In VHF the IOio antenna got better outcome, but the Arrow was slightly better in UHF. After all, the performance was reasonable, because the Arrow has 3 elements in VHF and 7 elements in UHF while the IOio has the same elements in both bands.
The EB-144 EGGBEATER offers exciting new performance characteristics for both fixed and mobile operations. The EGGBEATER produces smooth omnidirectional HORIZONTAL polarity at the horizon. Above the horizon, the pattern transforms to RIGHT HAND CIRCULAR, making it a natural for OSCAR satellite use. By spacing the EGGBEATER 1/8 wave above a metal surface or adding the RK-2M Reflector kit, now standard, for base installations, the circular lobe increases by 6 dB, producing a hemispherical pattern. No rotation or steering is required. For terrestrial mobile, base, net control, contest or field day operation, increasing the distance above ground or over a metallic surface improves the horizontal radiation by 6 dB. This produces instantaneous communications in all directions.
Hams with little room or budget for larger antennas will experience a new standard of performance with the EB-144 /RK2M.
Yep, I sure have. Jerry, K5OE, had a website with everything you needed to build them for 2M, 70cm, and even had one scaled for the 137 MHz weather satellites.
His site is gone, but enough people have mirrored it to keep it alive. » » Just google k5oe, and you'll find a lot more. They work better than the M2 ones, which I also have, especially at low elevations.
If you look at the patterns for his designs, they pull the gain down low, out towards the horizon, which is exactly where you need it. I've built several for each frequency range, and they work 'As Advertised'.
The M2 eggbeaters are just about useless without the radial kits, as the pattern is 'straight up', and you cannot hear anything until it's up to around 15. of elevation. Somewhere I have quite a bit of the 93-Ohm coax he uses for a matching section.
I'll look for it today in case you decide to build them. Keep in mind you.really. need a 70cm preamp, mounted at the antenna, to get decent performance with these antennas. Having a preamp, even a homebrew one, makes the difference between Armchair Copy and fighting to hear stations. I've built crossed-dipoles, turnstiles, and a QFHA or three for satellite use, and the eggbeaters win for simplicity and performance. I found my 1st 70cm version the other day, and it brought a smile to me.
I use Yagis with my Az/El rotors now, but when I lived in my bachelor pad and was low on bucks, the eggbeaters got me on the satellites. If you have the room, and a spare rotor, his 'Texas Potato Masher II' is another very good design. Circular polarization, and only requires an azimuth rotor. » Personally, I'll always pick something with gain over an omni for satellite work, but if the omnis will get you on the birds, you'll get hooked and be upgrading! Thanks Jim, I appreciate your comments.
I had no idea the home brewed version was better than the commercial version sold by M2! That will save me a couple dollars I am going to purchase a 70cm preamp also. I had worked the birds when I first got my ticket back in 2006, but it is extremely hard to find open areas around here to operate with a handheld yagi. I have to deal with security each time when I operate out of the sports complex where the Giants play. So I think I will definitely put up the eggbeaters or Texas Potato Masher soon.
I also sent you a reply via PM with regard to the 93 ohm coax. I appreciate your help.