[TowerTalk] 10 throu 20 beam traps or no traps

[john at kk9a.com]

There are compromises on all antennas, especially with multiband beams.
Interlaced elements have no trap losses and are designed for optimum
element spacing with minimal interaction from the non resonant elements.
If these are your choices, I would definitely pick the OptiBeam.  In my
opinion, OptiBeam's quality and customer service are second to none.

John KK9A


To:	towertalk at contesting.com
Subject:	 [TowerTalk] 10 throu 20 beam traps or no traps
From:	 Ed Stallman <n5dg at airmail.net>
Date:	 Thu, 19 Jun 2014 20:29:56 -0500

Antenna Guru help needed

I'm at a point were working new DX on the high bands is getting tougher .
For 15 years I used a 2 element 5 band quad , the quad did ok but it
seamed I needed repair about every 5 years , then for the past year I
tried the 5 band Hex Beam . I'm finding my self in the pileups for quit
some time. I don't have to be the guy that logs them 1st or 2nd call ether
!

I'm looking at the Mosley TA33m 10, 15 and 20 plus the Mosley TW33XL 30,
17 and 12...( I have 2 towers to use so no stacking !) These antennas spec
out with good gain and F/B ... seams like all the new antennas designs are
getting away from traps. Is their really a problem? The specs look good
and the price is not bad.

Second Choice is the Optibeam OB9-5 , this gives me 5 bands and no traps (
I lose 30m ) 2 ele each band , F/B is about the same and the gain at an
average of 4.5 DBD sounds more realistic. .. Price for this antenna is
about the same as the 2 Mosley's .

If I knew the traps, Gain and pattern were all good, I would go with the
Mosley ..My Budget is around $2,600 USD and I want to make the correct
decision.

Thanks Ed N5DG