The Tagra BT-104 Sigma IV

Anyone fortunate enough to own the Original Avanti Sigma IV will remember how well built they were.

There have been many copies of the Orignal Sigma IV, but the one that we seem to remember the best was the Tagra BT-104.

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Gold in colour, this robust 3/4 wave boasted around 6dB of gain [the same as was claimed about the Thunderpole III.....OH REALLY!!!]

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A simple gamma match adjusted the VSWR and away you went. Many a sleepless night was had, listening to it howling in the wind...but it still stayed put, and never let you down performance wise. Probably gave us more pleasure when the Scottish could be heard on the air, when they gave you 9+30db signal reports!

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Great days indeed!!

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Around the time of the Tagra BT-104, Commtel marketed their own "Commtel 444" Sigma IV style base antenna in 1985 which cost £49.00. The Saliut 27 followed in 1986 which would set you back £49.95

Then in the early 90's Sirio introduced their Vector 4000 which although somewhat flimsy, worked extremely well.

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I had all of these antennas, for listening purposes, and the Tagra BT-104 was, in my humble opinion, the best built of all the followers of the Original Avanti Sigma IV.