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Reviews For: Alpha Antenna S9v31

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : Alpha Antenna S9v31
Reviews: 68MSRP: 199 to 399.
Description:
The Alpha Antenna 10-80 meter S9v31 is a HF Vertical Antenna that can be deployed as a single band system or as a multiband system when the optional Alpha Match is installed.
Latest version of predecessor: S9 Antenna S9v
Product is in production
More Info: https://AlphaAntenna.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15684.9
N8ZH Rating: 2014-03-22
Great Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using my S9V31 since the fall of 2012 and can now give a review based on experience.

My installation is ground mounted with 18 buried radials each 27 feet long and connected to the S9RP radial plate. I also opted for the LDG RU-4:1 Unun at the base and feed it with 50 feet of RG8X coax. An LDG AT-100ProII autotuner in the shack brings the SWR down to 1.5 or lower across all bands from 40M to 6M.

I chose this setup because my community has antenna restrictions and the S9V hides in plain sight. Mine is in a fairly open space between my house and a golf course and nobody notices it because it blends into the background so well. I also chose the S9V for the low price and multi-band capabilities. I wanted something simple. I didn't want to mess with guy wires, etc.

Does it work? DEFINITELY. In just over a year and running only 100 watts with a Ten-Tec Omni VII, I've made DXCC and WAS using only LoTW confirmed contacts. If I can hear them, I can work them. It's amazing how many pileups I've been able to break - even FT5ZM on Amsterdam Island (11,484 miles from my QTH). And it doesn't matter what mode or band. I'm active on 10M, 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, 30M, and 40M using SSB and CW.

Weather has not been an issue either. To play it safe, I lower the antenna if wind gusts over 45 mph are predicted. It takes about a minute. Remove one wire nut, pick up the 2-1/2 pound antenna, and lay it down.

My only complaint with the S9V is that the antenna sections tend to collapse into each other. The supplied plastic clips don't prevent this. The remedy is to simply use a sheet metal screw at each junction. A quick, one-time fix.

73, Jon
N5GZH Rating: 2014-02-28
A great value Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
After using the S9v31 for almost 6 months, I can say it is a good value and a pretty slick piece of work. I'm using it ground mounted in a very partial radial field, fed at the base with an MFJ external auto tuner. It's electrically a straightforward 1/4 wave vertical on 40 meters that will multi-band with a little ingenuity. It does get out. At less than $100.00, it's a winner.

The weight--or lack of--is remarkable. A great feature for those of us who can't lift much. When bad weather threatens, I simply disconnect it, lift it easily and lay it next to the fence.

The plastic snap rings to lock sections are a bit finicky and should probably be augmented for long term use. One of my sections collapsed--a situation easily fixed with a drill motor and a sheet metal screw. I would advise pinning each section at least half way up for starters.

KA7NIQ Rating: 2013-12-19
It Works Great! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Cheap Ham was blowing out the old style S9 31 ft "multi band" Verticals for 65.00 ea!
All these things are is a fiberglass tube 31 ft long, that acts as a support for a 31 ft 12 gage wire.
I have my coax center connector hooked to this wire, and the outside braid of the coax hooked to the top rail of my chain link fence with a compression clamp.
The fiberglass tube is mounted elevated on a chain link fence pole.

It has only been up for 3 days now, and already on 40 I have worked IW3IBK in Italy, EA3JE in Spain, and EA8DAO in the Canary Islands.
I do have a small Ameritron AL 80A hooked up right now.
SWR on 40 is under 2 to 1, and I am using only 25 feet of coax to get to the antenna.

I got 57 to 59 reports from the Italian and Spanish Station, and a 55 out of the Canary Islands.
These reports were comparable to what most other US Stations were getting, except the guy with the beams, or really high dipoles.
The 31 ft S9 Vertical works pretty good, on 40 meters, with only a chain link fence for a counterpoise.

The real surprises have been on both 20 and 17 meters!
The Tuner in my Yaesu FT 1000 D tunes it on both 20 and 17, and even w/o using my amplifier, I am getting outstanding signal reports on 20 meters, and very good reports on 17 as well.

I haven't tried it on 12 or 15 yet, but it sucks on 10, compared to an Antron 99.

I notice no extra "noise" from the chain link fence.

LOL, on 40 meters, it turn the computer off when I transmit.

I don't even have a ground rod on the antenna, or a balun either.

I do have both, just being lazy ......
KL2TC Rating: 2013-08-12
After 3 years, still great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This antenna works better every time I use it. I have a nice Yagi at the top of a fifty foot tower, and it hears better. I use the S9V to figure out which way to turn the Yagi. No matter what the band up to and beyond 40 meters for listening, this antenna is my go-to-guy. This is the best money I ever spent, except for maybe all that copper wire for 75.

Highly recommended.
KB5YN Rating: 2013-05-03
OK, but a compromise antenna. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The S9 vertical is a good antenna to get you on the air or for restricted areas. It is light and easy to put up as a ground mounted or elevated vertical. As a multiband antenna you must use a 4:1 at the antenna and a tuner in the shack. You have to realize that it is a compromise antenna and will work with losses because it is not a 1/4 antenna except it is close on 40m. Use good quality low loss coax to minimize your losses due to high SWR at the antenna.
K2OWK Rating: 2013-02-27
Followup review Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I still give this antenna 5, but there is one minor problem I ran into. During a strong wind sometimes some of the sections will collapse. The plastic straps that hold the sections from collapsing need to be super tight. If they are not the sections will collapse. The antenna is light and is easy to remove for repair. I have tightened all the straps so they do not move and are as tight as I can get them. This has worked so far and the antenna has stayed up. It is still a fantastic antenna vertical, and works all bands for me. If I have this problem again, I will pin the sections with sheet metal screws, as I noticed the holes are predrilled in the fiberglass, as if it was done in the past this way.
W7PVA Rating: 2013-02-10
It's Okay Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I live in an area governed by an HOA with antenna restrictions. The S9-31v seemed to fit the bill for a good antenna that wasn't obtrusive. The price really seemed right. I received my antenna and opened it up. The antenna was collapsed into itself. I checked the contents of the package and the screws to extend the antenna were not there. In examining the antenna further I found that it is actually a wire inside the fiberglass shell. The fiberglass was a smooth green to help with minimal visibility but was very thin. That made it light enough to be easily handled by one person.
I contacted LDG for the free UNUN that was part of the deal and requested the missing screws all by email. They responded promptly. Less than a week after first receiving the antenna I had it erected and in operation.
The antenna performed well. I had a minimal space and had minimum number of radials. I was able to tune it to 80 through 6 with good SWR easily obtained using my tuner.
My fear that this antenna should not be a permanent install was verified when a winter storm blew through. The wind damaged the bottom section of the antenna breaking the fiberglass for about 2 ft up from the bottom. The plastic ring at the bottom also broke.
I haven't had experience with a vertical before but like the performance. This antenna will be repaired and stowed for field use while camping etc. It will be replaced with an antenna that is more adequate for a permanent install.
AK7P Rating: 2012-08-29
solid stealth performer Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Wanted to use this antenna a few years before leaving a review. I bought this antenna just prior to LDG involvement and shortly thereafter purchased the matching 4:1 (green) 200w unun. The antenna is used primarily during field day and has seen a good deal of coastal breezes along the Oregon Coast. This is our "stealth" antenna that I erect back in the treeline while operating at the Cape Meares Lighthouse during ILLW. The ease of deployment, light weight and construction make this a must for our temporary setup. It's truly a breeze to navigate up through the Sitka Spruce canopy and set down on our short 1 1/4" od mast hidden in the silal (I just wish laying out ground radials was as easy)!! When the tourists pass by our small station they can't even see this antenna back in the trees, very cool. The antenna tunes well and hears just like it should, many contacts made thus far and more to come I'm sure. For the cost and ability to pack around, it's well worth it!!
KB7WHC Rating: 2012-07-23
Great service Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
This is a well made antenna, easy to deploy, and works well. Unfortunately, a gust of wind during a recent thunderstorm snapped one of the bottom sections. On a Saturday afternoon, I inquired via the LDG website as to the cost of a replacement section. Within two hours I had a reply with a link on which to order the section. The next day, on a Sunday, I received an email from LDG asking for my address and stating that they had made a mistake and that the damage was covered under the warranty. They shipped out a new section at no cost. There aren't too many companies that stand behind their product like that and send replies over a weekend. I would not hesitate to purchase another S9 antenna or any product from LDG. Their customer service is outstanding!!
KA2Z Rating: 2012-03-12
Very Good Antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I was skeptical about all the 5 ratings on this antenna. Im now pleasantly surprised.
I wanted to set this up for 40 meter monoband.
While waiting for the antenna to arrive I put in the mount, set up the S9 radial plate with around 20 radials. I also made the 1:1 "Ugly balun" from the link at the LDG page. I had that hooked up and coax run. When the antenna arrived the instructions were clear and simple. It went up with no problems. The swr is flat across the whole band-- no tuner needed. I was afraid it might be too noisy in my urban environment, but its no noisier than my G5RV. It works great and I love the low profile green paint on it. I like to keep a low profile here.
This product is a strong 5 rating because its easy to put up, it works great, and the price is very friendly. I can find no negatives with this product. Highly recommended!