YB Land DX Club DX-ing Is Our Life
160 Meter Thunderbolt™ Vertical Antenna – DXE-160VA-1
Wires and ropes have been enhanced in the click-to-enlarge photograph at left for your viewing clarity. They are much less visible in an actual installation – providing minimal visual impact.Now you can have a high-performance vertical antenna specifically for the 160 meter band. Achieve the strongest possible presence at your power level and be competitive with a vertical monoband antenna that isonly 55 feet tall!
The 160 meter band vertical antenna is tunable with an impressive 40 kHz bandwidth. This means that operation on the CW DX frequencies and DX Phone frequencies is within range of most radio internal tuners – no antenna changes are necessary.
A custom designed capacity hat system allows you to get on 160 meters with unparalleled performance.
The DX Engineering DXE-160VA-1 is a slow taper 55-foot high Monoband Vertical Antenna system with a massive 3 inch OD base section. This vertical antenna is specifically designed to operate on 160 meters. Included with this antenna system is a rugged stainless steel pivot fixture for ease of raising, lowering and adjustments. Engineered with 6061-T8 and 6063-T832 corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing, stainless steel mounting brackets and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and attractive.
Why Does This Antenna Perform So Well for Its Height?
The top-hat is large enough that the current along the radiator is almost constant. Typical shortened verticals for this band, with smaller top-hats have currents that vary along the length and end up producing much less signal strength. This also works in the receive mode to let you hear weaker signals, although at this frequency range Dedicated Receiving Antennas are almost a must.
The top-hat is large enough that the current along the radiator is almost constant. Typical shortened verticals for this band, with smaller top-hats have currents that vary along the length and end up producing much less signal strength. This also works in the receive mode to let you hear weaker signals, although at this frequency range Dedicated Receiving Antennas are almost a must.
Features
High Efficiency Design● 5 kW SSB and CW rated – unparalleled reliability
● Custom designed capacity hat engineered for top performance
● DX Engineering Adjustable Matching Network configures the lowest SWR
● Broad 2:1 SWR bandwidth – 40 kHz – CW + DX Phone
● Lowest possible take-off angle reduces domestic QRM signals
● Custom designed capacity hat engineered for top performance
● DX Engineering Adjustable Matching Network configures the lowest SWR
● Broad 2:1 SWR bandwidth – 40 kHz – CW + DX Phone
● Lowest possible take-off angle reduces domestic QRM signals
High Strength Pivoting Fixture – Patent Pending● Ultra-rugged construction starts with 3 inch OD Aircraft Grade heavy wall tubing
● Withstands steady-state winds in excess of 50 mph
● Massive Extren® insulator channel
● Withstands steady-state winds in excess of 50 mph
● Massive Extren® insulator channel
The optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch for easy one-person raising and lowering of the antenna is available from DX Engineering. You can move the DXE-VRW-1 winch between similar antennas in a multi-antenna installation.
This antenna system requires a heavy duty mounting pipe. Recommended installation should provide up to 3″ OD heavy wall galvanized steel pipe set in concrete. Schedule 80 pipe that is called 2-1/2″ has an outside diameter of 2.875″ is recommended. 36″ of the mounting pipe should extend above ground level. Depth of the mounting hole and amount of concrete is dependent on local soil type, condition and antenna guying.
