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Post by zman on Apr 10, 2009 22:18:25 GMT -5
I have a chance to get an Avanti Astrobeam off of a guy.
I had one once that was NMIB but i never used it. I should ahve kept it!!
Does anyone know much about this antenna?
From what i have been told from some OT'er local CB ops it is know for its rejection.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss 
Posts: 6,250 
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Post by Sandbagger on Apr 11, 2009 9:08:24 GMT -5
I have a chance to get an Avanti Astrobeam off of a guy. I had one once that was NMIB but i never used it. I should ahve kept it!! Does anyone know much about this antenna? From what i have been told from some OT'er local CB ops it is know for its rejection. I had one back in the 80's and it was fantastic for rejection, for a 3 element configuration. I could take the signal of a guy 7 doors down from me (a solid +30db over) and drop him down to a wavering S9 if I carefully put him in the null spot. People 5 miles away could get over him, and his signal was actually stronger if I unscrewed the coax from my radio. Foward gain was slightly better than the standard 3 element that I replaced with the AB. I'd love to find another one NIB (but not for $200)....... |
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Post by zman on Apr 12, 2009 21:00:16 GMT -5
One question is did you use the coax pigtail? One of the locals here used to use one and he said the antenna tuned better without the pigtail.
If i get this one that im being offered it wil stay here and will not be sold. I wish i had never sold the one i had new in the box.
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Post by doctor on Apr 14, 2009 22:17:22 GMT -5
What luck, only thing I get offered is a coat hangar<used>, ha, glad you got one, enjoy...
DOCTOR/OT795
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Post by Sniper..Unit 305 on Apr 15, 2009 8:35:09 GMT -5
I am in the process as I write this of putting my Astrobeam up. I am NOT using the pigtail. The fella I got mine from did not use it and had no problems matching the antenna in. A friend of mine also had one of these up 30 yrs ago and he too, never used the pigtail. Sniper
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Post by zman on Apr 15, 2009 12:11:01 GMT -5
I have always wondered what the pig tail was used for anyways. Someone told me that the very last run of the beam the pigtail was not included. According to my Astro Beam manual i downloaded the matching coax is dual RG 59U.
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Post by lamplighter on Apr 17, 2009 8:19:57 GMT -5
Has anyone attempted to home build this antenna?
Looks like it could be an interesting project.
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Post by zman on Apr 20, 2009 20:13:41 GMT -5
It looks easy enough. Just use an old AP and put on a director and a reflector. The guy sold me the Astrobeam and its on its way. Another antenna for me to restore and play around with!
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Post by lamplighter on Apr 20, 2009 21:18:49 GMT -5
It looks easy enough. Just use an old AP and put on a director and a reflector. The guy sold me the Astrobeam and its on its way. Another antenna for me to restore and play around with! If only I had an AP. I'd have to build from scratch. Lucky you on the new antenna! |
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Post by zman on Apr 28, 2009 18:30:46 GMT -5
I got part of the antenna yesterday. The rest of it will come later this week.
In my area the Astrobeam is/was a rather rare antenna. I have never seen very many around.
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Post by Sonwatcher on Apr 28, 2009 19:03:12 GMT -5
Just happened to see one up on my way home from work today .
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Post by lamplighter on Apr 28, 2009 19:25:06 GMT -5
Just happened to see one up on my way home from work today . Ironically, me too a couple days ago. Think I'll ask about it. |
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Post by zman on May 1, 2009 23:13:01 GMT -5
Well i have the complete Astrobeam in my shop. I get some new hardware today and almost have the beam together.
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Post by zman on May 1, 2009 23:15:03 GMT -5
Funny thing, about 10 miles west of me for the longest time there was an Astrobeam up on a roof of a house in the country. Then one day it was gone! It looks like the people had the roof redone. I am almost tempted to stop and ask them if they still have it in thier possesion.
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Post by zman on May 2, 2009 21:09:37 GMT -5
Well it is together and set up in the back yard. I got some odd looks from my next door neigbors probably thinking "now what monstrosity is he going to put up?" but i got it tuned down to a 1.1=1 SWR across all 40 channels. The driven element can be adjusted to shift the SWRs up or down which is really cool. Overall i really neato antenna!
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Post by lamplighter on May 2, 2009 22:56:56 GMT -5
Now I'm jealous. gonna go ask about the old astroplane I saw. Then just watch out!
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Post by zman on May 3, 2009 18:57:48 GMT -5
Today, i assembled my Rohn BX 48 out in the back yard. It is all painted nice and white with Rustoleum paint, stanless steel hardware, and just looks sharp! All i need to do now is dig a hole, put in some base stubs, and get my cousin to come over with his bucket truck to put everything up!! I have been busy lately. LOL
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Post by lamplighter on May 16, 2009 15:40:12 GMT -5
Great! Gonna take some pictures? Let's see it.
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Post by zman on May 19, 2009 22:29:04 GMT -5
Well i have not done anything more with the tower or beam. I poured my base last week so i am waiting for the cement to cure before i put up that 48' tower. I don't think i will put up the beam though. I know I will install my Avanti sigma 5/8 wave on top. That antenna will "walk the dog" being up about 55' to the base of the antenna on top of that tower!!!! And my 270' center fed doublet will go under the sigma for 160, 80, and 40 meters. As of late, i have been tinkering with a Drake TR4, power supply, and RV4 vfo i got from a ham one town over.
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Post by BladeRunner now OLD FLASH!!!!! on May 24, 2009 20:58:38 GMT -5
I had ot lgo out and look at what the astro beam looked lik e. I had forgotton over the years. I ran into a picture of the AS Super acanner that had the three elements in a triangular configuration. From what I remember I on'y knew one guy that had one and it worked pretty well. . not nearly as well as a yagi beam or similar type antenna
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