[TowerTalk] Sommer antennas

[thompson@mindspring.com]

K7LXC said maybe be the Sommer beams were just like Mosley...work but are
not competitive.   The Big XP807 is a state of the art
antenna combining yagi, log periodic, and phasing to make an effective (for
boom length) system for 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10.  KM1E
had an excellent article in DX Magazine in 1994 or 5 (two parts) on how he
selected and installed the Sommer.   N4VZ had great success
with his altho he has now moved to Utah.  Bob was top man on 17 and 12 (in
DXCC count) and ran up some good scores in the CQ WW
that surprised the local contest club.

The 30 and 40 meter add on's only cover a small freq range and perform
alright for a short compromise antenna.   The reason there are not many out
there is threefold:  1.  The price is higher than most competitive beams
(TH11, KT34XA).  2.  They are difficult to assemble and tune up correctly.
3.  Sommer support is poor at best..   Plus the weight is more and thus the
wind load!

The big XP807 does work well and Lew W1ICP had the smaller version that he
found to be quite good.

Mosley ...no much better.   Sot if you want a solid performer on the
20/15/10 plus top signal on 17 and 12 in one antenna the Sommer may be just
what you need.   Is it better than the Force 12 C31XR (yes but only on 20),
is it better than the TH11 which is the only other high performance
tri-bander to cover WARC bands?   I would say its the equal.   Better than
big mono banders?   I won't go that far.

73 Dave K4JRB



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