[Ccarc] B & W 1.8 to 39 Mhz HF antenna

[Tom Murray]

Here are reviews I found on e0ham regarding this antenna.

Tom KB9WSL

Reviews Summary for B&W BWD 1.8 - 30 Broadband Folded Dipole
  Reviews: 49  Average rating: 3.7/5  MSRP: $200
Description: Folded dipole antenna for 10 to 160 meters - 90 feet in length, 
#14 copper clad steel wire.
More info: http://www.bwantennas.com


You can write your own review of the B&W BWD 1.8 - 30 Broadband Folded 
Dipole.

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KE7GWY  Rating: 5/5  Apr 28, 2006 15:55  Send this review to a friend
Excellent Antenna   Time owned: 0 to 3 months
After reading some of the negative reviews, I was a little skeptical about 
this antenna, especially the comments that the termination resistor would 
consume much of the radiated power. I followed the installation instruction 
exactly, and was careful not to unwind the antenna prematurely. I installed 
this antenna as an inverted "V" on my roof. The center is up about 38 feet 
and the ends are up about 20 feet.

My roof has a couple of other smaller antennas and long gutters. So I did 
not expect the SWR to be low and flat. And as expected, it is not. But no 
problem, I can easily tune it for very low SWR (under 1.5:1).

When I first connected it, compared to my modified vertical sloper dipole, I 
was pleasantly surprised that my noise flower dropped at least 6db and my 
signal to noise ratio improved at least that much. I thought well that’s 
great, but can I get out?

Running an ICOM IC-7000 around 100 watts here in Canby Oregon, I can 
honestly say that I can contact anyone I can hear (either SSB or CW). I 
usually get signal reports at least as good as or better than what I’m 
receiving. Since I installed it, I’ve had excellent QSLs ranging from 
Florida to Hawaii.

I highly recommend this antenna.

73’s Roger KE7GWY


W2MSK  Rating: 2/5  Apr 8, 2006 12:29  Send this review to a friend
Not Recommended   Time owned: more than 12 months
This antenna proves that a low SWR is not a "be all end all". Radiation is 
what matters! The antenna is passable in a pinch however it will not accept 
any strong transmitted signal. Keep the power low, under 250 watts and NEVER 
run high power carrier!. The construction is adequate for a wire dipole 
however it is expensive for what it is. Mine burned out in short order and 
has been hanging in the trees collecting branches and twigs. Loook 
elsewhere.

KQ4KK  Rating: 4/5  Apr 8, 2006 07:30  Send this review to a friend
Better than a dummy load   Time owned: more than 12 months
I've had one of these up for the last 8 years. Works OK on just about any 
frequency. Not GREAT, but works.

However, about three months ago it shorted out while I was running 1KW into 
it. That was the end of that antenna.

I put up a Carolina Windom 80 in its place... MUCH better! I was surprised.

K6IPC  Rating: 2/5  Apr 8, 2006 06:50  Send this review to a friend
Nice Dummy Load   Time owned: more than 12 months
I had mounted the antenna along the peak of the roof an inverted V, with the 
center 40 feet above the roof. This put the top of the V at 60 feet above 
ground and the ends were 20 feet from ground. I also had an inverted V trap 
antenna for 40 and 80 meters where the top of the V was only 45 feet from 
the ground and the ends were only 3 feet from the ground. The BWD was 
quieter then the traped V, but the signals were about 3 S units lower on 80 
meters which is about a 9db loss.The reports on the other end where also 
about the same, running 100 watts. This antenna was flat as far as SWR, but 
so is a Dummy Load. I used this configeration for about a year and the 
results were always the same. If I still had it, I would like to try to 
remove the spreaders and try it as a loop or in a triangle configeration.
Richard
K6IPC

W5XE  Rating: 3/5  Mar 28, 2006 09:27  Send this review to a friend
B&W 1.8-30 is actually the same as the old 3.5-30 Mhz overrated   Time 
owned: more than 12 months
When I was trustee of the Army Mars station at
Ft Bliss, Tx, we ran thru several of those B&W
3.5-30 90 ft antennas. That was the rating and
I don't know why B&W changed the frequency rating
to the lower band. As someone has pointed out,
the power rating is not as it should be, we blew
the baluns and terminating resistors at 500 watts
RTTY, so a continuous carrier mode is death to
this antenna if it is over 3 or 400 watts. The
highest SWR range is in the upper 11-13 Mhz area
and below 2:1 on most of the other ranges.
Usable with a tuner. We also used them in the
agency I worked for, in jungle locations where
they were basically agent proof for tuning and
they worked pretty well with the 100 watt
suitcase stations where the rf from a vertical
would be absorbed by the foilage of the jungle
locations. Incidentally, the B&W 1.8-30 antenna
was originally the inverted V longwire with a
terminating resistor at the far end coupling the
counterpoise wire (necessary) to the antenna and
the counterpoise wire was connected to the radio
ground.

KR4K  Rating: 4/5  Mar 28, 2006 04:28  Send this review to a friend
Works as advertised   Time owned: more than 12 months
Have two - use for amateur and MARS. They work as advertised. Have't found 
anything that works better for the particular application.

NL7ZM  Rating: 2/5  Mar 25, 2006 12:53  Send this review to a friend
BWD 90 Compared to Full size dipole   Time owned: more than 12 months
I have used this antenna when I was working on the Alaska Radar Project. It 
leaves something to be desired. I purchased one and installed it at my 
residence. I have plenty of room and use resonant antennas, but thought I 
would give this a try since I did not like the installation at the radar 
sites.
True it has less noise but the received signal is also less than that of a 
dipole. Would I buy another one?? NO WAY. Will I try to sell this one?? No, 
I can't think of anyone I dislike that much. Dipoles out perform it on all 
bands.I learned a lesson at a cost of $261.00 this includes shipping and the 
mounting bracket. If you have nothing to compare it to I suppose you may 
think it performs adequately. Don't be miss led by ads. Buy wire and build 
several dipoles for less money and better performance.

Gene NL7ZM
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Anyone having a B&W catalog from 1994 or before ( maybe later also) will 
find this antenna. The B&W specs for this antenna in the catalog state that 
it performs at 2 S units less than a dipole cut to freq. It lives up to this 
spec.
I no longer use this antenna.

K5WPN  Rating: 5/5  Jan 4, 2006 08:43  Send this review to a friend
Great Antenna but not on 160m   Time owned: more than 12 months
This antenna is one of the best antenna I have ever used or owned. I have 
had great perfprmance from this antenna on all band on but for 160m I don't 
know if it is the way I have it setup or just the antenna. I am limited to 
kinda antenna i can use due to my health. But I have gone head to head with 
other station in a pile up and every time I have nade the contact. I do use 
a tuner just to make it easy on my 706m2g. I would tell anyone who is 
thinking about buy this antenna to do it. Just remember readed the paperwork 
and set it up just as it says and you will be pleased.

Wade Norris
K5WPN/AAA6OK
OKlahoma Army Mars

N8NOE  Rating: 1/5  Sep 17, 2005 22:29  Send this review to a friend
150w NOT 1Kw!!!.....   Time owned: 3 to 6 months
After Adding a AH-811H amp to the Shack, and running the B&W BWD90, I find 
it's Actually Rated (in there own parts listing for the Antenna, NOT in the 
Paperwork) at 150w continuous. I"m NOT Please with this, But the Performace 
seems a bitr weak also. On 20 Meter it performs the best, but either 
direction from there it's progressively worse. I'm still using the Antenna 
as it's past the Return Time, But I'd NOT go this route if you run anything 
over the 100W Radio. PLEASE read the PART LIST and Specs. of the Balun and 
"Matching Network" (600ohm Resistor) before you purchase one of these.. This 
information is there.. ALSO, It's Not a outright lie, but if you look at the 
RF absorbed by the Resistor, as this is NOT LOSS, But absorbed, it can be 
VERY HIGH in the 95% Range of RF NOT being Radiated. But again, NOT LOSS, 
Just NOT RADIATED...

LA8KHA  Rating: 5/5  Aug 3, 2005 04:53  Send this review to a friend
Very good performance   Time owned: 6 to 12 months
Hello folks.I,m agree with KF7TY and also N0CMD.Just worked CY0AA on 17 
mtr.with FT 1000 MK V Field(100W)under big pile-up and low conds.in S-E of 
Norway.But of course you cannot compair it with 5 el.tribander 60 feet 
up,i`ve used that too.Performs a lot better then G5RV,less noice and more 
bands.Mine is up in 39 feet flagpole in centre and two 30 feet high pine`s 
at the ends.I`ve also used Butternut HF9V,but what a struggle with radials 
and so on.So my opinion is:Easy,low money and it works ! 73 from Norway and 
take care


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