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

Category: Antennas: HF Portable (not mobile)

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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
N0XE Rating: 2012-11-15
Works Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I wound up getting two of these antennas due to an order error but it worked out ok as a buddy wanted one of them. First the antenna is well packaged and communication was excellent with the supplier, both arrived in good shape, no serious complaints, the antennas worked as advertised for what they are , (small vertical on a tripod), you have to understand what your using here and don't expect super performance from a small tuned vertical especially on any of the lower bands, just not going to happen, why one reviewer here had such bad luck even on the higher bands is probably due to a problem with that paticuliar antenna, both antennas tested here just fine and performed best on 10 through 20 meters where they should be operating at much better efficiency, I did make some 40 meter contacts and reports were OK, nothing was tried on 80 or 160, the antenna is what it is and is not a beam or even a nice dipole up 50 ft, but can get the job done if conditions are decent. Now the concerns, this antenna is probably fine for nice weather outings and portable set ups, but I do have the concern on the water fill up, one of our verticals totally filled with water, this is an issue if your set up on Field Day and it rains, you could probably find a way to seal the whip but a better design would be a better way to go so this problem is not there in the first place. As far as rust I have not seen that yet but am not going to say it will not happend either, the whip appears to be stainless steel but after reading the one negative review I am not 100% sure. We used one of the Verticals at our recent hamfest here in Sioux City as a demonstration and we made over 30 QSOs with most on 20 meters, all in all the antenna seemed to perform fine and as described. We did not add any extra radials and I am sure it would have done much better if we had. My big concern with it is the long term reliability and water issues. 73 Jim N0XE
KB0PIO Rating: 2012-11-14
Interesting antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Let me first say that there's no antenna that is as easy as this one is to setup. Well, on my first day of using it, I had some bad luck when I dropped the match on my driveway. I continued to set up the antenna, but when all was said and done I didn't hear any signals coming out of my radio. I called Alpha Antenna and was asked to remove the match and hook up my coax directly to the SO239 on the mount. I immediately heard signals coming in from all over. They sent me a new match and the new one does work. I'm probably not going to use the match from Alpha because my antenna seems to work a little better with only my LDG tuner. I'd give this antenna a 4.5 and almost gave it a 4 because nothing is mentioned in any of their documentation about the antenna's capabilities when their match is removed and only an external tuner is used; plus I had to wait just over a week to get a replacement match. Yet, the more I use the antenna, the more I appreciate its' simplicity...so I gave it a 5.
KC0VPL Rating: 2012-11-06
Superb stealth/temporary antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the Alpha Vertical Jr. for 6--80 Meters. I have used it so far on 10, 17 and 20M with very good resuls. My first contact moments after putting the antenna together in my back yard was Reykjavik, Iceland with 25 watts PSK31 on 20M! Not bad from St. Louis, MO. I live with antenna restrictions, and this is perfect for quickly and quitely setting up for the aftenoon or evening on the air.
KB1MKJ Rating: 2012-11-05
Easy to set up, great value. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received the antenna via USPS and within 30 minutes, it was up and running. The installation instructions were clear and easy to follow. I have space restrictions and this is the ideal antenna solution. I have been able to work stations in Fla. and Jamaica on 20 and 40 meters with an ICOM 706.
WA7K Rating: 2012-10-23
Works very well! High quality! EASY setup! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased this to replace a Chameleon V12 which I had poor results with. Got some stateside contacts with the V12 but noisy & not good signal reports. The day the Alpha SR Portable arrived it took me less than 5 min. to set up - easiest setup I have seen! Using my portable setup Icom IC_7000 w LDG IT-100 tuner on 20m I made contacts in MO., CA., & WA. All signal reports were 59! Very pleased! Wanted to use this on a Boy Scout Camporee on Oct. 19-20 as I teach the radio merit badge. Prior to the event I attached 4 25' radials and it really increased the ability for the system to "hear" (as we would expect). At the camporee we had many state side contacts on 20m & 40m. The highlight was a contact on 40m with Mario (I2VRN) in Italy. We got in through a pileup & his signal was 59 with his 1500W & beam. He rated our signal 57 with our little portable 100W setup out in the desert. Over 100 scouts were quiet & focused trying to follow his good English but heavy Italian accent. We were able to tune 80m & heard a station in Australia but could not get in due to pileup. SWR low on 20 & 40 but needs a tuner for 80/160. A good high quality portable antenna by itself - a GREAT high quality portable antenna with 4 25' radials!
N4JDU Rating: 2012-10-18
quick and resonant multibander Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
When I ordered I was told that one part was on back order. I advised that I had a outdoor event to attend and wanted to use the antenna with my new KX3. Steve assured me that he would do everything possible to get the complete antenna to me before the saturday event. On Friday via USPO prioity mail the package arrived. These guys care about customer satisfaction. Before taking the antenna to the festival I put it together at home to check the SWR's. The instructions clearly state to extend the feed line at least 25 ft fom the antenna with no curls or loops. They were right! With big fat 2 ft loops of LMR coax the SWR's were >25. Bur lay it all flat and presto! She is good to go as advertised. The tripod is a part of the counterpoise but you can add radials to the mount for further tweaking but for fast deployment you will be fine with this antenna and a flat on the ground coax. From Helena, Alabama we reached Mexico, Canada and a number of USA stations with the mighty Elecraft kx3 at 10 watts and the Alpha Vertical. The stainless steel whip is hefty eneough to withstand winds and other flying objects. The Alpha matching network does a wonderful job at the feedpoint. I think it is a great, fast antenna for any portable use. Service is excellent.
K6DLB Rating: 2012-09-05
Very Fine Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I wanted to give this antenna a fair reveiw. I have used it portable with my IC-9100 and with good results. Worked 40, 20, 17, & 15M.
KD0MEI Rating: 2012-06-30
Great Performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Unpacked this antenna and had it on the air in just a few minutes! Initially I set it up as a portable in my back yard in the Kansas City, MO area. Right off the bat I worked stations on both coasts and in Canada. I now have it configured as a ground mounted vertical with several radials down. I have worked stations as far away as New Zealand. This is an excellent antenna at a very reasonable price!
W1KFR Rating: 2012-05-29
Nice portable antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As everyone has said about this antenna already, I did a lot of research for an antenna that I can set up fast and take down and move around with. I have HF only in my 1997 jeep and wanted to have the portability to set up my jeep anywhere and operate HF. This antenna does it for me. At this point I have used it in my driveway with my vehicle in the garage. I do not have a base station due to financial constraints but this antenna has made it easy for me to operate HF. I was able to set it up in less than 5 minutes right out of the box and was on the air. The antenna on 40 meters and 20 meters was perfect with the SWR less than 1.5 to 1. I have made contacts on 80, 40, 20, 17, 15. Nothing on 12, or 10 yet but the band conditions have been poor on those.
A little bit about the company. Right out of the box the tripod knobs were broken and the alpha match box center conductor on the So239 would come out of it's seat. I reported both conditions to the company and it was replaced immediately no questions asked! I am very happy with the product and the support. I look forward to using this antenna out in the field while portable! I may even try it for field day this year to see how it performs. I am a very happy customer.

Thank you Alpha Antennas
KJ6VWX Rating: 2012-05-07
Well Engineered Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
As a new ham, I did a lot of research to find a HF antenna that was:

1. Multi-band
2. Stealth
3. Easy to assemble and deploy
4. Works well out of the box
5. Simple to understand and use

Even though there weren't tons of reviews on the Alpha Vertical, it seemed to fit most of my criteria. I took a deep breath and ordered. Anxious to try out my new General license on the HF bands, I asked the Alpha guys if I could pay for expedited shipping. They responded quickly that they would be happy to send the antenna 2-day express for no extra charge. Wow!

I got the antenna just in time for my first weekend on HF. It was packed nicely, assembled it in a few minutes. I had a few newbie questions and the online support people answered quickly and late at night--very impressive! I set it up in my side yard out of the view of my across the street HOA president, ran some coax into my shack and tuned up 20 meters. The antenna matched 20 meters almost perfectly and I called CQ. Got a response back on my first try--a ham almost 600 miles away reported my signal a 5-9. 40 meters was just coming to life so I checked SWR down on that band and the Alpha matched better than 1:2. Called CQ on 40 and made contacts from California to Oregon, Washington, Utah and New Mexico. The 40 meter folks sounded like they were down the street! A little gun shy of the antenna restrictions and the HOA guy across the street prevented me from extending the antenna to it's full height of 23'. I was probably around 15'.

I'll be on the air this coming weekend, learning more about my radios and more about the Alpha. If you are looking for a good portable HF antenna or a stealthy one for your antenna-restricted base, you might want to give this one a look. I'm nowhere near an expert, but it was pretty exciting making contacts my first night ever as a ham with this affordable, simple, well-engineered antenna. Just think what I could do with this thing if I really knew what the heck I was doing!