Murray:

Don't be too hasty. I have a DB-410 with a set of DB-224 elements
interlaced and a 6 meter "J" out the top which has been up at this location
on a 100' tower since 1986, and was installed at another location for well
over 10 years before that. I admit we have little icing, and the highest
winds have been 85 MPH, but the performance has not degraded to a degree
measurable by range loss.

On the other hand, a better example might be my pre-WW2 Workshop brand beam.
Lets see, 2004 minus 1940 = 64. Check back in 6 years.

--
W5VPQ
Crazy George
Remove N O and S P A M imbedded in return address
"Murray Green, K3BEQ" wrote in message
...

Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 13:40:50 -0500, Murray Green, K3BEQ wrote:


Can any of you antenna pros out there tell me what would be the expected
life span for a Cell Wave 4 element vertical dipole? Do not have the
model number but the cost was close to $600 when purchased. The antenna
is cut for 2 meters. Realize that a number of factors can be involved
such as weather conditions, area installed etc. In this case it is up
80' off ground level and 300' above sea level just outside of WashDC.

Second question. I recognize that Cellwave has an excellent reputation.
Are there any other antenna companies that may compare or exceed
Cellwave antenna products in performance and durability?

Thanks.
73 Murray, K3BEQ

That antenna will need some service to achieve a long life. The problem is
when the Coax harness deteriorates with time, I would expect that you will
need to replace or repair the harness ever 10-20 years or so. Most
antennas of this class fail from physical damage. Lightening, Ice Damage,
Tower climbers. or something else that physically damages the antenna.

Others in the class are Decibel, Andrew, Sinclair, Kathrein - Scala,
Maxrad.

Ron
N5HYH

Others in the class are Decibel, Andrew, Sinclair, Kathrein - Scala,
Maxrad.


Ron, personally, I would not include Maxrad in that class of quality.



Ed WB6SAT

(Never heard of Kathrein, so no comment on that one.)

***Thank you Ron. Since my initial message and responses here on the
newsgroup, coupled with "homework" we find that Celwave no longer makes
the 4 el vert dipole for the 2 meter spectrum. Nor do they make
replacement harnesses. Suspect drop in sales is the primary reason, but
not certain.

Looking seriously at Decibel's compatible antenna. We are however,
going to open up the Celwave, remove and inspect the harness and
if possible determine what went wrong. Possibility that there could
be damage from lightning which would be covered by our insurance
policy. Thanks again.
73, Murray, K3BEQ
=======================

Ron wrote:

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 13:40:50 -0500, Murray Green, K3BEQ wrote:

Can any of you antenna pros out there tell me what would be the expected
life span for a Cell Wave 4 element vertical dipole? Do not have the
model number but the cost was close to $600 when purchased. The antenna
is cut for 2 meters. Realize that a number of factors can be involved
such as weather conditions, area installed etc. In this case it is up
80' off ground level and 300' above sea level just outside of WashDC.

Second question. I recognize that Cellwave has an excellent reputation.
Are there any other antenna companies that may compare or exceed
Cellwave antenna products in performance and durability?

Thanks.
73 Murray, K3BEQ

That antenna will need some service to achieve a long life. The problem is
when the Coax harness deteriorates with time, I would expect that you will
need to replace or repair the harness ever 10-20 years or so. Most
antennas of this class fail from physical damage. Lightening, Ice Damage,
Tower climbers. or something else that physically damages the antenna.

Others in the class are Decibel, Andrew, Sinclair, Kathrein - Scala,
Maxrad.

Ron
N5HYH

***Thank you Ron. Since my initial message and responses here on the
newsgroup, coupled with "homework" we find that Celwave no longer
makes the 4 el vert dipole for the 2 meter spectrum. Nor do they make
replacement harnesses. Suspect drop in sales is the primary reason,
but not certain.

That's disgusting! I didn't believe you so went looking myself, and
found you were right. Phelps Dodge used to cater nicely to hams. When
they became Celwave, they still gave us a discount. Now that they've gone
international as RFS Celwave, they don't seem to give a hoot. Oh well,
DB Products is just as good.


Looking seriously at Decibel's compatible antenna. We are however,
going to open up the Celwave, remove and inspect the harness and
if possible determine what went wrong. Possibility that there could
be damage from lightning which would be covered by our insurance
policy.

We had a nice Celwave PD 340-3 that never did work right. Antenna swr
measured OK, but when we swapped the antenna out with just about any other
antenna, it appeared that the Celwave was about unity gain. Could not
measure any opens or shorts in the harness, but obviously something was
wrong. Our club let the antenna sit around and warranty expire so we
never did find the probem. A cheapie 3dB omni by Antenna Specialists
seemed to do well enough for us. ... sigh ....



Ed WB6SAT

Ed G. wrote:
***Thank you Ron. Since my initial message and responses here on the
newsgroup, coupled with "homework" we find that Celwave no longer
makes the 4 el vert dipole for the 2 meter spectrum. Nor do they make
replacement harnesses. Suspect drop in sales is the primary reason,
but not certain.


That's disgusting! I didn't believe you so went looking myself, and
found you were right. Phelps Dodge used to cater nicely to hams. When
they became Celwave, they still gave us a discount. Now that they've gone
international as RFS Celwave, they don't seem to give a hoot. Oh well,
DB Products is just as good.


Looking seriously at Decibel's compatible antenna. We are however,
going to open up the Celwave, remove and inspect the harness and
if possible determine what went wrong. Possibility that there could
be damage from lightning which would be covered by our insurance
policy.


We had a nice Celwave PD 340-3 that never did work right. Antenna swr
measured OK, but when we swapped the antenna out with just about any other
antenna, it appeared that the Celwave was about unity gain. Could not
measure any opens or shorts in the harness, but obviously something was
wrong. Our club let the antenna sit around and warranty expire so we
never did find the probem. A cheapie 3dB omni by Antenna Specialists
seemed to do well enough for us. ... sigh ....



Ed WB6SAT
I used to have a Celwave, and I liked how you could set the pattern
to suit your location..... I have also made super J-poles out of
1" copper pipe that worked just as good, and were MUCH cheaper, and
lasted a lot longer....

Bob N9LVU

Ed:

I have seen more than one of those antennas sabotaged with one or two
elements inverted. IIRC, the PD-340 had potted feed points, and it took a
careful examination to see the correct up/down orientation.
--
Crazy George
Remove N O and S P A M imbedded in return address
"Ed G." wrote in message
. ..


***Thank you Ron. Since my initial message and responses here on the
newsgroup, coupled with "homework" we find that Celwave no longer
makes the 4 el vert dipole for the 2 meter spectrum. Nor do they make
replacement harnesses. Suspect drop in sales is the primary reason,
but not certain.

That's disgusting! I didn't believe you so went looking myself, and
found you were right. Phelps Dodge used to cater nicely to hams. When
they became Celwave, they still gave us a discount. Now that they've gone
international as RFS Celwave, they don't seem to give a hoot. Oh well,
DB Products is just as good.


Looking seriously at Decibel's compatible antenna. We are however,
going to open up the Celwave, remove and inspect the harness and
if possible determine what went wrong. Possibility that there could
be damage from lightning which would be covered by our insurance
policy.

We had a nice Celwave PD 340-3 that never did work right. Antenna swr
measured OK, but when we swapped the antenna out with just about any other
antenna, it appeared that the Celwave was about unity gain. Could not
measure any opens or shorts in the harness, but obviously something was
wrong. Our club let the antenna sit around and warranty expire so we
never did find the probem. A cheapie 3dB omni by Antenna Specialists
seemed to do well enough for us. ... sigh ....



Ed WB6SAT