| G0DNI |
Rating:      |
2012-11-28 | |
| G Whip Mini End-fed 20M Resonant Antenna |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
A correction to my earlier review of the G Whip 20M mini end-fed resonant antenna. The antenna uses a tuned circuit and choke between the radiator and the co-ax and not a balun.
Just started exploring the SSB capabilities of this antenna and my first contact was with an LZ station (Bulgaria) using the full 5 watts output of the Yaesu FT-817. He had to work fairly hard to pick me out of the noise, but not bad for the 1400 mile distance.
I've just ordered the 40M version of this QRP antenna so I'm looking forward to trying that out too.
73
Gary
G0DNI |
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| M0OAT |
Rating:      |
2012-09-17 | |
| Gwhip QRP mini EEF |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Over the past few months I have been using a prowhip Vert Hp antenna I was struggling to make any contacts with it and thought it was due to only have 5 watts power to play with from the yaesu, just wasn't working for me as it does for others.
Well that has all changed over the past few weeks as i have purchased a 40m Mini End Fed antenna from Geof at GWhip http://gwhip.co.uk/minizepp.htm . I spoke to him on the bank holiday weekend and after many emails of advice including a 200 page PDF doc on antenna theory, propagation. I decided to purchase the 40m and 20m End fed antenna.
What a change my radio has finally came to life even with a lot of static i was able to break into Russia, Ukraine and could even speak to Uk callsingns (couldn't hear them before) best thing is most of the call signs were using 20 - 100w. I tried this up against the prowhip which didn't preform very well and couldn't RX most of them. (At least I got a 10m roach pole for portable set up)I still have to try the 20m antenna as I am having fun on 40m.
I know they are resonant antennas for separate bands, but at the moment that seems to work best for me, each one comes with its own VSWR sweep and a first class customer service i have ever experienced. Planning to save up for the Gwhip mobile and sell that ATU that is now gathering dust.
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| M6HPY |
Rating:      |
2012-09-16 | |
| Can't fault it at all :-))) |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
After months of struggling to make the most of a full size G5RV and then a half size G5RV at my location, I decided to choose my band of choice and purchase a dedicated wire antenna for 40M. After reading favourable reviews regarding the G Whip End Fed antenna, I decided to plump for one of Geoff's creations. And I have to say, It is a fabulous bit of kit.
Obviously, being resonant on 40m, the antenna knocks spots off my old G5. Signals are bigger and clearer and my signal is being heard a lot further and with a lot more clarity. As for the antenna itself, it is so well made and it's definitely built to last...everything from the box of tricks and the wire element down to the piece of cork attached to the end hook so that it won't pierce the packaging or damage any part of the antenna in transit.
I also love the fact that my antenna is unique and handmade. Its #402 in the history of G Whip and it's the little touches such as the VSWR sweep of MY antenna, not a random bit of information relating to a mass produced product, that create such a high opinion of Geoff's service and products.
Trust me, if I could give more than a 5 rating in relation to my G Whip End Fed 40M antenna, I so would...keep up the very good work Geoff!!! :-)
Paul - M6HPY. |
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| M0TXP |
Rating:      |
2012-06-28 | |
| reveiw update |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I reveiwed this antenna in april this year and now i am updating this reveiw.
The last reveiw i done on this antenna was from using it in the daytime and early evening
A few weeks ago i could not sleep, so i turned the radio on at 11 Oclock at night
The 20m band was still open, so had a flick round
the band, wow south America, Usa and the west indies were coming through
That night and a few nights later i was up till 4 in the morning (lucky i had a weeks holiday off work).
In the 4 late night/early morning days i worked
Usa - Florida and east coast states
Canada - Montreal, Newfoundland (st Johns), nova Scottia
south America - Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela
West Indies - Jamaica, st Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Trinadad
Also i had a 5/9 conversation with a vk3 from Melbourne Australia (3 different times)
Some Europe DX and middle east, like Qatar,Arab emirates, and even Tajikistan (next to China)
All on 10 watts
If the conditions are playing ball then it just shows this antenna will get you the DX
73
Paddy |
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| MW1CFN |
Rating:      |
2011-12-26 | |
| Best Build Quality You'll Ever See. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Superb all the way. The matching units are beautifully made, and the kevlar wire likely to last a lifetime.
I'm on a mountainside QTH, with winds frequently damaging gust levels of 70+mph. With Geoff's units, I need lose no sleep about expensive beams lying in pieces on the floor after a winter gale.
Other than physical robustness, the units are exceptionally handy in that they can easily be swung from one fence post to the next in a sloping configuration for some directivity - or just out of the way if needed.
On the first day of operation, I was busting a pile up (against 1kw US operators) into Mexico and Belize. The next day, I was 5/5 into Los Angeles and 59+20 into western Greenland.
Les Moxon chose end-fed wires from experience as one of the best antennas you can use. With that recommendation coupled to Geoff's top-notch quality of manufacture, low price and equally good customer care, you really have to struggle to find a reason not to buy one! Oh, and they are very low-profile; fussy neighbours will have very little to complain about.
Geoff deserves the success he is obviously enjoying, and as soon as Christmas is over, my next order will be winging its way to him.
Well done Geoff! Flying the flag of quality British manufacturing.
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| M6AZA |
Rating:      |
2011-08-25 | |
| Excellent |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I already have a review of the Gwhip end fed zepp for the 20m band listed on this site, and I have now purchased further ones for 17m and 20m QRP/P.
The quality and performance of these antennas are excellent whilst being cost effective and having a low visual impact.
I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others |
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| GJ6TMM |
Rating:      |
2011-08-08 | |
| Zepp helps break through the Pile ups. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Last month i bought 2 end feed Zepps from Geoff. 1 for 20m and 1 for 10m. I watched Geoff build them and test them on air.When I got back to Jersey I did not have time to test them for a couple of weeks.Since then i have tested them against my vertical multi band.Switching between the vert.and the Zepp my recieved reports went from 55 to 59+.
This evening (8/8/11) i have called once to stations on 20m that were working pileups and got through 1st time.JW ZB2 and HZ1.10m has been the same,1st or 2nd call and they come back to me.All I can say is i need more for the other HF bands.
Thanks Geoff and Janet and GWHIP. |
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| M6GMB |
Rating:      |
2011-05-19 | |
| Great British quality and engineering at a knock-down price |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I was initially sceptical about these antennae until I went over to see Geoff. He hand makes, tests and tunes each antenna with great care and skill using the best materials (Kevlar line really is nearly unbreakable) in his own workshop. All of the boxes are potted and IP rated so there will be no problems with water ingress after a few years. As a demonstration, he got to a Romanian station with a genuine 59 report on 10W on 20m on the first call with the Zepp pointing East-West.
After the demo and seeing how well they were made I just had to get one so I purchased the mini version (rated at 25W) for 20M. This ended up strung up between the metal hinge on the window of my upstairs shack and a suitable bush in the front garden pointing North-South and I was able to get Bulgaria on less than 5W with a 57 report. That evening, I had a go at getting into one of the US nets with 10W and after a few calls, I was in with a 43 report - not bad considering the number of stations trying to get in.
They are incredibly easy to setup and use (really just string up between two suitable objects) and the best bit is no tuner is required - they are resonant on the band with less than 1.5SWR. Yes you would need to buy several of them to cover all of the HF bands but if you compare the cost of a tuner and a wide band antenna or two to several of these Zepps there is not much cost difference. Also, the lack of a tuner means you aren't loosing power in one and a much greater proportion of the power from your rig is radiated - why waste power in a tuner when you don't have to?
Compared to my experiences with longwires/dipoles with tuner these antennae are over a thousand times better do exactly what they say on the tin - they are British made quality and engineering at it's best.
I will definitely be back for more. |
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| M0CZV |
Rating:      |
2011-04-29 | |
| Quality at its best :-) |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have now owned several of the excellent G Whip antenna products for over a year and thought it was about time I put pen to paper and shared my experiences. I currently own 40m, 20m,10m & 6m G Whip Zepps antennas.
I have a small garden and my neighbours live close by. Because of this I try to be careful with power levels, while aiming to keep a low visual impact. I only erect my antennas when they are needed, although the green Kevlar wire with its military underpinnings means that it is camouflaged well, so I needn’t worry!
The antenna is attached to the eves and run down to the garden (Sloper). If I want to operate from the bedroom I can arrange the antenna so that the connector is located at roof level and bring the coax in through the window, conversely when I want to operate from the garden or the conservatory the connector arranged to be at ground level…. Simple and it saves on having long runs of coax.
Efficient RF design – antenna is resonant straight out of the box, no smoke and mirrors just straightforward honest to goodness resonance! Put that ATU away in the cupboard and simplify your station set up.
The G Whip Zepp is great for backpacking and QRP operations. Since I purchased this antenna I noticed that G Whip have expanded their range and developed a more compact lightweight version specifically for this role.
High quality components – IP rated enclosure, with all RF circuitry potted in resin and the military spec Kevlar antenna wire means that you can install the antenna permanently outside and forget about it!
Attention to detail – everything you need is provided in the box, throwing lines, insulator, just add coax and somewhere to hang the antenna!
Quality – every antenna I have purchased has come with its own test certificate showing its VSWR response curve; this blew me away as you just don’t get this with any other manufacturer!
Operation – most of my operations are centred on lower power modes such as PSK31. I was amazed at the difference on receive strength when first used with my FT817. I have to admit I didn’t believe the VSWR reading when I made my first test transmission, the needle barely moved – remember all of this without lossy antenna tuners/matchers! I wished I had one of these when first licenced in the early 80’s as it had always been a nightmare trying to find a compact, yet efficient, antenna for HF.
I have previously worked in the Defence industry for many years and find it refreshing to see commercial products which demonstrate the same construction techniques and quality of finish; a rare quality in todays world of mass production and profit margins.
What do I like the most, the price! I have no business connection with G Whip, just a satisfied customer. Please see my review on the G Whip Base Antenna.
73 Ian Ross M0CZV, UK
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| MM6RSP |
Rating:      |
2010-12-14 | |
| this antenna is as easy as breathing to set up |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
G Whip Zepp antennas
These are the proverbial “mutts nuts”!
I bought a 20m version, put it on a pole that was lying around my garage about 8ft long, cable tied it to my fence, pulled out the wire radiator & jammed it to the top of my fence (about 5ft high) without insulating it, checked SWR and the needle hardly moved at all, I answered a CQ from North America at about lunch time using only my allowed 10w and got a perfectly acceptable 59 report straight back, then South France with 57! The antenna was between two houses, low down as I have said, and orientation not even considered. The engineering of these antennas is bullet proof, you can throw a line (included in the package) over a tree or tied to the roof of your house, or on a pole / tower / anything else handy for that matter, at home or portable, & be on the air in minutes without an ATU, perfectly resonant on the band, & not wasting power in a lossy ATU . The Zepp’s come packaged in a box approx 9” by 4” so don’t take up much room when not in use or transporting or you can leave up permanently as they are tested in storms etc and the radiator is green Kevlar so semi hidden in the air and also unbreakable and will last a lifetime. I have since been back and now have 5 of them (different bands). Why mess about with compromise antennas and suffer TVI when you can make life simple for yourself with a Zepp? Oh and another thing --- they are too cheap!!! --- Special offer of 3 bands for £115 inc p&p (remember no ATU to buy) hurry while stocks last limited offer.
Geoff is so helpful also, he answered all my emails very quickly, even when out of the country in China, he offers his free advice on anything you care to ask about, with no obligation. I can’t praise these enough and have no hesitation in recommending them. They are not a beam, but don’t cost the same as a beam and so easy to put up (compared to a beam), and perform great too. Happy DXing 73
MM6RSP (restricted to 10w)
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