​FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

My SWR seems too high. What am I doing wrong?
The SWR is raised and lowered by slightly squeezing or slightly separating the switching array coils inside the switching array box on the center section of the antenna (i.e., tuning).

This procedure raises or lowers the resonant frequency.

We factory tune the reasonant frequency to the center portion of the General Class phone band.  If you operate in the lower end or CW portions, you will need to make the adjustment.

Also, the feedline and control cable must exit the switching array box at a 45 degree angle.  This prevents them from coupling with the antenna and acting as a misaligned radial.

Finally placing the antenna too near a metal structure (i.e., less than a quarter wave) will elevate the SWR.  Try moving it to a slightly different location.

If the SWR is at infinity, it's probably a coax or connector problem.
If all else fails, call us on the technical support line or the sales line. E-mails work for us, too.

Is the TW2010 Adventurer the same as the TW2010 Traveler?
The Adventurer is the same as the TW2010 Traveler.  We are moving to naming our antennas vs. using model numbers.  The change on this antenna is essentially name only.  The marketing people tell us that names are easier to remember than numbers.  Send us an e-mail and tell us if they're right or wrong!



​What is the difference between the Adventurer and the Backpacker?
The Backpacker dimensions are identical to those of the TW2010 Adventurer.  The structure is identical.

The difference between the two is that the Backpacker does not require a controller, relays, or control cable.

The band changes are done manually by moving two U-shaped banana plugs into pre-identfied holes on the switching array box.

Hikers and bicyclers who regularly use our antennas on hikes, camping trips, and other outdoor events needing maximum portability prefer the Backpacker.  You lose some excess weight and don't need a power source for the controller.

Others buy the Adventurer and use it for permanent mounting via the included permanent mounting pole. 

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When they need it for portability, they unscrew it from the permanent mounting pole, throw it in the travel bag with the quadrapod, and start their adventure!

Whether you should buy the Adventurer or the Backpacker depends upon your own operating needs.

Are these antennas suitable for an indoor or attic mount?
We receive emails from buyers and read reviews on eham.net where our antennas are being successfully used indoors especially in attic installs.  Given the diverse types of attics, roof, building constructions, etc., we are hesistant to advise or recommend indoor use.  The structure atop the quadrapod or stand is a little over eight feet tall and may be problematic on some inside installs.

We can say that those using the antenna indoors have given it high marks.  But, for the very best results we continue to recommend an outdoor installation at least a 20 feet from the nearest metal structure.

Can the antenna be mounted higher than the recommended 2-3 feet above the ground?
The antenna works great non ground mounted but really needs to be more than 20 feet above the ground for ideal elevation mounting. (This exceeds 1/4 wave on 20m and gets it above its ground reflected RF signal.)

Usually you will have to slightly adjust the tuning coils for perfect SWR.  This is detailed in the manual.  You can download a PDF copy of the manual on the webpage.

Is there any advantage in an elevated mounting versus a ground mounting of these antennas?
Our antennas are designed for skywave propagation versus ground wave propagation.  They perform extremely well in a ground mounting install or use.

We can think of a few advantages of elevation mounting:
(1) It gets the antenna in the air for aesthetic and lawn care purposes;

(2) If it is used to work 10m local or ground wave, the increased heighth may provide some better local performance on that band only; and,

(3) It might help convince neighbors its really a new fangled television antenna. You won't be fibbing because it does quite well receiving VHF and UHF TV signals!

Many of your competitors claim a 3 db gain on their traditional vertical antennas using ground radials and covering the same bands. 

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​Why don't you mention or list gain in your manual or on your web page?
Some manufacturers claim a 3 dbi gain on a vertical antenna using ground radials and some claim a "ground bounce" of 3 dbi or 3 db.
The truth is almost all verticals are 1/4 wave radiators with 1/4 wave ground radials which results in a half wave antenna. They have no real gain (i.e., dbd - reference point a dipole) except in a computer model (i.e., 3 dbi or db).  They use questionable marketing tactics by insinuating real gain.
Our antenna is a half-wave vertical dipole which doesn't require radials.
The "secret ingredient" is a low (i.e., 27 degree) take-off angle for the maximum signal on the first hop of a skywave signal.

That is why we perform so well against other veticals and even 3 element yagis.

The September 2008 CQ magazine review by Gordon West, which can be downloaded on this web page said, "If you hear them, you can work them."
The review in the November 2008 issue of QST by the ARRL Tecnical Editor says, after stating he got booming signal reports the same as stations with 3 element yagis, "More important, if you hear them you'll work them."
 

Read all the great reviews by our customers at eham.net.

We do our best to tell the truth and keep Mama proud of us!

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​Will your antennas work on frequencies other than those mentioned on the web page or in the manual?
We found out by accident that the antenna works on 2m and 70cm FM and SSB with a 1.5 SWR or lower and actually have about 6 dbd real gain on those bands.

If you do an elevation mount, it should work well on local repeaters and simplex.

We don't advertise this aspect because we tout our antennas as portable, stealthy ground mounted HF antennas.

Customers tell us that these antennas have about a 3.0:1 SWR on both 6 meters and 30 meters and they use them regularly on those bands with a coaxial tuner and get good results.

Because the antennas are operator tuneable inside the various 5 amateur bands for which it is designed and sold, this could greatly affect the SWR on these other bands.  Therefore, we don't mention it in our literature or rely on it for our sales and marketing.

Be a ham, experiment, tweak, try something new with these antennas.  You may find out it tunes on other bands for you -- just remember, we recommend 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, and 20m usage and keeping those amps pumping out less than 1200 watts pep.

Will these antennas work "receive only" on the international shortwave bands?
The TW2010 Adventurer is an excellent short wave receive antenna and works well in confined spaces -- even indoor installations.  When used as a receive only SW antenna, it provides continuous coverage on all SW bands, is extremely quiet, and is especially suited for pulling in VERY long distance stations.