T2FD Surprise!

[K6GBW]

I recently bought and put up a B-Square T2FD (The 66 foot model). I needed this antenna to work with ALE and to use on some frequencies outside the traditional amateur bands. I wasn't expecting it to work all that well given that it uses a non-radiating resistor. The antenna is only up at 25 feet and erected as an inverted V. To my surprise the antenna has worked really well! 95 percent of use case is NVIS for nets in and around California, so whatever power absorption that is occurring clearly isn't enough to make a difference to the receiving stations. Another side benefit is that this is the quietest antenna I've ever used. It has also allowed me to get on 80 meters. That was impossible before since I can't physically fit an 80 meter antenna onto my lot. I'm not saying this antenna is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it does have its uses!

 

[mmckenna]

I'm not saying this antenna is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it does have its uses!

I've got a pair of White Wolf T2FD's that came as part of a grant funded HF radio system. I use them on some statewide nets (CalOES) periodically, paired with some Codan Envoy 2 fly packs. Strung up for NVIS, they work pretty well. Haven't really tried them on amateur radio frequencies yet, but some day...

Wolf Tactical NVIS/Fixed

Wolf Antenna, Wolf Kit, NVIS, Near Vertical Incidence, VSWR, Rollatube Mast.

www.whitewolfsystems.com

 

[K6GBW]

I love how all these various seller stick the work "tactical" in everything. I mean...as opposed to those "strategic" antennas! I wonder if non-tactical antennas are cheaper than the tactical antennas? Sorta like Chevron and their "Top Tier" gas...I mean I don't really need top tier gas in my Subaru so one day I asked for their "Second Tier" gas they just gave me a weird look!

 

[AK9R]

Seems like B&W has been selling T2FD antennas as "tactical" for longer than these other antenna companies have existed.

Top Tier gas is a nationwide thing, not just Chevron.

TOP TIER - High-quality Fuel Performance Standard - TOP TIER™

TOP TIER is developed and enforced by some of the leading automotive manufacturers and supplied by participating fuel retailers.

www.toptiergas.com

 

[Marcy57]

Has too be the most "quietest wire antenna" I just wish I had my RF Systems T2FD back was 45ft. long what gem !
wish I could get one maybe used somewhere!...73,s gud dx...Marcy

 

[Marcy57]

I think I looked at the Barker Williamson (BW) but was way too expensive...Marcy

 

[K6GBW]

Seems like B&W has been selling T2FD antennas as "tactical" for longer than these other antenna companies have existed.

Top Tier gas is a nationwide thing, not just Chevron.

TOP TIER - High-quality Fuel Performance Standard - TOP TIER™

TOP TIER is developed and enforced by some of the leading automotive manufacturers and supplied by participating fuel retailers.

www.toptiergas.com

Yes, but really...where is the Second Tier gas? I really wanna know!

 

[ladn]

Yes, but really...where is the Second Tier gas? I really wanna know!

If it isn't labeled "top tier", then it's second tier.

For instance, Costco gas is labeled top tier, but Sam's Club isn't.
Would be nice if we had the same labeling on radios!

From Consumer Reports: Top Tier Gasoline Is Worth the Extra Price, Study Shows - Consumer Reports

Top Tier Gasoline Is Worth the Extra Price, Study Shows​

An analysis by AAA reveals that gas with detergent additives can keep an engine running smoothly

Not all gasoline is created equal. There’s plain old regular, and then there’s regular gasoline that meets a higher standard, known as Top Tier gas. The difference between the two is significant, based on an extensive study conducted by AAA. Its testing revealed that consumers would be wise to factor the quality of the gasoline into their purchase decision, even if it costs a little more.

 

[merlin]

I had the 90 foot T3FD into my R-390 and I was picking up the world.
I ran SuperShell in my old Cadillac, 80 MPH and 21 MPG.

 

[merlin]

Has too be the most "quietest wire antenna" I just wish I had my RF Systems T2FD back was 45ft. long what gem !
wish I could get one maybe used somewhere!...73,s gud dx...Marcy

There is one on ebay but it is pricy.

 

[Marcy57]

There is one on ebay but it is pricy.

I went on EBay I see Comet T2FD antennas but the one you viewed was from RF Systems? I looked did not see it? but it is early! maybe I missed it? it was the one Universal radio use to sell (45ft. I believe?) thanks though 73,s Marcy

 

[prcguy]

There is one on ebay but it is pricy.

I picked up two 90ft B&W T2FDs cheap off fleabay over the years and one was the stainless version. I don't remember the prices but it would have been "cheap" like under $200. I also found a new B&W transformer and load cheap to build another.

Brian is welcome to test one of the 90ft jobs, just let me know.

 

[Marcy57]

The RF Systems was 45 ft. my landlord would be ok with that but 90 is way too long , still trying to find this one on EBay that was mentioned above but "No Joy" ...Marcy

 

[Marcy57]

The RF Systems would be good here I can hang it in a Sloper config. but the 90ft BW forget it here! Marcy

 

[prcguy]

The RF Systems was 45 ft. my landlord would be ok with that but 90 is way too long , still trying to find this one on EBay that was mentioned above but "No Joy" ...Marcy

The length depends on what bands you want on transmit and its basically similar to a full size dipole before the efficiency drops way down. A 90ft is good to about 5MHz then 80m and 160m will suffer. A 45ft is great down to 40m and a little lower but 60m and lower will suffer. This is for transmit even though the VSWR might be acceptable. Longer versions will have lots of gain lobes and nulls on the higher bands just like using a n 80m or 160m dipole for all bands through 10m. Receive is acceptable across a much wider range and shorter versions will still provide useful receive on 80 and 160m.

I had a huge home made version at my office for awhile, forget the length but 160 to 190ft or so and it worked really well on 80m and even 160m compared to the shorter versions.

 

[Marcy57]

It,s made for Receive only the RF Systems T2FD....Marcy

 

[prcguy]

The 45ft RF Systems or any other 45ft T2FD will have a similar radiation pattern to a 45ft dipole with predictable performance from about 10MHz and up but below 10MHz the performance will start dropping off compared to a larger T2FD that is close to a "resonant" 1/2 wave length at the lowest used frequency. It won't seem that bad at lower frequencies because HF reception is driven by signal to noise ratio and even though the signal strength will be lower on a shorter version, the SNR may still be very useable. But bigger is better if lower frequencies are used.