Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

"Ed G." wrote:

Can any of you antenna pros out there tell me what would be the
expected life span for a Cell Wave 4 element vertical dipole?

1. Its "Celwave", not "Cell Wave". (Search also "RFS Celwave")

2. Celwave was formerly Phelps Dodge.

3. The model you want for 2 meters is the PD340-3.

4. A properly installed antenna with properly installed and sealed
feedlines will probably last longer than you.

Second question. I recognize that Cellwave has an excellent reputation.
Are there any other antenna companies that may compare or exceed
Cellwave antenna products in performance and durability?

Other comparable manufacturer are Andrew, Sinclair, and Decibel
Products. Quality is comparable amongst all.

Ed WB6SAT

Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

Heh heh, well maybe you sounded "decrepit" to me in your original
posting? Anyway, the 15-20 figure is good. If you use heliax, seal the
hell properly out of all connectors, and mount the antenna and heliax very
firmly, those no reason other than extremes of nature (lightning,
huricane, etc,) to prevent it from lasting longer.



Ed

Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

Heh heh, well maybe you sounded "decrepit" to me in your original
posting? Anyway, the 15-20 figure is good. If you use heliax, seal the
hell properly out of all connectors, and mount the antenna and heliax very
firmly, those no reason other than extremes of nature (lightning,
huricane, etc,) to prevent it from lasting longer.



Ed

**Still hanging in there at almost 73. Agree on the sealing. Club has
a perfectionist who does electronics on boats and is a stickler on
doing things right, especially sealing. Again, thank you.
73 Murray, K3BEQ
=======================

"Ed G." wrote:


Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

Heh heh, well maybe you sounded "decrepit" to me in your original
posting? Anyway, the 15-20 figure is good. If you use heliax, seal the
hell properly out of all connectors, and mount the antenna and heliax very
firmly, those no reason other than extremes of nature (lightning,
huricane, etc,) to prevent it from lasting longer.

Ed

**Still hanging in there at almost 73. Agree on the sealing. Club has
a perfectionist who does electronics on boats and is a stickler on
doing things right, especially sealing. Again, thank you.
73 Murray, K3BEQ
=======================

"Ed G." wrote:


Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

Heh heh, well maybe you sounded "decrepit" to me in your original
posting? Anyway, the 15-20 figure is good. If you use heliax, seal the
hell properly out of all connectors, and mount the antenna and heliax very
firmly, those no reason other than extremes of nature (lightning,
huricane, etc,) to prevent it from lasting longer.

Ed

Murray:

Don't be too hasty. I have a DB-410 with a set of DB-224 elements
interlaced and a 6 meter "J" out the top which has been up at this location
on a 100' tower since 1986, and was installed at another location for well
over 10 years before that. I admit we have little icing, and the highest
winds have been 85 MPH, but the performance has not degraded to a degree
measurable by range loss.

On the other hand, a better example might be my pre-WW2 Workshop brand beam.
Lets see, 2004 minus 1940 = 64. Check back in 6 years.

--
W5VPQ
Crazy George
Remove N O and S P A M imbedded in return address
"Murray Green, K3BEQ" wrote in message
...

Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

Murray:

Don't be too hasty. I have a DB-410 with a set of DB-224 elements
interlaced and a 6 meter "J" out the top which has been up at this location
on a 100' tower since 1986, and was installed at another location for well
over 10 years before that. I admit we have little icing, and the highest
winds have been 85 MPH, but the performance has not degraded to a degree
measurable by range loss.

On the other hand, a better example might be my pre-WW2 Workshop brand beam.
Lets see, 2004 minus 1940 = 64. Check back in 6 years.

--
W5VPQ
Crazy George
Remove N O and S P A M imbedded in return address
"Murray Green, K3BEQ" wrote in message
...

Thank you, however, I doubt very seriously any antenna is going to
last over 70 years. But appreciate your input. Best estimate I
received from those in the business of installing the antennas is
in the area of 15-20 years.

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 13:40:50 -0500, Murray Green, K3BEQ wrote:


Can any of you antenna pros out there tell me what would be the expected
life span for a Cell Wave 4 element vertical dipole? Do not have the
model number but the cost was close to $600 when purchased. The antenna
is cut for 2 meters. Realize that a number of factors can be involved
such as weather conditions, area installed etc. In this case it is up
80' off ground level and 300' above sea level just outside of WashDC.

Second question. I recognize that Cellwave has an excellent reputation.
Are there any other antenna companies that may compare or exceed
Cellwave antenna products in performance and durability?

Thanks.
73 Murray, K3BEQ

That antenna will need some service to achieve a long life. The problem is
when the Coax harness deteriorates with time, I would expect that you will
need to replace or repair the harness ever 10-20 years or so. Most
antennas of this class fail from physical damage. Lightening, Ice Damage,
Tower climbers. or something else that physically damages the antenna.

Others in the class are Decibel, Andrew, Sinclair, Kathrein - Scala,
Maxrad.

Ron
N5HYH

On Mon, 05 Jan 2004 13:40:50 -0500, Murray Green, K3BEQ wrote:


Can any of you antenna pros out there tell me what would be the expected
life span for a Cell Wave 4 element vertical dipole? Do not have the
model number but the cost was close to $600 when purchased. The antenna
is cut for 2 meters. Realize that a number of factors can be involved
such as weather conditions, area installed etc. In this case it is up
80' off ground level and 300' above sea level just outside of WashDC.

Second question. I recognize that Cellwave has an excellent reputation.
Are there any other antenna companies that may compare or exceed
Cellwave antenna products in performance and durability?

Thanks.
73 Murray, K3BEQ

That antenna will need some service to achieve a long life. The problem is
when the Coax harness deteriorates with time, I would expect that you will
need to replace or repair the harness ever 10-20 years or so. Most
antennas of this class fail from physical damage. Lightening, Ice Damage,
Tower climbers. or something else that physically damages the antenna.

Others in the class are Decibel, Andrew, Sinclair, Kathrein - Scala,
Maxrad.

Ron
N5HYH

Others in the class are Decibel, Andrew, Sinclair, Kathrein - Scala,
Maxrad.


Ron, personally, I would not include Maxrad in that class of quality.



Ed WB6SAT

(Never heard of Kathrein, so no comment on that one.)