Re: Max-Gain MK-8

Posted by HowardZ on Jul 22, 2009; 4:16pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/Max-Gain-MK-8-tp3300658p3304287.html

Well, maybe I'm being a little picky here, but the "Arrow 2m/440m j-pole" is not a j-pole antenna.
Arrow calls it an "open stub j-pole" - but it's a new creation and borrowing the popular "j-pole"name.

Looking at the pictures - the vertical element which has the coax cable attached to it - well this item appears to be complete insulated from the rest of the antenna.  Look at the parts list and there is a plastic sleeve/washer that insulates it from the rest of the antenna.  I think the other vertical elements probably do nothing at all except to make it resemble a jpole?  Or maybe these additional elements are parasitic elements - similar to a yagi's elements.  How does this antenna work?  I don't know.  That's why I didn't buy it.

Instead I got a co-worker to teach me basic plumbing soldering skills to build a Super Cactus J-Pole antenna.  It has more gain that a regular J-pole.  Including soldering tools, I certainly paid more than buying the Arrow "open stub j-pole" - but I don't want an antenna I don't understand.  The Super Cactus J-Pole works well on my Winlink 2m RMS station.

Howard

list1 wrote

I used an MK-8HD (50') for Field Day. I had an Arrow 2m/440M j-pole over a
large dipole center insulator made from pvc pipe and used 300 Ohm ladder
line and 140' of 14 gauge house wire.  Once three people guyed it perfectly
vertical it was OK for the rest of the weekend.  However the top did bow
before that.  I purchased the three fiberglass guy rings that were nice ($5
each).  It was actually extended about 43 feet total.  I have some pics at:
http://tinyurl.com/luwagy

Next time I will use a much smaller center insulator.

For NVIS, for MARS I will take off the top 1" OD section.

Steve, W2MY, AAR6CX


-----Original Message-----
From: [e-mail]
[mailto:[e-mail]]On Behalf Of Matthew Zilmer
Do any of you Elecrafters have experience with Max-Gain's MK-8
fiberglass mast (telelscoping poles)?  I'm interested in using their
50-footer guyed down as a center support for an 80m doublet.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[e-mail]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html