[VHFcontesting] US Antenna Manufacturer

[Bill Wallace]

There used to be Austin Custom Antenna in NH and DownEast Microwave was in Maine but moved to Florida.

73 de N1EMF


> On Jul 29, 2022, at 8:44 PM, Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com> wrote:
> 
> For those VHF weak signal operators who also enjoy FM DXing, you may be aware that antennas for the FM Broadcast band 88-108 Mhz are nearly impossible to find now in the US. Those available are of limited performance. Dipoles, 4-element beams, etc. 
> 
> The days of running down to Radio Shack or an electronics shop and buying an APS-13 fringe-FM antenna are gone. 
> 
> 
> InnovAntenna makes some large OP-DES Yagis for the FM band, but they’re expensive, shipping costs to the US are high, and delivery times have been unpredictable. 
> 
> https://www.innovantennas.com/en/our-antennas/240/26/88mhz-108mhz-broadcast/11-element-88-108mhz-op-desInnovAntennas%20shop.html <https://www.innovantennas.com/en/our-antennas/240/26/88mhz-108mhz-broadcast/11-element-88-108mhz-op-desInnovAntennas%20shop.html>
> 
> Antennland in Germany makes the famous Korner 9.2 FM antenna, which are well built, and perform great. A few years back, I imported ten of them into the US and sold them immediately. We discussed bringing the larger Korner 14 design to market, but their vendor in Italy went out of business, and shipping costs became prohibitive. 
> 
> https://www-antennenland-net.translate.goog/3H-FM-9M19?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc <https://www-antennenland-net.translate.goog/3H-FM-9M19?_x_tr_sl=de&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc>
> 
> 
> I believe there is a market of FM DXers and audiophiles seeking high-performance FM antennas. Albeit a limited market, where the antennas would have to be expensive to be profitable. 
> 
> It seems like the perfect market for a small, specialty antenna manufacturer. There used to be such a company in Maine that manufactured VHF weak-signal antennas. But I can’t recall who that was. 
> 
> I’d be interested in discussing this as a business venture and am willing to help with development costs to explore the idea further. Does anyone know a shop that might be interested? 
> 
> 73,
> 
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> les at highnoonfilm.com <mailto:les at highnoonfilm.com>
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
> EM63nf
> 
> NRC & IRCA Courtesy Program Committee Chairman
> Member WTFDA, MWC
> 
> Perseus SDR,  AirSpy + Discovery, SDRPlay RSP Duo, Sony XDR-F1HD [XDR Guy Modified], Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Kitz Technologies KT-501 Pre-amps, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip. 
> 
> “Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…” 
> 
>