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Reviews For: Diamond HV7A HF/VHF Antenna System

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Diamond HV7A HF/VHF Antenna System
Reviews: 21MSRP: 109.95
Description:
The HV7A has 5 band capability: 70cm, 2m, 6m, and 2HF bands through the use of loading coils. Foldover feature allows for easy access into low overhead buildings. Ideal for users of IC706 series and FT100 radios. <br> <br> Bands supplied: 10m/6m/2m/70cm <br> Opt. Loading Coils: 40m/20m/17m/15m <br> Power, P.E.P.: HF 120w/VHF 200w <br> Mount Connection: UHF <br> Length: 54” <br> SWR: 1.5:1 nominal <br> <br> Above info is from the product literature. For a better idea, check out on-line catalogs: ie. http://www.aesham.com <br> <br> Optional coils typically run between $33 and $40.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.rfparts.com/diamond/mobile2.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00213.3
KA4VAF Rating: 2005-04-14
Not Happy With This Antenna Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased this antenna new last year and have yet to get it to load properly on 10M and 6M with my ICOM 706MKIIG. Be advised this antenna is very sensitive to a good ground. I sent it back to Diamond and they returned it saying it checked out OK. I've tried various grounding methods. I currently have the mount bolted to the rear bumper of my truck which is bolted directly to the frame. It's OK on 2M and 440 but I still get SWR spikes at 75 watts or better on 6M and cannot get 10M to load at all. I've decided to settle on working 6M, 2M and 70CM and just bought a Comet SB-15.
W8ATT Rating: 2005-02-23
Very poor performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have swore by Diamond antennas till I purchased this antenna. I could not get the thing to tune properly and I have an Antenna anaylzer which usully makes quick work of tuning. Don't waste the money on optional coils either like I did because the tuning is horrible. I tried different grounds to no avail. Ended up getting a Comet antenna which worked FB and sold the Diamond at a hamfest.

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Earlier 2-star review posted by W8ATT on 2003-11-30

I bought the HV7A with a FT-100D and haven't been too happy with it. If I use the 10 meter coil I can tune 70cm, 2m, 6m, and 10m. I bought the 40m and 17m coils and heres where the trouble started. I use 6m a lot and when I use any of the two optional coils my 6m swr goes high. I've tried to tune 6m with the 40m or 17m coils on but get the lowest swr at around 49.5Mhz. I've grounded the site to the body and rig to the body. I have a straight shot to the battery for power. I've owned many 70cm/2m mobile Diamond antennas and swear by them but the HV7A in my book is a lemon.
AA9HX Rating: 2004-01-29
great looks, poor performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
hello,

used to run a comet CA-HV for 5 years that needed updating...bought the good looking HV7A. Performance on 20 (with additional coil) and 40 less than before. Antenna detunes constantly while driving and when powered with 100 Watts. had to fix the elements with straps to keep it working while driving, without VSWR jumps from 1 to 3.
Recently bought an ATAS120, Jesus this one is good ! Left the HV7A in the garage for the last four months... Only use it when i want to impress people.

Don't buy it, go for the ATAS 120 !!!
N4KMA Rating: 2004-01-04
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this antenna for a few months and use it with my Yaesu FT-8900R. Tuned the antenna as the instructions advised and it performs great! On 2m, 440, swr readings are 1.5 or lower. On 6m and 10m it is in between 1.6 and 1.8. So if you buy one just read the instructions and you will have no problem. I am new to 10m and 6M FM and I am having a great time.

N4KMA
Juan
K6VHP Rating: 2003-11-30
Great antenna! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the HV7A on my Ranger 4X4 pick-up for about a year or so. It's mounted on a heavy duty bracket on the outside corner (away from cab) of my tool box. Tuned up per instructions, works great. I use it exclusivley for 10/6/2 & 440 with my Yaesu FT-8900 Quad bander. It is a very rugged antenna, but it's heavy! You'll need a very substantial chunk of metal for a mount. I bought a "chicken band" mirror mount bracket at a truck-stop that is very heavy duty. I then drilled it out to accept the Diamond UHF style mount w/feedline, although you could use a long so-239 barrel with washers & nuts as well. Overall, very pleased. The perfect mate for my quad-bander!
KD5HIY Rating: 2003-07-23
Great Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had the HV-7A for almost a month now and I think that it works great. It wasn't really hard for me to get it tuned, but it took about 30-45 minutes of straight working to get it just right. Just like everybody else said, 2M/70cm work great with a 1.2, 6m is at about a 1.6-1.7 and 10m is at 1.1. Reception I think is amazing, I live in Arkansas and can hear 10M FM Repeaters with a 59 signal 90% of the time. Overall a very nice antenna.

Chris
KD5HIY
W7VI Rating: 2003-05-22
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Read the direction while tuning the antenna and you will have excellent results. Use my HV7A with my new FT-8900 moble use. Had one 10 mtr fm contact and recieved a 59 signal report from PA.
SWR is 1:1 on 2mtr and 70cm, on 6mtr the best I can get is about 1.5:1. Everything is in range of what the directions recommends. Stev, W7VI REno
N7DK Rating: 2002-12-14
Excellent Results Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been a ham for 40 years & just got back into the hobby with an FT-817 and an HV7A. I've been working the whole world on 10m and 20m right from the car. Japan, Chile, France, Mexico and about 12 states in today's 10m contest (12/14/02). I'm amazed at what can be done with 5 watts and this antenna. Strongly recommend antenna analyzer to tune this antenna ... it can be very tricky otherwise. Theory says top-loaded design should radiate the best, and results appear to prove it.
EI5HW Rating: 2002-12-07
Difficult to tune on 6M Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have just installed and tuned my Diamond HV7A Antenna. I used Anyenna Analysers to assist in tung. I found I am getting a 1:1 on 2m, 70cm and 10M, HOWEVER, the lowest I seem to get the SWR on 6M is about 1.7. I have the antenna properly grounded and am using the K600 boot mount.

Any ideas anyone ?

email: aidan@ei5hw.net
KA1BQJ Rating: 2001-11-09
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: N.A.
I've had the HV7A for about a month now. I purchased the additional 17 and 40 meter coils, the Diamond K400c mount, the C110 extension cable and the MX-62M duplexer. The total dollar amount for everything was pretty expensive when you add everything up. My rig is a ICOM 706MKIIG. Tuning the antenna took some time and I was suprised as to how much triming was needed for the 6M - 40 tuning stubs. My car is a 1999 Honda Accord. Since I was bit reluctant to start cutting, I used straighened paper clips (yes, that's right) to get me in the "ball park" for the length of each stub.
Performance of the antenna has been great. I've compared it to my base antenna (Lazy-H) and I'm very impressed with the HV7A. Bandwidth is as advertised and I've had many domestic and DX contacts. Nice antenna, Diamond and it looks great too!