Review of Bilal Isotron 20m Single Band Antenna (

[@darylnd]

"This thing needs to be outside and it needs to be high." I thought you were talking about me for a moment. 73, KN6NPZ

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

I bought the 20m Isotron long ago but could never get it to work (All I had was a swr meter and my hand). I just bought a NanoVNA and decided to dig out the Isotron and try it with the NanoVNA. I manage to get it to resonate. Works just as good as my compromised dipole in an apartment. The NanoVNA is great.

[@ai5gu]

Camera work showing the SDR was too shaky to see much detail. Would have been good to include the SDR capture in your video.

[@3rwparks3]

I had a 40 meter isotron several years ago. They do work, but what makes them work I have no idea. I was living in northern New Hampshire at the time. I QRP'ed into New Jersey several times, and had a few quality QSO's into Belgium at 100 watts. If you ever figure out the theory that makes them work, I would be interested. 73, KB1IZB

[@JohnGeorgeJohnCrespo]

I have the video by the developer who explains how the antenna works. Care to have it?

[@3rwparks3]

@@JohnGeorgeJohnCrespo Yes, I am interested.

[@johnwest7993]

I talked to them years ago about their antennas. I concluded that they are a perfect example of the basic fact that anything can be made to resonate, and that any antenna is better than no antenna. But basically, it won't work as well as a good piece of wire.

[@GreatDXR]

I was hoping you would explain how it works instead of just calling it weird. And your demo didn't show much as the screen was too far to notice any significant differences. And lastly your time lapse gave me headache. Other than that, great video!

[@dennisjoiner3717]

Hello Dave. The 80 meter antenna used in that "73 Magazine" article is in my storage unit. Jim K9HKS gave it to me when I was in an apartment dwelling. It is indeed a compromize antenna when compared to a half wave dipole. However it is a winner when space doesn't permit a larger foot print antenna. I also have the 40 meter and 17 meter models. At one point in time I had the 80 meter and 40 meter antennas fed with one coax. The two antennas were connected together with a short piece of 300 ohm twin lead. They are a bit fiddly to tune, and not as broad banded as the 20 meter in you review. Thank for your video.

[@nevellgreenough404]

Hey, Dave, how about some reverse-beacon reports on it? Tnx, N2GX

[@lyfandeth]

Some guesstimates about the odd shaping and construction would be nice.

[@erpece]

Thanks for the video, Dave. This antenna remains a intriguing mystery to me... :-) For rx it seemed to be doing quite well in your rig, how was the tx?

[@pasixty6510]

The ISOTRON antenna is the reverse of the principle used in magnetic antennas. The last time I heard of it was in the early 2000s. Actually the name 'isotron' doesn’t really refer to the working principle but to the name of the manufacturer back then. I think, isotron was a trademark. That might be the reason why you didn’t read much about it. It was a commercial product, not meant for DIY. I thought, it had disappeared from the market completely. Thank you for reviving and reviewing one!

[@cantshootthis]

As I’m in a stringent HOA, I’m about to pull the trigger on a 40/20 set of these, Dave. They look like they could reasonably pass as a TV antenna. It’s either that or a vertical on a tilt mount in the corner of the yard but the radial pattern would spread funny. (Not “funny ha ha” either 😂)

[@jamesk0ua]

Would it not have been -great if you had cut out the fast forward installation footage and the music, and perhaps if you had done some receive A-B testing with some close ups of the waterfall/signal or close ups of the 7300's display back and forth rapidly and even a few transmit reports in the A-B style. Comparing the Big IR with the Isotron. I am guessing you didn't make even a single contact on the Isotron. It sure would have been nice, even if you could not get some close ups of the signal strengths, at least you could have read them off to us in the manner of "it appears the isotron is about 15 dB down from the vertical" And do that back and forth several times. In this manner we could have learned something instead of listening to your music. Of course this is just a personal opinion. 73 James K0UA

[@terrymurphy4177]

That’s not an antenna, it’s ART😎

[@MrMesospheric]

See, the real test, rather than switching things around rather aimlessly, would be to stick it on WSPR for a few days. Then you can compare objectively, with reliable data, without human guesswork or wishful thinking, with known antennas.

[@davecasler]

Yes. It would be nice to do simultaneous WSPR comparions. I was amazed the antenna worked at all!

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you, Dave. That surprises me that the antenna works. I guess this is one of those antennas where you have to do the experiment to see if it functions. N0QFT

[@thestonerguy5276]

How do you think the Isotron would compare vs. a Mag Loop? 🤔

[@cantshootthis]

What’s cool about them is you can add the different single band elements on the same pole. They connect to each other with a ladder line harness and you can’t do that with a mag loop.

[@w8lvradio]

I wish you'd try the Bilal 40 or 80. 73 DE W8LV BILL

[@cantshootthis]

The 80/40 combo available on the Isotron website looks like it could pass as a weird TV antenna. I am very close to buying them (maybe after I sell my Comet H422).

[@timbacchus]

Is it vertical or horizontal? You answered that. Wonder how much power is dissipated in that big coil. Wonder how much power is radiated?

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Thanks for the video! I'm just getting back into amateur radio after a twenty year hiatus. Getting ready to put up a Hustler 5BTV. I've always wanted something for 160 meters. May give the Isotron a try and just get it up as high as I can (probably 40 ft). BTW, your videos are great! You have a wonderful teaching style. Very easy to understand. 73 de WB4DW

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

These always catch my eye at HRO. Such a weird antenna.

[@joewillj]

I've never come across an antenna like this before. I'm one of those people who live in an HOA and I wonder how it would work in my attic.

[@cantshootthis]

I live in an HOA and my only attic antenna experiments so far have been a Comet H422, AY04 VHF/UHF Yagi and a commercial 20 meter dipole crammed in there. The attic space is very squat as it’s a newer 2 story house where there is just enough room to get in two HVAC units. Way too much QRM/QRN on HF due to close proximity of antennas to HVAC equipment. Might have better luck with a smaller hi-Q antenna but there’s chicken wire and stucco walls that might block some signal. The dual bander works fine up there tho. I’d give it a try especially if you have a lot of space to get a multiband Isotron up there.

[@donniebrugge8117]

I have that antenna for 20 meters. It works and it has its place as Dave said. Portable, covert and it works. The proof is in the pudding

[@sincerelyyours7538]

Thanks Dave, that may be just what I need to fit on a short mast over my balcony. I need a small antenna not because of HOA but because I just don't have the land on which to mount a traditional antenna. Pity it's only one band, though. Also, you didn't mention if it is directional in any way. That could help me avoid the stronger Chinese stations and concentrate on the weaker US stations from my perch in the Pacific.

[@hobbified]

Answered about a minute in. It's omnidirectional. All their antennas are variations on the "capacitively loaded vert" theme, it's just that the loading apparatus (hats, coils, etc.) ends up being far bigger than the actual radiating element. You can draw the obvious conclusion about efficiency.

[@ke0ourwilliam982]

They do have Multiband Combo

[@donniebrugge8117]

It is omnidirectional

[@vinniec5286]

Dave, how would you rate this antenna in comparison with a magnetic loop? Also, it looks like you used a metal pole for a mast. It also looks like they used one in the picture on their web site. Is this a requirement? Thanks for your video.

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

It needs to be mounted on a metal pole.

[@ziktube]

Hello Dave. This is Krishanu from Kolkata/Calcutta, India. Here is a house with second floor, 15ft/15ft roof space. Power lines running on the north side of the house. How good can I get with UHF, VHF and multiband HF antenna/antennas of your suggestion. Will pair it with a ICOM7300. Need to factor in the lightning conductor. Thanks and regards.

[@prestonshute7243]

Wish the IC-7300 internal adapter you installed would continue to pass a signal when the radio is powered off. Other than that it’s a super add on for the 7300. As always, great video. 73 wd4dda

[@Siskiyous6]

Interesting, i had not seen them before. is it a small loop? They might be the ticket to use on my portable crank up telescoping mast for the lower bands. I would need to make a quick detachment mount, but outside of wire dipoles the options fade quickly for 20 to 160M

[@stevec2196]

The new assistant's video was so shaky that I couldn't make out anything!

[@markh1938]

What height did you set up?

[@GeoffGM8OFQ]

My 15 seconds of fame ??!!!...73 - Geoff GM8OFQ

[@Kickstar.]

Dave, do us a favor and turn down that music. It’s annoying when trying to hear you talk while it’s playing and unnecessary as background fodder

[@jimsouthall1085]

Thank you for the review of this antenna. You video quality for this video is not up to par vs your normal. You fell for the same trap as other YT creators. As long as you are discussing you let if remain in real time video. As soon as you start doing the hands on work, you start with the FAST FORWARD mode. You are using the FAST FORWARD mode instead of using video editing techniques. Don't use the excuse that the video is too long. Tell your assistant to put the camera on a tripod. This video was to jumpy, lighting was bad, and not the quality that we normally expect. Thanks, Jim. WB4JAB.

[@riottaba]

Try choking off the coax close to the "antenna" and see if it still works. G0KMC

[@eddy2561]

Even a dummyload will give ya a 1:1 load \ k6sdw

[@daveN2MXX]

I guess that is why he showed the receive spectrum display for both antennas as a comparison 🤔

[@donniebrugge8117]

Seems a lot of replies have never owned one. When you are locked op In a HOA it's all about being able to get a signal out. It does. Of course if you have space then do better but it does work and yes better than a dummy load which can't send a signal out of the shack

[@JamesOrcutt]

73 Wayne Greene RIP

[@daveturner5305]

Shades of Benny Hill video. Nice!

[@cliffyoung5712]

Weird looking airborne dummy load Dave.

[@jamesbaranowski6050]

I swear, I could take a stainless steel sink and make an antenna...and probably sell a bunch of them....such crazy things antennas!