Vibroplex End Fed Antenna Review - Competition for the G5RV?

The Vibroplex range of End Fed Antennas offers some interesting possibilities. Can one of the oldest ham radio companies offer a serious alternative to the G5RV? Take a look with us and see what this antenna has to offer.
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[@MrTommy001]

I recently got my General and all of a sudden I'm interested in HF. A friend has loaned me a Kenwood TS 570 D radio to help me get my feet wet,. He also included a G5RV antenna but I just could NOT make that fit in my backyard. I opted to buy the Vibroplex 135' full-wave model which I plan to put up today (as long as it doesn't rain!). I got it from DX Engineering here in Reno and so far, I'm impressed with it (just looking at it in the box and reading the instructions). My shack is in a 10x12 Bully Barn here in Northern NV. Part of the install will be the wire attached to the outside of my shack and tossed as high up in a crabapple tree as I can get it, then over to 20' of verticle PVC pipe at the end of the yard (about 100'). At that point, I think I'll still have about 30' of antenna left so a 90° turn to the right, following our fence line, will finish off the antenna (ending on another 20' PVC pipe). Hopefully, I can get this up today and I can get on the air. I will report back for anyone who is interested. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, I gave the borrowed Kenwood back and bought a new Yaesu FT 710 AESS. I was getting too many bad audio reports with the Kenwood (probably something wrong with it) and didn't want to spend any money on a borrowed unit. My wife and I put the antenna up fairly easily, but I was only able to get it up about 15' in the air due to the power lines running just above my antenna route. With not much to-do I got the 710 on the air and one of my first contacts was Australia (I'm in the Reno, NV area). So I would say this antenna is a keeper. As Peter mentions, no towers, no guy lines, nothing special to do. String the antenna and get on the air! I'm making contacts every time I turn the radio on, and I get great audio reports.

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear. Hope all goes well. 73 Peter

[@Jonshome337]

These are fantastic! Bought the one above after the review, and even been in contact with Sean who runs the company in the US even to tell him how good this is!! Peter please stock more Vibroplex items the quality is excellent.....especially the morse keyers

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear!

[@michaelberry1028]

Ordered one, the 80 metre addition, looking forward to trying it.

[@HoboFreightHamRadio]

I really like the adaptability of this antenna. Great video as always!

[@watersstanton]

Thanks! 👍

[@vernoncopper3872]

Bought a 4010 and now it is up at 45 feet and I can work into midwest usa at 5/9 on 40 metres with 10 watts,very good antenna.

[@watersstanton]

That is great news. thanks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@Jonshome337]

I got the same on 2 spiderbeams poles going across the garden i got New York on 10watts, and honestly he could have been sitting next to me in the shack lol

[@andrewwood9281]

Great video, love that antenna

[@Coyotes_Locos]

Vibroplex EndFedz antennas are awesome.

[@MrTommy001]

Totally agree. I've had mine up in the backyard about three weeks now and I LOVE it. One of my first contacts from here in Reno, NV was Australia! So I'm a believer now.

[@Jonshome337]

Just ordered one of these. Great vid as usual Peter

[@watersstanton]

Hi Jon, I think you will be impressed. 73 Peter

[@Jonshome337]

@@watersstanton All working! Yes very much so.Its great, supplied by Nevada Radio (W&S Parent co.) who i always use customer service is second to none!!Big shout out to Helen in customer services !!

[@Jonshome337]

Peter still so impressed with this, Antenna tried it as a sloper works great and attached to earth rod as suggested. You stock any more Vibroplex equipment? Build quality is great...

[@mikes6844]

Big fan of end fed. They do suffer from bad press from certain quarters and the RSGB Foundation booklet doesn’t help either. Citing end fed as prone to causing more interference than the dipole equivalent. End Feds get me on the air easily, much easier to install and I also use extensively for portable use. Quite agree with your point about common mode currents but these are easily solved. Great vid Peter, really useful for those new to the hobby to see how they can be installed too. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 73 Mike

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Mike. Yes I read the RSGB view on end fed antennas. Hopefully somebody will put them right on this point. 73 Peter.

[@martindavies6640]

I have the 80 to 10 meter end fed works a treat love it :)

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Martin

[@colinnorthcott9219]

I love mine too. Getting 30m makes it better than the 40-10 for me.

[@zahedalsawadi7084]

Thanks for the informative videos.Please consider devoting some of your presentations for discussing antenna options available for users with limited space on high rise or multi-story concrete buildings with no RF grounding available.

[@watersstanton]

Noted. 73

[@javelinjim4699]

I’ve just installed a Vibroplex EFHW80-10 to replace a full size G5RV. I can only describe it as a bent sloper starting at 30ft dropping to 20ft on an east-west alignment for 98ft then bends north for 30odd ft dropping to 12ft with a about 3ft vertical to the matching transformer and feed point. It’s fed with 213 coax, 48ft to a surge protector and ground rod then a 1:1 choke and finally to the shack making approximately a total feed line length of 90ft. I haven’t used a counterpoise as I was hoping the coax between the feed point and the choke would suffice. Initially I’m very pleased with the results with workable VSWR readings at the radio end

[@watersstanton]

Good news tha it is working well. 73 Peter

[@brenwyattm0rij909]

I have 3 of them, cant go wrong. I also made a mono-band for 20 meters using the transformer, that works fantastic too.

[@watersstanton]

Nice to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@hoggif]

I'm sure end-fed antenna will be my next try. Feeding from the end is so handy physically sometimes. 73s

[@watersstanton]

Yes they do make life easier.73 Peter

[@RadioTech7388]

A very interesting report Peter. I have used the G5RV many years ago but would sum up by saying its ONLY a 20 M HF aerial. The end fed aerial is the way to go for multi band operation without the need for an ATU. 73 IZ0JUB.

[@watersstanton]

Hi, Nice to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@andy2E0JIU]

Hi Peter,great video once again.does this work better if the transformer is closer to the ground or close to gutter level??keep up the good work 👍👍

[@brian.7966]

I bought one very recently and you are right performance is very good, and I have it in an inverted V configuration, I have been using a dipole 80 to 10 with 80-meter coils fitted, I have them both running through a switch so I can compare the two, I appreciate they are in a different orientation to each other and you have to use a tuner for the dipole but I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of the end-fed, I even lost some band interference, I did try it by having the transformer at the house end but that caused a lot of noise and very little received signal.so I put the transformer down the garden, and I used 213 coax. and a counterpoise was fitted. what a difference that made, I need the get the OJV-80K coil for it. but I think you are out of stock. Many thanks.

[@watersstanton]

Brian nice to get your info. Coils should be back in stock soon. 73 Peter.

[@ralph9987]

Thanks for looking at this. What is the total wire length and the number of turns of the corrective coil and how far down the Line. Might try this as my next project. The zs6bkw has been amazing, but need an endfed now

[@watersstanton]

Ralph the overall length is a half wave on 40m. I didn't measure the coil or its position. 73 Peter.

[@ralph9987]

@@watersstanton thanks The overall length will also depend on the gauge of the wire and the coating.

[@markg6jvy135]

Looks a nice bit of kit Peter 👍👏👏

[@watersstanton]

Yes it is. 73 Peter.

[@gregmihran8616]

Excellent video Peter! I am a huge fan of the EFHW antenna for a 'normal' yard. I've been using the MyAntennas EFHW-4040 which looks like a near copy of this one (or vice versa). Questions - I have it configured as a sloper (10ft near to 40ft far) and it works extremely well!! You've also said that an inverted-V is ideal because the center of the antenna (max current) is at the high point. Would u always recommend the inverted-V over the sloper configuration? And I've asked this before but I'll ask again - I use two different RF chokes - one at the transceiver as u recommend, but also one at the antenna feedpoint. That latter gives me coverage on 160-80M as well (albeit less efficient, but I make contacts there). Without the antenna-side choke, SWR on those bands make them unusable. Why does that work? 73, KJ6ER Silicon Valley

[@watersstanton]

Greg, I suspect that the chock near the antenna is acting a some kind of loading coil to give you 160m and 80m. Not sure exactly how. As regards inverted V, I think there may be little difference. You may actually get better all round directional coverage with the sloper. 73 Peter.

[@gregmihran8616]

@@watersstanton Thanks for your thoughtful reply Peter, that could be. The RF choke at the antenna is a DX Eng double-toroid wound a dozen times. I don't know enough field physics to understand how that could load the low bands but I've experimented with this many times and it is consistent. The EFHW sloper is fed at roof level (10 ft) so I don't use a counterpoise or earth ground as you recommend. I guess 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. But the engineer in me is very curious. As far as the sloper, I've read its radiation pattern may be better for DX over the inverted-V (lower angle). Perhaps that's another experiment :) Keep up the great videos, 73 KJ6ER

[@Jonshome337]

@@gregmihran8616 Let us know here how you got on. I have got mine on a horizontal plane and the rest of the wire hangs down like a inverted "L", works great. I mean to attach my Rigexpert to it and get some figures from it. My rigexpert i got secondhand its the AA54 model probably one of the my best purchases in the shack too !!

[@gregmihran8616]

@@Jonshome337 Hey Jon, thanks for the reply. I've experimented with three basic configurations of the MyAntennas 65 ft EFHW: sloper, inverted-V and inverted-L (both straight up and straight down at the end). For me, here at my QTH (200 ft above sea level), the sloper configuration has given me far more DX contacts than the others. Second best was the inverted-L with the end straight up (like a combo horizontal and vertical antenna). In all cases, my untuned SWR (via RIgExpert) is 1.5 across all bands and can be auto-tuned down to 1.0 or 1.1 including WARC bands. As I mentioned, the sloper is said to have a lower angle of radiation and I can track that propagation using the PSKreporter.info map. I hope that helps, 73 KJ6ER Silicon Valley

[@michsmi8297]

The loading coil looks a bit home made, it would be good if it was sealed. I purchased a UK Antennas end fed multiband and that had a coil on it too which was sealed. The box sits about 12 feet off the ground and I have grounded it. The other end about 20 foot. And I used a anritsu swr meter to check its resonant points and it was exactly as per specifications, it also had no common mode problems. So no corrective action needed. But it's not cheap as one might expect.

[@Roddy1965]

I have the 40-20-15-10 that you're reviewing. I live in FN25. I have reached Moscow, Crimea, southern Brazil, Santiago Chile, Vancouver, UK, Finland, Iceland, and the usual suspects (Italy, France, Spain, now Greece, Slovenia, Czech, Belarus), a bunch in the Caribbean, a fair bit in USA and Canada, all on SSB (just learning CW now). No counterpoise, no RF problems, and a long feedline due to my lot. The matching unit is at the bottom and it slopes up to the top of a 12m Spiderbeam. I think I'd do a lot better with an antenna with some forward gain etc, for sure, but if you need something that is easy to put up, and doesn't need a huge lot, you can get good 59 reports with it anywhere, depending on conditions of course. Once I adjusted the length the matching is good on all bands (checked with a RigExpert) and I don't even use my built in tuner. I run 100W peak. It's a fine wire.

[@watersstanton]

Hi Craig. Great to hear from you and learn how well you are doing with that antenna. In fact you do get a little bit of gain on 20-15-10m in the direction of the lobes. 73 Peter

[@Roddy1965]

@@watersstanton this page is instructive: www.qsl.net/kk4obi/EFHW%20Sloping.html

[@DrHWO]

I have the Hyend Company 80/40/20/17/15/12/10 with monster compensation capacitor for 80m (which raises the resonant point for 80m to 3.7MHz). I wanted to keep the line isolator physically outside of the house, so by adding 4.2m (0.05⋋) of coax after the transformer, I was able to achieve my goal. No unwanted RF, although I only have 50W to play with at present. Maybe things will change if / when I ago for the full licence! I suspect the design of the 2 systems are broadly similar, although yours does seem better value. 73, 2E0HWO

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. Yes that capacitor is a nice idea. EFHW antennas are great for most locations and I am sure yours will prove to be a great investment. 73 Peter.

[@pieterdutoit9642]

Hi Peter, Great all end feds like it is GREAT and nice and portible I use for Caravaning and in fields, rallies (motor) gland it does not use that 9:1 stuff where you need a ATU with , Pieter, ZL1PDT/ ZL1LIG

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing 73 Peter

[@paulhastings3109]

Technology running away. Using a tuner is convenient may it look like 50 ohms. Enjoy your content even across the pond. 73 Pete

[@watersstanton]

Hi Paul. Nice to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@robertallbright]

Excellent Peter thankyou 73 Rob G3RCE

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Rob.

[@adriangreen6462]

Hi Peter ,I’m studying for my foundation license and currently setting up a home station in my shack,I’m enjoying your videos and find them very informative.I’m interested in buying the end feed long wire viboplex ,I would go for the 40m long version .if I attach one end to the house and the end with the box on it up the garden ,can I run the wire down the supporting pole so the box is at ground level ,so I can earth it .or does it have to be a straight horizontal ,also if the supporting pole is metal ,will this be a problem.I currently have a feeder running down the garden from my imax 2000,in rg213 to the shack ,so my idea is to fit a antenna selector switch in the shed ,and switch between the two ,hope you can advise me ,many thanks adrian,Sheffield

[@watersstanton]

No problem with your plan but try and keep the vertical wire around one metre awat from the metal mast. 73 Peter

[@coderdojoAN]

Thanks Peter. Another great video. Was wondering how well does the 80-10m version perform. Any experiences to share?

[@watersstanton]

well it adds 80m plus 17m and 12m. You will also get a small amount of gain on 20m upwards. 73 Peter.

[@AlisonKristina]

The G5RV was ok back in the 1950's but has since been improved upon. Tube gear was far more forgiving of impedance mismatch than modern gear, hence the need for an ATU these days. The modern version is called the ZS6BKW which doesn't need an ATU and is a much better antenna. (search youtube for ZS6BKW, there's an excellent video or two about it). As for the Vibroplex personally I think it's overpriced (import duties?) and anyway, one doesn't need KW antennas here in the UK. But thanks for publicising EFHW antennas, I love mine (Mil spec, made in the UK), both for base and portable use.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. I suspectthat whether the matcher is rated at 600W or 1kW, the component ratings would bethe same. 73 Peter.

[@ve2xip]

Question: Would two Vibroplex end-fed antennas setup perpendicular (90 degrees) to one another, meaning, one going North-South, the other going East-West, bring any gain advantages when using if A-B antenna switcher?

[@watersstanton]

The only advantage would be change in direction of radiation pattern.

[@ve2xip]

@@watersstanton Therefor, reception (RX) would remain virtually the same but transmitting (TX) might improve depending on where the radiation pattern points to. Correct?

[@MrTommy001]

@@ve2xip I wish I had the room to try this. But, I love my Vobroplex in its east/west configuration. I've been having great performance with it.

[@SteveG4YTK]

Hi Peter, great video and food for thought. I am thinking of replacing my R5 vertical. On the shortened 80m band you say its 5 bands, can this tune on the WARC bands?. Are you also contactable on e-mail if I sent you a couple of photos of my garden and poles layout out the moment. I am unsure if I would need to buy the spider pole or not. Many thanks Steve G4YTK

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Is this antenna resonant on all of it's supported bands without using an ATU?

[@watersstanton]

Yes it is. If you have an internal ATU, by all means use it to get bang on, but yes it is resonant on the four bands. 73 Peter

[@davidgirling7842]

Hi Peter, I can't see the 5 band 22m long 80-10m ant on your web site. 73 Dave G4POT

[@watersstanton]

Hi David, they are on the way to us - probably ly early October. Will put them up once have them. 73 Peter

[@davidgirling7842]

@@watersstanton Thanks for the info Peter i will keep an eye out. 73 Dave

[@2E0LAR]

Great info and well made too, tc de 2e0lar

[@watersstanton]

Glad you liked it!

[@2E0LAR]

All ways enjoy you informative information Peter 73s

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice.......

[@watersstanton]

Thanks

[@bangkithutajulu8851]

wow vibroplex now make antenna

[@watersstanton]

Yes. 73 Peter