Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Alpha Antenna FMJ Multiband, HF directional/vertical

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Alpha Antenna FMJ Multiband, HF directional/vertical
Reviews: 82MSRP: 399
Description:
The Alpha FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) Multiband antenna is a complete multiband 500W PEP SSB multipurpose HF system that is pre-tuned, requires no moving clips on coils or readjusting of whips for tuning, and easily deploys in 120 seconds. When installed over a poor ground or not placed in a clear area, a perfect SWR match of 1:1 on all frequencies/bands is easily achieved with your tuner. When fully deployed with the included NVIS element, the antenna system can be configured to launch your signal at your target in the opposite direction the NVIS element is run. For an omnidirectional signal pattern, you may remove the NVIS element. System and options include a Padded Field Bag, Alpha Match, 13 foot aluminum military type Mil-Stick whip available in 26 or 13 inch sections, Heavy Duty Tripod that requires no guying or Light Duty Tripod, Stainless Steel Jaw Mount, Active NVIS wire elements, and Counterpoise.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.AlphaAntenna.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15824.9
N5JED Rating: 2017-06-16
Quality built antenna. Exceptional value. Works super! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is an update to previous e-Ham review of Alpha 13 foot multiband mil-spec whip vertical antenna. Today worked PY5QW on 24.940 MHz. Band conditions were listed as poor for 12 meters. However, received a 56/7 signal report on SSB and gave PY5QW a 56 report. The south Brazil station according to QRZ.COM is located 5,056 miles from my QTH. Alpha makes an exceptionally well built quality antenna that exceeds all literature regarding performance and value for money.
KE0JNC Rating: 2017-02-14
Terrific! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I just tried my 6-80M 500W Complete Multiband tuner free HF antenna that I purchased from you last month. The performance exceeded my expectations! Having thoroughly researched portable antenna systems for months I decided to purchase your product. It is amazing in that it "hears" things my home station vertical antenna doesn't. Another ham and I did a side by side comparison - my Kenwood 940S/AT running through a Hustler 5BTV ground mounted antenna on one hand, and my Yaesu FT-897D running through your multiband antenna on the other. While comparing these two transceivers is hardly an "apples to apples comparison," there was less band noise on your antenna. I was also able to hear stations on your antenna that I was unable to hear on my home station vertical. Signal reports were great as well. You've produced a terrific product! Thanks!
KB8MRC Rating: 2017-02-11
Third review update Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is my third review of this product. Just want to add this antenna is very good when using the digital modes. Just worked a couple of stations on JT65 160m band. I don't even have it tuned for that band but it got out. So if you want something economical and portable and your into digital modes, this should do the job. P.S. my call was spotted on the hamspots.net website for digital modes by a station on Antarctica using this antenna. This while I was trying to make a contact with another station. 50 watts, grey line and weak propagation. I would say not bad at all.
KC3RW Rating: 2017-01-14
Great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
We bought this antenna late in year to help the YL in her pursuit of National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) activator. The antenna was great she worked mostly 80 to 10m SSB with great results, we were often asked what antenna we were using. This was the most back pack portable antenna set up we had.
The greatest asset was its ability to be put up and torn down in seconds. Which aided greatly in moving from park to park so quickly. Customer service was great you can ask these guys any questions. You can also mix and match products to give you the best package.
M6MQC Rating: 2016-10-06
Under 5 watts Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
ok so I took my alpha antenna to the club I attend and was on my little yeasu 817 nd using solar power so radio was at 5 watts of power and from my club in chorley which is in the u.k we managed to get Adriatic Russia with a 5/7 report WOW I could not believe that my set up would extend that far but was truly amazed the alpha performance was just unbelievable and at only 5 watts also the speed at which the antenna was put up and taken down very nice I must say the whole kit is worth it!!
W4RJJ Rating: 2016-09-29
DOES THE JOB FOR ME Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This review is for the Alpha Antenna vertical multi-band with the stainless steel
alpha match which supports the collapsible whip antenna. I think
there are earlier versions of an Alpha multi-band going back
several years which had different component construction. But my
use and review is specifically for the latest version, as of mid 2016,
with the steel alpha match unit.

Along with the steel alpha match, I use their heavy duty tripod, along
with the one counterpoise wire supplied with the unit. This tripod is
substantial but easy to fold and carry. It has pointed plastic spikes on each
foot and that makes it easy to push it into the ground to stabilize the tripod
and thus the whole unit. The tripod is around 6 feet and the alpha match
unit screws onto the tripod and then the 13 foot whip screws onto the top
of the alpha match unit. I have had no problem at all with stability of the
whole antenna as deployed. It stays in place as intended.

As a new ham, I wanted a simple installation to get moving and operating.
My test was, "can I put this together and operate without messing it up".
Passed that test. No measuring, computing, configuring, climbing trees,
slingshots into trees, walking on roof. Plug and play. Now I can operate
while having time to consult with my new ham friends on how to
wire up my yard at some point. But for now, I'm in no hurry because this
antenna is much more than I had anticipated.

Even with a long run of 75 feet of LMR-400 coax to the antenna, the SWR
meter shows very low readings. Low across all bands.
The internal tuner on my Yaesu FT 1200, has no problem bringing it down
to no more than 1.3:1 and usually lower than that.

The performance. It does the job for me. Even with the much documented
declining band conditions, when a band opens, this vertical hits what is there.
No amp. All SSB phone. In the first 2 months operating, when my work
schedule permitted some radio time, the Alpha vertical allowed me to log 34
US States and 16 countries. My two highlights were a 5 minute QSO with Auckland,
New Zealand and a special event station in Omsk, Russia. I am very
pleased with the performance.

One last thing. Steve, the head of Alpha Antenna, is a great example of
how to actively run a company and build customer loyalty. I had a question
about placement options of the counterpoise. I emailed him my question
on a Sunday afternoon at 4 pm. My inbox had his response and answer at
5 pm. On a Sunday. C'mon who does that? Steve obviously.

In summary, this Alpha Antenna multi-band vertical is easy. No worries.
Less than 5 minutes and you are on the air having fun, making good contacts
worldwide, the neighbors think you have a weather monitor on a tripod,
and the family is not yelling at you to get off the roof or out of the tree.
For me it is an exceptional antenna and does the job.

Robert J.
W4RJJ
KA0SOG Rating: 2016-08-06
Easy Peasy Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this because stringing a multi band wire fan dipole in the oak and hickory forest of H Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in the Missouri Ozarks is a PITA. Sometimes you can have too many trees! I bought this system to put on the air at Scout Camp demoing ham radio and teaching radio merit badge. It knocked the ball out of the park in simplicity, durability (I was a staff Trainer and there 43 days total) and it performed satisfactorily even when band conditions were very poor. Used it with a Yaesu 450D and made many contacts across the US and even a few outside! Easy to deploy and take down. Convenient and compact.
KE5YOW Rating: 2016-07-13
Great antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.

This is a great antenna for use when my 5th-wheel trailer is parked. I've used wire antennas and Hustler Resonators sucessfully, but my wife does not like me climbing ladders anymore. Alpha Antenna is the solution. I set mine up in under 5 minutes, making sure I was doing things right. Now it's a shorter time period, and I expect 60 seconds soon. I didn't tie the antenna down, and a gust of wind knocked it down. Once weighted down, it stayed put. My first contact was from Friendswood, Texas, to Western PA on 15m. A week later I made a contact with a station in Northfield, MN from Friendswood, TX. How's that for a vertical antenna! I am looking forward to ordering some extra parts in the future to try different mounting locations.

I would highly recommmend Steve and Alpha Antennas. If you have a question, he will answer it. Also, the antenna tunes to 160m, and they have this same antenna on their website for $199.00 at this time, saving you $50.00. I don't believe you can go wrong with this antenna.

I called Steve, and I agree with others that Alpha Antenna customer service can't be beat. We miscommunicated on my initial order, and I received the antenna with the claw pole grip. A call to Steve corrected that, and he sent me the tripod version and a return mailing label. He also told me I needed to guy the antenna down using the tripod.
N4CPR Rating: 2016-06-21
Alpha Antenna Has Hit A Home Run With This Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had the alpha multiband antenna for the last 2 weeks and have been testing it from my condo in an HOA community.I have made several contacts in the northeast,central parts of the states and a dx contact to Uruguay S.A.with a report of 59 plus 20db. I also tested the antenna for signal strength and noise floor and found that this antenna rejects RFI very very well.
KA5OXA Rating: 2016-06-19
EZ UP & Great Performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Received this antenna two days before Museum Ships Week End. Erected to the aft flag halyard of the Battleship USS TEXAS in a few minutes. Radio room on 2nd Deck and began working. We made over 150 contacts mostly 40 and 20 with many 59 plus reports using the 60 foot EMCOMM element. It was easy to reorient from WNW to NNE
Steve and the others at Alpha Antenna answered a number of questions in the two days before the contest. I definitely recommend the antenna. It is best to feed it from the upper end. Takes more coax but performance and portability is worth it. Operators were KA5OXA, N5KT & K9GEM.