RadioBanter - my new antenna

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 13:38:57 -0800, wrote:

On Wed, 06 Sep 2006 09:20:18 -0800, wrote:

The exciting news I have is that I decided to buy a discone antenna
matching my IC PCR1500 wideband receiver. Getting an AOR DS3000A,
"capable of covering 75 to 3000 MHz. . . . It is only 2.9 feet
(0.87m) tall and weighs 1.55 Lbs. This antenna can be used for
transmit on 144, 430, 904 and 1200 MHz ham bands (under 50 watts)."

Comes with a cable using N connectors, so now I have to decide on
using an adapter going from N to BNC plug or soldering on the BNC
connector I need. Or I could probably get a good cable with the right
connectors at eBay.

Cost from Universal Radio was $126, which seems like a lot, but I did
my homework narrowing down the choices from WinRadio, which was the
only other covering the range my receiver can pull in, and a couple
others with use extending only to 1300 MHz.

Just gonna use my rig in an apartment, so the small antenna will just
be like a Christmas tree in the corner. Robinson Carusoe

Okay, I have received my AOR DS3000A and have the following items to
report about assembly.

1. The assembly instructions don't square with the package contents
in a couple ways:
a) there's a small package of lock washers included, but no
mention of their use;
b) two screws securing the support mast to the mounting are
mentioned, but one is included for the two holes in the mast and screw
points in the mounting. To install the support mast as described you
will have to drill an additional hole at the place corresponding to an
screw site.

2. More of a problem is the fact that screw points in the mounting
are directly under antenna elements angling down, preventing
installment of both for lack of clearance. Either you install the
antenna element and try to use another mast screw that's short enough
to allow clearance from the antenna element; or you install the
(single) mast screw and leave off the nut on the antenna element.

I'm disappointed in this kind of poor engineering and careless
packaging, but maybe I can work around these cosmetic problems without
sending it all back. Will update with comment about how it performs
after a while. bookburn

My latest judo move on the antenna I bought is that I returned the
product to the seller, Universal Radio, called them a month later
about an adjustment, had good success getting them to explain its
assembly despite the directions, and agreed to have them send it to me
again at their expense.

It was a tempest in a teapot anyways, because I only need the antenna
for my apartment, which doesn't require assembly to a mast. I have it
hanging in front of a window, and it looks like a little 2' Christmas
tree. I wonder what will happen to signals if I put tinsel on it.

So the end of the story is that it functions okay, I'm okay with
Universal Radio for doing me right, and thh'at's all ff'olks.

Robinson Carusoe