Vector 4000 Remake

[bob85]

Bob, it is just fun to note the way it works.

Currently the UK in my receive. and Hawaii at the same time.

not been able to hear/talk to distant stations you can hear on the vector when using other antennas is how its is here homer,
i realize some of the results must be down to our local topology not been flat but never has there been a result in many tests at different locations within about 70 miles of me where the vector did not outperform whatever it replaced not including the ultra rare big-mac.

 

[HomerBB]

Bob, I am going to keep watching the the results. I will be raising it up another 10' and see what happens then.
As for it having good performance down low, I was impressed by the first one I made when I had it on a pole merely 10' off the ground. Nothing I had put that height had done so well.

Shockwave, if I may ask, what size radials and ring do you use with the .82?

 

[Shockwave]

Shockwave, if I may ask, what size radials and ring do you use with the .82?

When scaled to 27.3 MHz. the radials would be 105.75 inches and the total length around the loop would be 94.75 inches. I believe these measurements are very close to the new Vector and probably not worth chasing after.

It's the radiator length I find has been shortened to improve the in phase currents in the CST model but this doesn't work out exactly the same in the field. The radiator from the connector ground point to the top of the whip should be closer to 29.5 feet.

 

[HomerBB]

When scaled to 27.3 MHz. the radials would be 105.75 inches and the total length around the loop would be 94.75 inches. I believe these measurements are very close to the new Vector and probably not worth chasing after.

It's the radiator length I find has been shortened to improve the in phase currents in the CST model but this doesn't work out exactly the same in the field. The radiator from the connector ground point to the top of the whip should be closer to 29.5 feet.

Thanks!

 

[The DB]

I'm glad to see it is working as intended. Good job, I think most people looking at this antenna would never know it was homemade.


The DB

 

[bob85]

its homermade

 

[HomerBB]

Sometimes I cross my fingers and bow my head, but this one I was determined to work the kinks out of.

Bob's right, another HomerBrewed antenna. I'm ruined now . . .

 

[HomerBB]

I pushed it up to 36' to the bottom of the antenna.

I wish I had more height, but I am enjoying this as it is.

 

[HomerBB]

A question that always arises is about the durability of the Vector 4000. A lingering complaint is that this antenna lacks integrity and will break easily. For this redo I wanted to add more structural strength to the original design. I double walled the lower 5.5'. I used heavier walled tubing for the cone radials, I beefed up the dog bone for the Gamma Match, and rebuilt the cross supports stronger, but even a third modification for that has not yet been added to the antenna. It is to go up a little higher on the vertical when I out it on (this week).

However, we had a monstrous storm pass through Saturday night. Winds were in excess of 60 MPH. Straight line winds were around 40 MPH continuously.
I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. I went into the shack and checked the SWR several times as the Moxon and the Vector 4000 wiggled and swayed with the winds. The Moxon mostly warped a bit here and there, but the Vector 4k laid over nearly horizontal. The V4k held a steady 1.0:1 SWR, and the Moxon moved from its usual 1.15:1 SWR on 27.385 to 1.4:1 settling back to 1.15:1 when it was all said and done. I took a quick photo of the two of them this morning after the storm. Neither antenna suffered any damage, but the very top of my push up pole beneath the V4k was left with a permanent bend which has my antenna leaning quite a bit. I am pleased for the way both antennas behaved in that storm.

Trees fell, some buildings were roof damaged, and some smaller structured were demolished by the strong winds. Some trees lost limbs of 6" diameter. One of my neighbors saw is 8" trunk on a Maple split down the middle.

 

[The DB]

So what you are saying is the weakest link of you home made Vector 4k is not the Vector 4k?

It goes to show that if you build it right it will last.


The DB

 

[HomerBB]

I have the thinnest upper section of that PUP inside the next section, but the top 1.5 feet of that thin section is still sticking up. That is the part that is bent over. I will have to add another pipe over it to strengthen it, or replace the whole thing with another.

Another shot as the evening closed in before the worst of it happened

 

[HomerBB]

As it turns out we did have a tornado. This one set down 2 miles from my house.

ROGERS, Ark. (AP) - The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down in Rogers during overnight storms.

A survey team from the National Weather Service in Tulsa, Okla., surveyed the scene on Sunday. A number of businesses sustained damage, including in the Pinnacle Hills commercial area.

The weather service says radar indicated the twister touched down just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday as a wave of heavy rain and high winds buffeted the area.

No serious injuries were reported. The storm knocked down trees and power lines.

The weather service initially rated the tornado as an EF-1, meaning it would have had winds of between 86 mph and 110 mph, but forecasters later said the tornado had not yet been rated.

 

[2rf66]

Glad you made it through safely!

 

[HomerBB]

Thanks.
Me, too.

 

[nav2010]

Nice work with the antenna Homer, I'm sure many have learned lots from your input. Top stuff