The Ultimate CB / 11m Antenna?

Rember the Starduster? Why don't we make a copy of this out of wire and put it up 18m or 60 feet? We built it here! • Custom SkyLab StarDust... . Callum, M0MCX.
More videos:
• Antenna Modelling Antenna Modelling
• Tips and Tricks Tips and Tricks
• Antennas Antennas
• Live Streams Live Streams
• Commander World My Stuff
• Foundation Training Ham Radio Training

[@Kd4stt.]

When I was a young C.B.er, the Star Duster was my antenna. This antenna served me well.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Lovely!

[@andik859]

I have a old german sirtel s 2000 and polished them in moment and will build it after 30 years on my house roof again. Hope i can hear everybody again, it was a very good antenna in w-german quality. 73 from germany. Right cable lengh for RG213 are 18,35 m or 22 m that is right for 26,975 Mhz ?

[@jimjungle1397]

I'm been studying and working on 10 and 11 meter antennas for 45 years. Some antenna theory has actually changed in those years. The Starduster was sold as a half wave. The coaxial feed line goes inside the mast pipe, for additional shielding / isolation from the antenna. The downside is the radiator is not grounded. The small radials are on the center of the quarter wave radiator. Some speculate that it is to increase frequency range, while some believe it is to raise the high current point on the antenna to reduce ground loss and increase gain. In a similar, "modified quarter wave" the radials are angled down to a point to increase the impedance to 50 ohms. The Starduster radials are angled down even more and possibly the small center radiator radials somehow decrease the impedance to match the feed line with the large radials angled so far down. The Starduster antenna design does work really well, especially considering its smallish size.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Very interesting Jim.. Thanks.

[@ZlayaCo6aka]

@@DXCommanderHQ Back in to late 70s I used a Starduster for 11m and 10m... After I put up a multi-band quad, I shortened the elements to optimize it for dedicated 29-29.7 FM use. The radials were sloped down more than 45 degrees, perhaps 60 degrees, and the vertical/radial lengths were asymmetric. I tweaked the asymmetry slightly when I trimmed it for 29FM, increasing the asymmetry - making it more-off-center-fed - seemed to tilt the pattern slightly towards the horizon. Also, someone diddled around with a coax matching section, 75-ohm I presume, and was able to get a "perfect" 50-Ohm match on theirs.

[@SuperCanuck777]

Same here !

[@arconeagain]

The lower angle achieves a slightly higher gain. Isolation from a conductive mast is preferable for a cleaner pattern. A decent coaxial ferrite choke should also be employed for CMC, and you may wish to take care of static build up by grounding the shield of the coax (from memory, I think a 1/4 wave down from feedpoint). I have built such an antenna with 8 ground radials, and it was a great performer.

[@woodchuck8197]

I’ll tell ya not for nothing but I talk to a few guys running them on channel 6 and there is a guy on 11 also and they just boom into my phone radio and I know there not running huge watts and I know they’re not lying because that thing would fry to much more then 2,000 watts and that’s not bein longwinded

[@spaceflight1019]

Since the CB service was created I'll wager that more money has been spent on this slice of the spectrum than any other. The pre-1970 magazines always had build-it-yourself projects in them.

[@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z]

I have a Sirio M-400 Starduster, I run on 10meters, looks identical to the one pictured. I have it mounted with the feedpoint at about 30ft. It is an awesome antenna. I have worked a bunch of DX on that piece of kit. It is wide-banded and is fairly flat across 10 and 11 meters according to my Rig Expert. I believe the bit at the top is a capacity hat. I say build the darn thing Cal!!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Will do John!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

John... If you have internet - and if you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@ka2rwp]

​@@DXCommanderHQ the 3 things sticking out on the top rod is called a capacitance hat.

[@rickyjay4792]

Out of all the antennas I had back in the 80s the starduster was the one I always went back to , I was actually thinking of building one so glad to see this video thx Rick

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! Fabulous!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ricky.. Here we go! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@robpinter5431]

Thanks Callum, just getting back into 11 &10 meter radio now I am retired, I made a 1/4 wave vertical last night, took around 15 minutes and strung it up in a tree, the radial was also strung up so the antenna has a L shape, SWR 1.2:1, amazing indeed. I have learned so much about antennas the one thing is that you don't need to spend big $$$.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice work!

[@blackknight1397]

I had one of those Starduster Ground planes from the 70's and I loved it! Had it at 40' on a pushup pole and we used it all over our FARM.

[@GateKommand]

Thanks for this, I have found it interesting. Personally though I'm more interested in how an aerial would perform at roof height (where most of us mortals would place it). Before anyone shouts at me I do realise that height really does matter but I am a council estate dwelling realist! Please keep the vids coming DXC - I really find them educational AND entertaining!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, I will discuss this soon..

[@TRIPPLEJAY00]

You have made my day. Callum this is something I've always wanted you to build as I would to get rid of my silver rod plus I would like something homemade myself. I will definitely buy you a beer and buy the parts to construct this.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Go for it!

[@gingermongoose100]

Antron A-99 with the 5/8 wave "power up" top section - add the ground plane kit, - best ever 10/11m I've ever used - had a great qso with Bob McLeod in the Falklands only using 10w on 10m using it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Lovely!

[@garymacleod5071]

Me too

[@ouenergy2437]

Hi guy's, I use a high gain 36' J-pole tuned to 27mhz made from 1/2'' copper tubing hanging from rope inside a tree and i can work anywhere i want from 5 to 100 watts! I have talked over 50 miles away on 2 watts as a test base to base no BS!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

PS - If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@DominicMazoch]

You are right. CB antennae can be used with 10/12 m with physical tuning or with a manual or auto impedence matcher.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Dominic, I levered in 15, 12 and 10 in the end: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@mccooperman]

Would be great to see the build of the ‘Star-Commander’ really interesting not that my neighbours will be too happy with a 18m pole in my garden … I just about get away with a Cobweb above the lawn but only if I hang washing on it 👍😂… thank you for sharing your knowledge ⭐️

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Challenge accepted - If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@mrhulk18]

Thunderpole did one without the little legs on the radiator element the thunderpole 2 had a coil on it , I had one but I unscrewed mine and replaced it with a 9ft mobile whip , worked fantastic

[@chrishorne2740]

This design resembles the Civil Defense antennas designed by K1GOI at MIT Lincoln Labs in the late 1950's. These 6m and 10m 'starduster' like antennas could be found on most schools and fire stations up thru the 1990's

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Interesting!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey CHris.. OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@RomstarOrion]

Those pieces at the top are a capacitance hat. Its actually quite useful for antennas at this length. Remember sir, a proper gentleman is never fully dressed without his hat. Do I fancy you building it? Of course, thats always great fun. Of course I would love to see you drag an old CB out and see what it does on 27.385. I think that would be an absolute hoot.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I have a CB... Hang on!

[@DominicMazoch]

@@DXCommanderHQ That's a big 10-4.

[@RomstarOrion]

@@DXCommanderHQ I would certainly hope you have one. Hell, most of the hams I know have their radios geared to cover 11 meters if they don't still have the old CB around. We don't like to talk about that though.

[@Cardassiaprime]

@@RomstarOrion The first rule about Amateur Radios on 11m - Is there are no Amateur Radios on 11m 😁

[@RomstarOrion]

@@Cardassiaprime Amateur radios on 11? What? They can't do that. LOL

[@adi-hg2zt]

The starduster reminds me of the thunder pole antennas years ago I had the thunderpole3 this had a small loading coil in the center of the main element.I actually changed the top element and used a mobile modulator type antenna it worked really good.have a great day all and all the best to you and your families.

[@woodybollox]

I think the thunderpole 3 was better than the thunderpole 2. Another antenna from the same period which used a center loaded top that worked well was the delta dx with the coax running down at an angle making it look like a boat sail.

[@kilroy205]

as i just got back into cb i used a 108 aluminum element for center, then used 3 108 wires for lower elements adding string to use as guidewires also. was exact same look as starduster. worked great! but last week i bought a 5/8 groundplane and new antenna was much better. the difference in 9 foot main element and 22 foot main element was substantial.

[@n5yiz]

Look at the 1985 Radio Shack catalog on page 73. The Crossbow 21-968 1/4 wave antenna worked great. I still have it in my barn.

[@sahhull]

Ive been using a homebuilt CB antenna for the last 35+ years. I have no interest in DXing but I happily talk to the locals (15-20 miles away) without issue. Its a centre fed dipole. A length of 2.5 twin & earth wire 18ft long left over from the house rewire. Split the wire from its gray insulation. The wire is wound onto 2, 10ft pieces of PVC pipe like 2 firesticks. So its 18ft driver and 18ft ground plane in a short package. I did have a silver rod at one point... It snapped at the coil during a moderate wind, hence I built my own at the ripe old age of 12 years old

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice one!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@waynestewart1919]

Thanks for the info. Very educational. Hope to here you on skip in Alabama.

[@charleswoods2996]

I "/think/" that little "thingy" near the top of the antenna might have been an attempt at a "capacitance hat" as I've seen a similar "thingy" on a Hustler 6 BTV multiband vertical ground plane that I had years ago. Ch. 38 LSB and vicinity can be a lot of fun - sometimes 🤣🤣🤣. Slightly seriously you might hear me there using the call of sorts "330 (reflecting one of the telephone area codes), Akron, Ohio, *Rubber City*"! KD8EFQ/73! Another good video Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Charles.. Yes OK copied friend!

[@charleswoods2996]

@@DXCommanderHQ I don't take this stuff (Radio in general) too seriously. I've been a class clown LONG BEFORE I started Kindergarten🤣🤣!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I don't know why they did that unless it was a shortened element.. I didn't need it: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@harryharkerjr.1862]

Interesting Callum, I would love to see what this looks like built and how it performs. I'm over in the state, been in to ham for quite some time and there's some growing interest in CB again in my area, so I bought a radio and will be looking to put up an antenna soon. Thanks!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, here it is! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@jodylaneyAA4XT]

I have had the m400 up before worked great it was at 45 feet replaced it with the 2016 5/8 on 10 meter and turns out it's all most a perfect match on 20 meter with about 1.6 swr talk all over the world on it from south east US it is amazing how well it works

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow

[@GordonHudson]

There is a difference. Some of the big electrical 5/8 mobile antennas like the Sirio don't do as well for local contacts as simpler cheaper antennas. Seems to be the angle of radiation that's the issue. I think that three pointed thing in the middle of that aerial would increase the bandwidth a bit. You could try it with, and without, and see if it makes any difference. If you thicken an element it tends to give better bandwidth (at VHF anyway, I made dipoles out of aluminium foil to test this once).

[@johnwest7993]

You nailed it. They just slid that thing up, (or down,) until the antenna had a good SWR match across all 40 channels.

[@clivedavies3]

love to see one working Callum, another enjoyable video your head is full of ideas. keep up the good work.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks, will do! Hang on!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Here we go CLive.. In case you missed it: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@paul1962uk]

Build it, will be interested to see it in action!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Done! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@yungsmile7546]

Thanks for doubling my workload, because now I'll have to build one for 10/11 and one for 6.😱 Since Monday I've been working USB 10M on a new Anytone AT5555 PLUS/N feeding a homebrew T2LT/end fed RG58 coax dipole with 16 turn air choke hung in the redwood outside my bedroom window. I've made 30+ contacts 1,500-2800+ miles. Most signal reports 5/7-5/9; some 5/4-5/5. I'm gut hooked now and 10 is opening. This weekend with Winter Field Day working through the pileups gave me a lot of confidence in this trucker's rig that's my base and portable. Anytone had a long time to improve this model, but the "N" makes it worth using. The NR circuit they added to the V3 simply makes the difference in being able to listen without fatigue. But no, it's not one of the big three; then again it was only $200 with a $9 antenna. I learn from your videos more than hundreds of others, thanks mate. Charlie KN6VYP

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow. Fabulous!

[@michaelosborn1793]

The Starduster stations always performed well. I was using an Avanti Astro Plane with great results.

[@winterburan]

I love the Gmax, by Grazioli Antenne! The best ever commercially today 🤩

[@brentchristians9888]

Excelent. I would love to see a rebirth of CB in the states. Maybe this antenna would be the boost CB needs. A duel band CB / 10m or would probubly be a good seller as you could get both Amature radio and CB band sales.

[@fridayjoefriday]

Kinda hard when these blowers aka cell phones are so popular. Still seeing aluminum in the air in my city, just a small handful still operating.

[@brentchristians9888]

@@fridayjoefriday the CB band is manely full of people running higher than legal power and trying to talk to the world. Very few local people using CB and even fewer OTR truck drivers. Hams all start from somewhere.

[@Cardassiaprime]

@@brentchristians9888 I still use CB to talk with local peeps, circa 5-7 mile radius( most are licenced) but the conversation is easy like a pub lock in as opposed to a night at the Opera.

[@seanwood8043]

Thier is a uhf CB service in u.s. called GMRS and it uses repeater's up to 50 watts gaining traction as we speak

[@norman2999]

@@Cardassiaprime: 😆🤣!!

[@RabMac108AT10six]

Hello callum, best one I've used is a forward gainer. 2 element horizontal dipole on rotator. Wow what an aerial. Vertical wise a home brew gain master coming out 3m above a 100FT tree. Thanks for sharing cheers

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice one!

[@ElysianDreams]

3 small radials mid way on driven element are capacitance hat, and adding it will help lower the signal takeoff angle.

[@GordonHudson]

The original version of this antenna was called the Thunderpole. I think this was how the company of that name got started. The reason it came about was because of the legal restrictions on CB base antennas at the time. The maximum radiating element length was 1.5m so half wave verticals weren't allowed. The Thunderpole had a 1.5m base loaded top section. This type of vertical dipole arrangement was about as good as you could get if you were staying within the law. Although I had a neighbour with a half wave vertical that had a fake loading coil 1.5m from the top and the length below that disguised as a support pole. And back in those days you had to switch to low power if you used an outside antenna.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fascinating!

[@THUNDERPOLETV]

👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Gordon, see what you think of this: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@n0vty873]

the little thing in the middle of the top element broadens its band width. Had one many years ago. running without it raised the swr on the upper and lower CB channels. With it, and it was wider band width.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey.. OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@johndminigan1869]

Thank you, Calum. I do learn so much.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

My pleasure!

[@N1IA-4]

Nice work on this, Callum. I have a Solarcon A-99 and if there was only ONE antenna I could have for 10, 12, and 15 meters, believe it or not, it is the Solarcon. It gives around a 1.5:1 SWR on all three of those bands. Granted....it uses the coax as a counterpoise....but it does a bang-up job. I frequently get signal reports on FT8 here in Florida that is +1, 2, 5, or 10 DB over S9. Many hams are very biased against these kind of antennas because they are marketed as CB antennas...but who cares what they call them? As long as they work. 73 de Scott, W1AL

[@makarov138]

That very antenna right there is what I am using here at my location. She will handle quiet a lot of power too! She works really well for me.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice 👍 I made this.. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@oz457]

I mounted one on a 18m pole, and it worked tremendously well, Call. I did use the elements as my guy wires. That's what I did before I installed my 2E cubical quad. 73's de ON70FF, Kurt

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah Kurt! OK mate!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK Kurt, I copied you! But this one is 15m, 12m and 10m :) If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@fridayjoefriday]

Would enjoy seeing how a Starduster, would perform at that height. Mine is fastened to a MFJ 1916 or 34 foot push up pole. I still have one section inside the pole. I still need to flatten the curve some, just waiting for cooler weather. Yes go a head and experiment to your hearts content.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Lovely!

[@jerryevans6320]

Build it Callum and let’s see the results,looking forward to the next instalment 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I will, I will!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK Jerry.. I did it! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@benotsilent6703]

I had an amtron 99 when I was a kid. I used that thing for years with great results for being so close to the ground.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You might like this: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@tf7274]

I was fortunate to put an IMAX 2000 on our silo on our farm. Mast at 85ft and tip was at 102ft. I worked so much skip with 12 watts. I am a few miles from the geographical center of North America. Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific and Gulf are all equal distance away...and I talked to a van in Australia with 12 watts in this setup.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes, at that height, a 6 inch nail would have worked! Love the Imax 2000. Easy antenna. Works too.

[@garycook5125]

I had Starduster antennas on my towers in the early 1980s. They were excellent performers, and extremely popular at the time.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah nice..

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Gary.. See what you think of this! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@stevegriffin9552]

Good evening Callum what a fun video. Back in my CB days in the 70s I had one of those star duster‘s antennas. I am really amazed on how expensive they are, I think I bought mine for around 25 pounds or $30 US. Believe it or not back then I have fun on the radio. Thank you for the video really enjoyed a lot. Have fun on Friday with the radio. I finally heard you on the computer using web sdr making contacts. Hopefully the propagation is doing well over your home. Take care and be safe. 73 WD5ENH Steve

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Very cool Steve. It's gonne be a fun build.. Probably September..

[@shaneweightman]

I’ve had best results with half wave antennas on 11 mtrs , and the cheap to construct T2LT, ( strapped to a fibreglass,Fishing Pole ) , works as good as any other half wave , I’ve ever tried , haven’t tried every half wave , but most , cheers Shane

[@KT4RAM]

As a teenager around 1977, I had the original Starduster by Antenna Specialists and it worked fantastic. It stayed up for many years after I moved out and became a young man in my 30's before my parents took it down form their home. The only other Antenna that I used back in the 1980s in the no man's land between 10 & 11 meters was the The infamous Hy-Gain Super Penetrator 500. That antenna was awesome for dx. I recall a huge club in the UK that called themselves The Jolly Rodgers Club. Those days were awesome.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Great memories Greg!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Greg.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@jwssngr]

Hey Cal back in my CB days that antenna really surprised me and a lot of my CB Buds. I always had Contacts asking me what antenna I was using because my voice clarity was great

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nothing like a cracking voice!

[@marcpruitt7299]

Build it !!!!! Loved these antennas back in the day

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hang on!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

DID IT! OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@PerkinrBR549]

I had a Wilson 5/8 wave vertical on a tripod on top of my roof. It was a fantastic antenna. I remember seeing a lot of stardusters too. KQ4RRO

[@ouenergy2437]

You always have great videos sir! I use a high gain 34' J-pole tuned to 27mhz made from 1/2'' copper tubing hanging from rope inside a tree and i can work anywhere i want from 5 to 100 watts! I have talked over 50 miles away on 2 watts as a test base to base no BS!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hanging from a tree. Absolutely perfect!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@paul1962uk]

Reminds my of the old 'Thunderpole' from back in the 80's

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! OK :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@kevinaponte7078]

I started my radio endeavor with cb radio in the 90s and it has led me to ham radio but back in the day the best vertical antenna was a maco 5/8 wave made a lot of distant contacts with them 73 your friend Kd9dle

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Kevin! OK cool!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Kevin! OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@aquatekt1402]

I had the most success with the starduster in my cb days after trying many . I later put it in to service on 10 m until the wind damaged it.i was so impressed with this design I thought I would take the original pieces and cut it for 6 metres,again it worked very well indeed.im now thinking if I could practically scale it up for 20m it would be perfect.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, I think 20m might be good fun!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

PS - I managed 15, 12 and 10 in the end..

[@DXCommanderHQ]

PPS If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@ac3146]

Built one and used it for 15 years + seemed better with 4 radials and a slight difference on the feed point The factory one was fed through the bracket that retains the radials I fed mine on the side and 16M above ground wit consistant good results😁 Would love to see you model the omni quad Built one for 2M and frankly i am impressed with the results so far Love the content Thank you for the excellent videos keep them coming👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Quad.. Yes - and a good match to 50 ohms too! I'll maybe not build one, bit having experience of a PDL2 back in the old days, I might model one and see what it does!

[@ac3146]

@@DXCommanderHQ The omni quad is not to be confused with the cubicle quad Found the design on the ve3sqb site, i do not see it there anymore but it is still available on the way back machine, some ridiculous gain figures are claimed, how ever it has serious band width and from monitoring satelites it does seem to have a very low radiation angle If the program is difficult to find i can zip it and try to mail it👍

[@beyondmiddleagedman7240]

For me, the Avanti Astro-plane was the Ultimate CB vertical antenna. I couldn't afford one initially and still am using the over 40 years old Hy-gain Penetrator 5/8 wave. I eventually had a Moonraker 6 setup. But a storm took it years ago. Been a Ham for a while, but still like to fool with 11m too.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nothing like fooling about with radio!

[@woodybollox]

Hi cal. I had one of those antennas in my early cb days. Think it was called a skylab back then. Worked really well and lots better then the thunderpoles.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Skylab.. Yes, I think it was that ..!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

PS If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@quotagious]

I would like to see you make this Callum and see how it performs , My mate had a original Starduster back in the naughty 40 days of AM and used to get out well ,

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I never had one. I'm quite excited about this!

[@quotagious]

@@DXCommanderHQ His was only about 15 foot of the ground to the base and he used to do very well on it compared to my Hy-gain silver rod which was about 25 ft to the base , I'm looking forwards to your make 😀

[@DXCommanderHQ]

David.. We did it :) If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@djrxtr]

LOL..."It means you can charge more." Best line ever.

[@rquance1]

I had a Starduster years ago after college and found a shortfall no one speaks about. Directivity due to the down radials for the ground plane. I found by increasing the ground radials to more of a cone shape greatly helped reduce the directivity with a minor need to retune the vertical element. I found that a Discone design seemed to be the best design I could use but it sure was weird looking on the tower. I should mention I am a retired Radio/Television Engineer.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hello Robert. Now before I asnwer, you need to appreciate that your comment to mine will be buried, so I apologise in advance if I don't respond to you. However, I would like to understand! Maybe I can ask you to drop me an email because I would like to understand what you mean about "directivity". So for instance, was the directivity in the horizontal plane - or did you produce gains and nulls..? Anyway, an email would be great thanks. qrz at m0mcx co uk.

[@eddiemarconi3420]

Robert, if I use 4 radials in my Exnec model the directivity problem in the Azimuth plot you note goes away, but the best gain goes down a little too using four radials. I doubt anyone would ever notice such small differences, however.

[@rquance1]

@@eddiemarconi3420 That is to be expected as I noticed on my old Starduster. I never tried readjusting the length to bring it into better resonance due to the more complete ground plane. With my experience working on AM Broadcast Band antennas we always installed as many ground radials as we could and then adjusted the tower lengths to optimize the radiated power. Laborious work but worth it when powering the antennas with 15 to 30 Kilowatts.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Robert.. I got around to building this.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@thewavesmith5754]

From my experience, the sparkly purple finger nail rarely effects the resonant frequency of what’s is basically a 1/4 ground plane. I found a full set of red nails is useful for working Dx from the /P location

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good point!

[@raylowe3324]

When I was first licensed, my dad had one of the Starduster antennas that he used on CB. I borrowed it from him and found it worked great on 10 as well as good enough to get me on the air on 2 meters. With a tuner, it was also effective on 15. WD5DHK Ray

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha.. I'm sure with a tuner it'll work just fine!

[@terryk4hnt940]

If you build it, they will come!! Yes Cal, I would love to see this build. Oh and all the nails should have a bit of varnish on them :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nailed it!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Terry.. OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@48pluto]

I know this antenna as the "skylab". It wasn't rather populair as far as i know. It would be interesting to see you build and test it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I did it :) If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@bobmcconomy9961]

Thanks for this Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

My pleasure!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Bob.. OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@unklewink]

The object in the driven element is there to very slightly lower the radiation (take off) angle. It would also have a slight capacity hat effect, but not much, due to its size and placement.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I didn't need it: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@123Lesgeorg]

The Starduster if I remember was also used a lot in Lofts and on Bedroom floors, for the people who were not allowed an external aerial by the landlord, I remember quite a few who had them outside were accused of using a burner. Its like the difference between a Avanti Sigma 4 & Sigma 2, Personally I always favoured the Sigma 2 because of the Radials, where as the Sigma 4 was more of a J Pole, not that J Poles dont work well, I use one now on 11m band even now.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah OK!

[@eli_ishim]

These are very helpful thank you!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You're so welcome!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

PS OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@sweirich777]

Hello DX Commander! This is Steve, Kb3hay from Pennsylvania in the United States. I had a Starduster and used it for 10 meters and it was a very incredible Antenna! I say build this one and I hopefully will be able to have a QSO with if the band is open. First time commenting on your channel and long time subscriber. Cheers! Great channel!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hello Steve, so nice for you to comment.. OK, I will build it.. Probably early September!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Steve... OK, we did build it in the end! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@geraldscott4302]

I use CB (11 meters) for two totally different purposes. I have AM only CBs in my car and truck, with fairly small mobile antennas, running about 35-40 watts. These are for short distance local line of sight communication only. In the U.S., where I am, almost nobody has a CB in their personal vehicle. BUT. Almost ALL truck drivers do. So if you are driving on the highway, you will always be within range of someone you can communicate with very clearly. But just because they can hear you (if their radio is on) that doesn't mean they will talk to you. You have to be able to speak their language. Driving a truck is a very lonely job, and truck drivers actually like to have someone to talk to, IF it is the RIGHT someone. I just happen to be one of those types. I have an 11 meter SSB setup at home, with some extra channels, running 100-200 watts. That's clean RF, NOT splatter. I'm using my own homemade tube amp. I also have a whopper of an antenna in the back yard. I built it, but I have to admit I didn't design it. I did exactly what you are talking about. I copied the design from the '70s. It's a copy of what was called a Moonraker IV back in the day. It's a 4 element cubical quad beam, and it's so big and heavy that I had to use a Rohn tower designed for amateur radio antennas to put it up. I use it with a rotator. I have made contacts all over the world with this setup, though I seem to do better with Asia and the South Pacific, especially Australia and New Zealand. Oh, by the way, that little thing on top of most older three element ground planes is called a "top hat". Its usefulness is debatable. It slightly changes the antennas impedance, which may or may not increase its bandwidth, depending on a lot of other variables. It can also increase the antennas capacitance, but again that depends on a lot of other things. Way back in the mid '70s, I had a 5/8 wave ground plane that had a top hat. It worked very well, but whether the top hat had anything to do with its performance is unknown. It had no measurable SWR across the entire 11 meter band. I used it on AM only. I didn't have an SSB radio back then.

[@carlsgarage2023]

Sirio 2016 is my weapon of choice. Works 10, 11, 12 and 20m.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@chrille2409]

Would love to see this happening! Another Version for 15m would be interesting too!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

15, 12 and 10! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@rev.dr.byronguertzgenjr.4204]

I would love to see one built. And to purchase. Sounds better than anything I have seen here in the states. Thanks.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hello old friend.. Just to let you know, we did build it: If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@bunnybasheruk]

I would love to see this built & tested Callum. 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes OK!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, we did it! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@mikebzl1mjb293]

Would be great to see it built. I’ve never had or used one but had heard good reports. Had been told the mini radial kit on the driven element was a capacitance hat…I’d always had Shakespeare Big Stick until I built one of Mikes 5/8 Gainmasters. Great performance 24.5-29.5 MHz.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes OK Mike!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey Mike! If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@pieterdutoit9642]

Hi a GREAT ant I use to run American antenna M-400 on a mast of 72 ft and altetude of +/- 4200 ft and could normaly run 20-250 miles and work the world with it can say must be 1 of the best I ever had, Thank you, Pieter

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I'm sure! Sounds incredible. I think you could probably do that with a 6 inch nail! :)

[@carlubambi5541]

I used an old antron 99 with a ground plane kit .only I used a 102 inch stainless whip on one pointed west towards Niagara falls and 2 4 foot whips on the other 2 slots ..I could talk from Toronto to just west of Niagara falls at night .On 12 watts ssb .And from Toronto to Caledon on 5 watts am .I was located on the top of the old Iroquois shore line (Davenport Road)approximately 150 feet above the lake .I had a clear view to Buffalo from my old house .that's 28 Miles directly south of me as the bird flies .And on good night I could talk across Lake Ontario !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fabulous!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Carlu. OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@johnhall3827]

now you are taking me back you are right again in pricing a great way of getting more stick cb on it

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Right on

[@cliftonsanderske8fth549]

I have the old astro plane antenna that was shown with the internet pictures of the starduster. Just waiting to get it put up along with my OCF 10-40 meter dipole.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Clifton.. OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@matknight]

Back in my day we called them a Thunderpole.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK!

[@MM7FBE]

yeah then the thunderpole 2 and 3 came out i cant remember what difference the 2 had but i do remember the 3 had a coil in the middle of the driven element

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@matknight]

@@DXCommanderHQ I'll be there as always Callum, looking forward to it.

[@ramsayward6582]

I'm relatively new to your channel having recently had a renewed interest in CB radio. I would definitely be keen to see you build the antenna. Cheers.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Welcome aboard! We will build this, either end August - or mid-September. Hang on! :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey! Thanks for joining in.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@kingduckford]

I've been running a MACO 5000 5/8 on the main shack and a 1/2 wave Tram 1498 on the main house. The biggest difference I've seen between the two seems to be the fact the MACO has less bandwith, and only occasionally better performance. Both do great in local LOS testing, both have made South America on skywave with raving reports with 200 watts, 8,000+ miles out. I think your point is very good. As long as you aren't using a compromise antenna, they will all work well. Height, terrain, nearby objects, far field, can all have more impact than actual antenna choice per se. The inferiority of my 108" whip on my big 20 foot long Lincoln car, and the poorer performance of my Hustler BTV6 on 10 meters, is better explained by the difference in height to my bigger antennas, more than the 1/4 wave vs. 1/2 wave vs. 5/8th wave argument.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I think you make perfect points!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Just a thought.. I got this working.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@davidfradley12]

Build it I love to try that out

[@DXCommanderHQ]

David, OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@jeffreyleonard7210]

With this design he lateral lobes overlap nicely and aim solid at a low angle, without warming clouds.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

And with an anti-rotational flux mat with reverse sine dB loss. And that's how I read your comment :)

[@SuperCanuck777]

i bought a new starduster to use my my new export yaesu gt474gx in 1989. put the antenna on the chimney and talked all over the world on it. i was given an avanti astroplane in the 80s and eventually binned it because i could'nt figure out it worked and why the swr was high and i could'nt get it down. years later i read they function as some sort of DC short !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah!

[@kilroy205]

took my starduster apart and put back together up top of a 65' pine tree. stuck 15 foot out of top. live in a great location *(very high area) I was on 300'ish watts and was a beast. (back in the 90's)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Goodness, you would have been loud! :)

[@bebeandjohnnotsonomadiclif5287]

The old AS Star Dusters in the 1970's where great ! The Sirio M-400 is thin, weak.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@ronleblanc9832]

very ibnteresting had one of those stardusters worked quit well excellent match but we had an ice storm western nova scotia and watched the top break off couldnt reach it to tap the ice off was a good antenna

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh wow!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@fivestar2227]

My personal favorite "ultimate" tenna setup for 8-11m is a Maco v58 on a pneumatic mast for tx and a 4ft square mag loop with 2" dia elements for rx. Why you ask? The 5/8 mako has 5db worth of omni gain for fantastic local and its also a great skipper especially with a pneumatic mast to adjust the skip angle in real time. And when it comes to pulling signals out of the mud its hard to beat a properly positioned mag loop with a sensitive pre amp or receive circuit. The day time noise floor on 11m is brutal enough then to factor in all the modern day man made noise is a perfect recipe for loss of interest.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Mag Loop - or you might also want to try a VERY long wire. I was pulling signals out of thin air with my very long wire experiement. I couldn't believe it..!

[@peterlowrie1216]

I've built these for years from wire for 2 - 40m. They have 2 radials or 3 if I've enough wire and you don't need them high. 1/8 of a wave agl for feed point works. I would take Rudy Severns advice and pop a common mode choke at feed point.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes Peter, I think a simple dirty balun would be important in light of the height..

[@Chapbook]

Much interest, please build it!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@Chapbook]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you so much!!

[@reaganl.5113]

There was one more unique design for the CB craze of the 1970s and 80s other than the Starduster. A company called Avanti made an omni called the Astroplane and a 3 element vertical beam called the Astrobeam. Each had a strange loop/hoop...something you may want to investigate or tinker with some time? As I recall, the Astroplane had a wide bandwidth similar to the Starduster. The wealthy of the time ran beams called Moonrakers 4, 6 and 8 element versions. Also there was the 2 element PDL-II that preformed well.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, I had the PDL2.

[@ottoolsen9560]

we had this antenna back in the 80's when i was a kid, a simple fiberglas construction with no bracing and no smaal antennas at the top, and i think a 15 w radio for a while, dont remember the brand but a big metal box that loocked like wood with a v shaped front , it for sure knocked out the tv while talking. it was a pretty common setup, as theese radios where used in fishing boats until the VHF came along. this antenna may even still exist at my parents house somwhere. how does a cb compare in range to a VHF no skip added.

[@mewrongway]

Back in the 80's I worked Your country and many others on 10m with a HR2510 20w and a 1/2wave cb vert on ssb.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fabulous!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@peterlowrie1216]

In addition to my previous comment. If you want to multiband it then a linked version can be made. I've 15/17 one up. They're very broadbanded and I'm heard more on my 'thunder hole' as I call it on 10 than my T2LT which hears more. We used this past weekend on IOTA for 20/40/15 and even the skeptics were converts by tear down.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Peter, please drop me a line with some photos. Lovely!!

[@peterlowrie1216]

@@DXCommanderHQ if I can work out this blasted phone's camera I will. Be over the next few days and I'll include the feedpoint design

[@rEdf196]

I made a tuned CB 1/4 wave antenna using solid 10 gauge house wire and held up by a rope 40 feet up between 2 trees and 4 radials at 35 degrees its been my main antenna for 7 years now.

[@ouenergy2437]

Hi, I use a high gain 36' J-pole tuned to 27mhz made from 1/2'' copper tubing hanging from rope inside a tree and i can work anywhere i want from 5 to 100 watts! I have talked over 50 miles away on 2 watts as a test base to base no BS!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@mickgibson370]

When I ran CB radio, I run 5/8! 10.5 meters high. Coax was tuned with a 50 ohm dummy load. The radials 90 degrees to the mast. The antenna on the ground was tuned antenna wire 4 positions going out 22 meters. Then the radials were tuned on the mast with the antenna with antenna still hooked the base of the mast. I was getting about 100 km a night straight shot and the day all around the world at 4 watts!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Straight shot. Lovely.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@jaccodejongthenetherlands611]

I love my A99 and Gain Master antennas

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Jacco! OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@TheVicar]

"Why has my cross become enormous?" You really don't want to know that Callum...

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so I built this one in the end.. If you have time, join us on the full-build and test Premiere? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGm0omdjZcSHoLM

[@arconeagain]

The best antenna I have ever built for local work on CB was a J Pole. Although, I have built many Quarter Wave Droopys, and they have their advantages. I friend of mine 50km away has a 5/8 gp and a quarter wave. There is a lot of terrain between us, up to 1000m. When he switches to his quarter wave, he jumps up as much as 2 S points (by my cb base meter) compared to the 5/8. This I believe because of the higher take of point, the 5/8 runs into the terrain. This can also be advantageous for skip, 'drop zones', if you will.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well. I remember Roly making a DX contact on 28 MHz with a 6-inch nail..! When conditions are in, it just works :)

[@arconeagain]

@@DXCommanderHQ yes, I've spoken to QLD on the Hill's Hoist (that's a clothes line) and the top barb of the our farm fence. But still, 12 watts to Ireland, almost 10,000 miles on a vertical only 6 or 7 meters up with a strong signal... not bad. You know we don't get those conditions every day.

[@samuelkearney880]

Vector 4000 for the win. Over a sirio 27 gpe5/8 wave I found the vector at the same height to the base give or take a foot it was 2 s point better than the gpe locally and skip is harder to quantify but it sure feels easier to get those distant contacts especially the ones I had trouble with before. USA is my bad spot.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

2 S Points.. I don't want to believe that.. I just can't image how BAD the other one must have been.. Diofferent coax I wonder.. Oh well!

[@samuelkearney880]

​@@DXCommanderHQno same coax and the gpe5/8 wave is a fairly decent antenna beating an antron 99 by some margin. Those are the best increases. Some differences were no signal increase but an increase in readability. The s 2 increases had no change of the other stations operating conditions. When the signal is so low only a marginal increase from a just know the station is there to maybe the odd word, say r1/r2. It definately has performance gains over a 27 gpe5/8 wave. The vector was only 1 s point behind a 4 element yagi on the flatside to a station in Turkey the other station was about 15 miles away from me. You are right about the coax though. Mine is quite old and I've seen other operators get good performance increases in rx and tx when putting up new coax with new connectors.