Preliminary Announcement
Bencher Skyhawk
What do you get when you give a top contester, a top DX'er and an
antenna wizzard a clean sheet of paper? The Next Generation - a
competition-grade new design trap-free triband yagi - introducing the
Bencher Skyhawk.
Skyhawk is a major step forward for serious HF operators. Not just
another trapped tribander, the Bencher Skyhawk features 10 elements on a
23' boom, and is fully the equivalent of three full-sized yagis sharing
a common feedline and a common boom. The design offers three elements on
twenty meters, three on fifteen and four on ten meters. All elements are
full-sized, and there are NO lossy traps!
The benefits of this design are considerable - extremely wide bandwidth,
and superb gain over the entire design range of frequencies. There are
no traps to rob precious dBs and narrow the bandwidth. Mechanically, the
elements are light, thin and strong, not burdened with having to handle
heavy wind resisting traps.
Interlaced yagi designs have been around for years, but generally suffer
a poor reputation. This should be no surprise - the interactions of the
different bands are extremely complex. Until now, there simply was no
way to fully resolve these interactions, which resulted in disappointing
performance.
But antenna wizzard Jim Breakall, WA3FET, using the latest computer
programs and some brilliant insights, lead the development team that
resulted in this fantastic new no-compromise no-apology antenna.
Succesful development of such a complex antenna as this was no happy
accident. Instead, it required huge amounts of computer optimization and
refinement.
Acclaimed contester K3LR, Tim Duffy, did most of the mechanical design
of the antenna, and well-known DX'er Bob Locher, W9KNI, developed the
target specifications for the antenna.
Some of the special features of the Bencher Skyhawk antenna include
tremendous bandwidth, excellent F/B ratios, superb gain, low weight,
zero mast torque, and 85 mph wind survival. Only the finest materials
are used - this antenna is designed from the start to be easy to put up,
and easy to keep up.
The Bencher Skyhawk represents the first product of a new line of
antennas from Bencher, with other revolutionary designs to follow.
Specifications:
SKYHAWK 3X10 (3 bands and 10 elements)
Overall Boom Length: 23 feet
Wind Load 8.5 sq ft
Turning Radius: 22 feet
Weight: 50 lbs
Wind Survival: 85 mph with no ice
2" boom
20 meters-
effective boom length = 22 feet
VSWR is less than than 1.4:1 from 14.000 to 14.350 MHz, measured at
feedpoint
Front to Back greater than 20 dB across entire band
F/B peaks at 14.150 MHz @21 dB
Gain is better than 7 dBi across band
Gain is 7.15 dBi at 14.000 and 7.4 dBi at 14.350 MHz
15 meters-
Effective Boom Length = 15' 6"
VSWR is less than 1.5:1 from 21.000 to 21.450
Front to Back is better than 16 dB across entire band
F/B peaks at 21.350 MHz at 24.5 dB
Gain is better than 7 dBi across band
Gain is 7 dBi at 21.000 and 7.6 dBi at 21.450 MHz
10 meters-
effective boom length = 16' 9"
VSWR is better than 1.5 from 28.000 to 29.000
Front to Back is better than 14 dB across band
F/B peaks at 28.500 MHz at 15 dB
Gain is better than 7.7 dBi across band
Gain is 7.7 at 28.0 dBi and 9.3 dBi at 29.0
Special note: The above figures quote the antenna's WORST case
specifications, as well as noting the best performance. No other
manufacturer gives such specifications. The prototype antenna has been
tested against antennas alleging similar performance. Skyhawk
outperformed them by significant margins.
Price: TBA
Delivery: Fall 1997
Note: Weight figure is subject to change on production antennas
If you are interested in this antenna, contact Bencher to be put on the
mailing list for an updated brochure. See your Bencher dealer now to
insure an early delivery position.
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