@@K5YVY I clipped mine but left enough to secure. Once it's resonant it shouldn't change much unless it stretches. The only thing I don't cut is rope! Tie a sheep-shank! lol
Mike, Have enjoyed your videos and comments since the beginning. I have two of those large Dremel tools I kept when I retired from Family Practice. It was not part of family medicine but I recognized early on many patients had thick calluses on their feet and it was a source of daily discomfort. So I bought some Dremel tools and sanding wheels and while talking with them ground off some of the callouses and made a lot of little old ladies (and men) very happy. Happy Feet = big smile. Now I use the Dremel tools almost daily in radio and other “fixing things) projects I do around the home. Every ham should have one or more each with a different sanding wheel or cutting/grinding disc. How did I live without them? Dave K8WPE since 1960
Hi Mike, you can try adding a second 100pF 1kV capacitor in parallel to the first one (or replacing it with a 220pF 1kV is good as well) to get the SWR down on 15 and 10. Had to do the same on my QRPGuys NoTune EFHW. 73 from Germany de DK9CA 😁🤘
BTW, a line isolator is highly recommended for EFHW, at first I thought that I could do without it, but practice has taught me better. ;) I am using a W1JR choke on an Amidon FT240-43 ferrite core and 2 runs of coax, one 10m (33ft) long for the "counterpoise" from my homebrew 40-10 EFHW to the choke and round about 5m (16ft, this length is not critical) from the choke to the TRX. It offers a way much better performance and got me rid of painful RFI. ;)
@@hamradiotube As long as you got the park activated and the antenna worked! Thursday was hard for me, but yesterday broke an all time new record (used my regular setup with a Chameleon MPAS 2.0).
He’s making them quick. He told me usually a 7-9 day turn around. There’s an email list you can get on. Should be somewhere on the link in the description.
K-Murder, you are an inspiration! Great video man! You rock! thanks for the video. Can't wait for them to come back in stock. Hope to catch you on the air sometime.
Sayin' what? Sayin' yeah! Happy monday into TX-State Mikey Boy. Nice job done by both of you KM4ACK and by yourself. Hope this Antenna delivers you tons of fun (contacts). 73's de Your Badass Friend Uncle Guenter... 😎👍👍👍
I don't understand the first sentence but yes, you do need to get one. I was wearing your shirt in the video I made yesterday activating a park with this antenna.
@@hamradiotube at the start of your video you turn around and say “I didn’t see you there”… just a bit of humor 😂 ah sweet look forward to seeing that one
Just got on the email list for one. Saw you were spotted yesterday and tried to make a contact. Mother Probagation had other ideas. I know, I know…. I wasn’t Hamming Hard enough, lol. Thanks for your vids!
Place some heat shrink tubing over the needle nose pliers and shrink the tubing. The heat shrink will grip but not allow the little teeth of the pliers to scratch off the magnet wire outside coating.
Great video with very clear instructions on assembly. Curious if anything like this exists for GMRS frequencies? I would absolutely love to have something so small, compact and light for backpacking use.
Thanks. An antenna for GMRS would be very small already as its in the ~460mHz spectrum I believe, which is less than 70cm for one wavelength. Its very nature makes the antennas small to begin with.
Any idea on the specification and source of the yellow flexible antenna wire? I'm looking to acquire the materials myself, but want to be sure antenna wire can wind easily. Thanks!
It's 26AWG from SotaBeams. I have a roll of it myself that I bought from them last year. I like it a lot. Doesn't kink, easy to wind. I'm also a HUGE fan of Poly Stealth wire from Amateur Radio Supplies. It's actually my favorite small antenna wire, but it's not yellow. www.amateurradiosupplies.com/category-s/218.htm
Oh hello there, didn’t see you. I prefer power tools and I don’t really want to own a hot glue gun, pretzel knots. You crack me up lol. Great video man, I really like my KM4ACK efhw. After watching your video I wish now I had shortened my leads on the capacitor like you but it’s okay, my wife owns a hot glue gun, so I used hers.
You did a great job making the video. Very informative. It looked like a fun little antenna kit to assemble. Nice to have a true multi band antenna that covers 10 to 40 meters. You have a collection of antenna analyzers and NO sand paper? OOPS ! Everybody has sandpaper. Hi Hi No matter. Thanks for posting. Barry, KU3X/QRP
Lol. Well you gotta have priorities. I use analyzers all the time. Prob on a weekly basis. Not too many times I need sand paper though. Good thing I have power tools.
"I really don't wanna own one" I feel you. So much... Lmao. I totally have a couple hot glue sticks in my tool bag though, that and a lighter does the things
Great build everything was neat and tucked away where its supposed to be. Just ordered my kit today cant wait to put it together. Got some good tips from your video. Curious though, what was the model of the antenna analyzer you were using with the digital screen and then what happened to make you swap to the Mfj-269? I liked the screen on the first one.
Nice, you'll love it. It's a fun build too. The analyzer is an MFJ-223. I think I switched because the battery was dying but I honestly don't remember.
I wonder if they’re available. They’ve been having trouble getting parts for the analyzers. Though I’m pretty sure the 223 is from some manufacturer, prob China, that puts their sticker on it. I’ve seen the same one with different brands on it. Either way it’s a great analyzer.
Mine to. Was thinking about using 18650 to the couple the red and black things. Sorry at time my ADHD gets in the way. "What am I doing " it's a song 🎵
I see on his site its rated for 50 watts ssb. I need to build me a 100 watt version. I did some portable work today, and I used the wrc but wish I had a nice lightweight efhw to use sometimes as well. I built a linked dipole for 80, 40, 20, but its not always easy to get an inverted V up. Sloper efhw is super easy.
@@hamradiotube Ok. I have had issues with a 4 to 1 balun on my home station over heating, and the swr does creep up. First time I saw it I was confused. Took me a minute to figure out what was going on. I will keep an eye on his site, and give one a whirl,,, with bowline's and splices. LOL!
I'm no antenna expert, I just play one on TV, but I do believe a larger diameter wire should give more bandwidth than a thinner one. How much so, I couldn't tell you.
I wish I knew. Best advise is to just keep checking back. Making these antennas is just a side project for him. I know his day job keeps him quite busy. It's well worth the wait though.
So, do you tune for 40m only and then let the other bands fall wherever they are? Seems to me if you tune for 40 then try to tune for say 20 you will mess up 40. So I think tuning for the lowest band is all you can do. Right?
You tune for the lowest band you want. Because the ham bands are mostly all harmonics of each other they kinda just fall in place. Not perfectly but close enough.
@@hamradiotube I'll add that I recently built the qrpguys efhw and cut the wire for 20m, about the middle of General phone. No tuner needed for that band and I usually don't need a tuner on 40 either (using the x5105). I've used on 10m with good results also. Give the shorter length a shot.
Planning to try just that. I just received the kit and I plan to use 2 cores and 18g magnet wire instead of a single core with 22g. This should allow the transformer portion to take the 100w at the expense of increasing the bulk a little bit. From my research on the 140-43 cores it looks like a higher number of turns (21:3) would be beneficial when doubling up cores.
@@hamradiotube I was able to get out and use the antenna today. POTA pile up in 88 degree weather and the transformer did not get at all warm. I ended up using 2 of the 140-43 cores I just ordered extra when I ordered the kit. 2 other mods were a heavier magnet wire 18 gage instead of the 22 gage in the kit, and I used a 3 primary 21 secondary wrap to increase efficiency. The mods were ones I found looking into EFHW for 100 watts using a 140-43 torroid core. I am very happy with how this antenna performed. Thanks to Jason for a great kit.
@@hamradiotube just make sure it's not an acetic cure silicon (they smell like vinegar when curing) as the acid will cause corrosion and kill your project.
I admire those who produce kits for us; all the emails, problems, and slim profit margins...it truly is a labor of love.
I use this antenna for my POTAs with my G90. Great piece of kit! I folded the tag end on the insulator, twisted, and used heat shrink to secure it.
Yes, heat shrink. Didn’t think of that when I made the video but I’m gonna do that. Thanks for watching.
@@hamradiotube Glad I could help!
I did the same thing! I couldn’t bare to cut my wire, that seems so permanent lol.
@@K5YVY I clipped mine but left enough to secure. Once it's resonant it shouldn't change much unless it stretches. The only thing I don't cut is rope! Tie a sheep-shank! lol
Mike,
Have enjoyed your videos and comments since the beginning. I have two of those large Dremel tools I kept when I retired from Family Practice. It was not part of family medicine but I recognized early on many patients had thick calluses on their feet and it was a source of daily discomfort. So I bought some Dremel tools and sanding wheels and while talking with them ground off some of the callouses and made a lot of little old ladies (and men) very happy. Happy Feet = big smile. Now I use the Dremel tools almost daily in radio and other “fixing things) projects I do around the home. Every ham should have one or more each with a different sanding wheel or cutting/grinding disc. How did I live without them?
Dave K8WPE since 1960
Dremels are awesome. And now they have another use. If I ever get a callus, I'll know what to grab! Thanks for watching. 73
I just ordered mine today when I saw the Stock Alert email and now I see it has low stock already, lol. Thanks for the video. Cheers es 73, Dave -KU9L
They go quick!
This is a great antenna, and Jason showed us how to deploy it at "knee height" to get contacts halfway (or more) across the US. Very versatile.
Yeah you got the VIP treatment. I had to do it all by myself :(
@@hamradiotube That was all Leah, I just tried to stay out of the way.
Thanks for the review Mike! Hope to have more in stock by this weekend.
You better get to it. Looks like a lot of people are interested in it. Thats what happens when you make a great antenna!
Hi kmack
Got your message. Where you able to get my email to work for the order?
Thanks
Bob
ki4hit
Hey Mike, just wanted to stop by and let you know that I purchased one of these and your video helped me assemble it. Thank you.
Hey awesome, you just got a great antenna!
Dude!! Genius move using the Dremel sanding drum to remove the enamel!!
Go big or go home!
Perfect timing I just ordered mine last night. This will be my first kit.
Congratulations. It’s a fun build and a great antenna.
Your timing is impeccable, Mike....I just got my shipping notification on that yesterday.
Perfect!
Hope you get it built before Field Day 😃
Yellow wire. I had this antenna up Saturday. Someone still walked into it.
Great Build Mike!
All you can do is try. But you still can't fix stupid.
Hi Mike, you can try adding a second 100pF 1kV capacitor in parallel to the first one (or replacing it with a 220pF 1kV is good as well) to get the SWR down on 15 and 10. Had to do the same on my QRPGuys NoTune EFHW. 73 from Germany de DK9CA 😁🤘
Good tip. I have that QRP guys antenna and can't get it to tune to save my life.
BTW, a line isolator is highly recommended for EFHW, at first I thought that I could do without it, but practice has taught me better. ;) I am using a W1JR choke on an Amidon FT240-43 ferrite core and 2 runs of coax, one 10m (33ft) long for the "counterpoise" from my homebrew 40-10 EFHW to the choke and round about 5m (16ft, this length is not critical) from the choke to the TRX. It offers a way much better performance and got me rid of painful RFI. ;)
Awesome video as usual. Thanks for everything you do for the Ham Radio Community!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Glad you did these videos. Mine is in the mail, should be able to build it this weekend.
Oh hi there 😂😂 timely build! I just got mine too. My first antenna build
That’s great. It’s a fun build and an awesome antenna. Just did a POTA today with it and the 705. Super easy to set up and get on the air.
@@hamradiotube I still need an hf rig but hey, future goals especially after CN75 with WE4DX
Built mine last week, but haven’t checked it yet. My first build.
Awesome! I just did a POTA today with it and the 705. Bands weren’t great but I got all over the country and puerto rico so I’m not complaining.
@@hamradiotube As long as you got the park activated and the antenna worked! Thursday was hard for me, but yesterday broke an all time new record (used my regular setup with a Chameleon MPAS 2.0).
If you don't have hot glue then silicone sealer will do the same! Put heat shrink on the lose end of the wire to make it neater?
Mike, I like the friendly way you started this video. “Hi I didn’t see you”. It reminded me of Ed Norton in The Honeymooners “Chef of the Future”.
I'm not familiar with that but I'm glad you appreciate my humor lol!
That's a really neat antenna. Nice build Mike! 73
It sure is!
Thanks for post this! Hope the KM4ACK gets them back in stock soon.
He’s building them fast so you shouldn’t have to wait long.
@@hamradiotube Excellent! I've been using end-fed random wires with 9:1 unun, so looking forward to trying an EFHW.
I hope to have more in stock this weekend. (June 19/20, 2021)
@@KM4ACK Excellent! I'll be placing an order!
I can't wait for them to be back in stock again so I can grab one myself.
He’s making them quick. He told me usually a 7-9 day turn around. There’s an email list you can get on. Should be somewhere on the link in the description.
K-Murder, you are an inspiration!
Great video man! You rock!
thanks for the video. Can't wait for them to come back in stock. Hope to catch you on the air sometime.
Right on, thanks for watching. He's printing them as fast as he can I know that. They're selling like hotcakes!
Great job on the build Mike. I'm going to throw mine together in the next few days and test it out.
Awesome. It’s a fun build and a great antenna.
Carabiner Where can you purchase the ones you use that have multiple holes in it. GREAT video!
Sayin' what? Sayin' yeah! Happy monday into TX-State Mikey Boy. Nice job done by both of you KM4ACK and by yourself. Hope this Antenna delivers you tons of fun (contacts). 73's de Your Badass Friend Uncle Guenter... 😎👍👍👍
I’m offended you didn’t see me standing in your garage… and you invited me too. Nice video man, I gotta get me one of those end feds.
I don't understand the first sentence but yes, you do need to get one. I was wearing your shirt in the video I made yesterday activating a park with this antenna.
@@hamradiotube at the start of your video you turn around and say “I didn’t see you there”… just a bit of humor 😂 ah sweet look forward to seeing that one
Great build video, Mike! Most enjoyable and informational.
Glad you enjoyed it
Outstanding video! Looks like I will be buying yet another antenna in the near future!
You need all the antennas!!
@@hamradiotube Lord knows I'm getting there!
Great video. You could put a piece of heat shrink on before the dog bone and use that to tidy up the loose end and keep it secure. 73 fromVE6GCM.
Great idea!
Do we really have to cut the wire? I mean, shorten the wire by bending the wire at new length and twisting it around ??
Amazing that he can sell this for $40, while others sell almost the same thing (chameleon) for almost $200. Thanks for the video!
Yeah there’s really not much too these antennas. Some of the prices can be a little hard to justify.
Just got on the email list for one. Saw you were spotted yesterday and tried to make a contact. Mother Probagation had other ideas. I know, I know…. I wasn’t Hamming Hard enough, lol. Thanks for your vids!
Man it was tough yesterday. Lots of qsb and I was only running 10 watts. Took an hour to make 16 contacts. You know it’s bad if I’m self spotting.
As a commercial fisherman your knot portion of this instructional video was painful. LOL.
Dude my knots are second to none I don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s knot like we need a bowline for this lol!
Place some heat shrink tubing over the needle nose pliers and shrink the tubing. The heat shrink will grip but not allow the little teeth of the pliers to scratch off the magnet wire outside coating.
I did that with my helping hands. Prob should have used those instead.
So what was your final length? Doesn’t it need a counterpoise??
Great video with very clear instructions on assembly. Curious if anything like this exists for GMRS frequencies? I would absolutely love to have something so small, compact and light for backpacking use.
Thanks. An antenna for GMRS would be very small already as its in the ~460mHz spectrum I believe, which is less than 70cm for one wavelength. Its very nature makes the antennas small to begin with.
Any idea on the specification and source of the yellow flexible antenna wire? I'm looking to acquire the materials myself, but want to be sure antenna wire can wind easily. Thanks!
It's 26AWG from SotaBeams. I have a roll of it myself that I bought from them last year. I like it a lot. Doesn't kink, easy to wind. I'm also a HUGE fan of Poly Stealth wire from Amateur Radio Supplies. It's actually my favorite small antenna wire, but it's not yellow. www.amateurradiosupplies.com/category-s/218.htm
@@hamradiotube Great, thanks!
Oh hello there, didn’t see you. I prefer power tools and I don’t really want to own a hot glue gun, pretzel knots. You crack me up lol. Great video man, I really like my KM4ACK efhw. After watching your video I wish now I had shortened my leads on the capacitor like you but it’s okay, my wife owns a hot glue gun, so I used hers.
Every shack needs a hot glue gun 😃
I don't know. I feel I might lose a couple man points if I added one to the shack.
@@hamradiotube Put a K8MRD sticker on it and you gain man points.
Awsome video. Can't wait to see it up.
soon
You did a great job making the video. Very informative. It looked like a fun little antenna kit to assemble. Nice to have a true multi band antenna that covers 10 to 40 meters.
You have a collection of antenna analyzers and NO sand paper? OOPS ! Everybody has sandpaper. Hi Hi
No matter. Thanks for posting.
Barry, KU3X/QRP
Lol. Well you gotta have priorities. I use analyzers all the time. Prob on a weekly basis. Not too many times I need sand paper though. Good thing I have power tools.
"I really don't wanna own one" I feel you. So much... Lmao. I totally have a couple hot glue sticks in my tool bag though, that and a lighter does the things
It's just such a poor quality glue. If you look at it wrong it comes undone.
@@hamradiotube I mean, you're def not wrong lol
NICE BLADE TOO !!
Thanks. Its actually a pretty inexpensive Kershaw. Model 3930. I've had it for a couple years and like it so much I just bought another one.
"Attach the toroid to the thing..."
damn I got a lot of lingo to learn.
Great build everything was neat and tucked away where its supposed to be. Just ordered my kit today cant wait to put it together. Got some good tips from your video. Curious though, what was the model of the antenna analyzer you were using with the digital screen and then what happened to make you swap to the Mfj-269? I liked the screen on the first one.
Nice, you'll love it. It's a fun build too. The analyzer is an MFJ-223. I think I switched because the battery was dying but I honestly don't remember.
@@hamradiotube thanks bud, found your review of it. I like that thing, might add it to my list.
I wonder if they’re available. They’ve been having trouble getting parts for the analyzers. Though I’m pretty sure the 223 is from some manufacturer, prob China, that puts their sticker on it. I’ve seen the same one with different brands on it. Either way it’s a great analyzer.
Great video, Mike. #hamharder
Always. #hamharder.
Great build Mike! I will have to build this antenna. Thanks for the video .
73 George KB3WAQ
Thanks for watching. Have fun.
Would you recommend this for 40m CW use?
EFHW FTW! Great antenna.
General Kenobi....
Just got shipment confirmation on mine yesterday. Crazy excited to build and run it
One of my favorites.
On your MFJ do you fine it likes batteries. Nice antenna
The batteries actually last quite a while. I have rechargeables in it and just plug in the wall wart and it charges them back up.
@@hamradiotube I think the batteries are rechargeable, going to guess maybe 10-20 minutes. The ones that came with it
Mine to. Was thinking about using 18650 to the couple the red and black things.
Sorry at time my ADHD gets in the way. "What am I doing " it's a song 🎵
I see on his site its rated for 50 watts ssb. I need to build me a 100 watt version. I did some portable work today, and I used the wrc but wish I had a nice lightweight efhw to use sometimes as well. I built a linked dipole for 80, 40, 20, but its not always easy to get an inverted V up. Sloper efhw is super easy.
Jason tells me he runs 100 watts out of it all the time. If it gets too hot the SWR will get high but once it cools down its back to normal.
@@hamradiotube Ok. I have had issues with a 4 to 1 balun on my home station over heating, and the swr does creep up. First time I saw it I was confused. Took me a minute to figure out what was going on. I will keep an eye on his site, and give one a whirl,,, with bowline's and splices. LOL!
Kd9bpy...I just built mine and I used white flex seal in lieu of hot glue...seems to do the trick.
I've not used flex seal but that already sounds like a better idea than hot glue.
@@hamradiotube I grabbed a small $5.00 tube at Lowe's....figured I'd give it a try. Dries with just a small amount of flex to it....time will tell.
Does the diameter of the wire make any difference in the resonants?
I'm no antenna expert, I just play one on TV, but I do believe a larger diameter wire should give more bandwidth than a thinner one. How much so, I couldn't tell you.
Still waiting can't wait for it
Paul KQ4CD
Not sure when he'll have more but it'll be worth the wait.
@@hamradiotube maybe you could check. He is doing some kind pie .
Where can I get parts for building stuff
He is still out of stock. Any guess to how long. Didn't see any place to get it line.
KQ4CD Paul 73
I wish I knew. Best advise is to just keep checking back. Making these antennas is just a side project for him. I know his day job keeps him quite busy. It's well worth the wait though.
You beat me to the edit & post :) Nice video dude.
Haha, right on. I'm sure yours will be better.
@@hamradiotube Not unless I take it on a skydive. Not sure that I can fit it in my pack so that is a toss up right about now. Time will tell.
Great video went to order one and bam sold out🤔on the list.
He’s able to restock every 7-9 days. There’s an email list you can get on too. Check the antenna page from the link.
So, do you tune for 40m only and then let the other bands fall wherever they are? Seems to me if you tune for 40 then try to tune for say 20 you will mess up 40. So I think tuning for the lowest band is all you can do. Right?
You tune for the lowest band you want. Because the ham bands are mostly all harmonics of each other they kinda just fall in place. Not perfectly but close enough.
@@hamradiotube I'll add that I recently built the qrpguys efhw and cut the wire for 20m, about the middle of General phone. No tuner needed for that band and I usually don't need a tuner on 40 either (using the x5105). I've used on 10m with good results also. Give the shorter length a shot.
Sold out! Jason if you see this you have exceeded capacity! Very nice kit! You printing your own winders?
He’s got 3 printers going. Usually takes about 7-9 days to restock so it shouldn’t be a long wait.
@@hamradiotube Great stuff! I put my email in on the let me know page.
Yes. Printing them in house now. Hope to have more in stock soon.
@@KM4ACK Very good! Might see you at Knoxville! 73 K4RJJ
Wishing that they made a 100w version
Planning to try just that. I just received the kit and I plan to use 2 cores and 18g magnet wire instead of a single core with 22g. This should allow the transformer portion to take the 100w at the expense of increasing the bulk a little bit. From my research on the 140-43 cores it looks like a higher number of turns (21:3) would be beneficial when doubling up cores.
Let us know what you find out.
Hopefully this is just the beginning of a long line of antennas from him.
@@hamradiotube I was able to get out and use the antenna today. POTA pile up in 88 degree weather and the transformer did not get at all warm. I ended up using 2 of the 140-43 cores I just ordered extra when I ordered the kit. 2 other mods were a heavier magnet wire 18 gage instead of the 22 gage in the kit, and I used a 3 primary 21 secondary wrap to increase efficiency. The mods were ones I found looking into EFHW for 100 watts using a 140-43 torroid core. I am very happy with how this antenna performed. Thanks to Jason for a great kit.
Nice video and if you don't own a hot glue gun some neutral cure silicon will do just as well.
I have some silicone I may put on it.
@@hamradiotube just make sure it's not an acetic cure silicon (they smell like vinegar when curing) as the acid will cause corrosion and kill your project.
Hi Mike
Can you run 100w on this antenna?
Jason rates it for 50 watts but he tells me he runs 100 watts ssb out of it all the time.
@@hamradiotube Thanks love the videos
Nice!♡♡♡
🤜🏻👍🤛🏻
Thanks ✌
Hows the swr on 17m?
It’s not resonant on 17 so it’s pretty terrible.
@@hamradiotube Thanks for the reply Mike. Hope you are doing well.
"..attach the toe-rood to the thing.."
We only use technical terms around here lol
Dave, use zip ties on the end of the antenna wire!
I’ll let Dave know.
👍👏👏
thanks.
This is a knife....
haha
"waRsher"...I wonder if he says "libary" cause that's where the R usually comes from.
Lol. I’ll have to think about it over a glass of melk while laying with my head on my pellow.
73 de 9Z4A
73
12 fengs long 😂😂
Thats the new universal system for measurements.
That is golden!
I wish you were my neighbor
I am, we're just farther apart.
Love this kit VE6BEZ
ham radio content good. insane prepper nonsense bad.
I don’t think I have any insane prepped nonsense. Though all my nonsense is insane.
He is out of stock now
The good ones usually are. Just keep checking back.
wish you'd say how much you cut off, instead of how many baofengs. Your humor is
useless information.
Mine did not come with the ring terminals pre-attached to the wire. I had to put them on. KM4ACK's video gives the directions.