At RF.Guru, we focus on building antennas that deliver real-world performance rather than trying to do everything with compromises. After extensive testing, customer feedback, and writing articles about it we've decided to stop producing the EFHW8010 because it simply does not perform well across multiple bands.

 Instead, we recommend better alternatives, such as the EFOC29, which offers superior performance, including full 80m band coverage.

read more: 
Why the EFOC29 Design Outperforms the EFHW8010 and EFLW37 in Multiband Operation
The Challenges of Multiband End-Fed Half-Wave (EFHW) Antennas and Ferrite Losses
Why RF.Guru Pushes Dual-Band EFHW for High-Power (3kW-4kW)

That being said, we continue to support well-designed, high-performance EFHW antennas. Our dual-band EFHW16080 (Inverted-L) and EFHW8040 (Inverted-L), along with the EFHW4020 and EFHW2010, all provide greater efficiency and a predictable radiation pattern. Additionally, the EFHW4010 delivers excellent results without the significant compromises of the EFHW8010.

1. The EFHW8010 Is Too Long for Higher Bands

At 40m meter wire length, the EFHW8010 is too long to perform efficiently on higher bands like 15m, 12m, and 10m. While it technically "works" on these bands, it produces heretic radiation lobes, leading to:

• Poor radiation patterns with excessive high-angle radiation
• Weak low-angle radiation, reducing DX performance
• Unpredictable performance in real-world installations

By contrast, the EFOC29 is 12 meters shorter, giving it a better wire-to-wavelength ratio and making it more or less usable on 10m, where the EFHW8010 completely fails.

2. Full 80m Coverage Without Bandwidth Issues

One of the biggest complaints about the EFHW8010 is its limited bandwidth on 80m, especially for SSB voice operation. Without additional capacitive tuning the bandwidth is too narrow for practical use and 80M is only usable in the CW portion.

The EFOC29 provides full 80m coverage, ensuring reliable performance across the entire band without shifting or tuning headaches.

3. Easier Installation & More Practical Length

A 40-meter antenna wire is not practical for many operators, especially in urban or space-restricted environments. Many users are forced to zig-zag or slant the EFHW8010, which further degrades performance due to poor current distribution and improper polarization.

The EFOC29, at a more reasonable length, is much easier to install while maintaining excellent performance across 80m, 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m 12m and 10m.

4. RF.Guru Still Supports Well-Designed EFHW Antennas

While the EFHW8010 is compromised to much, we still believe in EFHW antennas—when properly optimized. That's why we continue to offer:

✅ EFHW16080 (Inverted-L) – A real performer for 160m & 80m
✅ EFHW8040 (Inverted-L) – Optimized for 80m & 40m
✅ EFHW4020 – A high-efficiency dual-band EFHW for 40m & 20m as flat-top or sloper.
✅ EFHW2010 – A high-efficiency dual-band EFHW for 20m & 10m as flat-top or sloper.
✅ EFHW4010 – A compact and efficient EFHW for 40m, 20m, 15m, and 10m (also available without compensation coil to do 40m, 20m and 10m) (as flat-top or sloper)

Unlike the EFHW8010, which tries to cover too much bands and fails at it, these optimized EFHW designs deliver solid performance without much compromises.

Final Verdict: The EFHW8010 Is Obsolete

The EFOC29 outperforms the EFHW8010 in every way:
✅ Covers all major bands, including 60m
✅ Full 80m coverage for CW and SSB
✅ Better efficiency and impedance matching
✅ More practical size for installation

For those who still want a high-performance EFHW, we recommend our optimized dual-band EFHW models, which actually work well, rather than trying to do everything and failing.

For these reasons, RF.Guru will no longer produce the EFHW8010. If you're still using one, it’s time to upgrade to the EFOC29 or one of our proven dual-band EFHW designs.