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Reviews For: SIGMA Silver Rod Venom 5/8 Wave

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : SIGMA Silver Rod Venom 5/8 Wave
Reviews: 2MSRP: 60 (£35)
Description:
The Sigma Silver Rod Venom 5/8 Wave is longer than 1/2 Wave. This means it will have improved performance on transmit and receive.

CB 26-28 MHz AM/FM/SSB Base antenna

Specification:

•Power Handling 1000 Watts
•Length 5.80m
•Gain 4.2 db
•Impendence 50 Ohms
•Frequency 26-30 Mhz
•SWR 1:1.3
•Mounting Pole Bracket
•Made in Great Britain
•Antenna average range 20 miles +
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.sigmaeurocomm.co.uk/sigmasilverrodvenom58wave.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0023
MM0IMC Rating: 2020-05-23
Downgraded Opinion! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This aerial is still performing well for me. It will handle high power, as I found out by accident one time!

I'm only giving it 4/5 because Sigma Eurocomm after sales service is lousy in replying to emails. I've sent them several emails over the years regarding questions about their products, but they never once replied!

Edited:- The matching transformer in the bottom isn't very good, as it's prone to dry solder joints and often need resoldering. I've found this on all their variations on this model, including the 1/2 wave and 5/8 wave, also the hi gain versions.
K8CNN Rating: 2016-06-11
Review SIGMA 5/8 Antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have had poor luck with three previous fiberglass antennas, and was looking for an all aluminum replacement antenna. I found this on on eBay for a reasonable price and decided to give it a try!

I assembled the antenna according to the black pan marks on the sections of antenna (tuned up great at 26 Mhz,) the antenna is rated to wok between 26 to 28 Mhz. and from my experience the pen marks are for the low end of the band.

After some adjustments I shortend the top section of the antenna by approximately 18 Inches and got it well for 27.0 to 28.5 with a max VSWR of 2.0 at either end, (I'm sure if I shorted it about 24 inches it would immprove furtherer up the band in 10m) however I still have a few CB friends that I occasionally chat with, and primarily only use 28.3 to 28.5 on 10 Meters.

The antenna seems to preform well and is nice quality in the construction (simple, not much to screw up over time) seems pretty heavy duty compared to some others.

It claims 4.6 db gain and 1000 watts, I only have 150 watts and it handled it nicely! (personally I think 1000 watts would melt the coil at the bottom) but who knows?

It seems to receive nice and I have made a few good contacts so far!

My configuration for this antenna at my QTH is: its mounted to my roof on a ranch style home (roof is 15 ft high) plus a 15 foot mast pipe (made of galvanized fence rail) for total of 30 feet at the base of the antenna, my Ground elevation in N.E, Ohio is 1150 ft. with 50 ft of low loss coax

For the price I can't complain (under $60.00) it seems to be sturdier construction and easier to tune than the A-99 it replaced after only 5 years, It also seems to be a bit better on receive with less noise than the Antron A-99 (also the A-99 is 1/2 wave) vs this antenna that is 5/8 wave.

So if your looking for a good quality no frills antenna, I would recommend this one! with a little tuning you can make it suit most needs! Enjoy! K8CNN 73