[Elecraft] N6BT Antennas

[Dyarnes]

Hi All,

I have to say that N6BT's antenna sales operation is something of a 
conundrum.  It seems that just about all I hear is that he doesn't respond 
to inquiries, even those wanting to purchase one of his products.  Very 
strange!

I have one of Tom's recent creations, the Bravo 7K.  I heard Tom speak at 
Yuma last year, and he discussed performance of the Bravo 7K a good bit in 
his presentation.  Tom does a lot of antenna design work for DXpeditions, 
and this was one that he had very good things to say about.

Most of you know that Tom was the person who started Force 12, and he had 
many interesting designs there, including one that I picked up used--the 
Sigma 40XK--which is a vertical dipole.  It's somewhat shortened (loaded), 
but works very well for me on 40 meters.  It's supposed to be a multi-band 
antenna, but changing bands is not easy!

Anyway, when I heard Tom talk about his new Bravo 7K, and later saw it on 
display at his sales table, I got pretty interested.  It is extremely 
portable, considering it's size, and that really caught my interest.  Tom 
calls it a vertical dipole, but it is a variation on the "traditional" 
configuration to the point that I don't fully understand how the description 
fits.  In any event, changing bands is much easier than on my Sigma 40 XK, 
and it sounded like a perfect option for use with my motorhome.

I talked Tom into selling me his display model at Yuma.  Probably a good 
thing, since otherwise I might never have gotten an order by mail even 
acknowledged!  When I mentioned to Tom that I also had a Sigma 40XK, he said 
the Bravo 7K would be equally efficient--maybe better!

My results subsequently don't bear that statement out.  The antenna seems to 
work pretty well on 20 and up, but I can't get it to perform anywhere close 
to my Sigma 40XK on 40 meters.  So, I've tried, multiple times, to contact 
Tom for advice on what I may be doing wrong.  No response!  None!!!!  Very 
frustrating and disappointing.

I haven't given up on the Bravo 7K on 40 meters, but I haven't really had 
time to try changes and adjustments.  I think the answer may be to just 
improve the ground side of the antenna, but it could be that I just don't 
have it deployed in the most advantageous way.  The vertical portion of the 
antenna is nearly equal to 1/4 wave on 40, so to me it's more like a 1/4 
wave vertical.  The neat thing about the antenna is that it does collapse 
into a very small package for carrying, and the matching network is fairly 
easy to adjust.  I think he even has a version of this antenna whereby you 
can remotely make those matching adjustments.  Interesting and innovative, 
but not much good if you can't even get him to acknowledge your inquiries!!!

I sure wish he would come out of hiding!

Dave W7AQK