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Reviews For: Comet CHV-5X Multi Band Rotatable Dipole Antenna

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Comet CHV-5X Multi Band Rotatable Dipole Antenna
Reviews: 8MSRP: 319
Description:
5-Band, 1/2 wave rotatable dipole for 40/20/15/10/6 meters!

Compact, lightweight, and easily assembled in either a
horizontal, "V" shape or ground-plane configuration. Each
band tunes independently of the others.

Comet engineers have specifically designed this antenna for
those that desire a milti-band dipole that can be rotated if
needed, but don't have a lot of room to install it.

If you have antenna restrictions, neighbors that tend to
complain about antennas, simply want to operate without
drawing attention...or you want a lightweight multi-band
antenna to use in portable or emergency situations, the CHV-
5X is a great choice.
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0083.9
AF6HO Rating: 2023-08-18
Can't beat the installation footprint and bang for the buck. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've installed this atop my roof, with about 5' of mast plus a standard TV antenna rotator and another 3' of mast.
The good:
The assembly instructions are good, and using the guidelines in them to get tune is "close enough" to get up and running on the air with good SWR as advertised.
It works, and you'd be hard pressed to find another antenna like it that works on so many bands and is so small/relatively unobtrusive.
The higher up you go in the bands, the better it works!
20m works marginally, and 15, 10, 6 all work acceptably.
On 20m-6m the directionality gets even better as you go from low freq to high freq (no surprise)

The bad:
40m is almost entirely useless. 20m is better, but still relatively deaf. Look at the bandwidth spec, this should be no surprise given the nature of loaded dipoles like this. Even so, once you get it tuned to say, ft8 frequencies on 40m, it's performance is pretty abysmal.
Note that 20m and other bands have relatively narrow bandwidth as well due to the loaded design, however with a good tuner the entire band is certainly workable. Don't be surprised if it's a bit deaf out of it's tuned bandwidth.
Not really bad, but be careful when tuning the elements and building the antenna, you can bend it where the loading coil meets the main antenna frame.


As a performance comparison, I built an end-fed all band antenna (given, installation options not good) and this antenna beat it out on all bands except 40. Note there's another review about "saving your money" and building an end fed, if you install this correctly you won't get the joy of having a directional antenna in an end-fed, so it just depends if you want an antenna that works moderately over all bands (end fed) or one that can work quite well (better imho) within it's design spec.

I recently replaced this antenna with a cushcraft D3 dipole for 20/15/10 and I can say I wish I had done that to start, and never bothered with this antenna. The performance differential is phenomenal.

My 40m/80m loaded dipole wire antenna outperforms this by a long shot on 40m.

Update 6/10/23 - I've started running power through this antenna, it's rated at 220W SSB but I've been using it for Phone QSOs at up to 400W without issue. The only problem that I have encountered is that birds love to sit on the various elements, and if they sit on the right ones they'll move the SWR from 1:1 to 3:1 and put my amp into bypass mode!

Update 8/18/23 - Updated much of my above review and text now that I've decommissioned this antenna. Bottom line: Consider a tri-band full size dipole like the Cushcraft D3 instead if you have the space.
WC6Q Rating: 2021-01-07
Narrow Bandwidth Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had this antenna for some time now. It is a severely compromised antenna. If you are set on using it for one frequency per band this is your antenna. Save your money and get an end-fed, it will work 10 times better than this thing. Oh, 30 meters won't even come close to tuning.
K5PYT Rating: 2019-05-18
Good so far... Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So far, I'm impressed with this antenna. I was able to tune most of the bands 1.1/1.2 (6 meters wouldn't tune better than 1.7). Nevertheless, for what it's designed for (stealth and saving space), I like it and I'm considering getting one for my RV. I haven't rated it a 5 yet because I just got it and still playing with it. I live in central Texas and thus far I've hit Mexico, Honduras, Japan, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Kentucky, California, and North Carolina on 40 meters. Some chatter came amazingly clear and it's only about 17 feet off the ground.
PY2ONU Rating: 2015-10-17
Great for limited areas Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This antenna is a very good antenna for Limited areas. Very short and good quality materials, i like a lot this tecnologie.
I worked Europe, Asia, Northe and South America with this antena many times. Even in 40 meters i made good local and regional contacts. Bandwitch is too short only 35 khz in 40 meters (with antenna tunner 100 Khz).
Good job Comet!
WB2MFL Rating: 2015-02-02
Very good indoor antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Feb. 2 ,2015

I purchased the antenna from Cheap Ham in Toms River,New Jersey a couple of years ago. It works very well considering I mounted it indoors about 20ft. above ground. I mounted it to a pvc pipe that rotates 360 degrees. The only question I have is will it perform better as the standard dipole or as a V dipole? I can use it either way.
KA2AEY Rating: 2014-09-16
Great For Mounting On RV Ladder Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi, My Name is Joe - KA2AEY. My wife and I have a Seasonal Campsite in Phelps, NY. I enjoy sitting outside working HF SSB, Digital Modes, 6 Meters, etc. I have tried the Buddipole Deluxe Antenna mounted on the ground with the tripod, also on my RV ladder without much success. I decided to give the Comet CHV-5X Antenna a try. WOW, what a difference in performance for me, I have it mounted on the RV ladder using the 1 1/2 inch Flag Pole Buddy. Now I am a Happy Camper, working Europe, Asia, South America, State Side. Tuning is not hard to do, I need to do more but I am pleased right now, I also use a MFJ 945E Mobile Tuner along with my Yaesu FT-450D. This Antenna works great for me with my mounting option. Pictures of the antenna can be seen on QRZ mounted next to my Arrow OSJ 146/440 J-Pole. I hope this review helps others considering this antenna.
KJ6QVB Rating: 2012-11-24
Much better than a stick in the eye! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Ok, I've been using this with my Heathkit HW-101 for almost a year now and I've had pretty good results. Yes, it was very difficult to tune those elements for the general bands in 20 & 40 meters. I finally got the SWR down to less than 2.0 from 14.200 (yes I know, I am anticipating my Advanced one day!) to 14.275 MHz and from 7.175 to 7.225 MHz (only part of 40 meters that's usable on the weekends) using the YouKits FG-01. I have worked stations in Hawaii, Japan, Australia, and South America barefoot. I'm a happy Comet customer!
K8JMB Rating: 2012-11-06
Excellent Compact HF Antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Got this at the Dayton Hamvention in May of 2012. Had just moved into an apartment and needed a small antenna to get back on HF. For what it is it's really great. Setup was very easy. Performance has been great. Many stateside QSO's as well as contacts in Europe and South America so far. Highly recommend this fine product.