| K7RFW |
Rating:  |
2012-05-05 | |
| Still good after 5 years |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I wrote a review back on Aug 2, 2007. This is an update. I still have troubles setting up as an OCF antenna, but with the TRSB I have only a few issues and using an analyzer makes it a breeze. I now have extra arms, long whips, mostly have used 6 meter L, dipole, and 2 element yagi, 2 meter Jpole and L, various modes on HF, and even a 70 cm Jpole with an old cellphone whip.
My favorite HF setups are the Low V, the vertical with one 'radial' (really an "L" antenna), and sometimes the 'sideways Z' vertical.
Yes, I broke some whips, my fault for not paying attention to physics but I still have three of the original four long whips I got in late 2007, so they do last - if you are careful and do not treat them like MIL-SPEC grunt proof items.
I have helped teach several folks how to use the system, but I know of at least one person (very knowledgeable and a super elmer) who tried it a couple of times, and said (still says) it does not work, even though I was working Europe, the South Pacific, and South America back in 2008 and 2009.
As noted before, this is NOT a substitute for a real antenna, it is a portable, semi stealthy, multi-frequency/band, light weight, multi-configuration, compromise system which requires some care and patience, unlike a long hunk of wire strung between some tall trees or a tower. You do not need a tuner, although correctly used a tuner can make life easier for some operations.
I still rate it a five for its class, I still use it, it is still repeatable within 2:1 or better in almost every place I have been, and I hope to be at the 2012 Hamvention to get more components for experimenting.
Oh, and for those who want 1:1, sometimes 1.X:1 is better, it seems that you can get a broader 2:1 bandwidth at times with a bit of SWR at all frequencies.
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| VA3ZOL |
Rating: |
2012-04-13 | |
| A great value |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I got this antenna not too long ago for my 817nd. I love going to the local park on the lake to play... I had a few QSO's with this antenna with my IC7000 but tonight was the the first time I used it with the 817. Managed to get 1:1 VSWR without a tuner and worked Venezuela running only 2.5W with AA batteries. This is a great antenna. My signal report was 55.
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| W0SZ |
Rating: |
2012-02-21 | |
| Easy Fun! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I've spent the month in Hawaii. My good friend KI0KB insisted that I take his Buddipole Deluxe with me along with the K3. I was somewhat reluctant but the package was sure the right size and easy to carry on the plane along with the K3. I purchased the 9.5ft extendable whip and built two counterpoise wires to take along. I also took the trusty RigExperts AA-54 analyzer. I was able to erect the antenna as a vertical with one loading coil and was able to set it up with two minimally elevated radials in a lava field outside my Condo. I used black 22 guage wire and in the lava it was very hard to see the counterpoise wire. I tuned it up and only had 2 inductor coil positions to cover 40 through 10 meters-very easy. Did I say it worked? Well that is an understatement. I had a ball. I worked the ARRL CW contest and Buddipole performed very well with the K3. The K3's tuner was amazing and make swiching bands very easy. Needless to say I was impressed and sold on the antenna as an easy antenna solution to take along while traveling. The K3 and the Buddipole are a great combination in my opinion. |
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| K5HSV |
Rating: |
2012-01-28 | |
| Great Portable Antenna |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Took the Buddipole Deluxe kit and a couple of low band coils with me to Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas (2,700 ft above sea level). I set up a vertical for 80 meters and worked a both local stations along with PA, TX, LA, MS and a few more that I can't recall. I ordered the long 9.5' whips and two extra extension arms that came in handy. Get the book, Buddipole in The Field because it will help you get started in the right direction. Once you get the general principals, setup and tuning is a breeze. However, be forewarned, if you don't read the instructions and follow them to the tee, you'll have problems with your SWR. This antenna is fun and really works well. I ran barefoot with 100 watts and got good signal reports most of the time... considering band conditions were up and down. All said, it does what is's supposed to do. |
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| WF2S |
Rating: |
2011-12-22 | |
| Limited by Sunspots and Imagination |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I took the Deluxe Buddipole to J6 for a relaxing vacation. It became a dense pileup the moment I first put out my call! The 2 element yagi on 12 meters took less than 15 minutes from unzippig the bag to final SWR check. Guyed with 3 small nylon cords, it never wavered against the winds.
At home I run BIG Optibeams and 1.1 Kw, so I am used to making Qs.
Buddipole and 100 watts gave surprisingly similar results. No mechanical failures, no issues. It was inside my checked luggage but could just as easily have been a carry-on bag. The antenna was erected as a vertical on 40 & 17 M with worldwide QSOs. On 10m, it performed the same. 20 meters and a buddipole dipole is all I needed to work JAs all evening, until I was beat ! My log is all the proof I need for this antenna.
If you want to operate away from home, this is a great antenna SYSTEM. Setting up for the different bands and the choice of vertical or dipole configuration, is virtually impossible to mess up. The book, 'Buddipole in the Field" gives theory and suggestions to speed up your learning curveand get you on the air- portable and FAST !
From my knowledge of HOAs and antenna restrictions, this will get you on the air in minutes and neatly 'disappears' when you want to QRT.
Yahoo user groups, lots of downloadable data files for antenna configurations and fast telephone support make this American Made product a winner in my book ..
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| KH6DC |
Rating: |
2011-12-22 | |
| Awesome Portable |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Had this system for a week and made many contacts at my office. Had a LNR precision 20MH end fed and testing propagation with the NCDXF Beacons, couldn't hear anything. Same goes for JT65 where a whole day went by without any decodes. Switched to the Buddipole Deluxe where setup was a breeze, less than 5 minutes. Picked up several NCDXF beacons in the west coast USA, South America and Canada. The whole day the laptop was decoding JT65, even made several contacts. Checked propagation and it was similar to those days I used the end fed. This is an awesome system and I highly recommed getting it. JD Fort of Buddipole Inc is a pleasure to deal with and that's real customer service which some companies should learn from. Will pickup the Mini Buddipole for traveling and keep the deluxe at our HOA home.
73, Delwyn KH6DC |
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| A65CB |
Rating: |
2011-12-02 | |
| Excellent |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have this antenna for a year I made lots of QSO. 10 minutes to setup, it works great.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by A65CB on 2011-03-10
I bought a buddipole deluxe. This portable antenna is great! Easy to install, Easy to tuned in. Excellent!!! |
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| N6WBL |
Rating: |
2011-11-22 | |
| Fantastic product |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I picked up my Mini Buddipole up off E-bay used, and boy have I had fun with this antenna over the last couple years. I like how well made the parts are and how you can combine them like an antenna erector set. Even coming up with my own creations. But be warned, you'll start to acquire more parts to try new designs. I've done dipoles, verticals, 2 element 6m beam, 3 element 6m beam, and recently even a 2 element 10m beam. Worked mostly all DX that day with the 10m beam. Wish I would have purchased one sooner. |
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| KB9WSL |
Rating: |
2011-09-30 | |
| Very good portable antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I recently purchased the basic buddipole, but also ordered the rotating arm kit,and the adapter for using the versa-tee with a painter pole. It works great as a portable antenna. Easy to set-up and tune. I plan on using it while camping, vacationing and for emergency communications if the situation arises.I would highly recommend this antenna to fellow Hams. |
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| N2ATA |
Rating: |
2011-08-30 | |
| Overdue 2 Review |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I came to FL with my Cushcraft A3S beam and assumed I would put that back up one day. In the mean time I ordered the Buddipole along with the military shockcord whip elements they sell. The A3S is still in the box and have used this dipole since Nov.'05. All I can say is it has met my expectations. It is on a push-up pole at 33 feet and to date have worked 275 DX locations with this antenna product. I use it exclusively in the horizontal position. I work 6 days a week so I'm not spending all day on the radio chasing DX. Both Chris and Budd are great guys so support is there if you need it. It's not a pile-up buster but a quick and easy get-on-the-air antenna. I use 10 thru 40 with an external tuner with low SWR readings. Order some extra clips for easier band changes. |
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