I wish I had found this video earlier. Amazing easy build. Worked 2 stations in Brazil and one in Canada last night. All on 100w with my ft-450d. So chuffed!
Thanks Peter for all your hard work in making these videos. Inspired by this one, I have set up a vertical as described for 20m and have been amazed at the results - from two bits of wire! Outperforms my dipole, which is much higher up. So keep up the good work. EI2KU
Excellent video, thanks Peter. I like the "chocolate block" electrical connectors - useful for all sorts of antenna projects. As you say, pretty much guaranteed to work DX with this simple antenna and you can expect 20m to be open everyday day in afternoon and early evening. I have used a similar 20m vertical on a few SOTA and QRP/P sessions. Even with just 5W, it always works.
Antenna is brilliant. For anyone making this antenna you must use the line isolator between swr meter and antenna or where feeder enters the shack. I must have exceptional qrm as antenna swr reading was ‘all over the place’ until fitting this isolator filter then perfect swr on 20m band. USA stations flooding in. Tunes up to 28 mhz easily with a tuner. Thank you Peter
I used a ampro 20 antenna on my bike with a ft817. I was thinking the 817 was going to be a expensive SW radio but i was wrong i worked state side on 5W. good video as always stay safe 73's
I just made one of these "L" antennas for 20 meters and mounted it at the top of a 17 foot tall steel mast. The counterpoise slopes down slightly at about a 30 degree angle. The only difference is I used a W2DU 1:1 balun to feed it. The results are amazing. SWR is less than 1.2 over the entire 20 meter band, and from my QTH in South Florida, I am getting stations from Northern Canada, Nothwestern USA, Southern California and Texas, Northeastern USA and also most of Europe and especially the UK. Most stations were booming in at 10 over 9. It appears that it propagates equally well in all directions except south, and that makes sense since my counterpoise is facing due north. I'm really impressed how well such a simple antenna works so I'm also going to make one for 15 and 17 meters. I compared this antenna with an Antron A-99 and the signals on receive are about twice as strong on the "L" antenna.
Great video. On holiday in Eastbourne camping. Just built this antenna. Working well. Used bamboo canes lashed together as mast. Cheap, simple antenna that works well! 73's G1XVW
I have a similar setup but my version is 15m high with 15m counterpoise to make it not 1/2 wave at other bands. Works ok with tuner for most bands 80m (3.5MHz) or higher frequency. In my test I noticed no difference when counterpoise was raised about 30cm from ground or when it was laying on ground. After tests I left it on the ground.
I would like to buy some goods from the UK, but I don't know if Waters, Stanton and some other UK stores are exempting me from VAT as these goods to be shipped overseas to my country
Hi again. I'm wondering if this would work elevated. I live in a second storey flat conversion. The counterpoise would be appropriately 6m (20 feet) above ground. Been looking for information on Internet but couldn’t find any. 73's
Hi Peter, thanks for the video. Two questions: one, could you describe the "line isolator" you hide in the box; and two, do you use any form of antenna tuner or impedance matching transformer? OK, I fibbed, a third question: all I hear about 1/4 wave verticals is that you need a veritable spider's web of ground radials to make them work; what's special about this configuration? Thanks again, Julian (ex pat in Minnesota), N4JO.
Excellent video. Thank you, BTW....Are you still paradiddling or has Covid 19 brought it to a prolonged Tacit? I'm worried that we may have completed the Coda!! (with no D.C. al Signa!) G3NBY
I have never used a fibre glass pole myself for a permanent install. Though, I did have a 10m pole up for about 1 week last year near a windy beach. I just taped up the joins with insulating tape to stop them collapsing. It stayed up OK. Having a look about on the Internet (e.g. eHam site), there seems to be plenty of operators using these as permanent masts. I have also talked to a few hams on the air who use them permanently. Taking precautions such as firmly securing the base section, using appropriate clamping kit and guying where necessary seem to be some of the things to consider.
Hi Andrew, I have a couple of 10m Sotabeams & and a 12m Spiderbeam telescopic fibreglass pole and I use the jubilee clips as Paul describes, ( assorted pack of clips from local pound shop ) and they have withstood all the recent gales perfectly. 73.
This looks a good idea for my situation, but am I right in thinking this L type antenna makes it Directional? I have no means to have Loads of Radials on the Ground. Any Information would be gratefully Received. Thank you.
This was the first watersstanton video I watched (about 7 months ago, now). It is still the the ws video I've watched the most. The antenna it describes is the only HF antenna in the whole wide world I have built or used (so far, anyway). BUT...I was very curious why you got an SWR around 1.3:1. I mean that's plenty good in a practical sense, but why isn't it nearer perfect?? Of course there are plenty of minor reasons...we live in an imperfect world. But is there a major reason? Long story short: Even with just one radial, 90 degrees between it and the vertical element is too acute. Raising the base and thereby introducing slope to the radial lowers the SWR. Several sources told me that if there were only one radial, 90 degrees was the perfect angle for 50 Ohm impedance. Nope. Not even with one radial. What _is_ the perfect angle? Don't know yet. I have to modify the base of my antenna so I can experiment with more obtuse angles than it currently accommodates.
How about a challenge, my garden is a 2mtr X 6mtr concert slop. I cannot put up an HF antenna that is bigger that 2mtrs wide and its a bungalow so no high for a roof mounted antenna ( the house group wouldn't allow one any way). currently I have a GP2500 at 70cm above GL... over to you.
Any wire antennae should be made from the heaviest gauge wire possible. Extremely weak incoming signals are very low wattage. They require a very low resistance wire receiving antennae. That low resistance can only be achieved by a heavy gauge wire. A thin, high resistance, wire cannot carry very low wattage incoming signals. Remember, if you double the thickness of a wire, you decrease its resistance by four, and increase the wattage it can carry by four. That makes a big difference for weak signals.
Sorry but I have to disagree. The gauge can affect the bandwidth in a very small way, but if copper wire is used, the gauge has no significant affect on signal strength and in most cases the local noise floor will be the limitation!
@@watersstanton Sure, the noise floor will increase too, by four in the example. But, the difference between the noise and signal (subtractive) will increase. The receiver can take advantage of this difference. I have not found this to be a problem. What a person could do is go to a 50,000 watt transmitting station when it is off the air and use the antennae for receiving to see the difference very high conductance of the antennae makes. To overcome the weight of a heavy copper wire, one can switch to aluminum cable. What do you think of the new digital signal processing chips from Texas instruments, as in the Icom 7300? Does it outperform superheterodyne receivers or only equal one? The most interesting contact I ever received was a barefooter in Botswana at Oahu, Hawaii. The two points are on the opposite side of the planet. NH7EME
I wish I had found this video earlier. Amazing easy build.
Worked 2 stations in Brazil and one in Canada last night. All on 100w with my ft-450d. So chuffed!
Glad it helped
Thanks Peter for all your hard work in making these videos.
Inspired by this one, I have set up a vertical as described for 20m and have been amazed at the results - from two bits of wire! Outperforms my dipole, which is much higher up.
So keep up the good work. EI2KU
If it out performs you dipole I suspect the dipole orientation might be the issue?
Excellent video, thanks Peter. I like the "chocolate block" electrical connectors - useful for all sorts of antenna projects. As you say, pretty much guaranteed to work DX with this simple antenna and you can expect 20m to be open everyday day in afternoon and early evening. I have used a similar 20m vertical on a few SOTA and QRP/P sessions. Even with just 5W, it always works.
Thanks -Peter
@@watersstanton GREAT VID as always peter
Antenna is brilliant. For anyone making this antenna you must use the line isolator between swr meter and antenna or where feeder enters the shack.
I must have exceptional qrm as antenna swr reading was ‘all over the place’ until fitting this isolator filter then perfect swr on 20m band. USA stations flooding in. Tunes up to 28 mhz easily with a tuner.
Thank you Peter
I used a ampro 20 antenna on my bike with a ft817. I was thinking the 817 was going to be a expensive SW radio but i was wrong i worked state side on 5W. good video as always stay safe 73's
Great - Peter
I just made one of these "L" antennas for 20 meters and mounted it at the top of a 17 foot tall steel mast. The counterpoise slopes down slightly at about a 30 degree angle. The only difference is I used a W2DU 1:1 balun to feed it. The results are amazing. SWR is less than 1.2 over the entire 20 meter band, and from my QTH in South Florida, I am getting stations from Northern Canada, Nothwestern USA, Southern California and Texas, Northeastern USA and also most of Europe and especially the UK. Most stations were booming in at 10 over 9. It appears that it propagates equally well in all directions except south, and that makes sense since my counterpoise is facing due north. I'm really impressed how well such a simple antenna works so I'm also going to make one for 15 and 17 meters.
I compared this antenna with an Antron A-99 and the signals on receive are about twice as strong on the "L" antenna.
Hi Bob. That is great news. Maybe work you some time. Happy Christmas. 73 Peter.
Great video.
On holiday in Eastbourne camping. Just built this antenna. Working well. Used bamboo canes lashed together as mast.
Cheap, simple antenna that works well!
73's G1XVW
Sounds great! 73 Peter
I am going to try this antenna for sure., easy. And cheap
Another excellent video
Thanks
Hi Peter, I just love watching your videos. Keep up the good work. 73's de G8WWD
Thanks Gordon
Thx for your info on videos. Can you speak to the directionality of signal in relationships to counterpoise direction? Thanks
I have a similar setup but my version is 15m high with 15m counterpoise to make it not 1/2 wave at other bands. Works ok with tuner for most bands 80m (3.5MHz) or higher frequency.
In my test I noticed no difference when counterpoise was raised about 30cm from ground or when it was laying on ground. After tests I left it on the ground.
Can you provide the specifics of the construction used to build the line isolator you discuss?
I would like to buy some goods from the UK, but I don't know if Waters, Stanton and some other UK stores are exempting me from VAT as these goods to be shipped overseas to my country
Very neat thanks.
What balun would best suit this antenna, and I use an MJF 491e tuner a simple 1.1
Hi Peter. Was the line isolator ferrite on this fitted inside the box by the feed point or near transceiver please
Thanks. Another great video. 73.
Cheers Mike
Hi again.
I'm wondering if this would work elevated. I live in a second storey flat conversion. The counterpoise would be appropriately 6m (20 feet) above ground.
Been looking for information on Internet but couldn’t find any.
73's
Hi Peter, thanks for the video. Two questions: one, could you describe the "line isolator" you hide in the box; and two, do you use any form of antenna tuner or impedance matching transformer?
OK, I fibbed, a third question: all I hear about 1/4 wave verticals is that you need a veritable spider's web of ground radials to make them work; what's special about this configuration?
Thanks again, Julian (ex pat in Minnesota), N4JO.
Use a large ferrite ring and put around 8 turns of RG-58. I use the ATU in the transceiver. No other matching.
Hello Peter! Can you suggest a coil I could make that would enable use on 40 meters? Ken KK7CAK
Excellent video. Thank you,
BTW....Are you still paradiddling or has Covid 19 brought it to a prolonged Tacit?
I'm worried that we may have completed the Coda!! (with no D.C. al Signa!)
G3NBY
I like these telescopic poles. Using the clamps like in the video to stop it collapsing, would it be suitable as a permenant antenna?
I have never used a fibre glass pole myself for a permanent install. Though, I did have a 10m pole up for about 1 week last year near a windy beach. I just taped up the joins with insulating tape to stop them collapsing. It stayed up OK. Having a look about on the Internet (e.g. eHam site), there seems to be plenty of operators using these as permanent masts. I have also talked to a few hams on the air who use them permanently. Taking precautions such as firmly securing the base section, using appropriate clamping kit and guying where necessary seem to be some of the things to consider.
I epoxy the sections together for a permanent install and it’s survived 50 mph winds a few times with no issues
Hi Andrew, I have a couple of 10m Sotabeams & and a 12m Spiderbeam telescopic fibreglass pole and I use the jubilee clips as Paul describes, ( assorted pack of clips from local pound shop ) and they have withstood all the recent gales perfectly. 73.
This looks a good idea for my situation, but am I right in thinking this L type antenna makes it Directional? I have no means to have Loads of Radials on the Ground. Any Information would be gratefully Received. Thank you.
Ditto. Same question from me.
Thanks for the video and stay safe 73
Cheers!
This was the first watersstanton video I watched (about 7 months ago, now). It is still the the ws video I've watched the most. The antenna it describes is the only HF antenna in the whole wide world I have built or used (so far, anyway).
BUT...I was very curious why you got an SWR around 1.3:1. I mean that's plenty good in a practical sense, but why isn't it nearer perfect?? Of course there are plenty of minor reasons...we live in an imperfect world. But is there a major reason?
Long story short: Even with just one radial, 90 degrees between it and the vertical element is too acute. Raising the base and thereby introducing slope to the radial lowers the SWR.
Several sources told me that if there were only one radial, 90 degrees was the perfect angle for 50 Ohm impedance. Nope. Not even with one radial. What _is_ the perfect angle? Don't know yet. I have to modify the base of my antenna so I can experiment with more obtuse angles than it currently accommodates.
What type and number of ferrite ring is used in the line isolator?
Single type 43 Mix
How about a challenge, my garden is a 2mtr X 6mtr concert slop. I cannot put up an HF antenna that is bigger that 2mtrs wide and its a bungalow so no high for a roof mounted antenna ( the house group wouldn't allow one any way). currently I have a GP2500 at 70cm above GL... over to you.
The answer here would be a magnetic loop. Check them out on Google. 73s Peter.
What is the power limit on this antenna?
100W using the materials in thr video
Any wire antennae should be made from the heaviest gauge wire possible. Extremely weak incoming signals are very low wattage. They require a very low resistance wire receiving antennae. That low resistance can only be achieved by a heavy gauge wire. A thin, high resistance, wire cannot carry very low wattage incoming signals. Remember, if you double the thickness of a wire, you decrease its resistance by four, and increase the wattage it can carry by four. That makes a big difference for weak signals.
Sorry but I have to disagree. The gauge can affect the bandwidth in a very small way, but if copper wire is used, the gauge has no significant affect on signal strength and in most cases the local noise floor will be the limitation!
@@watersstanton Sure, the noise floor will increase too, by four in the example. But, the difference between the noise and signal (subtractive) will increase. The receiver can take advantage of this difference. I have not found this to be a problem. What a person could do is go to a 50,000 watt transmitting station when it is off the air and use the antennae for receiving to see the difference very high conductance of the antennae makes.
To overcome the weight of a heavy copper wire, one can switch to aluminum cable.
What do you think of the new digital signal processing chips from Texas instruments, as in the Icom 7300? Does it outperform superheterodyne receivers or only equal one?
The most interesting contact I ever received was a barefooter in Botswana at Oahu, Hawaii. The two points are on the opposite side of the planet.
NH7EME
Can this antenna be turned into 20/40m
That is one of my next tasks. 73 Peter