Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
James Tyrone Mosley (KI4JGH)
on
July 16, 2005
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The OA-50 6 Meter Omnidirectional Horizontally polarized antenna is "DX-citing".
My OA-50 from Par Electronics arrived at my QTH a few days ago, and I could not wait to put it up. First of all, I was so impressed with the way the antenna was packaged and sent to me. Secondly the assembly instructions were very easy to follow and the installation therefore was a breeze, from the un-boxing to the complete mounting on my Telescopic mast took only 27 minutes.
The Fun Begins:
I am a newbie to Ham Radio, and have never made any contacts at all on 6 meter SSB, so I was anxious to see if what I had read about this antenna was actually true.
I went to my shack and turned on the Alinco DX-70T (only 10 watts on 6 meters) and checked the SWR and was pleasantly surprised to find it at 1.2 on 50.125, wow…now
I was ready to talk. The band opened shortly thereafter so I decided to give it a go. On my very first transmit, I received a come back from Mississippi grid EM53, and
I am located in EL98, I had successfully made my first 6 Meter DX QSO, this was especially gratifying since I only have 10 watts of power and the Omniangle OA-50 was mounted just 30 feet high.
It Gets Even Better!
Fast forward a few days, it is now Saturday July 09, 2005 and a Hurricane is bearing down on the State of Florida and although the storm is headed away from
Orlando, the driving winds and rain still pounded us, so I decided to lower all of my antennas to protect them from damage. As fate would have it, the band opened up just after I had dropped my antennas down to two feet above roof level (less than 12 feet). So I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and call CQ, everyone that I call for responded and the antenna continued to perform as if it still was at the 30-foot level.
What Next?
Well, I would like to try 2 meter SSB, so I have placed an order for a OA-144, which I'm sure will perform at the same level as my OA-50 has for me. I truly feel that these antennas offer the very best in value and performance than any other on the market today. If you don't have one yet, you need to get one!
Thanks,
73
KI4JGH
Orlando, Florida
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by G7TOK on July 16, 2005
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This makes interesting reading, I have used Dales end-fed HF antennas and found them to be excellent.
I might just have to import the 2m omniangle, will i be the first in the U.K. ?
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KD4AC on July 16, 2005
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While I'm very much interested in the antenna, doesn't this belong under product reviews?
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WA8VBX on July 16, 2005
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Welcome to the fun and excitment of 6 meters. Even though I have been a ham for many years and use to operate 6 meter AM, I still enjoy working 6 meters. The last opening I was able to work was several months ago and from my location(EN82) I was able to work down to Mobile, AL. Now some would say no big deal, but I am using a Icom IC-703+ (10 watts) into my G5RVjr up maybe 12ft.
Good luck on 2 meters.
Kurt
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KB9YUR on July 16, 2005
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This is a good antenna. But, back in 2001, after a few months usage, it failed here.
I suspect the little black box that's part of the antenna can't take more then a 100 watts,
though at the time, I was running an Icom 746 at about 80 watts. Since then, I've been
using a KB6KQ.com 6m loop with no problems at all which is rated to 700 watts.
I'm also still using a Par Electronics 2m stacked omni loop.
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by AD7DB on July 16, 2005
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I'm glad you're so excited about this antenna. But your results came when 6m was open. When that happens, even crummy antennas can make all kinds of contacts on that band. That's why they call it "the Magic Band."
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by W1BAK on July 16, 2005
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I've had one of these for 2 years and "if I can hear em...I can work em" is my motto. I run 100 watts with an Icom 746Pro. No problem. Also bought the 2m counterpart (AO-144)at the same time, for weak signal work. Both of these antennas are great for locations that will not accomodate beams. The secret is don't expect too much from either antenna. They are not going to outperform big yagis! And the other factor is location, location, location!!
Less than a mile away, a fellow ham's front steps are higher than my antenna farm!!
See you on the ether!!
73...w1bak
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by N0AH on July 16, 2005
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The higher up you go in frequency, the more exciting it becomes watching the grass grow regarding VHF/UHF DX. That said, anything you accomplish DX wise on these bands is a milestone. Keep it going- Just don't microwave the neighbor's fish tank and ignore the complaints about phone RFI or you'll never get on the air. 6 meters is a lot of fun from the east coast into EU and the Americas. I'm sure you'll work a lot of DX on your OA-50. QTH has a lot to do with luck on 6M but so does attitude as anyone on the west coast will tell you-
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by AA4PB on July 16, 2005
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AD7DB is right. The fact that you can work some DX when the band is open doesn't necessarily meant that the antenna is a super performer. Neither does the "if I can hear um I can work um" idea. Antennas generally provide the same performance on receive as they do on transmit so that statement can be made concerning any antenna that is working properly. The OA-50 is essentially an omni-direction dipole - the same concept as the halo antennas that have been around for years. It has a gain of 0dBd. A yagi in the same location will provide a number of dB gain to both the Tx and the Rx signal, but only in one direction.
That said, I am considering an OA-50 (or something similar) as an addition to the yagi because it makes a good omni-directional antenna for monitoring.
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i simply love my Omniangle OA-50
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by N3JBH on July 16, 2005
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I have been using the AO-50 for well over 2 years now. Worked all states and maybe 8 country�s I realize this was a great miracle but not bad either for simple antenna at 15 feet. And feeding it with a yaesu ft847. What I will say is I worked stations other�s missed with their huge yagis. And no I don�t claim to know why. But I put my Omni up just for some thing to try six meters local. And heck loved it so much that I haven�t touched it after that. Great antenna and work�s FB. In all honesty I plan on going par goofy soon stacking antenna�s for 6, 2 and 440 heck I just love this antenna and highly very highly recommend it to every one. Jeff/n3jbh
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by N4LI on July 16, 2005
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Well, welcome to the Magic/Tragic band! It's fun and challenging -- my favorite band.
Sadly, you have joined us on one of the quietest E-seasons in recent memory. July seems more like September or October in terms of what's available. Normally, Es would be a near-daily event this time of the year. Oh, well...
I'll keep an ear out for you. EL98 is VERY common here.
BTW... you do know, of course, that from about August to December you'll hear little more than static, except for a few quick openings, right?!
Peter, N4LI
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WA6BFH on July 16, 2005
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Welcome to 6 Meters! I hope to work you, maybe in Perseids!
AA4PB, do you have the means to look at return loss, and the means to have or borrow one of these antennas? I am keeping my eyes open to see if someone in my area has one.
I looked up the antenna at Par Electronics web site to see what it was, and what they are doing. They call the gain at minus 1 dBd. They also adequately describe their balun matching system. I am planning to do some future antenna tests on 6 Meters out at the Dry Lake that our club has used in the desert. If I spot one of these puppies around with one of the local 6 Meter crowd, I will ask if I can take it with.
For the guy that thinks he burned up the antennas balun, you could probably easily re-build it with better coax!
73! de John
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K2ROK on July 16, 2005
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I love the Par Omniangle. I have to agree with the positive comments here. They are certainly a company to keep an eye on and they definately have tapped into something special with these small, functional antennas for 6 and above, and especially the end-fed dipoles -- which make life for those of us with needed solutions to fitting antennas in smaller spaces a little easier.
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WA4DOU on July 16, 2005
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While there can be no denying that it is satisfying to work dx on 6 meters, and that virtually anything works as an antenna when the band is wide open, the common mistake that many newcomers make in general on all bands is to assume that simple antennas are enough. Compared to nothing for an antenna, indeed, a simple antenna shines. On 6 meters a yagi is relatively small and on top of a house or garage they even can look small as their dimensions are similiar to a channel 2 TV antenna. 3 elements on 6 is quite impressive compared to a vertical or horizontal dipole. In the southeast, farm supply stores sell 48" fiberglass rods that are intended for low cost electric fence duty for about $1. 8 of these and a little imagination can yield a 2 element cubical quad with 4-5 db gain and some directivity. If you think the band is populated with signals during an opening, try some gain in the antenna. You'll really be amazed.
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KI4FIA on July 16, 2005
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KI4JGH - Keep listening on 144.200 USB, we have many 2 mtr SSB'ers up here in the Daytona Beach, FL (EL99) area. Went some fun, buy a second Omniangle and stack them!
My first 2 mtr SSB antenna was the KU4AB loops, two stacked at 25'. From Daytona worked Tampa (abt 150 miles) just about any time I wanted. Several times worked the Keys (abt 320 miles). I also have a KU4AB loop for 6 mtrs, have excellent results and only have it at 18'.
Currently I"m running a pair of 4 element 2 mtr yagis stacked at 28' for 2 mtr SSB.
Welcome to VHF SSB, there seems to be more VHF SSB activity in FL then VHF FM....
Here's a pic of my ants & station:
http://www.MilAirComms.com/shack.html
Also we run a 2 mtr SSB net on 144.250 USB every Wednesday at 8PM (0000Z). Give a listen and you'll get in touch with many 2mtr SSB'ers from the state.
George - KI4FIA
http://www.MilAirComms.com
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by WA1RNE on July 16, 2005
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WA4DOU is right on the money......
It's great to hear there are some small ready-made antennas available for 6, but man, BUILDING an antenna for this band is the way to go.
With the size of a half wave dipole at only 9' and change, and a Full Wave loop (quad?) at ~5' square, there really isn't any excuse.
A quad is simple and very effective. It could even be rotated by hand if positioned near a window.
Heck, I re-designed an old 3 element yagi into a 5 element version on a 16' boom using Cushcraft and other parts. They sold me what I needed at a very reasonable price, including a gamma match, SS hardware, etc. along with my homebrew boom to mast bracket. Spins easily on an old but very functional TV rotator.
These types of projects are part of what "make" this band and HR........
73, Chris
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by N6AJR on July 16, 2005
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I do tend to disagree on your defination of DX, from northern California I have worked alaska, hawaii, mexico, guatemala and brazil on 6 meters. This is dx.
worked all states and worked all grid squares on 6 is cool, but I always call DX a foreign country. I have a friend who worked japan from CA on 6.. that is dx..
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KE4KVW on July 16, 2005
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I ran one of these antennas on my pickup for about a year and after about 10 months of running 160 watts into it I burned the Black Box out.BUT Dale at PAR replaced the box for "FREE" with the HIGH POWER upgrade for the OA-50. Par stands behind their products & Dale is a GREAT guy and answered the phone almost every time I ever called them(before & after) I made the purchase.I sold my OA-50 and now run a DK3 screwdriver for BOTH HF & 6 meters.Anyone I could hear on the Par I worked from the mobile.I also own the OA-144 which I purchased last December.If compared head to head I doubt ANY other loop antennas will out talk the Par no matter the price & they take a beating well.God bless,ClaytonKE4KVWEM80
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by N2NFG on July 16, 2005
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The PAR omniangle antennas seem to be getting a deservedly good reputation. Several guys here in the Raleigh NC area use them with great results. But...I gotta go with the home brew crowd for 6 meter antennas. Antennas for six are small enough to be very economical and easy to build, yet big enough not to require measurement down to the hundreth of an inch. Several of the locals have built YAGIs out of different materials; wood,aluminum tubing, EMT tubing, copper tubing, wire; all work well. (Although the copper one was a bit on the heavy side for a three element beam.)However, the most popular building material by far is PVC pipe. Dirt cheap, easy to work with, great results. The most common design seems to be a 2 element Quad. Dimensions are available on a number of different web sites. About 6db of gain, giving a 10 watt rig an ERP (effredtive radiating power) of 40 watts. Not a bad deal! My neighbor Stan, K4NSM built a 4 element version that works very well at a modest height of 20 ft. or so. I went for a full wave horizontal loop for omnidirectional coverage. The PVC and glue cost me about 8 bucks at LOWE'S, I had the rest of the stuff needed. Fed through a coax balun to a 1/4 wave matching section of RG6, the SWR is less than 1.1:1 from the bottom of the band through 51.000mhz. Tied some masons line from tip to tip and made a loop in the center. Threw a rope over a branch at 45 ft. and hauled the thing up. I don't know how it would compare to a PAR omniangle, but I suspect that the performance is close, if not better. So far this Spring and Summer it has worked coast to coast (both USA and Canada), the Caribbean and South America. I've heard Europe, but no luck so far for a QSO. My entire 6 meter station has cost me a grand total of less than $35.00 (Yep, that's thirty five bucks). An old ICOM 505 I got for 25 bucks, a LUNAR INDUSTRIES 100 watt amp I got in trade for an old audio mixing board, and my 8 dollar antenna. Hey, that's only 33 bucks! Sure, the radio needed some TLC to get it working right and the power cord, impossible to find, was missing. Easy fixes and an easy workaround to feed power to it.(went through the battery compartment) Pure fun! Now a plea for more six meter activity. What ever happened to activity nights? Quite often a bunch of local guys will find ourselves on 6 meter SSB in the evening. The group can grow to 10 or 12 participants in a low key type ragchew. Sometimes we're rewarded with a band opening, all are welcome. As much fun as it is, we just don't do it on a regular basis. I remember that there used to be regular nights assigned as VHF/UHF activity nights; whatever happened to them? It's a great way to use the band between openings; with enough activity, there should be enough groups or QSOs to drop in on and say hi for an entire evening. Who knows? It just might grow to be a daily thing,...GASP...regular activity on 6 for the little guys? What do you all think?
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K2WH on July 16, 2005
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This antenna is a curved dipole. There is no majic here and it is not as efficient as a real straight dipole.
I am not sure how much this antenna costs, but a better antenna is the "Turnstile". This is a double dipole crossed at 90 degrees and fed directly with coax and a coax matching section. It is omni-directional and easily will take a kilowatt. BTW, these are usually homemade.
Four lengths of Home Depot aluminum, about 4.5 feet long, connected to a common insulated block of material, feed it with coax and there you have it.
Total cost about $ 25.00. And as others have said, when 6 or for that matter 2 is open, anything antenna will work and make itself look like a champion.
I worked Spain using my 70 foot 80 meter vertical on 6 and worked all of the midwest on 2 meters using only 3 watts and a pull out whip. Go figure.
K2WH
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WA3IRJ on July 16, 2005
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I am looking for a 6 meter array to mount above my hex beam(HF)
I will either use a another hex(6 meter) ot was considering Ther oa-50. Another good alt antenna might be the Par moxon..but it will need a rotor.
JohnB
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K8DXN on July 16, 2005
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First off this is not a curved dipole.It is much longer than a half wave dipole. A dipole may work better in some directions but not all. If you don't know why then go back and study the nature of a dipoles radiation pattern.Others may claim gain with their omnis but the only way on a single antenna is to skew the pattern, forcing the signal stronger in one direction and less in others. Now look at the product description . OMNIDIRECTIONAL. That means all directions. Par claims to be within .8 of a db of being a true omni. With that little of a difference this antenna works well in ALL directions, the true reason for an omni in the first place. This antenna was designed in the early 50's by RCA for TV transmitters to provide true omni coverage to metropolitan areas. The patent ran out many years ago and Dale adapted this unique design for amatuer use. I have used his omnis since around 1995. I run a 6, 2 and stacked 432's on my truck. They have held up in severe mobile use and usually have been operated with close to their rated power rating. The only thing greater than the performance of the antenna is the wonderful owner of the company. A gentlemans gentleman. A first class guy. If you have problems he won't drop you and say its not my product. He will offer suggestions for you to check out and solve your problem. He has pulled my head out of you know where when I couldn't figure out what was wrong. And it's usually some simple,logical thing that frustration causes one to overlook. And yes this probably belongs in the reviews column, which I think it is, but it is a nice discussion with summer E's coming into play and 6 meters being available on more rigs now. Lots of new hams can explore this band and get a taste of radio without the "channelized" operation of FM so I encourage more articles on 6 meter operation to broaden the experience of all of the techs our hobby has now. 73, Rick.
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KG4RUL on July 16, 2005
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Does Charleston, SC to the Canary Islands or to Oregon count as DX!
BTW I have an M2 square 6M loop and one of the three ring 'saturn' halos along with an MFJ 3El on a Radioshack rotator. I have made both of the above DX contacts with the M2.
Dennis KG4RUL
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KD5VHZ on July 17, 2005
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James, welcome to Amateur Radio and 6 meters. In the coming years you will learn to love the "magic band" when it's open and curse it when it's dead.
I got on 6 meters in June of 2003 with 25 watts and a Par OA50. Before that summer E season was over I had well over 100 grids confirmed, a bunch of states, and quite a few Hams I count as friends.
The OA50 is a great little antenna (and I like the OA144 also). Are there better antennas? You bet there are but as your station grows to include towers, beams etc. that little loop will probably always have a place. Local rag chews, listening for openings or even snagging a QSO when your beam is pointing the wrong direction are all good reasons to keep the loop in the air.
Good luck and I hope to work you someday.
Doug KD5VHZ EM15
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K1DA on July 17, 2005
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I use an ARROW groundplane (great construction) on 6 fm and three elements of an old Cushcraft (for the moment) on SSB. With a 100 watt Kenwood commercial radio simplex coverage is as good or better than a higher gain 2 meter antenna set up at the same height same power. When 6 opens you find other guys on the same channel from "way out there". Good hint to switch to ssb but I have worked a good amount of dx on FM.
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by W6TH on July 17, 2005
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.
What I use are two dipoles placed 180 degrees and then fed 90 degrees out of phase at 80 feet above the earth.
Have worked many dx stations (out of the states) and mentioned I was the loudest signal on the band.
I don't see it as a magic band, but a band of much fun and skill.
.:
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KB1GMX on July 17, 2005
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To 'JGH
I for one am thrilled your enjoying your new antenna
and the 6m band.
Now for the hard side. While an omni like the Par is useful it is only an omni. It offers little if no gain and no directionality. While not being directional
can be quite handy for local stuff it can also be frustrating. It's size is also a handy thing. Openings on 6M can be big at times and very active and hearing the guy behind you when your trying to get the other guy on the same frequency from a differing direction are what beam antennas are all about. As to gain, even a stack of omnis cannot compete with a basic 3 element beam. So while you've wet for feet you will notice that sometimes a bit more gain is really needed for the weak ones just over the horizon. A selection of vertical, omni and directional gain antennas (even simple ones) can be a great assistance. After all gain and directionality can be helpful in hearing too.
I run low power here so a selection of antennas include
a vertical dipole, 4 element beam, and a EDZ wire. Each has it's value. The vertical is useful for local mobiles with whips and FM ops, The beam for the weak signal stuff and my wire for general listening. The wire is 24ft long (extended double Zepp, See Cebik.com
feeding the EDZ for a 2m version) so it has both gain and a open pattern (I call is a bug splat pattern). It's nulls are by luck and some planning is directions where limited if any action comes from. It's nearly omni characteristic is very useful for those I hear it but, where is it times. I also experiment with a variety of designs to see if there is a feature of a given design I can exploit rather than hoping for the be all end all antenna.
Good luck and keep experimenting.
Allison
KB1GMX {FN42hh listening southwest}
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by N2WEC on July 17, 2005
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K2WH, I seriously doubt that you worked all the Mid-West with 3 watts and a pullout whip....Considering the loss factor. I hope alldo well with the OA-50 I really like my KB6KQ loop for 6. I have heard good things about these antennas.
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K7VO on July 17, 2005
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First, welcome to 6m. With any luck there will be some good local activity (within 250 miles or so) you can work when the band is "dead".
A lot of people who posted pretty much got it right: the Par Electronics OA-50 is a good omni loop, but it does not have the gain of a better antenna. Ideally you will eventually want a beam and a rotor, probably in addition to your loop. The OA-50 will let you hear that the band is opening and in which direction. The beam will allow you to work more stations in the direction to which the band is open. The loop, as others have pointed out, is also great for local ragchews with hams in more than one direction.
If you aren't ready for a beam and a rotor but want more gain you could run two OmniAngles phased. It's still not a beam but you will get out better.
I am currently running a KU4AB square loop and I probably will move to two in phase soon. My QTH probably makes a beam somewhere between impractical and impossible if I want continued good relations with my neighbors. An omni loop, whether triangular like the Par, square like the KU4AB, or a true halo, is a decent compromise for people with limited space or antenna restrictions.
Again, I hope you continue to enjoy 6m and I do hope you'll give 2m SSB a try as well.
73,
Caity
K7VO/8
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KT4XF on July 17, 2005
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The Southeastern 6 Mtr Net meets Sundays at 8:00pm Est at 50.145 usb out of Atlanta, Ga. area.
de KT4XF.. .. .. 25W to 3el at 14ft.. .. .. .. .. ..
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by X-WB1AUW on July 18, 2005
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Glad to see you are having FUN James.
Some people may choose to get onto 6 meters with some other antenna. As others have mentioned, you might have more fun with a directional antenna.
One time, the retailing company I worked for added a new line of TV antennas. One weekend, I brought home their largest TV antenna, and replaced my old antenna. After I was finished, I turned onto UHF and was AMAZED to see a ton of stations vrs the few I received in Western Mass. I �logged� many of them and the beam headings.
The next morning, I was amazed to see only the normal UHF stations I was used to, none of the new additional stations. Later, I learned that night was just an absolutely amazing UHF duct. That certainly explained why I was receiving UHF stations from Long Island in Western Mass.
Since I didn�t get any new TV stations, I put the old TV antenna back up.
Hope you have fun with 2 meter SSB.
73
Bob
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WB2WIK on July 18, 2005
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>RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna Reply
by N6AJR on July 16, 2005 Mail this to a friend!
I do tend to disagree on your defination of DX, from northern California I have worked alaska, hawaii, mexico, guatemala and brazil on 6 meters. This is dx.
worked all states and worked all grid squares on 6 is cool, but I always call DX a foreign country. I have a friend who worked japan from CA on 6.. that is dx..<
::Sounds like you missed November, 2001 on six meters.
The weekend of 11/17-11/18/01, 50 MHz was "open" for about 48 hours, continuously, for *real* "DX" work. I started Saturday working the Czech Republic (from Los Angeles) and ended the day working several VKs, ZLs and the Philippines. During that weekend, I worked almost four log pages of JA's on six. Their darned QSLs are still coming in via the bureau.
But, that sure doesn't happen all the time, does it? "Magic band," indeed. No magic when the MUF is 60 MHz, as it was most of that week. It'll sure be nice when it happens again, some day.
WB2WIK/6
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by W8KQE on July 18, 2005
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The PAR 'Omniangle' (or any other compact 'loop' or folded dipole) is an excellent way to go 6m mobile, or for a way to get on the band quickly from a portable or base station location. I've had a single one up on the roof for a few years, and have worked 276 grids, which include 31 DX countries and all 48 'lower' states on both CW/SSB mixed, running only 100 watts max. Many of those were via 'Aurora'. I may try stacking 2 soon for some extra gain. When I can figure out how to get some extra room up there, i'll put up at least a 3 element beam or a more compact Moxon for directionality, but for now, i've been having a blast with the PAR since it works exceedingly well. It is a great, simple antenna for the casual 6m user, and will whet your appetite for more of 'the magic band' that so many rigs now have included!
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K2WH on July 18, 2005
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
Reply by N2WEC on July 17, 2005
"K2WH, I seriously doubt that you worked all the Mid-West with 3 watts and a pullout whip....Considering the loss factor. I hope alldo well with the OA-50 I really like my KB6KQ loop for 6. I have heard good things about these antennas."
I have the QSL cards to prove it, all the states east of the Missipppi. Worked St. Louis Mo. from NJ with 3 watts on SSB with an ICOM 202, 2 meter tranceiver using internal "D" batteries and the pull out whip. This was way back in the 70's. During that same opening, I worked ND, SD, all the way to down to Texas with 5/9 + signals. I have worked the entire east coast with 3 watts also from Florida to Maine with the same rig. Even made mention of my famous contact into Virginia in QST while standing on the street with the 202 and pull out whip. The How DX section.
So, an inefficient antenna can seem to be a very good performer when 6 and 2 meters open. It can be done.
K2WH
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by W2EV on July 19, 2005
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Dale's Omniangle is an excellent product. His level of attention to detail and product quality are difficult to match. That alone sets his product apart from others.
Because I'm cheap <g>, I chose to use 4x KU4AB's (found on e-Bay) on 6 meters (using PAR phasing harnesses, btw), and 8x KU4AB's on 2 meters successfully...on a 40' tower (soon to be 50 foot tower, with any fortune). How does such a combination play? Take a look for yourself.
Look for the section titled "W2EV Specific Stuff" at:
http://w2ev.rochesterny.org/ You'll see what I worked in the June 2005 VHF QSO Party as well as the tropo conditions at the time. You may decide to what degree conditions applied to the success.
Ev, W2EV
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WA1RNE on July 19, 2005
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First and foremost, I'm glad to see there is enthusiasm for getting on 6 meters.
But why there isn't similar enthusiasm for building antennas for this band absolutely escapes me. The "easy way out" is fun, it's convenient for those with deep pockets and it certainly gets the job done, but it's not NEARLY as satisfying as several homebrew alternatives - not to mention the learning experience and the satisfaction of pulling it off yourself.
The OA-50 reminds me of my first quick and dirty 6 meter set up back in 1975. A Layfayette HE-45 AM rig and a Halo nailed to the side of a tree up 25 feet. Not 2 months past and I was converting an old TV antenna into a 3 element yagi and installed over my tribander.
Similar to the OA-50, I worked all over the country with 10-15 watts and an omni, but........
.....if everyone thinks the OA-50 is the next best thing to sliced bread, you have to wonder how a 2 element Quad (or a yagi) with 3-5 dB of gain will be perceived - especially when the price tag comes in at less than $25 ??
WA!RNE
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K7VO on July 19, 2005
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Onme of my HF antennas (out of two) is homebrew. However, some of us who work demanding jobs and have other demands on our time simply don't have time to homebrew at the moment. Under $100 isn't only for the "deep pockets" crowd. I bought three KU4AB loops from Phil at Dayton (1 ea. 6m, 2m, and 70cm) for $100, a Dayton-only deal. Personally I get more satisfaction from getting on the air for the brief periods of time I can rather than waiting for time to homebrew.
Back to work...
73,
Caity
K7VO/8
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WA6BFH on July 20, 2005
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As many here have said, when 6 Meters is open, just about anything will work! That almost seems discouraging to me. A friend of mine once worked North Carolina from Southern California with this little SSB walkie-talkie that was about the size of a pack of cigarettes, had a 3 foot long whip, and put out 1/10th of one Watt.
What someone else said is more important though, you must listen and assess conditions all the time. Different propagation methods will allow 6 Meters to work all year long. You just need to be there for those times. In that regard your radios should pretty much never be turned off. Even when I am about the house doing other things, the radios are always on monitoring, and I will as convenient call out a QRL and CQ. You can also monitor 28.885 MHz for updates, and follow the MUF near 48 MHz.
My point is that if we know Mother Nature is very much on our side when she wants to be, our job is to investigate when and why this happens. For simple omni-directional unity gain antennas, a vertical quarter-wave, half-wave, or some other electrical design vertical antenna offers a low angle of radiation as well as efficiency. It must however be up at a minimum height of at least 30 feet. Beyond this some form of horizontal antenna can also be employed. For those that love to nit-pick this point rather than be scientific and test it, if you think that you may loose-out by being at the wrong polarization, at the wrong point in time -- build a simple NE555 timer to switch between the two signal polarizations as you monitor.
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by W8KQE on July 20, 2005
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A good tip for 'catching' openings on 6 meters without physically being next to your rig is to use a pair of baby monitors! While tuned to the calling frequency 50.125 MHz, place one baby monitor next to your speaker, and carry the other one with you about the house. I have caught many excellent openings this way while in my garage, outside gardening or reading the paper on my patio, doing laundry, etc.
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by K7VO on July 20, 2005
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> For simple omni-directional unity gain antennas, a
> vertical quarter-wave, half-wave, or some other
> electrical design vertical antenna offers a low angle
> of radiation as well as efficiency. It must however be
> up at a minimum height of at least 30 feet. Beyond this
> some form of horizontal antenna can also be employed.
> For those that love to nit-pick this point rather than
> be scientific and test it, if you think that you may
> loose-out by being at the wrong polarization, at the
> wrong point in time -- build a simple NE555 timer to
> switch between the two signal polarizations as you
> monitor.
GAAAH!!!! I AM NOT NITPICKING! I have a loop. I have a vertical. My HAAT is roughly 539'. What part of this do you not understand? I have an A/B switch. At my old QTH I had the SAME vertical and a 3 el. beam, both up MORE THAN 30 ft.
Most SSB/CW operators are horizontally polarized. The polarization loss means that you simply do NOT hear stations <400 miles out or so on the vertical about 95% of the time and the rest of the time they are way down compared to the loop. Unless you get the vast majority of 6m ops to change antennas to satisfy your religious crusade for vertical antennas that is not going to change.
An A/B switch, identical feedline and connectors, and the same transceiver. You can't get a more scientific comparison than that.
For ionospheric propogation, whether we are talking about sporadic E or F-layer propogation at the peak of the cycle, polarization becomes irrelevant. Sometimes your vertical will work better, sometimes a horizontal antenna will work better, hence my A/B switch. Under so-called "dead" band conditions polarization does matter.
Oh, and I think you mean to say "lose out" rather than "loose out". Your English is sloppy and so is your science. Of course, you know better than every book published by the ARRL, RSGB, and many experienced hams. You repeat yourself so often on eHam that you must be right no matter what anyone else says. Isn't that so?
-Caitlyn
K7VO/8
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by KC2NHB on July 25, 2005
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Had mine for 6 months. Works great, so does the 2 meter version. Easy to assemble and tune.
Next I'll try his end feed antennas.
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RE: Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by WB5ITT on July 31, 2005
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Quoting K2WH:
This antenna is a curved dipole. There is no majic here and it is not as efficient as a real straight dipole.
I am not sure how much this antenna costs, but a better antenna is the "Turnstile". This is a double dipole crossed at 90 degrees and fed directly with coax and a coax matching section. It is omni-directional and easily will take a kilowatt.
--------------------------------------------------
It is not a curved dipole....
1) The Omni angle is slightly longer than a dipole..
2) It is an isosceles triangle and its pattern is is circular within 0.5db
3) A dipole is directional...nulls off the end are 20db or more
4) The turnstile as normally built is not circular...and gets worse when operated off resonance...take a look at the articles on W4RNL's web site...(www.cebik.com). The facts speak for themselves...A Omniangle is a great antenna BUT I have one issue with it...For permanent installs, it is a bit flimsy...true it was designed to be torn down and moved easily for rovers...but I think the element connections and the design could be improved for fixed sites (like mine :)
The black box is a 2:1 balun it would seem as the dipole Z is closer to 100ohms with it being longer..I checked the box on an analyzer with a 50ohm load on the feed side and it showed close to 100ohms...but I want to investigate a little more...that HAS to be 60 or more % of the price of the OA- series...there is not $50+ of metal in them..
DO they work?? Oh YEAH!! as good as a 5 el yagi? NO...but for omni coverage, I have a stacked set going to 100ft on a remote base...at 20ft above gnd (bottom ant), it works real good even when the band is NOT open.
Chris
WB5ITT
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by N2SLO on July 31, 2005
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When the band is open, you need little in the way of equipment to make contacts. I run a 2 element Quad up around 30 feet, with an Icom 746. I may not always be the strongest station, but I always receive 5-9 comments and great signal/audio. I suspect I may be missing out on many weaker stations/grids, since I can't hear them. Also, the omni does help when you are pointed in another direction. For stations that need an inexpensive way to get onto 6M, the OA-50 is a cheap solution, and should provide many contacts/grids.....
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Omniangle OA-50 6 Meter Antenna
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by N2SLO on July 31, 2005
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When the band is open, you need little in the way of equipment to make contacts. I run a 2 element Quad up around 30 feet, with an Icom 746. I may not always be the strongest station, but I always receive 5-9 comments and great signal/audio. I suspect I may be missing out on many weaker stations/grids, since I can't hear them. Also, the omni does help when you are pointed in another direction. For stations that need an inexpensive way to get onto 6M, the OA-50 is a cheap solution, and should provide many contacts/grids.....
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