I have had a AV-640 up for the past 7 years and agree with everything
Art says. That antenna is very similar (except for not having traps)
to the R8 which displayed very good results in the K7LXC/N0AX report
on verticals.
It often takes a bit of patience in the pileups (most of my operation
has been at the 100 watt level), but I was rarely disappointed during
the times when propagation was a bit better than currently. Mine is
mounted about 13 feet above ground on a piece of pipe which is
strapped to the eaves of my house. I haven't tried it on 6 meters,
but have had good results on all of the other bands and have even
made some 1500+ mile contacts on 80 and 160 (don't try this at high
power levels).
Bob, N7XY
On Dec 28, 2008, at 5:59 AM, <atrampler@att.net> <atrampler@att.net>
wrote:
> Bill,
>
> I have an AV640...small lot, wrong sized trees in all the wrong
> places...powerline...and will vouch that on 30 and 40 it is a very
> nice
> antenna. I've had very little experience on 10-20 with it due
> primarily to
> conditions.
>
> In short, I outperform most people on 30 and 40 with wire
> antennas. Whether
> the pile-up is in the Pacific, Africa, grayline to northern EU or
> LP to the
> middle-east...with 800 to 1000 watts I'm usually in on my first
> call (not
> ALWAYS, but usually).
>
> When I get on 20...it's another story. I haven't had enough time
> to play
> with it on the upper bands due to my time and the propagation.
> It's played
> well on 10.
>
> I think he'll do well having it up a bit. I think Peter is
> steering you
> right in suggesting some guys. I don't have any on mine; it's on
> an 18'
> foldover pole (4"/3") and has withstood 50+ mph winds, but why
> chance it.
> The antenna does play better the higher you place it.
>
> If you have concerns about stray RF on the coax (the unit has a
> current
> balun in it) consider adding a good current balun behind it. I
> have noticed
> that I can saturate my balun in calling CQ long enough and will likely
> replace the matching unit with separate 4:1 and 1:1 current baluns
> rated at
> higher power. This has only happened a handful of times and may be
> weather
> dependent.
>
> Hope this helps.
> Art, KØRO
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Jackson" <k9rz@radiks.net>
> To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 6:45 AM
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Hy-Gain AV-640
>
>
>> Hello Towertalkians,
>>
>> I am mentoring a new ham who has limited options for putting up an HF
>> antenna.
>> He has 30 ft. of Rohn 25 tower placed directly next to his house
>> (an old
>> TV
>> tower), but it is located on a very small lot and he has XYL
>> restrictions
>> which
>> prohibit any wire antennas or radials off of the tower.
>>
>> He is thinking about a Hy-Gain AV-640 multi-band vertical to place
>> on top
>> of
>> the tower. His reasoning is that it gives him multiple bands
>> (40-6M) and
>> requires no radials.
>>
>> He is looking for comments, pro or con about this antenna. At
>> this point,
>> he
>> is just interested in getting his feet wet on HF. He has a used
>> Kenwood
>> TS-480S with the built in auto tuner, so useable bandwidth should
>> not be
>> an
>> issue.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your comments and 73.
>>
>> Bill, K9RZ
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> TowerTalk@contesting.com
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>
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>
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>
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