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[N2YDH]

   Hello all--Im new to the site---i am thinking of buying a 2m 26b2--but wow the cost !---the match harness seem to me expensive---are coax the lenghts as crictical as i think they are to make a harness-----also the quailty difference the> -13b2 -and the hygain vb214 fm  -they both can do vertical and horizonal --Yes??? thank you -- craig-- n2ydh

[AA4PB]

The matching harness isn't that difficult to make. All you need is the dimensions and the proper type of coax. A normal tape measure is plenty accurate. The coax needs to be the proper impedance (75 Ohms I presume) and you need to consider the velocity factor when calculating dimensions from wavelenght. If the instructions give you the type of coax and the length then just go with that.

[WB2WIK]

   Hello all--Im new to the site---i am thinking of buying a 2m 26b2--but wow the cost !---the match harness seem to me expensive---are coax the lenghts as crictical as i think they are to make a harness-----also the quailty difference the> -13b2 -and the hygain vb214 fm  -they both can do vertical and horizonal --Yes??? thank you -- craig-- n2ydh

The 26B2 is a pair of stacked 13B2s.  The antenna cost is only a small part of an overall installation, since you need a strong rotator with a brake, a vertical mast, a cross boom (if you're using them vertically polarized for FM), and something strong enough to support all of that.

It's not a bad deal.  A pair of VB214FMs would work as well; those are optimized for FM use (dimensionally) but they won't "roll off" much if used at the lower end of the band.  The mounting bracket allows for either polarization.

The harness is critical, but can be homebrewed if you wish.  The power divider is just 1/4-wavelength (electrically) of 75 Ohm coax per branch, joined with a coaxial "Tee" adapter.  The cables from the antenna driven elements down the booms to the "Tee" adapter are 50 Ohms, whatever length reaches, but must both be exactly the same length.

[N9MXY]

What are you planning on doing with it?  How high are you going?.  If I remember right the 13B2 was optimized for 2MSSB. A good friend of mine had one on a 64' rohn and with a 170W brick I could work him 200+ miles 6 out of 7 days in my mobile running a M2 horiz antenna with a 170W brick. Stacked would improve things but also tighten the beam width so unless you know just where to point you can miss people who are in range.

[N2YDH]

   Thank you to all that answer my question on the 26b2 and the 13b2 --I had a 90 foot tower go down in 80 mph winds-- and towers back up and ready for antennas-- had a 17b2--and 6 elmt 6m before -- and am just trying to make my range and coverage the best it can be for my money --thanks you guys for helping me make up my mind---THANK YOU-------------------- craig----N2YDH               

[N9MXY]

A 26b2 at 90' would do some serious grid square capture on SSB!!! Good nluck!

[KE5NCP]

If I am thinking correctly, a 26B2 is a vertically polarized setup for FM, not for SSB. If you are using  2 13B2's then you can set them up for SSB if you stack them on the mast. I use the 26B2 for FM and they work great, also have a 13B2 on Horz for SSB, works great also. Depends on what you want to use for what mode on the band!