Well where to start I’ve built a few antennas and not having much luck making contacts. I’m currently running a homemade 1/2 wave dipole and it’s horizontal on a 18 ft mast. I’ve got it tuned for a 1-1 SWR on 27.285-27.405 MHz. I am receiving transmissions from the UK as well as all over the country. I’m having trouble making any contacts. I’m running a uniden 980 stock. A extreme 2018 power mic. Running radio mic gain at 2 and got the mic turned up just below the modulation clipping point. Got a guy in FL today but he could barely hear me. So I guess my first question is about antennas. Can I trust the 980s SWR meter or do I need to get an antenna analyzer? Is building a 4 or 6 element quad a waste of money if I can’t afford a 100ft tower to get it above the terrain? Is it possible to add a bandwidth adjustment to this 980? I’d like to be able to narrow the bandwidth to tune out more noise. I’m afraid my location may be the issue as I have had better luck with my mobile rig even with a 3ft top load antenna when I’m out of this bowl I live in. Well I know this is way to much for one question but I’m not sure what to do next. I don’t want to spend the money on a quad build including a tower, rotator, ect if it’s not going to help. I appreciate any help to point me in the right direction. I enjoy building antennas and experimenting but my budget is limited.
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I’m new to CB and have a few questions.
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SmitHans
Member
Put your antenna vertical & see what happens.
1/2 wave up at the feedpoint (about 18ft) or multiples of 1/2 wave will be optimal for DX and the higher you get will work better for local ground wave. You get the same benefit for both a horizontal or vertical pol dipole.
KANE4109
Member
Also, when you flip it vertical.... try to keep the feed line 90 degrees with respect to the center of the dipole....for as close as you can get to a quarter wave... when you connect it to the mast.
The problem is that when you flip it vertical ... one of your 2 radiators goes straight down. If you just let the coax hang it can hang right along side that lower element and the RF will couple to it.
I hope that I am describing this well.... I am trying to suggest a bit of an "arm" sticking out from the mast.. to the dipole...and make sure your coax comes in on that arm before heading it down towards the ground.
The problem is that when you flip it vertical ... one of your 2 radiators goes straight down. If you just let the coax hang it can hang right along side that lower element and the RF will couple to it.
I hope that I am describing this well.... I am trying to suggest a bit of an "arm" sticking out from the mast.. to the dipole...and make sure your coax comes in on that arm before heading it down towards the ground.
Well I had poor luck with the dipole mounted vertically so far, but as Kane pointed out I had the coax run down the lower element! I’ll try changing this and let you know if it’s any better.
How far should the coax extend beyond the elements before running parallel to the lower one heading down?
How far should the coax extend beyond the elements before running parallel to the lower one heading down?
At least a couple feet, but more is better. Practicality will be your limiting factor. Or get a different antenna, like a whip with a couterpoise/ground plane.
Are you trying for DX? If so, be sure you are using SSB, and the appropriate channels.
Thanks. I’ve decided a beam is the only way to go here an omnidirectional antenna is just picking up overlapping transmissions and transmitting like a sprinkler from/in all directions and driving me crazy. Going to build a Yagi soon a big quad is just not practical for my current situation at least not yet.
Yes DX is what I’m most interested in and I’m tuned for around 27.385. I’m lower sideband most of the time.
Yes DX is what I’m most interested in and I’m tuned for around 27.385. I’m lower sideband most of the time.
KC3SNR
KC3SNR
For years I used a Maco V. 5/8 wave ground plane antenna.
Say what you want about dipole and ground plane for DX but I spoke all over the world with that antenna.. and a few others but has to be my all time favorite antenna for tower / base operating DX.
But honestly the I's have it. a set of beams is the way to go. If you can afford it Beams where the crown for DX.
73
Say what you want about dipole and ground plane for DX but I spoke all over the world with that antenna.. and a few others but has to be my all time favorite antenna for tower / base operating DX.
But honestly the I's have it. a set of beams is the way to go. If you can afford it Beams where the crown for DX.
73
bill4long
Member
Horz vs vert doesn't matter when reflecting from the ionosphere or sporadic E. It's a crap shoot since the polarization is randomly mangled. Vertical is the best bet for local comms since most people are using vert antennas. Hope that helps.
KC5AKB
Member
A little Maco y-quad is a fun little antenna
KC3SNR
KC3SNR
Have a long time friend who has Moonraker 4's just lying in the back yard. I cringe every time I go over there.
Has a set of 6's and enough parts to go around one more time on both sets. I've been trying for some time with no luck but maybe one day.
only thing with Moonrakers is you need the real estate.
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