antenna help

[blackcat]

I am wanting to setup a base i have been on here looking around for a while but i need a little bit of help on deciding on what kind of antenna and also a good coax to get i have a pole that's about 25' tall i have heard alot about the fiberglass antennas but i am not sure if these do very well...i am just wanting a good performing antenna that will get out....my father-in-law is supposed to be setting up a base too he is about 100 miles away and i would like to be able to talk that far but i know there are alot of variables involved...thanks for any help

[Mentor3006]

Never done a base myself. Got most of the stuff to do it now, except for the antenna system. To do it on the cheap you could hang a 102 in the air, but to REALLY get out, you should probably use some sort of Yagi type antenna...

I will be watching this thread to see what you come up with...

[wood eye]

I was just about to post the same question so if you can give "us" some help I would be happy too...

[drdx]

Welcome and thanks for throwing this out there. A 100 miles is a long way. You'll read about people talking cross country or "skip" but the 100 mile range is usually falling in the area that is skipped over due to atmospheric conditions. To do the 100 miles you'd have to get pretty serious, beyond a fiberglass antenna. But, we all have to have goals. To accomplish that, you would both need directional antennas, which since you're new, are large and aluminum, kinda like a giant TV antenna, only the radials usually stick way out. You would also need some power, much more than the radio can muster up. Don't let that chase you off, as this is a fun hobby. Are you on a mountain or anything exciting that might make this more possible? Elevation and lack of obstruction between stations, in the form of big mountains, or hills, make a big difference. The things that usually make the directional antenna more pricey is the hardware to support it, and the device to rotate it. If you are interested in mainly communicating in the direction of your relative, you could just put the beam up in his direction and have it fixed there. OR.......... you could seek information on how to build a large fixed wire beam (directional) antenna aimed in his direction. He could do the same. You'd need a little bit of space but it is feasible. You'll still need that extra power though. Opinions will vary, but that is mine. An entry level station, with a decent vertical antenna, will have an effective communication range or 25-30 miles, give or take, based on the area around you.
-drdx

[80 meter man]

I have an Imax-2000 fiberglass antenna that works great. i have no problems with it and you can get one for under 100 bucks. For coax there is no better than LMR-400. It has the best specs of any coax out there. As for the 100 mile contact. If both stations are on top of very high hills with nothing in between and then maybe. 100 miles direct is a lot to ask of any radio station because it is to close for a skip contact and to far for a direct. Take a look at your favorite broadcast station they're most likely transmitting 50000watts and you cant here them at 100 miles. Good luck to you with your new station

[blackcat]

no mountains here in Florida but alot of Pine trees i live on a hill but its no mountain..i have a Galaxy 99V as a mobile i was thinking about using it or i was also thinking about buying a new radio i really like the new Galaxy 98 VHP

[drdx]

Good news, I would think. The flatness should give you good range, the wetness of your state, I would theorize, should benefit your ground signal travel as well. I'm sure that others on here in your state can offer better reports on ground wave luck. I have no idea how it is where you are, but I have operated in Louisiana (flat and fertile) and had very good local range. You mentioned Pine Trees. Are there any that are close enough and high enough to put your antenna in, to gain some free height? And how about on his end? We're just trying to increase chances here. And before you buy anything in the coaxial cable department, be sure to research and buy quality cable. Know your antenna plans beforehand so you can buy enough, not too much, to make a nice low loss single run to your antenna. Does that radio have sideband? You'll get a little better range there. -drdx

[wood eye]

Unlike Blackcat I am just looking to talk at the best range I can in any direction. No relatives 100 miles away. I would love to find something that will work GOOD on skip. A vertical is my first choice if it will do what I want. A99?? I don't know and would like some opinions.
Please answer Blackcats questions first as this is his thread.
Thanks
wood eye
2471

[drdx]

Opinions vary on that like ford vs. chevy, so I'll throw in the Imax 2000 for starters and others will chime in as well. -drdx

[80 meter man]

Go with the Imax-2000 over the A99. The Imax is 24 feet long the 99 I don't know the exact length but it is several feet shorter than 24 feet. Remember the more wire in the air the more power you will get in the air. A beam would give you the best range but IMHO start with the low cost vertical and look forward to the beam in the future. Again LMR-400 is the best coax for runs as long as 250 feet on CB frequencies.

[231]

I grew up in Tampa and can tell you first hand 25' isn't going to get you much no matter what antenna you put up. Take some time and plan on getting a beam up at least close to the 3rd wavelength (72') down the road. Higher is even better...but I wouldn't count on talking with your in-law with just an omni antenna. So at the very least just focus getting on the air for now and have fun.

An A99, Imax, 5/8 wave Maco, AstoPlane (my choice), .64 wave, etc...etc. will all work okay and get you on the air. But if I may recommend, save your money toward a good support system, rotor, and a small to medium beam to start with. If you are patient, it won't cost an arm and a leg. THEN you two might be able to hook up on 11 meters (CB) given the right conditions (and assuming he does the same). You'll also want to consider an amp with the beam...if only a small one. And plan on using SSB transmissions over AM.

As far as coax goes, where you mount your antenna, wattage and height will determine what I would go with. If you stick with your "25ft" height and barefoot, RG8x Beldon (or better) will work (for now). It will be cheap and again, just get you on the air. But with RG213 Beldon (or better) you'll lose about .17db (very little) at 100'. And it'll handle about 3kw+ without a problem at that length. LMR400 would be even better, but really gains you little to nothing for the added cost (IMHO).

Hope that helps a little.
Good luck.

[MOONSHINER]

get in a pine tree if you can, i would snag an imax 2000.

[drdx]

It would be interesting to see one of those height and distance charts to see how high 2 antennas would have to be in order to communicate that distance. I've seen them on old publications, but i'm sure there's something on the web. The kicker on that would be to do the math on 2 antennas, the distance, etc. vs. one as the charts show and come up with a rough idea. This might be a case for beams,height, power, ssb, and a preamp, on both ends. -drdx

[blackcat]

i have narrowed my choices down to 2 antennas a Maco v/58, 5/8 wave omni directional...or a imax 2000 which of these two would perform the best ?? i will get a directional antenna later on down the road...thanks again

[rev ike]

good luck black cat sounds interesting and could be possible as dr dx stated the plotting out part may be the key,have fun