Rafael and all,

I wasn't going to go here because I have before - and there's no need for a handheld antenna conflict here on the BB. However, I have to add that as someone who used an Arrow "out of the box" extensively - including to earn Satellite VUCC all handheld - I will add to your statement that my Elk antenna hears better than my Arrow ever did - nominally 4 degrees lower than the Arrow at AOS and LOS for any satellite I work. When I got the Elk, my testing included eliminating the Arrow duplexer altogether and using equally short runs of coax to my transmit radio and receive radio because I don't own a full-duplex-capable radio. I routinely run a 2-radio full-duplex operation here. The Elk still heard satellites at AOS sooner, provided equivalent receive quality through the pass and heard satellites longer at LOS than the Arrow (either with or without the duplexer).

I'll echo the sentiments expressed here. The Arrow does work, and work well. My experiences with it, however, suggest that the Elk works better - especially on the receive side, which is the most critical side of satellite communications. My work on AO-7 into Europe, Africa and Alaska would not have been possible with the Arrow because the elevation angles involved were lower than I was ever able to hear any satellite with it. I should note that I am using the same radios and coax with the Elk (i.e., the same as I used with the Arrow), but include a Diamond duplexer because of my need to connect two radios to the Elk, which is a dual-band antenna with a single feed point.

I also know operators who have not shared my experiences with the Elk. Ray at Elk and Allen at Arrow will have to forgive me for this, but I suppose that antenna manufacturing is like virtually every other form of manufacturing - for whatever the reasons, with all processes and materials appearing to be identical - there are some really good examples and some not-so-good examples that come off the line. Maybe I got a "good" Elk and used it to replace and Arrow that wasn't so good as others. I can only speak to my experiences with the two antennas and use examples of my own personal operation with each, which I'll share with anyone who cares to email me off the BB.

Like I said - there's no need for a handheld antenna conflict here. I would, howeveer, like to see the Elk get the credit due it for being an outstanding antenna that is less expensive than the Arrow, smaller than the Arrow (and so even easier to pack and transport - I know because I've done it with both antennas) and nominally rated for higher power.

73 to all,

Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

________________________________ From: Rafael Valdez G. rafavaldez@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 3:30:28 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow Antennas

Does Arrow antenna needs more endoresement than these two???....

I personally like Elk for its less bulky design but Arrow is definetely a winner....

73

Rafael Valdez Jr. XE2RV @ DM41mh 10-10 52716 VUCC Sat #164

http://sat-xe.blogspot.com

EX-XE2PWF

P Before printing, please think about your responsibility and commitment with the ENVIRONMENT. Antes de Imprimir, piensa entu responsabilidad y compromiso con el MEDIO AMBIENTE

To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:12:19 -0800 From: k6yk@juno.com Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow Antennas

AMEN !

I have used my Arrow right out of the box (bag), with a store-bought duplexer and it works great! No mods necessary. Thousands of QSO's on my trips around the country on AO-27, UO-14, SO-50, etc.

I note that many of the messages I see on this subject are from people I've never heard on any satellite. Strange.

73 John K6YK SAT VUCC #10, 800+ grids confirmed SAT WAS #200

--------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "RONALD CADE" <w6zq_ To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:28:43 -0700 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow Antennas

Gentlemen,

If you want to see some improvement from the Arrow antenna, leave it's physical dimensions alone and remove the diplexer in the handle, throw it away and replace it with one of my designs. I won't get into any of the design details however having a device with adjustable capacitors and wire wound inductors makes a world of difference. I have been using this antenna since it arrived on the market with great success. Most of my activity has been in California, Arizona and the Hawaiian Islands. I would not take any other antenna with me on my trips away from home. As Clint mentioned, there is a significant difference in the signal strength from the sats as I have to rotate my antenna at least 45 degrees during a pass.

Ron, W6ZQ SAT VUCC #99, 500+ grids confirmed SAT WAS Arrow + Icom ICw32

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