Opinions sought on Cushcraft antennas

Julian · Post by **Julian** » Sat Mar 30, 2002 8:19 pm

Hello all-
Well, I finally passed my techs test and am awaiting my ticket. I now have the task of assembling my station but am having a hard time deciding an antenna that will best sit my needs. It must be small (Will most likely be mounted indoors and if mounted outdoors will not be high). My homeowners association is quite picky with the antennas in our neighborhood. A local HRO rep suggested ARX220 By Cushcraft to use with my 220MHz Alinco DR-235 rig. I also need help on choosing a good antenna for the VHF Maxtrac i'll be using as a 2M base. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Julian

Post by **HumHead** » Sat Mar 30, 2002 9:03 pm

Congrats on passing the test!!

If you're looking for versatility for indoors, it's hard to beat the old mobile NMO mag mount on a stop sign (or refridgerator / file cabinet / air duct/ etc.). You can use any of a variety of mobile antennas and change them around at will. You can even use it on the car too.

If you go this route, you will benefit if whatever hunk of metal you stick the mag mount on has a radius of at least 1/4 wavelenth around the mount. (Aproximately 20" would be a good starting point for VHF and 220.)

Good luck and welcome!

Julian · Post by **Julian** » Sun Mar 31, 2002 3:27 pm

Thanks for the help HumHead, I will most likely go with the indoor magmount antennas for now

. Anyone have any other opinions on Cushcraft?
-Julian

STEVE W · Post by **STEVE W** » Sun Mar 31, 2002 3:57 pm

I have been using Cushcraft Ringos for years now without any problems. They are a good low cost antenna and can be found used at any hamfest, Picked up a uhf ringo a few years ago for $15. Good luck and congratualations on getting your ticket

Jonathan KC8RYW · Post by **Jonathan KC8RYW** » Sun Mar 31, 2002 5:59 pm

On 2002-03-31 18:57, STEVE W wrote:
I have been using Cushcraft Ringos for years now without any problems.

I, personally, would avoid a Ringo. I've heard horror stories of ham's not being able to get a decent match. But then again, any antenna is better then NO antenna.

Check out reviews at eham.net .

I'd suggest going with a Diamond or Hustler (antennas, not porn hi hi )

Hustler tends to use "N" connectors, which is good, and even better should you ever want to duplex.

Buying an antenna can be as hard as buying a car (but not quite as expensive hi hi)

It's A-OK using a mag-mount inside. Just don't expect to do any weak-signal work, since the potential for signal gain is poor inside a building.

Just be sure to keep the antenna 3 feet away from yourself, or other people. You might want this number to be larger. (remember that RF exposure stuff on the test...)

73 (best wishes)

Julian · Post by **Julian** » Sun Mar 31, 2002 7:25 pm

Thanks for the advice Jonathan! Let me know if your ever on IRLP, i'd like to give ya a shout. I am most likely going to go with a decent Mag Mount antenna. Considering I will be pushing out some 45 50 Watts on 2 meter simplex I think i'll stick the antenna on the other side of the room! I went to get my techs twice before the FCC changed it into 1 exam...I failed RF safety...ahh! Thanks for the advice guys, any other opinions would be great.
Julian (Still checking QRZ every 15 min!)

Big BOB · Post by **Big BOB** » Sun Mar 31, 2002 7:34 pm

For years the Ringo Ranger was refered to as the "Ringo Resistor". It was a good load for the transmitter and that was about it. So is a dummy load.

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 6:05 am

As long as there seems to be some comments on the Ringo antenna, I'll add my 2 cents worth. Had a Ringo installed on a VHF repeater that seemed to have a range problem.

To try another antenna for comparrison, we tried a ground plane antenna. It made a marked improvement on the range the repeater was able to cover. Located a Super Station Master and used that as the final antenna. Again, it was much better than the ground plane.

Have tried this on several different sites and different bands. Always had the same results. Conclusion, if you have any other choice, try another antenna over the Ringo. Think you will be surprised at the results.

Then there are those that will say the Ringo works. So be it, I will continue to use a better antenna on any installation I am asked to do.

Jim

April · Post by **April** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 2:50 pm

I have "hung" a few antennas in my days and the ringo is a very poor designed antenna. Also corrosion is a very big problem despite the socalled anodizing. I perfer "real" antennas.

RadioSouth · Post by **RadioSouth** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 3:24 pm

Looks like we've drifted a bit off topic but since there's a lot of interest in the thread I'll ask- anyone have any experience with the Diamond X50A base antenna ? (Need a small footprint antenna and several folks have recommended this antenna- don't need the 440 capability but they tell me for it's size its the best performing VHF antenna and very rugged).

April · Post by **April** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 3:37 pm

Diamond X50NA with the type N connector is a good choice and available at Ham Radio Outlet. 99.95
Another one is a BSU150U-A 144 to 148 mhz it has NO radials to deal with. Comtelco.

kens · Post by **kens** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 8:20 pm

I used Ringo's when I got back on 2 meters about 10 years ago. The main problem I found was high angle of radiation. They worked well when the repeater was on a mountain and I was in the valley. I setup on a small plateau in 2 meter simplex with mobiles about 50' below and 2 miles distant and nobody could hear me until I switched to a rubber duck on handheld. I have also had the same problems with the j pole designs.