| KH6FT |
Rating:  |
2008-04-28 | |
| good antenna for its size |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
after hearing about the tak-tenna from a freind &
reading the reviews on e-ham I decided to try it
mainly because of my situation.(small property -
w/restrictions)upon recvg it & checking for all the parts I decided to build it the next morning.
per the instruction-sht winding the first coil was
a bit tricky but after that the assembly became
rather simple.tuning it was made faster using my
mfj-259,& 1-1/2 hr later the tak-tenna was ready
to go up n the air.I've gotten 55-56 rpts w/100w
on the west-coast,52-53 rpts in the east on 20mtr
considering the erratic band-cndx I thought that
was pretty good.would I recommend this antenna ?
you bet! especially if you're like alot of us are
(ant-restrictions-small property)tnx steve for a
small but very likeable antenna..73& aloha alex:
ps.w/my xtnl-tuner I've tuned 15-17-20 & even 80
mtrs with this 40mtr-version, tnx agn steve..73 |
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| AE5FQ |
Rating: |
2008-04-25 | |
| great antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| i ordered the 40 meter antenna a few months ago fast shipping and steve is great customer service person the antenna went together fast with no problem i installed it verticle at 20 feet the recomneded hight it was a breeze to resonate on 40 meters i had a qso with a station in main and out west i live in mississippi i would order another one before i would anything else. robert ae5fq .ps i gave it a 5 because t deserves it |
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| VK2TVW |
Rating: |
2008-04-23 | |
| Tak-Tenna Solved my Problem |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Australia is a big country.I live in a Duplex ground unit on the east coast of Australia with a backyard space of six square metrs and was only able to use a G5RV half wave antenna over the top of the unit from a palm tree to a twenty foot single pole.I have been looking for a antenna tha would cover 40 mtrs plus some other bands After years of searching for something that would suit my situation I came across the Tak-Tenna.After extensive enquiry and reading the many reviews I decided I would get one.A decision I do not regret.Within nine days I recieved My new Tak-Tenna nicely packaged.After following the easy to follow instructions and taking time to tune and set it up at a height of eleven foot I was ready to go.My first contact on forty mtrs was a VK3 station at 5/9s Vk4s up to Cairns 5/9s.Also made contact with VK7s ZL2JR ,ZL3OZ 5/7s 5/9s.Even picked up a G4AIR and a G3MLO Plus Japan,Singapore and a European Contest and a VK4ENG who was also using a Tak-Tenna both 5/9s+.I use an Icom 706MK11 with a Z100 LDG tuner .All I can say is if like me anyone has limited space check out this amazing antenna.You will not regret it.I must also thank Steve Tetorka WA2TAk for putting a product on the market that is value for money and does what is made for .Steve is also very helpfull with any questions you may have. I would will not hesitate to reccommend that others in VK and elsewhere like myself have a look at Tak-Tenna.It may just solve your antenna problems as it did mine.
Thanks Steve for helping me overcome my Frustrations.
Viv Weeke VK2TVW
Alstonville N.S.W
Australia |
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| KE5SPP |
Rating: |
2008-04-21 | |
| I like it! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
A couple of points first. You can't ask for better customer support / concern. You are not left hanging. After sale inquiries and concern are to be commended.
The antenna is a bit of a trick winding. I found that you could wind it one way (tightly) and end up with lots of extra wire. Loose is best here. When I was done I had about 9 inches of wire left over to trim. I would agree with the other posts that suggest an analyzer but would go one further and say that it is mandatory. Finding the sweet spot would have been really frustrating I think without one. It ended up at 1.4 for SWR. I used RG-8 as feed line.
I have ran mine horizontal with great reports throughout the state. I used it vertically at about 6 feet off a 60 foot reenforced concrete slab and got 5/7 and 5/5 to Virgina and Mass.
As I told Steve, this antenna will be in my jump kit for emergencies. It is easily undone and folded to take up very little space. Reassembly requires a few plastic wraps.
All in all I like it. I have asked for the 80 meter version when it becomes available and will tuck it in my kit as well.
Is it a suitable replacement for a beam? NO. Does it keep up with my dipoles? Not exactly it's a little lower on receive levels. Why have one then you ask? If you have ever tried to hang a dipole from trees that are full of debris or that have been blown over you know the answer.
It is probably the best way to get around CCR's of your homeowners group. Once painted, you could say it is anything. Tell them it's your scuplture:)
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| AA7PS |
Rating: |
2008-04-13 | |
| Not so great |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Just have to say that the Tak-tenna 40 fell way below all the glowing reports. I mounted it up 20 feet with a antenna rotator and compared it to my Hustler BTV-4 which is ground mounted. The Hustler was S-9 and the Tek-Tenna was S-2 on 40 meters comparing same signal. I used 450 Ohm ladder line, 4:1 Balun and a MFJ-993B tuner. Tried other bands with pretty much the same results. I called Steve and he was very courteous and helpful, outstanding service. I tried everything he suggested and nothing seems to dig it out of the cellar, guess the Hustler will remain my backup antenna. |
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| HB9SIS |
Rating: |
2008-03-30 | |
| Little "BIG" Taktenna ! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
73 from hb9sis@gmail.com, j'ai testé ma taktenna 40 a Neuchatel, Suisse, les 28-29 mars, jours de contests. Installation a la fenetre, tube a rideau 2m40, 20mm, fixée dans un tuyau d'eau de 3/4, au bord de la fenetre: (ask for pics)
YT8A 59 sur 7045khz, OT5A 59 sur 7049 khz à Anvers, Belgique, OG8X su 7058 khz OG6N sur 7076 khz. Hors bande,(tak40m) sur 3698 khz, S51CK. Accorder 80m sur MFJ 945E n'est pas facile, transmitter et antenna reagissent au mm ! SWR 2 sur 3650 khz.De 10m à 40m, warc inclus, swr 1,1 à 1,5. IC 706 MK2G, 100W la tak est une (2) croix de 75cm x 75cm, coax RG58 fixé sur 2 vis 5mm. chaque "self" (11m de cuivre 1,5mm)reliée par un fil noir, soudé sur une pince crocodile à 1 vis, le coax (avec un oeillet soudé sur brin et masse) se met sur la vis.Petite antenne,(physiquement) mais grande performance, pour sa taille et 2 x 11m de fil. Very nice and short antenna ! |
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| 4Z5DF |
Rating: |
2008-03-29 | |
| PRAISE!PRAISE!PRAISE |
Time Owned: N.A. |
BEFORE I START MY REVIEW I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT THE AFTER SALES SUPPORT PROVIDED BY STEVE IS EXEMPLARY.
I RECEIVED MY 40M TAKTENNA IN SEPT 2007 AND DECIDED THAT I WOULD PREFER USING IT MONOBAND ON 20M, STEVE SENT SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ON THIS MODIFICATION.AFTER CONSTRUCTION ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS "TAMING THE BEASTIE - TUNING IT TO REASONANCE/LOW VSWR", STEVE WAS WITH US EVERY CM OF THIS PHASE GIVING ADVISE AND VERY EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS. TO ANYONE CONCIDERING PURCHASING A TAKTENNA - BEG,BORROW OR STE*L AN ANTENNA ANALYZER, I CAN'T OVEREMPHASIZE THIS POINT!!
IT TOOK US SOME TIME BUT WE FINALLY BORROWED ONE AND THEN "THE BEASTIE WAS TAMED". USING THE TAKTENNA ON 10FT POLE AT GROUND LEVEL, WE MADE CONTACT WITH IW2(MILANO) THAT WAS IN NOV 2007. BEFORE WE SOLDERED THE CONNECTIONS (AT A LATER DATE) WE NOTICED THAT THE COLD END TAP HAD MOVED
AND WE NO LONGER HAD THE ANTENNA ANALYZER. IT WAS SOLDERED ACCORDING TO MEMORY AND MR MURPHY'S
LAWS WERE ACTIVATED. YETERDAY I DECIDED THAT IT WAS ABOUT TIME TO CHECK IT AGAIN. I DROVE MY CAR TO OUR LOCAL PARK, PLACED TAKTENNA ON 10FT POLE AND HOOKED IT IT UP TO TS-570. TO MY DISMAY
IT EXHIBITED HIGH VSWR (I MEAN HIGH!!!), OUR COLD TAP POINT HAD ALTERED THE CHARACTERISTICS BUT I MANAGED TO CONTACT SM4(FALUN),SM4(MORA),ES5(TALLINN),UZ5(KIEV).
THIS IS ONLY AN INITIAL REVIEW. THE TAKTENNA IS A
GREAT ANTENNA AND WHEN PROPERLY TUNED SHOULD GIVE
RESULTS INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL TO ITS SIZE!!
MY HAT GOES OFF TO STEVE FOR THE TAKTENNA AND ALL
HIS HELP.
ARYEH 4Z5DF |
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| K4JJF |
Rating: |
2008-03-27 | |
| Great in Vertical Configuration |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I got the TAK-tenna 40 around the end of February and had just gotten out of a surgery so while recuperating I put it together. I wanted to put it at 32 feet on the tower, but was told no way to going up the tower by the doctor and the house boss (wife).
So, after talking with Randy, KB4QQJ, that he had used his as a vertical, I decided to hang the TAK off the side of the tower with a wooden pole and string. I put it at 3 feet 1 inch from the sod ground and then resonated it at 7.125.
The antenna is only 7 feet from the house on the east side and 10 feet from the house on the north side. There is a 6 foot concrete block wall to the west about 8 feet and a large tree to the south, so the antenna is snuggly placed in the side yard surrounded by wall and house, etc.
I am using the TAK with my FT-920 and the internal tuner easily handles the TAK from 7010 to 7250 with the center freq at 7.125. If I want to get precise, I can and have used the Palstar 1500CV.
I have concentrated on 40 meters, but one time tuned it up on 80 and contact with 3 stations in CA, WA and TX. The WA station was right on the Canadian border and said that I was about 52, but no problem copying. I took that as a good report for 80.
My second contact on 40 was KH7XS with a report of 579. I have also worked into the Caribbean on CW a number of times with good reports.
My prize contact has been TX5C the DXpedition on the Clipperton Aton in the Pacific! I first worked them on LSB but never showed up in the online log. Two days later, I found them on the CW part of the band and after listening for an opening in the pileup, I got them on FIRST CALL with the TAK40 ! A few days later I did show up on their online log so I can brag about that one. I copied the log and emailed it to Steve to confirm what I had done.
My opinion of the antenna is that it is definitely NOT a “make do if you can’t get anything else” antenna. It can hold it’s own with my full size dipole at 32 feet. Sometimes it’s an S unit lower on receive and sometimes it’s not. I attribute any difference between the two to the bad Las Vegas soil under the Vertical along with the confined location where I have it between houses.
I would say for those in Home Owner Associations that your prayers have been answered. It would be easy to build a PVC stand for it to sit it in the backyard and be on the air full scale without limitations. Plant flowers around it and call it a modern landscape ornament. It would probably win a garden club award, but one would be on the air with nobody the wiser. I give the antenna a 5 plus and would give it a 10 if that were the scale. Great antenna Steve. I have a lot of experimenting yet to do with the antenna, but for now I can say I’m extremely pleased with it.
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|
| KB3HJK |
Rating: |
2008-03-27 | |
| Excellent |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I live with severe antenna restrictions, sandwiched in between 3 high-rise apartment buildings. I use the Tak-Tenna at ground level outside my apt. It's on a painters pole about 14ft up. So, to get any signal at all out is miracle. So far, with the Tak-Tenna, I've been pleasantly surprised. I've used it on about 4-5 occasions, 100W, mostly at night and under very poor conditions, eg. days with 68 solar flux levels. That said, I've been able to hold sustained qso's with a many domestic stations, reasonable to very good signal reports, and have already worked DX into Bermuda and Celita-Melilla. I owned an Isotron before this, and let me tell you - no comparison. This is a REAL antenna, that has a resonant frequency without using loading coils or anything else. You will need to put in some effort to get it to resonate, but that was a good learning experience for me, and resulting in a nice sense of satisfaction when I got it right.
I would highly recommend this to anybody that needs a low footprint antenna for 40. I cannot think of anything else that would work better for me. High verticals are out of the question, as well as any long wire dipole. I highly suspect if got this a bit higher and more in the clear, I'd be blown away.
Steve, the manufacturer, will answer any question you have, no matter how stupid, as many of mine were. He is extremely responsive, obviously very knowledgeable, and really seems to enjoy running his business and helping hams get it right with his product. |
|
| KI4RGD |
Rating: |
2008-03-18 | |
| Still Amazed! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Since researching, buying, building and playing with this antenna all I can say is Wow! It really works! And it works good, too. I make QSO's nightly and hams are surprised that I'm talking on a dipole only 30 inches wide. It works at 13 ft, better at 25', really awesome at 45ft! Imagine getting it up to 60ft? All with 100 watts.
You can read my earlier review from Feb. 2, 08. This is a neat antenna, I'm still amazed. I wanted to add that my 40m Tak-tenna is assembled with an Arrow J-pole for 2m/70cm operation (another great antenna!) up 25ft. I haven't discovered any problems using the two. Again, if you're on the fence about owning this antenna, jump-off and try it. It works good with other antennas - in fact, I am considering adding a side arm from my mast and put a 20m or 80m Hamstick (another great antenna). We'll see.
73,
Dewey - KI4RGD |
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