Common Questions about HOA Flagpole Antennas for Ham Radio

by Greyline Performance

 



Common Questions, a Q&A.

Whether you are a newly licensed ham radio operator looking for a ham radio store to study options or to buy your first antenna online, or a veteran of the amateur radio game looking for a Real DX Antenna that is stealth and good looking for your restricted HOA QTH, Greyline antennas can help. Below are several questions we receive that will help you DIY and avoid the starter antennas on the market. Thanks for considering Greyline Performance, Smart, Strong & Elegant Antenna systems. 

Checklist for Ordering a Greyline Performance Antenna System

Radio Operators ask, "What do I need for a complete system?"

Checklist:

  1. Choose your Greyline Antenna. DX Vertical Antenna or DX Flagpole Antenna. Both are vertical dipoles (VDA). No radials are required for either selection and one is stealth. (You guess which one)
  2. Choose your desired, required, or height of vertical antenna height: 12-16-20-24-28 feet
  3. Choosing your ATU selection should be determined by your power level needs or frequency usage needs. Some ATUs offer 160-6M, others 160-10M, typically. Note that impedance ranges are wider in some tuners which may help you on 80-160M. All tuners we have selected on our website tune 160-10M or 160-6M HF radio coverage, most will tune as low as 160M. This includes non-Amateur Radio frequency segments such as Emergency Services Agency bands. Learn more below or Ask us for help by phone or email.
  4. Ground Sleeve Kit: This is included with your antenna purchase (at this time). The ground sleeve method has faced hurricanes with no issues, for years.
  5. Feed-line Kit: This is included with your antenna purchase.
  6. Flag Kit (if you desire a Flagpole) is included when you purchase a Flagpole Antenna system. *You can add a Flag kit to a Greyline HF Vertical Antenna later if you wish.
  7. RF Choke Kit: This is included in the Feedline kit to address CMC (common mode current).
  8. RF Choke Upgrade: Running high power? Need more Choking? You might wish to add additional RF Choking. We have 500W and 3500W rated units available. A second choke can also be helpful just behind the radio or amplifier for Military-Grade RF Choking, and a bonus, to possibly reduce or remove local QRN picked up on the coax along the way back to your radio. This is a popular choice for those wanting every dB possible on TX and RX. If you can't hear it, you can't work it. This too can be added later, as needed.
  9. Coax to Shack: Consider using LMR-400 or better. The Coax length between the radio and the antenna site is inconsequential and does not change the performance of the antenna. Again, there is no need for any "matching coax length" in our HOA Flagpole Antenna & the HF Vertical Antenna system.
  10. Note on Bundles: Bundles are meant to direct you toward a complete antenna system. Add each desired system element to your cart separately for the best price. Again, many folks elect to use the ATU in the shack and with shorter coaxial runs this is reportedly making them very happy on the DX bands.
  11. All Kits are currently included in any Antenna purchase. This includes the Ground Sleeve Kit, Feed Kit, RF Choke, and Flag Kit.
  12. Shipping is included in the USA. DX shipments are typically 50-75% off expected rates via UPS/FedEx/DHL. Example: Europe ~$150 USD.

 

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 »

 

    How does Greyline Performance Flagpole Antenna Compare to other well-known HF Vertical Antennas on the market? 

    What is the difference between each Greyline Performance Antenna System? 

    Graphic: Performance difference between the antennas: Looking carefully at the graph for the angle of signal and antenna gain comparisons you'll notice incremental increases in depth of signal penetration, on the lower bands mainly. As many believe bigger is better, we clarify this by including a 43' vertical with radials in the comparison as well. "Pictures tell 1,000 words," right?

    Key: *80M-red | 40M-blue | 20M-green | 15M-orange

    See that? On 80M, even the 12' HF vertical antenna holds its own!

    Notice the GP 20' and GP 28' VDAs have an even lower angle and deeper punch for deeper DX performance. (to plot the 24' consider it mid-range between the 20' and 28')

    Customer Review: Here you’ll see one customer reporting his installation (with pictures) is working 160M with the 16' DX Flagpole. That's great news! 

     

    How to Choose your Greyline DX Flagpole Antenna or HF Vertical Antenna?

    Let's be sure you are choosing the correct Greyline Flagpole Antenna system for your needs. 

    Most folks will see little to no difference interchanging between a 20' and 24' VDA antenna. That said, some seasoned radio operators have reported seeing a "night and day" difference. On paper, it doesn't add up but in real-world feedback, the extra 4' can make a difference. In any case, the added length is meant to make life easier for the ever-popular, lower-cost ATU matching networks on the lower bands, such as 80-160M.

    Do I need a Tuner at the Base of the Greyline DX Flagpole Antenna or HF Vertical Antenna or can I use a desktop or shack tuner?

    We get this question often and to each their own. Many folks find great success on the bands using their manual or auto tuner in the shack, and they are very happy with the results. We have had neighbors test the difference and it not discernible to the ears on either end. Always use quality coax and parts with your install, we do!  

    (Alternative Methods to Feeding your Greyline Performance Antenna System)

    With short coaxial runs to the antenna system, losses may be overlooked. Some bury coax or as noted, even preferably ladder line (aka twin lead, open wire, or window line) for the lowest possible losses. That's okay. Whether you are using a remote tuner or a tuner in the shack, again, lots of radio ops are working the world in both scenarios, and everything in between. We will address in more detail, the differences and present options for alternative feeding and matching systems again below.

    Rig ATU: The tuner inside your radio is likely not strong enough to tune (owing to a narrow impedance, or tuning range) a multi-band antenna on more than a couple of the bands. These rig-tuners are meant to resolve a rather small mismatch. The Greyline HF Antennas are designed as non-resonant antennas. Therefore, they require a quality matching network to achieve the high efficiency we have designed for you to enjoy across 160-6M. Remember, the remote tuner does the same job as the unsightly stubs, coils, traps, etc., and looks much prettier to family, friends, and neighbors. This goes a long way at home or in sensitive locations.

    Desktop ATU: Most desktop tuners on the market will do the job easily from 160-6M and this is a very popular method that works loads of DX and passes important traffic, we are sure of that. As always, consider using best-of-breed coax and consider a possible need for RF Choking at the antenna and at the radio to mitigate CMC (common mode current). We see desktop tuners for all power ratings available on the market. Most of these work great with Greyline antenna systems.

    Remote Tuners: The advent of remote tuners for installation at the antenna has become a major benefit for the Amateur Radio enthusiast. They are cost-effective, smart, and work like magic within the impedance range required. Each ATU we recommend on this website indeed works well to tune the Greyline vertical dipole antenna thus radiating with efficiency on every frequency you desire. Popular with disaster prep and emergency communications service agencies. Look closely at the power ratings and impedance range to ascertain the level of quality your selection may offer your favorite band use and modes of operation. In any case, all of the remote tuners on our website do the job nicely and you'll be very pleased with how easily they match up together. Note the remote tuners on the market come in low power 100W (LDG) to high power at 2000W (ACOM). Both work very well with the Greyline antenna systems.

    Power over Coax: (for Remote ATUs) - Most of the remote tuners we’ve identified for you to consider will tune without the need for a second line of control or power cabling and therefore are controlled over the single feedline (coax) between your radio and the ATU already set for use. This makes things less messy. It does this by simply sending a 12V and ~110ma signal over your existing coaxial feedline. Note that any modern HF Radio can match well over coax with these Remote Tuners, providing the radio can send a steady signal to it to perform the quick tune task, usually a split second. Of course some remote tuners require power cabling or power source near the install site, and that's great too.

    Home Brew Tuning Options: We share a wide variety of client tips, experiences, feedback, and reviews on this subject within our FAQ sections. 

    Alternative Methods to Feeding your Antenna, here: 

    How do I tune my Greyline Performance HF Vertical Antenna and remote tuner on the bands?

    We work routinely with new-to-ham-radio and returning-to-the-hobby customers that ask about our antennas, so this is an important review. We do try to keep it simple and please know this does not translate to an entry-level antenna or beginner results. This is a Real DX antenna.

    To begin preparing to check your antenna for tuning, let’s assume your antenna system is built properly (you followed directions), the coax is of good quality back to the shack, and you're using a relatively modern radio and remote tuner - let's agree that everything is working as it should and begin:

    1. Please be sure all the gear is on and connected properly.
    2. Lower the power output to 20 Watts or so for this first tune cycle
    3. Set the display to showcase SWR to watch the tune cycle
    4. Go to the frequency you wish to operate/tune to
    5. Put the radio in AM mode (or FM)
    6. Find the "Transmit" button and press it and hold it
    7. Allow the remote tuner to run its tuning cycle until finished (1-5 seconds) then release it from transmitting
    8. Turn the power back up to your desired output power
    9. Select your intended Mode of operation
    10. Repeat for each band. 
      1. Example: The tuner likely has memories. To train the tuner to remember your habits, start from one end of the spectrum such as the 80M and work up to 10M. You’ll note all bands tune down to near 1:1 SWR. Even 1.5:1 is a good match. You can retune if this SWR seems to go higher in time reacting to rain, snow, or other environmental details.
    11. Now that your Tuner has cycled the bands, tune around the bands and have fun!

    Pro Tip: Be certain you're feeding the top, longer vertical radiator! Check to be sure the internal conductor within your coax is connected to the longer, upper section of your Greyline antenna. This may add 25-35 dB to your signal. Otherwise, you are using the lower portion of your antenna and, well, that's lower. Imagine if you've been working DX with the lower four feet of the antenna and discovered this bonus? It's happened more than once :-)

     

    Customer Install Series: 

    Customer Install Series: Rob in Colorado's Journey with a Greyline 20' DX Flagpole in his HOA

     

    Is this an FT8 Antenna, for digital modes like Win-Link, WSPR, FT8, FT4, etc.?

    Is this an FT8 antenna? The answer is a natural, YES. It's a Low Angle, Low Noise, NVIS, Real DX Vertical, aka DX Flagpole Antenna.

    As for the QRP (super low power) operators, it's knowing that even their 1 Watt of transmit power is making it whole to the antenna for its broadcast signal use that catches this group's attention. The very low losses inherent in the Greyline Performance antenna system, and extra-low angles come standard for DX operations. Just add power!

    The digital modes such as FT8, FT4, WSPR, and WINLINK (and to be fair, the non-digital modes too) have found attractive the lower noise level and NVIS components extremely important for sensitive emergency communications, regional Net Traffic, and disaster services. If you can't hear them, you can't work them. This is non-negotiable especially for welfare traffic during times of uncertainty. 

    Note: All modes of operation, such as SSB and CW can appreciate the main attributes of the Greyline Vertical Dipole line of antennas. The same design behind our HOA-approved, DX Flagpole Antenna.

     

    YouTube Channel 

    Offers a list of short videos (and some longer) of Why + How our vertical dipoles & Flagpole Antennas work so well - our customer pages say it best: 

    Customer Installs

    Do you have an install story, pictures, or YouTube worth sharing? We'd enjoy adding this to our list. Please contact us. Thank you!

    WHAT CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING:

    • "Real DX 160-6M at my HOA"
    • "4 Band DXCC in 3 months at my HOA."
    • "So pretty my XYL approves!"
    • "If I can hear it, I can work it."

    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...

    Greyling Performance Antennas logo

    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.  

    RELATED ARTICLES

     

     

    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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