>
>On Mon, 19 Feb 1996, Jay wrote:
>
>> Hello Everyone,
>> I am considering A KLM KT-34A tribander and would like your input.
>> I live in a rural township where we have wind gusts at or above
>> 50 mph a few times a year.
>> I am concerned about wind survival and performance at 50 ft.
>>
>> TU/73
>> Jay Sturtevant AA2IX
>> d7507@microagewny.com
>-----------------------
>Jay -
> I've had two Kt34's, one a kt-34XA. I just love these antennas. In
>particular, the "XA" will give you the flattest SWR you will ever see
>across every band from top to bottom (and then some), and just abt the
>best gain (and best ears, too) available in a tribander. Less performance
>is available in the plain kt34 (but very FB considering its small size).
>
> These antennas are not plagued by traps or coils, and are electrically
>similar to other antennas using capacitative or linear type loading to
>achieve a good match. They are NOT lossy, and are - mechanically - extremely
>strong. I just lost the top of my 60' aluminum tower and the KT34XA came
>to earth via a 70' drop. With the exception of 3 element halves which got
>destroyed, the antenna unscathed (really)! They are VERY strong. The
>down side of this is that they are HEAVY and carry a rather fair
>windload. At this station we refer to it as "The Beast."
>
> There are other antennas, such as Force 12, which are touted to be
>spectacular performers while being lightweight, but in my opinion, they
>haven't been in service nearly long enough to truly tell the whole story.
>KLM has been around forever, and when you get all your parts (prepare to
>spend at least twice the time they claim to put it together), ALL the
>parts are correct, and ALL the instructions are crystal clear and
>complete. I have seen Mosley stuff, and cushcraft stuff, and they just
>don't compare in this way. The Force 12 package often arrives incomplete
>or some parts are incorrectly sized, due to their sudden "popularity."
>This doesn't make them poor performers, just niggling friends.
>
> Many ops claim the KLMs need a great deal of regular maintenance. I
>have never found this to be the case, but see what the others can tell
>you. Soon I will be replacing the tower. I will order a new kt-34XA to
>put up at abt 72'and winds here also get over 50 mph. Not to worry. Just
>make sure your setup can hold her.
>
>Good Luck!
>
>73 de Jeff WA2SYN
>wa2syn@li.net
Well, I dont know if I'd defend KLM too hard...they've had some QC
problems since they were sold the last time, however I'll reserve judgement
since they seem to be making some improvements.
I agree that IMHO, KLM's KT34XA is the best performing tribander I've used.
No, I havent used any of the larger F12 multibanders. KLM's overall gain
is very good...it's pattern is not so good, but tolerable for a tribander.
They take forever to put together... and all the aluminum straps loosen up
in a short period of time. My last one, I put SS sheet metal screws thru
ALL clamping points (except, of course, the one on the cap tube), and an
extra one thru the element to boom strap. Of course, use lots of conductive
grease on everything.
F12's are very good antennas....they are not magic, but extremely efficient
as stated by others here...but an 8 or 12 foot boom and 2 elements only
goes so far (C3).
73, Tyler kf3p@cais.com
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