InnovAntennas

After the success of the XR6, InnovAntennas announce today the release of the new XR7 models.

The XR7 is based on the XR6 model which covers all ham bands from 20m to 6m inclusive with at least 2 active elements on each band, with the exception of 12m which has one dedicated element and uses the two 10m elements in front of it as directors.

The XR7 has 3 additional elements interlaced within the 6m element portion of the antenna providing 4m as an additional band over the XR6 totalling 7 usable bands.

How many models?

There are currently 2 versions of the XR7, the XR7 and XR7C.
The XR7 has a boom of just 3.6m and longest element is the 20m reflector at 11.4m. The XR7C has capacity loading on the ends of the 20m elements shortening them to a similar size as the 17m elements and brings the longest element down to 8.8m.

What makes the XR6/XR7 different?

There are 5 main areas. First, the XR models are extremely compact, much smaller in boom length than any other ‘full sized’ 6 band plus Yagi out there today.

NO traps, NO coils, NO matching devices, NO hairpins etc.

In fact nothing to reduce the radiating efficiency of the antenna. The XR7C model has capacity loading which is the most efficient form of loading an element. As the element sizes are not reduced by more than 25%, radiating efficiency remains very high (still more than 98%). This too means there is no power input limit to speak of as there is no matching or coils to get hot and sap your valuable Watts!

Minimal interlacing of elements

Finally, adding to the efficiency of the antenna is the way in which the antenna has been designed, to limit the number of bands interlaced any part of the boom. Despite its very short boom length, no more than 3 bands are interlaced at any part of the boom. This is due to how the ‘band cells’ have been designed. 20m, 17m and 15m all employ a reflector, driven element based 2 element Yagi style and occupy the back part of the boom. 12m and 10m are driven element, director based Yagis while the 6m and 4m elements are not physically connected to the feedline at all, they are passively (open-sleeve) coupled to the 15m element, the furthest forward electrically connected drivers.

Arranging the element layout this way reduces the losses in efficiency interlacing multiple band elements can cause.

Multiple band operation at the same time

All 7 bands can be used at the same time and therefore, radios with 2 or more receivers/receiver slices such as a Flex 6700 (8 slice) monitoring many bands at once is possible. This means the XR range are suitable for Single Operator, 2 Radio (SO2R) applications and contesting too.

Rugged design

The XR7, like the XR6 is built to last and survive in the harshest of environments. For example, although short, the boom on the XR6/7 is 50mm diameter (2’’) and the centre of the largest, 20m elements are 35mm (over 1’’ ¼) and taper fast to just 13mm (just over ½’’). Even the smallest, 4M elements taper from 16mm (5/8’’) to 13mm so survivability in extreme conditions is much more likely.

Shorter boom mean wider beamwidth

With the very short boom, impressive beamwidth is achieved resulting in less turning of the rotator. On 20m, the 3dB beamwidth is an impressive 69.4 degrees while at 17m this extends to 69.6 degrees and on 15m, 70.2 degrees. If you can spread your gain over a wider area, why not?

Impressive mounting width

The XR7 has an impressive spacing in the centre of the antenna to allow for large tower faces. 75cms (2’6’’) of area exists to place a tower face allowing for the largest of applications to be serviced.

The XR7 and XR7C are being introduced at the same prices at the XR6 and XR6C (£1195.00) and pre-orders are being taken for the first batch which will be shipping in April. Contact InnovAntennas with any questions you have or to place an order

www.innovantennas.com