Cobweb test comparison to other antennas

This was our first contact on 20 Meter SSB using the Homebrew Cobweb antenna. We compare it to a 80-6 Meter OCF, to a 20 Meter Delta loop, and to a 20 Meter Inverted V . Results were surprising. This antenna is built with pvc pipe as the spreaders, simple lampcord wire, and homebrew 1:4 balun. It was pulled up about 40 ft in the air under a tree limb.
You can watch this show on Amateur Radio Roundtable every Tuesday night at 8:00 PM central on W5KUB.Com (0200 UTC Wed) Our program is also simulcast on famous international shortwave station WBCQ on 5130 kHz. If you have an interesting topic and would like to be on a future show please contact us. We invite you to join our ham radio facebook group at / w5kub

[@feeatlastfeeatlast5283]

U should ask the receiving station to use an attenuator or you should reduce power so ur signal is not in the non-linear part of his S meter. (Hard to tell small differences when ur signal is 10-20 over)

[@n4lq]

Interesting... I noticed when you switched to the dipole your power output dropped by 50%. SWR?

[@jigneshdoshi156]

Thanks for sharing important information by comparing these Antennas 😊 I am using inverted V , but now after hearing, I have to make Cobweb anteena for better results 😊 thanks again de vu2tpf, India.....

[@lt4324]

Great video and antenna build. So many hams do not build anymore and decide to buy especially the Cob OR Hex beam antenna, which I've seen people pay over $450-500!! Why not build for under $150+/- AND you get the satisfaction of your project knowing it works! I did the same as yourself, also building a short boom 40 meter beam a while back. I love to experiment and build my own antennas instead of OVERPAYING for an antenna you can make for 1/4 of the price. I am not cheap by the way, I just prefer to use my brain and experiment most likely same as yourself. Thanks for posting, great video and I hope to get back on the air soon ( left in 2016) Best 73 DE KD6SBR, Tom in NV

[@RicardoManuelJoseJimenezSiller]

Good demonstration, proof backet comparissons

[@haircutboys]

Since it's a homebrew cobweb, details on the construction would be a great addition to this.

[@Bill_KL7TC]

My MJF cobweb is 1-3 s units better than a 130ft end fed I have up. My 5el beam is 3 s units better than the cobweb.

[@pmsecretary52]

After watching this and doing alot of research on the cobweb..... i know what antenna to go with. thanks

[@simonbussey7530]

I noticed you didn't run a tuner between antennas? The inverted V antenna for example clearly reduced your transmit power. Going by the RX, the off centre multiband dipole seemed the strongest.

[@clems6989]

Surprising, thanks.

[@onnobeckerhof5790]

Thanks for sharing and nice setup. The only question remains is about take of angle. What was the distance and could this explain signal strength as well? I guess if the station is transatlantic distance the results will be very different too.

[@francismcclaughry3794]

I have thought about this antenna. I have a gap in the yard and I can't get nothing on it. I bought a radio like you got. but I'm a little disappointed with it. it just may not be set up right. I have 590 kenwood and it sounds twice as good. I also have the 706I Icom and it sounds better than the new one.

[@tomcruiser2407]

Thanks it's nice to know. But everyone talks about 20 m Band and how is the coparison on the 10 m or 12 m Band?

[@MarioVe2]

Thanks for this Video, I almost completed my Cobweb Antenna, which is in a staging location, 10 feet off the ground, mine seems to be a bit directional, and i may look at putting it on a Antenna Rotor, but more testing is required, something to think about 73's VE2TSM

[@RicardoManuelJoseJimenezSiller]

Elegible selection

[@W8ASA]

You mentioned the height of the inverted Vee. What was the height of the cobweb? W8ASA

[@dougfelsenthal]

WA0RSD Very helpful - I'm trying to get my SDR online and working on antenna choice. Certainly looks like the cob web is doing well. Do you have any idea of what the radiation resistance is - obviously, I'm looking to calculate efficiency to apply to the QRP. Do you have dimension specs you could forward to me? I'm trying to decide to just build or buy and MFJ. 73s

[@anthonycosta1776]

Quick question. Was the delta loop a 20 meter loop. Was it horizontal? How high was the loop versus the cobweb. The loop should have done better.

[@w5kub]

the delta loop was a full wave 40 meter . bottom of the delta loop was about 20 ft off the ground the loop was standing vertical.

[@bahathir_]

Nice to see TX comparisons with several type of antennas. My question is, after switching between antennas, did you 'tune' the antenna before TX? or all the antenas were perfectly tuned to the frequency? Thank you.

[@w5kub]

all antennas were already set to resonance. no tuning between antennas.

[@bahathir_]

w5kub Thank you for the clarification. 73.

[@ronbo422]

The 7300's power went down when you switched to the Inverted V, indicating a decent mismatch. You might wanna check it with an analyzer.

[@RicardoManuelJoseJimenezSiller]

Tiene cierta ganancia sobre un buen dipolo

[@varoujan78]

when was 10 open?

[@mlr06121974]

Very nice comparison I’m going to build one hopefully with 40m-6m. KE5MUG

[@Ei2iP]

Not a true test, I'll stick with my 40M delta loop..

[@peterwaine923]

Was all the antennas tested in the exact same spot and height? NO, so not really a valid test is it? We all know you only have to move an antenna less than an inch or a foot or two higher and you can go from not even hearing the guy to a plus 9 signal.

[@JohnFT3414]

HINT: Put your CENTER Spectrum Scope on a SPAN of 10kHz (1kHz per box), you will be able to see the incoming audio spectrum better, as well as your outgoing audio spectrum! 100kHz is worthless.

[@colewaynethornton7606]

You keep saying we. Do you have a mouse in your pocket?

[@iainmeteorscan1555]

@Cole Wayne Thornton: Hi Cole - Yep, I hate that too, when Hams refer to themselves as "we"! Another hated phrase is "fine business"! Speak like that in normal conversation (with non-Hams) and others would think you are crazy! Hams appear to have lost the art of plain speaking. QSL, Old Man?!

[@RicardoManuelJoseJimenezSiller]

DELTA LOOP doesn´t do anny better

[@mellaver7972]

A stupid comparison .. need i say more

[@JonathanAdami]

probably should say less I reckon! lol