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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 7, 2020 7:22:58 GMT -5
The restored moonraker 4 is truly an amazing antenna. The restoration and simple upgrades has left me with an antenna that is wind resistant, as powerful as advertised and I believe it will be maintenance free for years to come. I get every bit of gain and rejection they touted for this thing and both vertical and horizontal get plenty of use. I do inspect it often. Because I have it on a Hazer I can lower it with ease down the tower. Next project is a JO GUNN 4×4. I picked up a used unit. 321 TREECLIMBER KD2RYS
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Post by MonkeyMan on Nov 11, 2020 7:35:18 GMT -5
Photos?! Would love to see it!
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 11, 2020 7:48:24 GMT -5
Have a hard time posting pics,I'll try again.
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Post by cbrown on Nov 11, 2020 13:29:52 GMT -5
Have a hard time posting pics,I'll try again. Use a photo hosting site and just copy the links |
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 12, 2020 9:33:13 GMT -5
Ok, will do.
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 14, 2020 6:03:55 GMT -5
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss 
Posts: 6,247 
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Post by Sandbagger on Nov 15, 2020 9:43:07 GMT -5
One thing that gives me pause is how you have those guy lines attached. You shouldn't attach guy lines above the rotor (not sure how you can effectively do that and still allow the mast to turn). Also, you should NEVER use metallic guy lines, especially that close, with a beam. The guy lines will disrupt the directional pattern and possibly affect SWR as well. With a beam you should either use a non-metallic line or you need to break up the metal lines with insulators at less than 1/4 wave lengths so as to render them "invisible" to radio signals. Or just attach them to the tower well below the antenna.
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 16, 2020 23:06:18 GMT -5
Good thing they aren't metallic! Hahaha they are paracord. Nylon, and the point of contact is a bearing ring that allows the mast to spin freely, so fear not my friend! I am really happy with this antenna and the project was great fun!
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Sandbagger
Administrator/The Boss
Posts: 6,247
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Post by Sandbagger on Nov 17, 2020 17:33:02 GMT -5
Good thing they aren't metallic! Hahaha they are paracord. Nylon, and the point of contact is a bearing ring that allows the mast to spin freely, so fear not my friend! I am really happy with this antenna and the project was great fun! Interesting. How do you deal with the coax cables that appear to be taped to the mast? When the mast turns the cables will run up against the guy lines. Unless I'm missing something.... |
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 17, 2020 22:45:06 GMT -5
Sorry, the pic doesnt show it but there is a loop or "belly" in the coax hidden by the angle of the picture that starts and ends above and below the guy bearing which allows enough spin to go one full cycle then back. I'll post more picks soon.
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Post by cbrown on Nov 18, 2020 15:11:40 GMT -5
Good thing they aren't metallic! Hahaha they are paracord. Nylon, and the point of contact is a bearing ring that allows the mast to spin freely, so fear not my friend! I am really happy with this antenna and the project was great fun! Be careful, nylon deteriorates in sunlight. |
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 18, 2020 19:42:33 GMT -5
Not exactly sure how long paracord will last but its rated for outdoor use and UV resistant. It's a simple job to replace it at the hazer allows easy access to the upper guying ring. So I can replace it annually if need be.
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Post by ytradio on Nov 18, 2020 20:27:06 GMT -5
Have been using the small cord from Synthetic Textile Industries AKA "STI" sold by DX Eng. for several years. It is "supposed" to have a special sheath on the outside that is very UV resistant, and I have been using it over and over for various things beside antennas. Dog lead will in the field while hunting, tie off for kayaks, rigging lines for a Snark sailboat, and more antennas. Have not had any fail from deterioration yet. But in my opinion, It is just paracord. I think paracord has a UV resistant sheath also.
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Post by ytradio on Nov 18, 2020 20:32:08 GMT -5
I also wanted to try a Hazer, but knew the guy wires would have to be removed to operate it, so decided to go another route. I think you have a very good idea for your use.
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 19, 2020 7:55:41 GMT -5
10-4, the upper guying ring is the trick. It's a simple PVC two part ring (kind of a bearing idea) that screw-clamps to the mast. I had to play around with the height placement on the mast but simple to do with the hazer. So when the antenna turns guys stay put. I only use the guy wires because of the mast.the tower doesn't budge at 40' but the mast is 16' and the wind whips up here, so its
really just to steady the mast and antenna. The hazer is simply great. Even if I were only using a ground plane, no rotor, I would still have a hazer.for service and safety you cant beat it.
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Post by bobcat4109 on Nov 19, 2020 14:30:57 GMT -5
What a great looking setup 321!
No experience with them here.... are they wide enough to allow 10 m use?
B
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Post by 321 treeclimber on Nov 19, 2020 22:55:35 GMT -5
10-4 bobcat, I think the moonraker is a great 10m antenna! hard to find but I believe someone makes one.
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Post by ytradio on Nov 27, 2020 12:01:17 GMT -5
10-4, the upper guying ring is the trick. It's a simple PVC two part ring (kind of a bearing idea) that screw-clamps to the mast. I had to play around with the height placement on the mast but simple to do with the hazer. So when the antenna turns guys stay put. I only use the guy wires because of the mast.the tower doesn't budge at 40' but the mast is 16' and the wind whips up here, so its really just to steady the mast and antenna. The hazer is simply great. Even if I were only using a ground plane, no rotor, I would still have a hazer.for service and safety you cant beat it. It will undoubtedly take me awhile but when I get my new tower setup finished I will post some picks to see what you think. |
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Post by sfi355 aka Billy Bob on Jan 21, 2021 4:16:18 GMT -5
Wow nice job!
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