From: "Bill Clark"<*******@*********.***>
Date: July 4, 2012 5:10:32 PM MST
To:
Cc: <*******@*********.***>
Subject: WOW!! What an Antenna

Hi,

Here are some contest results offering proof of the outstanding performance of a 6 year old Alpha Delta DX-CC antenna:

ARRL International CW DX Contest 2012, Single Operator, Unlimited, Low Power, #1 in the West Coast Region (Pacific, Northwestern and Southwestern Divisions; Alberta, British Columbia and NWT Sections).

Please reference the attached contest write-up article, and a photo.

There are additional photos here: http://www.qrz.com/db/k6wsc

This antenna also takes a severe wind beating on a regular basis.

Thanks for making such a great antenna!

73, Bill K6WSC

From: Charles Zimmer <*******@*********.***>
Date: May 10, 2012 11:18:19 PM MST
To:
Subject: WOW!! What an Antenna


My only question is how did you build such a fantastic antenna. I bought the DX-LB so i could have a better 40m antenna and to be able to get on 80/75 and 160m. I bought a tuner to go with it since all the specs, advertisements and reviews seemed to indicate this would be a necessity. After installing (mounted horiz at approx 25-30ft agl with each end shortened 6 inches. It's now a 99 foot antenna) I couldn't wait to try it out. The new tuner is still in the box and it could stay there and I'd be happy with the DX-LB.

I made vswr checks at full 100w power on 40 and 80, deciding to do the 10w thing on 160.
On 40m the swr readings were from 1.15 at 7.000  to 2.25 at 7.300. I read every 25KHz and the swr was under 2.0 on the entire band except for 7.275 (2.0) and 7.300 (2.25). Bottom line is I wouldn't even need a tuner for 40m.
On 80m, the swr was flat at 3.850 and under 2.0 from 3.840 to 3.870. The band segment above 3.900 was typically around 2.5 to 2.75. I'll most likely use the tuner on 80, but I could operate on a good chunk of the band without one.

Now, one of the biggest surprises! 160m. With my meter calibrated for 10 watts, I read the swr every 10KHz. The entire band was under 2.0:1, with a sweet spot from 1.840 to 1.880 with a flat swr at 1.860!! WOW! OK I said, now for the test with a full 100 watts. The under 2.0 was 1.850 to 1.870 with the rest of the band between 2.0 and 2.6. Again, I'll use the tuner on 160 but it, but as on 80m, only so I can utilize the entire band. Btw, I double checked some random frequencies with the built in swr meter on my Icom 751-A. All the same readings!

Guys, did I magically hit upon the perfect installation parameters, or get an unusually good antenna for this model? Of course there's more to getting a good resonating antenna and it was time for the on-air acid test. As I tuned around the 40m band, I was astounded at the signal strength and low level of QRN. Everybody was 5-30db over S9.  I found a group on 7.198MHz with 5 or 6 hams covering the US from East to West and North to South. I was welcomed in to the group and had the most enjoyable low band QSO in my 35 years of hamming. Everyone in the group gave me a 59+ 5-10db signal report. Their QTH's included Montana, Nevada, N. Carolina, Illinois and Arizona. They were all quite interested in the details about your (now MY) antenna. 
In summary, I'm like a kid with a new toy and am looking forward to taking my place along with the other low band lurkers!
Thank you and the team at Alpha-Delta for a wonderful product.

C.R. Zimmer, KG5EN
Eloy, AZ

From: Charles Zimmer <*******@*********.***>
Date: July 5, 2012 12:26:42 AM MST
To: Don Tyrrell >
Subject: DX-LB Update

Hi Don, Happy 4th of July!! Just thought you'd be interested in the latest situation with the antenna. I'm now using the antenna with an amplifier and it's doing great. It's been through a lot in a short time.... 60mph winds, haboob dust storms, torrential rain and a couple months of really hot (105-115º) weather. My "to do" list is to go up and tighten things up a bit, as it's gotten a slight sag. In pulling it as straight as possible, are there any caveats I need to know? Also, what is the power limit on 40M? I don't have to worry about hitting it too hard on 75 or 160. My Dentron tuner lets me know!!
Right now I've used/tested it with an amp (AL-811H) on all 3 bands as follows:
40M 500-575W over the full band with 60W drive. The best 40M antenna I've ever had!
75M 400W from 3750khz to 4000khz with 50W drive. If I go above 55W, the tuner "spits" a little! I get great reports with the 400W.
160M 250W with 40W drive on 1850khz to 1880khz. This portion is the easiest match for the tuner. I will try and get a little more coverage, possibly up to about 1940khz. Again, 250W is a lot better than a max of about 50W barefoot with the tuner. As you recall, I couldn't be guaranteed to get more than 25W out barefoot with the MFJ 949E tuner.

I'm not pushing things to the limit on any of the bands, including the R5 on 10-20M. Trying to be gentle on the 811A's hihi... I just bought an ALS600, the no tune solid state amp. If it's as good as advertised, it will move the AL811H out of the lineup and into a backup role. Life is good!!
73, de C.R.
KG5EN

Alpha Delta custom made antenna components for the DX series antennas. These and our other high quality components provide highly efficient operation and great DX performance!

The Model DX-LB is used with the U.S. Marine Corps "3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion", guarding the perimeter of Camp Leatherneck Afghanistan. It is used for Marine HF data, voice and e-mail communications across the battle zones with military HF radios using HF modems and specialized tuning equipment for Marine HF frequencies. The Comm operator told us "it's the best HF antenna we have out there"! Alpha Delta is proud to be part of our country's defense system!