Portable Ham Radio Antenna: Gabil GRA-7350TC

[@HOAHamRadio]

Nice alligator clip radials 🙂 So enjoy how you mix the technical with the practical! Nice review.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s the Bob clip son!

[@mikesradiorepair]

Just a note, you have the connector upside down in the mirror mount bracket. The SO-239 should be on the side where the clamp bolts are. This keeps the antenna or coil element away from the bracket. The coil markings are laser engraved. I have had one for about 3 months and used it a lot. Has worked great for POTA activations. Even made some contacts with it last weekend during WFD with a IC-705. Mounted it to a chain link fence post.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the tip Mike 👍

[@BobGarrett66]

@mikesradiorepair Mike, Ape mentions in the video that the connections are all 3/8-24. Would you be able to confirm that the whip connection is in fact a 3/8-24 and not and M10 thread. Thanks!

[@mikesradiorepair]

@@BobGarrett66 Your asking the wrong person, it's not my video or my antenna. However, did you look at the bag it comes in at the very beginning of the video. It's printed on the bag.

[@BobGarrett66]

@@mikesradiorepair Well my apologies for troubling you. You had mentioned owning it, so I thought I’d ask. My mistake. WOW! Guess I should have slow-mo’d the video. Seemed like a simple yes or no answer, but I appreciate the education. I often hear experienced Hams state that they don’t understand why newer Hams like myself don’t seek out an Elmer. Well, if you can’t ask someone what the thread pitch is on an antenna, why would you. We sure live in a sad world, full of sad people.

[@axi6ne8us]

Is this antenna better for the IC-705 than the Comet HFJ-350M? Also, how would one ground this GRA in a 2nd floor apartment?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

For whatever reasons, I find that tuning this antenna on 20m always a challenge. It works quite well on 15 and above and 40 meter performance is adequate. Nice review.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Michael. The adjustments did seem very fine on 20m. Typically for this type of thing I start with a large slice of spectrum on the VNA to get to the ball park and then zoom in to dial it in. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@toddpolson6024]

Michael, I often use this antenna on a magmount and find that tuning for 20m can be finicky unless I have plenty of coax running along the ground. The other bands 10m-17m don't seem to mind short coax.

[@blugoose86]

I almost bought one of these but wasn't sure about the performance. Others have reviewed this antenna with similar results. I tend to wait for a "trusted" review. I subscribe to this channel for specific reasons and trust is one of the main ones. Thanks Ape, appreciate the honest review. I will get one next month when my SS check comes in.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you like the videos and good luck with the antenna, let me know if you have any questions about it 👍

[@RichardDePas]

Been looking at this antenna to go motorcycle mobile to mountain tops in the Olympics. Thanks for your review and analysis!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked it Richard, thanks for watching 👍

[@fm71450]

Dear Ape, great review. As always, time well spent watching your channel. Thank you

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks FM, glad you like the videos!

[@ericlevine420]

You really do a great presentation on all of your videos. You, Josh and Gaston are my favorites. Your presentations are excellent In focus 4k sound is perfect Great backdrops and concise explanations. Thanks for your 👌 effort.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Eric, glad you liked it 👍

[@gregsmith1116]

First Like! You are a ham radio Master! Nice antenna if it works per the specs!

[@TheSmokinApe]

lol, thanks Greg 👍

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Looks nicely made and the 80m option is good for a travelling vertical antenna. Thanks for the review.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching Ace 👍

[@VA7LBA]

That's my portable antenna of choice but I use it with a longer 5.3m whip and a banana plug puck to install 9 16.5 foot radials. Super easy to tune up and takes up very little space in my qrp bag.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sounds like you have it dialed in, thanks for watching 👍

[@davidwilcox9110]

I have seen it demonstrated and used in our Winter Field Day in St. Augustine, Florida….. a neat antenna and easy to deploy.

[@TheSmokinApe]

For sure, thanks for watching David 👍

[@whitepinephotography5887]

I have had great success using this antenna in a mag mount on my truck. I set it up with a vna for all the bands and made a chart. Almost flat on 20m across the whole band and and 40m two settings one for CW and one for phone covering the whole band. I can use the tuner on the X6100 and not have to move the setting. I also have used it bicycle mobile, with a mirror mount on the handle bars, 18ft RG 316 no radials and only had to increase the inductance very slightly. I made a chart and can set up in less than 5 min. I do a quick check with the swr scan on the X6100.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s awesome 👍

[@barrykery1175]

Great video. Very informative. I really like how well thought out the design of the antenna is. Pretty impressive results as well. Barry, KU3X

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Barry, glad you liked it 👍

[@loraz0]

I have had one of these for a while, and it does better than I expected. Mark the bands with a sharpie, and that speeds things up a bit.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I was thinking about doing just that. Thanks for watching 👍

[@DonzLockz]

Nice little kit and it reached VK!👍

[@TheSmokinApe]

How about that?

[@mewintle]

I bought this exact antenna last month. I like it, but it really shines with the matching baby tripod. Then you have something weirdly special.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, I’m thinking about getting the tripod. Thanks for watching 👍

[@davidhaman4642]

I have this antenna and absolutely love it. Use with my FT-710 and my G 90 and fits in my Togo bag very nicely. Would absolutely recommend this antenna. W8BLT

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey David, it is a pretty nice portable option. Thanks for watching 👍

[@kylefreemason]

How would one measure the amount of loss the use of a coil introduces?

[@TheSmokinApe]

There are a few suggested ways to do that on the internet but I’m still looking for the easiest way to get reliable measurements. When I do, I’ll post a video 👍

[@kylefreemason]

Thank you. I like to measure insertion loss of my various antenna systems to see how they all stack up in efficiency.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@kylefreemason that’s a good practice

[@GH0ST369]

I got the Gable groundspike, it is pretty cool, can use with other antennas.

[@TheSmokinApe]

THis was the Maple ground spike and it can be used with different antennas.

[@axi6ne8us]

How would you ground this antenna in a 2nd floor apartment? Also, is it easier to configure/ tune over the Comet HFJ-350M?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Never tried the Comet. I would use a lightning arrestor type device on the coax to ground 👍

[@Swamp-Fox]

Pretty cool antenna for portable ops!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I thought so, thanks for watching SF 👍

[@truckinguy92]

Another great video Ape. I really like the technological explanation of what is really happening with a super compromised antenna like this. Using FT8 as a measure of performance is really skewed. Just because it’s heard on FT8 or as some use, whisper, doesn’t mean CW or SSB is going to be heard in the same places. Not all of us operators are a fan of FT8. Personally I think using CW would be a better mode to use. You don’t even need to know CW to do it either. Most of today’s radios can use an automated test message and accomplish the same thing looking at the reverse CW beacon network. The map won’t be as nearly populated either, in most instances. It’s kinda that middle mode between FT8 & SSB. Thank you for all you do for the hobby!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Trucking. I totally agree with your point about ft8, it was just a quick way to supply some anecdotal evidence 👀

[@drright71]

What is the diameter of the ground spike? Getting one off of eBay, and I want to use a grommet to connect Faraday cloth (Magic Carpet) to the spike.

[@TheSmokinApe]

11.8MM

[@tomkortoian3964]

Great Review ... I was wondering where did you get the SO-239 Combo Ground Spike to test the Antenna on?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Bd7-maple on eBay 👍

[@thecarys563]

Thanks for another perspective on this antenna. I learned some new things about it! Your Nanovna display has much more info on it than my H4 version. How did you get the graph axis numbers and summarized boxes?

[@TheSmokinApe]

This isn’t a NanoVNA it’s the SV4401a which is NanoVNA like 👍

[@godarklight]

You'll want to be careful about directly reading the complex values off the smith chart when coax is involved as the coax spins the smith chart. If you built a matching network at the radio end the values are useful, if you want to know what the antenna is doing you will want to electrical-delay your coax to collapse on the open circuit position. That being said, the antenna seems to work quite well.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I don’t disagree GDL 👍

[@HDavidg40503]

Would a Faraday Cloth work instead of radials?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’ve never mess with the stuff, I suppose it would if you had the correct dimensions 👍

[@AJLaRocque54]

When you run your fingers across the numbers you are feeling the raised paint. I took a scope to check, and the numbers are not engraved. But this is a very minor point as I love the antenna. And, as always, thanks for the video. Joseph KX4ND

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info Joe 👍

[@charlesdup6803]

Great and timely review, Ape! I have not received my yet but can you connect a LDG Z-11Pro tuner and achieve perfect swr? I am new at this!!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, you could do that 👍

[@KS0JD]

I like the Grabil stuff. Reasonably priced and seems to be well built. I think TO did a review on this one as well. 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it seems they make good stuff. I’m pretty sure TO did the 7350T this is the 7350TC. The T has metric threading and this is imperial 👍

[@KS0JD]

@@TheSmokinApe Good to know! Thanks!

[@johnemmons9087]

Love that you love building antennas! One of my favorite things as well. GOT A QUESTION! For a small Go Box I’m building, I want to make a random wire antenna work in a chalk line case. It’s very portable and I believe I can get 150’ of wire on it! It’s a big chalk line for large buildings. Can you do a video?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey John, glad you like the videos. I haven’t done the chalk line but I can look into it 👍

[@johnemmons9087]

@@TheSmokinApe awesome! I firmly believe that this type of antenna could do some great things. And sooo compact! If you want a reference to the larger size I’ll be happy to send a link. 🕖🕒

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes, you can send it to [e-mail] thanks!

[@walteredwards544]

Maybe i missed it bit what radio did you use and at what power output?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I honestly do not remember which I used. I may have mentioned it in the video.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Been an antenna I’ve thought about getting… Maybe one day. 73!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I doubt you would be disappointed 👍

[@willie2333]

Can I ask how long are the counterpoise wires.

[@TheSmokinApe]

These are 15’

[@JamiesHackShack]

Nice review sir!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Jamie 👍

[@tittiger]

How is the repeatability without whipping out an antenna analyzer each time you use it?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’d think you would pretty much always want to use some sort of analyzer or swr meter when setting it up. You can lock the sliding choke if you wanted it to stay on a single band / frequency 👍

[@robertmeyer4744]

That would be great for POTA or SOTA setup. once you find the tune just make a note of coil adjustment. gets a start but different place may tune different. and go do park on different day and find a different tune. but that coil gives you a starting point that a better steak keeps PL 259 at 90 deg. the outher one would put bend in coax and should use a SO239 to PL 259 90 deg. adapter. 73's

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Robert 👍

[@1975adam]

15 mins as a set up is real good

[@TheSmokinApe]

I thought so, thanks for checking out the video 👍

[@craigpalmer9196]

i have a mfj 1899t missing the upper half will gra 7350t work ?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe so, not 100% sure 👍

[@craigpalmer9196]

@@TheSmokinApe thamk you,smoking fast,i can8 go to amazon and have 30 day return

[@craigpalmer9196]

@@TheSmokinApe it's 100% the same direct, doubles price shipping or amazon

[@BobBob-il2ku]

The aliunce hd2 you will be testing does it have aes-256 encryption?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I have no idea, how did you know I was testing that?

[@BobBob-il2ku]

@@TheSmokinApethey announced it on there Facebook page 😂

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@BobBob-il2ku lol

[@MikeN2MAK]

I bet that'll make a nice travel antenna.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s what I am thinking

[@SmokeSignalsRF]

Excellent explanations at various levels of knowledge in our hobby. 🎙️ W1FYG

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thank you Izzo 👍

[@miket7184]

It looks about the same size as the screwdriver antenna you can get for the Yaesu FT-891.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s probably very close to that

[@DellFargus]

Cool antenna. It's like a Swiss-Army-Knife Hamstick. Do you have any videos about how the Smith Charts work? I understand that it's a way of charting resistance, whether it's capacitance, reactance, inductance, etc. I have experience fiddling around with manual tuners, and I know how to dial in a workable SWR by pushing everything around as close to 50 Ohms as possible, but the charts perplex me. Asking, because I'm studying for my extra and there are a bunch of questions on there about the charts. I want to be able to better wrap my brain around it, instead of just memorizing answers. I'm a "deep learner", not a "regurgitator".

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Dell, It is like a Swiss Army Knife! I actually started working on a SMith Chart video, it's probably about a week or two until it get posted.

[@DellFargus]

@@TheSmokinApe Awesome. I look forward to seeing it. Thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@DellFargus 👍

[@ornithopterindia]

👍Thank you sir.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Looks pretty cool man. I'd go totally overboard on radials though. But that's my MO

[@TheSmokinApe]

I was tempted to do that

[@whitepinephotography5887]

Works well with a Faraday cloth.

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

​@@whitepinephotography5887 haven't tried that yet. Folks seem to have good luck with it

[@Thump2030]

you should compare the coil at 20m to your 17' whip without the coil and see how much sharper the Q is and if the long whip does better without the coil.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That’s not a bad idea 👍

[@phildurall7466]

Very informative Ape! Love the use of the VNA for analyzing the antenna. You just upped the sale of NanoVNAs Sir! 😛 You mentioned "South of the equator ..", where exactly is that on "flat earth"? 😁 73 - KF6IF

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Phil! Stay calm, I was just referring to the polar plot not the flat Earth!

[@phildurall7466]

@@TheSmokinApe LOL ... I know! 😝

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

I usually nanoVNA from 3 to 33 MHz to start. Then narrow it down.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Right, coarse and fine adjustments 👍

[@pnowikow]

That nano vna has a bit of a learning curve eh?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Little bit

[@Bill-HRT]

Ape! Good to see you,. Missed you in Dayton. Glad the Gabil worked out for you; one of my favorites. They should have sent you their mini tripod. The new one was a game changer for me. See you out there. 73 de Bill

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Bill, I had to sit this year out. They actually sent me the tripod as well, one day I will get that video done 😳

[@KU9L]

I use the same ground mount, but if operating from 20M & up I prefer my MFJ-1979 whip solo, But I have used the 7350TC on a POTA Activation on 20M in a canyon at a state park with my Icom IC-718 at 59-watts with acceptable results considering the summer bands were crap that day. I first tried using 2 radials like I do on many if my antennas, of course the Q makes this antenna a little more touchy in adjustment. I then bought the matching tripod and tried two 48"x84" aluminum window screens as a counterpoise & found the antenna became more QRP friendly. I was having trouble with kayakers tripping on my radials at some of my picnic table Actuvations at Day Use areas near the upper Arkansas River district despite using yellow bright elevated radials. The window screens held down with rocks on the corners seemed to couple with the earth better as the Colorado soil seemed to be a poor match for many of my vertical antennas. I saw not much performance difference between the ground spike and the matching tripod, just a deploy preference depending on Activation location. I am a fulltime RVer so my antenna installations vary daily. I now use a light portable Faraday cloth as my counterpoise for all of my activattions as speed is important & it works great in 20M & up. On 40M it works no worse than my usual 1-2 radials. Disclaimer: A sad Ham told me I needed 64 radials in order for ANY vertical antenna to work, so I always tell them it is my job to try every compromised combo that doesnt work first so I can report back how many dB I am down from the abtenna actually working, lol. Thanks for sharing & doing all of your videos! Cheers, Davey --KU9L

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Davey, thanks for sharing the experience 👍

[@whitepinephotography5887]

I have also used a Faraday cloth with good results.

[@PARTner91]

We desert dwellers can’t use spike-type mounts. They don’t work well with dry desert ground and rock. Tripods, such as WRC’s MegaTripod, work much better. If there’s substantial wind, I lean a rock up against each of the tripod’s legs and I’m good to go. Great video, as usual. Thanks Steve N7TX

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Steve, glad you liked it 👍

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Cool! I like it. KO4HPC 73

[@TheSmokinApe]

Me too Adam, thanks for watching 👍

[@martinvanek5951]

I bought this antenna and its base about 6 months ago for portable use. The base is well built and so seem the other parts of the whole antenna. I had a very hard time tuning the antenna. In the field t's very cumbersome going back and forth tuning it when you change bands. Maybe with time and use you could master it but, I gave up because it's only a compromise antenna. So why bother.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I do think it would get easier with experience, thanks for watching Martin 👍