I am about to upgrade my antenna system which now is only a pair of Eggbeaters. I would like to get a 2 meter C.P. and a 70 cm C.p. Yagi. I alread have a g5400b az/el rotor. I have looked into the Hygain oscar link system, M2's offerings as well as Gulf Alpha antennas. If anyone has any experience with these, or others, i would appreciate your comments. You may email me directly. Thank you and good health to all. 73, keith Kg2ix@optonline.net
Keith,
I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He had something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and even if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless of what timeframe he tells you.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4
If you're buying anything from M2 expect poor customer service and a bad build. I have more to do tonight than list the screwups those people have done. They actually charged my credit card and THEN 2.5 months later (after finishing another manufacturing cycle) shipped the product (upgrade kit for a KLM kt-34a)!!! Not to mention having to use a dremel on the "CNC" hardware. The UHF antennas use a cheap white plastic insulator that cracks, allowing water ingress. Remember the $200 circularity switch that you need to buy? Junk after 7 years. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ Considering what these people charge, I'd expect teflon.
Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I purchased another antenna from this bunch of rejects (These bozos actually had the balls to cancel two credit card orders for parts!). It was cheaper than ordering one from Europe. I guess at $800, lasting 7 years, it's just over $100 a year to use this, then throw it away.
The antenna has 21 pair of elements. 14 pair (!!!!!!) were miscut. 13 by 1/16 and one by an 1/8. (I took pictures because I care!!!) That's a real problem where the elements of the antenna are 1/16 th of an inch different (most). Took me almost two hours to verify what they'd done and decide that regardless of what screwups they'd made, it was going together. Seems to work. I've no way to test it other than swr and on air usage.
Take care to read the Gulf Alpha page. Last I looked, the satellite antennas were out of production and he was reserving parts/service for original owners, only.
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
Keith,
I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He had something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and even if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless of what timeframe he tells you.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Well,
I am sorry to hear about your experience with M2. On the other hand, we have dealt with them over the last two years for satellite antennas and can report the hardware is good, it fits and instructions when followed allow even non-hams to built a quality system. Customer support was outstanding and quick. I am planning on purchasing the next set of satellite antennas from them in the next few weeks and will continue to share my positive experience about them.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 10:52 PM, Lizeth Norman normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
If you're buying anything from M2 expect poor customer service and a bad build. I have more to do tonight than list the screwups those people have done. They actually charged my credit card and THEN 2.5 months later (after finishing another manufacturing cycle) shipped the product (upgrade kit for a KLM kt-34a)!!! Not to mention having to use a dremel on the "CNC" hardware. The UHF antennas use a cheap white plastic insulator that cracks, allowing water ingress. Remember the $200 circularity switch that you need to buy? Junk after 7 years. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ Considering what these people charge, I'd expect teflon.
Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I purchased another antenna from this bunch of rejects (These bozos actually had the balls to cancel two credit card orders for parts!). It was cheaper than ordering one from Europe. I guess at $800, lasting 7 years, it's just over $100 a year to use this, then throw it away.
The antenna has 21 pair of elements. 14 pair (!!!!!!) were miscut. 13 by 1/16 and one by an 1/8. (I took pictures because I care!!!) That's a real problem where the elements of the antenna are 1/16 th of an inch different (most). Took me almost two hours to verify what they'd done and decide that regardless of what screwups they'd made, it was going together. Seems to work. I've no way to test it other than swr and on air usage.
Take care to read the Gulf Alpha page. Last I looked, the satellite antennas were out of production and he was reserving parts/service for original owners, only.
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
Keith,
I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He had something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and
even
if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless
of
what timeframe he tells you.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
More like my experience with M-Squared. Their antennas are the best mechanically engineered antennas I've ever seen.
Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
On 9/11/2014 8:25 AM, Stefan Wagener wrote:
Well,
I am sorry to hear about your experience with M2. On the other hand, we have dealt with them over the last two years for satellite antennas and can report the hardware is good, it fits and instructions when followed allow even non-hams to built a quality system. Customer support was outstanding and quick. I am planning on purchasing the next set of satellite antennas from them in the next few weeks and will continue to share my positive experience about them.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 10:52 PM, Lizeth Norman normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
If you're buying anything from M2 expect poor customer service and a bad build. I have more to do tonight than list the screwups those people have done. They actually charged my credit card and THEN 2.5 months later (after finishing another manufacturing cycle) shipped the product (upgrade kit for a KLM kt-34a)!!! Not to mention having to use a dremel on the "CNC" hardware. The UHF antennas use a cheap white plastic insulator that cracks, allowing water ingress. Remember the $200 circularity switch that you need to buy? Junk after 7 years. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ Considering what these people charge, I'd expect teflon.
Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I purchased another antenna from this bunch of rejects (These bozos actually had the balls to cancel two credit card orders for parts!). It was cheaper than ordering one from Europe. I guess at $800, lasting 7 years, it's just over $100 a year to use this, then throw it away.
The antenna has 21 pair of elements. 14 pair (!!!!!!) were miscut. 13 by 1/16 and one by an 1/8. (I took pictures because I care!!!) That's a real problem where the elements of the antenna are 1/16 th of an inch different (most). Took me almost two hours to verify what they'd done and decide that regardless of what screwups they'd made, it was going together. Seems to work. I've no way to test it other than swr and on air usage.
Take care to read the Gulf Alpha page. Last I looked, the satellite antennas were out of production and he was reserving parts/service for original owners, only.
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
Keith,
I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He had something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and
even
if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless
of
what timeframe he tells you.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
--- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
Have a pair of eggbeaters from M2 to work the linear birds up for 5 years. No problems, excellent service. They survived the big east coast ice storm last winter. I'd buy from M2 again in a heartbeat.
Rick - WB3CSY
Sent from Rick's iPhone 5 "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds" - Albert Einstein
On Sep 11, 2014, at 9:20 PM, Jim Sanford wb4gcs@wb4gcs.org wrote:
More like my experience with M-Squared. Their antennas are the best mechanically engineered antennas I've ever seen.
Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
On 9/11/2014 8:25 AM, Stefan Wagener wrote: Well,
I am sorry to hear about your experience with M2. On the other hand, we have dealt with them over the last two years for satellite antennas and can report the hardware is good, it fits and instructions when followed allow even non-hams to built a quality system. Customer support was outstanding and quick. I am planning on purchasing the next set of satellite antennas from them in the next few weeks and will continue to share my positive experience about them.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 10:52 PM, Lizeth Norman normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
If you're buying anything from M2 expect poor customer service and a bad build. I have more to do tonight than list the screwups those people have done. They actually charged my credit card and THEN 2.5 months later (after finishing another manufacturing cycle) shipped the product (upgrade kit for a KLM kt-34a)!!! Not to mention having to use a dremel on the "CNC" hardware. The UHF antennas use a cheap white plastic insulator that cracks, allowing water ingress. Remember the $200 circularity switch that you need to buy? Junk after 7 years. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ Considering what these people charge, I'd expect teflon.
Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I purchased another antenna from this bunch of rejects (These bozos actually had the balls to cancel two credit card orders for parts!). It was cheaper than ordering one from Europe. I guess at $800, lasting 7 years, it's just over $100 a year to use this, then throw it away.
The antenna has 21 pair of elements. 14 pair (!!!!!!) were miscut. 13 by 1/16 and one by an 1/8. (I took pictures because I care!!!) That's a real problem where the elements of the antenna are 1/16 th of an inch different (most). Took me almost two hours to verify what they'd done and decide that regardless of what screwups they'd made, it was going together. Seems to work. I've no way to test it other than swr and on air usage.
Take care to read the Gulf Alpha page. Last I looked, the satellite antennas were out of production and he was reserving parts/service for original owners, only.
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
Keith,
I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He had something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and
even
if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless
of
what timeframe he tells you.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I have to ask if you have seen the Gulf Alpha antennas? They are VERY mechanically sound! STURDY! Someone complained about shipping time form Gulf Alpha... Mine arrived just as promised and has held up well in out mild South Dakota weather.
73, Joe kk0sd
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Jim Sanford Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 8:21 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Antenna suggestions
More like my experience with M-Squared. Their antennas are the best mechanically engineered antennas I've ever seen.
Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
On 9/11/2014 8:25 AM, Stefan Wagener wrote:
Well,
I am sorry to hear about your experience with M2. On the other hand, we have dealt with them over the last two years for satellite antennas and
can
report the hardware is good, it fits and instructions when followed allow even non-hams to built a quality system. Customer support was outstanding and quick. I am planning on purchasing the next set of satellite antennas from them in the next few weeks and will continue to share my positive experience about them.
Stefan, VE4NSA
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 10:52 PM, Lizeth Norman normanlizeth@gmail.com wrote:
If you're buying anything from M2 expect poor customer service and a bad build. I have more to do tonight than list the screwups those people have done. They actually charged my credit card and THEN 2.5 months later (after finishing another manufacturing cycle) shipped the product (upgrade kit for a KLM kt-34a)!!! Not to mention having to use a dremel on the "CNC" hardware. The UHF antennas use a cheap white plastic insulator that cracks, allowing water ingress. Remember the $200 circularity switch that you need to buy? Junk after 7 years. See here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/n3ykf/11312549334/ Considering what these people charge, I'd expect teflon.
Because I'm a glutton for punishment, I purchased another antenna from this bunch of rejects (These bozos actually had the balls to cancel two credit card orders for parts!). It was cheaper than ordering one from Europe. I guess at $800, lasting 7 years, it's just over $100 a year to use this, then throw it away.
The antenna has 21 pair of elements. 14 pair (!!!!!!) were miscut. 13 by 1/16 and one by an 1/8. (I took pictures because I care!!!) That's a real problem where the elements of the antenna are 1/16 th of an inch different (most). Took me almost two hours to verify what they'd done and decide that regardless of what screwups they'd made, it was going together. Seems to work. I've no way to test it other than swr and on air usage.
Take care to read the Gulf Alpha page. Last I looked, the satellite antennas were out of production and he was reserving parts/service for original owners, only.
On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 4:23 PM, Dave Webb KB1PVH kb1pvh@gmail.com wrote:
Keith,
I'm not sure if Gulf Alpha is still making the satellite antennas. He
had
something on his website saying that he wasn't going to build them and
even
if he was to build them, you will wait a minimum of 4 months regardless
of
what timeframe he tells you.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions
expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions
expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
--- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (7)
-
Dave Webb KB1PVH -
Gary "Joe" Mayfield -
Jim Sanford -
Keith McDonnell -
Lizeth Norman -
Rick Walter -
Stefan Wagener