Diamond V-2000 triband vertical review - a replacement for an older Diamond X-50 dual bander

My old Diamond X-50

The new Diamond V-2000 in situ
The 6m inverted V is pointing
east to Europe

Diamond X-50

As mentioned in a previous post my dual band colinear had suddenly gone deaf. When taken down it was found to be a Diamond X-50. I had totally forgotten what make or manufacturer it was. It was still in excellent condition when it was brought down from its home for the last 15 years atop an 8 foot long pole.

I investigated it and found that the PL259 had a slight amount of corrosion despite it being wrapped in self amalgamating tape and in turn being inside the lower pipe of the antenna.

Diamond V-2000 triband vertical antenna

I received the new antenna and assembled it. This one now has two set screws holding the support pipe to the base of the antenna so Diamond have listened to the criticism on internet forums about the the previous 1 set screw fixing. Now it is really strong and gives you confidence.

Triband antenna ordered

I'd noticed in the past few weeks that reception on FM 2m (and 70cm for that matter) had got worse. I have a dual band collinear, of unknown manufacturer, mounted atop a 8 foot aluminium mast on the chimney. This has been up for the best part of 15 years and is now showing it's age. I think something is corroded or the cable has been damaged in some way.

The existing dual band antenna
Yes I know it could be any old antenna
but it's the one I currently have in operation on 2m/70cm

So I have just ordered a brand new Diamond V2000 tribander, good for FM on 6m, 2m and 70cm to suit the Wouxun quadband FM tranceiver I have. As I can't hear anything on 10m with the Wouxun I'm not too bothered that the aerial is just a tribander.

I ordered a fresh 5 foot 1.5" aluminium pole, 25 metres of Messi & Paoloni Ultraflex 7 and some matching M&P PL259 plugs. Hopefully this will cure my deaf rigs - I know the problem is the existing antenna as every VHF/UHF rig I own is equally deaf.

Antenna erected and working

The antenna is an end fed dipole (essentially a long wire of 20m with a 9:1 UNUN). I bought this from Martin Lynch Ltd in the UK and it is sold as their Mydel 80-6m end fed dipole (see here).
I also decided to invest in some decent coaxial cable and connectors so bought 25m of Messi and Paoloni Flex 7 cable and their matching Messi and Paoloni PL259 connectors. These are unlike any coax connector I have ever seen before.

Flex7 PL259 plug

Flex7 PL259 innards

The connector part that looks like a top hat slides onto the copper foil covered inner conductor and slides in between the cable sleeve and copper outer sheath. The black piece is actually rubber and the clamping gland compresses this and is supposed to make a hermetic seal. I used some self amalgamating tape over the entire assembly.

Cable clamps arrived

Both sets of cable clamps have now arrived at long last. The 6mm ones came last weekend and the 3mm ones came today.
The 3mm ones came all the way from China and the 6mm ones from Germany hence the long wait.

Both types look of excellent quality so I just need to make some time this weekend to erect the new antenna.

Waiting for the postman

I ordered a load of antenna parts from Amazon the other day to aid erection of my new HF dipole. Everything has come apart from 10 off 3mm shackles and 5 off 6mm Stainless Steel Cable Clip Saddle Clamps. These are essential to clamp the guy lines in the air.

I looked on Amazon today, they have been despatched but have a delivery estimate: Monday, 23 March 2015 - Wednesday, 15 April 2015 despite them being ordered 12th March 2015.

Why does it take so long for delivery? Most other items arrived within a couple of days.