I’ve showcased the Rybakov antenna on this channel more than a few times. I really enjoy this antenna because it has great upper band performance, and with the use of a wide ranging tuner, can operate on just about every other band.
The namesake antenna Rybakov, a Russian word for Fisherman, was created by Enrico IV3SBE about 20 years ago. He wanted a lightweight, portable, non resonant antenna for 10 meter DX. What he came up with is a 25 foot vertical radiator, supported by a fishing pole, with a 4:1 transformer at its base and four 16 foot ground radials. To its great success, the antenna’s upper band performance netted over 180 confirmed DX contacts for Enrico. Since that time the antenna would drift in and out of popularity with each solar cycle peak as the upper bands come to life.
With our current solar peak, the Rybakov has surged in popularity and modern antenna components have made getting on the air with it easier than ever. In this video I demonstrate how to use the REZ Antenna System’s Scout XF base, XFORM 4:1 transformer, and Z25 25 foot whip as a Rybakov style antenna.
You can watch my efforts in this week’s video: Can this Modular Antenna beat Traditional POTA Setups? https://youtu.be/zOtaw7VpWVM
Learn more about the Rez Antennas Scout XF System: https://youtu.be/NF_sfXS761M
Rez Antenna System Products exclusively at DX Engineering: https://dxengineering.pxf.io/xJ9AVR
Rez Antennas XFORM Transformer: https://www.rezantenna.com/xform
Koss SB40 Communications Headset: https://amzn.to/4aITokJ
Heil AD-1-YM 8-pin modular adapter (Amazon): https://amzn.to/3N8b0N9
Heil AD-1-YM 8-pin modular adapter (DX Engineering): https://dxengineering.pxf.io/EELM1n
RJ45 Extension Cable 1 foot: https://amzn.to/3N8ZgtS
RigExpert Stick 230 Antenna Analyzer: https://dxengineering.pxf.io/rEQxKD
Using the Rybakov on the Low Bands
The Rybakov’s claim to fame is how it works on the upper bands. On 10 meters, the 25 foot vertical whip becomes almost a 3/4 wave radiator, and with that, generates an RF radiation love with a very low takeoff angle. This effect enhances its DX qualities and I have personally gotten many DX contacts with this antenna on 10 and 15 meters when those bands were open. Living in the Midwest, DX can be a challenge. We have no ocean to push against, so when an antenna can deliver in difficult situations, I am going to take notice.
But its low band performance is lacking.
That’s no fault of the antenna itself, it was designed for the upper bands. So characteristically the performance will drop off when you use it below 20 meters. Being a non resonant antenna, there is an easy answer to this problem: add more wire.
A couple years back I was researching some compact options for all band coverage from a non resonant whip. I found an article for the 53 foot inverted L antenna. The original design in the article used a 26 foot vertical pole and 27 feet of wire in a horizontal fashion. At the feed point was a 4:1 transformer and ground radials. This setup closely matched the Rybakov, so I did a test run with a 25 foot vertical whip and 28 feet of horizontal wire. The antenna was amazing. In one of my first tests on October 2024, I netted 129 contacts on 15, 17, 20, and 40 meters, with the bulk of the 15 meter contacts all DX.
I’ve since taken 53 foot inverted L antenna out camping multiple times, experiencing great 20 meter and above activity during the day, and low band excitement at night. Setting up the antenna takes a little more effort, I use a 22 foot fiberglass mast to support the horizontal element with one end clipped to the 25 foot vertical whip and the other tied to the mast. I’ve got a video that shows my setup in full detail
Is the 53 foot inverted L a perfect antenna? No, far from it. But it is a very workable option for when you want low band operation. I’ve found with this setup that the 10 meter band suffers a bit and losses are still a bit high on 80 meters. But all antennas are a compromise and those are some of the downsides that I am willing to accept.
Have you used the Rybakov vertical antenna, or its variant the 53 foot inverted L? Let me know in the comments.
Finishing Up
We had some terrible weather last week. While we are no stranger to severe weather and thunderstorms, a EF3 tornado would its way about 5 miles away from our house. Fortunately we are all safe and those affected by the weather suffered no injuries. But there was quite a bit of property damage. As this is severe weather season for much of the country, this is my reminder to you to have at least two ways to be notified for when severe weather strikes. This should include e a NOAA all hazards weather radio. Sirens can fail, texts can be missed, alerts might not be on TV, but NOAA weather radio is always listening. Stay safe out there.
I hope to get you in the log soon
Michael
KB9VBR
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