Sommer XP80 Series Beam Antennas
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Series XP80 - 8 m / 26-ft Boom

Active Elements

20 m
5x driven full size (1/2 wavelength) elements
LOG-1 + LOG-2 + LOG-3 + LOG-4 + LOG-5
15/17 m
5x extended 1/2 wavelength plus elements about 5/8 wavelength long
LOG-1 + LOG-2 + LOG-3 + LOG-4 + LOG-5 + EL-1B on 15 m + EL-1C on 17 m + EL-5A
10/12 m
10 x 1/2 wavelength collinear elements 2 x 5 side by side
LOG-1 + LOG-2 + LOG-3 + LOG-4 + LOG-5 + EL-1A + EL-2A + EL-3A + EL-4A + EL-1B as 3/8 radiator
30/40 m
All driven elements
LOG-1 + LOG-2 + LOG-3 + LOG-4 + LOG-5 + EL-1B + EL-1C + EL-5A as "C"
NOTE: Well-built multiband beams with driven elements have a 1-2 dB higher gain than conventional systems with the same boom length and bandwidth (better element illumination).

With a boom size of 8 m / 26 ft, the XP80 is a real surprise, even for experienced DXers! Not only in the transmitting mode, but also when receiving rare DX signals near the band ends. In critical pile-up situations, the XP80 yields an outstanding and unexpected signal reading and shows well its enormous directivity and the capability to fade-out heavy QRM interfering from the side and back.

The model XP804 antenna is shown in Figure A. In this configuration the 20m band is using five actively driven full-size elements and turns out a solid 10 dB/D forward gain.

For the 15 m (and 17 m) band, five directly fed 5/8-wave elements, in conjunction with elements 1B and 5A, provide a typical 10.5 dB/D forward gain. Operation on 17 meters requires an optional 8.2 m (26 ft) element at boom location Z which does not influence the 10-20 m settings, but has the same properties on 15 m.

All elements are working on 10 and 12 meters and contribute to a 10-11 dB/D gain.

A coaxial T-match system on Log. 5 enables operation on the 30 m band without any mechanical extensions. The typical gain with this configuration is about 0 dB/D.

The 40m band is activated by use of an individual power coil at Y, yielding a 0 to 3 dB/D gain on this band.



Remember, a 3-element monoband beam has 4 to 6 dB/D (see ARRL Antenna Book).


Notes:
* Gain determined in the main lobe as described in the ARRL Antenna Book, 14th ed. pg. 15-23. Measurement accuracy according to CCIR plus/minus 2dB.
** F/B ratio and SWR vary according to conditions--e.g., electrical height above ground.
*** Plus or minus10%

Sommer Antennas

P.O. Box 710
Geneva, FL 32732
Phone: (407) 349-9114 | Fax: (407) 349-2485