Runboard.com
Слава Україні!
Community logo


runboard.com       Sign up (learn about it) | Sign in (lost password?)

 
2FB059 Profile
Live feed
Blog
Friends
Miscellaneous info

Freebander

Registered: 11-2019
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest
Posts: 35
Karma: 1 (+1/-0)
Reply | Quote
Alpha Antenna ProMaster


"Alpha" "Pro" "Master"; sounds like some serious insecurity. It's surprising length comparisons weren't provided as part of the advertising materials.

Jokes aside, I purchased one of these antennas several months back based on a need for a movable/portable antenna that has wide-band coverage and a small footprint without a huge array of radials. The antenna consists of a telescoping aluminum vertical element about 5m high, an NVIS radial wire with a stake to plant it in the ground, and a ground wire with another stake. There's a reasonably sturdy tripod with mast that extends about 2m high. There is also an option radial set that makes the antenna omnidirectional. The NVIS wire alone makes the antenna somewhat directional with the strongest lobe to the side opposite the radial.

From their website: "Deployed using default configuration, using 1 NVIS Element plus 1 Vertical Element and 1 grounded counterpoise.
– Frequency Coverage: 3.5MHz to 30MHz
– Power: 250 PEP SSB, 125 CW, or 25 watts for digital modes"

They imply that with the optional radial kit, you can tune 160m. However, in my experience, I am able to tune 160m to a very low SWR and actually manage to radiate at least some usable signal with just the single radial wire using the built-in tuner on my IC7300. So, I haven't need to tweak with an external tuner since the SWR it presents with its built-in solid state "tuner" is under 3:1 on all bands. It does have a rather low power limitation, but my little 100W 7300 won't present any challenges for it.

My own experiences: I've had reasonably good results for a small-footprint portable antenna; not having to mess with an external tuner makes it an excellent choice for portable operation. I've made contacts across North America (I'm in California), Hawaii, Australia, and Japan with it. The wide tuning range makes it especially appealing for those folks operating 11m and "other bands". Plus, it's low-profile and easily concealed or packed away. I'm not usually an NVIS operator, but I did manage a low power NVIS contact with it to someone about 65km away, so I can at least say it works. The construction seems quite durable.

Downsides: it's a compromise antenna, of course. While it does outperform other portable vertical "compromise antennas" that I've tried, if you really need performance, there are far better solutions. The other downside is the ridiculous price. I purchased mine back around April for around $500USD with the tripod, NVIS radial, coax. They have since substantially increased the price to around $700USD. In all honestly, while I think it's a good antenna for those in my situation who need a small antenna or something easily portable, I also think it's obscenely overpriced.

Also, if it's breezy, you'll need guy wires or sandbags to stabilize the tripod or it may tip over and possibly bend/break the aluminum vertical element.

3/5 stars for this one. It does the job but breaks the bank.


Last edited by 2FB059, 4/Oct/2021, 11:29 pm


---
I see many sunspots in your future.
4/Oct/2021, 11:29 pm Link to this post Send Email to 2FB059   Send PM to 2FB059 Blog
 


Add a reply





You are not logged in (login)