In a message dated 4/6/02 5:20:15 PM Pacific Daylight Time, k1my@msn.com
writes:
> Telrex but it must be rebuilt before you use it, in original design
> it is junk, bad design, it breaks-pieces fall off, electrically it is a
very
> poor design and the balun doesn't work
I agree. This is a classic old-style design - i.e. built like a brick
outhouse - which has some inherent problems.
The new paradigm ala' Force 12 is "to bend like a willow instead of
breaking like an oak" makes more sense IMO.
>
> DX Engineering 3 element 1 vote
Turns out that Bill never modeled his monobanders and as a result they
looked great but didn't play very well. If you can find one or want to build
one of your own, do your own modeling for best performance.
>
> KLM 4 element I have 1 in a box I can sell you
>
> KLM 4 element not recommended
>
A big, fragile antenna. I had one and it broke every winter necessitating
repair every summer. A big hassle to get up and down the tower. I bought a
402CD to replace and have never felt like I gave anything away plus the CC is
much more reliable. Be sure to use the Secret LXC Dimensions with it.
> Force 12 340N 2 element version
>
> Force 12 340N 3 votes delivery problems though (promises not kept)
>
> Force 12 not recommended, loading wires break (I wonder, was this an
> older design?)
They work fine but I've never had a F12 linear loaded antenna owner tell
me that he was ecstatic about its performance; it's okay - just not
outstanding.
>
> M2 40M4L 2 votes
> good mechanically in Michigan ice/wind
> 30% less expensive than Force 12 340N
>
> Cushcraft 402CD (XM240?)
>
> Cushcraft corrodes and pieces fall off in 2 to 3 years
>
Really? XM-240 or 402CD? I've never seen one shed any parts (I did lose
one of the capacity wires once though). I'd be interested in hearing what was
or was not done to antennas with the aforementioned antenna(s) to cause the
failure.
I'm a bigger fan of the 402CD since it can be installed relatively close
to other antennas whereas the XM240 doesn't seem to have that capability.
> HyGain one vote
The old version was notorious for having the insulators break down and
short. Not recommended unless you can sove that problem.
>
> Mosley 1 vote
>
Har har - good one. (Just a generic Mosley comment.)
> I also asked for a recommendation on a rotor:
>
> Tailtwister one vote ( used with Cushcraft 2 element)
>
> Yaesu G2800 two votes
>
> Orion 2800 one vote
>
> Big Boy PST 61 from WX0B one vote
>
Rotators are the weak link in the rotatable antenna system. They all have
their pluses and minuses although the Orion's will turn just about anything
and are just below prop pitches IMO. The brute mast clamp does loosen up and
I don't have a cure for that problem.
The new rotator from Don Moorman, VE6JY, sounds interesting. They'll have
a booth at Dayton. <A HREF="http://alfaradio.ca";>http://alfaradio.ca</A>
follow the link to alfaspid.
Cheers,
Steve K7LXC
TOWER TECH -
Professional tower services for amateurs
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