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Post by tubesrus on Jul 11, 2008 16:47:02 GMT -5
I have found 2 older Moonraker 4 antennas. I was wondering if they are broadbanded enough to go above 40 and below 1 like the Maco beams are. Also My buddy wants one but has a Heathkit SB-220 how much power will they handle? He dont want to put it up and have it catch fire !!!
Thanks
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Post by Tombstone (R.I.P.) on Jul 12, 2008 8:14:16 GMT -5
A friend of mine uses a Moonraker 4 with his Cobra 2000 that has 40 channels up and down and he has run a few hundred watts into it with no problem. I'm not sure what maximum wattage that they're rated for though.
Tombstone
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Post by Afterburner(OT-749) on Jul 12, 2008 9:51:41 GMT -5
I use a Moonraker 4 and have never had any problems. I do suggest doing the manila rope on the inside of the elements to make them last longer. As far as power, I have dumped 1KW plus in the past into it and have had no problems. I also sometimes hookup my RCI to it and needless to say the freq capabilities they have and for as far as being broadbanded enough for "normal" CB freq, plus or minus 40 channels, I dont see much change in SWR's although there is some.  #smilies-42774# #cbop# #american# #glow# |
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Post by husker on Jul 12, 2008 12:59:04 GMT -5
I use a Moonraker 4 and have never had any problems. I do suggest doing the manila rope on the inside of the elements to make them last longer. As far as power, I have dumped 1KW plus in the past into it and have had no problems. I also sometimes hookup my RCI to it and needless to say the freq capabilities they have and for as far as being broadbanded enough for "normal" CB freq, plus or minus 40 channels, I dont see much change in SWR's although there is some. #smilies-42774# #cbop# #american# #glow# What would the rope do to help? Sounds interesting |
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Post by BionicChicken on Jul 12, 2008 14:24:51 GMT -5
The rope is designed to keep the elements from "singing" when the wind is blowing them. This is a common problem with the Wilson (who first suggested to put rope in the elements) and Maco antennas. Both are the basically the same antenna since Maco bought Wilson out.
The singing is just a vibration of the elements and will eventually add to making the elements more brittle.
The Avanti antennas had the wire tips on the end of the elements are were not subject to the singing effect. One thing to note on putting rope in the elements is to make sure the bottom of the elements is open so water can drain out of them. I've seen a waterlogged rope in an element cause some strange problems with an antenna.
On another note the stock Gammas on the Moonraker 4 were rated at 2Kw. I've put more wattage than that into one without any problems but make sure the reflected power is low. Tuning the antenna at mid point of the band should let you be able to go up/down 40 channels without a lot of change in reflected power.
BC
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Post by captbarry on Jul 13, 2008 0:48:15 GMT -5
I have run a Moonraker IV off and on for many years. Rebuilding it after ice storms ect. I think it's pretty broad banded and although I have only run 500 watts thru mine I have a good friend that often runs 1KW thru his with no problem. Over the years this antenna has given me great proformance "weather" ground wave or DX. Hard to go wrong here.
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Post by husker on Jul 13, 2008 11:56:24 GMT -5
The rope is designed to keep the elements from "singing" when the wind is blowing them. This is a common problem with the Wilson (who first suggested to put rope in the elements) and Maco antennas. Both are the basically the same antenna since Maco bought Wilson out. The singing is just a vibration of the elements and will eventually add to making the elements more brittle. The Avanti antennas had the wire tips on the end of the elements are were not subject to the singing effect. One thing to note on putting rope in the elements is to make sure the bottom of the elements is open so water can drain out of them. I've seen a waterlogged rope in an element cause some strange problems with an antenna. On another note the stock Gammas on the Moonraker 4 were rated at 2Kw. I've put more wattage than that into one without any problems but make sure the reflected power is low. Tuning the antenna at mid point of the band should let you be able to go up/down 40 channels without a lot of change in reflected power. BC Interesting, that would make alot of sense. So that is something I wouldn't have to worry about with the PDL II's due to the elements being fiber glass?? thanks |
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Post by BionicChicken on Jul 13, 2008 18:43:41 GMT -5
Myself I wouldn't worry about it on any Avanti antenna. The only time I put rope the elements was when I was building a Maco or Wilson antenna. Seal the top end up with epoxy or JBWeld and leave the bottom open so if any water does get inside it can drain. In the winter time this can save from having an element split due to a water soaked rope. Since the reflector elements are half fiberglass I wouldn't worry about rope in them even on a Maco or Wilson.
BC
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Post by tubesrus on Aug 13, 2008 2:28:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies, I think he can be safe in getting his up and running and not worry about performance. Yall have been a great help, and I thank you very much.
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Post by zman on Sept 23, 2008 22:28:29 GMT -5
I had a MR 4 back about 10 years ago when i lived back home, and i slapped 1500 watts RMS into it and had no issues. Great old beam IMHO. In fact, i have one out in the shop right now that i just replaced with a Quad. I have had a few offers to buy the MR-4 but no, its not going anywere soon.....:-) Sorry, not for sale!!
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#smilies-42774# #cbop# #american# #glow# 
