|
New to Ham Radio?
My Profile
Community
Articles
Forums
News
Reviews
Friends Remembered
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 G Whip Zepp antenna |
|
Reviews: 9
|
Average rating: 5.0/5
|
MSRP: $£39.00
|
|
Description: The G Whip Zepp antenna is an end fed but with a difference! It incorporates the 1/2 wave length wire radiator and also a G Whip tuned circuit and not the usual matching feeder line counterpoise used on many of the old designs, no baluns, no toroids, no matching transformers, no matching feederline, no resistors, no counterpoise, no radials, no earth, just a perfect tuned match. Nice and easy to turn to get the best signal or to cut the QRM. Each antenna comes complete with it's own sweep and no adjustment is needed. Can be mounted vertically, horizontally or sloping, during tests we found sloping performed the best.
|
|
Product is in production.
|
|
More info: http://www.gwhip.co.uk/
|
|
Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this review.
Subscribe!
My Subscriptions
Subscriptions Help
|
You can
write your own review of the G Whip Zepp antenna.
|
MW1CFN
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 26, 2011 09:59
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Best Build Quality You'll Ever See.
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Superb all the way. The matching units are beautifully made, and the kevlar wire likely to last a lifetime.
I'm on a mountainside QTH, with winds frequently damaging gust levels of 70+mph. With Geoff's units, I need lose no sleep about expensive beams lying in pieces on the floor after a winter gale.
Other than physical robustness, the units are exceptionally handy in that they can easily be swung from one fence post to the next in a sloping configuration for some directivity - or just out of the way if needed.
On the first day of operation, I was busting a pile up (against 1kw US operators) into Mexico and Belize. The next day, I was 5/5 into Los Angeles and 59+20 into western Greenland.
Les Moxon chose end-fed wires from experience as one of the best antennas you can use. With that recommendation coupled to Geoff's top-notch quality of manufacture, low price and equally good customer care, you really have to struggle to find a reason not to buy one! Oh, and they are very low-profile; fussy neighbours will have very little to complain about.
Geoff deserves the success he is obviously enjoying, and as soon as Christmas is over, my next order will be winging its way to him.
Well done Geoff! Flying the flag of quality British manufacturing.
|
|
M6AZA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 25, 2011 04:06
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent
|
Time owned: 3 to 6 months
|
I already have a review of the Gwhip end fed zepp for the 20m band listed on this site, and I have now purchased further ones for 17m and 20m QRP/P.
The quality and performance of these antennas are excellent whilst being cost effective and having a low visual impact.
I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others
|
|
M0KZC
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 11, 2011 02:21
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great for /P
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Firstly the construction of these antennas is superb and the quality of components top notch. MIL spec kevlar transmission line and IP rated waterproof potted box containing the matching circuitry. The attention to detail also impresses - Geoff supplies all the parts to get you on air quickly, such as a soffit hook, hoisting cord, even a frequency sweep - how often do you see that on competitors products ?
I initially bought two for /P working from my caravan. In this mode, mounted as a 'sloper' the G-Whip EFZ easily outperformed my multi-band vertical and (as expected) produced lower received noise too. Which highlights the advantage of a resonant antenna versus a multi band compromise with lossy traps ! In initial tests on 20m from an unpromising location I could work around Europe with solid 59's and N America when propagation allowed - all better than my vertical. It's always difficult to compare horizontal and vertical antennas with different take off angles but the EFZ was a clear winner in my tests !
Only disadvantage is the need to have several antennas to cover the HF bands but for me the performance makes this worthwhile.
I would imagine these would also be equally suitable for those with a small garden but haven't done any home based tests/comparisons as yet.
Geoff is easy to deal with, helpful, friendly and responds promptly to e-mails. I was so impressed I've just bought some more - enough said !!
All the best, Martin M0KZC
|
|
GJ6TMM
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Aug 8, 2011 12:34
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Zepp helps break through the Pile ups.
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
Last month i bought 2 end feed Zepps from Geoff. 1 for 20m and 1 for 10m. I watched Geoff build them and test them on air.When I got back to Jersey I did not have time to test them for a couple of weeks.Since then i have tested them against my vertical multi band.Switching between the vert.and the Zepp my recieved reports went from 55 to 59+.
This evening (8/8/11) i have called once to stations on 20m that were working pileups and got through 1st time.JW ZB2 and HZ1.10m has been the same,1st or 2nd call and they come back to me.All I can say is i need more for the other HF bands.
Thanks Geoff and Janet and GWHIP.
|
|
M6AZA
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Jul 6, 2011 00:46
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Excellent performance!!
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I have only been a licensed Radio Amateur for a short while and therefore only permitted to use 10 watts as a Foundation licence holder.
I had used a G5RV which was ok but this required a tuner, meaning that some of my precious power was being lost in its operation. I was looking for something that would be resonant on the required band and I also needed something that would have a low visual impact.
I came accross the G whip end fed Zepp and decided to buy one for the 20m band. My innitial impression was that the unit was well made and it was very easy to install. My shack is at the bottom of my garden so I attached the box to the top of a pole at 10ft and sloped the antenna up to my house, attaching the other end at 20ft. This was roughly North to South.
My first impression of its operation was that it was much quieter than the G5RV and I was able to hear stations at distances that I had not been able to previously. I made a number of good contacts into Europe with good signal reports, but the most notable contact was with a FG station in Guadeloupe a distance of 4100 miles from my QTH in the UK!!!
In conclusion, I have found this antenna to be an excellent cost effective performer. Geoff at Gwhip is also incredibly helpfull and always replied to my emails promptly. As someone who is new to the hobby, this is a real comfort.
I since purchased a QRP version for my FT817 and portable work and will be back for a 17M version soon.
Excellent product, quality and service!!
|
|
M6GMB
|
Rating: 5/5
|
May 19, 2011 05:52
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Great British quality and engineering at a knock-down price
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
I was initially sceptical about these antennae until I went over to see Geoff. He hand makes, tests and tunes each antenna with great care and skill using the best materials (Kevlar line really is nearly unbreakable) in his own workshop. All of the boxes are potted and IP rated so there will be no problems with water ingress after a few years. As a demonstration, he got to a Romanian station with a genuine 59 report on 10W on 20m on the first call with the Zepp pointing East-West.
After the demo and seeing how well they were made I just had to get one so I purchased the mini version (rated at 25W) for 20M. This ended up strung up between the metal hinge on the window of my upstairs shack and a suitable bush in the front garden pointing North-South and I was able to get Bulgaria on less than 5W with a 57 report. That evening, I had a go at getting into one of the US nets with 10W and after a few calls, I was in with a 43 report - not bad considering the number of stations trying to get in.
They are incredibly easy to setup and use (really just string up between two suitable objects) and the best bit is no tuner is required - they are resonant on the band with less than 1.5SWR. Yes you would need to buy several of them to cover all of the HF bands but if you compare the cost of a tuner and a wide band antenna or two to several of these Zepps there is not much cost difference. Also, the lack of a tuner means you aren't loosing power in one and a much greater proportion of the power from your rig is radiated - why waste power in a tuner when you don't have to?
Compared to my experiences with longwires/dipoles with tuner these antennae are over a thousand times better do exactly what they say on the tin - they are British made quality and engineering at it's best.
I will definitely be back for more.
|
|
M0CZV
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Apr 29, 2011 02:32
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Quality at its best :-)
|
Time owned: more than 12 months
|
I have now owned several of the excellent G Whip antenna products for over a year and thought it was about time I put pen to paper and shared my experiences. I currently own 40m, 20m,10m & 6m G Whip Zepps antennas.
I have a small garden and my neighbours live close by. Because of this I try to be careful with power levels, while aiming to keep a low visual impact. I only erect my antennas when they are needed, although the green Kevlar wire with its military underpinnings means that it is camouflaged well, so I needn’t worry!
The antenna is attached to the eves and run down to the garden (Sloper). If I want to operate from the bedroom I can arrange the antenna so that the connector is located at roof level and bring the coax in through the window, conversely when I want to operate from the garden or the conservatory the connector arranged to be at ground level…. Simple and it saves on having long runs of coax.
Efficient RF design – antenna is resonant straight out of the box, no smoke and mirrors just straightforward honest to goodness resonance! Put that ATU away in the cupboard and simplify your station set up.
The G Whip Zepp is great for backpacking and QRP operations. Since I purchased this antenna I noticed that G Whip have expanded their range and developed a more compact lightweight version specifically for this role.
High quality components – IP rated enclosure, with all RF circuitry potted in resin and the military spec Kevlar antenna wire means that you can install the antenna permanently outside and forget about it!
Attention to detail – everything you need is provided in the box, throwing lines, insulator, just add coax and somewhere to hang the antenna!
Quality – every antenna I have purchased has come with its own test certificate showing its VSWR response curve; this blew me away as you just don’t get this with any other manufacturer!
Operation – most of my operations are centred on lower power modes such as PSK31. I was amazed at the difference on receive strength when first used with my FT817. I have to admit I didn’t believe the VSWR reading when I made my first test transmission, the needle barely moved – remember all of this without lossy antenna tuners/matchers! I wished I had one of these when first licenced in the early 80’s as it had always been a nightmare trying to find a compact, yet efficient, antenna for HF.
I have previously worked in the Defence industry for many years and find it refreshing to see commercial products which demonstrate the same construction techniques and quality of finish; a rare quality in todays world of mass production and profit margins.
What do I like the most, the price! I have no business connection with G Whip, just a satisfied customer. Please see my review on the G Whip Base Antenna.
73 Ian Ross M0CZV, UK
|
|
MM6RSP
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 14, 2010 06:52
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
this antenna is as easy as breathing to set up
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
G Whip Zepp antennas
These are the proverbial “mutts nuts”!
I bought a 20m version, put it on a pole that was lying around my garage about 8ft long, cable tied it to my fence, pulled out the wire radiator & jammed it to the top of my fence (about 5ft high) without insulating it, checked SWR and the needle hardly moved at all, I answered a CQ from North America at about lunch time using only my allowed 10w and got a perfectly acceptable 59 report straight back, then South France with 57! The antenna was between two houses, low down as I have said, and orientation not even considered. The engineering of these antennas is bullet proof, you can throw a line (included in the package) over a tree or tied to the roof of your house, or on a pole / tower / anything else handy for that matter, at home or portable, & be on the air in minutes without an ATU, perfectly resonant on the band, & not wasting power in a lossy ATU . The Zepp’s come packaged in a box approx 9” by 4” so don’t take up much room when not in use or transporting or you can leave up permanently as they are tested in storms etc and the radiator is green Kevlar so semi hidden in the air and also unbreakable and will last a lifetime. I have since been back and now have 5 of them (different bands). Why mess about with compromise antennas and suffer TVI when you can make life simple for yourself with a Zepp? Oh and another thing --- they are too cheap!!! --- Special offer of 3 bands for £115 inc p&p (remember no ATU to buy) hurry while stocks last limited offer.
Geoff is so helpful also, he answered all my emails very quickly, even when out of the country in China, he offers his free advice on anything you care to ask about, with no obligation. I can’t praise these enough and have no hesitation in recommending them. They are not a beam, but don’t cost the same as a beam and so easy to put up (compared to a beam), and perform great too. Happy DXing 73
MM6RSP (restricted to 10w)
|
|
MM6RSP
|
Rating: 5/5
|
Dec 14, 2010 06:49
|
Send this review to a friend
|
|
Easy as breathing to set up this antenna
|
Time owned: 0 to 3 months
|
G Whip Zepp antennas
These are the proverbial “mutts nuts”!
I bought a 20m version, put it on a pole that was lying around my garage about 8ft long, cable tied it to my fence, pulled out the wire radiator & jammed it to the top of my fence (about 5ft high) without insulating it, checked SWR and the needle hardly moved at all, I answered a CQ from North America at about lunch time using only my allowed 10w and got a perfectly acceptable 59 report straight back, then South France with 57! The antenna was between two houses, low down as I have said, and orientation not even considered. The engineering of these antennas is bullet proof, you can throw a line (included in the package) over a tree or tied to the roof of your house, or on a pole / tower / anything else handy for that matter, at home or portable, & be on the air in minutes without an ATU, perfectly resonant on the band, & not wasting power in a lossy ATU . The Zepp’s come packaged in a box approx 9” by 4” so don’t take up much room when not in use or transporting or you can leave up permanently as they are tested in storms etc and the radiator is green Kevlar so semi hidden in the air and also unbreakable and will last a lifetime. I have since been back and now have 5 of them (different bands). Why mess about with compromise antennas and suffer TVI when you can make life simple for yourself with a Zepp? Oh and another thing --- they are too cheap!!! --- Special offer of 3 bands for £115 inc p&p (remember no ATU to buy) hurry while stocks last limited offer.
Geoff is so helpful also, he answered all my emails very quickly, even when out of the country in China, he offers his free advice on anything you care to ask about, with no obligation. I can’t praise these enough and have no hesitation in recommending them. They are not a beam, but don’t cost the same as a beam and so easy to put up (compared to a beam), and perform great too. Happy DXing 73
MM6RSP (restricted to 10w)
|
|
If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions about Reviews,
please email your Reviews Manager.
|
|
|
|
|
