Review and Use Case for the portable 21' Diamond BB7V Vertical Antenna

Awesome quick up and down high quality antenna I use for beach POTA and here at the HOA.

 

Very helpful review and a great set up you have! 73 de KD0AXQ

 

Get a CB Antenna and use a 1:9 Balun at the bottom. Has the same good results and costs much less. There is no secret with this Antenna. It will work.

 

I looked at the Diamond ad... What do I see? "NO RADIALS REQUIRED." Alarm bells ring.

 

It wasn't very hard to find a video of a guy opening one of these up. Next to the goofy balun inside was a big fat dummy load. 400$ for a dummy load? Really? Recently ran into a ham using one on 40 meter AM. He was a good 20DB down from the rest of the people in the qso. All the others were running the typical IC-7300 to GVRV's dipole etc. Everybody was about 150 miles from here in different directions. No radials or tuner needed? Super broad band? That's not how you radiate a real signal. Comet makes one of theese too- the CHA250, and it's just as expensive.

 

A dummy load effectively and a random length radiator attached WILL get you contacts propagation permitting. What irritates me is the advertising that NEW and/or inexperienced hams see that causes them to buy overpriced underperforming antennas. When you see ANYTHING that is virtually flat across the spectrum, RUN don't WALK away from my experience. You may bend the laws of physics but you MAY NOT break them. I've seen many a new ham disappointed after spending hundreds of dollars. I realize I may have missed out on some interesting antennas in the past, but if I can't figure out HOW it works, I look elsewhere. YMMV

p.s. I believe MFJ also makes a 'clone' of this type antenna. Caveat Emptor

 

Simple solutions are always welcome in this case. Especially in reasons of space or other issues.

 

The only thing portable about that monster is that it should fit into your trunk.
This one isn't for me but thanks for the review.

 

how much powere were you running?

 

Nice review -- thanks for taking time to do it! Don't let any of these haters diminish your enthusiasm for radio. Just *spin the dial* and keep learning and loving radio.

73, Darrell

 

Good choice of flagpole holder, for my yard I do need a mallet but it's still a fast process. As to the antenna, mixed reviews as seen in comments...dummy load, too pricey for what it is. Reportedly they use a 5:1 balun - for which there is a kit available for $29.00. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2849527634...8qiPavXC9Tc8ROEVBtfHYbHR8=|tkp:Bk9SR6LM-dvDYQ

22 feet of wire, enclosure for the balun and use a telescopic pole as a mast would cost around $100 USD depending on type/brand of pole. The 7M spiderbeam pole is $71USD but fishing pole types on e-Bay are less.
http://www.vibroplex.com/contents/en-us/p3529.html

Not trying to steal or hijack your review Darrel, it was indeed well done and showed good results with the antenna. Just showing possible other way to end up with same/similar antenna.....because you know everyone says Hams are cheapskates.

73
Howard

 

Why someone would buy one rather than a vertical that works (with radials) like a 6BTV is beyond me.

 

Stating scientific principles does not make those people "haters". It makes them realists who have acquired enough factual knowledge to go beyond being gullible enough to believe exaggerated marketing claims that defy the laws of physics. I also believe that everyone should "keep learning", part of that learning process is to recognize BS when you see it and to seek the truth.

 

KA6IBM, running 100 watts.

 

No worries Darrell, I'm used to these types of responses on this antenna.

I clearly state this antenna has a place and a use case, and that is the place and use case for which I recommend it, and what the video is all about.

It is a compromised antenna, but it works when I need to set up in 5 minutes, and tear down in 5 minutes in the HOA, and while I'm set up, I'm making contacts.

73
Bob