Lightning Bolt Quad

(Scroll down for more pictures)

In early December, 2005 I learned that Lightning Bolt Antennas has gone out of business after 17 years.  So, the purpose of sharing this information has become somewhat moot.  However, most of what is great about the Lightning Bolt Quad applies to just about any well built quad antenna.  If you are interested in a quad, check out the Cubex Quad website.  They have lots of info on quads and they also make fine antennas.

This antenna was installed 8-14-05. 
Assembly and installation went very well.  Good SWR across all bands.  Performance is awesome.  Made it through a number of storms and the first winter with no trouble.  During 70 mph winds it really appears very stable.

Likes :
1 - 5 bands 20-17-15-12-10
2 - Affordable  - $370 delivered
3 - Light weight and wind load (about 35 lbs. / 6 sq. ft.)
4 - Short 8 ft. boom = easy on rotor.
5 - Covers all of every band  CW and Phone
6 - Very low noise RX (compared to my vertical).
7 - Low angle pattern for DX
8 - Very good F/B and F/S ratio.
9 - On-time delivery / Good packing
10- Ingenious wire attachment to spreader
11- Great fiberglass spreader design
12- Assembly and installation went very well
13- Looks awesome (to me!)

Dislikes :
1 - 53rd generation copy of instructions
2 - Spraypaint blobs for alignment
3 - Uneven cuts on spreader arms & connector blocks.
(None of these affect the antenna assembly or performance - I'm just being picky here!)

Performance :
(All with100 watts)  After just over a week - I have worked lots of DX throughout Europe and the Pacific on 20m and 17m with great signal reports.  Basically, if I could hear them, I could work them, and with a very good report.  I have gotten through every pileup that I jumped into on the first or second call.   (Check out the station log for 8-15-05 thru 8-22-05)

From stateside QSOs I have received great signal reports - often 10 to 20 over S9.  S3 and S4 received signals on my Butternut vertical jump to S9 and above with the Quad pointed properly.  Lite signals on the Quad often disappear on the Butternut.

How to assemble a Lightning Bolt Quad
Thanks to Dan - W3DF

My intentions were to document the assembly of the Lightning Bolt Quad completely since the Lightning Bolt Antennas website is a little skimpy in that area.  However, I ran across the website of  Dan - W3DF and he has done an awesome job of documenting the procedure.  No need to re-invent the wheel so here is the link to Dan's very fine website :  Dan - W3DF  Be sure to check out the rest of Dan's very nice site!