| N7LYT |
Rating:      |
2007-11-29 | |
| Get one! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Bottom line: I get on NET, on time, anywhere. I'll be honest, it took awhile to learn how to tune this, with some frustration, but now I'm on air in 2 - 3 minutes with SWR of 1 - 1.5. I have best results with the stick at 4+ feet off the ground with the radial at 2+ feet.
I just upgraded to General and have about one month HF experience. This antenna has been a good learning experience. I bought a MFJ-207 tuner and used it initially for tuning and experimentation. I can tune it with my FT-857D now. I also have a LDG Z100 autotuner but I don't need it with the stick.
As far as bands go, I use it primarily on 20m and 40m. I can switch between bands, tuned, in less than a minute. I'm in Utah and have had contacts from the east to west coast and I've heard some from Hawaii. I'm sure the more I learn about the bands and HF operating techniques I'll get some DX.
I like the small size, and light weight. I carry my radio, antenna and battery in a laptop bag. It's nice having the flexibility to grab my gear and get on a net or make a few contacts on my lunch break.
Besides being a decent portable antenna, it's really cool and fun to play with.
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| KE5NUC |
Rating:      |
2007-08-13 | |
| Works very well |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Got the deluxe kit. Can't add much more than other posts, but would like to say that I had any easy time tuning it on 20 & 40 meters after I got my technique down which I was able to duplicate every time after I figured it out. Have not tried other bands yet.
This is what I do:
Use the counterpoise lengths as stated in the info that comes with the kit as a starting point for the band you want to tune the antenna to.
Listen to your radio for the loudest signal as a starting point for the coil tap position, and make a note of where it is in the middle of the band you will be xmitting on..
Adjust your radio for low power and AM. Read SWR meter and key your mike for xmit and look at SWR. Reposition tap up or down the coil as necessary for lowest SWR. Increase power in steps and repeat the process for lowest SWR. If you get to point where you cannot decrease SWR, than lengthen or shorten counterpoise wire to lower SWR. Gradually and carefully repeat this always for lowest SWR until you reach full power.
Go to SSB and repeat the aforementioned process for lowest SWR. Make a note of tap position, and counterpoise wire length. (I used a sharpie to mark position on coil and a short piece of masking tape to mark the wire).
You are set for your band.
As you increase frequency within the band you may notice a increase in SWR. Use the counterpoise wire to fine tune by either shortening or lengthening it. (Don't cut the wire, wrap or unwrap on the kite reel supplied).
I duplicated this method twenty times in my apartment with the antenna on my balcony and got SWR 1.5 to 1 or less everytime.
Piece of cake once you get it down!
So far have worked Dominican Republic, Honduras, Canada and Northern U.S., and both East and West US on as little as 20 watts SSB under good conditions. 100 watts gets me there when conditions are not so good.
Shouldn't need coil with 10m and above.
Used with 706MKIIG AND NO ANTENNA TUNER.
Can't wait to try 80m coil.
If you need more info, feel free to email ke5nuc@arrl.
Best $176.00 I've spent in a while.
Highly recommended!
73
Terry |
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| AC7WL |
Rating:      |
2007-07-22 | |
| Excellent portable solution! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| I purchased the Buddistick as I did not have an effective portable vertical antenna. I had experimented with several homebrew verticals among a few other commercial antennas. Received the antenna in 7 days out to Guam, fast shipping. The construction quality is excellent, commercial grade. As for performance, I have nothing but good things to say about it. We are at the bottom of the cycle and I worked the big island of Hawaii (3,400 nautical miles) and Kwajalein island (about 1,500 nautical miles) from Guam, QRP. Although I ordered and received the portable tripod from W3FF, I consider a camera tripod more stable. Get the extra coil clips, they will come in handy. The only tough part about setting up is getting the clip position and counterpoise length right. I do not have an antenna analyzer, which would be a great help. I guess it is time to order the "Tenna Dipper"... |
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| W2RDD |
Rating:     |
2007-05-20 | |
| Works Well |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have had the Buddistick up a year now. It is jury-rigged to the window-sill of a second-floor window out at an angle...not totally vertical. I am using an MFJ 10-foot whip instead of the supplied shorter one. I have several counterpoises out the window laying on the roof of a porch just below this window. The counterpoises are cut for the 20 meter band. Results have been satisfactory with about 80 watts. With very limited operating time, I have worked the USA, as far west as CA, and some Euro dx with it. Propagation couldn't be worse (5/07) so, all things considered, I am satisfied. I use a tuner as the logistics of fine-tuning the counterpoises are just impossible to achieve. Because it is so difficult removing the antenna from the window-sill to change the coil tap for another band, I havan't done so, deciding to be mono-band on 20 meters for the time being. I believe that the antenna, were it used in a proper configuration, that is, out in the open, on a tripod, with radials set out correctly for all bands, would work very well indeed and merit a 5/5.
Considering my present apartment QTH operating conditions, I am quite satisfied with the Buddistick. The QTH logistics is the reason for the 4/5 review.
This is a very solid, well constructed antenna. |
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| YV5IAL |
Rating:     |
2007-04-26 | |
| Una antena increible..... |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Apreciados Colegas:
Estoy gratamente sorprendido de la eficiencia de la antena Buddistick.
Instale la antena a unas 4" del suelo y fabrique 4 contrapesos (counterpoises) en cable Nro. 16, uno para cada banda (40 ,20 15 y 10 metros).
Son increibles los reportes de 59 en 20 metros que recibi (lamentablemente no pude probarla bien ni en 15 ni en 10 metros por la mala propagacion atmosferica).
Es mas, mis corresponsales no me creian cuando les informaba que estaba saliendo al aire con la Buddistick y un transreceptor Kenwood TS-570S (100 W.).
La antena en muy facil de sintonizar: Por el metodo "Ensayo-Error" y el medidor de ondas estacionarias del Kenwood TS-570S, me fue posible sintonizarla a 1.1:1 en Dos (2) o Tres (3) intentos en cada banda trabajada.
Sinembargo, no califico la antena con 5 puntos por las siguientes razones:
1) En 40 metros la antena se comporta muy deficientemente (no se el porque...).
2) A la antena le falta una seccion de emisor para poder sintonizarla en 28.500 MHz. (tuve que comprarla aparte ya que no vino con el Kit).
La Antena Buddistick, viene en un discreto bolso de lona, donde nadie puede adivinar que alli existe una antena de HF.....
La recomiendo muy especialmente, para aquellos colegas que les gusta transmitir portables desde sitios remotos
Definitivamente una excelente compra, estoy muy contento con ella.
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| VA7CRH |
Rating:     |
2007-03-22 | |
| Some RF feedback |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Addendum to the review of Feb 21, 2007. After using the Buddistick for a day, side by side with a Screwdriver (MFJ 1664) antenna - had to put the Buddistick away because of RF in the shack. The fix seems to be some sort of RF choke at the antenna end of the coax. Unexpected snag preventing full enjoyment of antenna. Otherwise, the first QSO with the antenna was with Japan from British COlumbia.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by VA7CRH on 2007-02-21
The Buddistick is great, and service from the factory was exceptional. I got exactly what I ordered. A very neat product, heck the little zip-bag is a nice touch, with the components tucked in nicely inside. Well thought out, and as mentioned below looks military grade - light and tough.
I was tempted to give it a '4'... why?? Well, it may be me - I'm a plug and play sort of guy. (I can hear you asking, "If you're a plug and play guy, why the heck are you trying to go protable?") Portable always means being fussy with the context of your surroundings.
First - for me the coil was untunable, by "tuning to the noise". Almost slid this great product to a "4" on that. Fortunately a friend has an antenna analyzer, and I've got the HF bands under 2:1. Beware, the right length of radial is essential.
Second - like all verticals, the radials are everything... and the 31' wire wound around the kite winder is nifty, but this thing begs for cut radials. Perhpas using the antenna analyzer made measurements TOO precise for what you should expect in the field... also, for such a well thought out antenna, the radials are left a bit hanging - a friend with a Buddipole said it was essential to get the radial off the ground, despite one review below which said the radials work best when on the ground. Some sort of rigging needs to be done by the user... and us plug and play types will gripe about anything I suppose.
However, a very neat entry into the portable vertical market and the price is very reasonable considering the obvious quality of the products and the well-thought out modular design.
Now - if I can only "tune to the noise" I'm really off to the races! |
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| K8QV |
Rating:      |
2007-02-26 | |
| A Solid 5 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After getting the 'Stick from Budd at the Orlando Hamcation this year, I finally got the opportunity to give it a workout.
Clamped to the edge of the roof at the fishing cabin in Cedar Key, hooked to an IC-703, I worked plenty of DX this past weekend with one or two watts.
Of course I had to tune the Buddistick. I don't consider that a negative, since any antenna, in particular portable setups, need to be tuned. Not especially difficult, but with my config (two extra arms added to length for better efficiency) 30 meters was touchy about counterpoise length. In about 15 minutes of experimenting it reached a 1:1 SWR. Other bands weren't so fiddly. Next location could prove different.
Well made, tiny to pack, and lightweight materials. Performance hard to beat, in my experience. And I've had lots of antenna experience.
Thanks, Buddipeople! |
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| EA1BP |
Rating:      |
2006-10-22 | |
| The best portable antenna ever! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Hi all.
My experience with this antenna started in May 2006 in Rhodes Island (SV5/EA1BP).
Its the best piece of kit ever made to take in the plane. I went through 3 diferent airports, in different countries, and nobody noticed I was carrying a HF antenna.
In SV5 I worked with my FT-857D (70w) and the Buddistick. I used it by the beach powered by my tiny rented car. I made nearly 700 contacts, from far east (Japan, Taiwam, Corea,...) to America.
I prefer the Buddistick due the small size, and the very good results I get.
Ops! I forgot... Please use radials with it. The results will be extremately better (Tnx W3FF!). A good help is an antenna analyzer.
Get one!!! I had a MP-1 Superantennas, and a Yaesu ATAS 25,... The went for sale in the past market.
Thanks Budd.
Regards,
Miguel
EA1BP |
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| K7RFI |
Rating:      |
2006-06-07 | |
| Outstading |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This ant. works great i compared it to my full size 40 meter dipole at 40 ft it was about 1 to 2 s units less mounted on a 15 ft pole. I had a problem with the pull-out whips and was talking to w3ff (Bud) on 17 and mentioned the problem,didnt want to conduct business but he sent me an e-mail and offered to replace the whips
and did a couple of days later. great guy!!! the problem i had was not the problem of the ant. i should have lubed the threads. |
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| WV9B |
Rating:      |
2006-05-17 | |
| Best quality and best customer service |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I was in need of an efficient antenna for a limited space situation in my backyard which might be easy to put up and take down as needed. As I studied the products on the Buddipole web site I came across their new product called
the Buddistick which is a vertical with several optional configurations. I spoke with Chris and Budd (W3FF) with several e-mails and over the telephone and we designed a Buddistick for 40 meters involving 3 arms, one coil, and a telescoping whip. I ordered the product, two days later they arrived at the door and I was amazed at the quality of the component's. They seemed military grade. The instructions offered a couple of different configurations as to where to place to coil. I experimented with a single
radial while mounting the antenna in a mag mount
with a quick release on a 5 foot-high metal shed in the backyard. I added a single radial and between the combination of finding the coil clip point and the radial length (suggestions are given in the documentation) I got the product to tune at an SWR of 1.2 for the center of the phone band of 40 meters. I am rating this product a 5 because of the quality of the components, the quality of the design and configuration, and the incredible, almost immediate e-mail or phone response from Chris and Budd (W3FF) regarding suggestions on arriving at the ideal configuration and almost perfect SWR. The finish on the rods and the telescoping whip allows magnificent camouflage against trees and the daytime and nighttime sky. Initially I was comparing this vertical with a Pro-am dipole configuration that I have up about the same height. The Buddistick appears to hear about 6 db better than the pro-am configuration. I
am still analyzing the signal reports for a follow-up. I do expect this to work quite well. It is also very easy for putting it up and taking it down as needed. It's just a matter of seconds.
I am ready to discuss an enhancement with Budd which is what I like about this product - modular design offering many options.
If anyone would like to further discuss my experiences with this fine product, feel free to e-mail me at rbelcastro@cox.net). |
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