Sigma Mantova Turbo Antenna?

[disgwylfa]

Has anyone tried or used a Sigma Mantova Turbo homebase antenna (now being sold by Thunderpole)?

Or does anyone have any tech info on the product?

I'm tempted but would like to know what the "Wind rating" is of the beastie, or hear an opinion of someone that has one, as I do suffer a breeze or two at my home (hilltop) QTH. It'd break my heart to cough out £134.99 on a Sigma and find it has the staying power of a Silver Rod and crumples in the first really strong wind.

And, before the "Get an Antron" replies start pouring in, I already have two Antrons here but I need to replace the one I use for DX as I'm (still) getting RFI into my landline telephone from it. The question is whether to replace it with a Sirio 827, or the Sigma Mantova Turbo . . . . . or go nuts trying to fit a fibre-glass pole to the top of my 20' scaff pipe and then try to hang an inverted "V" wire dipole or Carolina Windom from it. A "ready made" vertical has got to be easier!

Cheers

Steve ("Cherokee")

[FISH]

LIKE YOU SAID ITS A LOT OF MONEY £135 ,I MYSELF WOULD BE LOOKING FOR SOME FEED BACK FIRST AND HAVE A GOOD LOOK ON THE NET FIRST. 8)

[stampman]

not seen it yet thought if its hollow could you stiffen it with bamboo cane inside it

[andy@thunderpole.co.uk]

Yes it is hollow Stampman, bit of a beast though at 7m long

Here it is... http://www.thunderpole.co.uk/sigma-mantova-turbo.html

Andy

[disgwylfa]

Wonder if it'd be viable (for any hollow type big antenna) to squirt some expanding foam into the bottom of it? OK, it'd never be able to be "collapsed" again to sell or whatever, but it might be an idea to add a bit more strength.

Must try putting a multi-meter on a block of the dried foam to see if it has any inherent conductivity first though.

My searching has only uncovered one single review on the 'net That's on EHam and dated 2001 and, then, the antenna was $80, but on the bright side, it's a positive review.
LOL, for eighty dollars US I'd just buy one and take the chance!

Cheers
Steve ("Cherokee")

[porky.69]

great ideas guys they look like the sirio 827 antenna

[killer cam]

no

[porky.69]

steve if i had to try another antenna than my a99 it would be the 827 or the imax 2000 but my home qth is high up and the winter time is a nightmare good luck with whatever you go with

[killer cam]

im dreding winter lol

[FISH]

827. 8) 8) 8)

[porky.69]

yes i must say the 827 ...but no ones tried the new mantova antenna com on steve whats it going to be

[killer cam]

.

[disgwylfa]

It's a tough one.
[A] Go with the proven, well-liked and good DX antenna, the 827?
Or take a chance on a new one, that no-body's ever heard of, that might fold-up in the wind, and might have the DX power of a piece of wet-string? That just happens to cost more.

But, of course, the new one MIGHT be superb and knock the 827 into a cocked-hat. That's the gamble.

Cheers
Steve ("Cherokee")

[FISH]

Or you could look at the new upgraded 827 which is still less than the sigma,the sigma just dosent look strong like the 827,with winter just round the corner aswell.

[killer cam]

yeh thats a throught