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| Reviews Summary for ZeroFive Antennas Multiband Vertical |
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Reviews: 74
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Average rating: 4.9/5
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MSRP: $469.00
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Description: A Multiband vertical for 10 to 160m,41 foot tall feed with your coax or ladder line,For use with a tuner,Made from 6063 t832 AL tubing,Requires radials,5kw cw,10kw ssb pwr handling,Freestanding,Comes with base insulator and tube.
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More info: http://www.zerofive-antennas.com
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write your own review of the ZeroFive Antennas Multiband Vertical.
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VA3GVS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2008 21:44
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Sorry Tower Talk nay-sayers but this Vertical Rocks
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I've delayed writing review until making several mods to system that changed my opinion about this antenna. Antenna was installed as per instructions with 60 buried 50 ft radials. My initial impressions would have me giving it a review of 3.0/5. After several emails and calls to Tom N9ZV (great guy and as accommadating as everyone has said), his resulting recommendations drastically improved antenna performance on all lower bands from 20 to 160 meters (this antenna is designated primarily to augment my existing 3el SteppIR to also allow me coverage on 80 and 160 meters on a small antenna restricted lot). It's small footprint and attractive flagpole appearance would fit these requirements if it performed as advertised (my XYL even likes it). WELL NOW I CAN SAY THAT IT DOES.
1st MOD= The addition of a 60ft #14 insulated str. wire (running 30 ft from each side of antenna with 2" of insulation removed from center of wire). This wire is then clamped to antenna, 15 ft up from base, and loosly strung in a slight upward vee to any 2 supports, 30 plus ft away, in a straight line to antenna. This mod has greatly improved both bandwidth and performance on 80 and 160 meters at the expence of slight decrease in performance from 17 meters on up.
2nd MOD= Other recommendation was to convert the AS-200-T from a Balun to an Unun. This mod has given me a 5 S unit increase on 80 and 160. (Jay from Array Solutions or Tom from ZeroFive can give you balun to unun conversion details thru PDF.
Many very knowledgable eham Tower Talk and Elmer contributers have knocked the 43 ft Vertical antenna concept. It doesn't fit into their computer moduling programs so if the program says it can't work efficiently than it must be all smoke and mirrors. Well I've used many types of antennas from long wires to beams and though no one claims that it will rival a beam, the smoke and mirrors that this ZeroFive antenna puts out seems to fool all the numerous local and DX contacts I make. 20 over 9 signal reports with nearly every contact made recently from 20 thru 160 meters.
Not sure how it rated all 5/5 reviews up to this point without these mods but for me, it now certainly does what I intended it for and I'll highly recommend it (smoke and mirrors included).
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N9CC
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 14, 2008 16:37
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Awsome 66ft Low Band Vertical
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just added the new 66 foot Vertical from Zerofive antennas to my station. I use this vertical for 40/80 meters , I still have my 43 ft and use it on the higher bands. The 66 footer is the new Extreem Series that Tom custom built for me. OH and it is Freestanding.No guys needed. It is feed with a 4 to 1 UNUN at the base trough 80feet of LMR 600 Ultraflex. All I can say is this Vertical plays great on the low bands.The build is massive as well as the craftmanship .All needed for long haul DX .I will continue to buy products from this company because of the craftmenship and massive construction of everything Tom makes.Thank's Tom for another fine work of art. If you like to see the instalation pictures of the 66 footer please E-Mail me. Remember you allways get what you pay for . Only the best will do for me ,We only live once .
Tnx De Gus N9CC
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W5WSF
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 28, 2008 08:08
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Excellent
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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BACKGROUND AND INSTALLATION:
The ground conductivity at my NC QTH is extremely poor to the extent that I could never get satisfactory results from my GAP Titan which I had used for 8 years in New Orleans without problems at that QTH (high ground conductivity).
A local ham told me about ZeroFive verticals.
I purchased the 43 foot version and installed 32 radials with each being 44' in length. Performance easily exceeded the Titan; however I wanted even better performance at the lower frequencies (80 and 160).
Tom fabricated a modification for me changing the vertical length to 69 feet, and I changed the radials to 64 in number and lengthened each radial to 75 feet (all radials are #8 soft drawn solid copper).
I also installed a 4:1 tuner balun at the base of the vertical and then added an MFJ927 remote auto-tuner mounted about three feet from the antenna base.
The antenna is about 120 feet from my shack. The coax run (RG213) is about 140 feet.
A 69 foot vertical is a very large antenna to "walk up" to its vertical position. I do it with the assistance of a friend. Also, because of the change in length from 43 feet to 69 feet Tom recommended that I guy the antenna at approximately 11 feet and at 22 feet which I have done. Those guys are absolutely necessary.
REVIEW / PERFORMANCE:
I run 100W and operate CW exclusively. I have an LP-100 digital vector wattmeter about five feet antenna side of my rig. I can see the MFG auto-tuner reduce the SWR to below 2:1 on all bands including 160; however on 160 the tuner is apparently stretching itself (takes about 30 seconds to find the match) so on that band I reduce power to 50 watts.
The construction of the antenna is superb. Tom's support whenever I have had questions has been superb. The antenna tunes under 2:1 160 thru 10. I have so far used the antenna 17m to 160m (have so far not caught openings above 17m). I would say that 60% to 70% of the time my vertical "well" outperforms my G5RV (50' high, 102' fed with 300ohm ladder line to another 4:1 tuner balun mounted on another MFJ927 out in the woods and then another 140' RG213 coax run to another LP100 and to the rig) as I can switch instantly back and forth between both antennas and see the difference.
Verticals require a good radial system; if you can install the radials you will be highly pleased with this antenna..
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KB0UXV
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 23, 2008 23:59
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Super.
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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BACKGROUND:
I purchased a new home in August. The home has a smaller suburban lot. A large beam was not practical, so I decided that a vertical was the best option. I spent a considerable amount of time researching what would be the best vertical for my backyard. I learned about the Zerofive from the great Eham reviews. I contacted Tom on the phone and found him to be extremely helpful.
INSTALLATION:
To avoid laying radials in my backyard, I decided to mount the antenna next to a chain link fence for groundplane. Tom was helpful in suggesting a method for installation. I dug a foot wide hole about 3 feet deep next to the fence. I drove a 10 foot water pipe into the ground, then filled the hole I dug with concrete. That took 2 bags. The pipe has about 4 feet above ground.
TUNER / EQUIPMENT:
After searching the forums on the various ham radio sites for background on the 43 foot antenna system, I noted that several persons had concerns about feedline loss when using the 4:1 balun, although the exact loss seems to be heavily debated. Most persons suggest that loss is minimal with good coax. In any case, I only run 100 watts, using a Yeasu 767GX, so I wanted to keep my coax losses to a minimum. Therefore, I decided to go with the remote tuner. I purchased the SGC 237, and mounted it to the mast below the antenna. The tuner is grounded directly to the chain link fence. I used about 70 feet of LMR400 between the tuner and radio.
REVIEW / PERFORMANCE:
This antenna works and I am very satisfied with it. My passion in ham radio is chasing DX. I can’t say that I bust pileups with ease, but that’s probably because I only am running 100 watts, competing with people using beams and higher power. I am confident that if I can hear them, I can work them. I have made many distant DX contacts with this antenna since I installed in September. Some say this antenna is better suited for working DX than local contacts. However, I have no trouble hearing everyone on my local morning 80 meter “PICO” net (3.925) and talking to them, with consistent 59 reports. So in my experience this antenna also works great locally.
The antenna loads up and transmits 160m to 6 meters with the SGC tuner with no problems! 1.1 SWR all bands, but 40m and 20m wont load below 1.7SWR for some unknown reason. Probably a ground issue.
DX can suffer on the higher ham bands because the antenna sends more signal up than to the horizon since its longer than a wavelength. 17 meter DX is good, but DX above 17 meters can fall short. HOWEVER, with the tilt over mount, you can literally tip it over and optimize it for the higher HF bands in a matter of minutes. I found it works super on 15 meters when I remove 5 sections. It would probably even do 6 meter DX if you removed enough sections. I can’t comment on 10 meter performance because I have not had an opening since installation.
SUMMARY:
In conclusion I am very happy with the antenna. The performance, price, and customer service is great. You won’t be disappointed with this antenna.
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K9ON
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 2, 2008 14:33
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Excellent antenna Excellent quality
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I met Tom the designer of this antenna thru a friend. The three of us installed the 43' model at my friends QTH and Tom stayed until the job was finished including hooking up his analyzer for a complete all band check out. I was as impressed with with the antenna as I was with Tom and his attention to detail. About 3 weeks later I went to Tom's place and purchased the 43' 10 thru 160M vertical for myself. I was never a big fan of vertical antenns although I have owned quite a few in my ham career since 1959. This thing really works. My installation is fairly in the clear and I have 45 radials in the ground ranging from 66' down to 20' long as space permitted. I needed something to work the bands below 30M and that is mostly what I use it for and I can say it does the job. I am working more DX now than my so called 1/2 wave no ground radial antennas ever did. I use mostly 100W on CW and I usually can connect on the first or second call. In pileups that is not always the case and sometimes I will have to use the amp. but I always get in without too much effort.
While picking up my antenna at Tom's place I got a chance to talk with him and watch him work.
Every antenna is individually made by him with strict attention to detail and not in some factory by a foreigner making a couple bucks an hour who doesn't know a vertical antenna from a fishing pole. Any of you guys old enough to remember the Telrex brand of antennas by which all other antennas were judged by, this is the new standard. Support is excellent. Tom is not satisfied until you are. This is product built by a ham for hams.
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KC0W
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 26, 2008 14:59
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ZD7X says, "Flame Thrower" of an antenna!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Here are the results of using a 43' ZeroFive antenna on St. Helena island for my 11 month DXpedition as ZD7X.
In a nutshell, over 45,000 QSOs on 10 - 80 meters. To say the antenna performed GREAT would be an understatement!!! St. Helena has some of the most extreme winds in the world. Gusts of 50+ MPH for a week straight are not unusual at all. The antenna handled anything & everything that Mother nature could throw at it without a wimper. After 11 months the vertical was just as straight as the day I put it up.
I did go to extreme measures in terms of laying down ground radials. I put down over 3,000 feet of radials. All of the extra work was worth it in the long run as the results speak for themselves.
I ran 100 watts for 90% of my 45,000 QSOs. I lost track of how many times fellow amateurs would tell me that I had, "the only signal on the band". On my end of the pileups, the receive aspect of the antenna were just as wonderful.
After all was said and done:
45,000 QSOs
25,000 CW QSOs & 20,000 SSB QSOs
214 Countries
All 50 States (many times over)
2nd place in the world in 2007 CQWW SSB (15 Meters)
1st 2nd or 3rd finishes in literaly DOZENS of other contests during the 2007-2008 contest season.
I believe that no single operator will ever again make 45,000+ QSOs in under a year using a ZeroFive antenna!!!
I'm now in Cambodia ready to start a 1+ year DXpedition to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand & Cambodia.....When you work me from one of these four countries (chances are you will) it will be a ZeroFive antenna on my end of the pileups.
Tom, ZD7X, TO0O, KC0W
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WD4ELG
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 5, 2008 20:14
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First 48 hours - outstanding
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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No surprise, though. Look at the reviews here. Read the website. Talk to Tom Leakakos (N9ZV) at Zero Five antennas. You get what you pay for!
Let me first talk about Tom, and my perspective. If you look on eham, you will see I have invested a LOT of time and money into antennas. My XYL thought I was insane to put $1K into this vertical, and she was not too thrilled that I was asking for birthday, Christmas, and anniversary gifts for this year AND next year all in one! But after I shared with her my experiences via email and over the phone with Tom, she understood what I saw as customer service that has NO EQUAL! Tom is extremely competent, responsive, courteous, and in our conversations over 3 weeks he was the final element of the sale!
My goals:
1. 160 meter presence for 9BDXCC
2. Improved performance over my Cushcraft MA8040V on 80.
3. Improved performance on 40 over my wires which work very well (Buckmaster OCF, Par End Fedz).
4. Ready for long distance DX on the higher bands when sunspots return (someday!)
My comparison: Wires for all bands at no height greater than 32 feet. A Hex Beam at 32 feet on 20 meters that is killer on that band.
My situation: Clay soil, small lot in neighborhood, lots of trees, restricted neighborhood.
My installation: nestled among the trees, the 43 foot vertical is wrapped in black electrical tape. 20 radials, 50 feet in lenght each. 100 watts. CG3000 remote tuner.
My first 48 hours, and the conditions are horrible: SSN = 0, SFI = 68. So I wanted to see what I could do with it in the first 2 days:
160 - too early in the season, band is dead. Nothing heard.
80 - this band is tough to predict. Using ON4UN's low band DXing as a reference, and my moderate results with the Cushcraft, I was not sure what to expect but I had high hopes. With solar flux rock bottom and no spots, 80 has interesting chacteristics. First night on 80 with this thing, I worked a bunch of European stations no problem. I worked the A25/DL7DF DXpedition on the first call, once his signal came up out of the noise about 0400 GMT. Only twice have I ever worked beyond 5000 miles on 80 meters, and under MUCH BETTER CONDITIONS. So here I am working the A25 DXPedition. THAT is impressive! Yep, it works on 80.
40 - lots of Europeans worked no problem. Busted through a big pileup on TA3D with the first call. NICE! Then busted through 6W1SJ pileup first call. SWEET! Worked E51NOU about 0500 UTC, first call. Then got NH7O first call. I have done the same with the wires, but NOT with PILEUPS and only when conditions were better. And DEFINITELY NOT ALL IN ONE NIGHT! Yep, it works on 40.
30 - just a few minutes on this band, worked EA5 easily. Yep, it works on 30.
20 - wide open. Worked into South America. Also snagged some nice ones on the first call: J28JA, D2NX. EXELLENT! Yep, it works on 20.
17 - just a few minutes on this band, worked LX1DL easily. Yep, it works on 17.
15 and up - heard some signals from South America, but was too focused on getting new ones on 20.
Things to remember (check the ARRL antenna book for more details):
1. This is a low angle radiator. It is designed for long distance DX. It stinks as a short-hop antenna under 1500 miles.
2. Vertical antennas are lossy beasts. You need radials. Tom recommends 40 at length 50 foot. I did 20 radials each 50 foot length as my best effort, bent at the end of my lot.
3. Verticals have no gain, no directivity. It is not a yagi, it is omnidirectional.
4. This antenna will have more noise pickup than a horizontal wire.
5. This antenna will not work without a tuner. Some rigs can handle the load with their internal tuner, others cannot. If the tuner is at the rig, some signal will be lost in the coax (depends on length, type of coax, and the SWR). Best performance with a remote tuner.
6. This antenna needs a balun at the base (unless using a remote tuner, as in my case).
So you're asking WHY DID I PUT DOWN $1K for this thing? Why did I get eaten by bugs and sweat a gallon with the radials? Why did I go through 6 rolls of electrical tape to make this baby stealth so the nosy neighbors won't complain? Why did I get blisters from a post-hole digger for the support mast? Because with only 100 watts, I need the BEST radiator available. This is an all-band, rugged, and well-designed unit. IT WORKS. I am going for 9BDXCC and Honor Roll. Will I do it with 100 watts? I am already at 250 worked. But I need something to take me to the next level. THIS ANTENNA IS WHAT WILL DO THAT. Already in 48 hours I am impressed. I can't wait for the CQ WW DX contests!
If you want more info, or are thinking of buying, I strongly recommend you chat with Tom. If you want to email me, I will be happy to share my thoughts and experiences.
73, and watch out you guys on Honor Roll!
Mark, WD4ELG
http://wd4elg.net
wd4elg@arrl.net
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W0RIC
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 19, 2008 19:39
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Phased ZeroFive's
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Just worked 6W1SJ in Senegal on the 1st call on 40 meters! USING PHASED VERTICALS! WOW!!!
Phasing these 43' foot Zero Fives are amazing. I can now pull out stations as much as 20dB improvement when phased.
The phasing system is the Stack Match II Plus from Array Solutions. Jay at Array Solutions is great to work with. Fast emails, fast delivery, and a very well built phasing system.
The reports have been as much as 20dB difference when switching from the NE, SW, In-Phase and out.
What a great set-up to have. I am looking forward to the winter DX.
The Zero Five vertical is a MUST HAVE for anyone considering a very well-built, very reliable first-call antenna.
73
Rick
W0RIC
Denver, Colorado
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K9KEJ
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 27, 2008 09:16
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Knocking off DX like crazy!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Once again the 43-foot, ZERO FIVE multi-band vertical has come through for me. But I really expected it. On Aug. 27,2008, I reeled them in, by working two BT stations with 5X9 and 10/9 reports(China), a half dozen JA stations (Japan), two HS0 stations (Thailand), a half-dozen mideast stations, UA0(Asiatic Russia, and TA (Turkey)! All this happened before noon central time on 20 meters. In almost every QSO the DX stations ask me what kind of beam I'm running? And once again, when I tell them I'm running the 43-foot ZERO FIVE "bulldozer", they reply in total disbelief! This happens almost every single day. As I've stated before. I've run a variety of different verticals in the past and nothing has ever worked as well for DX as my 43-foot multi-band, Zero-Five. And for all those critics, skeptics, and imitators, if you doubt my achievments, come see the QSL cards on tne wall. I'll even let you operate the station.
Orrin
K9KEJ
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N9CC
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 9, 2008 13:56
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43 ft zerofive vs Big Tree
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Good time for a one year review.
5 days ago on Aug-4th-2008 at 7:40 PM we had a bad storm with very high winds. In me neighbors back yard there was a big healty tree (aprox 2.5 ft at the bottom). The winds were reported at up to 95 mph in our area. This tree snapped in half ,went trough the neighbors roof and in to the living room. Fortunatley everyone was safe other than the damage to the home.
50 ft away from this damaged tree The 43ft Zerofive antenna I had instelled in my back yard a little over a year ago , bent to almost 90 degrees but it came right back after the high winds passed. This antenna is ground mounted and is not guyed. The moral of the story is : Don't buy a copy, buy the original Zerofive product and you will have a long lasting enjoying experience. Cheaper don't mean better ,you get what you pay for. The best part is , the next day my 43 ft zerofive worked just as it did the first day I put it up.
43 ft Zerofive -1 Big Tree =0
I can send pics up on request to see for your self.
Gus N9CC
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