Radio > Equipment Reviews
Alpha Antenna MOTO 6-40
Tempstar:
I received this antenna two weeks ago and mounted it on my Bronco. It is paired with a Kenwood TS-480SAT.
Initial impressions: A PVC cap glued to a PVC cap contains the coil, antenna mount, SO239 connector and whip antenna. It seems like a lot to put on plastic but so far it has held up well. Unlike any antenna I have ever owned, the SO-239 and mounting stud are off center and both located on the bottom. This presents a problem with conventional mounts, so I had to manufacture one.
Once mounted, I was surprised at the performance. Receive was 1 S-unit below my vertical HY-Gain. Transmit was, as expected, not even close, but exceeded my original expectations. I was able to work Texas from South Carolina on 20, and a W1AW station in Kansas. 40 Meters was lacking a bit though.
Overall: A decent compromise antenna and priced at $125.00, it will get you on the air mobile for cheap. Don't expect a Tarheel or Hi-Q.
http://alphaantenna.com/
73
Lamewolf:
--- Quote from: Tempstar on November 15, 2014, 07:06:38 AM ---I received this antenna two weeks ago and mounted it on my Bronco. It is paired with a Kenwood TS-480SAT.
Initial impressions: A PVC cap glued to a PVC cap contains the coil, antenna mount, SO239 connector and whip antenna. It seems like a lot to put on plastic but so far it has held up well. Unlike any antenna I have ever owned, the SO-239 and mounting stud are off center and both located on the bottom. This presents a problem with conventional mounts, so I had to manufacture one.
Once mounted, I was surprised at the performance. Receive was 1 S-unit below my vertical HY-Gain. Transmit was, as expected, not even close, but exceeded my original expectations. I was able to work Texas from South Carolina on 20, and a W1AW station in Kansas. 40 Meters was lacking a bit though.
Overall: A decent compromise antenna and priced at $125.00, it will get you on the air mobile for cheap. Don't expect a Tarheel or Hi-Q.
http://alphaantenna.com/
73
--- End quote ---
After looking at their website, the swr shows anywhere from 4.8:1 to 6.8:1 and it says its tuneable - so how - with a tuner ? I just don't get it, lots of folks making multiband antennas these days but must use a tuner. Why not just buy a $15 hamstick and use a tuner with that ?
spacecase0:
--- Quote from: Lamewolf on November 17, 2014, 03:33:50 PM --- Why not just buy a $15 hamstick and use a tuner with that ?
--- End quote ---
my 2M hamstick tunes up quite well on 40M
Tevin:
Uhhmm, yeh. Lamewolf is right. With an SWR like that, I'm not sure what you're really getting for your $125. Even more concerning is that SWR results published by manufacturers are pulled from "best case scenario" lab conditions. I don't think I've ever owned any antenna that worked as we as the charts claim.
But what the heck...real world results are what really matter and you got some very respectable DX on it. I can't argue with that.
Good luck with your Alpha-MOTO :)
Tempstar:
SWR ratings are high, but it's a compromise antenna to get me mobile. No funds for a Tarheel, and the related extra$ to make it work with my radio. Further use shows it working well in the 600 mile range.
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