Customer Opinions

_{Broadband  Folded Dipoles}

"Hello, good people at B & W. This is to thank you for the BWD-90 antenna. It is wonderful.

Having been licensed in the Amateur Radio ranks since the late  sixties, I have built my share of dipole and inverted V antennae.  However, at the moment we are using a B & W long wire running east and west at about forty feet, and our new BWD-90 running north and south at eleven feet. Our goal with the new folded dipole is to take  advantage of the NVIS effect on sixty meters, and thus far the results are impressive.

The antenna philosophy has always been to get it as high as possible.  NVIS goes against everything we thought we knew about antenna theory, but we are achieving good results, especially with regard to things such as less atmospheric noise (especially on forty meters), as well  as less fading.

Thanks again for your fine products, and continued success in your  endeavors."

Stan Coutant, AA6SC
Dixie Coutant, N6TOH

 

"Just a note to say we are impressed with the BWD-1.8-30 folded dipole.  Just finished installing it this morning at our club station VO1CRC here at the Canadian Red Cross HQ building in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.  We are the official Red Cross Amateur radio station for Newfoundland & Labrador.  The installation went well as we have it mounted as a sloper, the antenna is attached to a 56 ft. Trylon tower and the lower end to a 20 ft piece of pipe.  When we fired up our Kenwood TS450S on 17 meters, the receiver came alive with signals from the USA & Europe.  We worked ON4DY near Ghent, Belgium on 18.162 Mhz.  His signal was solid copy 5/9 and he told us that our signal was really good into Belgium.  It was satisfying to hear good signal reports as this is a new qth for the station and we just recently had our tower erected after 2 years since the move to this location.  I would recommend this antenna to any one who requires to be able to work all bands, especially in an emergency role as is the case in this station.  The swr curve for the antenna as stated in the instructions was as listed and the rig had no trouble loading and putting a good signal out on all bands.  Thanks for a great product 73."

Don Payne, VO1XH

C/O Avalon Radio Amateur Club (A.V.R.A.C)

"Back when I was running around as an army radio operator in South America and elsewhere, I used the B&W AC-5-30 constantly.  We needed a portable antenna that had excellent medium and long range capabilities, as well as durability.

The antenna, in either dipole or an inverted V configuration, worked great with only 20 watts on SSB.  As you can imagine, we weren't doing this for a hobby, this was real world conditions.  There wasn't to be any compromises.

I am now an amateur radio operator and intend on purchasing a B&W antenna in the near future.  I know what its capabilities are and hope that this testimonial acts as an endorsement of sorts.

Barker & Williamson, keep up the good work."

Keith Crosby, KC0KAN

"I have installed a few of your antennas in the last few months as a result of our contract with the Virginia Army National Guard.  The B & W antennas have performed very well when installed properly at the various locations."

"I cover numerous army national guards in various states.  Over 90% use a dipole antenna.  I am advising them to replace their antennas with the BWDS-1.8-30 . . . to improve their communications capabilities."

Ed Engebretson Global Communications Raleigh, NC

"My name is Robert W Rose I have been a ham operator since I was 11 years old and I am 72 now.   I thought I would call an express my to you all at B & W for the fine broadband antenna.   I have been a MARS member for a number of years and have made wire antennas to run on the Mars FREQ but my purchase of the BWD-1.8-30 was the best investment I have ever made.   This is the finest antenna for all MARS work as well as amateur work.   I can get a flat SWR across the bands and with my ATR-30 tuner it works fine.   Now I don't have to clutter up my back yard with beams and verticals.   I have just the One Antenna and its the B&W.  Thanks for supplying an antenna that works all FREQs."

Sgd Robert W. Rose, K8UZC/AAR5NO 

"After tinkering with antennas for over 20 years I finally bought the broadband dipole. I have very limited space, so the 90' antenna was perfect for my site. Two days ago I installed the antenna at 40' at center in the inverted vee configuration, using your mounting kit.

Yesterday I fed it with coax from the shack, and tested the antenna across all ham bands. Its SWR was exactly as the instructions indicated. This morning I got on 75, and 40 to yak with some of my buddies. The antenna works great! I have the companion tuner for my rig, and the tuner limited the power out of the rig, but bypassing it, the rig worked fine, and did not 'fold back' .

Thank you for the fine product, and I recommend it for someone who has space limitations, and still likes the lower bands. Tonight I am going to see what is around on 160 and try it there."


John Swain/KE2XX

"Thanks!  Just as advertised!  @ 40 ft up in a flat top configuration, the antenna indeed needs no tuner!  I start communicating twice as fast when changing bands as I did when I had to use a tuner, plus I don't have to worry if the swr is  bad, it is great all around!  Thanks B&W!"

DE, WD8USA ...-.- 

"I want to write to let you know that you have one great antenna, I just put up your BWD-1.8- 30 Mhz folded dipole.  I have been using it for two weeks now and it works better than my full wave loops.  It is not a 160 meter antenna but it works there as well.  It is only at 30 feet and I cannot believe how well it works!   The swr is great over all the bands.  It is also very quiet and very easy to install."

K3XI

"I have been using this antenna with an Icom-746 and during the year 2001, I have worked 104 countries on 30mhz, 109 countries on 24mhz and 178 countries on 18mhz.  Fair enough, but when my triband yagi failed I  also used your antenna to crack a 20 meter pileup for Mongolia and a 15 meter pileup for a Caribbean station.  But the icing on the cake was one day when I hit the 6 meter calling frequency and heard a british accent. Got the G on the first call and have worked 13 countries on 6 meters with it!!!!  You don't advertise it as covering 6 meters but with my built-in tuner it does (and pretty well if you ask me).  You have one heck of a product there and if you ever need a testimonial, this is it.  Let's face it, I am not going to work 160 meter dx with this antenna, but I have made many contest QSO's and can work by neighboring new England and Pennsylvania stations with little trouble. DX is tough but doable on 80 and not hard at all on 40.  Above 40 meters this antenna shines!  Am planning to buy another."

73, John Miller,  WA2MUA

"I just wanted you to know that I am very pleased with your BWDS-1.8-30. This is the first store built antenna that I have ever purchased that is better than the published specifications. The unit is mounted in a temporary position, and the results have been outstanding. I can't wait for the weather to clear so that I can put it up in the sky, properly."

Jack McCurdy, AB8HX

"I purchased one of your folded dipoles after having some experience with them at work.  We have them up at a couple of marine shipping companies.  After using it for a few weeks I must say that I am surprised by my results.  It does an extremely nice job on the high bands even when propagation is marginal.  The low bands do well also, solid state rigs load up to full output no problem.  Lots of DX worked so far.  Everyone I work wants to know more about it.  Thanks for the nice product."

DE KK5VL

"I received your BWD - 1.8 - 30 antenna a couple of days ago.  Put it up and ran through the bands with the analyzer with great surprise.  Just as the ad said and I have been getting excellent reports everywhere on every band with it.  Nice job B&W, only wish I would have discovered this years ago.   73's"

Darin  -  KØZP

"Just got your wideband dipole in the air, swept it, and cranked the SGC-500 into it.  Works perfectly!  I wanted you to know that it takes the power [500 watts] and works great.  Now with my Collins HF-380, SGC-500, and your folded dipole, I have a system that's dial and go.  I no longer have to be limited in frequency.  I just dial up any HF frequency and talk.  No tuning, and no hassle.  I'm putting together another system, so I can do this with two frequencies!!   Had one about 15 years ago, and had forgotten how well it works."

Cory  -  N2AQS/AFA4TZ

"I live on the Island of Tobago, West Indies. I bought my first B&W 3.5 to 30 MHZ in 1990 enjoyed its performance so much that in 1997 I purchase the B&W 1.8 to 30 MHZ. Both Antennas are in the inverted Vee configuration, at a height of 40 feet and the ends at 20 feet. I have had many a surprise contacts like 9M2AX on 10 meters CW at 100 watts could not believe it, 7X4AN on 30 meters at 400 watts. XZ1N on 17 meters at 400 watts, blasted that pile up with first call. My station consists of Icom IC 751 as main rig backup is Yaesu FT 101ZD and the amplifier is Drake L7 do not run it too had just 400 watts. On 40 meters CW there was RZ4CD at 100 watts and on 80 meters ON4AJW at 400 watts. On our 80 meter SSB net at 2230 UTC when the rest of the guys complain of very high noise levels and cannot hear the net controller or the net controller cannot hear the check ins I usually have to relay. Thanking you for an antenna well built. "

Neil  -  9Y4NW

"I received an early Christmas present when my wife presented me with a BWD-1.8-30 folded dipole.  It works so well, I wanted to say thanks for being there.  Knowing that this antenna was designed over 20 years ago, I still appreciate it's functionality as well as the solid construction by the current employees of B & W.  It deserves high praise as it works just as advertised and I couldn't be more pleased."

"The main point which you and the others at B&W may be shocked about is the bottom leg of the antenna is only four feet off the ground!  I know that the minimum should be fifteen feet, but I'm trying to keep peace with my homeowners association.  I might add that the soil is not all that great in this area of Virginia, as it's nothing but limestone and shale."

"As an amateur radio operator, I appreciate fine detail in equipment and with your antenna and only 100 watts, I have worked Japan, Mongolia, Reunion Island, New Guinea, Australia, Russia, and Palmer Station at the South Pole!   I have already had many compliments about my signal strength using the BWD-1.8-30. "

"No kidding, this is a fabulous antenna and I wish that I had tried it out ten years ago.  I have mentioned the antenna to quite a few other hams and I hope they heed my advice."

Bob - W3MGY

"I bought and put up your model BWD-1.8-30 antenna, and I want you to know it works GREAT!  I use it on our Civil Air Patrol frequencies.  I hear stations now that were only in the noise before.  Speaking of noise, the noise level dropped using this antenna as compared to the dipole I was using before."

Joe  -  Odessa, TX

_{AC-1.8-30 End-Fed Antenna}

"I just finished installing your AC 1.8-30 in an inverted "V" configuration from my 40 foot tower. It spans over my house using two trees as tie offs. I am very impressed with the antenna. It was easier to put up than I expected. The directions were clear and easy to follow. The materials used were of very good quality, and it was packed very well and easy to unpack without damaging the wires. I found my SWR curve was even better than your directions claimed, and my first contact was to a PY with a 5X7 report on 10M. I know that many people don't take the time to inform a manufacturer when they are this satisfied so I felt strongly to send all you folks a pat on the back. BRAVO! and don't change anything you are doing! My G5RV is in the trash can waiting to be picked up in the morning.  I used a 5' piece of PVC conduit with a 1" wood dowel inside and two end caps seal the standoff. It then was mounted to the top of the tower with hose clamps and I used an eyelet on the end to tie off. GREAT setup. Sealed, strong and long lasting."

Glenn Rollins
Amateur Radio Station N3IYR

"I have your AC 1.8-30 end fed inverted vee  which I have been using for about 18 years now.  It has always been an EXCELLENT antenna  and has out performed any other wire antenna I have tried.  I have used it from Pa to Northern Maine all year around.  It is extremely flat and the only time I need my tuner is when I get off the tuned portion of the 160 meter band (which is perfectly normal).  Thanks for a GREAT antenna and value !"

KC1JL

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