REZ Antenna Systems Ranger 80 Vertical Ham Radio Antenna

Digital, SSB, CW, The Ranger 80 From REZ Antenna Systems Does It All. Let's Put It To The Test!
www.rezantenna.com
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[@DaveW6OOD]

This antenna is definitely a prime example of “Buy once, cry once”.

[@hamradiotube]

That it is.

[@BradSnyder1]

I’ve seen this antenna on KB9VBR’s channel and it looks to be a really solid one. With that built quality, I can see it lasting a very long time. Thanks for the review Mike!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Everyone is going to have different opinions on the cost and whip, but it definitely looks like it's built solid and a lot of thought has gone into the system as a whole. Thanks for taking the time to show the SWR and what you did to get it to tune on the higher bands.

[@LambertMatias]

I love my WRC, but this looks cool. My antenna hoarding kicks in everytime I watch one of your videos. Cheers and 73!

[@ReedAB8AS]

Hey Mike, thanks for the review. The kit is impressive. I like the quality of the build. I think I remember you interviewing him at the Houston fest? I agree with the weight, probably picnic table POTA for me :)

[@HamRadio2]

Great video. I browsed their website and downloaded the user manual - I would like to see a diagram of a starting point on where to put the coil for what bands - similar to a BSP. I can't find that. But otherwise, great antenna, the build quality is definitely there.

[@hamradiotube]

A lot of guys with these types of antennas will just use a sharpie to mark the sweet spot. I just use an analyzer.

[@walteredwards544]

I like this antenna. OBTW, Chameleon is coming out with a WRC style coil. I actually prefer these type of whips to the stainless steel ones, because they're more durable and even if the elastic snaps you can still use it. As for the SWR, just shorten the radials so you'll only need to fold over one segment to gain resonance on 10 meters. Just substitute your shortened radials for the stock radials and see if there's a difference. I believe there will be. Enjoyed the video and 73

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Nothing like a well-built antenna! 73!

[@K5QBF]

Cool antenna, I’m with you on the folding whips.

[@jampskan5690]

I just thought I'd say, I think you nail every single video intro. You changed up the style awhile ago from the metal tune to the new(ish) shotgun with fire deal, and ever since then, I'm highly entertained basically every time. So, cheers to your progress on ham edutainment! (not saying older vids are bad, just that I like the newer direction of your content)

[@MI7DJT]

I always pictured Wayne and Garth doing that intro lol. I loved it!

[@hamradiotube]

That's a Howitzer cannon, but thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[@kenluning909]

I visited with RAZ at Rosenberg Hamfest. Being in machine shop environments for 30 years I can say that this is a Very Well Built antenna. Buy Once Cry Once. Thanks for the review. W5KAL

[@DominicMazoch]

Saw it there.

[@Screamingtut]

great video Mike keep it up.

[@stevekj5t]

Thanks for this review. It's definitely a very interesting antenna. It looks very well built and like you said it handled the 70W on FT8 so that is a plus. I am looking forward to hearing more field reports from this antenna and how they will hold up in the elements over time. 73 de KJ5T

[@deankq4adj125]

That was a great review! If I didn't already have a Wolf River, I would consider this antenna!

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks so much.

[@DK5ONV]

Very beautifully done, Mikey. YFUG waving a Hand down to Walker County TX 💯👍🙋‍♂

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

This looks quite nice.

[@DonzLockz]

I wish I could buy this locally, great piece of kit.

[@battleborngrafix4640]

Looks like a great antenna. Great review. Crocs Rock

[@stahpit1971]

That is a nice set up.

[@richlevenson6605]

Looks darn good. First rate presentation. Rich - W2FKN

[@jrjankowski2224]

Hi Mike. As you were adjusting the whip to match SWR did the coil adjustment c ok me into play. I just figured you were going to leave the whip up and talk about the coil and collar more. Thanks great video. 73s KG7DSB

[@322doug]

Heard you on 20 meters today, out of huntsville tx i believe. I didnt have enough back end to reach you, but was pretty cool hearing you on the air instead of you tube, hammer on! 73 NS9T

[@hamradiotube]

That’s awesome man! I had a huge pileup so picking out calls was quite the challenge to say the least. Did get quite a few 9 calls though.

[@suboptical2732]

Just discovered your channel, I’m just getting into ham, haven’t bought a radio or got a license yet but i live in the same state as you and once i get my technician’s license it would be fun to attend some events like the one where you guys built antennas out of junk if yall are an open group.

[@hamradiotube]

Welcome to the channel. Good luck on your license!

[@kd5you1]

I prefer the telescopic whip vs the shock cord whips. I bought the shock cord whips with my Buddipole Deluxe, then I realized they were a fixed length. They do have adjustable length shock cord whips, but I think over time those shock cords would wear out and not keep the sections tightly together. 73 KD5YOU

[@markmesserly7919]

I have a shock cord whip for the Alpha FMJ - over time it stretched- I have to put up/take down frequently due to HOA - so can shorten shock cord but eventually it will be done - so I no longer fold it up.

[@kd5you1]

@@markmesserly7919 Well fortunately with the Buddipole shock cord whips, the shock cord can be replaced fairly easily. I know what you mean by put up/take down frequently. I do the same every time I want to play HF in the back yard.

[@alanbrockmeier6871]

Wow nice antenna! Great job showing it’s capability. At the point I ad activation to hunting only I for sure will look at this antenna. Thanks Mike fantastic job as always! 73 NM5SP

[@Dusty_Ham]

Hi Mike, very sorry if you've mentioned it in the past, did you do a video on that choke? Or have a link? Great video by the way, looks like an awesome antenna. 73's buddy

[@jamesbrownmiller808]

I just watched a video where another radio operator used the Wolf River 80 to 10 meter coil along with a ~17 foot collapsible whip antenna and would reasonably tune 80 through 6 meters without a tuner. I recently acquired the the Wolf River 80 to 10 meter coil along with the Chameleon collapsible 17 foot whip and ground spike. I have not had the opportunity to set everything up. Waiting on the radials from Wolf River.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah you definitely do not use tuners with these types of antennas.

[@vonzigle]

Thanks!

[@hamradiotube]

No, thank you!

[@garyh8315]

Mike, for 10m try the mil whip without the coil, will need a work around for the radials tho. Looks a good piece of kit.

[@walteredwards544]

OBTW, on the Buddipole site,I saw a similar antenna that had an adjustable stringer at the tip. That might be a viable alternative.

[@o00scorpion00o]

I like the Super Antenna a lot but don't like having to swap out the coil every time I want to use 80m but I have made a 1000 mile contact on 80m which impressed me, don't use it much on 80 but would like a remote tuning screwdriver antenna like the tarheel but not sure you can use those portable ?

[@paulsengupta971]

Did you try folding back the radials on themselves to try and help out with the tuning on the higher bands?

[@K4TMO]

Which backpack is that & is that the best option for the 7300 with vertical antenna setup? Any other recommendations?

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Another great gear video with your easy laugh and DJ voice, Mike. Besides the high quality antenna, does he sell that same pack? There was another pack on his website site, but it looked different. Or.... can you recommend a similar pack for POTA pack out? Thanks for your answers, Michael KZ5MSE

[@hamradiotube]

I have no idea. He sent me this antenna to review. That's all I know. You'd have to ask him.

[@off-trailseeking3965]

I would like to see a comparison between the Ranger 80 coil and the WRC with regards to tuning. I have had miserable luck with the WRC and is my reason to despise the coil. Probably operator error.....but should not be that finicky. Hoping the Ranger 80 will tune and lock in better. Any thoughts?

[@Aussie_Ham_Radio]

Hi Mike just wondering did you try moving the coil down and see what the swr is? Maybe you don’t have to fold the whips - maybe you did that but didn’t show it in the edit. - good job though keep up the good work.

[@hamradiotube]

Moving the coil down lengthens the antenna. Quite the opposite of what you need to do to go higher in frequency.

[@mikeramsey9747]

Where did you get the handles for your 7300? That antenna sounds great and I like the portability is fantastic, I think the extendable antenna would be easier to tune but the price is something to consider.

[@hamradiotube]

They're from Portable Zero portablezero.com

[@IZ0MTW]

Don’t know if mentioned already but instead of touching the whip I suggest you to leave it and mess around with the radials length. You should be able to get a good match. Also be aware of the difference that makes to rise them from the soil or leaving them laying on the ground. 73

[@TimHarperW5TAH]

What's the SWR at 3.600 and below?

[@stevegriffin9552]

hey Mike, great video, also that looks like an awesome antenna. Thanks for the review. WD5ENH Steve

[@hamradiotube]

You bet.

[@KX4UL]

Good review Mike. I was excited until I heard the price...holy moly! I'll pass... I'll stay with my wolf river coil. Not built as rugged but will last ME a lifetime. 73!

[@jamesmoore6424]

Is that a home brew rf choke on your feeding?

[@paulaubuchon2336]

How long are the 4 counterpoise wires.. Paul K1YOU

[@johnk8091]

Well built antenna. But for me - I would rather take an EFHW to the outdoors - lighter, takes up less space in the bag, and being full sized would be more efficient (providing it is properly built and thrown really high up into a tree)

[@howardkarse9915]

Agree with you! I began doing portable with a coil and 17' whip (MFJ-2286) and radials; that setup worked with fair results. I migrated to EFHW and get better results with less tinkering of radial/whip length and my portable operations yielded more QSO's. I will admit to using the coil/whip/radials now & again and it will remain in my 'antenna arsenal.'

[@RMTHockey-]

Great review Mike. How would you stack that up against the Chameleon MPAS 2.0? I would guess that the performance is similar.

[@o00scorpion00o]

I never used the REZ of course but it might have the potential to be a better performer on 40m if you can use a long enough whip . I have the MPAS 2.0 with CAP HAT and have been blown away by it on 20m, 17,15,12 and 10m but especially 20m because it's the band I would be on most often in the evenings after work and the Kids are in bed. The other bands would be dying off at this time. Performance does suffer on 40m but it still gets me around Europe and into the USA on 40m at times, depending on conditions and how big an antenna the other Ham has. Adding 3 radils for a total of 4 does help 40m but this raises SWR but I did find 40m to improve a bit but the MPAS 2.0 is designed to use 1 radial for ease of setup so SWR is lower with 1 radial. I suppose the 60 feet of wire will work a lot better on 40m, it's a very versatile kit that Chameleon. I use it a lot, it's setup permanently on the front lawn connected to the 891 in my sitting room, a convenient 2nd setup for when I don't want to go to the shack. I would like something better for 40m though but for it's intended purpose which is portable ops I'd rather the MPAS 2.0 any day than have to go back and forth to tune the antenna, it does get old. I also have the Super Antenna MP1 and while I've also been impressed with this it is a pain going back and forth to tune but it's incredibly compact when broken down, so for biking or hiking the Super Antenna would be the antenna I would bring or my 4 band EFHW 49:1. I wish someone would make a portable all weather motorised version of the screwdriver antenna.

[@hamradiotube]

Not sure. I don't own an MPAS.

[@truckinguy92]

You can’t even buy it yet and unless they produce 1000’s of them before selling the 1st one the wait is gonna be for ever. I can only imagine how many are pre-ordered already. Black is a horrible color and wait till the summer that collar is going to get a lot warmer. I had a big pile up on 20 today as well today with my BuddiStick.

[@thogevoll]

For portable use I think the radials should be a bright color do people can see them and trip over or get tangled in them.

[@hamradiotube]

While you're not wrong, I do use bright yellow wire on my end feds, and I assure you, people still walk into it. You could have traffic cones out and people would still walk into it.

[@John_Henry83]

You tune but adjusting the length of the whip? I would have thought like the JP12, Buddistick, or Wolf River coil you would move the tap on the coil?

[@hamradiotube]

Depending on the length of the whip, yeah. Same thing with any other antenna of this type. WRC you would still need to shorten the whip to get on some of the higher frequencies. Especially if you're using the 17' whip. Given this particular whip was too long for the higher frequencies, yes, I needed to shorten it.

[@barndweller4573]

If I did not have the Wolf River Coil already I would purchase it just for the higher power handling.

[@Jiminico]

My WRC Silver Bullet 1000 Platinum takes 500 watts SSB, 350 CW and 100 digital. I do run ft8 and ft4 at 100 watts chasing DX. I do wish WRC would update their collar though. You get to know how to tighten just right with that nylon set screw though. You don’t want the collar moving when you are running full smoke on ft8 or WSPR.

[@cavdvr99]

But is it worth the cost over a WRC?

[@christophersmith1155]

i like this antenna . i would use a telescoping antenna for 10-17 meters to bring down the swr. 2.1 is way too high.

[@patriot9455]

Note about the price, would you put the date you tested this, if the video is seen a year from the date of testing, we could expect a different purchase price. Other than that, the antenna does sound like a lifetime investment.

[@hamradiotube]

Umm, KZbin videos have a date on them already.

[@patriot9455]

@@hamradiotube I can't always find it, and sometimes the rate of increase is UNBELIEVABLE, you know. I will still watch them all.

[@chuckchamplin6627]

@MIKE that whip suck brother lol

[@DominicMazoch]

There are some places Yogi Bear cannot use the spike because Mr Ranger has to inforce park rules! Some places you need the tripod.

[@hamradiotube]

He makes a tripod.

[@DominicMazoch]

@@hamradiotube Yes. Saw it at Rosenberg!

[@KY4TRK]

Herd something along the link of truck driving hams on the air. Ham it up KY4TRK

[@PendejoRyan]

Dillon!

[@angelscomputers]

$525!!!!!!! definetly Cameleon prices, thanks but Ill stay wuth my $200 wolf river

[@n3ljs399]

FREE ONE OR DID YOU PAY FULL PRICE?

[@hamradiotube]

Well, much like I said in the video, this was sent to me on loan from the owner to try out. My opinions of course are my own. You should watch the video.

[@n3ljs399]

@@hamradiotube I did I must of missed that part….. looks well built. I have a Super Antenna and Wolf River rarely use either one…. Try to review the SilverTip antenna a young YL makes them in Virginia…. Very nice

[@paulsengupta971]

Whhhhip.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

rez antenna 525 usd vs wolf coil 1000 166.95

[@hamradiotube]

Yep. And a Kia is ~$20,000 and a Corvette is $100,000

[@MrStanwyck]

Great review Mike. I’ve got two questions. First, how much did that backpack weigh loaded. And second, how long does the 20 ah battery last on the 7300 doing 100w SSB?

[@alvarogaitan2529]

@@hamradiotube you right micke

[@axandio]

If I only had a half a grand to spend on a portable vertical. HAH! I'd probably not spend it. I mean this looks sweet and very well built but possibly just too overbuilt. Much less money will put out the same signal.

[@DominicMazoch]

But if you are setting up as ecom in a disaster, you want to have something that will do not do a Willie E Coyote ACME Product meltdown.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

500 mark up dang, rich bi**h sh** I'd think I'd rather have 150-200 dollar whip, 73. KQ4HCU

[@hobbiehobbs]

You’d have to have more money than brains….

[@larrymonroe6718]

The illegitimate child of Wolf River and Buddipole. Nothing unique here...

[@Bill-HRT]

Thanks for the video, Mike. You did a great job spelling out and showing everything about that antenna. I feel like I have a good idea about it now. 73 de K0WHW @Bill-HRT

[@hamradiotube]

Glad it was helpful!

[@exploringearth3223]

what about using it in the rain ?