![standard c5608da standard c5608da](https://www.radioexperimenter.us/rm-1992-12/images/2176_61_35-direct-digital-synthesizer-old-circuits.jpg)
Performance wise, I am absolutely floored with what this antenna will do. 80 is a pretty narrow range but I ordered the resistor that focused on the CW DX window. 20 and 40 meters are my main haunts and I am able to cover both bands, from end to end, and stay under a 2:1 SWR. With the base in the ground, and with some creative counterpoise fitting, everything tuned up pretty much right where I wanted it to. I ended up using cheap RG6 coax and connected the braid to appropriate ring lugs.
#Standard c5608da manual
The wires are not included (you can buy a set from GAP for cheap if needed), but the manual stipulates a large wire be used. BUT, they are not radials or a ground plane they are attached to the radiating elements and are part of the tuning. These can be deployed in most configurations needed to fit the install. Though the antenna does not require radials, it DOES require three counterpoise wires of about 25 feet in length. The antenna is supplied with a double walled bottom tube and a piece of heavy PVC that you can mount into the ground.
#Standard c5608da download
Another PRO-TIP: download the manual online and see the drawings in color (something the included manual does not include). Aside from this difficulty, the xeroxed manual is woefully inadequate. I was able to get it corrected and overall I probably spent two or three hours building everything. This required a complete disassembly of the antenna back down to the harness and individual tubing sections. It wasn't until I was about half done that I discovered I had installed one tube to another, but from the incorrect end. At first, everything seems to be just fine. So, if you think you're missing one of the upper pieces, keep looking.Īnyway, I find the piece and get to assembly.
![standard c5608da standard c5608da](https://lasopasky125.weebly.com/uploads/1/2/5/6/125616473/401584883.jpg)
PRO-TIP: it seems that all the pieces are fit in the box in their own place, but ONE tube is hidden inside another tube. It is a xeroxed bunch of papers with an additional sheet thrown in to cover extra modifications made with shipping size limitations. Little did I know how optimistic that estimation would be LOL. I set about to build the antenna within the expected time recommended in the manual (one hour). It arrived in a single eight foot long box plastered with GAP logos. Trying to make lemonade out of lemons, I ordered up a GAP challenger. How could I ever chase DX without my beams? From having and big tower and beam to having no room, was a big adjustment to my operating. I live on the standard postage-stamp sized plot of land that so many operators find themselves in. I still am very happy with the Challenger! I have worked hundreds of DX stations and if I can hear them they have no problems hearing me. It is now almost 2 years since my initial review. While writing this I made contact with Theo OT4A in Belgium on 20! Hope to hear you on the bands so you can hear my GAP! Richard cares about his customers and will actually help you and not just read from a script like so many help lines do these days. I highly recommend this antenna and also the GAP Titan DX, which I at one time owned, but because of space constraints I had to take down and sell. Since then I've made 20 more contacts on most of the bands and have received great reports.
![standard c5608da standard c5608da](https://www.universal-radio.com/used/UI05accs.jpg)
Next thing I did was turn on my FTdx3000 tuned around on 40 and heard a QSO ending so I called the foreign station and made contact with EW8CM in Belarus. And because of Richards excellent help, the support gets a 5++++Īfter I finished erecting it I checked the SWRs and nowhere were the readings higher than a 1.7:1! So because of the slight problem with the counterpoise so the build gets 4.8 stars. Richard spent at least an hour with me over a couple days helping me and not once did he rush me or made me feel like I was dumb or he had more important things to do. I did have a small problem with the counterpoise and had to call Richard for advise. The actual build should be a snap for everyone! I built and erected it myself and I am not in the best physical shape, being 71 with lots of steel in my back and other joints. The antenna is all the advertisements claim to be. I am not one for writing reviews for products I own, either complimentary or derogatory, but this case is worthy of note. Great antenna and fantastic customer support