Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Welcome to the Charlie Tango DX Group. The home of ALL things Radio - CB, 11m DX, Amateur, PMR446, PLD, Network and Data. We welcome all radio enthusiasts of all knowledge levels. Join today and claim your own unique World Famous CT Call-sign
Join in with the fun of the Charlie Tango DX Group Winter 11m Challenge - from December 1st 2024
Call Sign : 26-CT-4796 Posts : 8 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2023-03-20 QTH or Location : Richmond, North Yorkshire Equipment Used : Not yet acquired Age : 55
Subject: Antenna advice Tue Mar 21, 2023 12:28 pm
Hi,i live on the North Yorkshire moors so high up,its just my village is in a dip so was wondering the best antenna 11mtr….I am hoping to make the most of the active sun and get some good skip from usa.Thank you all.
Sharpshooter Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-329 Posts : 489 Times Thanked : 13 Join date : 2022-04-05 QTH or Location : Deeside, Flintshire Equipment Used : A growing list
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:21 pm
Hi, asking which antenna is best is akin to asking "which car is best" ? Imo. I've read a lot of info regarding aeriels and I've come to the conclusion most of the decent ones do a decent job.
Here's a list of six for your perusal.
https://moonrakeronline.com/blog/best-cb-antennas
I have a Sirio gainmaster, although I still haven't put it up
I was going to get a cheap silver rod but was warned they are of low thin quality these days and snap in a breeze. I was offered the Sirio for cheap silver rod money off a ham operator in excellent condition and told I "won't get anything better for 11mtr dx".
I've read people slating antron 99's yet so many swear by them and they seem to hold up well in bad weather.
It's a minefield so my advice would be to look at what your comfortable paying and get one with decent coax .
Good luck ,
Sydthecat likes this post
Simon Eves New Member
Call Sign : 26-CT-4796 Posts : 8 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2023-03-20 QTH or Location : Richmond, North Yorkshire Equipment Used : Not yet acquired Age : 55
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Tue Mar 21, 2023 1:57 pm
Thank you,ive used antennas in the past but years ago.I guess they all work as you say but i will see what my results are after this wknd.I have a clear run to the east coast so should be okay.Its just,like i say,i’m in a dip so to speak lol.
Sharpshooter Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-329 Posts : 489 Times Thanked : 13 Join date : 2022-04-05 QTH or Location : Deeside, Flintshire Equipment Used : A growing list
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Tue Mar 21, 2023 5:21 pm
Simon Eves wrote:
Thank you,ive used antennas in the past but years ago.I guess they all work as you say but i will see what my results are after this wknd.I have a clear run to the east coast so should be okay.Its just,like i say,i’m in a dip so to speak lol.
For long distance DXÂ The gainmaster 5/8 is 23 foot and I'd imagine the better choice compared to a 1/2 wave at 18' for instance .
There's much more knowledgeable than me here that will give you advice but sometimes you can get too hung up on technical aspects.
My plan last year was to just throw a cheap silver rod up for £40 and see where it went from there. Then I got offered the gainmaster 5/8 for that price so a no brainer.
Simon Eves likes this post
chazwozza Senior contributor
Posts : 130 Times Thanked : 1 Join date : 2020-02-15 QTH or Location : England Equipment Used : Radios
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Fri Mar 24, 2023 7:34 am
The best antenna is what you can get away with at your location
Simon Eves likes this post
babis3g Major contributor
Call Sign : 18-CT-006 Posts : 210 Times Thanked : 3 Join date : 2022-11-16 QTH or Location : Corfu Greece, jm99ug Equipment Used : PNI 6500 & Sirio Boomerang 27A Age : 55
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Tue Mar 28, 2023 10:07 pm
Quote :
The best antenna is what you can get away with at your location
once mentioned that, sorry if is hijacking, but may be interesting for any newbie ... there are few on line path profiling calculators where you can add your location showing radiation and tells you what antenna to use (1/2, 1/4, 5/8 etc) ... does any body know one? i am searching but can not find any ... reason asking is because around me i have way higher mountains at 180 degree so maybe a 1/4 is for me ... thanks
Sharpshooter Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-329 Posts : 489 Times Thanked : 13 Join date : 2022-04-05 QTH or Location : Deeside, Flintshire Equipment Used : A growing list
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Wed Mar 29, 2023 1:59 pm
babis3g wrote:
Quote :
The best antenna is what you can get away with at your location
once mentioned that, sorry if is hijacking, but may be interesting for any newbie ... there are few on line path profiling calculators where you can add your location showing radiation and tells you what antenna to use (1/2, 1/4, 5/8 etc) ... does any body know one? i am searching but can not find any ... reason asking is because around me i have way higher mountains at 180 degree so maybe a 1/4 is for me ... thanks
http://radiomobile.pe1mew.nl/
babis3g likes this post
babis3g Major contributor
Call Sign : 18-CT-006 Posts : 210 Times Thanked : 3 Join date : 2022-11-16 QTH or Location : Corfu Greece, jm99ug Equipment Used : PNI 6500 & Sirio Boomerang 27A Age : 55
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Thu Mar 30, 2023 12:43 am
EDITED 2/4/23 removed from OP post & posted to my topic, sorry ... & thanks the member pointing the tool
Simon Eves likes this post
SteelCityMan New Member
Call Sign : 26-CT-4837 Posts : 7 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2023-05-08 QTH or Location : Leeds Equipment Used : Anytone Ares 2, EFHW vertical
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Mon May 22, 2023 11:00 am
chazwozza wrote:
The best antenna is what you can get away with at your location
That quote is exactly what I'm faced with ... my question is; EFHW for 11 mts vertical wire, the only way to get the full length "up" is to bend the top few feet 90 degrees. Is this an acceptable answer please ?
SangueG Major contributor
Call Sign : 26-CT-3971 / 2E0LMI Posts : 1340 Times Thanked : 86 Join date : 2021-01-30 QTH or Location : Cirencester, Gloucestershire Equipment Used : Little radios, home-made antennas
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Mon May 22, 2023 4:04 pm
SteelCityMan wrote:
chazwozza wrote:
The best antenna is what you can get away with at your location
That quote is exactly what I'm faced with ... my question is; EFHW for 11 mts vertical wire, the only way to get the full length "up" is to bend the top few feet 90 degrees. Is this an acceptable answer please ?
In short.. Yes it will work. EFHWs are very forgiving in how you bend them about. Just try to get as much of it as you can as straight as you can
GaryWilson likes this post
GaryWilson CT Directors
Call Sign : 26-CT-1836 Amateur Radio Call Sign 2E0GGQ Posts : 4505 Times Thanked : 388 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : Redcar, North Yorkshire. Equipment Used : Radios & Wires & Stuff! Age : 60
Subject: Re: Antenna advice Mon May 22, 2023 5:12 pm
Hi Patrick, I would say that will be fine, give it a go and make sure your SWR is okay and let us know how you get on.