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write your own review of the DX Engineering MBVE-1.
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W1AJT
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 11, 2009 05:27
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Beyond Expectations
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I put up my DX Engineering Vertical MBVE-1 November 6, 2009. I knew it was going to be a compromise antenna but I am in a heavily deed restricted area in North Carolina. The antenna is fully camouflaged and is not visible from 10 feet away in my patch of woods unless you know it’s there. I used 200 sq ft of galvanized poultry wire for a ground system. I will let the results speak for themselves. From 11/6/2009 to 12/6/2009 with 100w (no activity in CQWW from here) and little operating time worked 76 DXCC / 43 states with 10 DXCC on 160m. My K3 antenna tuner tunes it on all bands with best SWR on 160m being 1.3:1 on the low portion. Wired up my amp on 12/7 and as of 12/11 worked 85 DXCC adding HI, I, LY, SM on 160m plus JA, and E51 on 80m. I am amazed that it works so well. It exceeds my expectations in quality and performance. Of course it is not a Yagi but a great antenna for a small space with a low profile.
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WI5O
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 4, 2009 15:53
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DXE-MBVE-1-4UPR
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Last month, I purchased DX Engineering's 43-foot antenna/radial plate/UNUN complete package that includes:
DXE-MBVE-1 43 foot 160m-10m premium multiband vertical with All Stainless Steel tilt base mount
DXE-UN-43 Special 5 kW Multi-Band Vertical UNUN
DXE-UN-BRKT UNUN Mounting Kit
DXE-TCB-UNFK Tinned Copper Braid UNUN Connection Kit
DXE-SSVC-2P Stainless Steel V-saddle clamps - not a muffler clamp!
DXE-RADP-1P All Stainless Steel Radial Plate with 20 sets of stainless steel radial hardware plus 40 sets more - a total of 60 sets - won't dissolve in the ground like aluminum.
Order/Shipping
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My original order was handled in s superb, professional and timely manner. I ordered on the web site (http://www.dxengineering.com) and within 12 hours, I had a confirmation that my order had been shipped. I was given complete UPS tracking information so I could check on the progress and status of my order shipment. My order arrived on time in two separate boxes that were well packed and were not damaged by the shipping process.
All of the antenna system parts were well labeled and sealed in heavy plastic packages and surrounded with either bubble-wrap and/or heavy paper sheeting wadded around the individual items. I checked off the parts list in the assembly manual and didn't find a single item missing. The quality of the parts was excellent with the exception of two stainless clamps, which I replaced from Home Depot.
You will need Penetrox or Naolox to connect the antenna sections. None is provided but I think DX Engineering should provide a 2-ounce tube of either when you buy the complete system. I was able to get two one-ounce tubes of Naolox at my local Home Depot.
Assembly Instructions
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The antenna system comes with several assembly manuals for the various items in the kit. The main assembly manual covered all the items I purchased. The manual was easy to read and provided me with all the information I needed to painlessly assemble the antenna, install the 2 inch galvanized pole (does not come with the kit but you can buy a six or eight foot length of 1 3/4 inside diameter pipe for around $38.00 plus tax at Home Depot) in the ground for the antenna mount and instructions on laying the ground radials.
The only question I ran across in the assembly manual related to the four fender washers in the kit. There was no verbal mention of them but if you look closely at the illustrations in the manual, you will find where they are installed.
Assembly
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All of the parts assembled without any troubles. I did not have to debur any of the aluminum antenna sections. All the parts fit together well.
Ground Radials
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I did my own research, ever after sending an email to DX Engineering about how I should handle the radials. George at DX Engineering answered my questions very promptly and provided a ton of references and information on radials. In the end, I relied on several publications that described results with several lengths of radials. I laid down 60 radials, of 14 Gauge stranded Copper in PVC cover. Each radial was 52.49 feet long. Yes, I could have probably increased my signal 1 more decibel but doing so would cost a lot more and was definately not cost effective to me. You can buy 14 gauge stranded copper wire, covered in PVC for about $35.00 per 500 feet roll at Home Depot. I purchased 7 rolls. The physical layout of our property gave me plenty of room to lay out the radials pretty symmetrically. There were a couple of trees I had to bend around the base of the tree, but overall, the radials are lying pretty symmetrical.
Coax
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I purchased 70 feet of Times LMR400UF from Associated Radio. Associated got that to me in three days time, complete with connectors on each end. I ran the coax underground through a one inch gray electrical PVC conduit.
I dug the eight to ten inch deep trench myself that ran about 60 feet. My wife helped me cover the trench after the coax was snaked through. I don't know many wives that would do that but mine did. Turns out, she wanted to go buy some shoes. :)
Operating
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I connected the DX Engineering vertical to my ICOM 718, Palstar Tuner (AT1500CV), Bencher Low Pass Filter (1.8 MHZ to 30 MHZ) and my Ameritron AL 80-A g-g amplifier. I could not believe the difference in signal strength over my 10 through 80-meter band homebrew dipole hanging at 70 feet above the ground. I did some testing and I see signal increases of two or more S-units. What I was hearing at 5/7 on the dipole, I am now hearing at 59 plus on the DX Vertical. Honestly I didn't hear much more noise on the vertical than the dipole. I listened closely and I know verticals are noisy because they pick up noise in 360 degrees. Maybe you could call that two-dimensional noise?
I was hearing distant DX on all bands I tested: 20, 40, 75 & 80 meters. I am quite surprised and excited about using the antenna. With my tuner on 20 meters for instance, it took me about ten seconds or less to tune out the SWR and at 14.250, my SWR was only 1.1:1. DX Engineering's claim at that frequency was 1.0:1 so it is pretty close. I found similar patterns on the different bands.
I have not operated it yet with the amp because I need to go buy a 9-volt battery for my external relay box (ERB-1).
So there you have it. If I run into more information, I'll update my review. Based upon my experience, I recommend this antenna because of its quality & workmanship, cost compared to other similar verticals and the great treatment I received from DX Engineering's staff. This is an awesome antenna at my location! I even received a free DX Engineering hat. The hat is quality made. When I made a subsequent purchase for radial staples and wire clamp terminals and a wall through connector, DX Engineering sent me another free hat. Your mileage with the DX Engineering vertical may vary but I am well pleased with my purchase.
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KB3Z
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 4, 2009 04:44
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Easy to Build
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the Antenna with Radial Plate and Balun last December 2008. It only took me 9 months to install the antenna. And then to boot they changed the balun to a unun. The balun switch was very easy. Dxengineering made that very nice. Installing the antenna was quite easy for one person. The directions are very specific and there are alot of pictures to help in the manual. The only complaint is that 160 meters is not that great even after using a KW on transmit. But I can finally hear VK's with no problem and I am in Eastern Pennsylvania. My only complaint is that the DX Engineering Unun has higher SWR's then a Balun Designs Unun. So I am using the Balun Design instead. Overall I am extremely happy with the antenna and DX Engineering.
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K8ALM
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 26, 2009 08:41
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Rugged
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I erected this monster to replace my flimsy HF9V and boy what a difference. I primarily use the MVBE-1 for 160-30 meters and I think it works very well. I am very impressed with the construction of the tilt over mast, radial plate and aluminum tubing. I have my MVBE-1 ground mounted with no guy wires and it holds up extemely well in relatively high winds. If I'm home and I know that a storm or high winds are coming I just tilt the antenna to the ground. My installation allowed me to install about 36 radials of various lengths. The longest being 66 feet and the shortest around 10 feet. Most radials are 20 feet. I am very satisfied with the performance.
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K0OD
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 13, 2009 13:28
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Effective and very flexible
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Rather than reiterate what others have said about this nice "43 footer," I'm providing a link to my recap of its performance over a weekend of low power multiband contesting in the CQWW CW DX. My contest breakdown on each band is included.
Total different countries worked in 48 hours: exactly 100. Not bad for a simple aluminum pole!
I also played briefly with the MBVE-1 in the ARRL 160 Meter Contest (ugh!) and the ARRL 10 Meter Contest.
The sturdy and sleek MBVE-1 isn't a Yagi or even a very high dipole, but it is surprisingly effective on the middle bands.
http://www.eham.net/forums/TowerTalk/16123
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K1JOS
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 22, 2008 20:41
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Great Vertical
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I put up the MBVE-1 during the summer to replace my Hustler 6BTV. I live in a development community on a 1/2 acre but surrounded by 60' high trees so I painted the vertical in flat camo colors pattern and it is virtually invisible, even now with all the leaves down and sticking up higher than my house its really impossible to spot. How does it compare to my Hustler? Well, I worked almost 100 DXCC in th past 4 months. If I hear it I can work it. Yes there is more noise with a vertical plus the added losses of a high-SWR system but it does everything plus more than you would expect. I have laid down about 60 radials (each about 65-72') on the lawn with their biodegradable stakes plus some 40' radials in quadrants that I did not have enough space. I made my first SSB and AM contacts on 160m with great signal reports. I live in CT at average height and I easily have worked Alaska PSK31 on 20m and 40m to SSB contacts with Iceland to Ukraine down to South Africa and New Zealand/Australia. This month I am just hearing my first JA stations ever ! Am I happy... well I would love a tower but since that's not possible, this Vertical is as good as it gets. Plus Rod has always been readily available by phone or email for any questions. The quality of the materials was excellent as were the manuals. Key to a good installation is setting in into a few feet of concrete and making sure its 'plumb'.
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K8JHR
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 18, 2008 00:34
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Finally Having Fun on HF
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I recently purchased and installed the DX-Engineering MBVE-1 monopole vertical antenna with great pleasure. While a compromise antenna, I give it a -5- rating because it does well for what it is.
First - I commend the DX-Engineering sales team who answered my several e-mail inquiries with detailed, and comprehensive answers - much more helpful than any other company selling similar antennas. Second - I commend the company for making what I believe is a superior product.
I am really pleased with the quality of the DXE radial plate, antenna tilt mounting plate, and all related hardware provided to compete the installation. I purchased the radial ground wire kit and installed 36 approximately 40-foot long radials, using the supplied biodegradable lawn staples, with ease and in a reasonable time. Other than asking my neighbor for a little assistance in digging the hole (using a motorized 12 inch by 4-foot power auger) I was able to assemble and erect the antenna system by myself (although my wife did help me bury the LMR-400DB feed line...)
All parts went together easily as designed and intended. The only glitch was that I used a 2 inch OD water pipe as a mounting base, and had to use slightly larger U-bolts to accommodate the size of the pipe (the u-bolts supplied with the tilt base kit are not quite big enough for that sized pipe, - but if you used a slightly smaller OD water pipe, then you would have no problem.)
I am well-pleased with the initial performance of this antenna. For the first time, I am the big signal in a group, and have reached several far away States heretofore out of reach on my various dipoles and wire antennas.
I have written a more detailed account of the assembly and performance of my new vertical antenna from DX-Engineering, which you can see here:
http://k8jhr.com/linked/43_ft_vertical_antenna.pdf
I will not try to convince you by printing my DX log... or by any other subjective measuring stick. I will say I am having more fun with ham radio lately as a result of this new antenna. So far, so good.
Oh, yeah... and did I mention the superior service I received from DX-Engineering? I had a small question/problem with one of the aluminum tubes, and they delivered a replacement part to my home in less than 36 hours. I am a happy customer of this company. Patient, thorough assistance as I agonized over what antenna to try next. I met them at the Dayton Hamvention and was warmly received and given plenty of helpful information to assist me in making a decision and in completing the installation quickly and easily.
Just MY take.... Your mileage may vary... Happy trails to ya. // James - K8JHR //
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NF6V
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 2, 2008 17:56
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Good compromise antenna
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Like many of us I have always had a luke-warm feeling about verticals. I've worked too many stations in the past with mediocre signals to be a solid believer in verticals. I've been reading ON4UN's Low-Band DXing handbook and since it so highly endorses verticals I thought I give one a try. I have an operating situation here in Australia where I can set up a temporary operating position for the major contests at my in-law's family dairy farm where there is lots of space with clear views to the horizon. I decided to purchase and try the MBVE-1 for this application and here is what I found:
The product design, the hardware quality and the technical and commercial support from DX Engineering is as good as can be imagined. First class all the way. Shipping to Australia it got here in 3 days!
I assembled the antenna in a few hours with no problems and elected to install 34 64-foot radials using #22AWG wire. The radial installation took by far the most time as one would expect. When assembled I took impedance measurements with an MFJ-259B at the 4:1 balun input and back in my shack at the end of 175 feet of RG-213. At the antenna the input impdances ranged from 5 ohms to 240 ohms depending on the band so that's why the 4:1 balun in recommended. At the shack end of the line the impedance transformation of the feedline did magic and the SWR on all bands was less than 2.5:1. An antenna tuner was actually not needed!
As I have learned and as the textbooks will tell us, SWR is good to watch but does not give an accurate indication of the system radiation efficiency. In actual operation in the CQ WW DX CW contest I found very mediocre performance on 20, 15 and 10 and I never tried 160. On 80 meters the antenna seemed to get out quite well but 40 meters where the length is closest to a quarter wave was the true sweet-spot. I spent the entire weekend answering pileups and while running 400 watts I never heard a station I couldn't work. I was thrilled to have such a dominant signal.
The reason I give this product a 4 out of 5 is simply because this is a compromise antenna that has varying performance over the several bands. If you are looking for a multiband antenna that looks good, is sturdy, has good factory support and will get you out I endorse this product. If you're looking for peak efficiency in a vertical you can't beat a full size single band design.
Thanks to DX Engineering for their support and a very well built product.
If you would like my detailed impedance and SWR data please email me at VK3TDX@AOL.com
Steve VK3TDX
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N2QQF
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 28, 2008 06:16
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Solid Performer
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this antenna about a week ago and finally got around to installing it on Thanksgiving day. This was a bit of an undertaking considering the time frame I had to work with and what needed to be done. I will admit I had my reservations about verticals since I previously have had two verticals in the past and they simply didn't perform well at all. I had two other Cushcraft verticals R5 & R7 and the both performed poorly in comparison to my dipoles. I received the antenna quite quickly from DX Engineering from the time I ordered it from George. When the shipment arrived it was very well packaged. So well, I considered using it as a bomb shelter. Everything was packaged properly and labeled with a good set of instructions. The directions were a little confusing at times but after careful review I saw this was my fault as I overlooked some small details in my haste.
The construction of the Balun to mounting plate were very simple as well as the overall construction of the antenna. the build of just the antenna and balun etc took about 1 hour not including mounting and radials. On the day of the installation I drove a 1-1/2" pipe into the ground as a mounting post which took a little bit of time. I then proceeded to mount the remaining pieces after construction of the antenna which again went very well and the directions clearly labeled the correct lengths which were exact as detailed in the manual. I managed to get all the pieces together rather quickly but the only time consuming parts were the preparation process of the mounting post and the ever dreaded radials. After laying out all the necessary radials and getting the antenna mounted and feed with coax into the 4:1 Balun and properly guying the antenna 2/3 of the way up. I turned on the rig and was quite surprised at the performance of the antenna. I have various antennas spread out along my property which include a 80 & 40 meter loop and a six (6) element TH6DX mounted a top a 70' tower.
I had some problems loading the antenna on 80 meters but this is primarily due to some issues on my side (I think?) but I wouldn't use the vertical for 80 based on my setup. I had amazing performance on 40 meters just as good or even better than my 40 meter Delta loop at 65' which socked the heck out of me. I had good performance on the other bands 30,20,17 & 10 meters as well but again marginal in comparison to my beam on 20 & 10 meters. I like the fact that I have something to use on 60 & 30 meters as well since my present setup just barely covers these bands. I was quite pleased with the antenna and plan to keep it especially after laying out all the radials. I only laid out the minimum requirements of (16) - 30' radials but I am sure (30) - 65' radials would provide much better performance but due to the amount of wire I had only allowed me to layout the minimum because Home depot was closed for the holidays and I was not about to put the project off any longer.
The overall performance was very good and certainly the best vertical without question that I have used to date. There are a few other antennas that are similar such as Zero five but I decided to go with DX Engineering simply because I have used their products previously and have been happy with the success and quality of their end product. I will suggest that you purchase the radial plate as this would certainly make life easier and it is well recognized product within the amateur community. This is a fine product and it will work well for many limited space areas an alike. well worth the money and you will be pleased. I will follow up with any notable changes with the radials once I install the recommended lengths but first I will need to purchase a radial plate before considering that undertaking. One other note, it is suggested that you guy the antenna or any antenna at this height as it will certainly provide you the comfort of worry about breaks and bends in high winds and ice loading conditions.
73 & God Bless and Thanks DX Engineering for putting out quality products. You will keep me as a customer for a long time to come.
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VK2BMU
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 26, 2008 01:21
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Simlpicity and Efficiency
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The MBVE-1 is a very well made, simple plain vanilla vertical antenna. For those looking for an efficient multi-band antenna that fits on a small lot and has minimal visual impact, this one fits the bill. It is not, however, a plug and play antenna. It requires a little more effort to setup and use than a typical trap vertical.
The MBVE-1 is a non-resonant antenna and requires a tuner and a 4:1 broadband matching transformer or some other means to match the feedpoint impedance to 50 Ohms. Ideally, this should be done at the feedpoint. DXE suggests using their 4:1 current balun at the base of the antenna with coax to a tuner located in the shack. I decided to use a homebrew transformer and an auto-tuner at the base of the antenna to reduce the SWR on the coax run to the shack and minimize the loss.
The antenna, base and hardware are all well made. The materials are aluminum, stainless steel and fiberglass. Assembly is straight forward following the 27 page assembly manual.
My only complaint is that the assembly dimensions in the manual do not provide sufficient overlap between the foot sections of tubing. After assebly and errection according to the instructions, I found that the antenna would not stay vertical. It would lean to one side at an angle of 5-10 degrees at the top. A slight gust of wind would cause it to flop over and lean in another direction. This seemed more of a visual problem than a serious structual problem. After a few weeks I lowered the antenna and adjusted the overlap between all sections to 100mm (4 inches). This cured the problem and the antenna now stands straight and tall. Curiously, the height is now exactly the advertised 43 feet. When assembled according to the instructions it is nearly 45 feet.
As vertical antennas go, this one is a efficient as they get. The only significant sources of loss are the ground and matching systems.
The ground system has a big impact on the performance of any ground mounted vertical. DXE suggests a minimum of sixteen 30 foot radials. In my installation, due to space limitations, I have only three ground rods and no radials.
Even with my minimal ground system the MBVE-1 consistantly outperforms my 20 metre dipole by 1-3 S units. On 160, 80 and 40 metres the antenna gives a good account of itself by comparison of signal reports with local amateurs using full size horizontal antennas.
In summary, with quality materials, workmanship and a reasonable price, I rate this antenna a five.
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