K8AQM Review: Weekend of DX Wonders, The Powerful 20' HOA Flagpole Antenna, 160-6M

von Greyline Performance

Customer Review: K8AQM / VE9AQM

My wife loves it and the neighbors think I am very patriotic!

Using the Greyline 20' Flagpole Antenna, in just under 4 hours on 20, 15 and 10m, I worked 56 countries and 154 QSOs and all continents using 300 watts!

Highlights in the story: 

  • 160M: 29 states during the 160 contest.
  • CQWW: 56 countries and all continents in 4 hours on the air.
  • XYL: "Wife Loves It."

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The 20' HOA Flagpole Antenna works Real DX 160-6M, a true multi-band antenna system.

Hello Greyline,

I am really pleased with the performance of my 20 ft flagpole antenna...plus it's a very snazzy looking installation!  Check out the photos....

 

On 160M, casually operating between football games for less than 3 hours I worked 76 QSOs, 29 states plus Canada and even “heard” a ZF2 station!

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"Life is good with my 20 ft vertical Greyline"

"I operated in the CQWW CW event casually and only did S&P. Here the flagpole vertical dipole clearly stands out compared to my EFHW wire. In just under 4 hours on 20, 15 and 10m, I worked 56 countries and 154 QSOs and all continents using 300 watts and the vertical dipole. I tried 80 and 160m but heard no DX at the time and heard no US stations calling DX.

I then operated in the ARRL 160m CW event and ran again 300 watts. Having only a 20 ft radiator on 160m I really didn’t expect many QSOs. Casually operating between football games for less than 3 hours I worked 76 QSOs, 29 states plus Canada and even “heard” a ZF2 station! Of course there are stations using great listening antennas on 160m and most stations heard me first call but some stations like me use less than proper 160m antennas."

73 Ted, K8AQM (VE9AQM) 

Greyline writes: 

Ted, that's one heckuva nice looking installation there. Lovely fire pit for you and your special person when not working DX on the ham bands, Bravo! Speaking of Real DX, that 160M total is impressive for any antenna. The contests can be so much fun with an antenna that really does play on all the bands. We'll be looking for you on the radio waves, sir. Cheers, 73 and thank you for the kind review. - Your friends at Greyline.

PS. Would you share with us the specs on your set up?

Sure.. I installed it in the ground but had an issue when I got to the 3.5 foot mark because of the nearness of the lake, I hit water (makes for a great gound plane!).  Anyway, I used Red Lock-tite and lock washers on all the joints except where the ladder line attached to the pole and the lower bolts in the ground section.  I did use Blue Lock-tite on those bolts along with lock washers. We get some very serious north winds barreling down Lake Huron both in the summer and especially in the winter.

I attached the ladder line directly to the tuner with of course the lower section to ground and the other to the upper section. I used both a one-to-one balun on the coax and a common mode choke.  I did weather proof the ladder line connection on the pole (the black area in the photo).  I did not run any ground wire to the tuner.  

Since those operating events (listed above) I have replaced the RG-8x with LMR 400 to squeeze every watt getting to the antenna... hihi!

What more can I say, no loose bolts, no bending in the wind...the darn thing just flat-out works.  My K4D loves it, my KPA-500 cruises at 300-350 watts with it, my wife loves it and the neighbors think I am very patriotic (they, on both sides of me have flagpoles but mine is prettier at the base and lights up at night...life is good with my 20 ft vertical Greyline ocf flagpole/dipole!

Ted's Station Specs: 

  • Elecraft K4D + KPA-500 (300-350 Watts)
  • MFJ 994 BRT (600W ATU) - not grounded
  • RF Choke
  • LMR 400
  • 20' Greyline Flagpole Antenna

These Real DX are astounding, "56 countries in 4 hours" and "29 states on 160M" too. Plus, the bonus: "Wife loves it" - pretty at the base, lights at night...

Ted's a lucky guy yet anyone can do this... Want to feel lucky like Ted? Now you can. Shipping M-F from Idaho. You're welcome here.

 

XYLs Approve the Greyline Flagpole Antenna for its dual use: Emergency Prep Security & Real DX

That's right, Family and discerning neighbors approve owing to its designed Elegance! Clean lines and a smooth premium finish. No ugly stubs, traps, coils, unsightly elements, or 100s of radials to mess with or get caught in the lawn mower. No Radials are needed for high performance. Your loved ones and neighbors see an aesthetically pleasing Flagpole, you see a Flagpole Antenna; your ticket to 160-6M Real DX.

"So pretty she let me install it in the garden!"

Have you ever heard anyone say this about a ham radio antenna before? We think not. You're welcome!

 

How to Order a Flagpole Antenna, checklist.

 

 

HOA Flagpole Antennas
View similar products »

DX Vertical Antennas
View similar products »

 

Don't forget that we offer extras to consider: 

  • 7-Year Warranty - yes, we believe in the product this much.
  • 100% Money Back Guarantee (we want you happy!)
  • Free Shipping (well, we do get a bulk discount)

 

More Customer Reviews for your reading pleasure: 

Customers install pictures, videos, and stories covering many topics in our various topic collections:


Favorite Customer quotes:

  • It's so pretty my XYL asked me to install it in the front yard. Imagine that. The front yard! Note: This is after he installed it in the back yard :-)
  • 4 Band DXCC this summer from my HOA
  • Holds its own vs. my taller antennas and with no radials. It is also stealthy.
  • I got my DXCC in the 80s using a vertical dipole and wanted to try again from my new home in an HOA
  • Since I added the Greyline DX Flagpole vertical antenna, I have added over 200 additions to my DXCC Challenge account. I am now right at 900 and hope to complete it in the next few months.
  • 30W and a couple of hours, I worked the entire planet on FT8
  • My wife appreciates the compliments from the neighbors, and it reminds her of her Father's Flagpole. Thank you.
  • If I can hear it, I can work it. It hears very well.
  • Highly Recommended for HOA and CC&R Restricted Ham Radio QTHs. 
  • So pretty my DX Flagpole Antenna is allowed in my wife’s garden. In the GARDEN!
  • Clean Sweep in November Sweepstakes with my DX Flagpole. Note: That's the entire list of USA sections; amazing.
  • Got Indonesia (YB) this morning on 40m SSB with 100 watts. Just over 9,000 miles!
  • 60M Band: The other night I was on 60M and it felt just like the old days, running JA’s from Chicago in the CQWW CW with a 4-1000 Amplifier to a Quad at 80 feet.
  • 80M Band: Got Mauritania, Dodecanese, Israel, and Cypress on 80 meters and 4 bands and 3 modes for VP6R on Pitcairn. First Pitcairn since 10 Meter AM contact in the 1960s.
  • Designed Smarter, Stronger, and with Aesthetic Elegance.
  • So so many FT8 stations worldwide.
  • If I can hear it, I can work it and this antenna hears well.

The past several years have been full of learning experiences and we remain grateful to assist hundreds of happy radio ops to experience the hobby on the bands with us. The bands are hot, join us.

We are honored to serve you, our peers. We are delighted to play a small role in your enjoyment of short-wave HF radio and we do hope that we inspire you to get on the air with Real DX confidence.

7 YEAR WARRANTY

We offer a 4 Warranty, no questions asked. We use the honor system and know you do as well. Hey, we want you on the air and are proud to offer this 7-year service or replacement offer. 

100% GUARANTEE

We also offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If for any reason you aren't happy with your purchase, send it back for a full refund. We know circumstances change. We want you happy.

One Customer Used our Warranty offer saying, 

"It Works & Greyline Warranty Is For Real - de AA5DV"

Just wanted you to know --- Greyline replaced my Vertical Antenna --- No Questions asked!"  

Greyline Performance Antennas are Popular with Ham Radio, CB, Preppers, and DX'ers alike. The digital modes are a natural fit with the often low noise and low power requirements as well as those commercial industries that need a rapid frequency hopping (ALE) attribute. We are proud to serve Ham Radio, Survival Prep, and Emergency Communications Agencies. 

We enjoy talking radio! 
Write in or call us to discuss any questions you have. It’s an honor to serve you in this manner. Thank you for the opportunity.

We hope you enjoyed this story and were entertained by it.
Maybe you remember a similar story in your youth. GL finding your rare ones. Ham Radio is fun again! Pass it on...

Our Mission:
At Greyline, it's our Mission to serve you by offering higher-quality products that truly enhance your Ham Radio experiences. Standing up to Hurricanes is just a bonus. Antennas that work Real DX and that the ladies can love too. Now that is smarter, stronger, and more elegant for you and your family's security. We are delighted to serve you.

Let's enjoy the adventure, together. Until next time...

73 Greyline Performance
Ph. 435-200-4902 


Ham Radio is fun again! Pass it on...

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Please take our 160M Survey

This survey reads like a Q&A of how to turn your 20-24' Flagpole Antenna into an 80-160M Real DX antenna for those using the lower impedance range (low cost) tuners.  

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Current Promo: $200 off All Antenna Orders 
+ Includes All Kits (Ground kit, Feed kit, Flag kit)
+ Free Shipping (USA)
+ DX Shipping (EU $125+)

How to Order a Flagpole Antenna, checklist.

 

 

HOA Flagpole Antennas
View similar products »

DX Vertical Antennas
View similar products »

 

 

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