Ham Radio: G5RV Antenna

[@JosephAnthonyJosefius]

I have a 102 foot long G5RV up 45 feet in a inverted V configuration with a 1:1 choke balun between the window line and coax, with about a total of 90 feet of coax to a LDG ATU, works great on 80m up to 10m. 73 de KI5JCO

[@tonypoloney8721]

I use a g5rv junior with a matching unit. V shape on plan and sloping about 20 degree , 7 m high. I get contacts all over Europe from UK with good signal reports varying from 5 and 5 to 5 and 9 using 10 watts qrp. I'm going to include an artificial earth counterpoise to maximise qrp operations. Wonderful antenna and suits my needs completely. Thanks for your vids.

[@davequick3373]

Always used g5rv for 50 years with great success at several qths.

[@timg5tm941]

Many do

[@Mister-Gee-9999]

A friend has a full size G5RV folded into a loop around his garden and it seems to work quite well on all bands. He's one of these hams in his 70s who when I used to pop round for tea he'd be working a VK on a coathanger with 5 watts.

[@timg5tm941]

Sounds great 73

[@misseryguts]

Hello, Ken 2E0KFJ here, I live in Paignton, Devon and use a G5RV for most of my HF activity. It is mounted 28ft above the ground on three poles, the centre is stood off the pole by about 18” with the feeder running down to my shack, again using stand offs and the feeder runs down to and around my shed to keep the feeder off the surface. It then goes through a lightning arrestor and finally into a good if old coax (H100 if you have heard of it). It then goes to a connector panel near my radio, through a MFJ external tuner into my Yaesu FT991. I have an extraordinarily low noise level across the bands of about S1 to S2. I get good results from 80 to 6 metres (160 is not useable but I will be trying to connect the G5RV as a Marconi T as an experiment). Good results on 40 and 20, with lots of long distance contacts mainly east from me but on 17 I have had good results into the USA and Africa. My longest confirmed contact was into Cape Town, South Africa. No signal but readable both ends. I consider the G5RV to be a good, basic all rounder and good value for money. More than happy with its performance.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks for the info 73 👍👍

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

I have one but I direct feed it in to a tuner like a doublet.

[@theoldhobbit3640]

The first HF antenna I put up at home, the half sized G5RV and it served me well. I now have a 9:1 and a length of wire, but if Im truthful, the G5RV was better :)

[@Allthingsradio]

Why change it ?

[@theoldhobbit3640]

@@Allthingsradio It blew down lol

[@wudbcarmodeller2713]

If you need an external tuner to get the bands you want, then there is no point in using a precise antenna length. I say use a ladder line fed doublet.

[@davidweatherill5472]

I used one when I started in amateur radio back in the 80s, it was the half size version with the extra traps to get on 80m. I had some fantastic results with it although I never considered coax run length at the time.

[@timg5tm941]

How was 80?

[@adyg6ad73]

My first HF antenna was a full size G5RV. I found the performance was dependent on the ladder line being vertical and in free space above ground. p.s. I did hear an anecdote from an OM who claimed to had a coffee with G5RV years ago. Apparently G5RV was horrified to hear people were using his "20m antenna design" for other bands.

[@timg5tm941]

I’ve heard that too Ady ... suspicion remains that his original intention was to create an antenna with some gain on 20. Take care mate 73

[@kvnturner]

I know this is old, I have the half size, My SWR is through the roof, using Icom ic-756pro. I receive mixed signals but obviously not transmitting. very new to ham Radio

[@timg5tm941]

Ok - have you checked your connections and have you made sure the ladderline section is not coiled up or against a wall or on the ground?

[@kvnturner]

@@timg5tm941 it is in fact hanging down next to my metal mast. Schoolboy error on my part. 😳

[@timg5tm941]

@@kvnturner yes that’s likely to be the issue

[@Pioneer936]

It's interesting that Louis Varney states that the ladder line is a make up section not a matching section and that the antenna system tuning unit brings the antenna and feedline to resonance, that suggests to me that the ladder line is part of the antenna and designed as a type of long wire antenna, Mr Varney supports that by saying it's best to feed the antenna at the end of the ladder line with 600 ohm balance feeder, he also mentions coax length but doesn't suggest a perticular length so I am thinking the coax length scenario is for a counterpoise and not for tuning by loss as first thought, the loss and the loss figures you mentioned with using coax as the feedline would depend on the loss of the coax used, interesting antenna.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Great analysis. Thanks for the info.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks!

[@igowhereimtowed6839]

I have used the G5RV with contacts around the world. The difference with mine was the coax. Was 70 feet of 75 ohm RG-11. Thanks for the video.

[@timg5tm941]

My pleasure 73

[@markg6jvy135]

Great info Tim, I never realised it required a 70ft coax run. 👍👏👏

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Mark, 73

[@Frotchalistic23]

It doesn't, if the 300 ohm feeder is close to the shack only a short length is required. Even better if the feeder can go straight onto the ATU.

[@timg5tm941]

In the latter case you have a doublet not a G5RV. 73

[@robduncan599]

When does a G5RV become a doublet ? My latest ant is very close to a G5RV(and a doublet) , it's 30 metre top (99 feet )with about 11 metres 300 ohm ribbon. Only a very short coax to shack . It used to be 22metre with about 16 metre feeder , 25 metre also works . You just have to add or subtract feeder length to get the match . I match on 40 metre about 1.5 -1 , it's about 3-1 on 80m and 1.7 on 17 metre . The other bands are more like 4-1 . My objective was very good on 40 and good on 80 . I think i achieved this , but early days . I think a G5RV is good option , but you have to play around with the feed length for best match ? I have my ant up 12 metre (40 feet )stright line in clear east west . I'm sure this helps a lot to have it in clear? I find it a good ant (only about 2 metre coax , so very close to a doublet? ). I am used to full size ant 160 80 etc and 240, and 200 feet doublets , and full size dipoles so as a comparison my 30 metre version compares very well ? I guess if you make your own and experiment a wee bit a G5RV can be a great ant ? In summary my 99feet version gives me simmer performance to a 99foot doublet with the added bonus of very good match on 40 no tuner needed . Hoping to work you on it soon ?

[@timg5tm941]

Sounds a good project!

[@robgibbsofficial]

I use a half size G5RV (limited space) with my Yaesu FT450D and get very good results across 40 and 20m. It's installed using a washing line, a gutter and a hedge! I can't believe it works but it does! I'd definitely recommend it

[@timg5tm941]

A lot use the G5RV junior and like them for sure 73

[@brian.7966]

You're better off using a 40 meter end-fed. especially if you're tight for room.

[@ORMO1993]

I was watching this video when i heard you on 20m just a minute ago :D :D :D what a coincidence :D thank you for the contact Tim, 73!

[@timg5tm941]

Small world!!

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

I had a full size one up for about 3 hours in 2011, it didn't help 40m was dead. I chucked the ladder line and cut the wire in half and made a 40m dipole feeding it direct with coax. It worked great 👍

[@timg5tm941]

Always tough to beat a resonant dipole Colin. 73 and merry Xmas!

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

@@timg5tm941 Exactly. It served me well. Merry Xmas too. Stay safe!

[@ianxfs]

All good points Tim. All will work, but you might not know what you’re missing in the end....👍🏻

[@andy2E0JIU]

Hi Tim,great video again thankyou👍however you didn’t mention the good old efhw.....I have a 33ft garden and I fit in a 136ft efhw zig zagged up the garden and receive and transmit very happily on 10 m through to and including 80m with NO external tuner needed with great results👍however I put up a hexbeam 2 days ago n oh my life what a totally different world:) keep the videos coming as really enjoy them

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Andy! Oh yes I’m a huge fan of the efhw. I thought in this vid I would just focus on the centre fed multiband options. I’m so jealous you’ve got a hexbeam.. superb antennas. Thanks for your support! 73 and happy Xmas.

[@w8natshenanigans705]

"Some people love it. Some people, shall we say, don't love it". This is why I ended up experimenting with a doublet. Whenever a design seems to be good for about half the hams that try it, I tend to wind up in the unsuccessful half :D Whereas everyone I've heard who tried a doublet had success, so I figured that would work out better for someone with my luck.

[@timg5tm941]

Exactly my approach! 73

[@tompavlick6217]

Greets from NJ.. Using a G5RV 32' center, one leg up 20' and the other 25'. Still just a tech license so my exposure is limited but I use it to do digital and SSB on 10M and it seems to be as you said very useful when the band is open. I've tuned around and always get great RX on 20, 40, 80 and it's hard to believe but 160 sounds like they are sitting in the room chatting with me. Using about 55' total RG-8x through an mfj-929 atu into an IC-7300.

[@timg5tm941]

Sounds like you are enjoying the antenna Tom. I wish you well in your progression to the next licence levels 73

[@stevegordon2869]

Ladder line picks up noise the more of it you have the more noise. Getting corna noise from power lines.14000 volts. In cold weather. Power lines in front of house. Buried coax out back to g5rv is at least usable.73s

[@timg5tm941]

With more loss I agree 73

[@stevegordon2869]

I put the ladder line back on compared to resonant dipoles noise is about the same signals on doublet are about the same the 102 ft doublet is a wonderful antenna.

[@hamvak]

I use a G5RV Jr. up about 40 ft and it seems to work pretty good on 40 m (1.7:1 SWR) and 20 m (1.5:1 SWR). 30, 12, and 10 m (2.5:1 SWR). 17 m is 3:1 and 15 m is 5:1. Gonna try to change it to a doublet and see how that works.

[@timg5tm941]

Nice idea. I run a 50 ft doublet inverted v not as high as yours and it works really well 40-10. Be interesting to see what you think 73

[@kellypaws]

One of my tutors maintained that the best thing you could do with a G5RV was pull of the ladder line and connect it as a dipole. (With several swear words removed.) However, a more empirical analysis, may be worthwhile. For instance, I regularly have a crisis of confidence over my HyEnd Fed's performance. But yesterday, it worked DX in three different continents. So, it has bad days. But it's not a bad antenna. Unless you test antennas completely back to back, with identical propagation, conclusions are really, really subjective.

[@AmateurRadioUK]

Fascinating analysis Tim. I've never actually used a G5RV before so I'm probably not the best person to comment but the design has always struck me as being a little flawed. Yes it will cover all of the bands with a good tuner, but I've always wondered how much loss you would get in the coax feed with such a high SWR. I didn't realise that it needed such a long coax run to make it tune properly (basically hiding the SWR)! I think if I was going for a "dipole style" of antenna (in other words a wire antenna fed in the centre), I would either go for a resonant mono-band dipole or if I wanted a multi-band antenna then go down the doublet route..........preferably with a remote auto-tuner connected to the ladder line. Great video. 73

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks James! Hope you have a nice Xmas break! 73

[@alzeNL]

Will try out a G5RV when time and other antennas allow - it seems an interesting antenna, and i think to have something contructive and to make a proper critical assesment really requires building/using one. Nice video as ever tho Tim.

[@timg5tm941]

Agree.. I need the time and the weather to try this out 73 and happy Xmas

[@mikes6844]

Great antenna, it was my antenna of choice for many years. The lobes created at the none 40 meter frequencies gave me great coverage. G5RV original design didn’t use coax but wire feeder, SWR on mine was never an issue even on 80 using an internal tuner. Originally I fed mine with coax and then changed to ladder line, what a change for the better. Mediocre isn’t a term I would ever use to express the antenna. Proof is always in how it performed, for me my cadmium copper and ladder line fed performed really well. Just goes to show that an antenna in one lot doesn’t necessarily work in another. All the very best and happy Christmas. 73 Mike

[@timg5tm941]

Great points Mike I totally agree about different installations. 73 and have a great Xmas

[@kevinconlon6820]

I was lucky with mine Tim , original installation as an M7 was with 70ft of rg58 which was very lossy and fooled the radio into tuning .10w in gave 7.5 at the antenna and 50w as a 2ep only 35w. I changed to ultraflex 10 and only 20 something feet long. I lost 20m for a while but fixed that by chopping 3ft off the coax. Tunes on 12,15/17/20/40 and 80. All this with the internal tuner on the 991a to start with. However I did have issues on some bands in wet windy weather. Using an mfj manual tuner ironed out most of that. 105 dxcc worked in 21 months .2E0KCV

[@timg5tm941]

Great stuff Kev I had you in mind when I said I knew people who liked them and to be fair mate you are too modest to mention the ZL you worked most mornings on 40 and the ZS you regularly chatted to on 17. They do work but many are also sceptical .. a marmite antenna! 73 mate

[@TomG2NV]

We know your G5 works well Kev! Hope your well? Merry xmas & happy new year to you and yours mate, 73, Tom.

[@ON8EI]

Nice talk Tim. Did you ever consider to do a video on the Double Bazooka? I have one on 40m and one on 80m . Great preformer and no tuner involved. 73's ON8EI John.

[@timg5tm941]

Another one for my list! 73

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Great analysis Tim. Unfortunately I haven't even enough room to wave parts of my anatomy around let alone put a G5RV up.

[@timg5tm941]

Fair enough! 73!

[@M6JKW]

Great video Tim thank you for making and posting 🙂👍

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you!

[@thuff3207]

The G5RV looks to me really a doublet. I would thank a tuner on the twin lead you could get good performance. Now remember DX Engineering and they are just trying to sell antennas and make them work.

[@timg5tm941]

Yes my preference is to just run the ladderline to a good balanced tuner

[@TomG2NV]

G5RV's are often maligned. But I think the install is often the cause rather than the actual design! I will confess that the 70ft coax feed length had passed me by as well. I used a half sized G5RV here at home (I don't have space for a full sized version) to reasonable effect. but mainly because it wouldn't tune 80m I replaced it with the current 88ft doublet and I would recommend anyone to do the same. Balanced line feeder is less lossy and not as difficult to run as many would have you believe. all you then need is a good manual ATU, probably the best investment you can make if you intend to use multi-band antennas! G5RV, 73 from G2NV! lol!

[@timg5tm941]

Great advice sir!! 73

[@Allthingsradio]

I've got 1 due to limitations and find it very good as mines in the loft.been on radio along time since I was 14 and made my first antenna which funny enough was a dipole and was great.

[@timg5tm941]

Hard to beat a dipole for sure 👍

[@Allthingsradio]

Past couple of days heard a zl station in the morning very unusual for me I can't normally hear them 😒

[@stevegordon2869]

I use a mfj-1778 g5rv with 100ft of lmr400 antenna works wonderful.swr is high 17m shows about 8:1 other bands 5:1.have to use big manual tuner also run 600watts though it.water got in end and burned it out on tune up.cut end off and soldered short piece of rg8x to ladder line.I water proofed everything.working great still. N9WZL.73s.

[@timg5tm941]

Glad it works for you 👍 73 happy Xmas.

[@aldee3946]

Can the wire on a G5rv jr go forward in an inverted v rather than downward

[@timg5tm941]

Absolutely

[@adyjay33]

It works, but is a bit deaf, it is only 1/2 size though.

[@Tocsin-Bang]

I once heard Louis give a talk about the G5RV. He made a number of points, 1: it must be built as he specified, 2. it is not as efficient as a proper half-wave antenna, 3. a half-size G5RV is not a G5RV.

[@timg5tm941]

Useful points

[@willian.direction6740]

The G5RV causes all kinds of confusion Tim cpi the right call sign in the end.

[@timg5tm941]

Yes it’s an enigma to many and essential to some .. 73

[@Andy2e0ree]

Same times on a g5rv I us 75 ohm coax about 45 feet works great cheers Tim de 2e0ree

[@timg5tm941]

Nice one Andy 73

[@beatergrouse]

When taking the ladder line of a doublet back to the shack can you suspend this part of the way in the air as long as you have the required drop length from the apex at the other end? I have shared access so my ladder line would have to go above a driveway into the 1st floor of the shack,say about 80 ft from the bottom of the centre support total length? Or i could protect it and stick it in a tube of some sort along the ground? Cheers 73.

[@timg5tm941]

As long as the ladderline drops perpendicular from the centre for as long as possible that’s fine. It shouldn’t be on the floor as this would cause it to radiate and produce RF in the shack 73

[@beatergrouse]

@@timg5tm941 cheers Tim merry Christmas!

[@martindrury9740]

Nearly put up one of these. When you talk about a good external tuner, do you mean manual or auto? 73

[@timg5tm941]

Either Martin although a manual tuner with a balanced input for ladderline works very well 73

[@jasonhowell5362]

G5rv use as doublet good aerial then, best aerial for me is the doublet cannot go wrong

[@timg5tm941]

Hard to disagree 73

[@Ray_M0MXN]

Thanks Tim, very interesting 🤔

[@russozard2626]

good info tim thanks

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Russ 73

[@G5XDX]

Good video as always Tim. I used a G5RV as my main antenna about 12 yrs ago and fed it with less than 30ft of rg58. I was not Impressed, it wasn't particularly efficient nor effective anywhere. I have tried it in different qth since and it was the same. I've never fed it with 70ft of coax and don't find that very practical. My main stay has always been the 1/2 wave dipole. Or a fan variant. Obviously resonant and reasonably effective, as you know I've wkd VK and ZL on 40m ssb at 4m above ground this year. That said in recent months my end fed half wave (49:1 - 135') is better, certainly at low height. And is now my antenna of choice. For me the G5RV is in the same camp as the 9:1 end fed. A compromise that'll get you on the air but for comparable build cost and space use there are better options. 73 G5XDX Callum

[@bernardsoufi278]

I have always been disappointed by the G5RV performance. If you need a tuner it means that the antenna is not resonating correctly on the frequency you’re planning to work on

[@robertmethia7080]

good 20 meter antenna that's about it.

[@iainfisher6557]

Zs6bkw versions are so much better, lower swr on more bands if setup correctly

[@michaelpoczynek]

Very helpful. Thanks. 73 DE VE3ITS.

[@timg5tm941]

You're welcome!

[@닥터플레그]

Hi! 😆

[@richardchambless12]

I use the ZS6BKW at 40 feet up. So far it’s been my best performing antenna. Way better than my old EFHW.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks 73

[@gaptastic]

I like ur videos, but the audio difference between ur talk and the music is horrible. I can barely hear u when u talk and the music is way too high. My wife constantly yells at me when ur music comes on. This can easily be fixed in post. While not post, a first fix is to use a microphone, i believe ur using a phone's/camera's microphone and that's not good.

[@paulkazjack]

😂

[@timg5tm941]

Noted

[@HowardKlein1958]

A bluetooth mic that clips onto clothing works very well. Many youtubers using them and reduces bad background acoustics and reverb that give that distant echoey sound.