Multiband Antennas — Comparison Overview
This overview compares VertX, DeltaRex, EFOC29, EFOC17, EFOC8, TermiLoop, XentrX, IronWave6 and IronWave9. Each provides multiband coverage with different trade-offs: vertical current for DX, loops for NVIS, and OCF or terminated designs for broad usability.
Specs at a Glance
| Antenna | Coverage | Feedpoint / Match | Height / Span | Radials / Counterpoise | DX vs NVIS Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VertX | 20–6 m | ¼-wave fan, 1:1 unun | ~6.5 m radiator | Ground radials | Low-angle DX |
| DeltaRex | 40–10 m | Loop feed + 4:1 unun | 3–6 m apex, 12 m span | Self-contained loop | NVIS on 40/60; DX on 20–10 m |
| EFOC29 (Flat-top) | 80–10 m | 4:1 unun | 10 m flat-top, 29 m horiz. | Coax counterpoise | Mixed NVIS/DX |
| EFOC29 (Inverted-L) | 80–10 m | 4:1 unun | 12 m vertical + 17 m horiz. | Coax counterpoise | DX focus, better low-angle |
| EFOC17 | 40–10 m | 4:1 unun | 10 m flat-top, 17 m horiz. | Coax counterpoise | Compromise DX/local |
| EFOC8 | 20–10 m | 4:1 unun | 10 m flat-top, 8 m horiz. | Coax counterpoise | DX only, no NVIS |
| TermiLoop | 160–6 m | 500 Ω term. + 4:1 unun | ~26 m loop, 13 m span | Self-contained | Broadband, quiet RX |
| XentrX | 20–6 m | 4:1 unun | Legs split at 6 m | None | Pure vertical DX |
| IronWave 6 | 40–10 m | 4:1 unun | 6 m vertical | Radial field | Efficient DX |
| IronWave 9 | 80–10 m | 4:1 unun | 9 m vertical | Large radial field | Vertical DX; partial mid-angle regional |
DX vs Local — Band by Band
| Band | Best for DX | Best for Local/NVIS |
|---|---|---|
| 160 m | — | TermiLoop |
| 80 m | IronWave 9 (vertical DX) | TermiLoop / DeltaRex |
| 40 m | EFOC29 Inverted-L, IronWave 9 | DeltaRex / TermiLoop |
| 30 m | IronWave 6 or 9 | EFOC29 or EFOC17 (flattop/sloper give mid/high angles) |
| 20 m | XentrX, VertX, IronWave 6 | DeltaRex (mid-angle) / EFOC29 flattop |
| 17 m | IronWave 6, XentrX | EFOC17 (flattop pattern favors regional) |
| 15 m | VertX, XentrX | DeltaRex (multi-lobe still covers local) / EFOC17 or EFOC8 |
| 12/10 m | VertX, XentrX | EFOC8 (short flattop gives higher angles, good for local) |
DeltaRex provides strong NVIS on 40/60 m, but on higher bands its triangular geometry produces several mid-angle lobes that still support local/regional contacts. EFOC flattops (29/17/8) in horizontal or sloper form also deliver higher-angle components that make them useful for regional work on 30, 17, 15, and 10–12 m. Vertical designs like IronWave, XentrX, and VertX are cleaner DX radiators but contribute less to local coverage above 20 m. On 160, 80 and 40 m, nothing surpasses the dedicated EFHW 160–80M and EFHW 80–40M Inverted-L designs.
EFOC Sloper/Flattop vs Verticals
EFOC29, 17, 8 in flattop or sloper form provide mixed DX and local coverage, but their lobes are more erratic than verticals. True verticals (IronWave, XentrX, VertX) produce stable low-angle lobes thanks to radials and 35 mm aluminum radiators. Thick aluminum also provides broader usable bandwidth and lower I2R losses compared to thin-wire flattops.
Install with Confidence
Use AL-1100 paste on all aluminum joints. Spread radials widely for IronWave and VertX. For EFOC and TermiLoop, place chokes at 0.05λ and before shack entry to keep coax quiet.
Mini-FAQ
- Which is best for 80 m NVIS? — DeltaRex or TermiLoop, thanks to loop current geometry.
- Which is quietest for RX? — TermiLoop’s termination damps common-mode pickup.
- Which covers 20–6 m DX best? — XentrX or VertX with vertical low-angle lobes.
- Flat-top vs Inverted-L EFOC29? — Flat-top mixes NVIS/DX; Inverted-L favors DX.
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