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Reviews For: Intenational Antenna Corporation Double Bazooka Antennas

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Intenational Antenna Corporation Double Bazooka Antennas
Reviews: 87MSRP: 200 (160m model) others less
Description:
Double Bazooka antennas, 160m 80m 40m 20m 17m
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.iacantennas.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00874.9
K4BBN Rating: 2017-01-25
My Bazooka Bullet Points... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I am glad that I started my Ham experience with an antenna from the fine folks at International Antenna Corporation!

Before getting licensed as a General just a few months ago, I spent several months listening to the HF bands through various Websdr sites and later, my own computer-based SDR unit.

It was during this time that I was making notes and gathering information to help me decide on the equipment that I would make a part of my station.

I used those months of listening to on-the-air reports/reviews to compliment the available online posts/reviews, to make my first purchase of 2 IAC Double Bazookas— starting with the 40M Standard and later adding the 80M "Shorty" version. Both were easily mounted in a single tree in an Inverted V configuration using the easy-to-follow directions for obtaining optimum results across each antenna's intended band.

My overall experience has been exceptional and I have never regretted going with IAC from the get-go for my home QTH antenna needs.

To Summarize:

• "I' is for the INCREDIBLE receive "I" have and signal reports "I" get after installing the antenna based on their band/frequency recommendations. I only fine-tune as the far ends of my personal frequency coverage installation settings are approached.

• "A" is for the ATTENTION to detail that you will see in the design and construction of the antenna. "IAC antennas are produced utilizing Mil(itary)-Spec materials and workmanship"... is not marketing hype! There is no way that I have the talent nor the time to create anything comparable to their solid product. I have not experienced any type of noise or rf issues and I am extremely pleased with the directional/omni-directional characteristics.

• "C" is for the CUSTOMER service available to not only each customer after purchase, but for each of you before-purchase while you are CONSIDERING an IAC antenna. Check their website for online and offline CONTACT details.

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I trust this review is helpful while you make your own antenna buying decisions.
K9PLG Rating: 2016-11-06
Great Antennas !! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I would love to meet the marketing schmuck who came up with the term 'bazooka' !! The proper name is 'coaxial dipole' so I call it what it is... there's nothing 'bazooka' about it - that's just a marketing buzz word made up to sell something.. Try one and you'll be a convert - low noise - broad banded - no tuner. Best dipole antenna I've ever used !! Phase 2 of them together and you've got a great big beam ! Appears to be built to mil-spec too.
W7LRY Rating: 2016-11-06
GREAT!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only had my inverted L Bazooka a short time but so far works better than I expected. Grounded to a long metal fence for the counterpoise. SWR at 7.0 is 1:1 and at 7.3 it is 1:7 Most of the band is 1.5:1
Wonderful support. Called and Dave answered my questions about tuning it.
KK4DSS Rating: 2016-09-23
40 meter double bazooka Smoking Good antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Wow what a quality job of construction by far, built to full Mil spec. I have not seen a better built double bazooka anywhere. In comparison with a wire dipole at the same height and orientation the IAC Double Bazooka is 10db stronger. Also the IAC Double Bazooka is much quieter on receive. The customer service from IAC is best that I have ever had from a company of any kind. If you are looking for an extremely well built antenna from a company that offers the finest service anywhere look no further than IAC
N8KZH Rating: 2016-09-11
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the Standard 40 meter bazooka. The service from IAC is first rate, very fast shipping. This antenna is really constructed well and looks like it will last for years. Made several contacts with it and all excellent signal reports. Its only up 20 feet as a flat top, The SWR is a perfect match and very broad banded . Very easy to tune. I am really pleased with it es couldn't be happier. This is a great antenna . Ron / N8KZH
WX8OH Rating: 2016-04-18
40 MTR Double Bazooka Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've owned an IAC 80 Double Bazooka for years. Awesome antenna with only 100 Watts.

Just purchased the 40 Double Bazooka last week and completed the install, testing and tuning last night. I got into NVIS Antennas a year ago for the Ohio NVIS Day. Was blown away by NVIS performance and Low Noise Receive. I built my own NVIS on 40 and it worked well. Wanted to try an IAC DBZ and inquired how it would do low to the ground as an NVIS. David assured me it would do well and be Quiet.

He was Correct! Antenna of my dreams! Have it on PVC Portable pipes for Emergency Deployment.
The Apex is at 8 feet and the ends are at 10 feet.
I put it up in my front yard with the Apex under a tree for testing.

Antenna is working incredibly well. I ended up tuning the ends/length four times till I got what I wanted for Center Resonance. 7258 is where it came out. SWR is basically Flat to 1.2 at the most, from 7193-7299.

Been listening on regional Nets so I can hear lots of stations from lots of locations. Last night I was up listening to San Diego, AZ, Denver, BC, and Honolulu at 1-2:30 AM. I was amazed my NVIS config was also working well as a DX antenna low to the ground! San Diego and all but BC and HI were coming in S9+. BC was an S6, HI was S7. Due to the Quietness of this antenna I had good copy on the weak ones just above the noise floor.

I also have the IAC 40 Half Sloper up for several years. I can switch back and forth and although the Sloper is within 2 S Units of the Double, the Noise Level is usually 3-4 S Units higher on the Vertically polarized Sloper, so I leave it on the Double Bazooka NVIS config for Pleasurable listening!

Soon will be moving and installing my 80 Bazooka as an NVIS configuration with Apex at 15 feet and ends at 12 feet. I will play with the heights until I nail it. Can't wait to do this testing!

Double the price of the Alpha Delta Long Wire I own, but big difference in TX/RX signal reports plus way more Noise on receive. Not sure what I'm going to do with my 80 Alpha I got last year with high hopes for NVIS. Under-performs in that config.
K0GRC Rating: 2016-04-04
Great Construction! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had the 20m bazooka for 3 years. Recently, a heavy snowstorm broke some large branches in the tree where it was hanging. Some of the branches were up to 8 inches in diameter, and instead of crashing to the ground, they got caught up in the bazooka. I was impressed with the heavy duty construction that took all of this additional weight.
I cleaned up the debris, and the antenna still works great!
W3FW Rating: 2016-03-08
160 & 80 meter Double Bazookas Time Owned: more than 12 months.
EXCEEDS ALL OF MY EXPECTATIONS
AB4D Rating: 2015-12-14
Nice Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Recently, I was considering various antenna designs for 75/80 meters to be center supported by a 72 foot telescopic tower. Previously, I had an inverted V dipole fed with 600 ohm ladder line mounted on the tower. However, I took that antenna down, so I could utilize the 600 ohm line to feed a 540 foot loop for 160 meters I had installed.

I thought about installing another wire dipole and feeding it with coax, but I wanted to try something different. My search for a new antenna, kept referencing the Double Bazooka as a design that works well in an inverted V configuration. EHam reviews for the IAC double bazooka were favorable, so I decided to order one too.

I'm glad I ordered the antenna and installed it before reading a 6 page discussion on a Eham forum about the DB antenna. Based on what some of these self-appointed antenna experts claim, the DB is a waste of coax and is a poor antenna. Some of their claims suggest, that in comparison to a dipole, the DB has nearly half the performance, the usable bandwidth is just marginally wider, and if the antenna is built from the coax (RG-58) used by IAC, the bandwidth will be no better than a dipole. My experience suggests, that these claims are inconsistent with the performance from the IAC Double Bazooka installed at my station.

Let me state the only negative thing I can say about the IAC DB antenna, at least as it pertains to my particular station. In comparison to the large loop I have installed, when using the DB, it does exhibit a very slight RF field at the operating position. I keep a field strength meter at my operating position as a monitoring aid, and when using the DB the meter shows a slight indication of an RF field when using 1KW of power. The loop does not show any field at all. At 100 watts, the field is marginal when using the DB. Reports of my signal and audio have been positive.

In regard to bandwidth, I am very impressed with how much of the 75/80 meter band the antenna can span while maintaining a 1:5:1 SWR. The antenna is center supported at 70 feet, and the ends are up at about 30 feet from the ground to form an inverted V. Once tuned by shortening the ends by folding. The antenna provides coverage from 3.740 to 4.000 MHz. The SWR at 2:0:1, brings frequency coverage down to 3.650 MHz.

I have the ability in my station where I can quickly switch between the loop antenna and the Double Bazooka. In relation to performance. Signal reports have been good for the double bazooka. Signal reports show the loop and the DB as being nearly equal. However, some stations have reported the double bazooka being significantly stronger or vise-versa. I have also noted that on receive as well. Based on my prior experience, I would say the DB is as good as the dipole it replaced, with the added benefit of wide band coverage.

Tuning the antenna was fairly simple to accomplish. I simply rolled up a short section of the 300 ohm twin lead on each leg, flattened the roll, and used black nylon ties to secure the flat roll. However, the instructions were inconsistent with the amount I had to shorten the antenna. The instructions suggest six feet to make it resonate on 3.900 MHz. However, shortening the antenna about 4.5 feet, gave me the bandwidth coverage I was seeking.

The quality of construction used to build the antenna is very good, and is consistent with what I would expect to see in a commercially produced product, rather than home built. The center insulator is mold injected plastic that encompasses the entire assembly, rather than some adapted PVC plumbing fittings. The antenna is constructed with genuine Belden RG-58 coax, and the 300 ohm twin lead used for the ends, appears to be of high quality, with substantial insulation.

Overall, I am very satisfied with the antenna, and recommend it as a good product.



K4YHQ Rating: 2015-11-29
Outstanding Antenna! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have the IAC 40 and 20 Meter Double Bazookas, and cannot say enough good things about them. I get great signal reports, and people are often surprised that I am not using an amp. Mine are set up in an inverted V oriented North-South with the peak at 35 ft., and the legs spread out 120 Degrees. The baluns hang from a hook outside my 3rd floor window, the 40 M about two feet above the 20 M. the antennas slope down to two fence posts at about a 45 degree angle, with the end of the legs on the 40 being about 8 ft. off the ground. Oddly enough, this all works very well. Every aspect of the IAC antennas is first class, with the baluns being very sturdy. As many people say, these are strictly one band antennas, but the SRW is flat across the entire band. My Icom tunes the antennas to almost 1:1, and there seems to be no need to retune no matter where I go on the band.