**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss 
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 5, 2012 20:59:13 GMT -5
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Post by cbrown on Aug 6, 2012 8:45:46 GMT -5
No, but I'm aware of the Sirio name, I do hear good things about them.
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Post by hifiman on Aug 6, 2012 9:34:09 GMT -5
I have a Serio Vector 4000 and love it. I think they now call it a LW 150. Serio makes great antennas.
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Post by hifiman on Aug 6, 2012 9:34:31 GMT -5
Meant Sirio.
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 8, 2012 6:15:10 GMT -5
I have a Serio Vector 4000 and love it. I think they now call it a LW 150. Serio makes great antennas. |
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Post by zman on Aug 23, 2012 14:25:06 GMT -5
The Gain Master is ok but not for the big strappers that like to key down the watts!! I will just stick to my old 1975 Hy Gain P 500 and my Astroplane..
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 26, 2012 12:20:50 GMT -5
If it can handle 100 watts and it's built well I am interested! I don't run more than 100 watts, if I can't get there with that.... I don't need to get there! ;D
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Post by homerbb on Aug 27, 2012 8:40:37 GMT -5
Grumpy, I don't have one, but I have read considerable remarks and reviews of the GM.
Some things:
Pros -
1. Almost universal reporting of improved receive, and some seeming increases of signal out.
2. Improvement on noise floor levels, quieter receive without sacrificing RX signal.
3. Small aerial footprint - slender sturdy build with no GP radials.
Cons -
1. Maximum 500 watt rating.
2. Extreme sensitivity to things nearby - apparently not only conductive materials, but non-conductive structures, too.
3. Must be mounted high and clear to take advantages of potential performance improvement. Down low it has nothing to offer in performance. Twenty feet minimum height in the clear to see improvements.
I would run one if I needed to have a a high performance antenna with little skyline impact and did not intend to run high wattage.
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 27, 2012 13:47:15 GMT -5
At some point I have to replace the A99 that I have up now. I have a new Imax 2k and Maco V58 in the box to put up, but I really wanted to try something new that I never used before. I get a ton of noise living in the City, and the A99 and Imax can be hell on the neighbors. The A99 went bad of the Spring, so I use my beam which is not a problem because most oof the folks that I talk to are pointed in the direstion I am pointed toward most of the time, so I don't have to turn it much!
The Gain - Master seemed like a neat antenna, but a little costly for what it is!
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Post by homerbb on Aug 27, 2012 15:03:17 GMT -5
Between your choices, I'd choose the Maco V58. It will probably be more neighbor friendly.
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250 
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 27, 2012 15:47:40 GMT -5
At some point I have to replace the A99 that I have up now. I have a new Imax 2k and Maco V58 in the box to put up, but I really wanted to try something new that I never used before. I get a ton of noise living in the City, and the A99 and Imax can be hell on the neighbors. The A99 went bad of the Spring, so I use my beam which is not a problem because most oof the folks that I talk to are pointed in the direstion I am pointed toward most of the time, so I don't have to turn it much!
The Gain - Master seemed like a neat antenna, but a little costly for what it is! Honestly Scott, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in performance between antennas of similar electrical design. A 5/8th wave is a 5/8th wave, a 1/2 wave is a 1/2 wave etc. I do notice about 1/2 to 1 "S" unit increase when you compare a radial-less "stick" type antenna to a similar electrical length antenna with full sized radials. But I wouldn't go looking for a "wonder" antenna that claims to "outperform" all other vertical designs. It just isn't going to happen. Since you already have 2 decent antennas in stock, I would use them and save any money you might spend on another one. My personal choice would be the Maco V58, since it has radials, which help it to decouple RF, and will greatly reduce TVI problems with the neighbors. Plus you really can't do much better without going to a beam. |
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 27, 2012 16:18:53 GMT -5
I agree with the V58.... my problem is having it installed! To get the antenna service to put it up it cost $90.00 an hour. So you figure how long it will take to put it all together, tune it and install it will cost me a good chunk of change. The Imax I can have all together in a few minutes, they are pretty much pre-tuned and I can have it all ready for them when they get here to take the A99 down and put the Imax up!
It was no problem when I still had my buddy that did all of my antenna work when I bought this house, he installed the A99 and my beam. But he is having health issues now as well and can't climb any longer. And there just are not enough young guys around here that I would trust up on my roof installing an antenna! 
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Post by lightfoot on Aug 28, 2012 0:03:39 GMT -5
Hello to all interested in the Gain Master. Ive actually acquired a 3 month old gain master from a friend for $75. Other wise I don't think I would of bought one. Its mounted on top of my 4 element Yagi. Construction is actually very well. Does not flex as the Imax 2000 on windy days. Actually much broader banded. First thing i Noticed was that my receive went up on my fellow distant stations by 1 to 2 s units so help me God. I Use this for local talking and work the beam for that long haul. On occasion Ive worked my Ameritron Through it with no Problems. But Try not to make it a habit. I love my maco V5/8 But Im enjoying the Gain Master. Best regards and warm wishes. San Francisco LightFoot with the Golden Wave.........  |
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 28, 2012 14:09:40 GMT -5
I agree with the V58.... my problem is having it installed! To get the antenna service to put it up it cost $90.00 an hour. So you figure how long it will take to put it all together, tune it and install it will cost me a good chunk of change. The Imax I can have all together in a few minutes, they are pretty much pre-tuned and I can have it all ready for them when they get here to take the A99 down and put the Imax up!
It was no problem when I still had my buddy that did all of my antenna work when I bought this house, he installed the A99 and my beam. But he is having health issues now as well and can't climb any longer. And there just are not enough young guys around here that I would trust up on my roof installing an antenna! Well, the difference in performance between the Imax and the V58 is not all that much. If you need a little more receive or transmit signal, you can always switch to the beam. The only issue I'd be concerned about with the Imax over the V58 is the potential for RFI, due to the lack of radials/poor decoupling/coaxial radiation that is common with straight stick verticals. You could always make a coaxial choke to block the RF from flowing down the coax shield. Otherwise, you'd be ok with the Imax. |
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Post by cbrown on Aug 29, 2012 9:46:46 GMT -5
I agree; I wouldn't put up an Imax without a RF choke loop at the antenna.
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**GRUMPY**
Administrator/The Boss
Classic Radio Operator Olde Timer 8220 [/color][/center]
"The King of Ping"
Posts: 4,342
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Post by **GRUMPY** on Aug 29, 2012 15:33:00 GMT -5
Just so we're on the same page here, when you say coaxial choke.... do you mean like wrapping the coax tight about 5 or 6 times?
We use to do that with the old Big Sticks back in the day, never thought about it when I put the A99 up 9 years ago. We use to take a 2 liter bottle or something close to it's size and wrap the coax about 5 or 6 times, always seemed to help!
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,250
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Post by Sandbagger on Aug 29, 2012 17:09:08 GMT -5
Just so we're on the same page here, when you say coaxial choke.... do you mean like wrapping the coax tight about 5 or 6 times?
We use to do that with the old Big Sticks back in the day, never thought about it when I put the A99 up 9 years ago. We use to take a 2 liter bottle or something close to it's size and wrap the coax about 5 or 6 times, always seemed to help! That's exactly what I was talking about. 8 or 9 turns around a 6" diameter form, is typically what I've seen. It's supposed to block RF from running down the shield of the coax and radiating from there. I've never had to run one, but guys who have say it does improve RFI problems quite a bit. |
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Post by Marc on Aug 29, 2012 17:35:43 GMT -5
They are used to brake up common mode current. You can also use large ferrite cores about 3" inside diam with 3 to 4 lose coils through it.
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Post by cbrown on Aug 30, 2012 9:39:42 GMT -5
That's exactly what I was talking about. 8 or 9 turns around a 6" diameter form, is typically what I've seen. It's supposed to block RF from running down the shield of the coax and radiating from there. I've never had to run one, but guys who have say it does improve RFI problems quite a bit. I've never HAD to have one, but I've always used one. No real extra cost for having it up, so why not? |
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