I had the opportunity to try the Alpha antenna or a Buddipole on a recent mini sailing DXPedition to activate George Island Light Station Can 845 which is located on Lake Winnipeg, MB (VE4 land). I set up the Alpha antenna on the dock at George Island Harbour. The four radiating /guy wires could not be extended in four quadrant directions, but I managed to separate them as much as possible considering the restrictions of the dock.

The Alpha antenna worked excellent on HF bringing in stations from Europe, Australia, South Cook Island, New Caledonia and many destinations in Canada and the USA. George Island is so far north the VHF marine radio did not copy any WX broadcasts. This alpha antenna proved to be a real asset to have along. I called on hams on HF who read me the WX forecasts for Lake Winnipeg North Basin from a link I had on my qrz.com page. It allowed me to be safe by deciding when to stay put and when to leave the Island. Back in Winnipeg, a local net gets together on 3.747 Mhz every evening. I was able to have QSO with stations 110 nautical miles away and pass traffic to my wife, so she knew I was safe since there was no cellphone service. Buddipole

The omni directional radiation of this antenna performed better than the onboard home brew delta loop in some situations. The delta loop has broad side lobes, and it did not work over the North Pole when the boat was docked facing North-South, yet the Alpha antenna performed reliably and went the distance in all directions.

There was no reason to use the Buddipole system my friend Peter, VE4TTH, lent me even once on the entire 23-day adventure.

This is my third Alpha Antenna purchase and like the others it has not disappointed. I like the shoulder bag and tripod that comes with it. I plan to take it for land based portable operations in the near and distant future. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

73 and good DX.

VE4DXR VE4DXR

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