DX Engineering 160 Meter THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antennas

DX Engineering 160 Meter THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antennas are high-performance antennas specifically designed for use on Top Band. You will achieve the strongest possible presence at your power level and be competitive with a 160 meter vertical monoband antenna that is only 55 feet tall! A custom-designed capacity hat system allows you to get on 160 meters with unparalleled performance.

Wires and ropes have been accentuated in our product image for your viewing clarity. They are much less visible in an actual installation with minimal visual impact for such a large antenna.

DX Engineering 160 Meter THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antennas are tunable with an impressive 40 kHz bandwidth. This means that operation on the CW DX frequencies and DX Phone frequencies are within the range of most internal tuners - no physical changes to the antenna are necessary.

DX Engineering DXE-160VA-1, made with sectional aluminum tubing, is a 55-foot high Monoband Vertical Antenna system with a massive 3-inch OD base section. Included with this antenna system is a rugged, patented* stainless steel pivot fixture for ease of raising, lowering and tuning adjustments. Engineered with 6061-T8 and 6063-T832 corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing, stainless steel mounting brackets and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and attractive.

Why Does This Antenna Perform So Well for Its Height?

The top capacity hat is large enough that the current along the radiator is almost constant. Typical shortened verticals for this band, with smaller top-hats, have currents that vary along the length and end up producing much less signal strength. This also works in the receive mode to let you hear weaker signals, although at this frequency range dedicated receiving antennas are almost a must. See DX Engineering's full line of Receive Antennas and Array Systems.

DX Engineering 160 Meter THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antennas feature:

* High Efficiency Design
* 5 kW SSB and CW rated
* Unparalleled reliability
* Custom designed capacity hat engineered for top performance
* DX Engineering Adjustable Matching Network configures the lowest SWR
* Broad 2:1 SWR bandwidth - 40 kHz - CW + DX Phone
* Lowest possible take-off angle reduces domestic QRM signals
* Easy tilt up and down-- Unique fold-over antenna mount features DX Engineering's patented pivoting fixture, *U.S. Patent Number 8,130,168
* High power handling and high strength, UV protected EXTREN® insulators
* Ultra-rugged construction starts with 3 inch OD Aircraft Grade heavy wall tubing
* Withstands steady-state winds in excess of 50 mph

The optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch for easy one-person raising and lowering of the antenna is available from DX Engineering. You can move the DXE-VRW-1 winch between similar antennas in a multi-antenna installation.

This antenna system requires the installation of a heavy duty mounting pipe set in concrete. Specifically, 3 in. OD high strength galvanized steel tubing with 0.250 in. minimum wall thickness and 7 ft. (84 in.) minimum length, which is available from DX Engineering; part number DXE-VGMT-3CG. A customer supplied 2-1/2 in. Schedule 80 pipe that has an outside diameter of 2.875 in. is also suitable. About 36 in. of the mounting pipe should extend above the concrete. Depth of the mounting hole and amount of concrete is dependent on local soil type, condition and antenna guying.

THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antennas require a good ground radial system. We recommend a minimum of 32 radials, 65 ft. long, but more radials that are all longer will be more efficient for better signals.

Note: For additional information, please look at the files under the "Documentation" tab.

Do you want a great Top Band signal? If so, then try one of these DX Engineering 160 Meter THUNDERBOLT® Vertical Antennas!
Show Less