Hi Dave-
I have the M2 "Skip Log" and have really come to like it. As an LP, it is
obviously a compromise antenna when compared to other frequency-specific
large arrays. However, if you consider the fact that you have 7-30 Mhz
coverage on a single boom then, in my book it's pretty hard to beat as a
general ham antenna.
It is a battleship of an antenna. Like most M2 products it is very well
constructed. Mine has been up for about 6 years now and is still doing fine
mechanically. It is a pretty complicated antenna to assemble and the
instructions leave a little to be desired but all in all, it went together
very well. M2 has outstanding support if questions need to be answered or
parts to be ordered.
How well it performs for you obviously depends upon what you want to do. I
have mine at 70' and have worked 250+ countries on 40-10 each and a few less
on the WARC bands with a total country count of 323...not quite Honor Role
but getting close. If you work CW, this antenna is killer on 30m simply
because most folks on that band don't have sophisticated antennas...you'll
always break the pileup on 30m! 40m performance is lacking as compared to
specifically designed antennas (especially the MAG 240N)...it does exhibit a
small amount of gain but 40m will not be it's strong suit. F/B on 40m is
almost nil (I think it is spec'd at 6 db) but, for my location it hasn't
been a problem.
When I was doing my evaluation of what type of system to put up I boiled it
down pretty much to consideration of the frequency coverage and number of
booms (in this case only 1) and it wins hands down. I'm a somewhat serious
DXer and a very casual contester...I recognize that other configurations
might be better for the elite-class guys but for me it has been a great
choice.
73's,
Bill, AA7X
-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of David J Windisch
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 3:51 AM
To: TowerTalk@contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Tower and antennas
Hi, all concerned:
I have a 96-foot tower and large-capacity rotator for installation this
spring.
I can buy the following, *unused*, *uninstalled*, in *unopened* boxes, all
of which was bought and has been stored(!) for 5-10 years:
1. C31/XR
2. MAG 240N
3. WARC 2/2
4. Polyphaser setup with 4 100+ ft LMR600 lines/connectors and 1 100+ ft
1318FX line/connectors
What should I expect to pay for each item?
Separately, is anyone out there using an M-squared skip-log, or know of
someone who is,
who'd critique it? I've read the eham reviews, and at least one fellow has
had one up approaching ten years.
I'm thinking hard about contenting myself with general hamming, simplicity,
one feedline, one boom, affordable rotator, low maintenance, those kinds of
things.
TIA & 73,
Dave, N3HE
Cincinnati
_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
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_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
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