Re: Decibel vs Sinclair Dipole Antennas
(& Scala)
Sinclair Antennas are different by electrical
design, size and price, but they are very wide
band when compared to the similar shape of
dipole style Decibel units.
The Decibel DB-420 type of antenna is considered
and spec for 20MHz Bandwidth. The DB-408 I just
bought from Tom actually preforms well down into
the top end of the Ham Band (California's Repeater
Input "window").
The same style Sinclair UHF Antenna is spec for
about 410 to 490 MHz operation and it preforms
very well through the entire range.
In a site master antenna system, the Sinclair
would be the better wideband choice. If you
only require 450-470 operation, the DB-420-B
would work very well and provide a measure of
out of band/range protection.
Sinclair antennas tend to cost >3dB over the
Decibel and Cushcraft Products.
Another line of very good wideband antennas is
the Scala Katerine name. They make a killer
3 and 5dB omni stick, one range spec'd flat from
440-470. I have a number of both gain versions in
service.
They also look more like a smaller Station Master
or Hustler Antenna. My first purchase 1991 dated
Scala Omni is still working very well.
You might compare the Scala 5 dB stick to the
Hustler G7 UHF regarding relative size and
physical layout (only). The Scala sticks have
a very cool dual mast size one piece metal
mount and the antenna doesn't require horizontal
radials.
This is good news because a large bird (or flying
cow) will quickly peel the original Huslter G6 &
G7 AL-Tube ground radials right off the antenna
within 2 weeks of the install.
Cushcraft is also making a nice lineup of
repeater antennas. They offer a line up similar
to the Decibel Dipole arrays.
Regardless of your choice, flames will burst
from your Credit Card or Check-Book when you
make your purchase.
Cheers,
Skipp
ps: Tom, too bad you weren't here to help me
park that DB-408 on a 175' tower top last
weekend. :-)
> "Richard D. Reese" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Chuck is correct. The 413 is 18 ft 4 inches
> long and is rated 12 dB gain and rated to
> survive 1/2 inch ice at 90 mph.
>
> The 411 is 9 ft 5 inches long , 9 dB gain 112 mph
> wind with 1/2 inch radial ice.
> The 408 is 6.6 dB gain and will survive with 1/2
> ice at 85 mph The 420 is 9.2 dB gain 18 ft 1 inch
> long and rated to withstand 70 mph with 1/2 inch ice.
>
> They are all good in my opinion. I have used them
> all including the DB-404 and they have survived the
> NE Ohio winters. even with the 420 top mounted
> on towers but there is a lot of flex at winds above
> 60 mph. I never had an antenna bend but did have
> on installation where the 420 was top mounted and
> the pipe that it was clamped to bent during a storm
> with gusts in excess of 70 mph.
>
> As far as which antenna to use - It depends on the
> installation, HAAT, top mount, side mount, omni
> pattern, etc.
>
> Rich
> From: "Chuck Kelsey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > I think my wife stole my Decibel catalog ;-)
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