Speak Out: Your Favorite HF Antenna:
A contributor asks, "What is your favorite HF antenna? Yagi, Quad, Dipole, Wire, or? What has worked well consistently for you over the years netting contacts day in and day out?"
61 opinions on this subject.
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WA3RSL on 2009-11-21
Wire Yagi antenna for 40 meters. Two 10 element wire beams stacked end to end. Up 65 feet.
W6HB on 2009-11-15
Having had or operated Yagis, verticals, wires and Quads in my 47 years licensed, given my limited real estate and height limitations at my QTH since 1971, my Traffie HX-5Bi at 30' has been the best and most consistent performer on 20 through 10. While my wire doublets are down my Palstar AT1500DT allows me to use it on 80 and 40 as well for NVIS and net work.
W6ONV on 2009-11-15
After working 3 years on a vertical (6BTV), I finally broke down and built a 5-band hex beam. What an amazing antenna! If it were not for restrictions I would have this up higher than the 15'. I have worked DX I could NEVER hear on my 6BTV and SteppIR BigIR. Rarely did I ever get into Europe with my verticals, but it was a "chipshot" with the hex beam. I have been very pleased operating on 10/12/15/17/20 meters with this antenna.
VK2TEH on 2009-11-13
I am using a long wire and a 4:1 balun. The wire cost a few dollars as I wanted UV stabilised insulation.
The MFJ autotuner gets each band down to under 1.5:1 VSWR.
No trimming needed!
W1VO on 2009-11-13
Has to be without doupt The Four square. I built and have using my 80 meter four square here in florida for four years. I have invested just over $1000.00, and that encludes phasing box, feedlines and verticals. Much better bang for the buck than amplifier. Fun to build and more fun to use.
KB6DWO on 2009-11-12
S-9 Vertical
KB9SDS on 2009-11-12
My G5RV has done well. I have made DX contacts with 100w on SSB and have gotten good reports in the USA as well on SSB.
WA1UFO on 2009-11-12
Being a financially challenged guy due to three big spine surgeries and disability, I could never have an antenna for every band or expensive models. So a general purpose antenna is required so I can work all hf bands. Im primarily a cw guy with 100 watts so my antenna works well for me. (Multi-band coaxial fed Windom with 6 to 1 balun and a wide range matcher.) Build one or buy one but I have good luck with mine!! 73s de Hans
KA2DDX on 2009-11-12
For years I have used a Van Gorden all-bander 130 foot dipole fed with 450 ohm ladder line - works great 160 thru 6 meters using an MFJ tuner - feed point is about 35 feet up - no complaints whatsoever - and it's inexpensive - for a backup I use the Cushcraft MA5V five band vertical - it's a compromise vertical but works much better than I anticipated - lots of dx with either antenna - feed point is about 15 feet up -
VE6CNU on 2009-11-12
Just did a quick count from all previous entries. Appears that wire antennas 2:1 over yagis, which are 2:1 over quads, verticals and others. When you see what kind of wire antennas are being used, these are highly varied too. Wire loops seem very popular, but so do dipoles, inverted vees, slopers, etc. It also depends on the band(s) as some are just not practical at longer wavelengths. When you get right down to it, it is sort of a dumb question. Like what's your favorite beer or style of shoes? The answer generally tells more about the person and their preferences/situation than it does about the item.
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