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Base station antenna
- Thread starter ktedder
- Start date
slowmover
Active Member
Likeliest easiest choice.
www.walcottradio.com
Solarcon Antron A-99 CB Radio Home Base Station Antenna
Check out this Solarcon A99 at www.WalcottRadio.com
www.walcottradio.com
Blackswan73
Active Member
The Antron 99 and clones are good antennas, especially for skip signals. But for straight terrestrial communications, the old Antenna Specialists Starduster was a better choice. Antenna Specialists went out of business and for many years the Starduster was unavailable. However an Italian company called Siri started manufacturing several Antenna Specialists designes the Starduster being one of them
B.S.
B.S.
GadgetGeek
Member
Agreed. Simple and effective. I used one for many years with excellent results.Likeliest easiest choice.
Solarcon Antron A-99 CB Radio Home Base Station Antenna
Check out this Solarcon A99 at www.WalcottRadio.com
Blackswan73
Active Member
Starduster. Note the low radiation angle. This enhances terrestrial ground wave distance
www.copperelectronics.com
B.S.
Sirio Starduster M400 10/11 Meter | Copper Electronics
Sirio Starduster M400 10/11 Meter
www.copperelectronics.com
B.S.
slowmover
Active Member
Price is one thing. Assembly, mounting and tuning are also in play. As is weight and wind-resistance.
I posted the 99 as its almost default choice not necessarily for performance, but to the popularity makes it a constant in retail CB, alone.
“Base station antenna” almost prescribes the responses thus far.
— A dipole used inverted-V likeliest the least expensive.
The OP will do himself some favors by delineating planned mount location, first, and type of use (local, primarily, or, Skip) favored, second.
If the price cut-off is, say, $200, is that all-inclusive, or are the attendant expenditures seen as accessory?
$200 (antenna alone) is quite a wide range of choices. Might be difficult to say any one is significantly better.
The typical resources (online; discussions & videos) also in play depending on the OP; some aren’t interested in “theory” (ARRL, or maybe Maxwell). While it’s best to have those resources, they may not appeal until after more experience.
I vote the OP look into the various advantages of locations, versus each other. That settled (for now) may be what leads him to choice, first, attendant difficulties accepted, second.
My desire for a base antenna is hampered by the need for stowage & portability. Dipole isn’t a choice at my location. The two antennas first proposed in this thread would outperform it.
forums.radioreference.com
This choice — it is hoped — will outperform a quarter-wave on the roof of my pickup. (Location difficulties are significant). A low bar to advantage. (And that it’s taken down after use; a constant).
This aside isn’t a recommendation. A “balcony antenna” is compromise thru-and-thru compared to what is generally meant by, base station antenna.
.
I posted the 99 as its almost default choice not necessarily for performance, but to the popularity makes it a constant in retail CB, alone.
“Base station antenna” almost prescribes the responses thus far.
— A dipole used inverted-V likeliest the least expensive.
The OP will do himself some favors by delineating planned mount location, first, and type of use (local, primarily, or, Skip) favored, second.
If the price cut-off is, say, $200, is that all-inclusive, or are the attendant expenditures seen as accessory?
$200 (antenna alone) is quite a wide range of choices. Might be difficult to say any one is significantly better.
The typical resources (online; discussions & videos) also in play depending on the OP; some aren’t interested in “theory” (ARRL, or maybe Maxwell). While it’s best to have those resources, they may not appeal until after more experience.
I vote the OP look into the various advantages of locations, versus each other. That settled (for now) may be what leads him to choice, first, attendant difficulties accepted, second.
My desire for a base antenna is hampered by the need for stowage & portability. Dipole isn’t a choice at my location. The two antennas first proposed in this thread would outperform it.
Small Base Antenna: SIRIO Boomerang W
Each leg about 4’ plus or 9.4’ total https://unicomradio.com/product/sirio-boomerang-w-base-antenna/ Forgotten I had one of these. Am going to be home long enough it’s worth the trouble to me to get a 5-gal bucket holding a painters extendable pole to run it up a ways. Similar to this...
This choice — it is hoped — will outperform a quarter-wave on the roof of my pickup. (Location difficulties are significant). A low bar to advantage. (And that it’s taken down after use; a constant).
This aside isn’t a recommendation. A “balcony antenna” is compromise thru-and-thru compared to what is generally meant by, base station antenna.
.
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slowmover
Active Member
Attendant issues:
1). Station Ground
2). Antenna Ground.
Look into this a little, OP. It may help determine what’s best for your planning.
Threads on the topic tend to be long, so gird your loins and wade in (one example):
Post in thread 'Grounding antenna?'
Grounding antenna?
From:
forums.radioreference.com
.
1). Station Ground
2). Antenna Ground.
Look into this a little, OP. It may help determine what’s best for your planning.
Threads on the topic tend to be long, so gird your loins and wade in (one example):
Post in thread 'Grounding antenna?'
Grounding antenna?
From:
Grounding antenna?
I'm planning on putting up a Diamond X50 on a 10' mast attached to the gable of a 2 story house (different than my "stealth antenna" question!) I'm looking into grounding, and am hearing everything from "Bah, don't bother!" to "YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE AN ELABORATE GROUNDING SYSTEM OR YOU AND...
.
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niceguy71
Member
I highly value all the smart people on this group..... and many of the ham guys told me they would NOT put the Antron 99 very high on their recommendations I think they liked a 5/8 wave or something...... but I had soooo many people telling me how easy and how well the Antron 99 works and how many people had them for 20 plus years!!!!... I watched a few of my favorite youtube CB er's and they all had the Antron 99.... so I bought the Antron 99 with ground plane kit from Amazon for $169 it came the next day..... I honestly can't imagine how anything could work better???? maybe it's my radio??? but I hear people far far away clear as a bell and I talk really far away they always tell me I'm crystal clear..... I don't have a lot of time on my radio.. ( been busy and cold in my garage right now) but with in a few hours of use on it using 37 or 38 SSB I talked to Canada .... Scotland.... UK.... Jamacia ..... Porta Rico..... South Africa and have talked to just about every state in America all the contacts sounded like they were next door to me and all said I was quite loud and clear.... so I don't think you can go wrong with the Antron 99 ... I got the 17 foot tall one... people tell me that's the new style and not as good as the 18 foot one... either way I love it!
https://www.amazon.com/Solarcon-Omn..._5SP27nL2SnW1ItFzs7qoN6mIdqtnIPcaAqi-EALw_wcB
https://www.amazon.com/Solarcon-Omn..._5SP27nL2SnW1ItFzs7qoN6mIdqtnIPcaAqi-EALw_wcB
The A99 used to be cheap and they do work ok. I think I paid around $69 for one in the early 90s and it worked ok but the fiberglass started to delaminate after a couple of years. They also have a problem decoupling RF from the coax and mast and the performance can vary depending on what its mounted to and how the coax is run. The only way to fix the problem would be mounting it on an insulated mount then use a very effective RF choke right at the antenna.
Anyway with todays prices around $128 on Amazon I think you can get similar performance for a little less like the Sirio Starduster at only or Sirio GPS 27 which is similar to an A99 or the Sirio GPE 27 which is a 5/8 with ground radials.
K5MPH
Member
Yeah the A-99 Is a good antenna I have had two of them but after a few years the fiberglass starts to Flake off .........
tibadoex
Member
I use both the A99 and iMax2000. Both work fine. The ground plane kits are still sitting in the garage but see no need to install.
Hands down, the best ground plane antenna I had was the Antenna Specialist M-117 "Super Magnum" base station antenna.
A 5/8 wave, tuned load 4 radial showed a 3.8 Db gain over 1/4 wave.
Bought used back in mid 60s for $40, new were abot $120.
IF---IF you can find one today, expect over $100.
The 'starduster' was to supercede the supermagnum, and performance about equal. (Hy-Gain CLR2 about the same)
Big difference is in 75 MPH wind, the starduster would fold. Made of lighter gage tubbing.
I worked the globe with this antenna, its only downside is I wouldn't run more than 150 watts to it.
Yet to see anything today that can compete.
Cheers
A 5/8 wave, tuned load 4 radial showed a 3.8 Db gain over 1/4 wave.
Bought used back in mid 60s for $40, new were abot $120.
IF---IF you can find one today, expect over $100.
The 'starduster' was to supercede the supermagnum, and performance about equal. (Hy-Gain CLR2 about the same)
Big difference is in 75 MPH wind, the starduster would fold. Made of lighter gage tubbing.
I worked the globe with this antenna, its only downside is I wouldn't run more than 150 watts to it.
Yet to see anything today that can compete.
Cheers
K6GBW
Member
Honestly, any of the regular base antennas will work well, but you need to manage expectations. Thirty miles is pushing things a bit. Ten to twelve miles for base to mobile is probably more realistic. Yes, you can talk farther, but most days you won't. Whatever antenna you pick get it up at least a halfwave on 11 meters for maximum usability. Most people can manage 18 feet and that works. You'll also get more milage out of SSB than AM because more power is getting squished into a narrower space. AM will have more power than FM. The FM signal will be religated to 3.5-4 watts.
niceguy71
Member
I'm going to highjack the post a little.
I bought my Antron 99 from amazon..... Amazon wont generally sell anything over sized.... so Antron 99 made a 3 section antenna just for Amazon ... its 17 feet tall ( I think 17.4) it came in a tiny 6 foot tall box. ( 3" X 1" X 6' )
but if you look at any Ham Radio stores like Walcott's they only sell the two section 18 foot ones.
when I was buying mine last October I called the people that make the Antron 99 now and asked what the difference was??... they said HONESTLY one just comes in a 6 foot box for cheaper shipping... that's it! they swore to me both work exactly the same...
I believed them back then.
my antenna really picks up local signals very far away... no complaints.... but without owning both, no way for me to ever really tell?
there has to be a reason all the good Ham shops only sell the 18 foot ones?
I am now starting to wonder if I could have gotten a better performance Antron 99 from a Ham shop?
thoughts?
I bought my Antron 99 from amazon..... Amazon wont generally sell anything over sized.... so Antron 99 made a 3 section antenna just for Amazon ... its 17 feet tall ( I think 17.4) it came in a tiny 6 foot tall box. ( 3" X 1" X 6' )
but if you look at any Ham Radio stores like Walcott's they only sell the two section 18 foot ones.
when I was buying mine last October I called the people that make the Antron 99 now and asked what the difference was??... they said HONESTLY one just comes in a 6 foot box for cheaper shipping... that's it! they swore to me both work exactly the same...
I believed them back then.
my antenna really picks up local signals very far away... no complaints.... but without owning both, no way for me to ever really tell?
there has to be a reason all the good Ham shops only sell the 18 foot ones?
I am now starting to wonder if I could have gotten a better performance Antron 99 from a Ham shop?
thoughts?
Do they just call it 18'? I haven't used one in well over 25 years, but my manual says 17'4" and came in 3 sections. That was long before Amazon sold anything like that.
Secondly, Walcott is very far from being a ham radio store. They are a CB shop. But theirs is not 2 sections either: Solarcon Antron A-99 CB Radio Home Base Station Antenna
Where are you seeing the two section ones?
Secondly, Walcott is very far from being a ham radio store. They are a CB shop. But theirs is not 2 sections either: Solarcon Antron A-99 CB Radio Home Base Station Antenna
Where are you seeing the two section ones?
K6GBW
Member
The Solarcon/Antron A99 has always been a three section antenna. The Patriot P12 is a two section antenna. The old first generation Shakespeare Big Stick was also two sections. Maybe those are what you're thinking of.
I had the CLR2 back in the 70s. Great antenna. Huge antenna too for a ground plane.
niceguy71
Member
That's good to hear! I was told they are different, I even called RoadProducts that now make the A 99 and even they said their were two ( I may have gotten someone that didn't know anything)... If you go to Walcott's in the link above that alcahuete posted it says 18 feet in the description and they charge more for shipping because UPS charges more for over sized items.... The 3 piece is not a UPS over sized item. But I'll sleep a lot better knowing they only make the three section one. Thanks
niceguy71
Member
I'm getting my info from your link..... Read the specs ..... 18 feet ,... Read the shipping .....attention this is an over sized item and UPS charges extra for over sized items........ Look at the picture I can only see one place they bolt together
slowmover
Active Member
For those following. Or, trying.
Here’s confusion. Or clarity.
www.walcottradio.com
Here’s confusion. Or clarity.
Firestik FS99-W Replacement and Upgrade Top Section for Antron A99 Antenna
Check out this Firestik FS99-W at www.WalcottRadio.com
www.walcottradio.com
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