Pro Antennas

Britain's best selling amateur radio magazine, have carried out a detailed review on the DMV Pro Antenna. Please scroll down the page for a precis of the review.

                    Picture reproduced with the permission of PW publishing Ltd

DMV Pro Antenna Review, Practical Wireless, February 2009

The 3-page review was written by Dave Mason G3ZPR, who is a keen portable operator and camper van owner. He spent several days using the DMV Pro in various locations in Dorset and Gloucestershire, during the winter. These included his own back garden, a riverside and a hilltop, as well as “various random locations”.

G3ZPR’s observations about the DMV Pro:

• Amazingly versatile, being deployable in four different configurations to suit prevailing band conditions.
• Easy and quick to erect. Having studied the comprehensive instructions and DVD, he managed it, single-handed in a very reasonable time.
• Very campsite-friendly, with a turning radius of only 11 feet.
• Liked the way the DMV Pro arms are locked in place by pins, once set up, for added safety.
• Impressed by the way the support system folds down to only 5 feet long.
• Impressed by the large range of accessories available, especially the deluxe carrying holdall.

G3ZPR’s on-air experiences with the DMV Pro:

• Once the DMV Pro had been set in the required configuration, and using the Z-11 ATU, Dave found there was no need to make any alterations when changing frequency, or even changing band. Therefore, no need to leave the comfort of his warm camper van.
• Dave found the antenna was sufficiently effective and versatile for him to make use of published propagation data to work stations around the world, e.g. Argentina, Canada, USA, Suriname and many others, on various bands. He was using his Alinco DX-70, set with a modest power level of 50W.

A Criticism:

• Dave didn’t like the green coloured guy lines that come standard with the guying kit, as they were not very visible. This was the one and only adverse comment Dave made about the DMV Pro.  Guy lines are now available in either discrete green (easier on the eye in your garden) or a highly reflective cord, recommended for public places.

G3ZPR’s conclusions on the DMV Pro:

• A real amateurs’ antenna, on account of its versatility and effectiveness; the results speak for themselves.
• A truly portable system that stands in a class of its own.
• Very user friendly, especially for caravaners, campers and field days.
• The only system he knows that is instantly re-configurable in several modes.
• He found it a pleasure to use; the DMV Pro provided him with a lot of fun on the bands.
• Dave was so impressed with the DMV Pro antenna, he decided buy one. In the interests of impartiality he made his purchase through the magazine editor.

                               Our thanks to Simon G4GFN, for providing an excellent precis of the three page review