Tune-A-Tenna

[Riverman]

Once the thread got going, I invited Mr. McGinley to join in and address members’ questions, but he hasn’t shown and hasn’t replied to my email. This antenna really interests me; especially since we might be moving to the country where I’ll have plenty of room and no neighbors.

 

[BJ radionut]

If I had no restrictions...be the last antenna I would spend a $1000+ USD...I would be building a much superior system for that kind of money. This looks like a "Stepper" style antenna...Heard of too many firsthand experiences with motors/ retractable wires/balun failure issues etc... to go with that design IMHO

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Good points!

Of course too sharp of a downward angle may get the inside V angle under 90 degrees which will effect the feedpoint impedance. I would use 4ft metal stakes driven deep with ratchet straps to hook onto the antenna ends to get it real taut. The counter weight looks good enough if it was on a tight line.

That is a rather thick diameter mastrant guy rope supplied with this antenna. I use a thin 1/8 diameter mastrant rope on my inverted V and has a 800 lb break strength so the one I see with this antenna should be rated over 1500 lbs so it can be pulled very tight since it's not holding up very much weight.

Another thing to consider is people who live in cold winter climates will get ice on it that may last for days and weeks rendering the antenna useless. Then again, beam antennas have the same problem being stuck in position till the ice melts enough for the rotor to break it free.

Also wonder if there is any maintenance like grease on motor bearings/pulley shaft because like you said this antenna is dependent on the quality of the motor/components that is a concern because I see no warranty on this product.

Agreed about the ice, except the reference to a beam. I have never had ice prevent my rotator from swinging the antennas. Rotator used was a CD-45 so not a real big one. I doubt my next rotator will have ANY issues either. With ANY luck my antenna system will be COMPLETELY gone over this summer and replaced with a Yaesu G-2800DXA at the top. It should turn a small house actually. This looks like the motor drive unit is like a screwdriver motor. Not very fast and pretty good torque which helps to retract the antenna but nothing for unreeling it out. With a starting price of a thousand dollars..........I'll pass on it although it has given me some to think about as I clean up my crap and look for pulleys, motors and wire. Who knows, when I eventually get some free time I might even try and throw one together for giggles.

 

[Hilltop]

If I had no restrictions...be the last antenna I would spend a $1000+ USD...I would be building a much superior system for that kind of money. This looks like a "Stepper" style antenna...Heard of too many firsthand experiences with motors/ retractable wires/balun failure issues etc... to go with that design IMHO

I've heard someone on the air using one of these and he was complaining about SWR issues. Hard pass for me as well, not only for the eye-watering price, but the construction, wire (steel) and Rube Goldberg contraption inside the feed point box.

I can fabricate a nice fan or maypole-inverted V-type dipole for a lot less money and headache. Plus, I know it's going to function in a predictable and proven manner.

If I were in a situation where I needed to purchase a commercial multiband wire antenna, it would probably be one of these: MyAntennas EFHW 7510

Not a huge fan of the EFHW, BUT - many hams are using them and when installed correctly, they perform well.