Base Antenna for 10/11 Meters and Beyond?

[indiejeep]

I have a SWP Galaxy 93T coming any day now, and today just got my Tech & General Ham License today.

I'll now be able to use the full frequency options of the 93T (10/11 Meters) and have been considering getting another HF radio as well.

I need a base antenna and I would like it to perform well on 10/11 meter and be able to grow with me to other HF bands.

What do you folks suggest?

[countryboy]

im not sure but i think you will need more than just one antenna for all the bands. some will cover afew but not all

hey was the ham test hard to pass?

[indiejeep]

I would say I gave the test a good 10 hours of studying. The tech test is alot of common sense and a little theory and rules. The General test is more technical, but very doable. I only missed one question on each test. You can see how hard the tests are yourself here:
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also check out my thread on study materials:
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[indiejeep]

Some antennas are designed for multiband operation. Some require a tuner that helps match the antenna to each band as you change bends and some will work without a tuner for some bands.

[linx]

That Galaxy 93t...I would not use it on anything but CB band first off. That will not make a good 10m radio. Want to know why?

Well, that Galaxy, like most "10m" radios works like a CB radio. Yeah, it has FM and SSB, but it moves in "channel" form. For example, the radio will go from 27.6050 to 27.6150 to 27.6250 to 27.6350 etc etc. See a pattern? You need a radio that can really lock in odd frequencies for 10m operations. Something like a HR2600 or a RCI 2950/2970. With these radios you can use the SHFT and adjust each individual number of the frequency. I have ye to talk on 10m on a CB type of frequency. The 10m ssb frequencies are always like 27.3548 or similar. See what I'm saying? You may be able to use that Galaxy for higher 10m FM and AM operations, but then again, that requires a General ticket. If you're really wanting to do ham operations, you need a ham radio. Most ham radios can be "mars/cap" modded to cover cb frequencies.

Back to the subject, 10m and 11m antennas. I checked my Imax 2000 which is flat on 1.1 on across the CB and freeband bands. On 10m it's at 1.2. So, it would be suitable for 10m. I checked my moonraker, and believe it or not, it's 1.1 on the CB band, and 10m band on horizontal, and like 1.2 on 10m on vertical. Again, it will work perfect.

You mentioned antenna tuners and whatnot. Antenna tuners are for multi band antennas like multiband verticals and long wires. They work great with amateur radios. You can get external antenna tuners, but I like the ones built into most radios...because they are automatic and will do the work for you. The only downside to an internal antenna tuner is it will only handle the wattage of the radio. If you want to add more wattage, you'll next and external antenna tuner. Most external antenna tuners that handle high wattage cost as much, if not more than the amplifier will cost.

I hope I answered some of you questions. If you have more, please ask and I'll do my best.

[preacherman]

An Imax 2000 is by far the easiest choice. It has a little gain, is very broad banded
and can be used on 10.11 and 12m often without a tuner. I don't think I'd use it on
20 simply because although the tuner will tune it...it's so far out of resonance that
it's a very ineffective radiator. Congrats on your ticket!
preacherman

[busman]

preacherman is correct,imax 2000 gets my vote. if nothing else for its ease of use. linx makes a good point to. nothin wrong with a galaxy, i just wouldnt make it my ham rig. those are cb band duck killers. get a 2950,2970,2995dx,2510,2600. or better yet get a icom 706, or the yaesu. some of the icoms and yaesu radios got places for 2 antennas in the back. imax and a multi band sloper or long wire might get ya started. external antenna tuner to. dentron, heathkit ect. can all be had on ebay.

[indiejeep]

Thanks for the input and insight. Interesting stuff. I never really set out for the Galaxy 93T to be my ham rig... it kinda happened like this:

1. Wanted something with more features and power than my CB. Ordered a 93T.
2. Thought to myself, if it has 10 meter frequencies available, I might as well be able to use them.
3. Studied for the ham exams for about 12 days.
4. Took and passed the Tech and General yesterday!

I thought I would probably get a nice HF rig anyway from Yeasu or Icom eventually. Anyway.. back to the antenna.....

[80 meter man]

If your Galaxy has any type of modulation mods on it like echo, super loud modulation, etc... don't use it on the ham bands!!! The hams up there will go nuts!! They hate when someone comes on the ham bands with CB equipment!! I'm just trying to save you some heartache. Hams can hear a Galaxy radio from a 100 miles away. The thing on the ham bands is to sound as close to your actual voice as possible so any CB Modulation gadgets are unwelcome to say the least. Go onto the ham boards and find your self a used amateur radio and leave the Galaxy on CB. In the end you will be better off with the amateur radio. Like Linx said if someones talking on an odd frequency you'll be out of luck or if your talking with someone and he says go up 5Mhz then you'll be out of luck again. Remember the ham cb feud runs deep!!

[MOONSHINER]

another vote here for the imax, thats what I use on 10 and 11m.

Unless you are an am'er, I would get rid of the galaxy and get a good hf rig and use it for your 11m work as well as the other hf bands.

[silverstreak]

I would sell the Galaxy and go get a Icom706M2G.I have a Astatic 1104c mic on mine and people think on AM I am running a Galaxy.The radio has everything you need 2-meters,440,6-meters,and the HF Band.Or if you have the extra $s get the new Icom 7000 thats your best bet,better RX than the 706.

[indiejeep]

hmm. this kinda sucks. I haven't even got the SWP Galaxy 93T in the mail yet and I've already outgrown it! Arg! Thats some petty quick buyer's remorse!

I wonder if I could sell it on here without taking a loss?

Where can I get a Icom706M2G or comparable unit that is opened up to 11 meters? I don't have any shops around here.

Do any of our vendors sell ham rigs?

[Circuit Breaker]

If you want an antenna that will grow with you, check out SteppIR antennas. They are pricey, but when you read all about the antenna and what it can do you'll see why. I have the BigIR and it tunes any frequency between 7 and 54 MHz.

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[rmyers2051]

hmm. this kinda sucks. I haven't even got the SWP Galaxy 93T in the mail yet and I've already outgrown it! Arg! Thats some petty quick buyer's remorse!

I wonder if I could sell it on here without taking a loss?

Where can I get a Icom706M2G or comparable unit that is opened up to 11 meters? I don't have any shops around here.

Do any of our vendors sell ham rigs?

[Please login or register to view this link]

[indiejeep]

Any other thoughts on a good broad banded HF antenna?

[rmyers2051]

An Imax 2000 is by far the easiest choice. It has a little gain, is very broad banded
and can be used on 10.11 and 12m often without a tuner. I don't think I'd use it on
20 simply because although the tuner will tune it...it's so far out of resonance that
it's a very ineffective radiator. Congrats on your ticket!
preacherman

SO staying with the original thought here, is this a better choice than an Antron 99? They appear to be very close in price.

[80 meter man]

Do a web search for "Fan Dipole" a great HF broad banded antenna but you do need a lot of real estate.

[drdx]

I'VE NEVER TOLD ANYONE THIS ON HERE, TRY NOT TO LAUGH: I once built a GIANT hf discone once from crash parts I scarfed from a big monobander. It had a 20 foot hat made from the old beam's elements and a multi wire cone. Worked great, neighbors hated it. I didn't care, as I was about 15. Look them up: DISCONE. Easy to make work, flat swr, very cool. Common for scanner use, but easy to make with a little enthusiasm. -drdx

[Night Crawler]

Get a tuner and make your own antenna a random wire, doublet, dipole here's one you
can make for $5.00 worth of wire from home depot.
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[cobra]

I have a Cushcraft R7 for my HF rig and it covers 10 12 15 17 20 30 40 meters. They make an updated version called an R7000, you may want to check out their website. Cobra

[Rico]

That Galaxy 93t...I would not use it on anything but CB band first off. That will not make a good 10m radio. Want to know why?

Well, that Galaxy, like most "10m" radios works like a CB radio. Yeah, it has FM and SSB, but it moves in "channel" form. For example, the radio will go from 27.6050 to 27.6150 to 27.6250 to 27.6350 etc etc. See a pattern? You need a radio that can really lock in odd frequencies for 10m operations. Something like a HR2600 or a RCI 2950/2970. With these radios you can use the SHFT and adjust each individual number of the frequency. I have ye to talk on 10m on a CB type of frequency. The 10m ssb frequencies are always like 27.3548 or similar. See what I'm saying? You may be able to use that Galaxy for higher 10m FM and AM operations, but then again, that requires a General ticket. If you're really wanting to do ham operations, you need a ham radio. Most ham radios can be "mars/cap" modded to cover cb frequencies.

Back to the subject, 10m and 11m antennas. I checked my Imax 2000 which is flat on 1.1 on across the CB and freeband bands. On 10m it's at 1.2. So, it would be suitable for 10m. I checked my moonraker, and believe it or not, it's 1.1 on the CB band, and 10m band on horizontal, and like 1.2 on 10m on vertical. Again, it will work perfect.

You mentioned antenna tuners and whatnot. Antenna tuners are for multi band antennas like multiband verticals and long wires. They work great with amateur radios. You can get external antenna tuners, but I like the ones built into most radios...because they are automatic and will do the work for you. The only downside to an internal antenna tuner is it will only handle the wattage of the radio. If you want to add more wattage, you'll next and external antenna tuner. Most external antenna tuners that handle high wattage cost as much, if not more than the amplifier will cost.

I hope I answered some of you questions. If you have more, please ask and I'll do my best.

Linx, a 10 meter radio IS a ham radio. It can be modded to use on cb frequencies, but then it becomes an illegal cb.

[Rico]

Thanks for the input and insight. Interesting stuff. I never really set out for the Galaxy 93T to be my ham rig... it kinda happened like this:

1. Wanted something with more features and power than my CB. Ordered a 93T.
2. Thought to myself, if it has 10 meter frequencies available, I might as well be able to use them.
3. Studied for the ham exams for about 12 days.
4. Took and passed the Tech and General yesterday!

I thought I would probably get a nice HF rig anyway from Yeasu or Icom eventually. Anyway.. back to the antenna.....

Indie, you would need to check around your area, but what you need to think about getting is a 2 meter radio. You will find that there is a nationwide network of repeaters you can use. If you get the right kind of radio, you can even link to repeaters via the internet and be able to talk to people around the world. I just bought an Icom IC-V82 to use as my handheld and a Yaesu FT-2800M for my base station. The Icom was $120 and the Yaesu was $140 (it does 65 watts). You have more options than I do, because you have your General ticket, but there is a whole lot of rag chewin going on in the 2 meter band. I've got a 10meter rig that's been modded to work on 11 meters also. I have scoured the frequencies, listening for any traffic, and there isn't any around this area. My suggestion would be to find out what ham clubs are in your area. They will tell you where most of the yakkin is going on.

[Rico]

hmm. this kinda sucks. I haven't even got the SWP Galaxy 93T in the mail yet and I've already outgrown it! Arg! Thats some petty quick buyer's remorse!

I wonder if I could sell it on here without taking a loss?

Where can I get a Icom706M2G or comparable unit that is opened up to 11 meters? I don't have any shops around here.

Do any of our vendors sell ham rigs?

Hehehe. I know the feeling. Part of the reason why I wanted a 10 meter rig is because I figured I'd have two radios in one, once I got my General ticket. Oh well. Learning is part of the fun, I guess. I am sure we will both learn expensive lessons on this journey to radio perfection!

[indiejeep]

Yeah the 93T should still make a top notch CB rig. I think I'll get a ICOM IC-706MKIIG or a Yaesu FT-857D as they are both multi-band, powerful, small units that could be base or mobile. I'll probably also pick up a 2 meter handhelp for working communications for events too.

[indiejeep]

I have concluded I will have to pick up multiple antenna eventually. I few into a couple older ham rig to cover the HF and VHF.

I was looking at the Imax 2000. It will work for 10/11 meter I know.. would it tune for 20 meters though?