Last week we were on a little holiday of six days to Fuerteventura. On the beach or next to the swimming pool, I used a lot of my relaxing time to read articles and view videos on antennas. Until yesterday I was quite sure I wanted to buy the Diamond BB-7V antenna (no radials needed). But a lot of reviews were quite negative about this vertical, whereas some were positive. It was quite black-and-white.
Yesterday, while waiting on the airport to fly back to Charleroi, I watched a video by Josh of Ham Radio Crash Course fame about the Comet CHA 250HD. As far as I know, this one is comparable to the BB-7V. His review on the Comet was really clear about it being a compromise antenna and the review itself wasn’t very favorable for this radiator. But again, other amateurs in the comments were more positive.
All these mixed opinions about the antenna made me really question if I should buy it. It’s somewhat expensive and my budget for ham radio isn’t that big.
Eventually while searching the internet for alternatives, I came across the Rybakov 806 on a webpage by Jean-Paul PA9X. And this evening I read an article by Vincent PE2V. This all convinced me to trying to build this Rybakov 806 vertical. On DX Commander’s webshop I ordered the 10M telescopic pole and 100 meters of antenna wire. In a Dutch shop I got hold of a LDG 4:1 unun.
The building plan is not yet 100% clear, but will probably use 5-10 radials and the radiator will be 7.6 meters long and will be helically wound around the telescopic pole. In the next couple of days I hope to finish my design plan. I’m very curious if at 7.6 meters of wire, the 80 meters band will be usable. PE2V suggests the wire should be longer in that case and more L-shaped. That is something which won’t work on the roof of my house where the antenne will be mounted.
Conclusion: goodbye BB-7V, hello Rybakov 806.
Comet CHA 250HD review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3PhuXliUKw
PA9X Rybakov article: https://www.pa9x.com/the-surprisingly-well-performing-rybakov-hf-vertical/
PE2V Rybakov article: https://pe2v.nl/de-rybakov-806-verticale-vishengel-antenne/ (in Dutch)
Good morning,
Thank you for linking and sharing his post. It surprised me how this antenna works. It’s setup is easy and the performance great. You only need a 6m1 pole for the Rybakov.
GL with building and using it! You will be surprised too!
73 Vin, Pe2V