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write your own review of the Sandpiper MV10.
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G4GCI
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 27, 2010 02:46
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Excellent soltion to urban antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had an MV10 (160-6m) for over 10 years. When I moved to a QTH with an 80ft garden I had worries about planning permission for masts and antennas etc. Also should I go for a wire antenna which would have to fit into that space? However I chose a short vertical the Sandpiper MV10. The principle is very sound. Although only 13ft 6in in height, it has a lower section (common to all bands) of about 6ft, but then it has an inductively loaded section for each band (except 6m), consisting of a loading coil and whip attached to a collar at the top of the lower section (and on 160m it fixes in the top). So unlike most short verticals that have the loading coil at the base (and therefore lose efficiency) the MV10 is effectively a mid or top loaded vertical, which maximises the power radiated from the short base section. I cut a radial for each band, doubling up on some bands by using 450 ohm ladder line (each wire cut for one band). On 80 and 40m I used a single radial (about 65ft) with a 40m trap. I mounted the antenna on a 17ft aluminium pole bolted to the side of the house, that swivelled down on a large bolt. I used the mast and a long buried earth wire as the radial for 160m. Although mounted at roof height the MV10, although it has all those spiky bits sticking out, could pass off for a fancy VHF FM antenna. No-one complained about it! With 100W I have found the antenna to give excellent results for a compact antenna. I have tried Windoms, magnetic loops, etc. but this has probably been the best compact antenna I've had so far. To my amazement I was even able to work into W3 on top band CW, of course when conditions were very good. Again when conditions were good I have worked as far as Japan on 80m CW. On 40m into the US on SSB, and as far as VK on CW on rare occasions. On the other bands from 20m to 10m the antenna is getting nearer to full size, so gives a good account of itself with DX, especially since it is mounted well above the ground - VK/ZL no problems when the bands are up. I didn't really try 6m as I didn't have this band for a long time and the VSWR was about 3:1 when I tried it later - I would have to adjust the whole antenna over again to get it to work properly on that band. Because the antenna is so compact it is easy to mount it high above the surroundings, and instead of using wire for a dipole, use it for radials instead. The bandwidth is very narrow on the lower bands, but with careful adjustment you can get it to where you want it. I found the tuning varied a little on 40m in wet weather (probably because of the trap). How to tune it - well it is a little fiddly and requires patience. On reflection you should adjust the base section for 6m first at ground level. Then you adjust the length of the whips for each band. Then raise the antenna to full height and note the tuning range using a bridge or VSWR on each band. Take the antenna down and adjust the whips accordingly again (ie. if the antenna is tuned too low on a particular band, decrease the whip length for that band). This needs alot of patience, but it does work. Like any antenna you need to maintain it, by taking it down every year and cleaning it, checking for damage and making any re-adjustments. Highly recommended for limited space, but mount it high. I think I would have got better results if I had cleared my roof level completely, but I didn't want it to be too conspicuous. I have moved QTH and was tempted by the V series which is similar in principle, but taller (and should give better results), however I have some tall trees so a wire antenna may be better here.
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MM0XDG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2010 15:09
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Impressed
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I'm a month or so into my Sandpiper experience and decided it was time to submit a first review for this antenna. I recently moved to this QTH (small garden, lots of restrictions.....you know the sort of scenario) from a QTH where I had acres of space, a Cobwebb up at 60 feet and a Double G5RV in the trees at 60 feet. In antenna terms, moving here really clipped my wings! When I moved here, I 'sneaked' the Cobwebb up at 30 feet, but the planners pushed a note through my door within a week. Down it came and I knew that I'd have to find a decent compromise. Hours of internet research and lots of word of mouth reccomendations later, I decided on the Sandpiper and ordered an MV6. It arrived a couple of days later and I assembled it and put it up after Christmas.
I have mine mounted 18 inches above the ground in one corner of the garden, with 32 radials (about 600 feet of wire)and bonded to a 4 foot long copper rod driven right into the ground. It was a breeze to tune all the bands with the MFJ 259 analyser and the thing went up without a hitch. I have SWR less than 1.2 to 1 across most of 20m, 15, and 10m . I have flat SWR on 40m and 80m but it does need a tuner to operate here because the bandwith is very narrow. One tiny twitch on the MFJ259 saw the SWR here rise into the red. But, hey, the antenna is so small on these bands that that's to be expected and an auto tuner will sort that out anyway.
I only run 100 watts maximum on all bands (so that I don't set my near neighbours' pacemakers racing!) and, on 20m, this antenna is very good indeed. I have been able to work into the USA and Canada without any bother. I've also worked right across Europe and European Russia on 20m QRP (using 5 watts). 15m and 10m have been quiet up here in Bonny Scotland recently so there's not really been much about to work. 40m is good, but I don't get the 59 reports on 40m that I get on 20m. I've worked inter-G on 80m and the antenna also hears pretty well on 160m, although I've not tried tuning up and transmitting there yet.
If, like me, you're restricted for space and, if you have nosey neighbours who like to grass people up to the local council, you'll not go far wrong with this one. Sandpiper's pricing structure is very reasonable, too, so if it's 'best bang for your buck' that you're after, I'd recommend this one without reservation.
73s de MM0XDG
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G4ICB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 19, 2009 15:25
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Very impressed
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I bought my MV10 after reading the reviews on eham. It arrived well packed and the quality of materials and construction looked very good. Construction took some time to work out, the instruction sheets are somewhat vague, but with a bit of working out it all came together. I decided to ground mount it.
Results,well I was soon hearing and working stations I had never been able to before.
You do need a good ground system, I laid down about 140 sq ft of chicken wire and 30 radials of various lengths and buried the lot,it makes all the difference,you can't change the laws of physics I don't have a big garden but managed to fit it all in somehow An antenna analiser is also usefull for setting up the coils and rods.
I have worked a lot of DX since installing this antenna and am very pleased with the results.
Sandpiper do not make any fantastic claims for their products as some antenna manufacturers do
I have read what some of the gripes that others have written in their reviews, but I havn't experienced any problems,
If like me you don't have alot of space {and money) this antenna is ideal.
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G1HQK
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Rating: 3/5
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Nov 14, 2009 20:10
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Sandpiper MV5+3
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought mine with great expectations having read the reviews on the site. Very quick delivery from the guys at Sandpiper, had the antenna made and used in about 10 minutes.
From the start I was never very impressed with the build quality, the collar was not drilled properly, however a replacement was sent next day so fair play. I could not get the radials tuned anywhere near good enough to use without the auto atu, the main body of the antenna was very thin aluminium and the screw fittings holding the adjustable radials were loose.
Used it a couple of times /P and got some reasonable results but this was to be my main shack antenna and I did not feel confident that it would survive the east coast winds.
Sold it and have replaced it with a Diamond CP6 which is bigger and much more substantial in build quality, I guess you get what you pay for, disappointed.
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EC3TS
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Rating: 3/5
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Oct 7, 2009 06:51
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MV6+3, rare antenna!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I have an G5RV not in the best conditions to work due to the limited space. I bougth the MV as my first vertical Hf antenna. At the beggining I can't work with it so good. I've changed the position, adjust the radials, counterpoise... but it works when it wants.... The strong signals are good received and are noiseless than the wire dipole. Extreme narrow! It seems to me that the V range should be better.
The instructions are very poor and outside UK it's difficuls to buy it. I've had to send some emails to WiMo to clarify the ring position and some else.
But it works!
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G0AYD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 29, 2009 23:46
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fantastic antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Having searched for an antenna that would cover from 6 to 30 mtrs came across the sandpiper range,i read all the reviews and decided to buy the mv5 so ordered said antenna 24 hours later delivered to my qth..
first impression were Wow what a nicely constructed antenna,the instructions were simple to follow and 30 mins later was listening to hf,will conclude more tests as days progress.
great service great antenna ...
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G0KYX
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 11, 2009 14:55
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G0KYX..Looks good...easy to build
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Actually have the MV6+3. Quick delivery; easy to build..although instructions are brief, they are more than adequate. I set the radials roughly, and have very low SWR on 15 and 20, but can tune the others with IC-703 atu. However, SINCE I CAN ONLY LOFT MOUNT, so far it is somewhat deaf and just dosn't get out well. Even with 10watts on 20m. PSK31, my signal has not been strong enough to complete a QSO, so QRP might be a thing of the past! Chris at Sandpiper tells me to retune all the other radials, and I shall do so to see what improvement that makes when I don't have to use the atu. If this works, I will add a review. Does anyone else use it in a loft?
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2E0JKD
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 31, 2008 03:50
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DEFIES THE CRITICS!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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ordered the MV10 off mark c/o SANDPIPER AERIALS at 14:30/aeriel was delivered 10.00 next day.was well wrapped.inspected the said antenna and read the limited instructions.drawings fairly helpful but it really does,nt require"EINSTEIN"to assemble the antenna.quality is well made out of alumnium.rubber wrapped inductors.mounted 18" above the gnd.followed the dimensions given and all SWR readings about 1:8...160 way out as is 12 mtrs.fiddled about with the radials in /out/in/out and got resonance to where i want the antenna radiating at the CW portions of the bands..10 of them 160/6 ! !..all now in resonance.160 far far too long so reduced that by 60cms.now ok on 1.845. 12 mtrs still got to sort out.worked for first time ever on top european stations .basically if i can hear them i normally can work them....only snag i found was the securing clamp for the whip was not closing and holding the allY tube..this is a minor glitch but will be asking mark to replace at SANDPIPER AERIALS..all in all a very satisfactory low profile ergonomically pleaseing workable antenna .
no EMC/RFI/TVI problems but i do have 20 feet chicken wire and 5 gnd radials so a very substantial earthing/ground system and an rf choke coax wound 21 feet!..low angle radiation works great for DX.heard 2 americans on 80mtrs 59.pile up and early morning so didnt want to wake the wife as she was sleeping but next time !!florida and south carolina.30 and 80 best bands but the noise floor is no where near as horrendous as it was on my INVERTED " L ".
very very pleased with the design/low profile/build quality/after sales service/and friendliness of SANDPIPER AERIALS.. well done CHRIS AND MARK!..would i buy another 1? if i needed to i would..but as this is well built i don,t think i will have to YET !....all in all a very happy customer..i have no commercial interest in SANDPIPER AERIALS by the way. just a ham giving his own experience of this MV10 to help other hams in deciding...thank you ..2e0jkd .
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G1MSD
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 25, 2008 00:23
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very good
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I work in a difficult area for antennas in a hut which has roads all round ,which as lorries on the move all the time,so I needed a antenna which I could put up easy and take down easy I tried all different antennas and at last I tried a sandpiper, 6.20,40,80 meter bands put up just outside the hut it only takes about 5 mins to put up. On the air 20 was tried first swr 1to1 tunining had about two hours on the air and worked in to 19 diffrent countries. The antenna is very well made and very easy to use the intructions that come with the antenna are not very good but you can soon see where they all fit, after a week I then tried the other 3 bands and the swr was also below 1-2 the rig I was useing was a IC7000,if you need a easy antenna to move around with this is the one. I am now going to get the other bands to add to the antenna to make it full HF, this antenna was used at about 800 ft above sea level,on the moor where I work I do not think i would get the same results at home which is about 200ft asl, that I will have to try some day and let you know in the next forum
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M0EUK
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 10, 2007 14:43
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Extremely impressive!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Well, in common with several of the other reviewers of this tiny compact vertical, I have to say that I am so far very impressed. I have the MV6+3 version (all bands 80m - 6m). Construction appears solid, and although the assembly instructions were very limited, there was really very little that could go wrong - very simple to assemble in 5 minutes or so.
I have the aerial mounted at the suggested 18 inches above ground level, with 4 x quarter wave radials for each band buried beneath the garden beneath it. Tuning was extremely simple with the aid of an MFJ-269 antenna analyser. All bands tuned to < 1.7:1 SWR, most down to pretty much 1:1. As someone else noted, bandwidth on 80 and 40 is narrow, however these bands are certainly very usable across a wider range with the aid of the auto ATU in my TS870.
Performance-wise, the aerial is so far performing really well, considering how small it is. There's been no serious DX to speak of so far, however there's no shortage of contacts to all sides of Europe, and well into North America and North Africa.
In summary, whilst it ain't no king-size beam, for the low cost, and the size, this aerial is well worth a look if you need something compact, (about 12ft high in total). Highly recommended.
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