|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
Speak Out
Strays
Survey Question
Operating
Contesting
DX Cluster Spots
Propagation
Resources
Calendar
Classifieds
Ham Exams
Ham Links
List Archives
News Articles
Product Reviews
QSL Managers
Site Info
eHam Help (FAQ)
Support the site
The eHam Team
Advertising Info
Vision Statement
About eHam.net
|
| Reviews Summary for TransWorld Antennas TW2010 Traveler HF Portable Vertical Antenna |
|
Reviews: 42
|
Average rating: 5.0/5
|
MSRP: $399
|
Description: The TW2010 Traveler® is the perfect antenna if you are searching for high performance DX communications in a portable package.
Traveler® provides five-band, omni-directional communications in an easy-to-assemble package that requires no radial ground system or towers and is designed for operators requiring stealth performance.
The black powder coating assures stealth performance for Hams who operate in areas with deed restrictions or other areas prohibiting permanently installed antennas and towers.
A low take-off angle — an outcome of the modified-H design — produces maximum skip for successful DX transmissions and contact.
Traveler® can be assembled in minutes for either permanent installation on a mounting rod or temporary setup using a sturdy, optional quadrapod.
|
|
More info: http://www.transworldantennas.com
|
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this review.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
|
You can
write your own review of the TransWorld Antennas TW2010 Traveler HF Portable Vertical Antenna.
|
N0YXE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 12, 2010 09:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
AN AWESOME MARVEL
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
|
I wrote about this antenna a few reviews back. I have had it about two weeks and while I'm waiting for the Adventurer to arrive, I am using the Backpacker. You might say that I have been working on getting the WAS award for a few years now. I was down to two states: Alaska and Hawaii. Being in the middle of the country and trying to use my 135' Buckmaster OCF dipole never got me what I needed. I decided a long time ago that if I work these states it will not be on a DX net. Last Wednesday, (two days ago) using my Transworld, I worked Hawaii. The next day, I worked Alaska! I've been telling everyone I know that this is the best antenna that I have ever used. I have never been allowed to use a beam on a tower. But this antenna, almost unseen by the outside world, is AWESOME. The folks in the back office are great and if you want either a marvelous portable or small base antenna you need to get this antenna. Worth every cent and then some. You will love what this antenna can do.
|
|
W7GO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 3, 2010 21:20
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
It just works!
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
It's amazing how well this little antenna works.
I have had great success working DX & stateside
with 100 watts. I have added the 40 mtr module and
have the 30 mtr on order. The build quality is superb. You will just have to get one and find
out for yourself how well this antenna performs.
|
|
WA5ZKO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 2, 2010 18:04
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Amazing antenna!
|
Time owned: months
|
I was able to borrow this antenna from a ham buddy and use it for the last 3 months. All I can say and echo from many others is "WOW" on the performance.
I installed the antenna about 10 feet from the house and about 10 feet from a large outside metal A/C compressor unit.
The antenna loaded up on all bands 20-10m with no problems. I have been able to work all over the world mostly on cw. For a final test of this antenna I worked the ARRL DX CW contest.
Yes, I had difficulty running with the big boys on 20 and 15, but was still able to work 47 countries on 20, 54 countries on 15 and 16 on 10m.
If you need a low profile, stealthy antenna, wife approved and really works the dx then this is one to strongly consider!
|
|
K8PDQ
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Feb 15, 2010 15:28
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Perfect HOA solution and portable use as well
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
OK, let me get my two cents in on these TransWorld Antennas.
My first purchase was the TW-4040 for 40 Meters. I liked the way the antenna was built, the appearance seemed to be very acceptable in my restricted HOA lot. This antenna had one great feature for being in a HOA complex, I was able to take my TransWorld antenna up or down in virtually minutes, typically less than two. It takes me longer to walk from the garage to by back patio than it takes to set up one of these antennas.
Now enough about how its built any easy setup. These antennas work great and I'm currently running 100 watts max, not to mention I may get an amp in the future; these TransWorld antennas have a 1200 watt rating.
I'm in my 26th year of Amateur Radio, and yes I've made stupid decisions, like buying a home in a HOA restricted subdivision and then on the other hand I've made some great decisions, like my purchase of the TW-4040, TW-3030, TW-2010 and most recently my purchase of the TW-8080 center section. I almost threw up my hand to Ham Radio till I could find a better home location and then the bottom fell out on housing market.... meaning I better stay put for a while.
Many thanks to TransWorld Antennas for giving me a workable solution for Amateur Radio.
Stan
KA8SFP
|
|
AB0TX
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Sep 14, 2009 19:46
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Easy set up.
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I am going to give this antenna a 5 for ease of set up. Not exactly happy with the transaction.
Fit and finish are good. It is a little big for a back pack antenna. The price stated above is a little misleading. I paid $596.00 for mine when you add in the quad pod stand and the carrying bag. It is a bit pricey. You can buy the 40 meter center section and 75/80 center section and pretty much have and new antenna for that band as all monobaders in the TW line use the same base antenna dimensions. I thought that was a nice feature. The quad pod does not fit in the carrying bag (which still hasn't arrived). I don't think is was designed to fit in the carrying bag, but it was recommened as a more stable stand. It does however support the antenna nicely. Not sure why some are using a tuner with this antenna since the onboard coils do the tuning at the antenna. The tuner shouldn't even be needed. I ordered mine the day after Field Day (JUNE 28th) this year because I wanted a good field portable antenna that I could set up and take down fast. I was told it was on back order due to them having a supplier problems. I called them in the middle of August and asked where the antenna was in reguards to shipping. They could not give me a deffinate date as to when the antenna would ship. I told them I wanted to cancel the order. A week later I called them back again since my bank account was not credited and again told them that I wanted to cancel the order. I really wanted the antenna but I was tired of waiting. They seemed to come up with one at the last minute and they shipped it. I have set it up and did initial tune up and worked Canada and Ukraine on 100 watts CW. That is the only use I have used of it so far. I keep this antenna in the trunk of the car and plan on using it more for JOTA and Field Day. I will add to the review after more use. I am pleased with its performance but they need to get their business practices in order. They seem very unorganized. I would give their handling of the transaction a 3. Still waiting on the carrying bag to arrive. Those were on backorder to.
|
|
KA8VMA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 13, 2009 15:26
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent value, great performance
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I received my TW2010 in Mid June, just before Field Day 2009. The antenna, portable case and quadrapod stand all arrived in great shape in several well designed boxes. When I opened the boxes, I immediately noticed that the components were well constructed and had an industrial type finish on them.
I read through the assembly instructions and read the 2 articles (ARRL & Gordon West) on their web site making special note of using RG-8X cable off of the center feed and the 45 degree angle needed to keep the antenna in good SWR range.
I quickly set the unit up in my backyard, and yes it does set up in less than 5 minutes! I then ran my cables into the house and connected them to my Flex-3000 rig and the TW2010 controller.
I cycled through the band selector on the controller and the Flex-3000. Holding my breath, I clicked the automatic antenna tuner button and listened to the radio do its click click click tuning routine. After the clicking was done, the button turned green (meaning its well within SWR tolerance). I ran the same test on all of the antenna supported bands (10, 12, 15, 17 and 20 meters)
I reset the controller for 20 meters and I starting hearing signals all over the place! Europe was just as clear as Florida. I really wasn't expecting great performance from the antenna, but I was really surprised just how good it really was. And it's a true portable with great capabilities, I was really happy with the unit.
On Field Day 2009, I took my Flex, computer and the antenna over to the park with my radio club (W8DYY - Miamisburg, OH) and setup using generator power. Most of the club gathered around the antenna in more-or-less amazement and in 5 minutes it was set up and ready to play. We decided early on that I'd be doing digital, so I chose Ham Radio Deluxe/DM780 as the software of choice and the N3FJP logging software. After getting my system logged into the network, zero hour approached quickly.
The antenna performed spectacularly for the 12hours I operated!
3 days later I took the rig and antenna up to East Harbor State Park, Ohio up on the shores of Lake Erie with our 5th wheel. I set the antenna up away from the trailer and my tripod ground mount satellite dish. Then a funny thing happened. 10, 12, 15, and 17 meters all loaded up perfectly, but 20 meters wouldn’t load not matter what I did. Bizarre I thought. Hmmm, did I damage it when I tore it down? Long story short, I had placed the TW2010 antenna a bit too close to the satellite stand and it was trying to couple to TW2010. I moved the TW2010 a few more feet away then worked perfectly on 20 meters. Lesson learned.
I worked a lot of European stations and I left the Flex on when we went out for a bite to eat. When I came back, the DM780 World Map was displaying that it heard 3 different stations in Antarctica! Amazing!
Overall, I rated it as a 5 only because I couldn’t give it higher numbers. The antenna is well constructed and a great performer! I’m now considering buying the 40 meter add-on.
V/R
Joe G
KA8VMA
|
|
G1FXE
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 15, 2009 12:28
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent Quality, No complaints
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Having read the excellent reviews on this site for the TW2010 I took a flyer and ordered one from ebay user 'econogenesys'. Was I disapointed ? Oh no ! Everything I had read, top quality construction, fit & finish, even the packaging was exactly as described.
Best of all by ordering via Ebay I saved circa £200 over the UK retail price (even after paying Customs charges etc.).
I haven't used the aerial a great deal on transmit yet as my primary reason for purchasing was portable operation & the weather is only just getting nice enough for field work, but hastily setup in the garden it sure does receive well. I'll add to this review when I've given it a good going over on transmit.
One tip, I didn't order the Quadrapod (or whatever its called) as with shipping/charges etc. it was too expensive in my opinion, but a Patio Umbrella stand filled with a little sand does the job of supporting the aerial extremely well and all for the princely sum of about £8 !
Cheers all.
Peter.....
|
|
N7DCR
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Mar 9, 2009 17:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
TOP DX PERFORMER
|
Time owned: 6 to 12 months
|
|
Previously posted with former callsign WB6TPF,I wanted to give this great antenna it's proper respect due.Working the CQWW DX Contest Oct.25-26/08.DX countries worked:Mexico,Turk&Caicos Is.Honduras,Bonaire,Jamaica,Hawaii,Barbados,Belize,Canada,and numerous states in country.Worked the ARRL WW DX Contest on Mar.7-8/09.DX Coutries worked:Neth.Antilles,Mexico,Hawaii,Aruba,Puerto Rico,Dominican Republic,Guadeloupe,Martinique,Virgin Islands,Anguilla,Japan,Alaska,Jamaica,Nicaragua,Argentina,Chile,Costa Rica,Brazil,Croatia,Slovenia,Bosnia,Guatemala,St.Vincent,St.Kitts.Senegal,Azores.All this with about 75-80 watts output.This antenna never ceases to amaze me!..This is absolutely the best performing portable I have used in my 31 years of amateur radio.My log tells me all I need to know about the performance of this antenna.73&Good DX.N7DCR.
|
|
N3GTO
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 30, 2008 18:12
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Easy... Awesome...
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
awe-some
Pronunciation [aw-suhm]
–adjective
1. inspiring awe: an awesome antenna.
2. showing or characterized by awe.
3. Slang. very impressive: That new Transworld TW2010 antenna is totally awesome.
My setup at home doesn't allow me to hang any wire over about 20' high, and my two Dobermans make radials for a vertical a little tough to keep in the ground. I did a lot of reading and discovered the TW2010. I bought it based on eHam ratings, planning on using it as a permanent installation. After seeing how easy it was to deploy, I will also use it as portable. The antenna was packaged very well, as described in prior posts. All pieces are of very high quality, from the fit and finish of the antenna itself, to the antenna mounted box housing the coils and relays, to the control cable and connectors, to the controller box. Simple to assemble, it only goes together one way. No tools needed. I didn't need to tune it, as swr was 1.5:1 or less on all bands, ground mounted where my HyGain vertical was. Had the TW2010 set up, plugged in and working within about 5 minutes. I know it's not going to perform like a 10-20m beam, but I am very satisfied with it, and would recommend it to others. Now I am hoping for a TW8040.
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
