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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
N0HR Rating: 2001-06-05
Works ok. Skip the duplexer! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Install went ok. I had quite a bit of trimming to do. Bandwidth was about as advertised. Worked some good DX on 15m shortly after install. Seems sturdy and I didn't feel a need to guy it. Used Diamond K200 series mount and have used 40m and 10m coils as well.

For me, with the low bands (esp 40m - as expected) being so narrow, I'll need to use this with a tuner of some sort. Without adding to the complexity, an additional tuner will eliminate the possibility of using the duplexer as far as I can tell (as recently discussed on the mobile forum). I suppose you could add greatly to the cost/complexity to force the use of both the tuner and duplexer, but a dual-band magmount for VHF is much easier.

Essentially, I'll be forced to use two antennas (one for VHF) if I want to use a tuner (to allow full coverage CW/Phone of 40 meters without stopping the car to tweak it). If you are wondering what compromise this antenna system has, I'd say that this is it.

Bottom line, if you're looking for a single antenna solution to a HF/VHF mobile rig, this antenna (and duplexer) will work as long as you don't mind either stopping roadside to make adjustments or not changing band segments significantly.

Beyond that, I have not conducted serious A/B tests with other mobile antennas. However, I did compare it to a dipole at ~10 meters height and found that on 15 m the Diamond to be only one or two S units down. Not scientific, by any means, but I'll guess that the Diamond holds its own in terms of performance.

I'll give it a 4 on performance and a 2 as a complete system.