[ICOM] Question abt 746 pro and G5RV combo

Ed Senior eseniors at earthlink.net
Sun Jul 16 10:36:25 EDT 2006


Hi Brian,

The consensus seems to be that the G5RV is a cranky beast,
and that you might need an external tuner to tame it.
(I have to rely on the reports of others here, as I have
never used one.)

But if you are prepared to send the G5RV to the swap meet,
and try a simpler, less finicky antenna, then I suggest you take
a look at the Buckmaster OCF (also available through Alpha
Delta).

The Buckmaster is very simple, mechanically robust, and has
no gimmicks and no hybrid/tuned feedlines.  A typical
transceiver's internal tuner should be all you need... and
for part of the range, no tuner at all.  Coverage is 80/40/20/
17/12/10/6, with exceptionally wide SWR BW.

The only downside I can see is the 134' length--but it is
amenable to vees and other bends.  Compared to a 100+
foot G5RV, you get a heckuva lot for the added 30' or so.

If you have GOT to keep the length to 100' or less, then
you could also consider a trap 80/40 dipole (no external
tuner needed), or the classic ladder-line-fed balanced dipole
with external tuner.

Good luck and 73,

Ed, W6LOL

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brian K. Gaskamp" <ka5bkg at sbcglobal.net>
To: <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2006 5:13 PM
Subject: [ICOM] Question abt 746 pro and G5RV combo


> Does anyone have the above combo.
> We recently installed the above at our local hosp for emergency
> communications in case mother nature decides to send some severe wx our
way
> here on the Gulf coast.
>
> My question is is there any reason why the radio won't tune the G5RV, ours
> is the one with the 300 ohm twin lead, 4-1 balun I think, and RG8X mini.
>
> The 2 bands we are having problems with is 80m and 40m.
>
> If someone has had this same problem or can suggest why it won't tune
those
> 2 bands please let me know.
>
> Or Suggestions...Comments.
>
>
> 73,
> Brian
>
>
>
>




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