On Sun, 23 Apr 2006 17:00:22 GMT, ml wrote:

hi

I was just wondering about how 3 antenna 'types' would compare, I can of
course pull the spec's off the manuf home pages, but wonder what a real
world interpratation would be and hope somone here might have either
used them or have some simular experience to share


a multiband log peridic and traditional multiband beam(w/or w/o traps)
and a optibeam

ofcourse there are pro's and con's of each but just wondering what
type might be 'mostly best' overall if you tried to just the playing
field as level as possible


didn't want this to be about cost per say, just overall performance, but
having said that, there sure is a big price swing on those types and I
wonder , if anyone one of those antenna types have a overall
tremendious benifit based soley on improving received signal strength to
warrent one getting it vs say another and or a cheeper one



tnx


You have asked a really broad question. A log periodic antenna will
outperform a smaller trap multiband two element beam, but probably not
a larger one, i.e. one with longer boom and many elements. You will
be as well to abide with the manufacturer's specifications until you
can pick out the specific antennas to compare.

A multiband yagi with traps can out perform a trapless multiband yagi,
by being longer and using more elements.

I don't know if there is a level playing field unless you can be more
specific.

Well known amateur radio antenna manufacturers who have been around a
while aren't likely to try to fudge the numbers as too many hams are
quick to model the antennas and respond with not so kind words faster
than the marketing department can spread their lies. I would trust
them for the sake of picking the antennas and then ask around about
how they compare.

I would be more wary of satisfied/dissatisfied users information than
manufacturers specs these days. Anyone can get lucky and because of
that love the antenna. For example, I have communicated three times
to Japan from Georgia. All three events were mobile. However, during
that same time, I had a tri-band beam up 50 feet and have never been
able to make a japanese contact with it. Therefore, one might
conclude that my mobile antenna outperforms my yagi. Of course it was
propagation and timing.

I used a wonderful trap dipole for about three months. It worked
fantastically well. Then I put a fan-style dipole up to test it. It
outperformed the trap dipole by a great deal. Until I compared it,
the trap was great, now it isn't such a great antenna any more.

This is what you are up against. Good luck.


--
73 for now
Buck
N4PGW