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Reviews For: Swan 45

Category: Antennas: HF Mobile & Accessories

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Review Summary For : Swan 45
Reviews: 2MSRP:
Description:
Swan 45
Product is in production
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# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0025
VE7CRA Rating: 2000-09-10
oldie but goodie! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The swan 45 represented a design philosophy of past years, that embodied a robust mechanical construction, combined with a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
I have owned my 45 for many years, & I press it into service amongst several vehicles.
It is a superlative performer on 40 metres & up, but is not nearly as good on 80. No surprises here. The top whip is too short & the coil form factor not optimised for operation on 80.
This is an antenna worth grabbing at a hamfest, providing that the sliding bandswitching mechanism is intact. This mechanism is brass or brass alloy, & is prone to corrosion if not looked after. It is a solid, well built, handsome(my opinion) antenna, which outperforms many others of more recent vintage. One may find that the presoldered taps have to be moved , owing to the location on your vehicle. The top whip on all 45's that I have seen have included a "quick disconnect" for speedy top section removal. Greater performance can be achieved by making a an extension for the bottom section(coil higher above vehicle) or replacing the top whip with a longer version....remember, the coil taps will require desoldering & relocation if the top whip is lengthened significantly. Check this one out at the next fest or flea market.
bugcatchers forever! de Brian, VE7CRA
WB9YCJ Rating: 2000-06-09
Outguns the vertical "dummy loads". Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had one for many years. 3.8 Mhz through 28 Mhz. Hambands only (modifiable). Easily out performs Australian and Mineral Wells, Texas "dummy loads"(I recently heard a S-7 N. California base station who thought he was on his BIG outside antenna when he discovered he was still on his "Cantenna" dummy load). Yes, dummy loads and some mobile antennas radiate! The real test of a H.F. mobile antenna is on the lower low bands (80 and 40 meters). The large coil of the Swan 45 provides high "Q" on these bands and excellent radiation efficiency for a "whoop-butt" signal. I suspect the larger bug catchers somewhat outperform the "45" on these lower bands. Bandswitching manual. Looks cool! Known to attract attention.