BuddiHEX Antenna

[vagrant]

I am curious about this antenna and if anyone on RR has direct experience with it. I expect it will provide some gain over an end fed. I would use it temporarily for seven days or less at a time, so no worries about the lifespan outdoors. At this point the cost of that antenna and suitable mast system would compete with two end fed antennas perpendicular to each other and a switch along with two inexpensive masts. I am a fan of perpendicular Off Center Fed or End fed antennas and use a switch to adjust directivity. Plus, I would get 40 meters and more if I have the room for the wire using an OCF, or EFHW whereas a Hex stops at 20 due to size.

I believe I just resolved my intentions, but I am still curious about the BuddiHEX if someone has one. ( I am familiar with a Hexbeam as I have one. Wondering more about direct experience with the BuddiHEX such as setup time, mast used, wind problems that may have arose, unexpected problem etc. )

 

[prcguy]

I saw the BuddieHex in person at Dayton this year, looks very promising. The only thing that turned me off was a proprietary mount for their mast system that wasn't compatible with anything else at that time. I use a 20-6M NA4RR Hexbeam here and its an excellent supplement to my 80m EFHW or 80m OCFD giving me sometimes a one or two S unit advantage over the wire antenna. Mainly because you can't easily turn your house to repoint the wire when your talking on a null.

 

[vagrant]

Thanks for that insight on their mast. At home I use the K4KIO 20-6 Hex version along with two OCF that are perpendicular with one working down to 80m and the other down to 40. I enjoy the gain with the Hex as well as being able to reduce QRM at times.

For around $1500 a BuddiHEX system with a mast would be helpful to use as I typically run 20W or less in the field. Still, for $400 one could purchase two fiberglass masts, make two 49:1 transformers, buy wire and whip up or purchase some 1:1 chokes along with a switch. I have the latter, so my lust for the BuddiHEX is fading fast. Additionally, going out into the weather to rotate gets old. With that in mind I'll be using my M2 HO loops for the VHF contest this weekend. I've worked phone QRP more than enough, so I am now testing with FT8 of late in the QRP category. I'll test a log periodic for 2/70 and a Yagi for 6m next June which will surely provide improved results. I typically aim NW and get plenty of action from the bay area. Looking south is rarely turns up contacts...mainly because I am QRP.

I guess I'd rather spend $1500 on a new radio although a Codan 2110M is a bit more than that.