So many times I have found myself saying that if you have to use a tuner or unun/balun, then you’ve got an antenna that isn’t designed very well. This antenna is not one of those that bleads off the power in the tuner or resonates heat from a balun/unun. It is an antenna that’s designed to work! No hidden components, just excellent antenna design work. After unpacking it this morning, I had a few state-side QSO’s first on 6 through 20 meters. The operators gave me the same signal report as I was receiving them at.

I tuned around till I found some DX on 20 meters and had an arm-chair conversation. Pretty cool! When pretty much all I could have with my G5RV was state-side QSOs. Although I don’t like the fact that tuners just hide the SWR, I do appreciate the fact that they keep power from being reflected back into my rig, so I use my trusted LDG Tuner with my FT-897D. I put the rig onto 40 meters and made a contact a couple of states (850 miles) away. I’m sure it’ll work fine on 80 meters, although I agree with the manufacturer that signals won’t be as strong on 160 meters. I did, however, find I could tune the antenna very quickly with my LDG Tuner on 160 meters. I also liked the introductory price!

Keep up the good work Alpha Antenna!

KD6CKL