I recently got my hands on a GRA-1900T Multi-Band HF antenna, excited to try out its portability and multi-band functionality. However, my initial enthusiasm was dampened by the lack of setup instructions, particularly regarding the pin positions for different bands. After some digging online, I found similar antenna information and was finally able to put it together.
With limited testing time, I took the antenna out in the yard to see how it would stack up against my trusty multi-band wire dipole antenna strung in the backyard trees. Despite the short testing window, the results were impressive. On the 15-meter band, I managed to connect with a ham in Italy a staggering 3945 miles away! He reported receiving my signal at a perfect 5/5, which left me ecstatic. I then made another contact with a station in Switzerland, also at 5/5 and an impressive distance of 3836 miles.
While these initial tests are very promising, I’m not ready to relegate my wire dipole just yet. However, the GRA-1900T has definitely shown its potential, especially considering its portability. I plan on dedicating more time in the coming days to explore its capabilities on other bands. So far, this antenna seems to be a strong contender for anyone looking for a portable HF option. Stay tuned for further updates as I delve deeper into testing!