[TowerTalk] New antenna?

[Bill Eisinger]

Given the advances in computer modeling technology over the years I don't understand how anyone could believe that a trapped antenna based on a 40 year old design (such as the Mosley) could possibly perform better than current interlaced element designs...JK, Optibeam, Skyhawk,  etc. Small trapped tri-banders certainly have their place...size, weight, etc., but will they win the performance wars...not likely.


________________________________
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Joe Subich, W4TV via TowerTalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 7:57 AM
To: dj7ww at t-online.de <dj7ww at t-online.de>
Cc: contesting, towertalk <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New antenna?


On 2026-03-31 3:36 AM, dj7ww at t-online.de wrote:

 > But I doubt that dipoles work as well as the TA36.

The range tests by K7LXC and N0AX some 15 years after I
got rid of the TA36 proved my "feeling" correct.  Mosley's
"large tribander" (Pro 77) showed negative gain compared
to a dipole on 10 meters and the phone portion of 20 meters.
In the second report, the Pro 57B showed negative gain
(average) on both 10 and 15 meters.

In both cases, those results were between 4 and 6 dB
inferior to all other antennas in the large tribander class
(Skyhawk, C31XR, TH6/7, TH11, KT34-XA, X9).

Considering that the K7LXC/N0AX tests were performed by
directly comparing the tribanders with a dipole at the
same height, I will stand by their results and my own
anecdotal observations over "receive only" observations
that have no basis for comparison.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV

On 2026-03-31 3:36 AM, dj7ww at t-online.de wrote:
> I would not look back to a three element trap yagi either after installing 5 element Hygain monobanders.
> But I doubt that dipoles work as well as the TA36.
>
> 73
> Peter
>
>
> -----Original-Nachricht-----
> Betreff: Re: [TowerTalk] New antenna?
> Datum: 2026-03-31T01:46:08+0200
> Von: "Joe Subich, W4TV via TowerTalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> An: "towertalk at contesting.com" <towertalk at contesting.com>
>
>
> On 2026-03-30 7:18 PM, Peter Voelpel via TowerTalk wrote:
>> Then how comes that they are always providing same or better signal
>> strength then other tribanders?
> They are not, as proven by proper range testing.
>
> My first tribander (50 years ago next year) was a Mosley TA36 ... I
> quickly replaced it with a set of Hy-Gain antennas (204BA, 155BA,
> 105BA) and never looked back.  Comparatively, the Mosley was a lead
> (HEAVY) dummy load and a set of dipoles performed as well.
>
> 73,
>
>      ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 2026-03-30 7:18 PM, Peter Voelpel via TowerTalk wrote:
>> Then how comes that they are always providing same or better signal strength
>> then other tribanders?
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim
>> Brown via TowerTalk
>> Sent: Dienstag, 31. März 2026 00:41
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] New antenna?
>>
>> On 3/30/2026 3:16 PM, Gary Smith wrote:
>>> Suggest you get catalog from Mosley and consider one of their monobanders
>> if you don’t want traps.
>>
>> Monobanders are a great idea IF you have the real estate to rig them.
>> Moseley's big tribander came in dead last in the testing that N0AX and
>> K7LXC did in 1999. It even had negative gain (dBd -- with respect to a
>> dipole) on 15 and 10M, only 0.7 dB on 20M.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>



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