Top One Ground Plane (Base Antenna)

[jbno7]

I owned both Astro Plane and Star Duster Antennas back in the 70s and 80s. In my opinion the Star Duster well out performed the Astro Plane in both TX and RX. The bad thing about the Star Dusters is that they were pretty dirty, even with out an amp they caused a good amount of TVI, and with the amp, forget about it. I also bought an after market Star Duster that Signal Engineering put out in the late 70s and it did not perform as well as the original antenna and it was cheaply made, it only lasted a few months and the wind took it apart. I like the A-99 if you want a good performing cheap antenna and your not going to run much power throught it. I recently sold my I-Max2000 and put an A-99 back up. The A-99 has better ears and the TX is the same. The I-Max2000 is overated .Put up one of Jay in the Mohaves antennas, as I have heard nothing but good about them. Thaaaats what Im going to do in the spring.

"the only scope in that dc communications trailer is to cover up the crack breath.."

</p>

 

[Jay in the Mojave]

Hello 443:



That one copy of the Starduster is Junk Incorparated. If any anteanna gets the Junk awad its that one.



I have a Astroplane copy that didn't look to bad. I never put it up tho.



Jay in the Mojave



www.a1antennas.com <img src=http://www.wwdx.org/smilies/posticon44.gif ALT=":44">


</p>

 

[443]

Looks like an Astro Plane. Price is cheap, says it's only 11.5' tall. Anyone know much about these? Are they Junk? Where the original Astro Planes junk? I know where an original Astro Plane is, don't know if they would let me have it.





I have a good beam, but looking for a cheap omni base antenna. Also the "Skylab" is even cheaper, looks like an old Starduster. Is it junk too? If so, and you think the old Stardusters aren't junk, then what makes the new version any different? Note durability is not a concern, I am in Southeast Texas and we don't get ice or much high wind.



Thanks for your opinions,



443












</p>

 

[76inthewheatfield]

Theres a local that has been using the Skylab for about 2 years now.He has had great luck with his as we live in tornadoe alley it has withstood several storms.He talks dx with the best and he is easly heard 40+ miles on quite days.I would say it is a good antenna for the $$$$. 73's

 

[RoadWarrior]

I'm having trouble with RFI to neighbors with my
Imax 2000, so, right now i have up my uncles
Top One (astroplane lookalike), i'll let you know
how it does compared to my Imax after i use it
a few days..

 

[RoadWarrior]

Disreguard....

 

[Cheech]

Astro planes are good antennas and if you can get one for free go for it!

 

[2at124]

antenna

i odnt know if the Imax 2000 is overrated i compare dthem both my signal gain went up 3db anf my recived went up around 2db both antennas were on the same radio at the same height with same ground and feeline. the astroplane wa snice but didnt hold up to the ne winds in NJ

 

[RoadWarrior]

Disreguard

 

[Peddler]

GROUND

 

[2at124]

antenna

i ground my antennas at the coax off of the braid in the coax i have no tvi interferance or power loss. i use a 1foot peace rg/8u strip the inner and outer sheild off and twist them together then cut the outer shield off the expolse the braid then wrap the one end of the rg/8u around the braid the soider it in place and wrap it with some elastic rubbery tape the some electric tape and attch them to thier own 9ft groundin rod seperate from the ground rod i have for my radio (i alway us eseperate grounds for radio ,amp, and antenna) .i havent had any problem with water gettin in the tape into the calbe at all and i have this to allmy feedline ihave used in the past 13 years in radio

 

[RoadWarrior]

I have my Imax 2000 grounded. Three 8ft ground rods into nice dark conductive soil .My equipment is
grounded. (single point, short- heavy copper wire).
Top One is also grounded.
Top One doesn't cause any RFI or TVI.
Imax is my main problem. A GPK might help me.
But, i'm going to install another tower and crank a
I-10k up there to get more height, make sure everything
is grounded correctly and see what happens.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Did some controlled testing today on the Top One.
Actually it's holding its own against my Imax 2000.
The locals i talked to the other night had there
power turned down and didn't tell me.
So, with people i trust i tested again and this
actually is not a bad antenna.

 

[KingCobra_CDX882]

Hey all..

anyways jbno7..
get yourself Jay's Interceptor I-10K ..

although it may be rude of him to toot his own horn..

i can tell you (as i know many others who use jay's I-10K )
you will likly not find now or in past a vertical 11 meter antenna that can do better then jay's Interceptor I-10K 5/8 wave ground plane..

perhaps it is on the big side...compared to say the A-99 and Imax-2000 (never had or tried the other antennas you guys were talking about)..and due to its size it must be extremly well mounted..for i know exactly how these north eastern storms here in NJ just love to take down antennas (lol)..

perhaps it costs a bit more...

But..no perhaps about it....
It destroys my old A-99 (i thought it was a decent antenna given its price)...
it destroys the Imax-2000 (very over rated antenna from my experience)...

Bottom line...many people when i am DXing think i am on a beam and or using a big amp-linear and simply say i am killing everyone else and simply blasting over the QRM..

Also my hearing is far far better..
Also totally gone is Any RFI-TVI issues..

so go call Jay and tell him you need one of his antennas..

Later

 

[High Miler]

For Omni Direction... I'll take my Imax 2000 everyday of the week... For Beams, the Maco Shooting Star...