Arrow Satellite antenna review | K7SW ham radio

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Do you use a portable YAGI antenna for Ham radio ? Let me know if you have ever seen or used this antenna brand. Experiencing what a YAGI antenna can do for you is another adrenaline rush to try with the ham radio hobby !

[@BikePractice]

11 minutes of straight forward no nonsense information so thanks and 73 W6SLA

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you

[@HamRadioDX]

Great summary on this antenna mate! Good stuff multi use!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thanks Hayden I appreciate that support.

[@disingenuously]

i got mine for working satellites but have ended up using it more for sota even on 2m ssb horizontal its a great portable antenna,

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I absolutley understand what you mean, and yes the antenna is really good for what you described

[@asystole_]

Just found this channel as a result of looking for a video on this particular antenna. Can't believe you have so few subscribers, all your videos are fantastically well made and clearly laid out. Thank you!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you for the nice words, my channel is fairly new. I need to promote it more effectively. Thanks for watching. More exciting videos on the way

[@troyanderson8879]

@@hamradiowithkevin I just found your channel too. Fellow Utahn here. Just getting into the hobby. Have only handhelds at this point... I guess they are referred to as HT's. Still learning the terminology. Excellent delivery of the info. KK7NDN

[@alzeNL]

Thanks for the honest review and tips - I have a Kenwood TH-D7 and it sounds like i can enjoy trying to make satellite contacts with this antenna out in the field !

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Your welcome. Yes if you have ever been curious to make a Sat contact, I can absolutely suggest doing. It is a trip for sure. There is a fair amount of investigative work that goes into knowing what to do, that being said, learning is part of the hobby. Have fun 73

[@stevenbernier4206]

They sell a well made bag for the antenna, very happy with it. I put a dab of loc-tite on one end of each threaded rod so they would not back out when disassembling the antenna. The swell is a great place to go dirt bike riding. I might have talked with you when I came through Spanish Fork on the way there this spring on 6.52. 73 N7QVO

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Steven, yes I did the same thing with loc tight and completely forgot since it was so long ago. Thanks for the reminder. It is a MUST do. I bet I did talk with you going through town, What a small world indeed. Yes , the swell is one of my favorite places to camp and jeep. Thank you for watching and the support 🙏. Make sure to call out when you get out this way again. 146.760 repeater. 73 , K7SW

[@jeff-73]

The label maker tip is AWESOME!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

You are welcome

[@slidewaze]

Have been using the Arrow antennas for many years. They just work. I was using the Kenwood TH-F6 when I was doing sat work. Also use the same setup with the addition of a stepped attenuator for power line noise location. Fun stuff indeed! Just found your channel and sub'd and am now enjoying binge watching your videos. :^) 73! W7MAG

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Paul, the attenuator, great idea! I am glad you like these videos, I am having fun sharing adventures and projects. Thank you for the sub and for watching ! 73

[@DanielFitzgeraldPiano]

Thanks for a great informative video on this topic. I’m looking at hitting more repeaters in my area and this will help! 73

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Glad it was helpful!

[@roberts3942]

The owner of Arrow Antennas is very customer service-focused and typically responds within 24 hours to email questions. Another reason to purchase an Arrow Antenna.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Agreed

[@chrismosquad1056]

Just started working satellites. Phenomenal video. Thank you, so much! 👍🏻

[@hamradiowithkevin]

@ChrisMoSquad, your welcome. Those contacts are really fun. I hope you get the chance to work the ISS. 73

[@rohnkd4hct260]

It's a good antenna. I bought the bag they sell for it. Labels on the elements is a good idea.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

The bag would be nice. thanks for watching. 73

[@no5x937]

The Elk VHF/UHF Satellite log periodic for FM and SSB birds have all elements in the same plane and works as well as the Arrow II dual Yagi which have its VHF elements 90 degrees from the UHF elements. The Arrow II has build in 10W Diplexer which is not required by the Elk. Why does the Yagi require 90 deg phase polarization difference yet the Elk LPDA does not?

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Interesting video. I for one would be interested in seeing you make a few satellite and long distance repeater contacts. I'm new to the hobby and have no idea how either is done. Thanks.

[@KD0MOO]

Appreciate you making this video. I look forward to seeing more satcom videos in the near future. 73 KD0MOO

[@Littrell1966]

Using it to do satalite work would be awesome!!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

It takes I little planning and practice at first. For certain it is a fun part of ham radio to try out.

[@andrewsuhren5372]

Holy cow what mix are you recording the video with? You sound great.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you

[@rogerp5816]

Very well done video. I have the rollup storage that goes with this antenna however I think I like the idea of a ridged tub to help protect the elements from damage when you have it in a vehicle were something might land on top of the canvas storage pouch. Before I got mine I looked at building one. Once I priced out all of the parts the price of the prebuilt one seemed very reasonable.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Roger you are right, often times it is more practical to get the product for a number of reasons and one being that the person building the product usually did spend a good amount of time thinking it through just for us and supporting them helps them to make new stuff for us . I appreciate you watching and the support 😎 73

[@jamesjzelaznyjr910]

Great video. Carrying bag a foldable lawn chair bag?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Great idea!

[@CE4JDM]

In the early 90's I was ZP6XD in Paraguay and had a nice complete station and was a member of AMSAT-US and AMSAT-UK, went to AMSAT conventions in Orlando, FL, and Arizona, worked KO-23 and KO-25 digital mode satellites, did EME, and many other things. Those were the good days! Now I live in Chile, and I wondering if there is anything new in Amateur Satellite technology that is worth getting into? Like high speed digital modes, or high resolution earth imaging with downloading, or possibly direct laser link communications between ground stations and satellites? What is new?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

@Mtgeezer, now more than ever bringing back your skills from the past could be useful in the area you live now. I have not worked satellites in a few years, so i can not speak to changes in that area. Ham wise, I do not believe much has changed. Yes there are new radios that work IP and digital modes and so on but you really get into some niche gear on both ends. Thanks for stopping by ! 73

[@CT1JRZ]

Nice video. Well done!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Thank you very much!

[@dougtaylor7724]

Nice review. Have been looking at one of these for a week. Btw, you have a twin in Alabama. Only difference, his beard is longer. You even sound similar.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Is the world ready for a twin of me ? ;) Thanks Doug, you will not be disappointed by this antenna if you get one. 👍

[@a.d.m17x.34]

so just out of curiosity, if two people were 800 miles away from each other and each had a UHF/VHF and this antenna pointing at the same satellite in between them, would they be able to talk to each other? sorry if its a stupid question I'm new at this and trying to get a better understanding.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Yes you would be able to. However , the nature of SAT calls, they are always crowded, gone in less than 5 minutes. Not really good for a QSO . More for a fast contact. Still , it is fun trying it

[@d.j.roberts187]

Sold!

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Absolutely ! 👍

[@alvarogaitan2529]

terrific review thanks 73 from kb2uew

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I appreciate that Alvaro. 73 de K7SW

[@AdamosDad]

🖐🏻73's🎙🎧 KD9OAM 📻👍🏻 I built one for 2 meter, 70CM is next.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Yes these are really fun antennas to build, to use and to have on hand. 73 de K7SW

[@AdamosDad]

@@hamradiowithkevin 👍🏻

[@yeahitsk]

50 W on your Jeep radio through the 10W duplexer and it's still good? Does that include UHF TX?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I removed the duplexer long ago for jeep portsble use, and mostly one band at a time. In our remote areas 2 meters is the predominant band to use.

[@shuba501]

By any chance, do you know where I can find the radiation pattern of this antenna?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Have you tried the arrow antenna website? The owner is really good with his information.

[@shuba501]

@@hamradiowithkevin I just emailed them, thanks for the advice

[@cesarortiz2143]

What kind of tripod connection/mount do you use?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

I will use anything from a clamp to vise grips. If plastic I will use two . Hope that helps

[@oscarbuison-bo7zz]

Hi ! I'm DW6XJO, I've been looking for that kind of antenna. Would you mind letting me know the brand I know is Arrow but which model is it? Thank you and 73.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Absolutely! The model I have is the 146/437-10WBP. I hope that helps.

[@oscarbuison-bo7zz]

@@hamradiowithkevin thank you and 73

[@Zayne_24]

Could I use this for pota and sota with the KX3?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Yes, for UHF and VHF, most certainly

[@goku1205]

have you modified the gamma match measure?

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Juan, Yes in the past i have adjusted the gamma match on that antenna for the frequency i used the most. It is pretty easy to see the results if you use an antenna analyzer

[@goku1205]

@@hamradiowithkevin Can you pass me the measure you gave to the gamma match? Thanks

[@hamradiowithkevin]

@@goku1205 , I am not sure what your asking.

[@hamradiowithkevin]

@@goku1205 , this might be what you are looking for. ( Page 3) www.arrowantennas.com/inst/inst.html

[@tommycheshire5508]

Thank you for the video. How do you connect the antenna to a tripod? What would be a light tripod? Thank you for your kindness. N4KBM

[@hamradiowithkevin]

Great question Tommy, I have used various items. The simplest, have been large metal clamps with rubber ends that you can find at lowes or home depot. A quick way to hold the boom on very well. At the other end, I have made custom brackets. It can be a Mac gyver process if you like to make fun things looks this. It depends on your needs and where the antenna will be going. Does this help at all ? Kevin

[@tommycheshire5508]

@@hamradiowithkevin well, yes. I would love to see a photo, but that is asking a lot. N4KBM

[@timwilkinson908]

I purchased the antenna and the duplexer separately . Much cheaper

[@timwilkinson908]

It was an arrow antenna from Amazon . Purchased the matching duplexer from giga -parts. End cost was about $200 bucks

[@thomashabetsse]

"international calling frequency... for the United States", lol. 😂

[@prepperdan]

Why do people hold it? Is a tripod good or does it mess with the signal? Holding it doest sound fun

[@hamradiowithkevin]

There is no harm in holding the yagi for a 5w hand held radio. And it truly is fun when you make contact with someone 100 miles away 😉

[@docpearson]

A lot of talking.

[@jojopri22]

Loved your Video! Very informative and always giving your experience good or bad. Knowing what to avoid on our side. Keep it up. Jojo KM6EHD