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The Isotron Antenna..

I was suppose to get one from a forum member on here. i gave him a carrier current tuner for it. Stupid me i sent the tuner first and never received the isotron or the MFJ tuner i was to get for the CC Coupler :( it's been since before hurricane katrina. maybe. 4-6 months still no tuner and isotron. I'm not going to tell names publicly, but they know who they are and it may take a few years but everyone who has screwed me over going back to grade school is either in jail or is a severe alchoholic and/or drug user

in short what comes around goes around.

Thanks,<P ID="signature">______________
Oldies 1610 AM Stereo

"Proud User of Chris Cuff's Alfredo Lite 100mw"

http://www.part15.us
Largest Part 15 Website in the World</P>
 
I agree.. Everyone has their day. Just can't do folks like that and get off scott free..

The Isotron seems almost too good to be true. I figure if it was a good product, more folks would be talking about it..

Just curious, I guess..
<P ID="signature">______________
"What is this R.F. and How Does It Do That?.."</P>
 
I got taken for a ride like that once, sent the guy something and never got
what i was supposed to...I was thinking about the Isotron also because of my
restricted space to put an antenna...But hesitant to spend 250 bucks for
something that may be a waste...

> I agree.. Everyone has their day. Just can't do folks like
> that and get off scott free..
>
> The Isotron seems almost too good to be true. I figure if it
> was a good product, more folks would be talking about it..
>
> Just curious, I guess..
>
 
> I agree.. Everyone has their day. Just can't do folks like
> that and get off scott free..
>
> The Isotron seems almost too good to be true. I figure if it
> was a good product, more folks would be talking about it..
>
> Just curious, I guess..
>

If you do a Google search you'll find all kinds of feedback on the Isotron HF antennas. Different band but same principle.

Some are negative but most are positive, just like what "Antenna Guy" Carl is experiencing with his own product (see below).

And no one who bought their Isotron directly from the manufacturer has ever had problems with the company.

db
 
> Wonder what rfry has to say about this unit? :)
___________

From what I can see in a fuzzy online pic of the MW version, it appears to be base-loaded short vertical radiator with some "capacitance hats" at the ends to reduce the high capacitive reactance of short radiators. That would affect the loading coil a little, and maybe reduce some of the losses in it over not having the hats.

From a few minutes of web browsing I saw where the antenna needs to be installed as high as possible. A grounded tower is suggested, and the antenna is electrically connected to the supporting tower. So this means that the supporting tower becomes a big part of the antenna, and probably radiates more than the Isotron assembly, itself.

See my earlier rant on the subject of elevated Part 15 AM antennas posted at
http://rfry.org/Software & Misc Papers.htm (paper #3).
//
 
> > I agree.. Everyone has their day. Just can't do folks like> > > that and get off scott free..> > > > The Isotron seems almost too good to be true. I figure if> it> > was a good product, more folks would be talking about it..> > > > > Just curious, I guess..> > > > If you do a Google search you'll find all kinds of feedback> on the Isotron HF antennas. Different band but same> principle.> > Some are negative but most are positive, just like what> "Antenna Guy" Carl is experiencing with his own product (see> below).> > And no one who bought their Isotron directly from the> manufacturer has ever had problems with the company.> > db> Actually db, the isotron, design wise, is quite close to my antenna....the main difference being the 50ohm load.>>I've let a lot of threads kind of go on without contributing to them, but what amazes me is that a vast majority of people think any antenna will work with any transmitter, and that is just not true..........I've been asked by Rangemaster owners to build my antenna for them; before even saying yes (and accepting the business) I consulted with Keith Hamilton from Rangemaster: the conclusion is simple; my antenna will NOT work with the Rangemaster; in short, the Rangemaster has a built in tuned coil which accepts that thin Radio Shack CB antenna and just about nothing else...that is the antenna you gotta use with Rangemaster.....my antenna will work with sstran, metzo and then several kit-type transmitters that don't have a built-in atu. So I turned down a lot of business based on the idea that I knew my product would not work for certain people.......Strangely enough most people who wrote me who own Rangemasters were really only interested in my antenna because it is "sturdier", and I recommended adding a copper pipe to the cb antenna, and soldering it on in a way that would make the copper pipe resonate; it worked for one "customer" and I don't know how many other people tried this.Anyone interested in the Isotron needs to look carefully; see if their transmitter requires coax, what type and what the resistance with their transmitter is before they decide they are going to buy an Isotron.....a good or very good ground system will lower the resistance, in some cases down to 15 ohms, and at least with my antenna, the sstran will work because we don't use coax but the antenna lead fed to the correct tap of the coil.....sounds complicated, but it is very simple......Carl<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected], [email protected],[email protected]</P>
 
I'm working with an SSTran. I chatted with Phil and I believe he said the
impeadence at the feed point should be around 50 ohms. If the Isotron requires coax, I'd say the feedpoint of the antenna should be around there somewhere. Some of my issues were, by never seeing this antenna up close are..

Where is the feedpoint?

Attempting to install an SSTran to this antenna, Would the xmtr be inside the radiation pattern without using coax? (To keep it legal, ya know :)

I'm just brainstormin' here. I figure this antenna must be somewhere close to resonance. With the standard approach of the base loaded antenna and the taps, This is almost like playing midnight baseball! (Nothing against your antenna, Carl.. I built one too) Just by a small change in the grounding can make you move to a different tap. (Been there, Done that.. Over and Over again) I just see this antenna to possibly be somewhat more stable from the get go by whatever theroy these guys designed it from. I also understand it may not be as efficient as a 1/2 wave system with a perfect ground but could it be possible that the Isotron could be more efficient than a base load, "Home Brewed" antenna?

<P ID="signature">______________
"What is this R.F. and How Does It Do That?.."</P>
 
Actually db, the isotron, design wise, is quite close to
> my antenna....the main difference being the 50ohm
> load.>>I've let a lot of threads kind of go on without
> contributing to them, but what amazes me is that a vast
> majority of people think any antenna will work with any
> transmitter, and that is just not true..........I've been
> asked by Rangemaster owners to build my antenna for them;
> before even saying yes (and accepting the business) I
> consulted with Keith Hamilton from Rangemaster: the
> conclusion is simple; my antenna will NOT work with the
> Rangemaster; in short, the Rangemaster has a built in tuned
> coil which accepts that thin Radio Shack CB antenna and just
> about nothing else...that is the antenna you gotta use with
> Rangemaster.....my antenna will work with sstran, metzo and
> then several kit-type transmitters that don't have a
> built-in atu. So I turned down a lot of business based on
> the idea that I knew my product would not work for certain
> people.......Strangely enough most people who wrote me who
> own Rangemasters were really only interested in my antenna
> because it is "sturdier", and I recommended adding a copper
> pipe to the cb antenna, and soldering it on in a way that
> would make the copper pipe resonate; it worked for one
> "customer" and I don't know how many other people tried
> this.Anyone interested in the Isotron needs to look
> carefully; see if their transmitter requires coax, what
> type and what the resistance with their transmitter is
> before they decide they are going to buy an Isotron.....a
> good or very good ground system will lower the resistance,
> in some cases down to 15 ohms, and at least with my antenna,
> the sstran will work because we don't use coax but the
> antenna lead fed to the correct tap of the coil.....sounds
> complicated, but it is very simple......Carl
>

My only attraction to the Isotron is it's ability to work without a radial system (OK, I admit it's also kinda sexy looking with its offbeat design).

Like many of us on this board, I have no means of putting in ground radials and as is the case with you, Carl, the association won't allow a visible antenna. The Isotron seems like a nice alternative. It doesn't look like a conventional antenna so I think I can get away with putting one up and even hiding a ground to earth.

The manufacturer says that height is a key to making the Isotron perform as it should. I'm figuring my 3rd floor balcony might work. But since I also have an attic, I've been looking into the stealth antenna designs found on the ARRL website.

So you see, Carl, you could probably expand your business with pre-built stealth or "bird feeder" antennas in addition to the one you already build.

db
 
> > Wonder what rfry has to say about this unit? :)

I believe the fuzzy pic has a reason.. LOL

"it appears to be base-loaded short vertical radiator with
some "capacitance hats" at the ends to reduce the high capacitive reactance of short radiators. That would affect
the loading coil a little, and maybe reduce some of the
losses in it over not having the hats."

"So this means that the supporting
tower becomes a big part of the antenna, and probably
radiates more than the Isotron assembly, itself."

We've discussed the issue of the mount becoming part of the antenna itself in all situations.. (Rangemaster or SSTran with a base loaded antenna, ect.)

The "Capacitance Hat" issue is what causes attention to me. I've read many times that such "Hats" are a good thing. In this situation, would reducing the capacitive reactance improve the efficiency of the antenna itself or does this just "alter" the feedpoint impeadence?



<P ID="signature">______________
"What is this R.F. and How Does It Do That?.."</P>
 
> In this situation, would reducing the capacitive reactance
> improve the efficiency of the antenna itself or does this
> just "alter" the feedpoint impeadence?
______________

The capacitive end loading should reduce the coil inductance needed, so the coil might need fewer turns, meaning a little less resistance in the coil (other things equal). That is going in the right direction, but even if the coil resistance dropped in half, it is still a major loss element in these short antenna systems. But ground system loss typically is much higher than coil loss, so any benefit by taking an ohm or two out of the coil is quite small (probably insignificant as far as "coverage" goes).

The bottom line is that a Part 15 AM tx has to be able match into the impedance that the antenna system presents to it. Even if the 3-meter antenna had zero reactance and zero coil resistance at the feedpoint, the feedpoint resistance can vary from a low value of maybe 10 ohms to several hundred ohms, depending on the quality of the ground system. That is a large range for a tx to try to match into.

Part 15-ers can get more performance improvement for their money/effort if they minimize the losses in their ground system, rather than reducing coil loss by 10-20%. This doesn't refer to the DC resistance of the conductor leading to "ground," it means the resistance to RF current radiated by the antenna and induced in the earth, in the path through the earth back to and through the ground conductor(s), back to the tx chassis.
//
 
> Actually db, the isotron, design wise, is quite close to> > my antenna....the main difference being the 50ohm> > load.>>I've let a lot of threads kind of go on without> > contributing to them, but what amazes me is that a vast> > majority of people think any antenna will work with any> > transmitter, and that is just not true..........I've been> > asked by Rangemaster owners to build my antenna for them; > > > before even saying yes (and accepting the business) I> > consulted with Keith Hamilton from Rangemaster: the> > conclusion is simple; my antenna will NOT work with the> > Rangemaster; in short, the Rangemaster has a built in> tuned> > coil which accepts that thin Radio Shack CB antenna and> just> > about nothing else...that is the antenna you gotta use> with> > Rangemaster.....my antenna will work with sstran, metzo> and> > then several kit-type transmitters that don't have a> > built-in atu. So I turned down a lot of business based on> > > the idea that I knew my product would not work for certain> > > people.......Strangely enough most people who wrote me who> > > own Rangemasters were really only interested in my antenna> > > because it is "sturdier", and I recommended adding a> copper> > pipe to the cb antenna, and soldering it on in a way that> > would make the copper pipe resonate; it worked for one> > "customer" and I don't know how many other people tried> > this.Anyone interested in the Isotron needs to look> > carefully; see if their transmitter requires coax, what> > type and what the resistance with their transmitter is> > before they decide they are going to buy an Isotron.....a> > good or very good ground system will lower the resistance,> > > in some cases down to 15 ohms, and at least with my> antenna,> > the sstran will work because we don't use coax but the> > antenna lead fed to the correct tap of the coil.....sounds> > > complicated, but it is very simple......Carl> > > > My only attraction to the Isotron is it's ability to work> without a radial system (OK, I admit it's also kinda sexy> looking with its offbeat design). > > Like many of us on this board, I have no means of putting in> ground radials and as is the case with you, Carl, the> association won't allow a visible antenna. The Isotron> seems like a nice alternative. It doesn't look like a> conventional antenna so I think I can get away with putting> one up and even hiding a ground to earth. > > The manufacturer says that height is a key to making the> Isotron perform as it should. I'm figuring my 3rd floor> balcony might work. But since I also have an attic, I've> been looking into the stealth antenna designs found on the> ARRL website.> > So you see, Carl, you could probably expand your business> with pre-built stealth or "bird feeder" antennas in addition> to the one you already build.> > db> Jason, there was a great post further down the board about "associations" like ours:..I've always felt that as far as antennas go, it was out of the associations hands as part of FCC law: I was correct....however if you still want to keep everyone happy, there are ways to accomplish this without erecting an antenna that looks like a tent: I have to say the Isotron looks exactly like an antenna with a tent on it, (or whatever it is) and for sure, anyone LOOKING for an "illegal" antenna will spot this thing and call it an antenna......just my opinion.<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected], [email protected],[email protected]</P>
 
> > Actually db, the isotron, design wise, is quite close to>
> > my antenna....the main difference being the 50ohm> >
> load.>>I've let a lot of threads kind of go on without> >
> contributing to them, but what amazes me is that a vast> >
> majority of people think any antenna will work with any> >
> transmitter, and that is just not true..........I've been> >
> asked by Rangemaster owners to build my antenna for them; >
> > > before even saying yes (and accepting the business) I> >
> consulted with Keith Hamilton from Rangemaster: the> >
> conclusion is simple; my antenna will NOT work with the> >
> Rangemaster; in short, the Rangemaster has a built in>
> tuned> > coil which accepts that thin Radio Shack CB antenna
> and> just> > about nothing else...that is the antenna you
> gotta use> with> > Rangemaster.....my antenna will work with
> sstran, metzo> and> > then several kit-type transmitters
> that don't have a> > built-in atu. So I turned down a lot
> of business based on> > > the idea that I knew my product
> would not work for certain> > > people.......Strangely
> enough most people who wrote me who> > > own Rangemasters
> were really only interested in my antenna> > > because it is
> "sturdier", and I recommended adding a> copper> > pipe to
> the cb antenna, and soldering it on in a way that> > would
> make the copper pipe resonate; it worked for one> >
> "customer" and I don't know how many other people tried> >
> this.Anyone interested in the Isotron needs to look> >
> carefully; see if their transmitter requires coax, what> >
> type and what the resistance with their transmitter is> >
> before they decide they are going to buy an Isotron.....a> >
> good or very good ground system will lower the resistance,>
> > > in some cases down to 15 ohms, and at least with my>
> antenna,> > the sstran will work because we don't use coax
> but the> > antenna lead fed to the correct tap of the
> coil.....sounds> > > complicated, but it is very
> simple......Carl> > > > My only attraction to the Isotron is
> it's ability to work> without a radial system (OK, I admit
> it's also kinda sexy> looking with its offbeat design). > >
> Like many of us on this board, I have no means of putting
> in> ground radials and as is the case with you, Carl, the>
> association won't allow a visible antenna. The Isotron>
> seems like a nice alternative. It doesn't look like a>
> conventional antenna so I think I can get away with putting>
> one up and even hiding a ground to earth. > > The
> manufacturer says that height is a key to making the>
> Isotron perform as it should. I'm figuring my 3rd floor>
> balcony might work. But since I also have an attic, I've>
> been looking into the stealth antenna designs found on the>
> ARRL website.> > So you see, Carl, you could probably expand
> your business> with pre-built stealth or "bird feeder"
> antennas in addition> to the one you already build.> > db>
> Jason, there was a great post further down the board about
> "associations" like ours:..I've always felt that as far as
> antennas go, it was out of the associations hands as part of
> FCC law: I was correct....however if you still want to keep
> everyone happy, there are ways to accomplish this without
> erecting an antenna that looks like a tent: I have to say
> the Isotron looks exactly like an antenna with a tent on it,
> (or whatever it is) and for sure, anyone LOOKING for an
> "illegal" antenna will spot this thing and call it an
> antenna......just my opinion.
>

Carl,

I don't know much about this antenna, but from what I've read on the website, how could this antenna be tuned to a particular frequency to get the most out of 100mw if the antenna is ordered such that each model has a range from 1600-1710khz, etc... how would you tune it to 1650khz if there are no taps or capacitance to adjust to get resonance? Somewhere it's got to be done but I don't see it anywhere in the pics or brochure, am I missing something?

I'd say that Rfry is correct in that the height of the antenna is where it's really transmitting which is why they state it on the website! I bet even without the base loaded coil and just 3 meters of soild 4-8 gauge wire and the ground radials on an SSTRAN will get you 1-2 miles if placed very high (50-100ft), since now you've eliminated any resistance and reactance from the coil... worth an experiment, wouldn't you say?

Radiopilot
 
Correction, read the 40 Meter manual...

I just read the 40 meter manual for the Isotron antenna and WOW!, if you thought tuning Carl's antenna or any base loaded antenna was difficult, try reading the adjustment to get the Isotron tuned! Sure it can be done, but who needs grey hairs before their time?

Come on, if the antenna does what it's supposed to do for that kind of money, it should almost work a miracle...

I say anyone foolish enough to buy one should honestly post how great this antenna is and what it took in terms of time, beer bottles, and aspirin to get it resonating as it were!

Radiopilot
 
take the path of least resistance...get a good transmitter system.

Take my advice. Someone who is not selling anything related to this business. Contact Keith Hamilton of rangemaster. Tell him your problem and I am sure he will give you excellent answers. Perhaps it could be bending the antenna that matches his unit etc..In this case it is important to take the path of least resistance...get a good transmitter system.
 
Good Point!!..here is the answer..

> > > Actually db, the isotron, design wise, is quite close> to>> > > my antenna....the main difference being the 50ohm> >> > load.>>I've let a lot of threads kind of go on without> >> > contributing to them, but what amazes me is that a vast> >> > > majority of people think any antenna will work with any> >> > > transmitter, and that is just not true..........I've been>> >> > asked by Rangemaster owners to build my antenna for them;> >> > > > before even saying yes (and accepting the business) I>> >> > consulted with Keith Hamilton from Rangemaster: the> >> > conclusion is simple; my antenna will NOT work with the> >> > > Rangemaster; in short, the Rangemaster has a built in>> > tuned> > coil which accepts that thin Radio Shack CB> antenna> > and> just> > about nothing else...that is the antenna you> > gotta use> with> > Rangemaster.....my antenna will work> with> > sstran, metzo> and> > then several kit-type transmitters> > that don't have a> > built-in atu. So I turned down a lot> > > of business based on> > > the idea that I knew my product> > would not work for certain> > > people.......Strangely> > enough most people who wrote me who> > > own Rangemasters> > were really only interested in my antenna> > > because it> is> > "sturdier", and I recommended adding a> copper> > pipe to> > the cb antenna, and soldering it on in a way that> > would> > > make the copper pipe resonate; it worked for one> >> > "customer" and I don't know how many other people tried> >> > > this.Anyone interested in the Isotron needs to look> >> > carefully; see if their transmitter requires coax, what>> >> > type and what the resistance with their transmitter is> >> > before they decide they are going to buy an Isotron.....a>> >> > good or very good ground system will lower the> resistance,>> > > > in some cases down to 15 ohms, and at least with my>> > antenna,> > the sstran will work because we don't use coax> > > but the> > antenna lead fed to the correct tap of the> > coil.....sounds> > > complicated, but it is very> > simple......Carl> > > > My only attraction to the Isotron> is> > it's ability to work> without a radial system (OK, I admit> > > it's also kinda sexy> looking with its offbeat design). >> >> > Like many of us on this board, I have no means of putting> > in> ground radials and as is the case with you, Carl, the>> > > association won't allow a visible antenna. The Isotron>> > seems like a nice alternative. It doesn't look like a>> > conventional antenna so I think I can get away with> putting>> > one up and even hiding a ground to earth. > > The> > manufacturer says that height is a key to making the>> > Isotron perform as it should. I'm figuring my 3rd floor>> > balcony might work. But since I also have an attic, I've>> > > been looking into the stealth antenna designs found on> the>> > ARRL website.> > So you see, Carl, you could probably> expand> > your business> with pre-built stealth or "bird feeder"> > antennas in addition> to the one you already build.> > db>> > > Jason, there was a great post further down the board about> > > "associations" like ours:..I've always felt that as far as> > > antennas go, it was out of the associations hands as part> of> > FCC law: I was correct....however if you still want to> keep> > everyone happy, there are ways to accomplish this without> > erecting an antenna that looks like a tent: I have to say> > > the Isotron looks exactly like an antenna with a tent on> it,> > (or whatever it is) and for sure, anyone LOOKING for an> > "illegal" antenna will spot this thing and call it an> > antenna......just my opinion.> > > > Carl,> > I don't know much about this antenna, but from what I've> read on the website, how could this antenna be tuned to a> particular frequency to get the most out of 100mw if the> antenna is ordered such that each model has a range from> 1600-1710khz, etc... how would you tune it to 1650khz if> there are no taps or capacitance to adjust to get resonance?> Somewhere it's got to be done but I don't see it anywhere in> the pics or brochure, am I missing something?> > I'd say that Rfry is correct in that the height of the> antenna is where it's really transmitting which is why they> state it on the website! I bet even without the base loaded> coil and just 3 meters of soild 4-8 gauge wire and the> ground radials on an SSTRAN will get you 1-2 miles if placed> very high (50-100ft), since now you've eliminated any> resistance and reactance from the coil... worth an> experiment, wouldn't you say?> > Radiopilot> The original post was about "hiding" the antenna, a subject I'm quite familiar with!!...so I've come up with ways to do this, and they are pretty effective........the poster felt that the Isotron looked like a bird house and I said that anything that looked like that, to a person LOOKING for an antenna would certainly spot that and call it an antenna..........now for your points: I saw that website before I started building antennas and thought right off: it won't work well.....and for the reasons you mentioned such as lack of taps. I looked at it and I KNOW (customers ask me to pretune antennas for them and I KNOW that can't be done)....So, I dismissed the Isotron for that reason, but also for the reason that I kind of thought it was really ugly to begin with........about placing the sstran up high.......sstran recommends it; and I never did, but then I just build the antennas......some customers do place it high but AM is not really an air signal in the first place: I always recommend closer to the ground with lots of radials which the antenna will feed.......just my opinion. But if you placed the sstran with the wire antenna (and the tx was not tuned to accept the coil-based antenna), I can not see 1 mile let along 2 miles with any of these types of transmitters at all. The antenna does all the work, and I'm sure it could be improved on, and hope it can!...but I don't think that a simple wire in the air will give the sound quality/signal quality that the antenna delivers (I tried it several ways, but everyone is free to try and report back on that.)......btw, again you are on the page Nick as I did indeed not only enjoy your thoughts on the 30 gallon drum coil (I've seen coils at least as large, sure you have too!), but have thought that 2006 might bring a 4" version of this coil......I've thought of making this a longer coil as well, so to "kill two birds with one stone" so to speak..incorporating the best of all into one........not for nothing but I'm very interested in what you are working on: definately could not figure a way to do what you are doing well......My only thoughts and plans on that type of thing was to go with a 1610am antenna.....tune it best I could from my location with a few taps only, but then that is all it would be good for.....still may do that next year....working on it......Take care Nick my friend, Carl<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected], [email protected],[email protected]</P>
 
Re: Good Point!!..here is the answer..

The original
> post was about "hiding" the antenna, a subject I'm quite
> familiar with!!...so I've come up with ways to do this, and
> they are pretty effective........the poster felt that the
> Isotron looked like a bird house and I said that anything
> that looked like that, to a person LOOKING for an antenna
> would certainly spot that and call it an
> antenna..........now for your points: I saw that website
> before I started building antennas and thought right off:
> it won't work well.....and for the reasons you mentioned
> such as lack of taps. I looked at it and I KNOW (customers
> ask me to pretune antennas for them and I KNOW that can't be
> done)....So, I dismissed the Isotron for that reason, but
> also for the reason that I kind of thought it was really
> ugly to begin with........about placing the sstran up
> high.......sstran recommends it; and I never did, but then
> I just build the antennas......some customers do place it
> high but AM is not really an air signal in the first place:
> I always recommend closer to the ground with lots of radials
> which the antenna will feed.......just my opinion. But if
> you placed the sstran with the wire antenna (and the tx was
> not tuned to accept the coil-based antenna), I can not see 1
> mile let along 2 miles with any of these types of
> transmitters at all. The antenna does all the work, and I'm
> sure it could be improved on, and hope it can!...but I don't
> think that a simple wire in the air will give the sound
> quality/signal quality that the antenna delivers (I tried it
> several ways, but everyone is free to try and report back on
> that.)......btw, again you are on the page Nick as I did
> indeed not only enjoy your thoughts on the 30 gallon drum
> coil (I've seen coils at least as large, sure you have
> too!), but have thought that 2006 might bring a 4" version
> of this coil......I've thought of making this a longer coil
> as well, so to "kill two birds with one stone" so to
> speak..incorporating the best of all into one........not for
> nothing but I'm very interested in what you are working on:
> definately could not figure a way to do what you are doing
> well......My only thoughts and plans on that type of thing
> was to go with a 1610am antenna.....tune it best I could
> from my location with a few taps only, but then that is all
> it would be good for.....still may do that next
> year....working on it......Take care Nick my friend, Carl
>


Carl,

The SStran should be tested without the coil but tuned with a radial system and with the required capacitor/resistor changes as if it had a coil, and see if it'll work with that configuration... I bet it'll get 1 mile plus, but I have no way of doing this as my antenna is 50 feet high and it's working perfectly, don't want to mess with a good thing...

The 4 inch coil sounds good, why not use larger gauge wire and bring the resistance down? Have you ever used 'Litz" wire? It is supposed to be less resistance wire than solid strand wire, but the cost is higher, I tried to find it surplus somewhere but at the cost of $100's for a couple hundred feet it's not economical....

Radiopilot
 
Answer on this:

> The original> > post was about "hiding" the antenna, a subject I'm quite> > familiar with!!...so I've come up with ways to do this,> and> > they are pretty effective........the poster felt that the> > Isotron looked like a bird house and I said that anything> > that looked like that, to a person LOOKING for an antenna> > would certainly spot that and call it an> > antenna..........now for your points: I saw that website> > before I started building antennas and thought right off: > > > it won't work well.....and for the reasons you mentioned> > such as lack of taps. I looked at it and I KNOW> (customers> > ask me to pretune antennas for them and I KNOW that can't> be> > done)....So, I dismissed the Isotron for that reason, but> > also for the reason that I kind of thought it was really> > ugly to begin with........about placing the sstran up> > high.......sstran recommends it; and I never did, but> then> > I just build the antennas......some customers do place it> > high but AM is not really an air signal in the first> place: > > I always recommend closer to the ground with lots of> radials> > which the antenna will feed.......just my opinion. But if> > > you placed the sstran with the wire antenna (and the tx> was> > not tuned to accept the coil-based antenna), I can not see> 1> > mile let along 2 miles with any of these types of> > transmitters at all. The antenna does all the work, and> I'm> > sure it could be improved on, and hope it can!...but I> don't> > think that a simple wire in the air will give the sound> > quality/signal quality that the antenna delivers (I tried> it> > several ways, but everyone is free to try and report back> on> > that.)......btw, again you are on the page Nick as I did> > indeed not only enjoy your thoughts on the 30 gallon drum> > coil (I've seen coils at least as large, sure you have> > too!), but have thought that 2006 might bring a 4" version> > > of this coil......I've thought of making this a longer> coil> > as well, so to "kill two birds with one stone" so to> > speak..incorporating the best of all into one........not> for> > nothing but I'm very interested in what you are working> on: > > definately could not figure a way to do what you are doing> > > well......My only thoughts and plans on that type of thing> > > was to go with a 1610am antenna.....tune it best I could> > from my location with a few taps only, but then that is> all> > it would be good for.....still may do that next> > year....working on it......Take care Nick my friend, Carl> > > > > Carl,> > The SStran should be tested without the coil but tuned with> a radial system and with the required capacitor/resistor> changes as if it had a coil, and see if it'll work with that> configuration... I bet it'll get 1 mile plus, but I have no> way of doing this as my antenna is 50 feet high and it's> working perfectly, don't want to mess with a good thing... > > The 4 inch coil sounds good, why not use larger gauge wire> and bring the resistance down? Have you ever used 'Litz"> wire? It is supposed to be less resistance wire than solid> strand wire, but the cost is higher, I tried to find it> surplus somewhere but at the cost of $100's for a couple> hundred feet it's not economical....> > Radiopilot> Nick, that is part of the problem....as you know when you build things and try to sell them, you need to build a great product at a great price...the original specs for the coil was 16AWG magnetic on a 3" pvc sanded pipe....I order this wire in bulk, so it is expensive, but overall, if I sell a coil, it is paid for and the other coils are my income....I would say the time (since you've built these you know they are labor intensive) spent is where I earn my money on these coils........Now, going with a fatter wire is something I would love to do, and make the coil 4 or 5"...which would make it small, but very fat......the 3" coil "looks" nice, but I do think that I could go with a 5" pvc for the coil because the box is about 6" deep....it would "look" ok to a customer....however going with a fatter wire, although an ideal idea, would make the project harder to build (this stuff whips back at ya if you loose track of thought for a second!!)...and it would raise the price......Price is so important to people wanting to put on a station at a whole lot less than $2,000.00, so I wanted to keep it as inexpensive as I possibally could......I kind of "shorted myself out" this year by offering more products than I could handle, so, if I continue building these coils and antennas, I know I need to whittle down what I offer.......there certainly is a market for the Rio's coil: I've built, I think, 4 of them for customers, and I'd like to offer a 5" model for 2006........all in all, I do plan to phase-out the antenna part of the project: it is easy to do and too expensive to ship to customers: I think what they don't like is winding coils. True: when I started building the coils as experiments, the wire I bought was not in bulk and was terrifically expensive!!!...I had to experiment to come up with easy to scrape and solder taps (as well as ease for the customer). Because of the wire, coils are heavy...and I built the shipping costs into the cost of the coil........................Steve should be contacting us soon and he expects to open a part 15 store on the West Coast early next year: he asked that I build several coils for him to sell and I did.......it could be that I decide to just build for him and let him sell them for me....that would probably add to the cost, but I will let him decide on that...anyway I will look at doing a 5 inch coil with 12AWG, see if it is cost effective, and if I can build it at the current length, it will have ability to reach up to 1100kHz as well (figuring in my head here)........You are a good friend and I appreciate you sharing your goals as well as your ideas.....Carl<P ID="signature">______________
[email protected], [email protected],[email protected]</P>
 
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