Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: ULTIMAX 8040 DUAL BAND TRAP DOUBLE BAZOOKA

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : ULTIMAX 8040 DUAL BAND TRAP DOUBLE BAZOOKA
Reviews: 24MSRP: 99.00
Description:
band coverage: 40 & 80 meters amateur bands
lenght: 103' feet
power: 1500W+ PEP
swr: 1:1 at band center/<2.6:1 max at band edges
connector: so-239
weight: 3.5 pounds
coax asamble: RG8X
insulators: PVC HD
polarization: horizontal ,inverted V fashion

Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ultimax-antennas.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00244.8
W5DMT Rating: 2016-12-04
Does a really good job! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I put this up on my tower at about 30 feet, with the legs suspended downard at about 90 degrees to the top of my wood privacy fence.

Using a tuner, I was able to work the US on 75M, and my first DX Contact was with Guyana on 40M. I ran a net with it last night and during a time when our 40M Late nets are averaging 20 ish checkins, I had 43 checkins. It gets my endorsement as a workhorse. My only complaint, which wouldn't be for DX'ers, is how it's cut on 40M to favor the lower half of the band. I haven't come up with a good way to retune the 40M section without moving the legs around.
KB6HRT Rating: 2016-09-06
3 years no problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have this antenna at 36' to the apex SE to NW, its down just a little from the 2 dipoles it replaced but a tad quitter, the only thing I have done is use a little more input power when I use the amplifier, also have a G5RV on the same pole going SW to NE at 41' to the apex this is a great choice because having 2 antennas is a lot better inmy book because a choice or 75m & 40m in antennas can make a big difference weather I copy weak signals sometimes, tried testes many
antennas before I came up with this combination that works real good at this QTH for me, sometimes the UM8040 will pull in weak signals some better than the G5RV but sometimes the G5RV with its better signal to noise ration will do better and is an easier copy. The owner of Ultimax is a prince of a guy and know how to build GREATantennas that last. His antennas are more than a 5***** in my book.
........kb6hrt

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by KB6HRT on 2013-12-04

After Installing and matching UM8040 DB antenna, checked how it sounded against my referance W9INN 20-40-75m dipole, they work an sound very close on 75m an its more banded. It is slightly quitter than W9INN dipole on 40m but down just a tad. For a two band antenna it works very well, If you have less 100' for an antenna the UM 80/40m does a nice job ***** the antenna is what the manufacture say's it is an well made.........KB6HRT
N8RAT Rating: 2015-12-09
Compromise Antenna With Little Compromise Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently tested this antenna at my QTH on behalf of another user and am pleased by the bandwidth and performance.

As expected, results on 40 meters seemed to be indistinguishable from the 40 meter inverted V it temporarily displaced, though no A/B comparisons were made.

80 meter performance was on par with my full sized inverted V mounted at approximately the same height and orientation some distance away. Noticeably improved bandwidth over my full length Inverted V was apparent.

Switching back and forth between the full sized V and the Ultimax 8040, I experienced only a slight decrease in signals both transmit and receive during some QSOs using the Ultimax 8040; no more than an S-unit on my TS-2000. Some stations I have contacted saw a portion of an S-unit difference. In many cases I observed no consistent difference in signals as band conditions fluctuated while switching back and forth between the two antennas. And, in a couple of instances, the Ultimax 8040 was slightly better than the full length inverted V.

Most differences in signals on 80 meters seemed to occur during the daytime in the afternoon, while most of the time at night there was little (if any) change from one antenna to the other.

My current inverted V shows about a 175 kHz bandwidth (2:1 VSWR). The Ultimax 8040 was a bit broader at 210 kHz. Considering the antenna is 103 feet long as opposed to the full sized V, that’s not too bad.

The 80 meter portion of the Ultimax 8040 is easily tunable by pulling equal lengths of additional conductor through the end insulators and securing with black tie wraps.

As far as the legend of a lower noise floor using coaxial dipoles/double bazooka type antennas as compared to conventional wire antennas, I did not observe that.

While far from scientific, my experience would lead me to recommend this antenna, especially for anyone in a situation who does not quite have the room for two separate wire-type antennas on 80 and 40 meters or cannot fit a full sized 80 meter inverted V.
KP4FMD Rating: 2015-03-04
Excellent Antenna Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought mine one year ago. The center is at 25 feet from the ground in a 'V' form. Since the antenna will not fit on my lot, I had to bent the ends at two palm trees (using insulators) and tied them in the air with monofilament. Out of the box the antenna works on 80 an 40 meters without a tuner. I use the Palstar AT2KD antenna tuner to work 20,15 and 10 meters. I get great reports on the mentioned bands, using 100 watts. On 80 and 40 meters the antenna is really quiet. The quality of the materials, ease of installation, and the customer service is outstanding.
N8WGM Rating: 2015-02-14
Big signal and well built Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently purchased the Ultimax 80/40 Double Bazooka Antenna from Albert. He is a retired electronics engineer who knows his stuff. Shipping was quick. He builds these antennas as a hobby but according to Albert, it has become a second career. No wonder, this antenna is excellent and the word is getting out.

I received the package and when I opened it, I noticed how well the antenna is constructed. Very well built and it looks like it will last forever.

Installing this antenna is easy. I had previously installed a fan dipole using a DX engineering 1:1 current balun up at 80 feet in a tree. It was up for a few months and then the wire would break. Fixed it several times and then figured there has to be a better way to get an antenna that would cover more of 40 and 80 meters than the venerable dipole and would last longer. The Ultimax 80/40 seems to be the answer.

I installed it using 750 lb test antenna rope and a 1/2 inch thick piece of lexan for mounting the center support. I used the lexan and the rope to take all the stress off the antenna and use it as a bridge. I supported the Ultimax with nylon wire straps every few feet so there is no stress on any part of the antenna. The antenna is strictly for transmitting and not for support. I installed bungee cords at the end of the rope to make sure that the antenna is able to stay up in the worst wind. So far it works perfectly.

Now as far as receiving goes, this antenna is quite a bit quieter than the dipole and the Zero Five Vertical. I first thought it was not working until I started getting strong signals without the static that I was getting with the other antennas. Very Nice. Transmitting is really nice with excellent signal reports using 100 watts. My TS830 never worked as good! The DX capabilities of this antenna is excellent as it is fairly broad banded on 80 and dead on all across the 40 meter band. Plus it is so quiet with the static that I can hear the faint signals much better than the other antennas. Being up as high as it is (80 feet), it is pretty well omnidirectional.

Adjusting for 1:1 SWR is easy with just adjusting the ends which is easy. Just pull the ends in and cable tie it together. No soldering or cutting is needed.

In conclusion, I have nothing but praise for the Ultimax 80-40 Double bazooka antenna. Well built, engineered for excellence and it just plain works. What more could you want?

KB4BJM Rating: 2015-01-27
Honest man great product too. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The owner of the Company is Albert. I have had both antenna and amplifier purchases from him. He is a honest man and the amplifier that I purchased from him was all that he said. His antennas are quality built and work great.
NJ0F Rating: 2012-12-15
Exceeded Expectations Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered this antenna to use this winter until I can get my 40m yagi and 80m vertical up next summer. My expectation was not high. Big was my surprise to be able to work DX on both 40m/80m CW and Phone without too much effort. The antenna is well constructed and I highly recommend it.
VA3AVT Rating: 2012-12-04
I call it the Super EZ antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I’ve had this antenna for over 3 mouths now and I get excellent reports from it. Simply the best wirer antenna I have used. Tuning is super easy. This antenna is well worth the money for the performance it gives you for your dollar spent. Trust me, this is the antenna you’re looking for if you want no headaches. Just put it up do a simply adjustment for 80m to tune where you talk the most and your dun.. 40m is flat on the entire band. Even when you tuning for 80m. It won’t move.

As far as power handing go’s. This antenna takes everything my Alpha 87A and my Henrys can throw at it so don’t worries about burning it up Eh.

Thanks ultimax for a great antenna.

VA3AVT
N5NLR Rating: 2012-02-03
perfect antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Their is nothing I can say, all the comments about this antenna are truth, it works perfect, my previous antenna was the g5rv by radio wavz what a piece of junk , with the ultimax I get reports 20, 30 even 40's never had before , very easy to tune if I can do it anybody can, if you are looking for a good antenna well constructed, this is it,I get between 3.725 to 3.900 1.0 max 2.0 swr and on 40 almost flat on phone I love this antenna.
WP4OCJ Rating: 2011-08-16
great antenna! adjust to my needs. 4.9/5.0 Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Ultimax 40-80m double bazooka

I have spend 8 months working with the Ultimax 40-80 meters bazzoka. first noted the construction of the coil made of hard pvc "scheduim 40" and stainless steel screws. i have a big problem with space restrictions so i had to be imaginative. it took me a lot of time to make it tune right cause of my space restriction issue. not the tipically 15 minutes, for me a week. i had installed at inverted v and L (sky view) at same time. see my qrz.com under WP4OCJ. the 40 meters section tunes at 1.1 for 7.000 & 1.0 at 3.815. my installation do not resonates at the center of the 40 meters band so it does at the start. i can't make it work wideband but it is once again cause of my hard working conditions by space restrictions. i have to use the antenna tunner at the upper of 40m bands and borders of 75 meters. for 80 meters it give me 80 mhz of wideband under 1.0 - 1.5 swr. this is great considering my working conditions. for make it right on 75m i had to fold about 4 feets each legs so it resonates. this numbers are great considering my space working conditions. center is about 30 feets tall only. generally bazookas are less affected by structures or cement than wire dipoles so this was the reason for me to decide for it.

my results:
It is working better than my 40-80 hombrew coil loaded dipole in reception and tx. It handle great my ameritron al-811h on 700 watts without problems. i had contacted all europe, middle east, north and sout america, india,and others where my dipole does not on 40 meters. on 80 it work great locally. for dx if dificult cause of the QRN in band but possible. i have confirmation from germany and others in Europe. before this one with my dipole (resonating) was hard to get the west coast of my island! now rocks! I'm sure if i could have a lot of space i would take too much advantage from it. So generally i am pleasant and happy of the results of this antenna how it works and the price. noted that materials are getting up.i highly recommend this product!
Best wiches from Puerto Rico.. for all 73'