Any opinions on this new antenna from Sirio compared to Wilson 5000?
Any opinions on this new antenna from Sirio compared to Wilson 5000?
RCI-2950DX, 1978 Cobra 148 GTL Taiwan, SHURE526T MIC, Tug-8 With Astatic 10 DA Head, Astatic 575M6, ASTRON 70/20 AMP POWER SUPPLIES, IMAX 2000 W GROUND PLANE KIT. TIMES MICROWAVE LMR-400 COAX, RF CHOKES. DIAMOND SWR/POWER INLINE METER. 250 of Sea Level Under Me. Recent World Radio Member.
the caveman (05-11-2013)
Tallman runs that same antenna and he loves it. You may want to PM him for more info. Tallman doesn't run amps, he just runs barefoot, by never the less he's been running the siro brand antenna for a while now. He replaced his K30 with the Siro.
Good luck
Silverado 996 back in the woods and I'm gone!
* Cobra 29LXLE *
* Ranger 2970N2 * 5' FireStik FS-5 *
* Uniden BearCat 12 watt spearker *
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the one most adaptable to change, that survives"
- Charles Darwin
NY714 (05-11-2013)
The most important aspect of any antenna is its performance and the Sirio 5000 did not dissapoint. I did stationary tests to local stations from the mobile with both the Wilson 5000 and the Sirio 5000 mounted in the same location and both tuned for the lowest possible SWR.
In every test the Sirio received and transmitted better than the Wilson. In terms of measured difference, the smallest noted increase in performance between the two antennas was 1/8 S unit and the highest difference was 1 S unit. More than half of the stations reported at least a 1/2 S unit increase.
While a 1 S unit increase doesn't sound hugely impressive on paper, you have to remember that generally speaking 1 S unit = 6 decibels, which is a fairly noticeable increase on the receiving end of the stations you're contacting. If you already have a Wilson 5000, though, it might be hard to justify spending over $100 to get a small 1 S unit (or less) increase in signal.
After doing the testing between multiple local stations and taking readings I decided to do some testing of the antennas for DX. I waited for a day of solid DX conditions and then began testing the two antennas by switching them out while trying to talk to the same stations. While the whole process is fairly annoying (switch box and lots of reaching up on top of the vehicle) it immediately became clear to me that the Sirio had better RX and TX than the Wilson. Stations said my signal dropped with the Wilson and in a couple of cases with weaker contacts I couldn't get back to the station with the Wilson and once I put the Sirio back they could hear me again.
There are so many factors that make DX possible that one antenna might outperform another on a different day or a different vehicle so it makes measuring two antennas in this format fairly user specific. I will say that after running a Wilson 5000 for 6 months and then switching to the Sirio 5000, I find that making contacts with my barefoot setup (CRE 8900) at 50 watts seems much more consistent with the Sirio.
I tested the Sirio up to 500 watts in the magnetic mount setup without any power handling issues. It's advertised for 1500 watts continuous and 5000 watts intermittent use. The Wilson 5000 is advertised as 5000 watts continuous and 20,000 watts intermittent use. These advertised numbers aren't specifically with a magnetic mount setup and are probably more specific to a hard-mounted scenario. While many people do run large amounts of power into magnetic mount setups such as these, I generally suggest if you plan on running more than 500 watts you should take the time to do a hard-mount install. I also usually cut any advertised numbers in half and use that as my max power handling number to play it on the safe side.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Sirio 5000 was definitely a bit of a surprise to me, especially since I've been a fan and proponent of the Wilson 5000 for so long. In my testing it outperformed the Wilson and its construction seems as solid, if not slightly better, than the Wilson because it doesn't use a plastic housing that is susceptible to UV damage over time.
I think for most people the Wilson 5000 will still be the antenna of choice because it's more readily available, has a lower price point, and has a more streamlined look when placed on a vehicle. However, for those more discerning radio operators the Sirio 5000 offers better performance at a slightly higher price. While I don't think I'd run out and buy a Sirio to replace a perfectly functioning Wilson, when the time comes for replacement I definitely know I'd be picking the Sirio.
RCI-2950DX, 1978 Cobra 148 GTL Taiwan, SHURE526T MIC, Tug-8 With Astatic 10 DA Head, Astatic 575M6, ASTRON 70/20 AMP POWER SUPPLIES, IMAX 2000 W GROUND PLANE KIT. TIMES MICROWAVE LMR-400 COAX, RF CHOKES. DIAMOND SWR/POWER INLINE METER. 250 of Sea Level Under Me. Recent World Radio Member.
redwagon (05-24-2014), stang (04-07-2014), the caveman (05-11-2013), tracker5 (04-04-2017)
Great write up!
Silverado 996 back in the woods and I'm gone!
* Cobra 29LXLE *
* Ranger 2970N2 * 5' FireStik FS-5 *
* Uniden BearCat 12 watt spearker *
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the one most adaptable to change, that survives"
- Charles Darwin
The P5000 blows away the Wilson 5k all around. Better TX, RX, looks, handles enough power etc. Also its a sturdier design. Not cheap plastic like the Wilson. Spend a couple extra bucks over the Wilson and buy it.
NY714 (12-16-2013)
I heard only good things about that antenna .
That was then and this is now. I have my amateur license now and I have run an amplifier that Dead Keys 500 watts AM and I made contact all over the place on SSB. The Sirio 5000 is a great antenna. Low SWR over a large amount of frequencies.
I checked the antenna down at 26 MHz and the swr was still good.
Barefoot on CB I routinely talk over 15 to 20 miles around Louisville and that's better than most.
Last edited by Tallman; 11-10-2013 at 07:49 PM.
All answers are opinions and may, or may not be technically correct.
the caveman (11-10-2013)
Yep the sirio pl5000 is a great antenna, even with the mag mount I can talk between 40-60 miles locally and all over the world dx'ing. I use a magnum 257hp and I 1st used a K40 mag mount, did the job but it will not do what the sirio has. I have made more contacts using this antenna than I ever have lol. It truly is a great antenna and no slouch that's for sure. My only peeve is that mine is mounted rather high and tends to hit the top of the whip on things, it had a tendency to bend the tip of the antenna, I used some small diameter heat shrink to go down about 1ft and it seems to be helping the bending problem I was having as the heat shrink helped absorb and toughen the top of the antenna up a bit. Only time will tell if it truly works I guess but It did not interfere with my tx/rx or swr readings at all. Here is a photo of my setup, and oh yeah I changed the coax out for some rg8x, 17ft 4in. To be exact. Swr readings are same as factory coax and now I have the length I needed.
The top of my work van is roughly 8ft 6" give or take a few inches, it puts my tip at a bit above 14ft lol. Height does help a bunch, just have to watch out for low hanging objects lol. Great antenna setup and would recommend it to anyone that is thinking of either changing out a wilson 5000 or a k40 of which both I have used and the sirio spanks them both JMO.
NY714 (12-16-2013)
So do all you guys agree this is about the best mobile antenna out without being super eye catching like a monkey made or predator 10K? What is the difference between the performer 5000 and turbo 5000?
Thanks
STANG
............. 406........................OUT
Yes IMO, they are the best next to a 102" whip or any other antenna of that length. The base is different on the turbo vs the performer, one has a handle type release and the other is with an Allen wrench. The performer has the handle piece off of one side to tighten it as shown in the photos you posted above of my setup. The turbo has the base with an Allen head that tightens it down. That is the only difference between the 2. Great antennas IMO.
stang (04-07-2014)
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