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Reviews For: OptiBeam OB11-5 (high performance 11el fivebander 20-17-15-12-10

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

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Review Summary For : OptiBeam OB11-5 (high performance 11el fivebander 20-17-15-12-10
Reviews: 36MSRP: 2028 USD
Description:
Performant Yagi designed as interlaced monobanders for 20/15/10m plus high efficient "hidden sleeve element technique" for 17/12m.
Loss free broad band OptiBeam driver feed system reqires only one single 50 Ohm coax.
Optimized computer designed German Yagi without traps and with full size elements. High gain and f/b ratio on all bands.
The OB11-5 has 3 el on 20, 3 el on 17, 3el wide spaced on 15, 3el wide spaced on 12 and 5 el on 10 meters on a 6.00 meter boom.
No switching, no tuning, no flexible parts, an absolute trouble free performer !
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.optibeam.de
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15365
I5FLN Rating: 2007-04-15
Enjoy it de I5FLN Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
On August 2005 bought this antenna but installed only on last week replacing a TH6DXX after 30 year of service; what a pity could not put Optibeam up before. Before choose OB11-5 I made a long investigation and comparison around other yagi. Finally I selected this one due to the best ration price-performance. It`s the best 5 band antenna i ever used just as example 1st day of test worked on 18Mhz N8S at 1st call !
The SWR is fine over the whole band like factory report on the specification
The Antenna has a good gain and F/B. Everything is equal with the information of the manufacturer, good materials. Manual well done with easy assembly instructions.

73's de Luciano I5FLN
DG0OFT Rating: 2007-02-16
Review OB11-5 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I’ve been using the antenna just for a little time but I’m very satisfied with it. The manual is very clear and easy to read. There are pictures included which display the installation from the beginning to the end in an impressive and easy manner. Strictly spoken, it is as easy as A-B-C to construct the OB11-5. The configuration of this kind of antenna is just plug_and_play. You can compare it with a robust connector system. The antenna’s components are very good specified. Thus you almost can’t make a mistake in regard to the installation.
The elements didn't need any length adjustment and their position is clearly marked on the boom.
The material is very strong. I was been using the system during a hurricane without nameable damage.
As a conclusion I’d like to ad, that this antenna exceeds all my expectations.
I recommend the OB11-5 to every professional radio operator.
DL1EJA Rating: 2006-09-29
try it yourselve! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
electrical and mechanical without compromises.
Excellent performer on all bands.
Plug n' play. Excellent Support, too.
9K2CQ Rating: 2006-03-21
Excellent !!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've been using the antenna for a little over a month, what can I say..Perfect. The manual was simplified, everything was detailed and colored not to mention the condition it was sent in, the manual was put neatly in a binder ( something I havn't noticed in other companies). The antenna assembly was pleasantly easy, everything was specified, the elements didn't need any length adjustment and their position clearly marked on the boom, the idea of the booms' sqare diameter was genius, the material of the antenna is strong and obviously durable, the posture of the OB11-5 was outstanding; the elements were firm and straight not dangling around in the air, and in windy weather the OB was still as stiff as ever. Aaaaannnnnd get this , the actual SWR reading was even less then mentioned in the manual, that was amazing.
I'm currently using two antennae on my tower, OB2-40 on top, and OB11-5 beneath it, both at about 25 meters above the ground.
The antenna performance was brilliant, used it on 50 watt and was given a signal report of 5/9+20.
All in all OB11-5 is your BEST BET, worth every penny (which is not much- mind you- considering the unbelieveable qualeties) Thumbs up all the way Tom,(DF2BO) thank you for designing the perfect antenna.

PS. Tried the OB11-5 on its' "maiden" contest, 9KCC, I WORKED WONDERS !

Mohamed
9K2CQ

DL8SCG Rating: 2005-12-15
a fantastic antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Hi,

12 weeks ago i bought the OB11-5 and since there i work with this antenna 16 meters over ground.
It`s the best 5 band antenna i ever used and worked with.

The SWR is fine over the whole sector.
The Antenna very selectiv.
The gain and the F/B is amazing, too!
Everything is equal with the information of the manufacturer of the antenna.
The mechanics and the stability of the OB11-5 is unreachable. Never saw a better one!


Many parts were shipped by the producer. With using the very good written "user guide" it`s no problem to build the antenna.
(it take a little while)

In this price range you won`t find a better antenna for DXing, CONTESTing and normal QSO operation, I bet!

The service of the manufacturer (Firma OPTIBEAM) is top!

I recommend this perfect antenna (OB11-5)!
The enjoyment is guaranteed for a long time!

Congratulations to the producer Firma OPTIBEAM to this felicitous construction of the brillant antenna.

If you want to see pictures or have more questions, pse send me an e-mail:
dl8scg@brachernet.de

73 de Bernd DL8SCG / KI4ERB
*************************************************************

DF3VM Rating: 2005-04-17
Unbeatable Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Because I'm one of the first users, I want to write this review concerning the new standard of multiband design, Otibeams new OB11-5.
First I want to mention, that I'm an avid Optibeam user (9-5,7-2,4030). My last OB was the marvellous OB9-5 and I was sure that this is the best 5 Band Yagi you can buy (see my other review) - than came the 11-5. (For further details have a look at Optibeam's website - don't want to repeat all).

The building of the 11-5 is extensive and you should read the manual first. If you follow the instructions, everything is idiot proof, but it takes time. The marking is awesome and everything fits perfect.

The mechanical design is outstanding, you can read this in all OB-reviews. The 11-5 has a bonded boom with a guying line and a guyed radiator cell. No element is hanging, everything is aluminium or stainless steel. To make a long story short: the same high quality standard like the other OB's. Simply exceptional.

Spoiled from my 9-5 i thougt there could never be a great improvement in performance, but i was wrong.
SWR-curves: never higher as 1:1.5 (each band full bandwidth, on 10m 28-29MHz)
Front to back: > 25 dB on each band
Front to side: unbelievable ... you can hide out a S9-Signal!
Cracking pile ups is very easy and most signals are terrible loud. I often hear comments like "great signal" or "very strong". This antenna is addictive. The performance of the 11-5 is indescribable. Real monoband-behavior on each band, no compromises, no tuning, no traps, one cable...buy it, build it, love it!

Summing up i can say, that this antenna exceeds all my (high) expectations.
The new "hidden sleeve" technique rings in a new age of multiband design!
The feelings you have when you are on air with this gun are impossible to put into words.

Tom (DF2BO) and Diana's support was perfect as ever - thank you.

For further questions write me an email.

Hear you on the bands!

Mike, DF3VM
www.df3vm.de