By the way, how well do they manage the top of a tower in wind?
ANY Antenna installation, in a desert environment, should be prepared for:
WIND: Sand Blasting
SUNLIGHT: UV Degradation
WEATHER: Water and Lightning
Yes, antennas taken down, after 10 to 20 years of service (desert environments),
would have pitting on metal (sand blasting) and metal coatings or plating was usually gone.
Professional installs examine these as part of Regular Maintenance (when climber on tower).I am getting conflicting information regarding the DB224e antenna.
Sounds like you don't understand the data being presented to you.
Steve, WB2WIK provided the Andrew/Decibel Products DB224 Brochure.1. You know what a Dipole/Folded Dipole is, and its Classic radiation pattern.
That's FCC license material.2. Are you aware of the Phasing of Identical Dipoles?
Antenna Handbooks cover3. The DB-224 antenna is FOUR Dipoles, In Phase.
4. The Overall Pattern is dependent on the Orientation of those Dipoles (and spacing from mast/tower face).
5. For the Professional / Commercial Radio Tech (and knowledgable Radio Amateur), the antenna can be configured to meet specific geographical or coverage requirements.
6. In the 1970s, a Radio Amateur had to do these antenna and HAAT calculations for FCC Repeater License Applications (old "WR#xxx" callsigns).