The Search for the Perfect Antenna . . .

[Riverman]

. . . is a long, tough trail. A prevailing wind of clouded judgement blows across a landscape strewn with disillusionment, broken dreams and heartbreak. I can't help but think Cormac McCarthy had hams and CB'ers in mind when he penned his apocalyptic novel, The Road.

The sad truth is exactly what experienced radio operators have been saying in this and countess other forums since the beginning of time: There is no such thing as the perfect antenna. Period.

Why do so many pour souls pay no mind and step off their porch anyway? Easy. The same feeling drives us as drives the countless seekers who scour the country (and world) in search of Bigfoot or a still-alive Elvis. Only to discover the latter is some overweight guy from Blue Eye, Arkansas in a wig and XL white sequined jumpsuit who mostly performs at Saturday night hootenannys and high school benefits.

Having made the journey (looking for the perfect antenna, not Elvis), I can try and save those of you on the fence a lot of time, effort and disappointment by reiterating what those-in-the-know have been preaching: Make a list of what you want in an antenna and look for (or make) one that best meets those requirements.

Duh. Wish I'd done that a long time ago. But, there's no time better than the present. So here goes. (Remember, everyone's tastes are different. Or we'd all be driving a Chevy Colorado.)

1. Omni-directional
2. Covers 10-12-15-17 and 20 meters
3. Able to tune each individual band
4. Capable of handling 100 watts
5. Somewhat stealthy

After a relatively brief internet search, I landed here:

MFJ Cobweb - Model 1835 or 1836 (includes 6 meters)
Of the five requirements above, the only one the cobweb is iffy on is #5. But if I hang a couple of pair of underwear on it, it should be fine.

A lengthier internet search revealed many good articles and reviews. And eventually made me realize, "I have found the perfect antenna!!!"

Or, at the very least, one that appears to be a good fit for me.
We'll see . . .

 

[Handy Andy]

Of the five requirements above, the only one the cobweb is iffy on is #5. But if I hang a couple of pair of underwear on it, it should be fine.

It's the Underwear part - should that be a #6?

Cool idea!​

 

[W4KVW]

MFJ can mess up a wet dream so don't get your hopes up to high.They have excuses for their errors from what I understand because MFJ stands for,My First Job so they are a learning program & make lots of mistakes.Of course many call them Mighty Fine Junk & other things I will not even repeat but I think most anyone will understand what the message is. LOL The Best piece of gear I have that says MFJ on it is an MFJ 929 Automatic Antenna Tuner & I must say I'm shocked at how well & how quickly it works but again they can make a mistake & make a good one every now & then in their training process.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Handy Andy]

Hmmm...found this...

MFJ Enterprises, founded in 1972 by Martin F. Jue, is a manufacturer of a broad range of products for the amateur radio industry.

That's from WIKI - so I already know the monikers it also references...but it looks good on paper...

Just sorry to see the actual working prototype - well, the Paper Mache and Aluminum Foil it's built from, is still drying...

 

[Riverman]

MFJ can mess up a wet dream so don't get your hopes up to high.They have excuses for their errors from what I understand because MFJ stands for,My First Job so they are a learning program & make lots of mistakes.Of course many call them Mighty Fine Junk & other things I will not even repeat but I think most anyone will understand what the message is. LOL The Best piece of gear I have that says MFJ on it is an MFJ 929 Automatic Antenna Tuner & I must say I'm shocked at how well & how quickly it works but again they can make a mistake & make a good one every now & then in their training process.

SIX-SHOOTER

I understand. And know from experience. What I can't figure is why we almost never hear complaints about their tuners and analyzers.

Have found a couple of fellas making what appear to be high quality cobwebs. One in Germany and one in Brazil if I remember right. Still considering those. Any missing parts in the MFJ version could be easily replaced. It's mostly wire and nuts and bolts.

 

[sp5it]

Hexbeam. Forget vertical.
Mike

 

[Riverman]

Hexbeam. Forget vertical.
Mike

Cobweb is a poor man's hex beam. Less expensive and no rotor needed.
And is a little less obtrusive.
Neighbors looking out their window at cobweb. "Hmmm. That's interesting."
Neighbors looking out their window at hex beam. "What the hell?!"

 

[jon666]

. . . is a long, tough trail. A prevailing wind of clouded judgement blows across a landscape scattered with disillusionment, broken dreams and heartbreak. I can't help but think Cormac McCarthy had hams and CB'ers in mind when he penned his apocalyptic novel, The Road.

The sad truth is exactly what experienced radio operators have been saying in this and countess other forums since the beginning of time: There is no such thing as the perfect antenna. Period.

Why do so many pour souls pay no mind and step off their porch anyway? Easy. The same feeling drives them as drives the countless seekers who scour the country (and world) in search of Bigfoot or a still-alive Elvis. Only to discover the latter is some overweight guy from Blue Eye, Arkansas in a wig and XL white sequined jumpsuit who mostly performs at Saturday night hootenannys and high school benefits.

Having made the journey (looking for the perfect antenna, not Elvis), I can try and save those of you on the fence a lot of time, effort and disappointment by reiterating what those-in-the-know have been preaching: Make a list of what you want in an antenna and look for (or make) one that best meets those requirements.

Duh. Wish I'd done that a long time ago. But, there's no time better than the present. So here goes. (Remember, everyone's tastes are different. Or we'd all be driving a Chevy Colorado.)

1. Omni-directional
2. Covers 10-12-15-17 and 20 meters
3. Able to tune each individual band
4. Capable of handling 100 watts
5. Somewhat stealthy

After a relatively brief internet search, I landed here:

MFJ Cobweb - Model 1835 or 1836 (includes 6 meters)
Of the five requirements above, the only one the cobweb is iffy on is #5. But if I hang a couple of pair of underwear on it, it should be fine.

A lengthier internet search revealed many good articles and reviews. And eventually made me realize, "I have found the perfect antenna!!!"

Or, at the very least, one that appears to be a good fit for me.
We'll see . . .

i use a simple inverted v dipole works great on all bands with my auto tuner. cheap made it myself

 

[Tallman]

The sad truth is exactly what experienced radio operators have been saying in this and countess other forums since the beginning of time: There is no such thing as the perfect antenna. Period.

The perfect antenna is the one that works best you and you can afford.
All antennas are a compromise in one way or another.

 

[Riverman]

The perfect antenna is the one that works best you and you can afford.
All antennas are a compromise in one way or another.

 

[W4KVW]

I understand. And know from experience. What I can't figure is why we almost never hear complaints about their tuners and analyzers.

Have found a couple of fellas making what appear to be high quality cobwebs. One in Germany and one in Brazil if I remember right. Still considering those. Any missing parts in the MFJ version could be easily replaced. It's mostly wire and nuts and bolts.

I almost forgot my trusty MFJ 259B antenna analyzer which so far has worked when I needed it.I purchased it used for just $100 & it looks brand new.Guy said he never used it so he made me a deal on it.I wish it was the C version but I borrow a friends when I am messing with UHF antennas & he is usually here anyways.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[338_MtRushmore]

I also went through antenna hunting for a while. Now that i have a tuner and a few baluns and ununs, I know that it is my fault that i don't have a decent antenna up. Instead of searching for the perfect antenna, I now pass time by pondering my laziness.

 

[W4KVW]

i use a simple inverted v dipole works great on all bands with my auto tuner. cheap made it myself

I currently have (9) antennas up for most any band from CB,GMRS/FRS,MURS,All HF bands,2 meters,440 mhz,& 6 meters.2nd tower going up soon with a 4 element vertical beam for CB.I hope it makes those who signed up for an HOA so mad they pee on themselves. LOL

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Riverman]

I currently have (9) antennas up for most any band from CB,GMRS/FRS,MURS,All HF bands,2 meters,440 mhz,& 6 meters.2nd tower going up soon with a 4 element vertical beam for CB.I hope it makes those who signed up for an HOA so mad they pee on themselves. LOL

SIX-SHOOTER

Lot of guys with wet britches right now..

 

[W4KVW]

Cobweb is a poor man's hex beam. Less expensive and no rotor needed.
And is a little less obtrusive.
Neighbors looking out their window at cobweb. "Hmmm. That's interesting."
Neighbors looking out their window at hex beam. "What the hell?!"

One of my neighbors behind me lives in a 2 story house so he will get a good look from upstairs at the new tower & beam when it's up. LOL There are already (4) yagis on the other tower so another tower with another yagi will just make his day.I lived here 1st & I don't care who likes them other than me.

SIX-SHOOTER