X80 Multi-band HF Vertical Antenna Review

The X80 multi-band HF vertical antenna, a commercial iteration of the Rybakov design, exhibits a physical length of 5.5 meters, or approximately 18 feet, and is constructed from aluminum tubing. It operates as a non-resonant vertical, requiring an external antenna tuner for impedance matching across its intended operating frequencies. The antenna's design incorporates a 1:4 UNUN at its base, facilitating a nominal 50-ohm feed point impedance for the coaxial cable. Performance observations indicate effective operation on 40 meters, 20 meters, 15 meters, and 10 meters, with reduced efficiency on 80 meters and 160 meters due to its relatively short electrical length for these lower bands.

Comparative analysis with a G5RV dipole and a half-wave end-fed antenna reveals the X80 offers a lower take-off angle, beneficial for DX contacts, particularly on the higher HF bands. Field tests conducted with an Icom IC-706MKIIG transceiver and an LDG AT-100ProII autotuner demonstrate the X80's ability to achieve acceptable SWR across 80m through 10m. The antenna's compact footprint and ease of deployment make it suitable for restricted spaces or portable operations, though its performance on 80 meters is noted as a compromise compared to full-size resonant antennas.