Consider trying AA2TX's excellent parasitic lindenblad design. Unlike the overpriced eggbeater, it puts the gain on the horizon where it is needed, and is circular across the pattern. The parts mostly are from your local hardware store, and in Tony's typical fashion, it is simple to assemble and works well.
73, Drew KO4MA
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Dzurilla" billdz.geo@yahoo.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 11:56 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: EggBeater
Steve,
I have both a commercial and a homebrew Eggbeater and am disappointed with both, especially in light of its rather high price. Connected to my IC-7000 via an ARR mast-mounted preamp, performance is far less than with an HT and an Arrow. Guess an omni can't cut it, at least not from my QTH.
Maybe if I could get it up higher, clear of all roofs, it would do better. I can make contacts at relatively high sat elevations, but can do just as well with a $10 dual band ground plane. My friend has an Eggbeater and the same preamp at a clearer QTH, and he hears substantially better, down to 10 degrees elevation in some directions.
Good luck and 73, Bill NZ5N
Hi Steve,
It is surprising to read that you are not hearing
anything. I have
repeatedly used a 2m and 70cm Eggbeater for the sats
and have had no
problem hearing things. No pre-amp.
I was using a short cable (e.g. less than 10 meters).
The rigs I
used were a FT-736r (deaf) and a FT-847 (so-so).
73,
Dave
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