OptiBeam OB9 5HD Yagi Ham Radio Antenna, assembly and mounting on Mast

I bought this Antenna from another Ham Radio Operator here in Florida. I am a new Ham, just passed my General License Exam on 03-14-2023. I purchased my first used Radio, a Kenwood TS-590S and I'm using it without any amplifier, just the stock 100 watts. When I assembled the antenna I had a few problems figuring out the manual. Only with the help of photos from the previous owner was I able to put the antenna together. So I'm posting this clip for anyone who also has some problems putting the same antenna together. In the end it worked out great and the antenna performs perfect. I made a few long distance contacts to verify how good this antenna works. The mast is just temporary until I can find a taller one. This one is about 40 feet tall and doesn't really clear the trees. I'm hoping to find a good deal on a taller mast in the near future. I also don't have a rotor yet so I put the antenna in a fixed position, pointing NE in hope to contact my friend in Germany. I'm really just in the beginning of the hobby and ad more components as time goes by. Thank you for watching KQ4GZQ Dade City Florida
Update: My new call sign is now KY4XV

[@hermannharms8401]

Hallo Jörg, Gratulation zur bestandenen Prüfung und dem neuen Mast und der Antenne. Geht schonmal sehr gut! 73 Hermann DK2BE

[@teuton77777]

Thank you Hermann for the nice comment 73

[@ok2it]

That is good height - honestly, 40ft even for 20m will give you already good take off angle even for DX. Yes, ot wont perform as well as stack of two monobanders @ 150ft....but it will be one of the best start setups I ever saw! 73 OK2IT

[@leoenakievo8348]

It was done perfectly!ur3if.

[@DK5ONV]

If you sell the Mercedes 500 just eating up Space in your Yard it will make you some Bucks to get you a 40m Optibeam. Nice Video Jorg. 73 de Uncle Günter 💯🙋‍♂

[@juandsoto1283]

Greetings Im considering this antenna, but the manual gives me d' creeps. How u determined the distance between elements and measure in overall ?

[@teuton77777]

Yes, the manual is horrible. I had some help due to the fact that I bought the antenna used and I could just install the radial centers on the old positions. The radials where also numbered by the previous owner. I still had to look at the manual / schematic many times. After some time I finally figured out how all the numbers translated to the lengths of the radials. Reading the manual is just more confusing. I have no idea how anyone can come up with such complicated description. I think the designer / builder of this antenna assumes that everyone has an engineering degree. However, I still highly recommend this antenna because of the built quality and excellent performance. It's pricey but you get what you pay for. I hope this may help you a little in your decision. And thank you for your comment KY4XV

[@mdwestlund1]

You are assembling an lpda.

[@mdwestlund1]

Pardon it's an lpda/ yagi hybrid

[@nj5wrick156]

Where did you put it together wrong the first time?? Didn't you have an initial problem?

[@teuton77777]

I put it together first with the boom over 2 tables. I did have some problems, I found the instruction manual very confusing and not enough pictures.

[@nj5wrick156]

You used a wench to raise a Rohn 25 tower I see. How tall was the tower?

[@teuton77777]

My tower is about 71 feet tall

[@nb2a1]

Where in Florida? I would like to chat 73 de NB2A

[@teuton77777]

Dade City / Ridge Manor 73 KY4XV

[@hihopeseveryday]

This guy knows very little about his Optibeam antenna in general.