I agree with Mark 100%. I've been using my 'terrestrial' M2 antennas on the satellites for years. The GulfAlpha "Easy Satellite" antenna I use for Field day is also linearly polarized, and works very well. Fades? Sure I get them, but most of the time it's only for a few seconds, and while a bit annoying it's not a show stopper. 73, Jim KQ6EA
On 02/22/2011 04:11 PM, Mark L. Hammond wrote:
Hi Howard,
Lucky you :)
Here is my personal opinion from 20 years of operations--if you cannot change polarity, don't use circular. Linear works wonderfully.
M2 yagis work great no matter what polarity the bird is in...I have installed mine vertically on a metal boom. No regrets. And they are quite a bit cheaper!!
My last setup purchase included three M2 yagis, and I love 'em!
http://www.m2inc.com/products/uhf/70cm/44018.html
http://www.m2inc.com/products/vhf/2m/2m7.html
http://www.m2inc.com/products/uhf/23cm/23cm35ez.html
Price those, and then compare the price to circular ones with polarity switching on the 2M AND 70cm, and you'll see one reason I went that route :)
Other reasons include quality, balance on the rotors, gain, length (around 10'), durability, and simplicity, etc.
Add a 2' dish on a 8' to 10' horizontal metal boom and you're good for four bands, and the standard Yaesu G5500 will do just fine with the whole mess.
Don't get me wrong---circular is more of the ideal, but it gets a bit more complicated with polarity switching (not easily done remotely for example!), not to mention the expense.
73,
Mark N8MH
On Tue, Feb 22, 2011 at 10:06 AM, Howard Kowall hkowall@shaw.ca wrote:
Good morning to all Well my wife gave me the ok to get some new base satellite antennas. I could really only find 2 manufactures of theses antennas in North America M2 and GulfAlpha.Is there any others,and also can anyone recommend something I would like to be able to use them for the FM sats and Transponders. I would imagine that circular polarized would be the way to go(rhcp) Any input would be much appreciated Thanks to all who read and reply Howard VE4ISP
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