Sigma Venom 1/2 Wave Silver Rod Antenna

[CB590]

Hope all is well. I have been offline for awhile.

I had issues a few years (2020) back trying to wrangle in a Sirio 2016 direct from overseas and with several botched packages from the UK distributor ended up with 7/8's of a antenna and literally tossed the darn thing out. I have been off "air" basically since then as far as home stations go.

Today I ordered the Sigma Venom 1/2 Wave SilverRod w/ground radiator for $95 off EB coming from Sigma EuroComm in the UK. I had read prior to ordering this 1/2 wave, that it faired better than the alleged 5/8 wave version.

I will be putting it up on a short painter's pole for testing and use at my new place.

Stay tuned for unboxing, test, and review.

 

[Greg T]

I have that antenna in the 5/8 wave version. I replaced it with a Sirio 2008 and not sorry I did. The sirio has better bandwidth and is considerably less noisy than the Sigma. Don't get me wrong, it's not a night and day difference, as the Sigma talked pretty well for me. But, after changing I did notice better DX receive and xmit. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CB590]

Came in and put up at about 12' at moment to the bade of it. Going to raise so radials are above the gutter and some more. Setup SWR was 1.3-1.5 (ch 40) at 11pm in dark. Going to reset when I raise it up. No worries thats coax to the right and not power and it far over.

 

[dave457]

What's the point of the small 3 radials?

 

[CB590]

What's the point of the small 3 radials?

Warm fuzzy feeling of a "ground plane" LOL

 

[Eldorado828]

Came in and put up at about 12' at moment to the bade of it. Going to raise so radials are above the gutter and some more. Setup SWR was 1.3-1.5 (ch 40) at 11pm in dark. Going to reset when I raise it up. No worries thats coax to the right and not power and it far over.

View attachment 68718

It will work really well I can say it. I've ran one for a couple of years and when the station goes back up so will the sigma. For the price and what it is, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[CB590]

Definately needs a tune and height

At current height the Aries II radio says SWR of 1.9 on 38.

My external crossneedle SWR meter was the initial setup and saying 1.3-1.5 (maybe 1.7 as it was late when I did it)

The new Nano VNA after calibration says higher numbers. 25.6mhz is 1.636, 27.050mhz is 2.138, 27.400mhz is 2.301.

 

[Wire Weasel]

Although not up at the moment, I have basically the same Viper without the little radials at the bottom. A 19 footer. Works great - no complaints. A few years ago was like $72 and free ship from England off of eBay. Came Fedex in like 3 days ..... incredible.

 

[CB590]

Although not up at the moment, I have basically the same Viper without the little radials at the bottom. A 19 footer. Works great - no complaints. A few years ago was like $72 and free ship from England off of eBay. Came Fedex in like 3 days ..... incredible.

Ordered April 27th off EBay. Got May 1st to the US via FedEx. Was happy also in the speed.

 

[CB590]

Found the issue. Too close to the house. Moved away like 7 feet and adjusted some. Now happy 1.2-1.3 across 11m band. Both with the VNA and my SWR cross needle

Did a umbrella base (30 lbs) and water base topper (45lbs worth of water) to hold the 10' top rail and antenna up. Be getting more weight bags for umbrella base and some low guy wires (with stakes) just in case.