POP'COMM Reviews:
Alpha Delta's DX
If you own either a communications re-
ceiver or a portable shortwave
you know the antenna
your listening station. Although
part of
is
telescoping rod antennas supplied with
portables and random wire antennas work
well on many signals, there is no substitute
for an antenna preferably
and mounted as high as possible
ous DXing on
bands. Alpha
manufacturer
a
for the
sories
kets, recently introduced their latest wire
antenna design-the
the
broadcast or shortwave
Delta
Communications
wire
of
antennas
SWL and amateur
Model DX -ULTRA.
Overview
The DX -ULTRA antenna is an induc-
tively loaded multielement wire dipole with
an overall length of 80 feet with specified
operation
The
through Alpha Delta's
center
wire line, and can be installed
inverted
(Note: The DELTA -C center insulator con-
tains a replaceable Model SEP ARC -PLUG
that
tic
DX -ULTRA is comprised of three 12 -gauge
solid copper wire elements
protective insulation:
longest
ing with Alpha Delta's exclusive ISO-RES
inductors; the middle element is 48 feet in
from
antenna can be
500
kHz
through 30
fed with
exclusive
insulator (included) or with open
-V, or sloping
dipole configuration.
discharges potentially destructive
charges present on the antenna).
the
element
utilizes inductive
receiver,
important
a very
located
outside
for
and
acces-
radio mar-
MHz.
50 -ohm
DELTA -C
in
a dipole,
with gray PVC
top -most and
-load-
end
the
seri-
Inc.,
coax
sta-
The
-ULTRA Antenna System
is
length; and the bottom element
in length. Each element
gray PVC
to provide proper separation and overall
strength.
two end
rod
spacers strategically
The
package also
insulators.
is
separated by
includes the
Assembly
Although
comes essentially
minor
necessary. A well -written instruction and
is
installation
unwind
wire. Simultaneously
shorter
DELTA -C
PVC rod
for installation, even a small
for
securing
point. All you need to
ment
ficient length of
to reach your receiver.
the DX -ULTRA antenna
fully
assembled,
preinstallation work
is included. Carefully
sheet
the
wire
center
spacers.
antenna
elements
the
so not to "kink"
route each of the
on each side of the
insulator through
Everything is included
insulators to an attach-
end
or open -wire feedline
coax
the antenna
on
-diameter rope
supply
Performance
For
na
configuration at a height of 30
apex of
elements,
nance
ing
bands,
Plus, the
ed performance because
cal 1/2- and 3/4
review, the DX -ULTRA anten-
this
was installed in an inverted -V
system
the
Because of the
V.
the DX
-ULTRA
multiple wire
exhibits
on several shortwave bands, includ-
the 41 -meter
31
antenna offers
and 90 -meter
-meter and 25 -meter bands.
good broadband -
of being electri-
-wavelength multiples
32
placed
some
is a suf-
feet
at
reso-
(tropical)
feet
the
two
the
the
long at various other
broadbanded performance
the use of
ISO-RES
In addition to
another
is its low
form
antenna
malady. This may be because of
SEP
Alpha Delta's exclusive low -Q
inductors.
noticeable feature of
noise. Most
of static
does not seem to suffer
ARC -PLUG static electricity
tor that is integral to
connector
of the DX -ULTRA.
Compared
a 40 -meter dipole at
and
tion, the DX -ULTRA provided consistent-
ly
stronger
on all bands under
signal strengths
good all-around
ly,
the antenna can
ting
antenna
if you are an avid SWL and
be just the
ticket for your "all -band" antenna!
frequency bands. This
is enhanced by
its
broadbanded
dipoles
this
exhibit some
or precipitation noise.
from this
the Model
the DELTA -C
random wire
to a
the same eleva-
to the receiver
test.
wire antenna. Additional-
be used as a
with an antenna
is
This
tuner. Thus,
one
transmit-
ham, this may
nature,
antenna
This
protec-
center
antenna
very
Summary
If you want a
ed wire antenna,
seriously
banded nature and signal
excellent.
$119.95,
information, please contact
dealer or Alpha
Inc., P.O. Box 620,
or (606) 598-2029.
full -spectrum
the DX -ULTRA
consider. Its low noise, broad -
broadband
-capture
is
one
ability
The price of the DX -ULTRA
plus $5
for
Delta
Manchester, KY 40962;
Reviewed by
shipping.
Communications
POP'COMM Staff
For more
your favorite
to
-
is
is
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE
November 1995
POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 31
/
Loading...