How long is the 'stinger' by itself? How long is one stick with the 'stinger' attached?

-----the stingers are 48" when out of the shaft.

After you put both of the sticks together, does it look something like this?

---- Yes the whole rig looks exactly like that.

http://kb1ccj.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/hamstick-dipole.jpg

The stingers look like they extend a lot more than 9 or 10 inches.

Ok guys a few more followup questions:

- So if whip is not  to enter the coil, why do they make them that long to begin with ?
- I took my first shot today at seeing where I am, with stingers extending out about 9 1/2 inches on both Hamsticks, but not in past coil, SWR was on average 2.0
- On 20M, what should I be shooting for as far as minimum  SWR -- 1.5 or less?
- Anyone had one of these Hamstick rotatable dipoles for 20M?  How much of stinger extended from the shaft?  9", 8"  or what ?

Guys- thanks for both inputs.
- k5lxp -- great idea about using stiff wire to get an idea of length and then trim final singer. Yes I do have an antenna analyzer, so good there.

--   w8jx you said I have used Hamsticks for 20 years. When tuning them, as you shorten them when the inside end of whip starts to enter coil on stick you must trim it as it will effect tuning so trim as needed.----so if whip should not enter coil, can I just trim it to start so it will never enter the coil??

73 Paul

Bought a rotatable dipole rig at Hamfest and it came with 2 Hamsticks or HF Power Rods as the package says- so guess they are from another mfg. I have never worked with Hamsticks before and have a few basic questions:

- Instructions that came with the sticks says cut off the bottom of the whip so it does not extend down into the coil. I see the part of the lower section of the stick where the coil is.
-- So does that mean right off the bat, cut the stinger so it never extends into the coil or should I try to tune them first??
- Gent I bought the rig  from gave me two sticks marked "for 20M" and said about 9 1/2 inches of whip should extend for 20 meters. I would like to have enough whip so I could tune up and down the band.
-- If you were to tune it from bottom to top of 20M band, how many inch range are we talking about , moving the stinger in and out?
-- Can anyone give me some hints on tuning these or a links to some Hamstick or rotatable dipole How To sites or references?

73 Paul kc2nyu

Thanks guys for the excellent recommendations. I plan to put up the K4KIO Hex up in  a few months after the leaves are back on the trees.

73 Paul kc2nyu

James- thanks for the tips and glad the hex has worked out for you. I think it will here too. will post some follow up, once I get up and operating.

73
Paul

I think with the surroundings I have at my house, lots of tall trees, that the Hex - painted with flat black and green will blend into the trees-- certainly not invisible - but my best chance at a directional antenna with some gain. Have gotten lots of pics of Hex installations from current owners that provide good support for Hex being used in difficult QTH situations.

-- thanks to all for the inputs and advice.


73 Paul

Thanks guys - those comments are really helpful. Maybe next time I will just go to the comedy channel for advice.

73 Paul kc2nyu

Would like to hear from anyone living in covenant or restricted neighborhood situations, small lot, etc about your experiences/successes or problems with Hexagonal Beams. I am am considering installing one on my roof at about 35 feet and painting with flat black/green.

73 Paul kc2nyu

I have decided I want to try my hand with a Hex Beam, but I would like to do it right and go with the latest design. From what I can find, the K4KIO - ( G3TXO redesign) - BBHEX5 is that and at a reasonable price.

-  But a friend has offered to sell me at a very reasonable price, a used 5 band Hex beam from Mike Traffie, that he acquired in in 2005..

-  My question is did the K4KIO redesign came out after 2005 and thus I would be better off with the K4KIO new Hex then the 2005 Traffie Hex?

-- How  would this 2005 Traffie Hex beam compare in quality and performance to the K4KIO 5 band Hex being sold today ??

73 & Tnx
Paul kc2nyu

Andy - thanks for the explanation. Glad to hear other shave tried the camo paint.

73 Paul

Wow-really appreciate all the great opinions received so far to my initial question. I originally was considering the TH3-JRS which has an  8db  gain, but it was just too big for my roof top mount location and neighborhood. So then I started looking at the  MA-5B which advertises  5 to 3.5 db gain on 10-15-20M. It seems the consensus of the replies to this thread so far are the Hex Beams far out perform the the mini-beams like the MA-5B, but I can not find any gain information on  the KIO Hex or the Traffie Hex. I am assuming they are better then the mini-beams. So...I have a few follow up questions:
1) Do the Hex Beams produce higher gain - better directivity Is there data on the Hex options gain for comparison?
2) In terms of stealthy-ness, I would plan to paint the Hex Beam flat black with Krylon non-metalic paint. Is that doable with the Hex Beams?
3) Is the popularity of Hex beams in Florida due to their applicability in Home Owner Restrictions/Small Lot applications??
4) I am sure this sounds like a dumb question but; in appearance, the Hex Beam seems to be uniform on all sides- is one of the six sides, the side that gets pointed where you want to make the contact or that provides the directivity??

73 Paul kc2nyu

I haven't looked at Hex Beams- any particular models/  brands that would be recommended ?

73 Paul

I am dealing with some neighborhood restrictions but believe I can get away with a mini beam that is covered with a camouflaged paint scheme.

Have been looking at both the MA-5B and the MQ-26, and am wondering if anyone has any experience with both and could compare or recommend one over the other.  Pro s and con's of each?

73 Paul kc2nyu

I never tried running two programs off the same SignalinkUSB until reading your post, but you are absolutely right- it works. You have to change frequency on the radio, in going from JT65HF to psk31 and DM 780, but that is quickly accomplished via program or radio memory. Thanks for the tip.

73 and happy holidays
Paul kc2nyu