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Reviews For: DXSR VB-500

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : DXSR VB-500
Reviews: 1MSRP: 450 $
Description:
Multiband hf vertical antenna
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.dxsr-antennas.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0010
F5RRS Rating: 2007-02-14
VB-500 or dummy load, this antenna has the same performances !! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After having bad experience with VB-800 (see others comments on this antenna) I decided to move to this new VB-500.
This antenna was used for HF operation since April 2005 to November 2005 at the top of the tower (15m) but in front of such results so catastrophic I decided to stop using it any more. This antenna works like a dummy load from top band (160m) to 40m. On the shorter bands it is quite ok. This antenna dissipates power in the matching circuit, it cannot be used at rated power (200W) as indicated on the instruction manual. 100W key down should be a maximum. If you set higher power, the SWR goes up and never ending. But some minutes standby and the SWR is back ok. I destroyed the first balun (burned) with 100W on PSK31 QSO. They sent me a new one but same story.... still hot quickly. They promised that the third should be ok but I have never seen any difference. A very good dummy load !!!
Having cross continental QSO is considering as an exploit and performance on 40m band and below.
PLEASE FORGET IT !!!
I replaced it by an Hy-Gain AV-620 multiband + some wires for low bands with very great results.... It's like comparing day and night.
Damien F5RRS