It was the 7k that I tried to buy for over 3 months, I was impressed with it also.
Fred/N0AZZ -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Dyarnes Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:28 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Elecraft] N6BT Antennas Hi All, I have to say that N6BT's antenna sales operation is something of a conundrum. It seems that just about all I hear is that he doesn't respond to inquiries, even those wanting to purchase one of his products. Very strange! I have one of Tom's recent creations, the Bravo 7K. I heard Tom speak at Yuma last year, and he discussed performance of the Bravo 7K a good bit in his presentation. Tom does a lot of antenna design work for DXpeditions, and this was one that he had very good things to say about. Most of you know that Tom was the person who started Force 12, and he had many interesting designs there, including one that I picked up used--the Sigma 40XK--which is a vertical dipole. It's somewhat shortened (loaded), but works very well for me on 40 meters. It's supposed to be a multi-band antenna, but changing bands is not easy! Anyway, when I heard Tom talk about his new Bravo 7K, and later saw it on display at his sales table, I got pretty interested. It is extremely portable, considering it's size, and that really caught my interest. Tom calls it a vertical dipole, but it is a variation on the "traditional" configuration to the point that I don't fully understand how the description fits. In any event, changing bands is much easier than on my Sigma 40 XK, and it sounded like a perfect option for use with my motorhome. I talked Tom into selling me his display model at Yuma. Probably a good thing, since otherwise I might never have gotten an order by mail even acknowledged! When I mentioned to Tom that I also had a Sigma 40XK, he said the Bravo 7K would be equally efficient--maybe better! My results subsequently don't bear that statement out. The antenna seems to work pretty well on 20 and up, but I can't get it to perform anywhere close to my Sigma 40XK on 40 meters. So, I've tried, multiple times, to contact Tom for advice on what I may be doing wrong. No response! None!!!! Very frustrating and disappointing. I haven't given up on the Bravo 7K on 40 meters, but I haven't really had time to try changes and adjustments. I think the answer may be to just improve the ground side of the antenna, but it could be that I just don't have it deployed in the most advantageous way. The vertical portion of the antenna is nearly equal to 1/4 wave on 40, so to me it's more like a 1/4 wave vertical. The neat thing about the antenna is that it does collapse into a very small package for carrying, and the matching network is fairly easy to adjust. I think he even has a version of this antenna whereby you can remotely make those matching adjustments. Interesting and innovative, but not much good if you can't even get him to acknowledge your inquiries!!! I sure wish he would come out of hiding! Dave W7AQK ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2240 / Virus Database: 2641/5732 - Release Date: 04/08/13 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
