Hey guys, I have never had a beam before only omni's. I was thinking about getting one of the little 3 elements but I dont' know if it is worth the trouble? Is it realy going to get me anything over say a A99?
Thanks for the replys!
622
Small Beam's worth the trouble?
-
Snowman1975
IMO, Omni's (like the A99) are better in the long run. With a beam, your only talking directional (whichever way the beam is pointing). With an Omni, your talking 360 degrees. I am not sure if there would be a difference in distance or not, but I would say that the Omni is still better. I do know that a beam gets a little better distance due to the fact that your signal is 100% concentrated in one direction. But, with the right equipment, ANY antenna can take you anywhere. Just my 2 cents.
-
BigBopper
For distance, the beam will get you out there further,,but I used for years was a 3 element beam and an A99,,,used the A99, for local talk,,and would point the beam in the direction to talk skip,,,,now days I only use an A99,,,talk skip all over,,,but I would get out better with a beam,,,,if you don't want to use a rotator,,,try to find a Super Scanner type antenna, has 3 elements in a tri-angle,,you have a switch box and set 2 antenna beams at a time,,,not a bad setup,,,
-
6DoubleDuece
Thanks guys, I really want to keep the price down besides I don't have the option of putting any thing really big.
I am going to keep the A-99 up but I am wondering if I will see any real gain out of going to one of the little beams? I have no problem with running one of the tv ant. type rotator's.
Thanks
622
I am going to keep the A-99 up but I am wondering if I will see any real gain out of going to one of the little beams? I have no problem with running one of the tv ant. type rotator's.
Thanks
622
-
Mr RadioActive
-
Rex_foxhound
-
6DoubleDuece
-
Mr RadioActive
-
BigBubbaBD
Guy up the road has 2 towers.
1 has a 3 element beam on the flat
The other tower has 2 - 3 element beams vertical pointing in the same direction seperated by probably 10-20ft or so. Both on rotators.
He does alot of talking on them and they seem to work really well. But I dont know if that counts because he is running one on the flat but 2 on the vert when he talks.
1 has a 3 element beam on the flat
The other tower has 2 - 3 element beams vertical pointing in the same direction seperated by probably 10-20ft or so. Both on rotators.
He does alot of talking on them and they seem to work really well. But I dont know if that counts because he is running one on the flat but 2 on the vert when he talks.
-
Mississippifrog
Personally I'm a big fan of beams.I got a set of 3's that i need to get up in the air but it seams like i can never find the time.But for local talking the A99 will do just fine.
Example: There is a local guy that i talk to about 30 miles from me with both an A99 and a set of 3's.with the A99 on he puts a 7db on my meter.With the beams pointed at me he puts around 25db on me and lots more audio but if he turns his block side to me he's luck to put 1db on my meter.
Example: There is a local guy that i talk to about 30 miles from me with both an A99 and a set of 3's.with the A99 on he puts a 7db on my meter.With the beams pointed at me he puts around 25db on me and lots more audio but if he turns his block side to me he's luck to put 1db on my meter.
-
231
I too am a big fan of a beam and always will be. When propagation (i.e. DX) starts up strong again, it's a very nice thing to have and weed out some of the skip to talk local. Heck, I can remember many times shootin' skip off the back of the beam, and scratching my head over it. 
After owning several beams it's very hard to consider not having one again. The benefits (specifically signal rejection) is very nice.
Just my $.02
After owning several beams it's very hard to consider not having one again. The benefits (specifically signal rejection) is very nice.
Just my $.02
-
THUMPER
hummmmmmm?
have a maco 3elment stillinging a box in i am still thing of should i put it up or not it is a big antenna and with a beam ya got to put it up some were away from the trees so ya can turn the thing with out getting snaged on a tree. now i like the Omni's because you can hide them in a tree top and dont have to hear some one cry over a big ugly antenna
and i would not have to point it at thier house to show the how ugly it can be with 2000 watts ..........lol
have a maco 3elment stillinging a box in i am still thing of should i put it up or not it is a big antenna and with a beam ya got to put it up some were away from the trees so ya can turn the thing with out getting snaged on a tree. now i like the Omni's because you can hide them in a tree top and dont have to hear some one cry over a big ugly antenna
and i would not have to point it at thier house to show the how ugly it can be with 2000 watts ..........lol
