N6BT Antennas

[N0AZZ]

It was the 7k that I tried to buy for over 3 months, I was impressed with it
also.

Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Dyarnes
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:28 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] N6BT Antennas

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


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[Ralph Parker]

>What I found (and someone else I saw just posted the same comment), was/is
>to use the old fashion telephone (probably the only way) to deal with Tom;
>I was always able to get hold of him on the "landline" and conduct business.
>Once you "command his attention" (take a "poo poo" in his in basket), he
>will ship your order quickly.

I tried to order a Q52 in March of last year. After no response, I again
orderd one, this time at Visalia '12 from Tom in person.
After many subsequent inquiries as to the status of my order, I was
repeatedly told that my antenna would ship 'next week'.
In November, I finally cancelled my order.

Ralph, VE7XF

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[Jay Kobelin]

This story plays out like a fellow ham in the neighborhood that had quite
some issues with Tashjian Towers...not exactly a pleasurable experience.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ralph Parker" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] N6BT Antennas

> >What I found (and someone else I saw just posted the same comment),
> >was/is
>>to use the old fashion telephone (probably the only way) to deal with Tom;
>>I was always able to get hold of him on the "landline" and conduct
>>business.
>>Once you "command his attention" (take a "poo poo" in his in basket), he
>>will ship your order quickly.
>
> I tried to order a Q52 in March of last year. After no response, I again
> orderd one, this time at Visalia '12 from Tom in person.
> After many subsequent inquiries as to the status of my order, I was
> repeatedly told that my antenna would ship 'next week'.
> In November, I finally cancelled my order.
>
> Ralph, VE7XF
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html 

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[N5GE]

Here is a good place to discuss antennae: [hidden email]
Here is a good place to complain about trouble with ham radio
vendors: http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/board,37.0.html

Enjoy,

73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member
73,
Tom
Amateur Radio Operator N5GE
ARRL Lifetime Member
QCWA Lifetime Member

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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Thread closed.

Guys, in the future please limit threads of this type to 2-3 posts and then take them off list to direct email. OT discussions of this type can quickly overload other readers with unwanted email.

If large threads of this type continue we will modify the list guidelines to prohibit complaints about other manufacturers.

73,
Eric
List Manager
elecraft.com
_..._



On Apr 10, 2013, at 11:51 AM, "Jay" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> This story plays out like a fellow ham in the neighborhood that had quite some issues with Tashjian Towers...not exactly a pleasurable experience.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ralph Parker" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 11:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] N6BT Antennas
>
>
>> >What I found (and someone else I saw just posted the same comment), >was/is
>>> to use the old fashion telephone (probably the only way) to deal with Tom;
>>> I was always able to get hold of him on the "landline" and conduct business.
>>> Once you "command his attention" (take a "poo poo" in his in basket), he
>>> will ship your order quickly.
>>
>> I tried to order a Q52 in March of last year. After no response, I again
>> orderd one, this time at Visalia '12 from Tom in person.
>> After many subsequent inquiries as to the status of my order, I was
>> repeatedly told that my antenna would ship 'next week'.
>> In November, I finally cancelled my order.
>>

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