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Reviews For: OptiBeam OB6/3M High Performance Tribander

Category: Antennas: HF: Yagi, Quad, Rotary dipole, LPDA

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Review Summary For : OptiBeam OB6/3M High Performance Tribander
Reviews: 27MSRP: 780
Description:
German designed high performance multi band 20/15/10m Yagi with patented efficient feed system. Computer optimized and field tested yagi without traps and with full size elements on all bands. It has 2 elements on 20 (moxxon), 2 on 15, and 2 on 10 meters all on a 10 foot boom. Mechanically this antenna is a beauty. Get a better beam for your money, check it out!
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.optibeam.de
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00275
IH9YMC Rating: 2013-02-01
A piece of art Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
What else add? , great product , easy to assemble ( i set up the antenna alone without any help and in two days), perfect in every little thing. Great and full support from the factory . performance as described by the factory.
I live in a very wind island, till now the antenna yet passed and survival strormy wind weather without any damages.
IK3SSG Rating: 2012-05-13
Fantastic Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
(English text)
A great antenna, a great company, a new friend.
Fast Shipping and easy contact.
Excellent mechanical and electrical construction.
Compact size but top-level performance.
I suggest you follow carefully the instructions and advice of Thomas DB2BO. For example, I mounted the balun in the wrong position, the drive 10m, and he, from a photo that I sent, I explained that I was wrong. I have corrected the connection, on the drive 15, and the antenna has proved to be perfect with SWR 1:1.
Regarding performance, the same afternoon I took off many satisfactions, connecting colleagues all over the world.
I say any more?
VERY VERY RECOMMENDED!

(Italian Text)
Una grande antenna, una grande azienda, un nuovo grande amico.
Spedizione veloce e contatti facili.
Ottima la costruzione meccanica ed elettrica.
Dimensioni compatte ma performance di primo livello.
Vi consiglio di seguire con attenzione le istruzioni ed i consigli di Thomas DB2BO. Per esempio, avevo montato il balun in posizione sbagliata, sul drive 10m, e lui , da una foto che gli ho inviato, mi ha spiegato che avevo sbagliato. Ho corretto la connessione, sul Drive 15, e l'antenna si è dimostrata perfetta con SWR 1:1.
Per quanto riguarda le prestazioni, nello stesso pomeriggio mi sono tolto diverse soddisfazioni, collegando colleghi in ogni parte del mondo.
Cosa dire di più ?
CONSIGLIATISSIMA !
K6ATZ Rating: 2011-11-25
Excellent design, production and performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The OB6-3M is a six-element tribander, combining a Moxon on 20 meters with a Yagi for 15 and 10. This design makes it possible to fit full-size elements into my limited raising space instead of resorting to traps, tuning stubs, heavy motors or other complexities, and in addition I find the look very clean and modern. This antenna is a real performer, and I'm especially happy with it on 20 meters where I believe it most clearly outclasses tribanders with shortened elements. With the antenna at 40 feet I have had wonderful results on all three bands, at both 100 watts and 1 kW.

I purchased mine through Array Solutions in the US. They arranged to have the antenna produced and shipped from OptiBeam in Germany, copying me on all relevant email. The owner of OptiBeam, Tom, DF2BlueOcean, has been very responsive via email to every question and comment during and after the sale, even when he was on a vacation trip. The antenna was manufactured in the time promised, and then shipped direct to my door in California overnight, with no problems and nothing required on my end. I also purchased an Array Solutions 5 kW balun, which is not strictly necessary but nice to have.

Production, inventory, packing, labeling and instructions were absolutely meticulous. No missing parts, no fit-and-finish problems. Everything went together so well, and so detailed were the instructions, that I was probably more cranky than I normally might have been with the Array Solutions balun, which was shipped to me separately from Texas with no instructions and a slightly sloppy weather seal. The balun is a good product and is performing well. Turning again to the OB6-3M, Tom's nicely bound assembly instructions are mostly text, with few pictures tied directly to assembly steps, but they are very very detailed and I suggest you read ahead, twice, before each stage...especially if you don't do it all in one session. I completed assembly and mounted the antenna on my tower over two or three short evenings and one Saturday morning.

Directivity and gain are excellent. SWR is exactly as promised, with clear minimums characteristic of a high-performance antenna, and no tuner (trimmer) is necessary unless you or your amp really want to, except up in the 10 meter FM range. True to the brand this is an "optimized beam" for those three bands, that's what I bought it for, and wow does it perform well there! In my first months with the OB6-3M I've had a lot of fun in the CQWW DX Contest, busted DXpedition pileups with one call, been the target of my own pileups in the CA QSO Party, and enjoyed long ragchews in good and bad conditions. You know, real beam stuff. Life is good.

OptiBeam marketing and documentation is up-front about the fact that this antenna is a compromise choice for 12 and 17 meters, and claims nothing for other bands, but since some reviews have mentioned these topics I thought I'd give a full report. Operation on 12 and 17 meters requires an external tuner at my station, as my Icom's internal tuner can't handle over 3:1. The OB6-3M seems to be basically a dipole on 12 and 17, and I estimate that receive and ERP are only about 40% of antennas cut for those frequencies. I've never been interested in 12, but I do drop in on 17 occasionally and - for what it's worth - while writing this review I easily made several long US QSOs and one 3,500 mile DX contact on 17 during an afternoon of mediocre conditions using this antenna. Tuning is sometimes even possible here on 6 and 30 meters due to tricks of impedance in my coax, but I can't hear anything except noise on those bands. That it tuned at all on 6 meters was a surprise, so I asked about this and Tom confirmed that the antenna has negative gain and an awful pattern on 6. That's probably true of 30 and 40 as well, if you can tune it there.

The total cost was about USD $1,400 delivered duty paid, similar to the price of the only US-made midsize tribander I'd seriously considered as an alternative before deciding that antennas achieving a similar turning radius through traps or tuning stubs are simply not in the same class. I paid an additional $91 for the optional Array Solutions balun. Weighing only about 33 pounds, the OB6-3M is easily supported by my US Tower MA-40. I'll be posting pictures and info about my tower project and OB6-3M via www.k6atz.us
PD2DB Rating: 2009-10-11
Perfect Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi,

Since two weeks i own a Optibeam OB6-3M. A small and light weight antenne. You have to read the manual carrefully when you install it. It is simple but if you make a mistake you have to disasamble a part of the antenne. You dont want that:-) We didnt read the manual and make a mistake with the bolts into the elements. Yes the head of the screw/bolt go from the upperside and fit into the enlarged hole. The inside element is with the small hole on top the outside element with the enlarged hole on top. Watch out if you have the middle part of the element from 20Mtr in the god position. One side have 1small and a big hole. The other side only 2 small. This is a perfect system! The elements are very good connected. When it it is installed it works directly with a perfect SWR. With all my former antenne's you always are busy busy busy to reach a good SWR. In the past i have owned a LP-5, 3el trapped Hygain and a 3el trapped Mosley. I only use HF with 100Watts and compare if i can manage to make contacts with special, far away, stations. So in the big pile ups:-). In mine opinion this is the best antenne i have had. The F to B is extreme good. So as you could have read in the review from Henk (PD5TS) - he help to build it up - we have compare with another friend with a 3el Steppir antenne. Of course it is not easy to compare but our signals on 20Mtr are nearly the same. So thats not bad for such a small and cheap antenne.

Remarks:
- The mastclamb could be placed on both sides from element S10. The manual advice is to put it between S10 and S15. I prefer between S10 and R15. The balance is in mine opinion a slide better. When you google pictures OB6-3M you see that most guys put the clamb between S10-R15. Even the Optibeam picture is the mastclamb placed between s10 - r15. I have tested booth places and it doesnt have impact on the working or SWR from the antenne.

- When you install the driver elements on the boom dont tide it. Because you have to put the phaselines on those elements and this comes very precise. When you have put the phaselines on the drivers and put everything on the exact position then tide alle screws.

The construction from the anttene is good. I guess it can survive big storms for a long time.

And another important thing is when you get in contact with the factory, even when it is a simple stupid question:-), you get directly a friendly answer with a good explanation.

Here some pictures:
http://www.hamshop.nl/documents/IMG_4728.JPG
http://www.hamshop.nl/documents/IMG_4731.JPG

73 Marcus PA2DB

PD5TS Rating: 2009-10-10
Same performance as 3el Steppir Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Today we have compared the OB6-3M on 20 m (at PA2DB) against a 3 el Steppir (at PE2MC). The stations are around 6 miles from eachother and used 100w both. The antenna's were at the same height (16 meters atg).

Signal reports (after asking for honest reports) in Melbourne (VK) and Colorado (K) were exactly the same!

I am more than convinced I made the right choice!

The Steppir has around 55m2 surface and the Optibeam only 25m2...

The Moxon concept is a real performer! Thx Tom for a wonderfull product!

73 de PD5TS Henk
M0OGY Rating: 2009-01-01
Simply Superb!!!!!!! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had the OB6-3M on my tower for 18 months now.It has stood up to 70+ mph winds well.I use it mainly on 20 meters QRO , if I can hear Dx I can work it, with 500+ stateside contacts in the last year (and thats with solar minimum!). I am an Engineer/Welder and know quality when I see it, and this antenna is quality. Yes all Thomas's antennas cost a few weeks wages for most of us , but there again it is a "Rolls Royce" as far as build quality goes.I like the compact design and walks all over most 3 element trapped Yagis in performance.The Moxon design on 20 meters is a good design and works well for me.Put my callsign in Youtube and there is a video of this antenna on my tower........I have no ties with Opti-beam ,just a very happy customer, just wish I had the room to fit an Opti-beam 20 meter Monobander in!!....73's and good DX Dave (M0OGY) North Lincolnshire UK
W4OP Rating: 2008-08-12
A Step Above Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my OB6/3M on my tower for about a year now. I used the standard element settings and was delighted to see the vswr was excellent once on the tower- no adjustments required.
My main use has been on 20M, where the clean pattern and excellent F/B has been observed.
Workmanship, materials/hardware, and customer service are excellent. Thanks Tom for a wonderful product.

Dale W4OP
DL4ZBG Rating: 2008-08-12
Great performer since 2002 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After buying a new house in 2001 I decided not to erect my old Trap- Yagi again (Fritzel FB33). I was looking for a small and efficient aerial, and finally I chose the OB6-3M. My remarks: 1) SWR as specified, excellent bandwidth on 20/15 2) easy to assemble, good documentation 3) Moxon element on 20m with very good pattern (eg. F/B) 4) excellent pre- and after- sale service by DF2BO (e.g. EZNEC- Files), E-Mails answered in only a few hours!!! 5) very good dx- performance on all 3 bands, especially on 20m (ZL contacts via lp even with mobile stations in Auckland with good reports !) 5) no damage during storms since 2002 -- surely would buy it again.
GM7CXM Rating: 2007-03-29
Excellent solution for small spaces Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a new house (in construction) a few years back, moving from a small suburban house to a city centre apartment. This narrow corner building with sloping roof made the antenna choice pretty difficult indeed, with the added ingredient of power lines and no other place to put the communal TV antennas other than on my tower and not being able to install full size 20m elements since they would overhang the adjoining property (not permitted under Spanish law)

I checked out lots of options, including quads, the hexbeam, and a number of others, before settling on the Optibeam. I made the decision not only on the antenna characteristics but also the super detailed and quick replies from Tom DF2BO in answer to my multiple queries.

Fast forward three and a half years. I have been living in the house for a year and a half and it’s time to install the antenna. Perfectly packed, easy to put together, once the first element was done the rest is a piece of cake. I especially liked the stainless screws which embed themselves into the elements, making it virtually impossible to come undone once up on the tower. I assembled the elements on the terrace, and at midnight on Friday discovered what I thought to be an error in the instructions with respect to feeding the phasing lines. I zapped off an email to Tom, without much hope of an answer before the team arrived next morning. To my surprise at 9 the next morning I had a concise reply from Tom clarifying the point. Yet another example of the excellent optibeam service.

I then took the elements up to the top of the roof where I found a small flat space to assemble the elements on the boom, while EA5YC finished some guy wire mods in order to haul the antenna up (not an easy job six floors up on a sloping roof with a guyed tower). But up it went, just in time to be put through it’s paces for the WPX phone contest.

Conditions at the bottom of the cycle are difficult, nevertheless I managed to make a good number of DX contacts, not only on 20 but also on 15 metres. I have no antenna with which to make a comparison, but many years of experience to guide me instinctively. Instinct tells me this is a good antenna. I was able to make contacts on 10m with 50w while the amp was warming up. The directivity on 20 is great, here’s an example: I am beaming west and hear a PY and a W calling on the same frequency. I turn the beam to 300 and work the W. The PY has almost disappeared. I then turn down to about 230º and work the PY. The W is nowhere to be heard. This is one of the basic premises of Mr. Moxon’s book, that directional antennas should not focus so much on forward gain as rejecting unwanted signals.

Other plus points: no traps so can accept unlimited power. Will tune up on the warc bands and even on 40, although performance is quite poor on 40. Very small footprint and low visual impact. Low weight means it will turn with a small rotator, my yaesu 650 is overkill for this antenna.

All in all, excellent design, build quality, service, and performance. You couldn’t hope for more.

73 de Duncan EA5ON / GM7CXM
DM1TT Rating: 2006-08-20
Excellent, compact tribander without traps Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I'm having this nice ant up for more than a year now.

Assembling was easy. The relatively low weight also makes handling of the ant easy in the mast.

The most important: performance. The ant performs like good 2 element monobander, good gain, very good f/b ratio, good swr curve. You get a feeling that rf really is radiating instead of e.g. warming traps.

I needed advice on a possibility to assemble another ant on the same mast and this was very professionally provided by Tom of Optibeam. So also support I consider very good.

Would I buy it again? Sure! But I would also consider Optibeam's new 5-Band wirebeam.

No connection to the company or people around it other can being a (happy) customer.