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Reviews For: Terlin Outbacker series

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Terlin Outbacker series
Reviews: 33MSRP: 249 to $439
Description:
http://www.alphadeltacom.com/joey.html
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.outbacker.com.au/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00334.5
K2KOH Rating: 2002-06-06
Great Mobile..low profile Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I use the Outbacker Stealth Plus on the trunk of my Mercury Tracer. The first thing I liked about the antenna is that I don't have to stop and take the thing down before I pull into the garage at work (How annoying is that, be honest!).
As far as performance is concerned, tune it up on 40 as per the instructions, and it's good to go. I have enjoyed many international QSOs with this antenna and my Alinco DX70. Screwdrivers are nice, and you don't have to keep changing bands, but then again, unlike the Stealth, a screwdriver would tip my car over. I'll stick with the Outbacker...

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Earlier 5-star review posted by N2MWE on 2002-02-09

I had my doubts, but I plunked the cash down for the Outbacker Joey. I got a neat little antenna (Literally, fifty inches) along with an elbow PL259 connector, and a twelve foot counterpoise. I attached everything to my Yaesu FT817, adjusted the antenna as per the instructions, and fired up the rig. Let's talk about how well this antenna hears! It rivaled my Cushcraft R6000 vertical!! As far as transmit, I sent out a five watt signal on 10 meters from INSIDE the house, and had a five eight from a station in Texas. Can't wait to get this thing up on top of a mountain! Field Day, here I come!! This antenna is a MUST HAVE if you own a Yaesu FT817.
KA9P Rating: 2002-05-24
Joey, finally a really rugged QRP antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Yep, finally a rugged antenna you can depend on.

After using an ATX for almost a year, in my opinion the Joey is a much better antenna in most respects. Mounted on a pack frame, its relatively short height and extreme durability has caused it to survive numerous encounters with tree branches and other obstacles that would have oblitered lesser antennas. With an adapter (against the manufacturer's advice) I've operated mobile with the 817 and made solid QSO's as well. Out a hotel window it works great with the counterpoise in the room. This antenna is built to last - antenna failure is now the last thing I think about when operating portable, and I expect years of trouble-free service from it.

Tuning and bandchange has been a dream, SWR under 2 to 1 in about a minute or less on all bands except 17 (slightly higher there, but works fine with the 817). In routine use on 17 and 20 SSB and CW, I've had several really solid QSO's, including SSB QSO's into Europe and South America.

My other portable vertical is a miltary surplus AT-271 with 2 foot helically wound homebrew base loading coil (12 gauge wire) - total length about 11.5 feet. Is the Joey as efficient as that? No, in comparisons on 17 and 20 under steady conditions about a third of the time the other op can notice a difference, but it's never overwhelming, probably on the order of 2-3 dbs, and has yet to be the difference between making contact or not. On the higher bands, I'd expect even less difference. In other words, it's plenty good enough for routine use up through 20 meters. And I've had successful QSO's on 30 and 40 cw as well, but using a longer counterpoise wire than the one supplied.

The one thing it can't do is get short. It's a tight fit for airline travel in smaller suitcases, and a split version would really facilitate taking it along when traveling by air. Not the problem it would have been a year ago, as carrying on antennas is problematic anymore, but it would still be nice if it broke down into 15-20" pieces for convenience.

I'm convinced the Joey is a good value, especially if you appreciate quality materials and workmanship, and durability.
N0FPE Rating: 2002-01-31
Ok just not great Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have a Perth on a ball mount on the rear left side my Izusu Trooper and its preformance is pretty lack lusture. I have never been able to get the SWR on any of the bands below 2.5 to 1. After lots of extra effort to make sure of good grounds on the mount and the rig it was no better. However if I want to only operate 80 meters I was able to obtain a SWR of 1.2 to 1. Using the OEM tuning instructions the darn thing just will not tune. Altho I was not able to make the antenna preform as I wanted it is a well made system. I have since moved to a screwdriver antenna and have 1000% improvement in proformance.

Just my opinion but I will not buy another Outbacker. Anyone want to buy a slightly used Perth? HA!
KE9UE Rating: 2002-01-26
Have 2 of them Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have 2 of the Outreach, recently got the Outreach 500 so I could use my 811. Have it mounted on their ground mount tripod in some bushes in front of the lower apartment I rent. Sometimes would be nice not to go outside and change the tap lead...but no big deal. Are very expensive but you get what you pay for. Run a FT-920 and have always good reports. May try one og the mobil versions soon.
WOUFF_HONG Rating: 2002-01-26
Excellent Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Rxcellent antenna. I use mine with the Outpost
Stand indoors from a 1st floor apartment jnside
at a slight angle due to hight. Very good
results on all bands with my Icom 706 MKIIG.
I cannot use it outside due to restrictions,
so this makes ot a really stealth antenna, I
defy anyone to see it frin the ouside hi hi.
I operate the Perth + and when I move to another
place I will get the 12 foot Outbacker for operation when I move the antenna outside. I am
compleatly sold on the Outbackers, no phoney
claims they really work!!
outsidr
N6WIN Rating: 2002-01-26
Outbacker Perth Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have owned this antenna for a few months now and have had good results for my situation. My QTH is an apartment complex, I have this antenna mounted on the 2nd floor balcony. I use only the rod iron railing and one set of 1/4wl radials for each band snaking around the balcony floor to work against as an RF ground.

The Perth handles the 300w PeP that I sometimes deliver to it, though it is only rated for 150w PeP. It is made very well and I knew I'd have to go outside to change the band tap for each band when I bought it, so no complaints there.

The reason I rate this as a 4 instead of 5 is because of the customer support. I have emailed Alpha Delta (the distributor) and Terlin a couple times for some assistance and have not had one reply. Not a really big deal, but if they are going to provide a support email they should answer the questions sent to them.

Good antenna for an apartment like mine, no one has said a word about it. It helps that I've mounted a flag on it, instead of buying a flag pole for that purpose.
W7KKK Rating: 2002-01-08
Expensive/But Nice Quality Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The performance of the Outbacker Perth is really nice. I get great reports when using it with my IC-746 mobile.
I am knocking the rating down by one due to the expense and one very minor manufacturing flaw which is an easy fix. It's a litte high priced compared to others. It is, however, an all inclusive antenna. Just change the band plug and go to another band. Yes, you have to get out to do it, but you don't have additional control wiring or motors, contacts and such to burn out, such as in the screwdrivers.
Keep it simple and it might last longer seems to work for me.
When working mobile from my truck I get great reports with signal strengths that really surprise me and comments like "are you really mobile?"
This antenna is really well made and uses high quality materials. You do get what you pay for.
The only problem I have experienced so far is with the distributor, Alpha Delta. The tip of the adjustable stinger came off (it was only crimped on-solder yours and be safe) the very first day I had it and was lost. It works without it, and Alpha Delta has stated they are going to send another stinger to me when they get them---and time goes on--maybe someday I'll get one.
KB2JPD Rating: 2000-09-17
Stealth Plus(80m-2m) Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Hi there. Own a SGC-2020 with the Comet HF antenna and never could get the SWR down on all the bands at once. Plus the antenna looked menacing with 5 coils on the top.

The Stealth Plus is a 4 foot antenna with a very short 4 inch stinger compared to its sisters. Install was a breeze (do the adjust on one frequency on 40m and all the bands are tuned. Great!

Fired up the SGC-2020 and it was very happy. Any signal out there and the antenna pulled it in.Put the antenna tuner back in the carry bag. The dealer who sold me the aerial said the only thing to do was put car wax to keep the shine.

Only bad thing is you have to change the wanderlead when you change bands. I operate stationary in my Mitsu Mirage so it is not a problem. My search is done for a HF mobile for now.
K1JD Rating: 2000-08-13
Outbacker Outreach 500 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Have used the Outreach for stationary mobile/portable operation with a big 3 magnet mount. The mount holds the 12' antenna very nicely. The fit and finish are excellent as you would expect for an antenna this expensive -the "5" rating is based on quality and performance only; i.e., not weighted by cost. Used it over the National Lighthouse Weekend with pretty good results (60 cw QSO's) running an Elecraft K2 QRP on 40 and 20. Also managed to break the KH6ND/KH5 pileup at 10w. Overall impression is very positive. The antenna can be set up in less than 2 minutes, is very lightweight and effective. SWR is very good on the CW portion of the bands with the whip fully extended. Decided on the 500 model primarily because of 6 meter coverage in lieu of 160m (useless in an antenna this size anyway) and presumably the 500 has a more conservative design/heavier windings.
WB1DBY Rating: 2000-04-10
Outbacker Perth Plus Time Owned: unknown months.
I have had the antenna for a 1½ years and am continually impressed with its performance. I have a Alinco DX-70TH attached to it. The antenna is very broadbanded and my highest SWR is 1.6:1. If I can hear the station, I can work the station. Also, it is short enough that when the whip is down, I can get into my garage. It is mounted on a Diamond KN-400 mount on the lower part of the hatch on my Subaru Forester. Great antenna! I can highly reccomend it to anyone!