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| Reviews Summary for Ventenna HFp portable vertical antenna |
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Reviews: 16
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $193.45
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Description: This is a portable vertical antenna intended for use with the new small, portable HF radios. It consists of 6 18" sections that you screw together to match the frequency you are on. All stores in a heavy-duty nylon bag. Only weighs 2 pounds.
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More info: http://www.ventenna.com
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write your own review of the Ventenna HFp portable vertical antenna.
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AB0XE
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 4, 2005 03:23
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compact
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had this antenna for about one year,
It fits easily in my duffle bag . I mainly
use it when I go camping. I use it with my FT817
It does need to be guyed, it does not stand
very well on its own. My best contact on it
was when I was camping in Arkansa and contacting Washington state on 20 meters .
The price was good too.
Good idead, good product
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EA5FY
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Rating: 5/5
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May 18, 2004 03:46
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Fine antenna with better service
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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In February I just bought an FT817 and an HFp at HRO Anaheim (great people, really very helpful and extremely kind). I just had some doubts on the HFp when still there and called John from Ventenna to his toll free number and got his answer the day after. He even told me that he had an upgrade of his antenna he was going to send to me for free to my home address in Spain. Last week I got the spare parts. I have new antenna elements and can still use the old ones.
The antenna works great, is easy to set up and has a very good preformance. With 5W coming out of my FT817 I can easily work all Europe with good signals. You really cannot have more for less.
If you want the best performing portable antenna, this one has the best compromise, from my point of view.
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N1OLO
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 24, 2003 10:06
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Excellent Portable Antenna
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have been using the HFp since the antenna was in Beta testing. I was pleased with all of the improvements that Mark has made to increase its ease of use.
The antenna itself collapses down into one easy to carry bag. I carry it attached to the side of a backpack (collapsed).
I have used it on a 10m SSB contacts and made 15 DX contacts with 5 watts.
Recently, I used it during a demo of digital communications at Ham Radio University at LIMARC in Long Island. I made many contacts running PSK31, RTTY and SSTV running btwn 25 and 75 watts.
The laminated instruction card made set up very easy and the SWR has always been right on.
My only complaint is the outer rings on the plastic spools that hold the radial wires are easy to misplace. I painted mine orange.
In summary, anyone who is serious about operating portable will be very satisfied with this easy to set up performer.
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WA0RJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jan 3, 2003 00:49
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Very Good Antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The HFp is a great portable vertical antenna. It is very compact when disasembled and light. Easy to carry in the supplied bag. Assembly is straight forward and instructions easy to follow.
It works as advertised. If you understand the characteristics of vertical antennas you will be satisfied. With certain soil or surface conditions you may want to add additional radial wires for efficient performance. This is easy to do.
I'm still testing mine and will use it extensively this summer in some HF portable trials under various conditions. So far, so good.
Changing bands requires rearanging the sections and adjusting the whip, but is not difficult and becomes easy with a little practice. Antenna sections are well built. Joints are light and must by guyed or could break. This is a light weight portable so this is normal.
Ventenna is adding an 80 meter coil and a kit to make it portable dipole. Also, a back pack bracket is available.
My only beef is the machining of the aluminum base legs. Mine had quite a few burs which needed to be removed with a file. Unlike the photo on the Ventenna web site, my legs where rounded instead of squared ends. This is not a problem except the rounding is uneven and looks like it was done freehand. Looks amateurish. Could look better for the price tag. This does not effect the function. The antenna works very well.
I recommend this antenna over the other portable verticals on the market.
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WT1L
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 3, 2002 17:18
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Portable antenna that performs like a base
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this antenna as a temporary base for my antenna-restricted apartment. Even with a less-than-ideal balcony mounting and limited space for the radials, the antenna performed very well - better than I expected. It hears and gets out MUCH better than my MP-1. As a portable antenna, it hits the mark spot on - light weight, easy setup, infinite tuning range on HF (with a little tinkering with the setup), and all hardware included. As a base antenna, it can only be temporarily mounted due to the mechanically small joints, any strong wind would probably snap it (without the included guys). You can use it unguyed on 20 and up (with no wind). 40 and below requires guys to keep it straight. Of course, for the intended portable use this is not a problem, all hardware is included to guy it including rope and stakes. SO - If you're thinking of using it for a base antenna, you'll be happy with the performance, but be aware that you'll probably need to take it down when not in use because of the strength/weather issues. For me this is not a problem because I can't leave anything permanent up anyway.
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KC2KJU
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 1, 2002 15:59
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Very practical
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have a variety of HF equipment, ranging from 0.5 to 100 watts, but everything is quite portable (IC-706, FT-817, a number of small QRP rigs). I was looking for a light portable antenna with great versatility and without the need to throw up wires.
The HFp is that antenna. It packs very small, is light and easily adaptable for all bands from 80 (with extra loading coil) to 10 meters. It is self-supporting, everything is included (guy lines, feet, 3 counterpoises). It tunes well and easy, using a telescoping whip.
The reason why I like the HFp so much has of course to do with my operating style. I normally know when to use which band and set it up according to that. You cannot change bands just as fast as with, say, an MP-1, but you can do it in a minute and get great performance.
The HFp handles QRO and QRP well and is suitable for serious portable DX work. When set up in an open space, it performs very nicely. I didn't have trouble being heard with my 817 by almost everyone. Travelling with the antenna is very nice.
Chris KC2KJU / DL7HCK
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