We recently had need for a multiband stealthy antenna covering 70cm, 2m, 6m, 10m, and 20m. The stealth requirement meant that the antenna had to be near invisible on a rooftop as seen from the ground level. After evaluating our options (beam, traditional full-size base vertical, wire) we were unsatisfied. None of the choices seem to meet the prime criteria of invisibility.
This prompted us to consider the use of a multiband mobile antenna which tend to be constructed with a minimal profile. We eventually settled on the Diamond HV7A as it offered multiband coverage that met our needs in a rather stealthy package.
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| Diamond HV7A Mobile Antenna in its packaging |
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| Diamond HV7A Mobile Antenna unpacked |
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| HV7A Mobile Antenna assembled and ready for mounting |
We mounted the antenna on our rooftop and it was amazingly difficult to see from the ground level. This was exactly what we had hoped for in terms of physical appearance. We have been satisfied with the HV7A though performance as a stealthy base antenna is a compromise due to its intended purpose as a mobile antenna.
| Antenna_Band | Frequency Coverage Range | Vertical Antenna Gain | Element Phasing (wavelength) | Antenna Power Rating |
|---|
| 10 meters | 28-29.7 MHz | 2.1 dBi | 1/4 | 120 watts |
| 6 meters | 50-54 MHz | 2.1 dBi | 1/4 | 200 watts |
| 2 meters | 144-148 MHz | 2.1 dBi | 1/2 | 200 watts |
| 70 centimeters | 440-450 MHz | 5.5 dBi | 2 x 5/8 | 200 watts |
Good DX and 73,
NJ2X
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