Hello everyone, I have just recently got back into cb radio and am wondering have anyone out there ever used the V-58 verticle cb radio 5/8 wave antenna? I want to purchase one and was just wondering if anyone has any and if there are any faults in it.
Thanks.
V-58 Verticle
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Anonymous
5/8 wave..sure
if you can find an old penetrator 5/8 wave..buy it ...it is the best 5/8 gound plane I have every used.. and I still use! Out performs everything out there in it's class. Grounded properly, runs incredibly clean and really gets out. Unfortunately, it is no longer in production commercially since the late '70s ---good 'ol fcc says it has too much gain for the c.b. 'ers. You can find the manual for it on cbtricks.com so you can see what it looks like. They do make another comparable 5/8 ground plane for only $250+ USD-- a double trombone tuning type. I think it's called a 10k or 25k intimidator or interceptor or something like that...check on the internet---you'll find it. but if you come across a penetrator, it shouldn't cost you more than $100. sometimes you can find one on someones' house that will let you take it for free just to get it off their roof. Another good find is the sigma 4 3/4 wave 'bleedmaster' another good hill top antenna easy to transport and assemble--it's the one that has an inverted hoop--gamma fed. good luck and 73s'
I run the Maco v58 and compared to the Hy-Gain Super Penatrator, they are a close match. Only differance is the v58 is sold as a "commercial" ant. It's tuneable 10-12 meters and handles more power. And for the price, it's nsot a bad ant. Jays I10K is an excellent ant, but for the price I would by a beam, but thats just me.
Here's the link to Jays I10K.
http://www.a1antennas.com/
Here's the link to Jays I10K.
http://www.a1antennas.com/
Midwest Mudduck
431 Eastern Nebraska
431 Eastern Nebraska
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Bootlegger
- Newbie
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Saturday 25th Feb 2006, 16:58
- Location: St Louis
I just put up a maco 5/8 on a 10 foot pole until I can get it mounted on a mast next to my house next week. This thing works fantastic. Since it's my first base antenna I really can't compare it to anything else. I am impressed with the ease of assembly and setiing the SWR. Gets out all over just being on the 10 ft pole. Can't wait till I get it up about 25 to 30 ft off the ground.
48T
Maco5/8
Maco5/8
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downtown_clown
- Newbie
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thursday 29th Sep 2005, 12:10
- Location: Rockwell, North Carolina
Stay away from the MACO v58 ,IMHO its POS.
No where near the qaulity as the older antennas like Antenna soecialist and avanti. (I know they are no longer in business, but you can still find NOS antennas)
If you just wanting a quick and easy vertical, IMAX2000.
Or with a little more work & $, go with a Maco Vquad, Y quad, or better yet find an old set of Antenna Specialist PDL-II which qubical quads.
All those above can be put on a lightwieght pole and turned with a common tv rotor.
Good Luck!!
73's
No where near the qaulity as the older antennas like Antenna soecialist and avanti. (I know they are no longer in business, but you can still find NOS antennas)
If you just wanting a quick and easy vertical, IMAX2000.
Or with a little more work & $, go with a Maco Vquad, Y quad, or better yet find an old set of Antenna Specialist PDL-II which qubical quads.
All those above can be put on a lightwieght pole and turned with a common tv rotor.
Good Luck!!
73's
My dad has that one, he still has yet to find something wrong about it.
______________________
Walcott CB - Get Catalogs and Brochures of Walcott Cb Sales Inc.
______________________
Walcott CB - Get Catalogs and Brochures of Walcott Cb Sales Inc.
A 5/8 wave is a 5/8 wave. Mostly.
I use a MACO and it's a nice ant.
Handles all of the power I can give it. Has a good match and is pretty good at eliminating static. It's actually quite broad banded. I got a VSWR match of about 1.5:1 from 27-29 Mhz. So I can play with the Cbers and use it on 10 meters without any problems.
My license is only good for 10 meters and down. Which is really up
So I have a HF system that my CB friends just love.
2970 and a DX959. And an Ameritron AL811H. I get about 1200 watts PEP out on AM, and that's from a 25 watt carrier.
I have the system completely home brewed, so the 959 can drive through the amplifier on the 2970, thus is capable of driving the linear.
Show me the linears!
I use a MACO and it's a nice ant.
Handles all of the power I can give it. Has a good match and is pretty good at eliminating static. It's actually quite broad banded. I got a VSWR match of about 1.5:1 from 27-29 Mhz. So I can play with the Cbers and use it on 10 meters without any problems.
My license is only good for 10 meters and down. Which is really up
So I have a HF system that my CB friends just love.
2970 and a DX959. And an Ameritron AL811H. I get about 1200 watts PEP out on AM, and that's from a 25 watt carrier.
I have the system completely home brewed, so the 959 can drive through the amplifier on the 2970, thus is capable of driving the linear.
Show me the linears!
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Indiana Jones
- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Saturday 4th Aug 2007, 3:27
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
The Maco V-58 Works Good For Me!
I use the Maco V58 and am able to talk and recieve about 60 miles. Sometimes even further if the other guy has a beam pointed my way. I was concerned about the maximum length of about 20' before I bought it but I guess "size is not everything".
I paid about 100.00 for mine including shipping from http://www.gijoesradioelectronics.com/s ... roduct=744. They call it a Sigma 5/8 but it is the Maco V58 when you get it.
Workman has a copy of this antenna called the W-58. It sells for 54.95 from http://www.hyelectronics.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W%2D58. It claims to be just like the Maco.
I paid about 100.00 for mine including shipping from http://www.gijoesradioelectronics.com/s ... roduct=744. They call it a Sigma 5/8 but it is the Maco V58 when you get it.
Workman has a copy of this antenna called the W-58. It sells for 54.95 from http://www.hyelectronics.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W%2D58. It claims to be just like the Maco.
Making sure everything I do reverberates that irresistable new car smell.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
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Rennovattio
- Newbie
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Monday 6th Aug 2007, 17:06
- Location: Downtown Northern California, USA
Hi Y'all,
OK, I've been playing at antennas for about 35 years, since I was about a 12 year old.
I started with a Walkie/Talkie then graduated to an old Heathkit 'lunchbox' 3watt one channel CB, Then I knew I had really arrived when I acquired a Johnson Messenger 223, 23 ch 5watt base with the best meter I've ever seen, including my current Icom ProIII!!!
So anyway, the 'HY-GAIN PENETRATOR 500 SUPER CLR' is a wonderful antenna, but it's performance is equalled by the good old 'Avanti Sigma 5/8'. I prefer the Penetrator and the reason is the quality of the construction is a good bit stronger.
It's a tough bass-turd alright.
The weakness of the Penetrator is the match. After a couple of bumps from taking it down for cleaning or relocating, and then re-installing, you'll notice the aluminum match wire will probably have gotten hit and bent or broken as it's just not durable.
I rebuild them from 12guage copper. I also may begin offering mod kits for the good old Radio Shack 'POINT 64' to turn it into a Penetrator. I've done a few and they work just as well in comparison to a real Hy-gain Penetrator.
Too bad Hy-gain stopped production of that beauty, but I'm considering bringing it back to life, albeit with a few modifications.
Now, whoever wrote that the Maco 5/8 is as good as the Penetrator is about 2+ S-units mistaken.
In my testes the good old Antron 99DL, (I added the "DL" ...it represents 'Dummy Load') is an S-7 where the Maco is an S-8, and the IMAX 2K is an S-9, but the Penetrator offers a nice S-9+3dB on the Icom meter.
I have tested just about every 1/4wave, 1/2wave, 5/8wave,.64wave, 3/4wave, etc... and all-n-all the Penetrator is as good as it gets.
Some 'bone-head' wrote, "...This ain't your Daddy's Penetrator" on a particular website, attempting to try to establish that another 5/8-.64 which is currently available is a better performer.
Why then does my 'like-new' Penetrator run neck-n-neck with my neighbors BRAND NEW I10K he just installed?
- No he didn't make any mistakes, he's probably more meticulous than I am.
A 5/8 is a 5/8, except for the differing build quality, but a loaded 5/8 such as the Maco will nearly always be inferior.
Don't expect to get the performance of the 23' Penetrator / Sigma 5/8 / I10K from a 20' Maco!
The I10K is just about the only game in town that I know of right now, (that's currently available for a fair price, that is) and it's up to about $300 last I heard.
So, if you can't find a good used (affordable!) Penetrator, Wilson Alpha V5/8, or Avanti Sigma 5/8 but want top performance from an omni, bite the bullet, pay the price and get the I10K. You'll be proud you did.
All of these are excellent performers, with the IMAX 2000 a solid 2nd place, especially if attach the top guy wires to the metal mounting plate, just below the match rings, then section them utilizing insulators about 1/4 wave down the guy wires, effectively adding a 1/4 wave counterpoise or 'ground radial' mod which will lower your take-off angle and increase the distance it will work. You should see about 1 S-unit gain at a normal distance if you do the radial mod to the IMAX.
Happy QSOs,
Renny
_________________
There's a storm coming, will you be ready?
You'll need a horizontal antenna along with a vertical as we're on the brink of a DX malestrom which will begin sooner than anyone expects, and will only get better over the next 5 years!
73
OK, I've been playing at antennas for about 35 years, since I was about a 12 year old.
I started with a Walkie/Talkie then graduated to an old Heathkit 'lunchbox' 3watt one channel CB, Then I knew I had really arrived when I acquired a Johnson Messenger 223, 23 ch 5watt base with the best meter I've ever seen, including my current Icom ProIII!!!
So anyway, the 'HY-GAIN PENETRATOR 500 SUPER CLR' is a wonderful antenna, but it's performance is equalled by the good old 'Avanti Sigma 5/8'. I prefer the Penetrator and the reason is the quality of the construction is a good bit stronger.
It's a tough bass-turd alright.
The weakness of the Penetrator is the match. After a couple of bumps from taking it down for cleaning or relocating, and then re-installing, you'll notice the aluminum match wire will probably have gotten hit and bent or broken as it's just not durable.
I rebuild them from 12guage copper. I also may begin offering mod kits for the good old Radio Shack 'POINT 64' to turn it into a Penetrator. I've done a few and they work just as well in comparison to a real Hy-gain Penetrator.
Too bad Hy-gain stopped production of that beauty, but I'm considering bringing it back to life, albeit with a few modifications.
Now, whoever wrote that the Maco 5/8 is as good as the Penetrator is about 2+ S-units mistaken.
In my testes the good old Antron 99DL, (I added the "DL" ...it represents 'Dummy Load') is an S-7 where the Maco is an S-8, and the IMAX 2K is an S-9, but the Penetrator offers a nice S-9+3dB on the Icom meter.
I have tested just about every 1/4wave, 1/2wave, 5/8wave,.64wave, 3/4wave, etc... and all-n-all the Penetrator is as good as it gets.
Some 'bone-head' wrote, "...This ain't your Daddy's Penetrator" on a particular website, attempting to try to establish that another 5/8-.64 which is currently available is a better performer.
Why then does my 'like-new' Penetrator run neck-n-neck with my neighbors BRAND NEW I10K he just installed?
- No he didn't make any mistakes, he's probably more meticulous than I am.
A 5/8 is a 5/8, except for the differing build quality, but a loaded 5/8 such as the Maco will nearly always be inferior.
Don't expect to get the performance of the 23' Penetrator / Sigma 5/8 / I10K from a 20' Maco!
The I10K is just about the only game in town that I know of right now, (that's currently available for a fair price, that is) and it's up to about $300 last I heard.
So, if you can't find a good used (affordable!) Penetrator, Wilson Alpha V5/8, or Avanti Sigma 5/8 but want top performance from an omni, bite the bullet, pay the price and get the I10K. You'll be proud you did.
All of these are excellent performers, with the IMAX 2000 a solid 2nd place, especially if attach the top guy wires to the metal mounting plate, just below the match rings, then section them utilizing insulators about 1/4 wave down the guy wires, effectively adding a 1/4 wave counterpoise or 'ground radial' mod which will lower your take-off angle and increase the distance it will work. You should see about 1 S-unit gain at a normal distance if you do the radial mod to the IMAX.
Happy QSOs,
Renny
_________________
There's a storm coming, will you be ready?
You'll need a horizontal antenna along with a vertical as we're on the brink of a DX malestrom which will begin sooner than anyone expects, and will only get better over the next 5 years!
73
Last edited by Rennovattio on Saturday 18th Aug 2007, 10:49, edited 3 times in total.
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Indiana Jones
- Newbie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Saturday 4th Aug 2007, 3:27
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Hi Renny,
I agree with you about the Penetrator and the Avanti Sigma 5/8. I once had a Avanti Sigma that had a 27' radiator. I guess it was 5/8 wave. I just know it was a great omni directional antenna. I sure wish I could find another one. If I did though the price would probably be more than I want to spend. The one I had was given to me. I used it for about 6 years and then watched it get destroyed in a North Texas Storm.
I've heard about that $300.00 antenna you mentioned. I just can't ever see myself spending that much for an antenna. Maybe if I win the lottery or something.
In your post you refered to the Maco as a "loaded" antenna. What are calling the load? Mine does have an unusual match but does not have a load. At least not like the wire wound, base load my Sigma had. My Maco is actually really simple. It has a coax connector that has a wire on it that clamps to the ring. One end of the ring bolts to ground and the other end bolts to the vertical radiator. Is the "short to ground" what you are calling "loaded"?
I attached a copy of the assembly instructions for the Maco V-58 if anyone is interested in downloading it.
I agree with you about the Penetrator and the Avanti Sigma 5/8. I once had a Avanti Sigma that had a 27' radiator. I guess it was 5/8 wave. I just know it was a great omni directional antenna. I sure wish I could find another one. If I did though the price would probably be more than I want to spend. The one I had was given to me. I used it for about 6 years and then watched it get destroyed in a North Texas Storm.
I've heard about that $300.00 antenna you mentioned. I just can't ever see myself spending that much for an antenna. Maybe if I win the lottery or something.
In your post you refered to the Maco as a "loaded" antenna. What are calling the load? Mine does have an unusual match but does not have a load. At least not like the wire wound, base load my Sigma had. My Maco is actually really simple. It has a coax connector that has a wire on it that clamps to the ring. One end of the ring bolts to ground and the other end bolts to the vertical radiator. Is the "short to ground" what you are calling "loaded"?
I attached a copy of the assembly instructions for the Maco V-58 if anyone is interested in downloading it.
Making sure everything I do reverberates that irresistable new car smell.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones
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Rennovattio
- Newbie
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Monday 6th Aug 2007, 17:06
- Location: Downtown Northern California, USA
- Sorry, figure of speech. Though some 5/8 are loaded, the MACO uses a different type of match.Indiana Jones wrote:Hi Renny,
I agree with you about the Penetrator and the Avanti Sigma 5/8. I once had a Avanti Sigma that had a 27' radiator. I guess it was 5/8 wave. I just know it was a great omni directional antenna. I sure wish I could find another one. If I did though the price would probably be more than I want to spend. The one I had was given to me. I used it for about 6 years and then watched it get destroyed in a North Texas Storm.
I've heard about that $300.00 antenna you mentioned. I just can't ever see myself spending that much for an antenna. Maybe if I win the lottery or something.
In your post you refered to the Maco as a "loaded" antenna. What are calling the load? Mine does have an unusual match but does not have a load. At least not like the wire wound, base load my Sigma had. My Maco is actually really simple. It has a coax connector that has a wire on it that clamps to the ring. One end of the ring bolts to ground and the other end bolts to the vertical radiator. Is the "short to ground" what you are calling "loaded"?
I attached a copy of the assembly instructions for the Maco V-58 if anyone is interested in downloading it.
I believe it's a type of a 'T' match where 50 ohms impedance is found at a point between the radiator and it's DC path to ground.
I believe if you were to add about 3' to your MACO and increase the size of the ring to around 16" diameter you would effectively have a Sigma 5/8, but you would have to feed it at the bottom of the ring which, (along with the radiator) would have to be isolated from ground.
You could add a bottom coil to ground to bleed off static while being inductive enough that it's reactance is much lower in frequency than the antenna's resonance in order to maintain isolation for the RF from ground.
I have heard that some of the Avanti Sigma 5/8 did not include the static bleeding coil to ground, but were noisier than their coiled counterpart.
The MACO simply does not keep up with either the full-size 5/8 of yesteryear nor the current Interceptor10K, (Hey Uncle Jim, time to clean your P-500!) but is definitely a good step up from the Antron99-'DL'. (Dummy Load)
One thing I would someday like to see is for someone to try adding 8' 7" (1/4 wave) guy wire radials from the top of the mounting plate to an insulator on an IMAX-2000 as it's already a full .64 wave length long and should perform as a 'close-2nd' to the metal 5/8 -.64 omnis which already include 1/4 wave radials, then report back their findings after both close to medium range local, and DX testing.