Gabil GRA-RPG Aerial Mastery: Unleashing 1.8~50MHz with UHF Connectors in a Portable Broadband Antenna

I set this up on a vehicle with mag mount and two Counterpoise Mag Mat Grounding pads. I was able to make a lot of contacts including one with Finland (4000mi away) on 20m. Initially tuned each band with a nanoVNA and recorded the setting on the adjustable coil..

Why did you pick this product vs others?: I have been looking for options to use for a HF antenna when camping that takes up minimal space and is easy to deploy. Wire antennas take up too much space and single band helical antennas aren't very efficient and have to be changed out whenever you switch bands. Saw this concept and thought it might be a better option. After looking at it in person, this might be what I need. This is a true 'manpack' antenna as it folds up nice and small and is very lightweight. I have tried test setups using mag mounts, but I really need a tripod with a 3/8x24 mount before taking it camping. The mag mount I have is not strong enough for the 10' antenna, especially with wind. Also, the vehicle is not the most favorable place for the antenna location and increases my noise pickup. With a tripod, I can find the best spot in the campsite (and keep the coax short). You DO need to add radials (you can lay on the ground). You will have to experiment with the length as it will be somewhat dependent on your location. One trick is to make 3 rolls of 1/4 wave at your lowest frequency and just unroll what you need to get a decent match (can be small easy to handle wire). I have a pic of the test set up on a ENGINE OFF truck (engine noise would be bad if running). Tuning is a little picky due to the small ground plane, but it works. The product page says it is rated for 200W (pep, cw?), but I will not be comfortable with more than 100 pep and that is AFTER tuning the antenna at low power for best match. That is higher than many similar competitors. Remember, on this one, tune the antenna first! Don't use your tuner if the SWR is much over two if you want to avoid damaging the antenna due to arcing if you are operating at more than QRP levels. If you can't get the swr to 2 or lower with the antenna tuning, move location or play with radial placement. This is also a great option for POTA (Parks On The Air) operation if you mount it to a tripod mount. Be aware that you can buy this antenna with either a SO239 or a 3/8x24 stud mount. The 3/8x24 mount is MUCH stronger than the SO239 in my opinion and easier to mount securely. When unfolded (it folds and unfolds like a trekking pole) the whip is a bit limber, so you might want to use some light paracord or fishing line to guy the whip once erected for wind protection. DO NOT attempt to use this on a mag mount on a moving vehicle! The whip would definitely not survive! All in all, I can't wait to actually get in the field with it when the tripod is completed. Serious portable operators will appreciate this antenna.

Initially I had problems with this antenna but it turned out to be ME that was the problem. The instructions didnt make sense. Testing with a Nanovna I just couldnt get it to give me a good SWR number. All of a sudden however it is working great. I added 8 radials to it initially. I am really impressed with the coil and how well the pieces are made. It is easy to deploy in a POTA setup too which is how we used. Like I said the antenna works perfectly. It IS a High Q antenna, however. So, in the instructions it tells you how to set it to get the frequency. When I figured it out it worked great. RIGHT like the directions. So, for me this is perfect. Again, the construction of this was really thought out well. I have a lot of these kinds of antennas, and this one is beefier than most I see that people use for portable ops and it is MUCH better than anything I have bought from MFJ.

Delivered on time and well packaged. Fit is great. Works for advertised antennas. NOT for Radioddity HF-009.

I got this cause I need a M10 adapter. But the pitch of threads is wrong for my M10. Maybe this info should be added to the discerption.