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You can
write your own review of the Antennas & More G5RV Multi-Band Dipole.
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VE6KK
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 29, 2010 18:58
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Great for portable and NVIS
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I don't know how many times this antenna has been up and down. At 102ft it fits nicely between 2 trees at my cabin. And even if sagged down to only 20 ft. or so at the center it is fine with my 20w to check the local nets, ragchew, etc.
I just close the window (mostly) on the twinlead and straight into the tuner's coax input, no balun. The A&M G5RV and MGJ993 autotuner is a great combination. When I take it down I have a cheap plastic cord reel about 10 in. in diameter - the flex wire is very easy to coil up in about 5 minutes. Once the Scouts got it tangled in the portable crankup and ripped out a wire, but solder and hot glue - back in business.
A lot of people knock the so called G5RV, but remember this is really just a 102 ft. doublet, the length chosen so it almost matches on some bands without a tuner.
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KK4CV
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 2, 2010 18:58
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Best G5RV for the $$$
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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This antenna is 5 yrs old, with "NO" problems.
Have tried several G5's and they did not last over 2 yr's and cost much more. A tuner is a must, but tunes easy. Easy to install, will not kink. Don't let the low price fool you. Order one
and try for yourself.
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EI4GMB
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2010 15:29
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DXCC with half G5RV !!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The half size G5RV(51ft)(10m,20m,40m) was the first antenna I purchased as a Radio Amateur. I installed it 35ft above the ground and sloping northwards in an east-west configuration. At sunspot minimum and using just 100W, I reached DXCC with contacts on 5 out of 6 continents!!! It is a truly remarkable antenna. I have since bought a Carolina Windom at 3 times the price and in many instances the 1/2 G5RV is better. So much so that I find myself constantly switching back to it. It is indeed a superb limited space antenna and even outperformed a vertical that I eventually took down. If you buy this antenna you will not be disappointed. It will definitely exceed your expectations!!!
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K4IQT
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 10, 2010 13:09
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Works like a G5RV should
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've installed this as a sort of stealth antenna, and it works exactly as a full-sized G5RV antenna should even though it is installed as a sloper. The hardware is lightweight but durable, and it does the job both visually and at radio frequencies. Anybody that can't make it work needs to add a coaxial choke at the feedpoint or get the antenna off the ground.
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N3TU
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 1, 2010 00:37
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I had mine since '92.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had mine since 1992 and just replaced it last year. It was time to get a new one. It had a good run and I worked the world on it on 100 watts. It's a great antenna for me especially with antenna restrictions. I also have an inverted L antenna which works great but when there is a lot of noise, I switch to the G5RV to receive and sometimes transmit too. The G5RV has survived a lot of heavy wind gusts and even hurricane Floyd way back. I have another G5RV in a bag ready to use when I have to go out on the field during an emergency.
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WB9JOX
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 17, 2010 08:27
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great performer-204'ft
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I installed antenna Sept of 2009.Since then antenna has performed beyond my expections.Antennas & More did great job making up antenna.Good luck and have fun.
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K9DXL
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2009 16:36
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A sturdy G5RV
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My G5RV from Antennas & More is going into its third winter here just one mile from Lake Superior. It has handled wind, snow, and ice without any problems. As for performance, it has exceeded my expectations. My antenna is just 35' up at the center, with the ends sloping down to about 15'. I've worked my share of DX with it, including the Clipperton, Swan Islands, and Desecheo DXpeditions. (Sometimes barefoot, sometimes 500 W. out.) 20 meter performance is good, as expected from a G5RV, but I've had good results working 75 - 15 meters. (Nothing on 10 so far.)
The only "improvement" I would suggest is an eye or hook for hanging it inverted "V" style. I resolved this small problem by making a sling for the center insulator out of heavy duty, UV resistant cable ties.
Like all G5RV antennas, a tuner is needed. I use an MFJ-986 Differential T with roller inductor. The antenna tunes up sweetly and repeatedly at the same settings every time. I have no experience with the tuners built into various rigs.
I don't really need a stealth installation, but this antenna just disappears into the trees where it hangs.
What else can I say? It works well and has survived less than gentle weather. The Antennas & More G5RV is a great value!
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WM3M
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 28, 2009 09:21
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Works Great, gets out well..
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I bought the G5RV full size, 132 ft, I installed it as an inverted V, with the center in a tree at about 50 ft., fed it with about 100 ft of 75 ohm, RG6. It worked great, needed a tuner, I used my LDG AT200. I worked 20 mtrs pretty much around the world, noise levels were much lower. First time I used it I heard a station in Moscow calling CQ and worked him with no problems. Great antenna, made well and it pretty much disappeared, very hard to see it once its up. It is light, easy to put up almost anywhere. Unfortunately it got hit by lightning, blew it apart in the center. I salvaged what I could and decided to try and make a G5RV jr out of what was left. I sent an email to Antennas and More asking for the dimensions of a G5RV jr, he called me that night and said to send it back and he would repair or replace it for free, even though it was in no way his fault, I was truly surprised and grateful. Emory WM3M in MD.
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WB2REI
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Rating: 3/5
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Jul 14, 2009 08:25
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So So Experience
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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First, the antenna puts out a respectable signal on 80-6 meters. However, during the first decent wind, the connection to the Pl-259 failed. Lack of strain relief in the basic design. I emailed the company for support and received zero response. I think I am going to fill the connector with epoxy when I put it back together. You may want to do the same before you put yours up too. Other than that a nice multiband wire alternative.
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KW4DP
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 11, 2009 16:34
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Great well constructed antenna
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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My first G5RV antenna I bought at the Dayton Hamvention 2000. I bought it from Antennas West (now Antennas More) and it has been a very good and dependable antenna. I have it up 45 ft and is supported on the ends by trees. A tall pine in the back and an oak tree in the front of the house. I begin in Ham Radio in 1968 and before the time I purchased the G5RV I had always used regular dipoles for 80 and 40 and a tri-band beam. I use the G5RV only on 80 and 40 as I have a hybrid mini-quad on the rest of the HF bands. This G5RV has performed great for me and I always keep an extra on hand. I am on my 2nd one, I gave the first to a friend to use.
I have read lots of articles about antennas and I hear people talk about the G5RV antenna being a compromised antenna. So I have been trying to determine why it is a compromise and have not really found it so. My next antenna project is to put up a full sized 80 meter dipole and compare it to the G5RV and see if I or anyone can tell the difference.
During the last 4 years I have seen many antennas that were touted to out perform the G5RV and when they say that I have to check them out. I have compared the following antennas against my G5RV using an A/B switch with both antennas oriented in the same directions and same height. My G5RV is the 102’ version from Antennas More with 30’ drop twin lead to a balum fed with RG-8X.
1. Radio Works Carolina Windom I had read their ads which says that it out performs the G5RV. Well I can tell you there was no difference in received or transmitted signal strength. There was a great deal of difference in the amount of noise on the Carolina Windom so much that signals that were not in the clear on it I switched to the G5RV and behold a nice clear signal with a little better s meter reading. So after I was satisfied that the G5RV worked better than that one. The Carolina Windom came down and I sold it.
2. The Mystery Antenna it also touted to be similar to the G5RV but better. So I built one and put it up same orientation and height to do comparisons. My findings were that it was a little better than the Carolina Windom but still not quite as good as the G5RV. So after a short time of comparisons down it came and it was stored away.
3. This time I ordered the Ultra Lite Cobra all band antenna which is supposed to cover 160-6 meters. So up with the Cobra for comparison. I could tell right away from the receive signal strengths between the G5RV and Cobra that the Cobra wasn’t going to cut it. Wanted to try so I did. Tried on 80/40 meters and signal strength was less than the G5RV. Decided to try it on 160 and my LDG AT-1000 antenna tuner would not bring it to a usable VSWR so I played with it a few days and down it came. My remaining antenna and winner over all the others “Antennas More” 102’ G5RV made from anti-kink insulated wire and TV type twinlead. This is a very durable antenna and a great performer. Haven’t found anything in the multi-band antennas that will beat it. The ˝ wave dipole for 80 meters will be the next I compare it will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable difference.
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