I am not in the position to take one down myself...
Loosecannon: first question I asked was whether it was up or down...its down and ready to haul away.
There is also another tower and antenna, closer, but still up. Its a 35 foot with a three element beam for only a little more...seller claims its an actual amateur radio tower. But I am not in the position to take one down myself...
Even if it is a TV rotor; you can run a single-element beam on it without any problem.
In fact, it is one of the best things to do with old TV rotors - so long as it works and is in fair condition. Like a Joe Gunn 'Smokin Gun II". Someone I know did that recently - worked out pretty well - too...
From what I've read about the Starduster - I think that you will like it.
In fact, it is one of the best things to do with old TV rotors - so long as it works and is in fair condition. Like a Joe Gunn 'Smokin Gun II". Someone I know did that recently - worked out pretty well - too...
From what I've read about the Starduster - I think that you will like it.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the seller...said he was going to get me pictures on Saturday, but have not heard anything yet. He's about 80 miles from me, so its not like I can just go over and look at it.
you could use that rotor to turn that dipole antenna you made from the 102" whips!
when erecting your new tower, make sure you do the rebar the right way in the concrete base. there are articles you can find online to show you how.
good luck,
LC
when erecting your new tower, make sure you do the rebar the right way in the concrete base. there are articles you can find online to show you how.
good luck,
LC
Before you buy, site unseen, depending on the brand and condition of the rotor and the Starduster, $150 is way too much for 30 foot of tower and I’m assuming the tower is in good shape for immediate installation, is nothing special, like self-supporting, tilt, or crank up. If it is just some old tower, don’t buy unless you consider the following.
The SD’r could also be worthless and very likely the rotor could be too. This stuff may be very old, the rotor could be Radio Shack type and since you don’t need a rotor, then don’t buy it. You could be paying $50 per section of some homemade tower that might not be worth $50 in total. The SD’r antenna does not require a rotor and I have no idea why the seller is selling it with the SD’r. It all sounds like a gi-me (means screw me) deal. A clue to this seller might be in the reference he uses to describe the other tower, calling it an amateur tower. It may have an amateur antenna on it, but it is just BS Puffing calling it an amateur tower.
Ask how long has this stuff been out of operations and what is the condition of the SD’r antenna, rotor, and tower, by email so you can have a claim in writing if you make a deal. If this is on Ebay, you could have a claim if the stuff is not as claimed and for sure if there is an email claim.
Make sure the tower has very little or no rust and for sure make sure the tower is not bent up or has been lying on the ground. Ask for some pictures or check out the pictures shown really close. Make sure the rotor works or ask the seller for his guarantee that it to work as intended on arrival. If the tower has been stored outside in the weather and the rotor is attached to the tower, then run away don’t walk.
These guys tend to tell you they have no way to check anything and if so, then just walk away. Make sure you get all that goes with the rotor as well, including the wire and controller box if you make a deal.
What brand and model is the rotor?
Again, guys will tell you anything when selling some old radio gear and especially when they say it is an estate sale. Such statements are often used in order to claim later that they had no idea the stuff was worthless, because they were just selling if for someone else and most often that someone that had past and was no longer able to give you answers.
ALWAYS be very cautious in what you buy in old radio gear and for sure if you are new at this. If a little time and maybe 10 gals of gas were not worth the $150, then I would not buy it. Call or email the guy with plenty of questions and see if he will set up a visit without you talking about money. If you get to the location and everything looks good as noted above including the guarantee mentioned, then be prepared to offer the seller $100, telling him you don’t want or need the rotor, and don’t offer him a dime more. If he doesn’t take the offer for $100 dollar bill, then just leave and don’t look back. There will be other stuff to buy when the deal is right. Always tune in for the buzz words being used to sell anything.
The SD’r could also be worthless and very likely the rotor could be too. This stuff may be very old, the rotor could be Radio Shack type and since you don’t need a rotor, then don’t buy it. You could be paying $50 per section of some homemade tower that might not be worth $50 in total. The SD’r antenna does not require a rotor and I have no idea why the seller is selling it with the SD’r. It all sounds like a gi-me (means screw me) deal. A clue to this seller might be in the reference he uses to describe the other tower, calling it an amateur tower. It may have an amateur antenna on it, but it is just BS Puffing calling it an amateur tower.
Ask how long has this stuff been out of operations and what is the condition of the SD’r antenna, rotor, and tower, by email so you can have a claim in writing if you make a deal. If this is on Ebay, you could have a claim if the stuff is not as claimed and for sure if there is an email claim.
Make sure the tower has very little or no rust and for sure make sure the tower is not bent up or has been lying on the ground. Ask for some pictures or check out the pictures shown really close. Make sure the rotor works or ask the seller for his guarantee that it to work as intended on arrival. If the tower has been stored outside in the weather and the rotor is attached to the tower, then run away don’t walk.
These guys tend to tell you they have no way to check anything and if so, then just walk away. Make sure you get all that goes with the rotor as well, including the wire and controller box if you make a deal.
What brand and model is the rotor?
Again, guys will tell you anything when selling some old radio gear and especially when they say it is an estate sale. Such statements are often used in order to claim later that they had no idea the stuff was worthless, because they were just selling if for someone else and most often that someone that had past and was no longer able to give you answers.
ALWAYS be very cautious in what you buy in old radio gear and for sure if you are new at this. If a little time and maybe 10 gals of gas were not worth the $150, then I would not buy it. Call or email the guy with plenty of questions and see if he will set up a visit without you talking about money. If you get to the location and everything looks good as noted above including the guarantee mentioned, then be prepared to offer the seller $100, telling him you don’t want or need the rotor, and don’t offer him a dime more. If he doesn’t take the offer for $100 dollar bill, then just leave and don’t look back. There will be other stuff to buy when the deal is right. Always tune in for the buzz words being used to sell anything.
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If the deal falls through and you still want a Starduster, they have a re-issue (new copy) of it at Palco Electronics for $50 & shipping:
Workman M-400 Starduster - Palco Electronics
Or a copy of the A99 is also a good choice for ~$56:
http://www.palcoelectronics.com/p1003655.aspx
There are better antennas than the Starduster - but for $50 for a new one - it would be hard to beat it at that price. Especially if you have to do this on a budget - the Starduster would be an excellent choice for the money spent.
Just a thought...
Workman M-400 Starduster - Palco Electronics
Or a copy of the A99 is also a good choice for ~$56:
http://www.palcoelectronics.com/p1003655.aspx
There are better antennas than the Starduster - but for $50 for a new one - it would be hard to beat it at that price. Especially if you have to do this on a budget - the Starduster would be an excellent choice for the money spent.
Just a thought...
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I was waiting for pictures to determine if it was even worth my time driving up to take a look at...definitely not buying site unseen.
I really don't want/need the SD antenna. I'm happy with my dipole...the tower would be nice to get into the air, and if it came with an antenna...bonus.
So far it may be a moot point...seller has not responded. I may see about the other one advertised as a "amateur radio tower", although it looks like nothing special either. It does appear in good condition.
I really don't want/need the SD antenna. I'm happy with my dipole...the tower would be nice to get into the air, and if it came with an antenna...bonus.
So far it may be a moot point...seller has not responded. I may see about the other one advertised as a "amateur radio tower", although it looks like nothing special either. It does appear in good condition.
If it is an original StarDuster from the 70's-80's.....they are made of much better materials than the copies made today.
IF it is original and intact 100% and all....it WILL sell on ebay or elsewhere for over $100. Something to think about.
IF it is original and intact 100% and all....it WILL sell on ebay or elsewhere for over $100. Something to think about.
I used a Starduster for yrs! I kick myself for getting rid of it as it was a real good antenna. I use a T.V. rotor to turn my maco 3's. Turns em NO problem 