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- sigma-4-antennas (30655)- Feedback left by buyer.More than a year agoVerified purchaseQuick response and fast payment. Perfect! THANKS!!
Reviews (1)
Nov 16, 2022
SE HF x-80 Customer Review
SE HF x-80 Customer Review
I am an Extra class licensed Amateur radio operator. As such, I assist with communications during tough times like hurricanes, floods, etc. I was looking for a light weight, easy to assemble antenna that could be used both on the Ham bands and AM. We are talking emergency communications here. There are few amateur radio operators out there but many CB radios.Emergency situations call for emergency communications. Paul, a representative for Sigma Euro Comm assured me that this antenna could be used for AM broadcasts provided the power was reduced to 30 or 40 watts.
I ordered the antenna and it was delivered to my house the next day. Understand, this thing came from the factory in England - across the Atlantic - cleared customs - and delivered to Florida, USA in one day. I have never experienced such customer service before.
The assembly was very simple. The antenna was lighter than any other antenna I own. That sure makes it easy to put up. I have been using and testing the antenna for almost a month now and have nothing but positive experiences. The 80m band required external tuning with my MFJ-993B automatic antenna tuner. I did not utilize the 6m band. All other bands tuned in with the internal tuner in my Yaesu FTdsx 1200. AM frequencies required the external tuner but tuned right in. I also was surprised to find the antenna was quite broad banded. Many antennas seem to tune in but have a very narrow working bandwidth. Yet another nice surprise. As a clarifying note, tuning with only the internal radio tuner would yield narrow-banding on some frequencies such as 12m. Using the external tuner always produced wide-banding.
Finally, about the durability of the antenna. We just went through tropical storm Nicole. I normally take my antennas down prior to a big storm. This antenna is so light I felt I had to leave it up and test it. This storm was not so much rain as over 30 hours of wind. A few shingles and lawn chairs were casualties Our weather station recorded steady winds of 33 mph and gusts to 52 mph. I would peek out at the antenna and it was bowed like a a fly rod with a bass on the line. It weathered it all with absolutely no damage.
I must say that I am as impressed with the product as I am with the company. I strongly recommend both.