There is another possibility that I have run into with my Decible Products Antennas of the DB-224 type: If the elements of the antenna are not welded to the metal suport on one end, corrosion can occur and movement can be experienced. If the DB-224 antenna you are using is not "welded" but is simply a physical contact between the non insulated end of the element, it is not a good antenna for repeater use for the very reasons that others have pointed out - loose connections in the field of the antenna.
When you make the inspection of your antenna determine if your antenna has the conductive end of each element welded to the standoff or just a physical connection. I wish I had a picture I could attach to show you what I am talking about. I hope my explaination is clear. I have been cautioned many times by the local technicians that work on these all the time about the use of Decible Products DB0224 (and other models for other bands) antennas in repeater use. I do not have a Decible Products DB type antenna on my repeaters. I have three to put up. They will all be modified before installation to make sure that the physical connection of the elements are welded when they are not supposed to be insulated from the supports. This discussion has been very good reading. Thank everyone for their contributions to this thread. My fiberglass antenna (yes singular - one triband antenna for all three repeaters) was broken in Hurricane Frances this year. When it broke, crackling was very pronounced when there was an input signal and the system was repeating. It would go away on the squelch tail and when the repeater identification was transmitted. when the wind subsided a few moments the crackle decreased. When the wind picked up, the crackle picked up. Inspection of the antenna from the ground with field glasses found it to be bent over at 90 degrees and hung up under the support of a nearby Microwave dish. Replacement of the antenna between hurricanes was required, but, when replaced, no crackle since Hurricane Frances during hurricanes Ivan, Jeanne or Karl (4 between August 25 and September 24 is too many and I hope that is the last of that schedule!) Russ N4KOX 145.11 MSR 2000 reapter 444.700 MSR 2000 repeater 53.21 Micor Repeater --- In [email protected], Kevin Custer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Please read this: > <http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/cracking.html> > > Kevin > > > > There is only crackle when receiving a signal, never on the repeater tail. > > > > Might help to mention that I can listen directly to the receiver audio > > at the repeater and hear the following: > > > > Receiver weak signal - Xmtr turned on - Crackle > > Receiver weak signal - Xmtr turned off - No crackle > > Receiver no signal (squelched) - Xmtr turned on - No crackle > > Receiver no signal (squelched) - Xmtr turned off - No crackle Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Repeater-Builder/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
