Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: PAR Electronics SM-50 6M Stressed Moxon

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Directional (Yagi, quad, etc.)

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : PAR Electronics SM-50 6M Stressed Moxon
Reviews: 74MSRP: 109. USD
Description:
SM-50 Stressed Moxon 6M Antenna Occupies approximately 1/2 the footprint of traditional two element
yagis, yet has nearly identical electrical specifications. The radiator material selection results in a further reduction in size and weight over classical Moxons. Once the coupling unit is installed onto the main radiator using two #10-32 screws, assembling the rest of the antenna, including mast mounting and tuning, requires no tools. Ideal for mountain topping, roving and stealth operation. � Horizontal polarity � Forward Gain:
5.8 dBi � F/B Ratio: 17 dB � Design Z: 50. unbalanced ï ¿½ V.S.W.R. BW: 1.5MHz between 1.5:1 points � 1kW power handling � 6061-T6 aluminum, fiberglass, genuine Flex Weave wire, stainless steel � Rectangular 84 x31", 3lbs
Product is in production
More Info: http://parelectronics.com/stress_moxon.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00745
W1DVZ Rating: 2022-09-11
Best. 6m. Antenna. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Not sure how a Moxon actually works, but this is a superb antenna. Haves used it all summer mated up with a Kenwood TS-60 and a Heathkit SB-220 converted to 6m by the 6m amp conversion genius Lou "QRO King" Parascondola.

The combination is magic. The PAR SM-50 is frankly a brilliant design, and sets up perfectly with 1:1 on 50.125.

Weighs nothing, very stealthy, I feed it full legal limit without a hiccup.

Buy one of these....low noise, great reports.

W1HZ Rating: 2022-07-09
Perfect Solution To Anyone With Homeowner's Restrictions Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This was a perfect solution to the restrictions from my Homeowner's Association. This well designed and manufactured antenna has great F/B Ratio and is an amazing improvement over the dipole I've used for years on 6 meters. Fortunately, there was a terrific opening on the day I put it "on the air" and I was able to work three countries! If you need any technical advise, Dale is quick to respond. Don't hesitate to make the purchase and enjoy it at home, on an apartment balcony or on a mountain top expedition!
KT4WO Rating: 2022-01-23
Great for the money! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I kept forgetting to add my review!
Had this antenna for years and LOVE it!
It's small, well built and works well.
I am lucky as I only live about 15 miles
from Dale and was able to pick mine up at
a local club meeting. I must admit, it is the
best built antenna I have ever bought! High
quality parts. I don't buy many antennas, I build them
but glad I didn't pass this one up!
VE3HG Rating: 2021-04-23
Highly recommended Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Went together in about 10 minutes and up a 16' pole and 1:1 SWR so we're ready for the 6-Meter FT-8 season of working into Europe from southern Ontario. Highly recommended.
N4JRZ Rating: 2021-02-19
Great 6 Meter Beam Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I wanted a small but effective 6m beam so I emailed back and forth with Dale and decided on the SM-50. It has reasonable forward gain and very good F/B. Very simple assembly and the technical advice and customer service from Dale are outstanding. I wouldn't hesitate to buy any products from Dale again.
N7NWP Rating: 2021-01-07
Great Antenna - Portable Ops as well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this antenna as I am space limited. I would like a 6M yagi but due to moving in to a newly build home in new subdivision I did not want to grow the antenna farm just yet.
This antenna had great reviews so I tried. Not disappointing at all. I have it temporarily 20 feet off the ground and have had good success with it.
Using with Yaesu FT 450D

Ordering: Easy. I emailed for price and sent payment. I was informed they were backlogged and delivery may be delayed. Nope within a week I had the antenna in hand. Great service.

Assembly: This was the easiest antenna I have ever put together. Look at instructions and photo and it goes together.

SWR: As advertised - 1:1 first time - no fooling! Follow instructions and it won't fail you.

USE: I have it 20 feet off the ground on a small mast that I am using armstrong rotor on for now. I left it this way as I want to use it when I rove. I drive up high sites (3,500 ft mountains) and like to operate from there Parks On The Air. (keeps me active - and I love the views) I take the mast and antenna down and place it in the bed of my truck, intact, then head off to my mountains.

SIGNALS: I have used it primarily on FT8 from my home and have great success. Signals are seen from my QTH in NW Oregon to Mexico, central Canada and central US when conditions are right. SSB on the hills has been good no complaints. When I use roving SWR 1:1 no issues. Meteor Scatter - I am new to this and getting the hang of it but I have decodes and one good contact from SE Idaho. Using PSK Reporter I see my signal is making some receivers at good distances.
I have yet to use for FT8 on high sites as I did not have my laptop set up but will be using this weekend. With the antenna I could hear many more digital signals on the rig than when in the home.

Is this going to make you a 6M big dog, probably not. But it is a space friendly antenna that is priced right to get into 6m. I love the fact I can take this antenna roving without disassembly.

Remember this is my review of what my experiences are with this antenna. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

Why did I buy this antenna?
1. Great reviews
2. Simplicity of assembly
3. Mobility
4. Priced well

Would I recommend this antenna?
This will not replace a 3 or more element yagi but it does what it claims to do. It works well.
If anything it is a great intro to 6M.
WA4IAM Rating: 2020-06-12
Perfect for Apartment Dweller! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have an SM-50 mounted on a tripod mast on the balcony of my third floor apartment, a space which it shares with a small HF loop. The SM-50's small size allows for full 360 degree rotation there, which is done by hand. I have had the antenna for just over a year, and I couldn't be more pleased with it! An outstanding design that is quickly and easily assembled, it's the perfect 6 meter antenna solution for an apartment dweller. Yeah, the stations with the 8 element yagis are going to hear those weak DX stations before you do with the SM-50. But you will still be amazed at how well this little antenna works just running barefoot on FT8. My best DX with it to date? 4600 miles from NC to Finland during the sporadic-e season in 2019. Not bad for a small antenna on an apartment balcony!
N7WE Rating: 2020-05-23
Answer to my HOA limitations Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I live in an HOA community. Previous 6m antenna was a M2 OH Loop, but I wanted something directional with some gain, but it had to be "hideable" below my roof line. No towers permitted and even 6m Yagis are too big anyway. The description and reviews for the SM-50 looked like a potential solution. Emailed Dale for a quote and he got right back to me with price and shipping. I placed the order and although he had cautioned they were backlogged, it shipped in just 3 working days. Got it last night UPS and this installed it this morning. Following the provided instructions, assembly was simple and tuning to 1.0:1 on my preferred frequency was quick and easy. Plus great bandwidth! Mounted on a pushup pole at 16' using an "armstrong" rotor, it can't be seen from the street! Great service and great product. And an answer to the HOA limitations! If it plays like the other reviews say, this will be a big win!
VE4REM Rating: 2020-05-01
Great Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got this antenna today .had it up and running in 5 minutes,easy to tune.i got 1.2 on 50.313 ft8 6 meters.the band not open today but will update performance of this antenna when the band opens.had a question for sale so I called him and he was very polite and helpfull.the price was great and the assembly was super easy.
WA6RSV Rating: 2019-07-22
Superb Engineering and On Air performance! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Arthur C. Clarke Wrote his first law which states "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

I have dealt with Dale before about a year ago when I first decided to dip my toes in 6 Meters by buying his 6 meter Omni angle. When I got it it looked so fragile that I thought that I've wasted my money..Boy was I wrong! That antenna rocked my 6 Meter world.

Yesterday I installed his SM-50 Stressed Moxon on an 89 dollar rotor held with PVC pipe masts 25 feet up. Holy Cow! the DX stations started coming in full force.

I've been an active Ham since 1976 and even though I fully understand the theory of how a Moxon works Today after about 120 qsos in two days on FT-8 I have to say. It's magic!

Don't even think about it. You won't regret it. 3 Lbs and super easy to assemble. Great Service by Dale too!
73!