Antenna Comparisons: DXF vs DXV vs Competitors | Greyline Performance

The Signal Lab

Antenna Comparisons: Find Your Fit

DXF or DXV? Which height? Bundle or antenna-only? Greyline vs. a wire antenna? This page answers all of it. If you want the technical data behind these comparisons, see The Greyline Standard: Physics & Performance →

I. DXF vs. DXV

Flagpole or Bare Vertical?

Same OCF VDA physics. Same 160–6M coverage. Same wind ratings. The only difference is the outer form factor and what comes in the box.

DXF — Flagpole DXV — Bare Vertical
Appearance Premium residential flagpole. Flies a full-size American flag. Clean bare vertical element. No flagpole hardware.
Best for HOA neighborhoods, residential installs, anywhere aesthetics matter. A property asset. Rooftop, deck, commercial, POTA, rural, and any install where the flagpole look isn’t needed.
HOA Documents HOA Architectural Brief + Property Integrity Letter included. Not included (not needed for non-HOA installs).
Wind Rating Two ratings: flag-down (engineering number) and flag-up. Single rating — no flag load variable. Generally higher than DXF flag-up.
Physics Identical OCF VDA design. Same feedpoint, same performance. Identical OCF VDA design. Same feedpoint, same performance.
Price Slightly higher — includes flag kit hardware and HOA documents. Slightly lower — antenna system only.

II. Which Height?

Choose Your Model

All models cover 160–6M. Go as tall as your lot allows — the multiband improvement from additional aperture is real across the board. The 5/8λ sweet spot for each height is the band where gain peaks.

Model Sweet Spot Wind (DXF flag-down) Choose If…
12 ft 5/8λ on 10M with whip 155 MPH Tight lot, townhome, HOA height limit, high-wind region.
16 ft Near 1/2λ on 10M 115 MPH Front entry, side yard, compact suburban lot, HOA height limit.
20 ft — Most Popular 5/8λ on 10M 90 MPH Standard suburban lot. Full residential flagpole scale. The choice for most operators.
24 ft 5/8λ on 12M 70 MPH Larger lot, want low-band improvement, serious 40/80M DX operator.
28 ft — Flagship 5/8λ on 15M 55 MPH Maximum aperture. Real gain on 30M through 10M. Go as tall as your lot allows.

The 9’ Whip Upgrade

The 9’ whip extension adds 9 feet of aperture to any model. The most compelling upgrade: the 20ft + whip (29ft total) achieves 5/8λ on 15M — matching the 28ft bare antenna. The 24ft + whip (33ft total) achieves 5/8λ on 17M with 1/2λ on 20M simultaneously. Best bang-for-buck upgrade in the lineup.

View the 9’ DX Whip →

III. Greyline vs. Other Antenna Types

How Does the VDA Stack Up?

Antenna Type Radials? HOA? Multiband? Low-Angle DX? Ground Dep.? Noise Floor
Greyline VDA None Yes 160–6M Strong Minimal Low
Trap Vertical (R9, AV680) Some Limited Multi Moderate Moderate Moderate
43’ Non-Resonant Vertical Yes — many No Multi Low/med — poor 20–10M High High
End-Fed Half-Wave None Difficult Multi Variable Low High
Wire Dipole (horizontal) None No Single/multi High-angle NVIS Low Moderate
Screwdriver/Mobile Vertical Vehicle body N/A Multi Moderate High Very High

Low-Angle DX rating reflects typical radiation pattern at DX-relevant elevation angles (5–15 degrees). Noise floor rating reflects typical common-mode pickup susceptibility. All comparisons are general characterizations — actual performance varies by installation height, ground conductivity, and feedline configuration.

IV. Antenna Only vs. Bundle

Should I Bundle with the LDG RT-100?

Antenna Only — Choose If

  • You already have a remote ATU
  • You run a high-power station (>125W)
  • You prefer a specific ATU brand or model
  • You operate primarily digital modes at high duty cycle

Bundle — Choose If

  • You don’t have a tuner yet
  • You want the complete system spec’d and ready
  • You operate at 125W or below
  • You want base-mount tuner convenience (DC over coax, no extra cables)

The LDG RT-100 is a convenient, low-cost, weatherproof remote ATU that works great for most operators at 100–125W on SSB and CW. Like all ATUs, it carries a reduced power rating for 100% duty cycle digital modes — check the spec sheet for your operating style. The antenna itself handles any power level, any mode, without restriction.

Ham Radio is fun again! Pass it on... 73, The Greyline Performance Team