| W6GMT |
Rating:  |
2018-06-24 | |
| GREAT |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| Now sold by DX Engineering. Bought this antenna for summer use in the campground I host. Just finished Field Day was more than impressed great SWR on all bands was using my KX2 at 10 watts and making contacts at a good rate most CW but some Phone. This is the easiest portable antenna to put up you can be on the air in less than 5 minutes. I bought the unit with the manual band change would buy the auto band change after using for a couple of months depends on how often you are willing to walk to antenna to move jumpers. Next purchase the 40 meter unit. for my winter travel. |
|
| W3JRD |
Rating: |
2017-12-03 | |
| Amazing!! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| After promising testing at my home QTH, I took the TW2010 out today to work a WWFF park activation. From Virginia, I worked Oregon to the west and Belgium to the east with many stations in between. I was running 80w max. I managed 19 QSOs in just under 30 minutes, and I received great reports from everyone worked. Band conditions were not great, so I only attempted 20m. I have tried every type of wire antenna while working portable, and this does just as well - usually better. The fact that it can be deployed in less than 5 minutes is a huge bonus. No trees to launch ropes over. No worrying about restrictions related to stakes in ground. This antenna is a performer. It is not cheap. However, after months of trying other antennas and weeks of research, I am confident this is the ultimate antenna for portable use. |
|
| N3WJ |
Rating: |
2016-11-28 | |
| Impressive! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I just purchased an Elecraft KX2 for my QTH in Arizona located in a strictly HOA controlled community. I needed an antenna that would be low profile, easy to set up and take down, yet work well even running QRP. I have some friends who have been happy with the TW2010 so I borrowed one to give it a try. I have to say I am impressed! I just spent this weekend working the CQWW CW contest. I located the antenna about 30 feet from the house surrounded by scrub trees so it's not visible to anyone from the outside. Running just 7 watts I managed 33 countries including; New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii, much of the Caribbean, South and Central America and as far East as the Canary Islands. Interestingly, I did not hear nor work mainland Europe. That may have been a result of either the less than optimal solar conditions or a big mountain just to my North!
The TW2010 surpassed my expectations for a low profile, portable antenna. I decided to buy it from the friend who lent it to me. About the only downside is the need to manually change the jumpers when I wanted to jump bands from 15 to 20 meters. Now I just have to buy the remote tuning box, and maybe the 40 m box...this can get addictive! |
|
| N6JPG |
Rating: |
2016-06-04 | |
| Best Portable Antenna |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
One of the best parts of the hobby to me is being able to take it on the road. I've been able to work from RV parks, deserts, mountain tops, and beaches. Although I've had great results with an MFJ-2289 Big Ear dipole, I found that under changing band conditions, reconfiguring the antenna for a new band is time consuming and distracting.
About 8 months ago, I worked another ham who was using the TW2010 indoors from his living room and running about 50W. He had a great signal that did not fade and remained consistent throughout the QSO. After checking them out and reading reviews, etc. for about 6 months, I finally decided to take the plunge and buy a TW2010.
I ordered the travel bag and the antenna and controller which all fit neatly inside the bag with extra compartments on the inside and outside for ancillary gear along with a couple of Velcro straps for coax, etc. on the outside.
After receiving he antenna, I tried it out in my backyard, a couple of nearby hillsides, and a parking lot. The TW2010 takes all of about 3-4 minutes to assemble and set up. The entire antenna is self-supporting so there is no need to carry a separate pop-up mast or tripod. I purchased the electronic controller which makes the whole thing worthwhile. Once set up, the only requirement to change bands is the turn of a switch. I power the controller using a small 12V battery I purchased from Batteries Plus Bulbs. Transworld recommends using at least 65' of coax with the antenna and you must ensure that the coax and control cable come off the antenna at a 45 degree angle towards the ground and the coax cannot have any kinks or coils in it. I place the cable contact point with the ground about 10' feet from the antenna. I recommend carrying a rock or sandbag with you to hold the cables to the ground. Also, don't try using the antenna too close to a metallic structure.
As for the results, I was pleasantly surprised. Receive is excellent on all bands 20-10 meters. Transmit is also quite good for such a simple antenna. The current sunspot cycle has left a bit to be desired on HF but this antenna shines if given even a slight opening. From a hillside above Sacramento, CA one day, under so-so conditions, I was able to work stations all across the country including Alaska and Hawaii on 5 watts!. I recently set up a FT-857D for portable use. Using about 80 watts of power, I have worked a fair bit of DX with the antenna and lots of domestic stations including a 747 pilot over Alaska. I can usually count on a good signal report as well, usually S-7 to S-9. On a recent trip to one of our favorite Northern California RV parks, I was able to work England and Russia using the FT-857D.
The only downside I see to this antenna is the price. 2016 prices with the travel bag (a necessity) is running close to $700 but you get what you pay for.
Bottom line, if you want an antenna for travel or stealth that is quick and easy to set up, easily changes bands, and performs as advertised, buy the 2010. There are cheaper antennas but but this one is a very good performer and is the epitome of convenience. |
|
| K0SZ |
Rating: |
2016-04-02 | |
| Great limited space DX antenna |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
This antenna just works.
Im new to the hobby and wanted something simple to get into the hobby to see how I enjoy it. My first antenna was a g5rv mounted to a tree and the gutter of my house in an L shape about 20' up, as this was my only option. I had made one contact to Canada and a few state side contacts. I immediately started looking for better options at my qth. I chose the TW2010
It took about a week to arrive from when I placed my order. I put up the antenna in 5 minutes and thought this is to easy, no way it works, other reviewers must have lied. That thought was wrong. My first contact was Maryland broke a pile up at a special event station with a booming signal report. Made a few other stateside contacts then came the DX Poland, Germany, Croatia, Czech Republic, and Finland. Couldn't believe I got them as my elmer had been telling me that I wasted my money when I ordered the antenna. He literally told me I'd be better off with a wire coat hanger jammed in to the so-239 ant. socket on my transceiver. Now after casual operating I have 50 countries worked, on a ground mounted antenna, not too bad. Other operators can't believe the signal they're hearing from me, ground mounted at 100w. I have mine mounted per instructions 23' from objects house, fence etc. and feed line is at 45 from antenna. Check out my qrz page for photos. I also have the optional switching control box, works nice for band changing.
I got 50 countries with horrible band conditions, I can't wait to see how it performs with good band conditions.
73's |
|
| K1GUY |
Rating: |
2015-09-30 | |
| Updated Review Of A DX Blaster |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
i have been using this antenna almost exclusively for 20-10 meter bands...mostly 20,17,15 and rarely 12. i have it ground mounted on a home depot patio umbrella base and guyed with fishing line. Yes...it's permanent at my home qth.
underneath the antenna i have a W2NG Ground Reflector of chicken wire (nylon coated). in a word, shocking. to me and my contacts...almost always. beats my vertical loop on those bands 95% of the time. i run 800 watts for dx. take a look at my log on qrz. easy to get JA stations, VK,Africa, Middle East, South America, ect..almost anywhere, conditions providing. i run the coax (buryflex) in a horizontal fashion for about 35 feet, then underground. i have ferrite chokes along the way, however, even without them, there was no RFI in the shack. USA contacts are also superb. this antenna outperforms all verticals, wires, and loops that i have had. BY FAR. i would give it a 10 if i could.
take a look at my pics of it at my qrz page. My thanks to W2NG for guidance on the ground screen which makes this antenna really rock !
----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by K1GUY on 2010-03-07
Main Entry: mag·nif·i·cent
Pronunciation: \-sənt\
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : great in deed or exalted in place —used only of former famous rulers
2 : marked by stately grandeur and lavishness
3 : sumptuous in structure and adornment ; broadly : strikingly beautiful or impressive
4 : impressive to the mind or spirit : sublime
5 : exceptionally fine
I've only had it on the air one day, for 9 hours !
EVERYTHING about this antenna is MAGNIFICENT !
easy contacts with 100w to Europe, Brazil, Argentina, and the west coast. Even into Russia.
I won't bore you and repeat what others have said.
Like any dipole, it does favor the broadside by almost 2-S units. Get one ! |
|
| 8P6GU |
Rating: |
2015-08-17 | |
| Superb antenna.Excellent performance |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I recently ordered and received this antenna and was surprised that it was in the island so quickly.It was neatly packed in the black bag the first thing I noticed was the quality and workmanship of this antenna I put it up the next day very easy to assemble connected it to the yeasu ft897d and was amazed at the quality of the signals received heard a station in the swiss Alps calling cq went back to him heard me the first time. I was running 90watts since then I went to various locations around the island of Barbados and was able to work many countries including Israel, Europe and the US.My working condition Yeasu ft897d lifepo4 12volt10ah battery, Tg40amp battery booster.Imust conclude by saying that thisTw2010 is an excellent antenna well constructed and gives great performance.Will be buying the TW4040 section very soon.
Haschel Bynoe 8P6GU Barbados |
|
| AA7RX |
Rating: |
2015-02-13 | |
| Could be a lot better |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought this antenna with a permanent mounting pole in 2011, but due to HOA restrictions, I did not set it up right away. When I decided to try this antenna in late 2013, I ordered the quadapod stand from Transworld. Instead of the heavy duty, one-piece folding steel stand shown in the website's preview video at the time, I received a baffling collection of junk parts that had to be carefully fitted together to make an extremely flimsy stand that barely held the antenna upright. Unfortunately, the way my antenna was built precludes using a normal tripod or other third-party stand to hold it in place, so I was stuck with the cheap stand.
When the antenna was upright (the flimsy, poorly designed stand fell apart quite often), it worked wonderfully. I made lots of contacts, worked over 100 DX entities, and received great reports on the quality of my signal.
After only 14 months of use, the stand became completely useless. Every single part was bent and/or broken beyond any hope of repair. This was supposed to be an antenna designed to be used at Field Day events, during DXpeditions, and for Summits on the Air. It could not even handle being kept in my backyard. The one time that I had to transport it to another location, I had to be extremely careful not to lose the small pieces that held the flimsy legs into the center part of the stand. As of right now, the antenna is more or less worthless to me. I am not allowed to permanently install an antenna here, and there's no way I'm going to waste another $90 on such a horrible stand.
The antenna itself rates 5/5. It functions very well as a compromise HF antenna with a very easy way of switching between bands. I used it to make more than 1500 CW, digital, and SSB contacts over the five bands it covers. Keep in mind that I have an older steel frame, not the newer aluminum one that seems to be offered now, so this part of the review only covers the older antenna system.
The quadrapod stand rates 0/5. It's awful. I hated having to constantly reassemble this stand while at home, and it almost ruined Jamboree of the Air for my son's Boy Scout troop when I transported it to a local campground a few months ago. A portable antenna system should never be flimsy or rely on small, easily bent parts!
The fabric carrying case I bought along with the stand is very high quality, and I recommend it for transporting and storing this antenna system. Sadly, that is where my antenna will remain until I can find a new stand that will properly support it. |
|
| W5WSS |
Rating: |
2014-12-20 | |
| Excellent design and worksmanship a real Gem! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I installed the TW2010 upstairs indoors.
Everything and more, exceeded my expectations.
I worked DX on every band today and the antenna system performed flawlessly during it's debut.
Great product Transworld! |
|
| N0YXE |
Rating: |
2014-10-24 | |
| ELEVATED TW2010 |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I've finally done what many have wondered about. I put a TW 2010 with control cables up in the attic and had my fingers crossed that it would work; do I have too much other stuff around it and would I have to re-tune the coils? No to both questions. I live in a single level home without a second floor. Therefore, the attic is where I have placed an Alpha Delta DX-EE and the Transworld 2010. The two are somewhat close, but not on top of each other. The Transworld sits above the kitchen. The antenna sounds better than the other antennas I have used. The band switching is true and accurate. Below are the results from My MFJ test meter:
28.300 1:4
28.500 1.3
29600 1.6
24.930 1.2
24.950 1.1
21.275 1.8
21.350 1.7
21.400 1.6
18.110 1.8
14.225 2.2
14.240 2.1
14.300 2.0
Overall it looks descent and what needs a little lowering is not too difficult with the IC 756 PRO III on-board tuner. Good luck wIth your elevated TRANSWORLD.
----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N0YXE on 2014-08-10
Yes, I have had all of the Transworld products at one time or another. My TR farm is pictured under the "comments" section in the Transworld Antenna brochure, and it was a wonderful set-up. Unfortunately, the homes association gestapo found out and stirred the evil that lies in men's souls. I received a summons to attend a circuit court hearing and after paying $1,200 to the attorney representing the association, I was able to get it dismissed. I am now re-purchasing the TR system and having it placed in the attic. I still have a Backpacker model to move to the front of the house for another station set-up. My E-MAIL has been changed since my last review: glassterrence@yahoo.com Read what Gordon West has had to say about it. He has the last word on a great product.
----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N0YXE on 2011-10-17
Why is this the best portable/base HF antenna on the market? Let me count the ways: Solid, rugged made. As strong as Russian woman or ox. Goes together in less than 60 seconds, or may be kept together and thrown over deck railing. Not too fussy about being close to other objects. Hard to see in yard. Drones can be spotted early and shot down if need be. Performance is exceptional and usually within one S unit of most any dipole antenna. Amplifiers may be used up to 1,200 watts if needed. Low angle of take-off and always gets excellent propagation. Charles in technical service department is a gem and should be considered for adoption!
If you would like a picture of this TOTALLY AMAZING ANTENNA in my yard, send me a note: terryspaceship@yahoo.com |
|
