Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: OptiBeam OB1-40. 40m Rotatable dipole.

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

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : OptiBeam OB1-40. 40m Rotatable dipole.
Reviews: 13MSRP: 525
Description:
High efficient 40 meters shortened rotatable dipole, almost lossfree due to the "OptiBeam Air Coil" specially designed for this antenna. Great bandwidth and low swr.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.optibeam.de
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00135
SV1BYI Rating: 2006-03-10
GREAT ANTENNA Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The OB1-40 is much more than just a rotary dipole for 7 MHZ. Well, it is not a two or even more element Yagi, but comparing it with a lossy vertical or inverted vee which radiates somewhat steeper into the sky it is the ultimate solution if nothing really big can be installed.
The OB1-40 immediately lets your participate on the dx business on 40m. Working and breaking pile ups is not a problem, it simply is fun.
Because you have some directivity the reception facilities on the noisy 40m band are improved dramatically.
Though the OB1-40 is a shortened element it performs like a full sized one. The high Q coils which are used to reduce the element length seem to be the key for that. And to see these coils is a must, I’ve never seen such a wonderful design before.
Mechanically the OB1-40 is build rugged and solid, like any OptiBeam antenna.
For a perfect optical appearance and to make it withstand the highest winds the element is trussed.
If you want to work dx on 40m instead of just hearing your friends talk about it, just go ahead and get an OB1-40 up in the air. And soon you will have worked more than 265 countries within 2 years, like me.

A71EM Rating: 2003-11-18
Nov 18, 2003 18:35 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just bought my OB1-40 and OB9-5, I used to work with an Invrted V dipole on 40m which wasn't that bad but since I put up my OB1-40 I noticed a very big diffrent this is realy a very good antenna to buy.

73'de
A71EM
EA1XF Rating: 2003-11-13
Great Rotateable Dipole Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is the best antenna I know to start with seriously on 40 meters band without any problem or complain. I had before a KLM 40M1L but this OptiBeam has some very good characteristics and advantages over my previous rotary dipole that I will try to describe as follows :

1. The antenna is extremely easy and fast to assemble. Many parts already come pre-assembled.

2. The high Q air coils are so well done that you have to see them. They are close to perfection!

3. Very rugged components and includes a complete truss system.

4. When lifting up the antenna, it is so well flush that it goes up by itself, always keeping the horizontal position. It was very easy to do it. I had some problems at this point with the KLM, with many risk of bending the linear loading section.

5. Bandwidth and SWR are excellent and especially good considering that in my case, the antenna is located in between my other two OptiBeam Yagis: 1.5 meters over my 16 elements tribander and 1.5 meters below my 7 elements WARC bander. Besides, there is no interaction at all with the rest of the antennas. (no way with the KLM, unless you use an antenna tuner).

6. I had the opportunity of checking the antenna under high winds and heavy rain and there is no change at all on the performance of the antenna. Always 1:1.3

7. The antenna has gone through 55 mph wind this winter and facing horizontally, with no damage at all. It seems to be very rugged.

8. Comparing the signals with my inverted vee, I have found a maximum difference of +20 dB stronger in favour of the OB1-40. Working Japan from here, I sometimes do not hear them with the dipole and with the OptiBeam I was able to work them very easily. A 5/9 in VK6 and 20 to 30 over every night in EU is not bad, is it?. I really like working 40 meters since I stuck it up. So what else could I ask for to a just a one element antenna?. I wish I could have two elements…

If you really would like to noticeably improve your signals on 7 Mhz, this is one way to go. I strongly recommend it to everybody. You will be very satisfied!.


Carlos, EA1XF