Antenna Advice Needed

Hi Everyone,

I am just coming back to the airwaves after many years and would like some suggestions on which base antenna is best for my needs.

I have a single storey property with a flat roof (15' high)), and wish to mount the mast (Pole)to the side of the building.

The antenna will be exposed SW direction, straight towards the Irish Sea (apart from a large metal Rollercoaster approx 1.5 miles away), at a minimum altitude of 73ft

Will be running the new CRT6900, and would like an antenna that will cover 10/11m.  

I was considering the Sirio Gainmaster 5/8, however, I have seen many reports of them breaking.

Any advice appreciated 

MalcT
26-CT-3834

Maybe you can consider building a DEWD after the design of UR0GT. I've modelled one in CocoaNEC and it should give an SWR of 1.1:1 from 26.5 to 28.5 Mhz. Maybe there's a catch which i don't know of, but if someone has any experience with this antenna...........

73

Hi Karelgol,

Thank you for your suggestion it is very much appreciated. 

I must admit I had not considered a DEWD, which is surprising as there is an Amateur Radio Mast not far from my location.


Thank you again


73's


MalcT 

I have recently put a Gainmaster up and in a very similar situation as you.
A bungalow overlooking the Irish sea on Anglesey North Wales.
I ended up using a guying kit sort of as i could only get to 3 points to fix.
Recently we have had some good winds and it stands better than i expected so very happy with my choice of aerial now.
Bought all the bit's i needed from this place they have all you need and more.
 https://www.sotabeams.co.uk/


My post on this same subject.
https://www.charlietango.co.uk/t2004-same-old-aerial-question

Hi Alan

Thank you for your advice, it is very much appreciated.


I had noticed that with most of the report / Youtube videos regarding the Gainmaster breaking, none of them seemed to have guying kits fitted to them, although I know it is recommended by the manufacturer. 


Please can I ask you, what height above the roof is your antenna mounted? (Ignore as I have just read your original post about the same problem)

I am now considering installing the Gainmaster and a Sirio SD27 dipole to see what results I get. 


Thank you again for your advice


73's


MalcT

The base of the aerial is about level with the ridge on our bungalow about 20ft.(i think)...
We are very open here on all sides and over looking Holyhead port gets very windy.
I have a weather station and have seen it log gusting wind at 112 mph and that was in the last 6 months can't remember exactly when but i know we have stronger to come over the winter but i think the Gainmaster will now take it even with only 3 guy's and not even equal spaced more of a "Y" due to my boundaries.
If you looked through my post i didn't have much confidence at first but happy now.

That's brilliant Alan, 

I will be in the same position regarding the guying layout. Very impressed that it is standing up well to the force of the wind in your location. 

I will definitely give it a go.

Thank you for your reply

MalcT

I can also vouch for the Gainmaster 5/8 wave had one up for a very long time, the main reason why they snap is alot of people dont know how to put them together they either over tighten the the juberlee clips which puts hair line cracks in to the fiberglass so in time weakens the antenna or they put it on a very short pole so the antenna takes all the strange of the wind so it snaps in time if alot of wind gets at it ,TBH if you put any large antenna up in the same way that could happen,  put the Gainmaster on a longer pole so pole takes most of the strain yes the Gainmaster does and will still flap about in the wind but it's a flappy antenna I can put up video evidence of one flapping about and spring back up OK, also remember and I dont think alot of people actually think about it every type of antenna has a limit of wind speed it can take and if the is more than the limit   it obvious there will be damage.
JUST A NOTE : The Gainmaster 5/8 can only take up to a wind speed of 160kph (99MPH)  so bare that in mind .

There was a few tip's in my original post.
The bit of tape was a good one but when i came to do mine it was a tightish fie to start with so i think they have had a rethink on the manufacturing side.
Also i used the plastic guying ring or whatever it's made of at the top section.

Thank you, NUSTER for the advice, especially regarding not over-tightening the jubilee clips.

I differently think I will give the Gainmaster try. What the worse that can happen 

Thank you again

MalcT

Thanks, Alan

Will go for the Gainmaster as the first antenna. You never know my signal may just travel the 74 or so miles between us.

MalcT

Good choice.
Like i said i was panicking at first due to price and my spending on radio in the months before getting back on air hammered the old pension but i sleep well now nod off listening to the wind outside.

MalcT,

I can vouch for the Siro GainMater 5/8. I have one on a 50 ft MAST on the side of my house.

My mast consists of  10 sections of 5ft 2" diameter interlocking Aluminium tubing( Flag Poles.)
The base of the Sirio antenna is 45ft. My 4 wall brackets take care of the first 30 ft of the mast and the last 20ft of the mast with the 24ft GainMaster on top is unsupported I live almost 500ft up on edge of the Chilterns. We had a SQUALL LINE go through yesterday afternoon 24/10/20 with GUSTS in access of 50 mph the bend in the last 20ft of mast with the GainMaster on top was handled easily. I must admit I was worried for the antenna having spent £149 on it. I stood there watching it in the rain and wind and was very impressed.

Steph

Alan,

I hope to get this all set up within the next month, so will let you know how it goes.

73's

MalcT

Hi Steph (redsprite )

Thank you for your comment. 

Don't think I would be brave enough to put a mast that high up, but good on you. 

Thank you again

MalcT

Gain Master is great for me, had it up 2 years now, all ok, no cracks or damage in any form, with stands -10 to - 25 very well, and if wet snow then starts to freeze hard in the wind, so the antenna can be 2 to 5 cm thicker it still stays strong and works, SWR might go up, but not every winter and has only gone to 2.0.

Hi Glenn Dog 

Thank you for your comments. Am going with the Gain Master after all the positive advice on here.

MalcT