Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: antenna choices for K4XS

["Gary J - N5BAA" <qltfnish@omniglobal.net>]

I have the HexBeam from NA4RR which is $469 plus $39 shipping for the kit. 
An alternative is to order the center Hub on Ebay here: 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTENNA-HUB-HEXAGON-SPIDER-BEAM-/261836720894?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf6af4afe 
and order the spreader arms, wire and tensioning ropes from Max Gain here: 
http://www.mgs4u.com/index.html and order a center post either from NA4RR or 
from W5BGP (look him up on QRZ).  Ordering the parts you can make the 
HexBeam for under $375.  If you order the center post from W5BGP get him to 
forward the Power Point Presentation he recently used to make a presentation 
at our radio club.  It is most informative, especially on how to fine tune a 
hexbeam.  The real advantage is that HexBeams seem to work best at heights 
of 30-35 feet.  Much higher than 40 feet they begin to have their unique 
transmission pattern break down.  Shorter masts and towers equals less cost. 
Works for me.
Gary J
N5BAA

-----Original Message----- 
From: Joe Subich, W4TV
Sent: Sunday, April 12, 2015 9:18 AM
To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: antenna choices for K4XS


If you are talking about a *new* antenna your choices are pretty much
limited to the Cushcraft A3S and the HyGain TH-3MK4, EXP-14.  If you
push the price point a bit, you can add the HyGain TH-5MK2 ($649) and
Cushcraft A4S ($699) to the list.

Staying to your original target, the EXP-14 probably has the fewest
compromises due to its sleeve driven element and separate reflector
on 10 meters.  The TH-3MK4 is certainly more rugged than the A3S for
a lower price unless MFJ have significantly reduced the quality of
the HyGain.  The TH-3 and A3 are three elements on a 14 foot boom -
performance should be very similar.

The alternative to a traditional aluminum tribander is either a HEX
Beam or Spiderbeam.  Both are available in 5 band versions for just
under your $600 target.  If you have a crank-up tower and can assemble
them on the ground, I'd consider the Spiderbeam (3 elements per band)
over the HEX BEAM (2 elements, shorter effective boom).

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV


On 2015-04-12 9:33 AM, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
> I'm curious what tribander would folks recommend for a budget of $600 or
> less?
>
> 73,
> Joe kk0sd
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of 
> Bert
> Almemo
> Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2015 11:15 AM
> To: john@kk9a.com; 'Grant Saviers'
> Cc: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: antenna choices for K4XS
>
> Cushcraft A3 and A4S are cheap designs with inferior materials, especially
> boom-to-element clamps, which are basically just a cheap muffler clamp. 
> One
> of my friends A4S lost the reflector as it wiggled its way off the boom!!
> Another ham had a boom section split lengthwise and lost the boom section
> and the reflector. Very expensive for what you get and I wouldn't buy any 
> of
> them.
>
> 73 Bert, VE3NR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> john@kk9a.com
> Sent: Saturday, April 11, 2015 11:26 AM
> To: Grant Saviers
> Cc: TOWERTALK@contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: antenna choices for K4XS
>
>
>
> I meant to say that the boom crushes from the element clamp on my A3. If 
> you
> leave it too loose the element will spin. The aluminum is very soft 
> compared
> to the 6061-T6 that I use for my homebrew beams however for the price and
> size I have not complaints about the performance. My A3 is 15 years old, I
> wonder how the new MFJ ones are?
>
> John KK9A
>
> On 2015-04-11 10:24, Grant Saviers wrote:
>
> > I'm using an A4S for field days that started to show various sags and
> bends after up 7 years in an exposed site, maybe 70mph peak winds. It is
> weak at the boom to mast and at the elements at the boom so cutting and
> double wall sleeving got it all straight. Maybe $30 of tubing from DXE. 
> Trap
> boots now need replaced, available from MFJ (btw mine was original CC). 
> The
> stamped "C" shape boom to element clamps also splay with use so the 
> elements
> loosen. Two 6-32 x 2" SS machine screws on the "C" flanges keep this from
> happening. An enthusiastic FD assembler squashed one element by
> overtightening the through bolts, so some more cut and double sleeve fixed
> that and made it more assembler proof. Overall an ok antenna if tweaked a
> bit. I can't speak to what MFJ "value engineering" has done to it.
> > Grant KZ1W
> >
> > On 4/11/2015 5:17 AM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
> >
> > > I also own a Cushcraft A3, but I have only used it for field day type
> > > setups and it's currently in a box in Aruba. The aluminum tubing
> > > crushes when you tighten the element clamps and in my opinion it is
> > > not heavy duty but I have had many contest wins with it so I have no
> > > complaints. I used a different A3 during the ARRL DX Phone contest
> > > last month. It was mounted at 33'. One element fell off a couple
> > > weeks before the contest but it was repaired. Running barefoot I made
> > > over 6200 QSOs in a weekend so it works reasonably well. You can read
> > > more about this contest effort here ->
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/archives//html/3830/2015-03/msg02222.html
> > > [1] John KK9A To: TOWERTALK@contesting.com Subject: Re: [TowerTalk]
> > > antenna choices for K4XS From: Bill via TowerTalk
> > > <towertalk@contesting.com> Reply-to: Cqtestk4xs@aol.com Date: Sat, 11
> > > Apr 2015 07:52:16 -0400 Ed is right about not having to spend money
> > > to have a big signal. Although I bought my M2 stuff new, the four
> > > Cushcraft an
>   tennas
> are all used. The A-3 tribander cost me $75. The three high stack of A-3WS
> antennas were all second hand and I think the three high stack for 12/17
> cost me around $500 total and that includes the 30 meter adapter kit for 
> the
> top one. The signal is second to none on 12 and 17....for $500. Bottom 
> line,
> like Ed said...you can spend big bucks for antennas or you can be
> resourceful and do it on the cheap, but still have a good signal. K4XS
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