Can you guys settle an argument for me?

[prcguy]

For the A99 its better to put a line isolator right at the antenna to decouple the coax. A 31 mix ferrite core is good for broad band 80-10m use but you can do much better for CB using a different ferrite mix that will target just the 25-30MHz range. Use either an FT-240-61 mix core with 12 turns or an FT-240-51 mix with 9 turns. This will work much better than the MFJ 915 or the 31 mix core.

Unfortunately I can't add ground radials to the antenna without drawing too much attention from the city. They only allow strictly vertical antennas.

I'm currently set up good enough to keep the RFI down at a level that doesn't get into my SDR, and I've got a great match. I currently have an mfj 915 line isolator at the radio, followed by a short length of coax wound around a type 31 ferrite core, and finally a low pass filter before the coax heads to the antenna. I'm also using LMR 240 with SMA connectors for the line to my SDR, covered end to end with ferrite snap on chokes. I've also purchased a "nulled out" length of coax to install at the antenna.

So I'm just going to reroute the coax, get rid of the gas discharge arrestor and put the PolyPhaser inline.

I will however take your advice about the coax and ground the mast.

 

[Josh380]

They may not ever see the radials.

They might, they might not. The point is if I buy them and put em up, and the city complains, the whole setup will have to come down. Don't want to shoot myself in the foot.

 

[prcguy]

Is your A99 stock bright white or did you paint it? I paint all my antennas flat or satin grey and they almost go unnoticed, much more pleasant for the neighbors.

They might, they might not. The point is if I buy them and put em up, and the city complains, the whole setup will have to come down. Don't want to shoot myself in the foot.

 

[Dispatcher308]

Is your A99 stock bright white or did you paint it? I paint all my antennas flat or satin grey and they almost go unnoticed, much more pleasant for the neighbors.

yup

 

[Josh380]

Is your A99 stock bright white or did you paint it? I paint all my antennas flat or satin grey and they almost go unnoticed, much more pleasant for the neighbors.

It's stock. Unfortunately the back of the house faces a main street, so there's no hiding it no matter what color it's painted.

 

[prcguy]

Color makes a big difference. Stock white the neighbors will point at it and ask what the hell is that? Paint it light grey and the same people will say "what antenna???"

My house looks like a mountain top repeater site but in a suburban neighborhood. All my antennas are non reflective grey and nobody bothers me. If they all were stock white and shiny aluminum it would be a different story. Its worth it to tone them down and live in peace.

It's stock. Unfortunately the back of the house faces a main street, so there's no hiding it no matter what color it's painted.

 

[Josh380]

Color makes a big difference. Stock white the neighbors will point at it and ask what the hell is that? Paint it light grey and the same people will say "what antenna???"

My house looks like a mountain top repeater site but in a suburban neighborhood. All my antennas are non reflective grey and nobody bothers me. If they all were stock white and shiny aluminum it would be a different story. Its worth it to tone them down and live in peace.

It's something to consider. I'd have to buy the ground plane kit, then I'd probably paint it. I have so many other things I need to buy right now. I'm kinda in the position that I need to work with what I have. Fixing up my truck is on the top of the list.

 

[hitechRadio]

It's something to consider. I'd have to buy the ground plane kit, then I'd probably paint it. I have so many other things I need to buy right now. I'm kinda in the position that I need to work with what I have. Fixing up my truck is on the top of the list.

Do you have a HAM license?

 

[Josh380]

Do you have a HAM license?

Not sure what that has to do with it but, no.

 

[hitechRadio]

Not sure what that has to do with it but, no.

Becuase you could tell the city to pound sand, with a federal license to operate.

 

[Josh380]

Becuase you could tell the city to pound sand, with a federal license to operate.

Yeah, if only I had the time.

 

[ForestRunner98]

Coax wrapped around a mix 61 worked great on my system for 11m!!

 

[Josh380]

View attachment 130498
Coax wrapped around a mix 61 worked great on my system for 11m!!

Well I'm using LMR 240. Different than rg58

 

[ForestRunner98]

Well I'm using LMR 240. Different than rg58

I am too. The RG58 is for the choke only. Try it.

 

[prcguy]

You can wrap LMR240 through an FT-240 size core and using the 52 mix only needs 9 turns to target CB where the 61 mix needs 12 and that is a tight fit for LMR240. When you wrap the coax through and around the core don't stick the end through first, instead bend the coax into a loop and stick the loop through every time then pull the end through, that will make a tighter wrap around the core.

 

[cavmedic]

Put a 1:1 common mode choke where your coax bonds to your homes electrical ground right before it enters the house . That will kill most of your common mode issues, slightly drop the noise floor so any static can bleed off.

 

[prcguy]

Its more beneficial on an A99 antenna to put the choke close to the antenna since it lights up the coax and mast with RF currents.

Put a 1:1 common mode choke where your coax bonds to your homes electrical ground right before it enters the house . That will kill most of your common mode issues, slightly drop the noise floor so any static can bleed off.

 

[ForestRunner98]

You can wrap LMR240 through an FT-240 size core and using the 52 mix only needs 9 turns to target CB where the 61 mix needs 12 and that is a tight fit for LMR240. When you wrap the coax through and around the core don't stick the end through first, instead bend the coax into a loop and stick the loop through every time then pull the end through, that will make a tighter wrap around the core.

Hey that’s cool advice!! My 240 is stiff so I used the rg58a/u

I will try the way you explained with some spare coax and toroids.