A few months ago I posed the question "Who is selling a full sized 3
element 40 meter yagi?". The response was just this side of nil.
It turns out that DX Engineering was, but is not selling yagi's any
more. I got the feeling from talking to Bill that he would do a custom
job if I wasn't in a hurry.
Force-12 offered to do a custom job based on their elements for their 80
meter product.
Texas Towers sells the aluminum and Gerald (K5GW) offered to help with
the design.
I settled on M-Squared. Mostly because I had received some good
recommendations from friends who had recently purchased their 3 element
80 meter yagi. M2's normal 3 element full sized 40 is one that is on a
4" boom and rated for 125MPH. I had planned to turn this beast with a
TIC Ring. And though TIC sells an adaptor for 4" booms, I felt a 3" boom
was more than enough for my installation.
Mike did a custom design for me on a 3" boom. According to YagiStress
the antenna will survive 85MPH winds (the reflector being the weakest
link). I received the antenna last week and began to piece it together
this weekend. Everything looks great. They did a very professional job
of designing the antenna. I can't see any shortcuts anywhere.
Everything is stainless and the nuts are almost all self locking.
I hesitate posting what it cost me, because I paid them to do the work of
customizing this antenna. I'm sure they would charge less to someone
else now that the design is complete. I suggest contacting M2 if you are
interested.
Of course only time will tell how it holds up. But if I get 85MPH winds
at my place, I'll be a month clearing trees before I see the antennas. :)
73
Bill, W4AN
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