Maco Shooting Star

The Maco Shooting Star is a high-performance, 8-element directional beam antenna designed primarily for the 10 and 11-meter bands. It is widely used by serious base station operators for its superior gain and dual-polarity capabilities.

Key Specifications (2026)

Design: 8-element dual polarity (vertical/horizontal) beam with a 16-foot boom.

Gain: 14 dB (equivalent to a 28x power multiplication).

Front-to-Back Ratio: 38 dB, providing excellent signal rejection from the rear.

Power Handling: Standard 2 kW PEP; upgradable gamma matchers are available for 5 kW, 10 kW, or 30 kW.

Construction: Features a quad reflector and six scientifically spaced elements for optimized performance.

Performance & Usage

Dual Polarity: Allows for both vertical and horizontal polarization, which is ideal for optimizing contact based on band conditions or whether the target station is mobile or base-to-base.

Durability: Rated for wind survival up to 90 mph.

Installation: The antenna has a turn radius of 13 feet and a surface area of approximately 8.91 sq. ft. It is recommended to be mounted at a significant height to achieve maximum long-range performance.

Visuals and Documentation

Detailed assembly and parts information can be found through official and secondary sources:

Manuals: Shooting Star Assembly PDF