looking forward in seeing that new delta loop up and how good it will work and its also so good to see you on youtube again..best wishes 73 from america
I found leaving the corners of my Delta Loop unsecured a good option ! As when it gets windy, the telescoping masts I use, along with the wire, dance around like hula Girls, but when everything settles, they all seem to go back into proper position ! But more importantly, being my first large wire antenna ( 270 ' ), and feeding it perhaps in an unorthodox method, ( Feeding it as an End Fed ), wire fed straight away into the house ! One morning after a small rainy morning, I got up to see if Ten meters was open. I set down in a chair close to where the antenna wire entered the house, and holding a very tiny Belka receiver ! If not familiar, I encourage you to look them up ! Excellent Radio ! They are encased in a metal housing ! I attached the wire of the antenna to the radio via an adapter, and holding the radio in both hands, I began to tune the radio ! This is where it gets a little foggy. As within literally seconds of being set down and beginning to tune, I don't know if I heard a distant clap of Thunder first, or felt the electrical shock in my hands, and into my wrists first ? But I received a significant electrical shock, that happened so quickly I had no time to react ! Trying to gather my thoughts, my eyes went to the display on the receiver, only to find the display look like hieroglyphics ! In a panic I quickly tried to shut the radio off ! After several attempts, I began thinking of how I might open the radio, in an attempt to remove the rechargeable battery ! As I'm hammering away at the power button, the display went blank ! To which I breathed a sigh of relief ! Sitting, still trying to gather my wits, I was wondering if the radio would turn on, and was already telling myself that the radio was likely toast, and I would likely have to purchase another ! Whispering some quick prayers, I held the power button, and to my surprise, it came back on, and works fine ! Testimony to the build of the Belka ! Obviously a very dangerous lesson learned ! I have begun collecting the necessary items, ground rod, lightning arrestor, and a length of coax, to get the wire outside, where it belongs ! For those unaware, this was not a direct lighting strike, nor one even close by, as I remember hearing the clap of thunder somewhere off in the distance ! And from the passing rain, the street in front of my house, had mostly dried up, with the rain having stopped likely a half an hour. Else I would have never thought about connecting to the antenna ! But from that distant lighting strike, my antenna had voltage induced into it, at nearly the speed of light ! Craziest thing I have ever experienced, to say the least ! I feel very fortunate that the electricity didn't take a path thru my Heart, else I may not be typing this warning ! Be way smarter than I, and be sure to properly protect yourself, and your property by using a lightning arrestor, and proper grounding ! Keep the antenna lead outside , where it belongs ! Lesson, all though terrifying, learned ! Hope this keeps others from making the simple, but possibly fatal mistake I did ! A real eye opener !!
Oh my, I smell a new product line coming from DXC...called the "DeltaDXC" 😁. I like the 13/15/13 leg ratios, it just feels right for some reason. On 40m, bet this tunes towards 7.1MHz. Great build video, Callum. I can hardly wait for part 2 and of course the real world test of the DeltaDXC. 73 de VE3NAP.
Hi Cal, looking forward to seeing this go up and the results. Mine works very well, much quieter than my end-fed. Good for G and Europe. Mine is fixed at the corners with just cable ties. So I can cut the ties and move the position of the balun for testing etc. That kevlar wire is really nice. 73
I like how you are putting this big antenna together "indoors" I had a good laugh on that hihi!! Is the exact same antenna I run successfully on 40 meters day in and day out btw, works well and is super quiet on receive .. Home made balun on type 43 torroid, ... works fantastic, configured as upside down triangle and fed at bottom
I always put a bit of silicone fish tank sealant, the soft stuff, over the exposed terminals. It's easy to peal off and everything will stay looking new.
I built an 80M delta loop in the 80s. Fed it originally with 300 ohm balanced line through a tuner..fed at the apex, hung vertically. It worked well. Put it up at my current QTH last year, fed with a 4/1 balun. Yes, it can be tuned and works from 80 thru 10 but the performance is not stellar on all bands. Alot depends on the radiation pattern as you move up in frequency. Mine is hung vertically, apex up, fed at the apex. Give horizontal polarization. Radiates well on 80 for regional contacts.
I converted my long wire into a delta loop to try and reduce s9 plus qrm .. That certainly worked pleased to say.. I have 50m of wire in the air to a 9 to 1 balum. 4 to 1 I made was a failure. So the home made 9 to 1 unun works perfect. Should be a Balum Hardly needed the ATU .. Only 160m required atu... Found when i lived in Kent, the huge quad wire loop worked well just a few ft off the ground at the bottom of loop. So far results best i have had. Will stay with this. Also erected a vertical to compare. Mainly for the higher frequencies. . It works, that's the main thing. Being a retired electrician has provided me with all the tools and wire. One day we may work again.
That a fun build to watch. Nice 4:1 Balun. Works for off set center fed dipoles as well. I had trouble tunning mine. Then I figured out I wound a 4:1 UNUN . My bad. switched that out and works and tuned fine for OSFD . The UNUN is mostly for End fed antenna. I made a mono band 20 meter veritable with 49:1 UNUN and ground radials . works super. My pole was not long enough so I fold back the top end like how the 40 meter is done on DX commander antenna. tuned great. under 1.7:1 the hole 20 meter band. This is cut 1/2 wave 20 meter band. 2 stack of FT 240-61 cores. 100 PF cap. #10 AEG mag wire on UNUN. takes KW just fine. using DX 10 wire. loop QRO loop on end. 73's
Frigging lovely Job, Lord Cal. I love Delta Loop Antennas. My portable Version is 84m (275ft.) I have a 4:1 and a 2:1 Balun in my ToGo Bag. My Experiences with this Antenna fully satisfied my HAM Needs in low Height Setup somewhere at 22ft. lowest. My highest Point ever was at 48ft. from the Ground. That's quite a Job to get done for an one Man Army having this Thing up for just a few Hours playtime. I love the low RX Noise Level and even on 160m Band this Antenna was a Flamethrower. My British HAMily on 1933khz got knocked off their Shack Stools as I gentle knocked their Doors (RX) with just a 100W portable. Tony G4ZCG always has a Smile on his Face every time I stopp by to say hello....he knows his Friend Günter has a big Screw lose 😂👍
Yes can't wait to see how it works out, I know that it's going to happen with the trees and that, just wondering how it's going to all work out with someone else measurements. Ps I know that you have already done it in your head, but looking forward to seeing it up in the trees and working.thanks for all your work makes my days a lot easier.ALAN .💯👍
Thanks for the video. Have missed them. I've been waiting on this cause i want to put one up behind the house in some trees. Have some wildlife back there, so have to get it high enough.
I was just thinking about how I can utilize my drone to help me string some wire through my trees. Hope I don't need to wait to long to see how you keep the string out of the rotors.
Call, You mentioned about 41m of wire and 15m/13m for triangle sides. On a page you use there is 44.4m of wire and 17.2/13.6m for triangle sides when building 200ohm delta version. Why is this difference between your design and mentioned web site?
@@DXCommanderHQ ah yes, the 80% complete club. I have boxes with parts in and half built things some of which I am totally clueless as to what the goal of the hair-brained idea was that I had rattling around in the noggins at the time the idea was originally conceived. Recently I set myself a new rule. Don't buy the parts until you make the damn PCB.😅
@@DXCommanderHQ oh and Cal, please do get this project sorted! I'm building a 4:1 choked balun for LOTG and delta loops. I know you plan to hoist the 'flat' part of the antenna up between two trees but for us no trees and one mast mortals 40m is a tough one. If you mount the apex on a mast the bottom leg of the wire should be 4m off the deck. So your mast has to be about 16m to achieve a true delta. Am thinking a flag pole style might be interesting with the pointy bit pointing away from the mast like this |> Would be fun to model! But 40m is a tough one for us mortals, hence the interest in you getting this one out of the shack and on air. John
Hi Callum! I made a 20m vertical full wave delta loop using fiberglass poles, and plumbing bits. It seems to work pretty well on 40, 20, and 15m. Have you ever modeled one of these, and have you ever built one? I am only able to get it about 10 feet up right now. Am I wasting my time with this antenna?
Hi Callum, great video. I made a loop similar to yours with a 2.6 :1 ration transformer. My loop is about 130 Ohms hence the difference in windings on the toroid. 73 once again Callum, more power to your elbow. JOHN G4YDM
@@DXCommanderHQ So why did it matter where I bent the wire on each vertical. When i built the dx commander. You wanted it to be very specific where it was bent and how much the tail was.
Does it make a difference if the torch is Butane, propane, or MAPP gas? I am constantly surprised at the tiny details that make a difference. I have a butane kitchen torch to light burners that are unwilling to light.
O good you are back. Then found the other vid with music ending...if you know you know. Left your discord too many fools. Anyway...back to loops...i used DX 10 for my big loop (90ish meters) works just fine. Big strain on it and no problem...you will need more length, add it now. Eoin IOW.
Bet you wish you'd marked the 13 / 15 m points when you were measuring the wire out on the rig at the beginning. That wire with Kevlar in, we used to call Magic wire in Australia. Not sure why, just know it's great stuff. Loop antennas whether delta, square or ideally as close as you can get to round are fantastic antennas. I've been using them for 13 years now and they're great. I haven't found a better wire antenna yet. 73 Ed DD5LP
Hi Cal, great to see you and doing a project as well. 😊 💎 🪛 I’m not trying to be clever, coz I’m not 🤪 However, from your previous vids… are you not going to be inducing the linear loading principle to the loop on the fold overs parts at the egg supports… 🧐 Can you use doubled doingy doingy loops at the eggs and the balun to support the delta? That should give you tension supports… maybe ? Best wishes to everyone.73. 💙
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
looking forward in seeing that new delta loop up and how good it will work and its also so good to see you on youtube again..best wishes 73 from america
Glad you had a good, well-earned holiday and it's good to see you back Callum.
i have missed your videos, looking forward to seeing the antenna up and running
Nice build Callum, looking forward to seeing how it turns out! Cheers!
You and me both John!
I found leaving the corners of my Delta Loop unsecured a good option !
As when it gets windy, the telescoping masts I use, along with the wire, dance around like hula Girls, but when everything settles, they all seem to go back into proper position !
But more importantly, being my first large wire antenna ( 270 ' ), and feeding it perhaps in an unorthodox method, ( Feeding it as an End Fed ), wire fed straight away into the house !
One morning after a small rainy morning, I got up to see if Ten meters was open.
I set down in a chair close to where the antenna wire entered the house, and holding a very tiny Belka receiver !
If not familiar, I encourage you to look them up !
Excellent Radio !
They are encased in a metal housing !
I attached the wire of the antenna to the radio via an adapter, and holding the radio in both hands, I began to tune the radio !
This is where it gets a little foggy.
As within literally seconds of being set down and beginning to tune, I don't know if I heard a distant clap of Thunder first, or felt the electrical shock in my hands, and into my wrists first ?
But I received a significant electrical shock, that happened so quickly I had no time to react !
Trying to gather my thoughts, my eyes went to the display on the receiver, only to find the display look like hieroglyphics !
In a panic I quickly tried to shut the radio off !
After several attempts, I began thinking of how I might open the radio, in an attempt to remove the rechargeable battery !
As I'm hammering away at the power button, the display went blank !
To which I breathed a sigh of relief !
Sitting, still trying to gather my wits, I was wondering if the radio would turn on, and was already telling myself that the radio was likely toast, and I would likely have to purchase another !
Whispering some quick prayers, I held the power button, and to my surprise, it came back on, and works fine !
Testimony to the build of the Belka !
Obviously a very dangerous lesson learned !
I have begun collecting the necessary items, ground rod, lightning arrestor, and a length of coax, to get the wire outside, where it belongs !
For those unaware, this was not a direct lighting strike, nor one even close by, as I remember hearing the clap of thunder somewhere off in the distance !
And from the passing rain, the street in front of my house, had mostly dried up, with the rain having stopped likely a half an hour.
Else I would have never thought about connecting to the antenna !
But from that distant lighting strike, my antenna had voltage induced into it, at nearly the speed of light !
Craziest thing I have ever experienced, to say the least !
I feel very fortunate that the electricity didn't take a path thru my Heart, else I may not be typing this warning !
Be way smarter than I, and be sure to properly protect yourself, and your property by using a lightning arrestor, and proper grounding !
Keep the antenna lead outside , where it belongs !
Lesson, all though terrifying, learned !
Hope this keeps others from making the simple, but possibly fatal mistake I did !
A real eye opener !!
Yeah. Electricity is weird stuff!!
Oh my, I smell a new product line coming from DXC...called the "DeltaDXC" 😁. I like the 13/15/13 leg ratios, it just feels right for some reason. On 40m, bet this tunes towards 7.1MHz. Great build video, Callum. I can hardly wait for part 2 and of course the real world test of the DeltaDXC. 73 de VE3NAP.
Good stuff!
Hi Cal, looking forward to seeing this go up and the results. Mine works very well, much quieter than my end-fed. Good for G and Europe. Mine is fixed at the corners with just cable ties. So I can cut the ties and move the position of the balun for testing etc. That kevlar wire is really nice. 73
Thanks for the info!
Look at how easy that wire is to handle! Great stuff!
It sure is!
Looking forward to seeing this setup and then testing it on air Cal! 🙂
You and me both!
Watching this while on holiday and getting ready to trim the 80m delta loop I erected tomorrow.....going to be a fun holiday!
Nice!
That Practical antennas article is superb so thanks for that..looking forward to seeing your finished results. Thanks
You and me both!
I like how you are putting this big antenna together "indoors" I had a good laugh on that hihi!!
Is the exact same antenna I run successfully on 40 meters day in and day out btw, works well and is super quiet on receive .. Home made balun on type 43 torroid, ... works fantastic, configured as upside down triangle and fed at bottom
Haha yeah! Easier to film this way!
I always put a bit of silicone fish tank sealant, the soft stuff, over the exposed terminals. It's easy to peal off and everything will stay looking new.
I built an 80M delta loop in the 80s.
Fed it originally with 300 ohm balanced line through a tuner..fed at the apex, hung vertically. It worked well.
Put it up at my current QTH last year, fed with a 4/1 balun. Yes, it can be tuned and works from 80 thru 10 but the performance is not stellar on all bands. Alot depends on the radiation pattern as you move up in frequency.
Mine is hung vertically, apex up, fed at the apex. Give horizontal polarization. Radiates well on 80 for regional contacts.
I built a delta loop in the 30s.
I converted my long wire into a delta loop to try and reduce s9 plus qrm .. That certainly worked pleased to say.. I have 50m of wire in the air to a 9 to 1 balum. 4 to 1 I made was a failure. So the home made 9 to 1 unun works perfect. Should be a Balum Hardly needed the ATU .. Only 160m required atu... Found when i lived in Kent, the huge quad wire loop worked well just a few ft off the ground at the bottom of loop. So far results best i have had. Will stay with this. Also erected a vertical to compare. Mainly for the higher frequencies. . It works, that's the main thing. Being a retired electrician has provided me with all the tools and wire. One day we may work again.
The vertical might be nice for TX and the loop for RX maybe.. Good ideas there.
Man that wire counter sure beats using a tape measure. Can't wait for the test!
Coming soon!
I was just concerned you were going to set fire to your fingers while using it!
That a fun build to watch. Nice 4:1 Balun. Works for off set center fed dipoles as well. I had trouble tunning mine. Then I figured out I wound a 4:1 UNUN . My bad. switched that out and works and tuned fine for OSFD . The UNUN is mostly for End fed antenna. I made a mono band 20 meter veritable with 49:1 UNUN and ground radials . works super. My pole was not long enough so I fold back the top end like how the 40 meter is done on DX commander antenna. tuned great. under 1.7:1 the hole 20 meter band. This is cut 1/2 wave 20 meter band. 2 stack of FT 240-61 cores. 100 PF cap. #10 AEG mag wire on UNUN. takes KW just fine. using DX 10 wire. loop QRO loop on end. 73's
Thanks for the encouragement!
Oh man. Is this the debut of the drone shots? Fantastic addition.
Frigging lovely Job, Lord Cal. I love Delta Loop Antennas. My portable Version is 84m (275ft.) I have a 4:1 and a 2:1 Balun in my ToGo Bag. My Experiences with this Antenna fully satisfied my HAM Needs in low Height Setup somewhere at 22ft. lowest. My highest Point ever was at 48ft. from the Ground. That's quite a Job to get done for an one Man Army having this Thing up for just a few Hours playtime. I love the low RX Noise Level and even on 160m Band this Antenna was a Flamethrower. My British HAMily on 1933khz got knocked off their Shack Stools as I gentle knocked their Doors (RX) with just a 100W portable. Tony G4ZCG always has a Smile on his Face every time I stopp by to say hello....he knows his Friend Günter has a big Screw lose 😂👍
Screw-Loose Günter sounds a great guy!
Lighting looks good Cal, Thanks for the instruction
Yes.. I had to very slightly change white-balance in post.. Other than that, OK!
Hi Cal,
The loop should work. Keeping fingers crossed it goes up into the trees as expected. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Yes can't wait to see how it works out, I know that it's going to happen with the trees and that, just wondering how it's going to all work out with someone else measurements. Ps I know that you have already done it in your head, but looking forward to seeing it up in the trees and working.thanks for all your work makes my days a lot easier.ALAN .💯👍
I have made a few previously. No worries.
Looking forward to the next one cal.still say your old 80m doublet you had years ago takes alot of beating
Good stuff , the boss man of Radio 👍🍻
Haha..!
Thanks for the video. Have missed them. I've been waiting on this cause i want to put one up behind the house in some trees. Have some wildlife back there, so have to get it high enough.
Go for it!
Great to learn new words like "hoisty uppy" haha
Good to see you still experiming Cal. Nice. :)
Oh yes.. We'll have more Hoisty Uppies coming soon!
Fantastic Cal 👍 Thank you!
Much appreciated
I used nylon pulleys in the corners of mine. It make it very easy to put up and not so concerned about the supports being 100% in the right spot.
Yes Easy.. but look at the interior of the woods!
@@DXCommanderHQ Not much different than mine. I live in the middle of a white cedar Forrest.
Curious your results.
I was just thinking about how I can utilize my drone to help me string some wire through my trees. Hope I don't need to wait to long to see how you keep the string out of the rotors.
The only delta loop I've built is one for 6 meters. Horizontally polarized at 30 ft and works great.
GREAT STUFF CANT WAIT TO SEE THE DELTA LOOP DE MI0TLG WILLIAM
I've made smaller deltaloops for 6M &4M, I would like a 40M version but I don't have the space at home!
Call, You mentioned about 41m of wire and 15m/13m for triangle sides. On a page you use there is 44.4m of wire and 17.2/13.6m for triangle sides when building 200ohm delta version. Why is this difference between your design and mentioned web site?
Agreed, but I can't remember.
Where can I get a 4:1 balun like yours Callum?
We made it.. Well, Mike M0MSN made it with me. We did video it.
How did it work out Cal?
I have so many projects! I know it will work out - but I just haven't fitted it - maybe later this week!
@@DXCommanderHQ ah yes, the 80% complete club.
I have boxes with parts in and half built things some of which I am totally clueless as to what the goal of the hair-brained idea was that I had rattling around in the noggins at the time the idea was originally conceived.
Recently I set myself a new rule. Don't buy the parts until you make the damn PCB.😅
@@DXCommanderHQ
oh and Cal, please do get this project sorted! I'm building a 4:1 choked balun for LOTG and delta loops.
I know you plan to hoist the 'flat' part of the antenna up between two trees but for us no trees and one mast mortals 40m is a tough one. If you mount the apex on a mast the bottom leg of the wire should be 4m off the deck.
So your mast has to be about 16m to achieve a true delta.
Am thinking a flag pole style might be interesting with the pointy bit pointing away from the mast like this |>
Would be fun to model!
But 40m is a tough one for us mortals, hence the interest in you getting this one out of the shack and on air.
John
Yep.. Doesn't HAVE to be completely flat.
Hi Callum! I made a 20m vertical full wave delta loop using fiberglass poles, and plumbing bits. It seems to work pretty well on 40, 20, and 15m. Have you ever modeled one of these, and have you ever built one? I am only able to get it about 10 feet up right now. Am I wasting my time with this antenna?
Yeah, sure I've done a video on that.. Way back.
Rev it up to the spec of the balun :) thank you for sharing !
Will do!
@@DXCommanderHQ "Hoisty uppie" ... made me laugh
"For neatness?" "A frayed knot."
Will the drone be used to fly it into position? Should make good viewing
Not sure how the hell I'm doing it yet!
Hi Callum, great video. I made a loop similar to yours with a 2.6 :1 ration transformer. My loop is about 130 Ohms hence the difference in windings on the toroid. 73 once again Callum, more power to your elbow. JOHN G4YDM
Delta loops rule! Best results ladder line direct to tuner, balanced tuner, 1:1 balun to coax.
Yes. Band changes are a nightmare though.
Like that DX50.
Yes ANdy.. Designed I think originally by Plessey (I think).
That tight twist in the wire and bend in the in the wire going through the black insulator. Doesn't mess with the antenna wire swr or TX/RX ???
Nope.
@@DXCommanderHQ So why did it matter where I bent the wire on each vertical. When i built the dx commander. You wanted it to be very specific where it was bent and how much the tail was.
@@johnlew5972 That's due to horizonal loading and therefore tuning isn't it?
The antennas and data on that page appear to be for vertically hanging loops, not horizontal ones.
OK
Does it make a difference if the torch is Butane, propane, or MAPP gas? I am constantly surprised at the tiny details that make a difference. I have a butane kitchen torch to light burners that are unwilling to light.
None. Ask ChatGPT?
Amazing Cal 😊 73s
Did you make the wire counter yourself? (didn't expect so many questions about it did you, lol)
Yes.. Well, the basic counter I bought - but I managed to put it all together..
Cal, can you share a source for Kevlar wire? I know the cost is non-trivial.
Yes.. Search DX COMMANDER DX50 KEVLAR WIRE
Fancy leading me one for a steam rally activation in July. I can come pick it up.
O good you are back. Then found the other vid with music ending...if you know you know. Left your discord too many fools. Anyway...back to loops...i used DX 10 for my big loop (90ish meters) works just fine. Big strain on it and no problem...you will need more length, add it now. Eoin IOW.
Yeah, need about 2m in total I think.
Thats what i am using ❤❤❤❤❤
Why not just mark the wire as it's coming off the spool?
You do it for me.. It would be a lot easier.
@@DXCommanderHQ Sure, send me some spools of that DX50! I'll cut a few bits off for you. 😉
Me and my grandson made one for 10 m. We copied Walt’s. It works fine
I would be a buyer
Bet you wish you'd marked the 13 / 15 m points when you were measuring the wire out on the rig at the beginning. That wire with Kevlar in, we used to call Magic wire in Australia. Not sure why, just know it's great stuff. Loop antennas whether delta, square or ideally as close as you can get to round are fantastic antennas. I've been using them for 13 years now and they're great. I haven't found a better wire antenna yet. 73 Ed DD5LP
Well, maybe but it only added 5 minutes and in any case, I still had to unravel it all to add the connectors.
Loops are always good rx ants if nowt else, but fed at certain spots produce great dx.
True!
I want it🎉
Sounding like my old moped from 80s at the start lol 😅
HAHAHA!
LE Cebik’s articles one the HF loops identified most of this a few decades ago. Google his work on loops. You might be amazed…
Er, not really - built a few of these. And folks like something different.
Excellent Cal good to see you back mate Ray/mm7rwc
I have to get a big value I run a Johnson 500.
All good Callum practical educational just what the newbie needs, all good fun !! 73 de John G4YDM
Hi Cal, great to see you and doing a project as well. 😊 💎 🪛
I’m not trying to be clever, coz I’m not 🤪 However, from your previous vids… are you not going to be inducing the linear loading principle to the loop on the fold overs parts at the egg supports… 🧐 Can you use doubled doingy doingy loops at the eggs and the balun to support the delta? That should give you tension supports… maybe ?
Best wishes to everyone.73. 💙
The "loading" on the corners are almost invisible. No worries.
What direction ?
See previous video where we discussed patterns. Thanks!