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Reviews For: KJ7U Screwdriver

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : KJ7U Screwdriver
Reviews: 37MSRP: 359.-459.
Description:
160-6 Meter HF Mobile Antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.kj7u.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00374.7
W8EB Rating: 2004-05-09
Fantastic product and support Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have owned 7 screwdriver antennas in the past. I just recently installed the KJ7U Shorty screwdriver antenna on my motorhome and was thrilled to experience the pure performance of this antenna. Instructions and manual where very clear and easy to follow. Antenna has a 1.1 to 1 swr on all bands 80 thru 10 meters.

I had one problem with the controller and to my surprise Larry personally answered the phone and immediately gave me solution which in fact worked perfectly.

Excellent workmanship on the antenna, well thought out design and fantastic performance. I am buying a second one for my car.
KC2DAA Rating: 2003-10-11
Best I've seen or used Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned a KJ7U in excess of 1 year now and have had no problem with the antenna. It DOES in fact perform as advertised (a rairity today). I recently had the occassion to speak with Larry about the antenna again a very positive conversation. Our call lasted nearly an hour and he was more than willing to supply me with information regarding modification for automatic controller operation. Several of us here in NY have purchased these antennas and highly reccomend them to all interested in mobile hf operation.
N2OJ Rating: 2003-10-05
The Most Antenna For The Money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I researched antenna's on this site for a few months before I decided to go with this one. The best reason for getting this antenna is the frequency coverage(6-160 meters).I did not see any other antenna in this price range that covered 160 meters,and no other antenna that did all this and 6 meters as well.Even though I noticed that just about every product reviewed on here has some complaints,I wanted to go over some of those that concerned me before I placed my order.I called Larry and he took the time to go over some of the complaints and I was satisfied that he put out a good product.Now that I have used the antenna for a couple of months,I know I made the right choice.It was easy to install and works just as advertised.The lower bands are the real test of a mobile antenna and I always get good signal reports.Many times I'm asked if I run an amp(which I dont)even on 160.I am really happy that I went with this antenna.WAY TO GO LARRY.
KR6AZ Rating: 2003-09-28
Great antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
this antenna works great on all bands and tunes to an absolutely flat swr on all hf bands including 80M and 160m. I've worked stations on 160m that have been there for years and just can't believe that this antenna actually tunes on the band let alone get a signal out. I have this antenna on a Honda Acord and it works great. Thanks KJ7U for producing such a fine antenna.
kr6az
NA1A Rating: 2003-09-23
Great Performer and Priced Right! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Great antenna for the price and performance. Easy to install and very durable. Mine is the "Shorty" model and I mount it on the roof rack of my Lexus RX300. Antenna withold nicely even under 80 MPH freeway speed.
Excellent on 40M and on up. I don't operate 80 and 160m so cannot comment. The manufacturer specifies that it will work all the way down to 160M without the need for any impedance matching network. Per Larry - KJ7U, each antenna is fully tested before shipping out to custumer. Once the antenna is tuned, it stay rock solid.
This antenna is an excellent performer and cost effective! Why pay more for big brand name...
K9BOJ Rating: 2003-09-20
KJ7U “Shorty” performs! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Living in an apartment with a “public” parking lot, I had been looking for a screwdriver antenna that would perform well, and be easy to remove from my vehicle when not in use. (The less attention you can draw to your vehicle, the better.) I found the KJ7U Shorty version screwdriver met those requirements with ease.

I mounted the Shorty on a 4 magnet mount from the Lakeside Company in Anderson, SC. Mounted on the top of my SUV the Shorty doesn’t even “wiggle” when cruising down the inter-states. It does attract some curious stares, but having been a Ham since 1958 I am rather oblivious to the giggling public. Using a short “pigtail” with connectors, I grounded the mount to a rear door hinge. I also “broke” the RF line with connectors inside the vehicle to facilitate easy removal of the antenna when parked overnight in various lots.

Of course, like most Hams, I was in a hurry to complete the mobile installation prior to a 1600 mile business trip. Taking a hurried measurement, I added a few inches to the steel whip length to insure I would have some “trim room” if needed. With the quick disconnect, this came to appx 76 inches. (Larry suggests most installations will come to the vicinity of 72”) I even by-passed the suggested calibration procedure. Larry suggests the 40 meter coil position in most applications is appx 2 ½”. I “eyeballed” this measurement and surprise! I was “dead on” with a minimal SWR on 7.230. I also found this antenna to be broadbanded enough to require little, if any, adjustments on QSY.

The Shorty performed very well on 40 with most stations copying me on the first call. I use an Icom 706MKIIG at full power. I am quite sure that one reason for the good coverage is the placement of the antenna on the vehicle roof. I have not yet had too much experience on other bands at this time, but judging from the performance on 40, I am sure everything will be fine.

This Shorty is a rugged and excellent performer. I am now looking at the steel railing on my Apartment balcony with various mounting solutions formulating as you read this. Two thumbs up for the Shorty by KJ7U!
N7WO Rating: 2003-09-09
A great mobile/portable screwdriver antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After fighting many intermittent problems with
my previous screwdriver and seeing the coil shatter when the antenna was blown off its mount,
I decided to investigate the KJ7U screwdriver which is made locally. I had seen many of my
fellow club members using them and asked how well
they held up to wind, road conditions and of course how well they "heard" and "were heard".
The reports were excellent. I made an appointment
with KJ7U to see what materials he utilized and for the "grand tour" including using one of his
display models.

I walked away with the long version which tunes
160-6 meters and promptly mounted it on the rear
of my fifth-wheel, hooked it up to the switch and
radio and tried it out. Excellent reports on all
bands I tried. I have used this antenna for over
two years and have not had one iota of trouble
with it. I use it for both CW and SSB while oper-
ating portable. Basically what I hear I can work
using 100W output.

Larry's instructions are easy to follow. The main
thing to remember when istalling anything is to first read the manual and make sure you understand
what is supposed to be happening.

I highly recommend the KJ7U screwdriver antenna.
For ease of operation and isntallation, along with
its great performance, it is hard to beat.

KG4CPO Rating: 2003-06-03
Larry short version Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I got one of these antennas to test out my controllers on and was impressed with the performance in an 18" package. Since is is so short I could mount it up on top of the Tahoe and drop some ground losses. It tunes 80 through 6 meters with very low SWR and performs extremely well. Signal reports show no diffence to a full size antenna mounted on the bumper. I am running about 500 watts into it and it handles perectly. This one is a winner! Good job Larry!
KA7SAG Rating: 2003-04-30
great antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Works well on the low bands and great on the higher bands. If Larry made a 1500 watt version I would buy one for home and throw out the hustler.

Larry takes interest in his customers and is eager to hear feedback. I have modified mine with a telescoping whip 6-15 feet to use when parked. It helps me out on 40/80 and 160 and is compareable to my hustler with a good ground system.

He also uses good quality switches for the control and good resistors to slow the motor that should last a lifetime.

It is so far the best antenna I ever bought in regaurds to meeting/ exceding expectations.
KG4ZEG Rating: 2003-03-24
Works Very Good! ` Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have had this antenna for about a month now, and it seems to perform very well. The antenna will tune to 1.2-SWR on all the bands advertised. The motor seems to be of good quality, and the housing is very well built. The man that builds them is a very easy person to talk with and will stand behind his antennas! The only other antenna that I have compared the performance with, is a Tarheel, this performed just as well.