[TowerTalk] Sommer Antennas

[Stuart Gilman]

Julio

I bought and put up a Sommers XP-508 (8 element from 6 to 20 meters) two
years ago and it is the best Yagi I have ever used.  I have also helped two
other friends put together the larger version (708).

First, I want to tell you that I had talked to Alf (the owner) at two
consecutive Dayton hamfests, and what he told me seemed reasonable yet
defied all of the conventional wisdom about Yagi antennas (e.g. spacing
between elements, etc.)  At the next Dayton hamfest I was at the QCWA booth
and had a chance to talk about it with Lou McCoy (SK) -- in mind "the"
expert on hamradio antennas.

Lou explained that a lot of people mistake this antenna as a log periodic -
which it is not - because it is such a radically different design.  It takes
some of the best characteristics of yagis and log periodics, without traps!
I had looked at the Mosley, Force 12 and Cushcraft antennas... and I became
convinced that the Sommers antenna was simply better.  ( I'll be glad to
give you some of my reasons if you want more specifics).  The proof is in
the pudding:  I am up to 250 countries with 100 watts - I do have an IC-2KL
but seldom need to use it.  I can usually break a DX pileup in the first or
second call - unless propagation is really against me.  And, I have gotten
reports of 30 over S 9 in Europe.  I have a 40 ft crankup tower, and live in
a suburb on a 1/3 of an acre lot.

Second, the Sommers Yagi is the best engineered antenna I have put together
since I helped put together a Telerex in 1966.  One example:  the boom is
not a single piece of aluminum.  Rather, it is two aluminum I beams spaced
about and inch apart.  The elements each have brackets that "tie" the boom
together.  When you are done assembling it you realize that the tower, the
mast and even the house might give way before this antenna.

The only down size is the windloading.  For my 508 it is about 11 sq feet.
I use a Yaesu G-800S to turn it and have had no problems what so ever.

The two other hams that have Sommers antennas and are as pleased as I am are
K4DU and W3DX.  The former has his up at 60 feet and the latter at 35 feet.
They are as happy as I am.

Since this sounds like an ad, I should emphasize that I don't work for
Sommers or benefit in anyway.  I just love the antenna.

If I can answer any other questions, please Email me.

Best 73s,

Stu, W4PR
----- Original Message -----
From: "Julio" <jperalta@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 26, 2002 4:03 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] Sommer Antennas


>
> Has anyone had any experience with the Sommer line of antennas? The
company
> is located here in Florida and they attend most of the bigger Florida
> hamfests. They will probably be at the Orlando hamfest next month and I
will
> be able to talk to them, if you guys give the antenna favorable comments.
>
> Julio
>
>
>
> ________________________________________________________________________
> Where do you get ICE bandpass filters & beverage matching boxes?  The
> same place that pays for the hosting of this list:  The eHam Store.
> Order online at http://store.eham.net.
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> -----
> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
> Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
>


________________________________________________________________________
Where do you get ICE bandpass filters & beverage matching boxes?  The
same place that pays for the hosting of this list:  The eHam Store.
Order online at http://store.eham.net.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

-----
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com