RadioBanter - View Single Post

Channel Jumper · February 7th 13, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmut Wabnig[_2_]

On Wed, 6 Feb 2013 22:08:02 +0000, Channel Jumper
wrote:

'Tom[_8_ Wrote:
;801430']Hi all

Now I need a recommendation for a 2m 70cm base antenna. This will go
right
at the top of a 50ft tower. My ringo 2m modification antenna didn't pan
out
too well. I could get low SWR on some freq but I want a wider range of
work.
If that is possible. I also use it for 156 megs (Marine band).

I am looking at the utubes of dual band antennas for home, I like the
UVS-300.

Can anyone make a recommendation for the purchase of a dual band
antenna? I
would also like to use it as a SWL antenna as I listen a lot on all
bands.
This antenna will be verticle and right at the top of the tower. I am
hoping
to spend about 200 dollars.

Thanks for any comments,

The antenna of choice is the Diamond X 510 fed with Belden 9913 or LMR
400

Ringo's are nothing more then a over glorified dummy load..

Second choice would be a Diamond V2000 if you also wanted to include 6
meters.....

On two meters FM - I have talked up to 1500 miles when the bands were
open with the Diamond V2000 and frequently talk 50 / 75 miles in the
mountains of western Pennsylvania - although my elevation helps a
little.

I am at 1400' amsl - 60 miles west of State College and 65 miles east of
Pittsburgh and I can talk and listen - north, south, east and west
about 50 miles full quieting.

Do not take the Diamond X510, take a shorter one.
The long antenna bends and swayes in the wind causing unnecessary
fading. The bending results in early failure.

You cannot SWL with a real duoband antenna, because it is frequency
selective and is dead on the SW bands.

w.

Ya - I didn't catch that one.
Longer wavelengths requires a larger antenna, hence you aren't going to use a 2 meter antenna to listen to 80 or 160 meters - at least you probably aren't going to work much DX - but the bottom line is - you need more then one antenna to do everything...

MIght I suggest the Barker and Williamson BWD 90 folded dipole for the HF bands. Problem is - it costs more then 200 dollars.

The Diamond X510 should not give you much problems with bending - opposed to what Wabnig sez...

Technicially, you should never put a vertical antenna at the very top of any tower. You should side mount it - which would eliminate any bending or flexing. Putting it at the top of the tower - just turns it into a good lightning rod.