Transmission1

I bought the above-named antenna - I already have a PNI ML145 so I decided to get the Sirio and use it static mobile only, from the same mag mount. I hadn't managed to test it properly since I bought it but i got my answer on Garrowby hill last night. The SWR 2 was on UK40 and 1.7 on EU. I fixed a makeshift counterpoise to the battery negative wire terminal and it dropped to 1.5 on UK40 and almost flat 1 on EU.

Now the results to three people located 12-15 miles from me. My little PNI ML145 beat the Sirio Performer. It was one S point higher and my audio was better on the PNI. In one case it was the difference between being heard and not being heard.

You heard right - a 4.5ft PNI whip beat the mighty 6ft Sirio Performer 5000. I don't believe there is anything wrong with the Sirio - it probably just doesn't get along with my 6" mag mount on the roof of my Dacia. I'm not going to drill so maybe a boot/hatch mount at the rear will do the trick.

If I want to spend more money. Things have got tighter of late so I may be flogging the Sirio

My brother has one (the light up version), I don't think it is that fantastic either.

The 4000 models were Sirio's best antenna.

It's certainly not fantastic if a shorter PNI beats it. I might try isolating the coax and improving the grounding but I have a feeling that it won't improve matters much.

One regular contact told me to pop round after I finished because he had something I should try. He's given me a Springer plus mag mount he had spare.

I know what you think of Springers but I parked up 4 miles across the city and tested it to him and another breaker. The Springer beat the PNI. Of course, I know this relegates the PNI to "more crap than the springer"

There is a loose connection at the plug end of the Springer mag mount and the cable has bulges, and the braid peeking at one point. I think I can replace the cable and then ive got both S0239 and 3/8 mounts.

scanhermit wrote: 07 Jun 2026, 08:31I'm not going to drill so maybe a boot/hatch mount at the rear will do the trick.

If I want to spend more money. Things have got tighter of late so I may be flogging the Sirio

I've just bought one of these www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007096132962.html
It looks like a K400 copy but the reviews are good so once it arrives I'll get it connected.

Also ordered a pack of bonding straps to connect either side of the hatch back to the main body, it's not worth making them for the price of these. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011828699153.html

Thanks grafter, that looks like a cheap way to see if the Sirio is worth keeping.

I got the multimeter out and found continuity between the hinged section and the whip. I had fastened the counterpoise to the hinge end so it must have basically formed part of the radiator. That might explain the performance.

Another antenna which is hard to beat is an Original Modulator. They are large but not Sirio 4000 large.

Just after buying the Sirio I was told my rent is going up. My current thinking is on saving money so I might be flogging the Sirio anyway. If not, I'll try cheap things such as isolating the coax.

I won't be trying multiple mobile antennas. If I don't keep the Sirio I'll be using my T2LT on my telescopic pole for static mobile and be using the PNI and Stinger for running around. Mobile, I could be heard above the hash about 7 miles away on the PNI and Thunderpole TX. That's not bad going and I think I'll stick with it until I'm happier with my finances.