This is the only video I have seen that would inspire a new Ham to actually build their own antenna. Am an older ham and I am excited to try out your recommendations. This is what Amateur Radio should be all about. Thank you very much...
It's great to see some one who explains the technology in easy to understand terms. So many tutorials are geared to the already experienced and goes completely over a new hams head. In my 47+ years I have always tried to teach on the level of the student. Great job! By the way, I may be an "old dog" but you have taught me a new trick or two as well. Hi Hi! Keep up the great work. 73s DE wb7veq
Thank you so very much! The one thing about physics, engineering and almost anything that involves science is that humans will overthink it. I really just try to keep everything simple. 73 my friend
I always feel like I'm starting to get a grab on this after watching your videos, Walt. Yours are the best for simple, practical explanations. This one really is excellent. Thanks for this.
Excellent video! I'm an old ham but continue to learn even 54 years later! Antenna theory is where the real magic happens. Forget the amplifiers and work on your antenna systems.
Thanks again Walt! Great information. I know manual tuners aren't popular these days but making and using one really does help a person understand theory and practice of how matching works.
Thanks Walt. You hit a good one today. As a newer licensed ham, you see people using these all over RUclips, but no explanations as to why or under what Circumstances they should be used. This is a good basic intro and I for one will be culling through this video numerous times and taking notes. Love the background. It looks to me like you love your instruments as much as the radio. I have the same bug with a wide collection of stringed instruments. My strum stick is my late night just before bed go to for playing. 73’s my friend.
Great video as usual!! Note: a "resonant" antenna is only "resonant" on the frequency for which it is cut. When you deviate up or down from that frequency it is no longer "resonant" -- it may be close, but not resonant.
Walt, the difference between your videos and other guy's videos is, I don't have to fight falling asleep while watching and listening to their 'dull' presentations. You keep it lively and chuckle from time to time. Others? Not so much. I'm brand new to HF and am soaking up all I can, especially from your videos. Thanks for making the un-understandable understandable.
I watch a lot of videos to further my education on antennas and some of those old guys are real smart but have the most horrible drawings and handwriting, you have the cleanest illustrations and I know it may be a small thing, but I really appreciate being able to make out what you are drawing. Hey that brown Uke behind you looks a lot like my mahogany Martin Tenor! Aloha , AL
Great video getting into the thick of things. Not exactly an adventure in the typical sense, but a productive exploration all the same. Thanks. Cheers and 73!
Thanks for another helpful video! The way you put this together was perfect. I added it to my technical journal. I take notes in a journal when I come across useful information so I have it close at hand. So many new amateur radio operators mismatch antennas and Baluns/Ununs because they don't have a clear guide regarding what goes with what. Your video breaks it down into terms that are easy to understand. Thanks again...73...Hugh...KN6KNB
Less-young (78) ham here and I keep learning from you every video. Love your enthusiasm for our fantastic hobby. You also encourage me to try new antennas so when I go off in my caravan in a few days I'll be trying a wire vertical or two. Maybe see you on the Southern Cross 14238 net again. 73 from VK4BOB
Hi Bob! I’ve been tuning in to the Southern Cross Net as much as possible. I can guarantee to will catch me there soon as conditions are starting to favor it. 73, Walt
Thanks Walt. You made this really easy to understand and I look forward to using this info for my antenna projects and experiments. That's half the fun of HF for me. 73
My daughter and I built one a few years ago for a school project. I almost enjoy playing it more than my six string. They're such a versatile instrument. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming, please. I've been studying for my technician license and hope to be on the air soon.
I'm a big fan of remote, or "at the feedpoint" tuners. Like the antenna matcher you showed, they work sort of like an automatic, infinitely variable unun to give you an (almost) perfect match on (almost) any wire length. Your 50 ohm coax always (theoretically) matches your rig, so the impedance mismatch you need to address is where the coax meets the wire. In-rig and at-the-rig tuners are great for protecting your rig, but have much higher losses than matching at the feedpoint. This is just food for thought - thanks for the great videos!
Great video Walt. I have a 55ft vertical up a tree with a 9 to 1 UNUN about 3ft off of the ground with 1 36ft counter pois elevated off the ground. It works great.
Being a newbie I thought size matters and so had a lot of antenna envy seeing my neighbors with their 330' tower antennas. Now I know that as in other things, it ain't the meat its the motion when it comes to efficient propagation.
After I got my General ticket it took me several months on my own to figure out all the things you covered in one video. If you had only made this 5 years ago! Keep up the good work.
Excellent video Walt. You explained the basics very well. If people watching have questions, I suggest they do research before making stupid comments. I love low cost, homemade antennas that work and you show so many very good ones. You don't need to spend $200. to $500. for the latest "New" or "Tactical" antenna to make solid contacts, especially when working portable. Thank Walt ! 73
As always Walt a great video with great info. Sometimes hams need to use compromise antennas such as myself, people need to realise not all have the space to put antennas up, i have a random wire that runs up a 12 meter pole that is strapped against a tree yet i have contacts from around the world... for me the Unun's work along with the Baluns. Im on air so thats what counts. You have great info Walt, thanks and 73 de ZL1MY
It is a delightful explanation into each type of antenna and the matching feed-line impedance. I have now built ten different antennae for my amateur fun and this is a great place to start! Thanks for the great video!
Walt, this video is great and to the point. I have tried various types of configurations over the 60 years of being a ham and had so much fun. Still looking for the perfect antenna (Hi Hi) but everything is a compromise due to all the unseen variables! I currently use a 29ft vertical with a 9:1. It works great and matches my environmental requirements while living in an HOA. Thank you for your practical and useful videos. Harv K5NR
Thanks Walt. Great information for new and old hams the same. I've learned so much from you guys this past year. Ape taught me how to build AND test my Balun's and UNUN's. You taught me to have fun and not sweat the small s$it. Grateful to you both, and several others, that take the time to share their knowledge and experiences.
Great video. Thank you very much, Walt. I watch your videos the most. I made my first DX contact yesterday with Maritime Mobile Service Network using your 29 ft vertical, 9:1 unun, 1:1 unun, with the classic DX Commander design. The net control operator was in Texas. I used the Xiegu G90 at 20 watts. I was using the flagpole tire support to support the DX Commander pole on my back deck. I used weights as an anchor. You have a treasure of information and it helped me very much. It was simple and it worked great.
I put up a 20 meter long wire cut to length, using the nanovna-f, don't get me wrong it did work but not effectively. Till i learned about reactance. Swr was not every thing , resistance and capacitive balancing was quickly learned about. I guess digging deeper helped me understand why just swr is just a reference to other values. As i understand tuners are great given compromise antennas, however I wanted not to waste energy as heat. Great tutorial ! So down the rabbit hole I go again. Lol 😊
Thanks Walt! I'm a new ham and know little about antennas, this video had lots of good info! The unun/balun discussion and reasoning provided a much clearer understanding of their purpose and use. Also your drawings were clear and understandable. Not only did I learn something, I was impressed by your collection of ukuleles!
Hi, this video was very useful for me as a novice ham operator, thank you very much, I will probably watch in a few times to get a better grip of toppics. Many thanks. 73.
Walt - really appreciate how you use simple gear and are constantly experimenting. I recently set up an end-fed 41’ random wire with a 9:1 Unun. Pretty good results. After adding a 1:1 Unun RF choke, I was surprised by the improvement. Now getting tons of international QSOs on 5W. I recognize this antenna knowhow is widely available, but you make it accessible and approachable. Thanks and keep up the great videos.
Hello! The closer the wire size is to 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, to the wavelength, the lower the losses in the antenna will be. Also, in order to reduce losses when adjusting resistance, it is easier and more convenient to use L-Match than transformer rings that heat up and give significant losses.
Not much to add. You covered things pretty well. If you operate on the go it's really hard to beat a 49:1 and/or a 9:1. Most of the time at home that is what I put out. The ability to band hop is worth the 20 odd percent loss implied in the transformer.
👍Nice overview, thanks Walt. I think your results on air are evidence that these "compromise" antennas work. If you think about it, arguably, every antenna is a compromise in some aspects.
I was impressed when I read that end fed halfwave will work on every harmonic -- not just the odd harmonics. For example, my 66 ft / 20 meter long end fed halfwave at 7 MHz will also work on 14 Mhz and 21 Mhz and 28 MHz too. The SWR is very acceptable and many times I don't need to use a transmatch. I can also use it on the WARC bands with a transmatch. It's a very versatile antenna.
I really enjoy your videos. Have always enjoyed tinkering with wires. Those who tout resonate antennas seldom have a resonate match. Love my tuners. The proof is in the received signal that peeks when tuned. I've seen test that prove that theres little to no loss in a tuner in the hf bands. I'm down with medical issues so going out with you, through RUclips is great. Keep them comming!
Excellent video and one of my favorite Ham channels. Thank you for this explanation. I'm new to amateur radio and you're videos have helped me tremendously with antenna building and understanding terminology and theory.
Thanks Walt. My 29ft vertical was a perfect match on 10m with a 9:1 unun and a few ground radials. Tuned down into 40m though it didnt work real great it worked. 40m to 6m on 1 antenna was fun to play with. Also a good shtf antenna to have handy on a DX Commander pole
Roger that Jon! I got a 9:1 balun from a really cool dude and I think I’m going to build a dipole with two 29ft long wires which would come to 58ft long overall which is another good random length. Stay tuned lol
I make cigar box guitars and other instruments, cant believe you have a wall full of CBG and strumstiks etc. something else we have in common. Nice informative video.
Crawl by amateur here, another good vid, Walt. I always enjoy the results of your experiments. I'm getting antsy to get outdoors and play portable radio too. Still kinda winter here in New England.
Hey Walt, just to say that I love what you're doing with the wire antennas by the sea. I've just returned to the air this week after a 12½ year break (health hasn't been great for a while..lol) and I'm getting my things together again to get out by a river estuary close to where I live in Norfolk England. "The salt water amplifier " is something I've worked with quite a lot in the past, and set the world record (along with G4AKC) for the first pedestrian mobile to pedestrian mobile contact between G and ZL3 when I was in Christchurch NZ operating as ZL3/G7LPW/Pedestrian Mobile on 20m. Unfortunately my pedestrian days are fairly much over now due to my health, but I plan to do similar to yourself and build wire antennas on the riverside and sit in my car with my trusty old Alinco DX70TH. Hope you're having fun, and maybe catch you on the air sometime. 73, de G7LPW (Keith in Norfolk England)
Good video. I was working on the 25 foot with 4 to 1 and was having trouble with swr. Did not want to cut. I had a single wire connected to ground terminal on the UNUN to a plate with about 25 radials. My swr was not very good. so I finally took one group of radials off the plate and connected it directly to the ground on the UNUN things got better. Still not as good as I hoped but it's raining now so will wait until another day. fair weather antenna builder lol
I had an SWL antenna with a single wire feed which I converted for ham use by connecting the wire direct to the tuner. It worked pretty well and it was attic mounted, but had some RF in the shack on some bands. Fun times.
Saving this one! Thanks Walt! Taking the test for general on Saturday. I want to make my own antenna(s) eventually but will ease into it. I’m using two 10 meter hamsticks in a dipole configuration now and have two 20 meter sticks in reserve for when I pass my test. These two set ups will get me started. But I want to make an EFHW that I can use on multiple bands that will work with the built-in tuner in the FT-710 I’m planning to purchase. Right now I use a 60 watt single band 10 meter radio. Thanks for your videos!
Walt thanks for spreading the truth. Slightly compromised antennas are great, only compromised by an unnoticeable amount. That means they WORK. I have used 29 foot wire with my home-built 9:1 unun on multiple successful portable adventures. Also other wire lengths for avoiding resonant wires, and the tuner makes it work GANGBUSTERS. Thanks Walt for encouraging people to try and see for themselves. It WORKS if you follow basic principles. And it's FUN. Keep striving, keep trying, keep having fun, Dave WA4NID P.S. - I have edited this since I had said 49:1 unun with my portable ops, but I actually use 9:1 unun (homebrew) with 29 foot and sometimes longer wires. I am still studying all this, but it seems my results and good operating experience generally conforms with yours. I am now also building 4:1 unun so I can try out Rybikov and other shorter unbalanced antennas. Keep striving for fun and QSOs. I keep having fun with CW and sometimes with SSB. All the best. P.S.S. - my 49:1 transformers are used for the EFHW (End Fed Half Waves) wires which require higher ratio of impedance match. Keep bringing it Walt!
Nice job explaining things. I added the 1:1 and 4:1 LDG baluns to my list of things to look for at Hamvention. Last year, Gigaparts had a nice sale on them.
In my experience a simple 1/2 wave dipole fed in the center will typically give you about 70 ohms which will at best give vswr of 1:1:5, and is ok, like your man says if your under 2:1 the antenna will work ok. Ive used a 9:1 unun with 84ft of wire and had great results.
Fantastic information and without getting dizzy friend -👍. You do great work and on top of that you demonstrate its positive results. It's a pleasure to follow you.
This video reminded me of the radiomen in the Navy while tuning up the FRT-39s. They had to drive the PA, then use dials connected to the caps and coils while looking at voltage and current meters. (basically tuning the antenna) Occasionaly they would connect the wrong antenna, get high SWR and the caps would start snapping and arcing. It would scare the crap outta them.
Great video, thank you! I teach licensing classes for our local club, and I'll likely point some of our new (and more tenured) hams in your direction. Really enjoyed the explanation, will definitely watch more of your videos.
This helped a lot Walt. Of course this too shall cost me money. But like they say, you can't take it with you. I'm just going to get them all and save money on shipping.
Walt ... great rules of thumb for the real world. Couple what you mentioned with the realization that a doubling of power is 3 db or 1/2 S unit, even SWRs between 4:1 - 6:1 would hardly be noticed on the receiving end. However, the transmitter would not like them for long! 73 - KF6IF
Yesterday I built a 1/4 wave on isolated mast. I found eventually the verticals needed to be a little shorter but I didn't use the VNA. All elements were stainless telescopic (up to 5.6M without any extensions). I was struggling. There were certain frequencies it just would not tune on, if it did it was a higher SWR with a very wide Q but I could only get very low SWR with high Q on certain frequencies. I added a 1:1 ferrite toroid choke UNUN 2x11 or 12 turns bifilar (high temp silver coated wire 17gauge on a 240 43) 80mm x83mm plastic box with clear door. Around 50cm of M213 50ohm coax out the top and a SO239 on the bottom side. It was tight but good to keep the tails short the connection to the coax has room inside the upper gland. I added an o ring to the top side of the gland but next time i will not use one I will add some silicone inside / around the gland where it... / then tighten it to the box. When I added 1M more of coax the SWR came right down. I I had used a 1/4 wavelength metal mast this might have helped. The radials were all 1/4 wave horizontal to the ground 4x of them I tried at different heights but the tuning height of a few M was not too bad to get an idea. Then I tried the 1:1 choke and it seemed much much easier to tune the antenna. I found a tight Q close to a suitable frequency in the band and the best I got was 1.4 SWR at 4M test height. I think this antenna needs some tuning at the feedpoint. I will put it on the vna and see what is a suitable tuning solution. Alternatively. If you do not have a vna or similar you could add capacitance or inductance and find the sweet spot that way. Enough experimenting will get you there in the end. Weather or not to use a 1:1 also can depend on mast type and length. I found that with insulated masts or very short masts that it can be important to choke near to the feedpoint. 0.05 of a wavelength from it approx.
@Walt. Awesome video you should be a professor. I have a question on the off center and fed dipole. In your video you said that it required a 4 to 1 balun. Because it is off-center fed in the elements are two different lengths. Why wouldn’t that be considered an unbalanced antenna? I’ve been a hand for 25 years and I’ve learned more from you from your videos than any other resource. Thanks for your assistance and 73.
Thank you so much my friend. The OCF dipole is actually a balanced antenna as it finds the point on the wire where the impedance is approximately 200 ohm over several bands to make it a multiband antenna. Now think of balancing a pencil on your finger that has a heavy eraser at one end. You’re not balancing it dead center but closer to the heavy end. Same principle with balancing the dipole.
Thanks for the explanation, Walt! Just want to add a little thought: if you are using a balun or unun with a ferrite core, the core can become over saturated after a period of time and work less efficiently, which could lead to failure. It's very unlikely if you are a person who just making voice contacts or whatnot for a period of time similar to what you do, but if you're running a digital mode like JS8Call 24/7 where your radio is transmitting a lot, it can be a concern. In that case, maybe a resonate antenna might be better choice than say one which you need a balun or unun.
Walt, not only are your explanations great, your drawings are works of art. Have you ever considered publishing an antenna design booklet? I'd buy one!
Thanks so much! Yes I’m actually putting my sketchbook together and will definitely self publish it. Hopefully I can find the time to finish it soon. I appreciate your kind words my friend! 73, Walt
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I'm so happy to hear that, Walt. I hope this serves as a tiny incentive. Posters would be cool, too. Pin-ups for nerds, hi, hi. Looking forward to that first QSO, my friend. 73, N7BWB
great job, should be wicked helpful, especially for beginners. I personally don't use 1:1 baluns, I've always used coax chokes for dipoles instead. 73 de KB1TCD
I just watched a very interesting video by someone that fits beoadcast equipment He uses a circulator. Radio on port 1, antenna on port 2 and 50ohm dummy load on Port 3. He said that reflected power will come back down the coax and be directed to the dummy load, not into the transmitter. I've never seen one used like that before.
For some, the impedance ratios for baluns and ununs may be a bit confusing. In your end-fed, half-wave (EFHW) antenna example, having a feedpoint impedance of about 2450 ohms at one end, the optimum unun for that is a "49:1" ratio, as is commonly stated. Since "49" appears on the left side of the colon, some may think that the antenna's feedpoint impedance is stepped up 49 times to the feedline or, saying this misconception another way, the load impedance that a run of coax sees at the antenna at the unun feedline connector, would be 49 x 2450 ohms! This error in perspective is due to our common left-to-right arrangement of drawings and thought processes where the radio transmitter is on the left and antenna is on the right.
Walt, I’m like the lead newbie!!! About to go online after getting my general. Have not purchased any transceiver or built an antennae. Have used a wire in the back yard to monitor with a borrowed receiver. I have a house on the beach and want to set up that property with one of your beach configs. I like the G90 as it appears to be a rugged machine and would always be a good machine for the surf/sand. would like to be a member and have joined the channel but do not see any button to become a member that contributes monthly etc. Like your beach videos as that is where I want to start with my rig. Will look at a different machine for my main house. My beach house is on Grand Isle, LA. Let me know specifics of what you recommend for the beach. I can’t seem to find the details and links when I go to comments to find details.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the only video I have seen that would inspire a new Ham to actually build their own antenna. Am an older ham and I am excited to try out your recommendations. This is what Amateur Radio should be all about. Thank you very much...
Oh wow, thank you so very much! 73, Walt
You never know what you can do with some wire and insulators!
Drive by expert here: I got nothin', you nailed it out of the park and I learned quite a bit.
Thanks Walt!
73
😁
Haha thank you my friend!
It's great to see some one who explains the technology in easy to understand terms. So many tutorials are geared to the already experienced and goes completely over a new hams head. In my 47+ years I have always tried to teach on the level of the student. Great job! By the way, I may be an "old dog" but you have taught me a new trick or two as well. Hi Hi! Keep up the great work. 73s DE wb7veq
Thank you so very much! The one thing about physics, engineering and almost anything that involves science is that humans will overthink it. I really just try to keep everything simple. 73 my friend
This was the most common sense and easy to understand explanation on this topic I’ve ever seen/heard. Thank you!
Thank you for watching and for your kind words! 73, Walt
I always feel like I'm starting to get a grab on this after watching your videos, Walt.
Yours are the best for simple, practical explanations. This one really is excellent.
Thanks for this.
merci beaucoup Alain! 73, Walt
Excellent video! I'm an old ham but continue to learn even 54 years later! Antenna theory is where the real magic happens. Forget the amplifiers and work on your antenna systems.
Thank you and I totally agree! 73, Walt
Learning to use the antenna analyzer in sweep mode really helped me to see what was going on with my antennas. Thanks for all the helpful information.
Thanks for watching and commenting! 73, Walt
Feed point Impedance for dummies it is so simple to understand the way Walt explained it.
My god this made more sense than anyone else has explained thank you so much brilliant again...this is the way of the ham
Thank you my friend! 73, Walt
Thanks again Walt! Great information. I know manual tuners aren't popular these days but making and using one really does help a person understand theory and practice of how matching works.
Thanks! I agree
Thanks Walt. You hit a good one today. As a newer licensed ham, you see people using these all over RUclips, but no explanations as to why or under what Circumstances they should be used. This is a good basic intro and I for one will be culling through this video numerous times and taking notes. Love the background. It looks to me like you love your instruments as much as the radio. I have the same bug with a wide collection of stringed instruments. My strum stick is my late night just before bed go to for playing. 73’s my friend.
Thanks for the kind words. Yes I have the strumstick addiction too my friend. All the best my friend. Keep on strumming and hamming! 73, Walt
I agree, amazing work you have done with inexpensive equipment, g90 and all your antennas. I love the g90 radio. AA2BD thx. 73
@@revbikerbigd8664 thank you so much my friend!
Great video as usual!!
Note: a "resonant" antenna is only "resonant" on the frequency for which it is cut.
When you deviate up or down from that frequency it is no longer "resonant" -- it may be close, but not resonant.
Walt, the difference between your videos and other guy's videos is, I don't have to fight falling asleep while watching and listening to their 'dull' presentations. You keep it lively and chuckle from time to time. Others? Not so much. I'm brand new to HF and am soaking up all I can, especially from your videos. Thanks for making the un-understandable understandable.
Thanks so much for the very kind words! 73 my friend
I watch a lot of videos to further my education on antennas and some of those old guys are real smart but have the most horrible drawings and handwriting, you have the cleanest illustrations and I know it may be a small thing, but I really appreciate being able to make out what you are drawing. Hey that brown Uke behind you looks a lot like my mahogany Martin Tenor! Aloha , AL
Thanks! That uke is an old Conqueror that belonged to my wife’s father. It’s a special one for me.
It's by no means a small thing! I've built a few of walts brain child's and base them off of his very effective drawings!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRESdid you do drafting?
Yes
Great video getting into the thick of things. Not exactly an adventure in the typical sense, but a productive exploration all the same. Thanks. Cheers and 73!
Thank you and cheers! Walt
Thanks for another helpful video! The way you put this together was perfect. I added it to my technical journal. I take notes in a journal when I come across useful information so I have it close at hand. So many new amateur radio operators mismatch antennas and Baluns/Ununs because they don't have a clear guide regarding what goes with what. Your video breaks it down into terms that are easy to understand. Thanks again...73...Hugh...KN6KNB
Less-young (78) ham here and I keep learning from you every video. Love your enthusiasm for our fantastic hobby. You also encourage me to try new antennas so when I go off in my caravan in a few days I'll be trying a wire vertical or two. Maybe see you on the Southern Cross 14238 net again. 73 from VK4BOB
Hi Bob! I’ve been tuning in to the Southern Cross Net as much as possible. I can guarantee to will catch me there soon as conditions are starting to favor it. 73, Walt
Thanks Walt. You made this really easy to understand and I look forward to using this info for my antenna projects and experiments. That's half the fun of HF for me. 73
Thanks for watching and for the kind words! 73 my friend
Super helpful. Thanks, Walt. Always look forward to your videos.
Thank you so very much! 73, Walt
My brother and I just had this conversation. Good info.
Thank you!!
Hats off to you Walt. As a new ham, I soaked up this material like a sponge, my questions were answered.
Thank you! 73, Walt
Great information. I got a little distracted by the cigar box guitars. Love it!
Thanks! I’ve been building CBGs for a few years. I’ve got a couple from other builders as well. Fun to play.
My daughter and I built one a few years ago for a school project. I almost enjoy playing it more than my six string. They're such a versatile instrument. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming, please. I've been studying for my technician license and hope to be on the air soon.
@johnbonner4430 thank you! Good luck and hope to catch you on the air soon my friend
@@COASTALWAVESWIRESI think you need to do video overview on them and their construction!
I'm a big fan of remote, or "at the feedpoint" tuners. Like the antenna matcher you showed, they work sort of like an automatic, infinitely variable unun to give you an (almost) perfect match on (almost) any wire length. Your 50 ohm coax always (theoretically) matches your rig, so the impedance mismatch you need to address is where the coax meets the wire. In-rig and at-the-rig tuners are great for protecting your rig, but have much higher losses than matching at the feedpoint. This is just food for thought - thanks for the great videos!
Same here.
Great video Walt. I have a 55ft vertical up a tree with a 9 to 1 UNUN about 3ft off of the ground with 1 36ft counter pois elevated off the ground. It works great.
Thank you! That sounds like a great setup.
Being a newbie I thought size matters and so had a lot of antenna envy seeing my neighbors with their 330' tower antennas. Now I know that as in other things, it ain't the meat its the motion when it comes to efficient propagation.
After I got my General ticket it took me several months on my own to figure out all the things you covered in one video.
If you had only made this 5 years ago! Keep up the good work.
Great video, Walt, thanks! Your 'drive-by experts' made me spit my coffee, though I'm not complaining. Cheers and 73!
Excellent video Walt. You explained the basics very well. If people watching have questions, I suggest they do research before making stupid comments. I love low cost, homemade antennas that work and you show so many very good ones. You don't need to spend $200. to $500. for the latest "New" or "Tactical" antenna to make solid contacts, especially when working portable. Thank Walt ! 73
Thank you so much! 73, Walt
As always Walt a great video with great info. Sometimes hams need to use compromise antennas such as myself, people need to realise not all have the space to put antennas up, i have a random wire that runs up a 12 meter pole that is strapped against a tree yet i have contacts from around the world... for me the Unun's work along with the Baluns. Im on air so thats what counts. You have great info Walt, thanks and 73 de ZL1MY
Thank you so much for the kind words my friend! 73, Walt
It is a delightful explanation into each type of antenna and the matching feed-line impedance. I have now built ten different antennae for my amateur fun and this is a great place to start! Thanks for the great video!
Thanks for yet another great video that stays out of the weeds. Greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for watching! 73, Walt
Well done Walt. Love your antenna projects...
Thank you so much my friend!
Walt, this video is great and to the point. I have tried various types of configurations over the 60 years of being a ham and had so much fun. Still looking for the perfect antenna (Hi Hi) but everything is a compromise due to all the unseen variables! I currently use a 29ft vertical with a 9:1. It works great and matches my environmental requirements while living in an HOA. Thank you for your practical and useful videos. Harv K5NR
Thank you Harv! I think we will always be looking for the perfect antenna Hi Hi
Thanks Walt. Great information for new and old hams the same. I've learned so much from you guys this past year. Ape taught me how to build AND test my Balun's and UNUN's. You taught me to have fun and not sweat the small s$it. Grateful to you both, and several others, that take the time to share their knowledge and experiences.
Great video. Thank you very much, Walt. I watch your videos the most. I made my first DX contact yesterday with Maritime Mobile Service Network using your 29 ft vertical, 9:1 unun, 1:1 unun, with the classic DX Commander design. The net control operator was in Texas. I used the Xiegu G90 at 20 watts. I was using the flagpole tire support to support the DX Commander pole on my back deck. I used weights as an anchor. You have a treasure of information and it helped me very much. It was simple and it worked great.
Thank you and it so awesome you made your first DX contact! Congratulations! There will be many many more to come! 73, Walt
I put up a 20 meter long wire cut to length, using the nanovna-f, don't get me wrong it did work but not effectively. Till i learned about reactance. Swr was not every thing , resistance and capacitive balancing was quickly learned about. I guess digging deeper helped me understand why just swr is just a reference to other values. As i understand tuners are great given compromise antennas, however I wanted not to waste energy as heat. Great tutorial !
So down the rabbit hole I go again. Lol 😊
Thanks Walt! I'm a new ham and know little about antennas, this video had lots of good info! The unun/balun discussion and reasoning provided a much clearer understanding of their purpose and use. Also your drawings were clear and understandable. Not only did I learn something, I was impressed by your collection of ukuleles!
Thanks for watching, yes I’m a uke geek as well lol 73, Walt
Hi, this video was very useful for me as a novice ham operator, thank you very much, I will probably watch in a few times to get a better grip of toppics. Many thanks. 73.
Thanks for watching! 73, Walt
That's another very useful summary video, Walt. Saved for future reference ! 73, Pete
Thank you Pete! 73 my friend
Walt - really appreciate how you use simple gear and are constantly experimenting. I recently set up an end-fed 41’ random wire with a 9:1 Unun. Pretty good results. After adding a 1:1 Unun RF choke, I was surprised by the improvement. Now getting tons of international QSOs on 5W. I recognize this antenna knowhow is widely available, but you make it accessible and approachable. Thanks and keep up the great videos.
Thank you so much for the kind words my friend! 73, Walt
Hello! The closer the wire size is to 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, to the wavelength, the lower the losses in the antenna will be. Also, in order to reduce losses when adjusting resistance, it is easier and more convenient to use L-Match than transformer rings that heat up and give significant losses.
Roger that, thanks for sharing.
Not much to add. You covered things pretty well. If you operate on the go it's really hard to beat a 49:1 and/or a 9:1. Most of the time at home that is what I put out. The ability to band hop is worth the 20 odd percent loss implied in the transformer.
Roger that! 73, Walt
Thank you Walt. Your videos are always very helpful. I appreciate what you do and the time you take to do it.
Thank you for the kind words! 73, Walt
One of my favorite, lowly wire antennas for POTA is the multiband 29’ EFRW with the 9:1 unun. It’s quick to set up and effective.
👍Nice overview, thanks Walt. I think your results on air are evidence that these "compromise" antennas work. If you think about it, arguably, every antenna is a compromise in some aspects.
Thank you and Roger that my friend! 73, Walt
Well said and explained, I have done some 12K miles contacts on garbage antennas I made in the past.
Most needed video ever! Many thanks once more!
Thank you for watching and for the great comment! 73, Walt
I made one of those 17.5 ft Antenna's Works pretty good ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I was impressed when I read that end fed halfwave will work on every harmonic -- not just the odd harmonics. For example, my 66 ft / 20 meter long end fed halfwave at 7 MHz will also work on 14 Mhz and 21 Mhz and 28 MHz too. The SWR is very acceptable and many times I don't need to use a transmatch. I can also use it on the WARC bands with a transmatch. It's a very versatile antenna.
It’s a great antenna
I really enjoy your videos. Have always enjoyed tinkering with wires. Those who tout resonate antennas seldom have a resonate match. Love my tuners. The proof is in the received signal that peeks when tuned. I've seen test that prove that theres little to no loss in a tuner in the hf bands. I'm down with medical issues so going out with you, through RUclips is great. Keep them comming!
Excellent video and one of my favorite Ham channels. Thank you for this explanation. I'm new to amateur radio and you're videos have helped me tremendously with antenna building and understanding terminology and theory.
Thanks Walt. My 29ft vertical was a perfect match on 10m with a 9:1 unun and a few ground radials. Tuned down into 40m though it didnt work real great it worked. 40m to 6m on 1 antenna was fun to play with. Also a good shtf antenna to have handy on a DX Commander pole
Roger that Jon! I got a 9:1 balun from a really cool dude and I think I’m going to build a dipole with two 29ft long wires which would come to 58ft long overall which is another good random length. Stay tuned lol
I make cigar box guitars and other instruments, cant believe you have a wall full of CBG and strumstiks etc. something else we have in common. Nice informative video.
Thanks! Yes I love CBGs, Ukes and Strumsticks! 73, Walt
Got to love Single Stroke Gothic Lettering. Make me want to get back on the drafting table. Another great lesson Walt even for the semi seasoned ham.
Thank you! I started on the drawing board a long time ago
Crawl by amateur here, another good vid, Walt. I always enjoy the results of your experiments. I'm getting antsy to get outdoors and play portable radio too. Still kinda winter here in New England.
Thanks! It’s winter one day summer the next here in the Mid-Atlantic
Very informative video! Thanks Walt! And I had to laugh at the "drive by experts" comment! Sad but true.
Wonderful video and illustrations Walt. I know it answered a lot of questions I have had concerning building antennas. Keep up the good work!
Hey Walt, just to say that I love what you're doing with the wire antennas by the sea. I've just returned to the air this week after a 12½ year break (health hasn't been great for a while..lol) and I'm getting my things together again to get out by a river estuary close to where I live in Norfolk England.
"The salt water amplifier " is something I've worked with quite a lot in the past, and set the world record (along with G4AKC) for the first pedestrian mobile to pedestrian mobile contact between G and ZL3 when I was in Christchurch NZ operating as ZL3/G7LPW/Pedestrian Mobile on 20m.
Unfortunately my pedestrian days are fairly much over now due to my health, but I plan to do similar to yourself and build wire antennas on the riverside and sit in my car with my trusty old Alinco DX70TH.
Hope you're having fun, and maybe catch you on the air sometime. 73, de G7LPW (Keith in Norfolk England)
Good video. I was working on the 25 foot with 4 to 1 and was having trouble with swr. Did not want to cut. I had a single wire connected to ground terminal on the UNUN to a plate with about 25 radials. My swr was not very good. so I finally took one group of radials off the plate and connected it directly to the ground on the UNUN things got better. Still not as good as I hoped but it's raining now so will wait until another day. fair weather antenna builder lol
Thank you! Antennas sometimes just have more moving parts than a clock lol
Excellent work, Walt! Thanks so much!
Thank YOU so much!
I had an SWL antenna with a single wire feed which I converted for ham use by connecting the wire direct to the tuner. It worked pretty well and it was attic mounted, but had some RF in the shack on some bands. Fun times.
Awesome, I’m thinking about making a 5/8 wave vertical and use one of my tuners at the feedpoint
Great video! I go back to them all the time. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! 73, Walt
I was listening I promise. I wasnt just staring at your cigar bix guitar collection. Very nice.
Saving this one! Thanks Walt! Taking the test for general on Saturday. I want to make my own antenna(s) eventually but will ease into it. I’m using two 10 meter hamsticks in a dipole configuration now and have two 20 meter sticks in reserve for when I pass my test. These two set ups will get me started. But I want to make an EFHW that I can use on multiple bands that will work with the built-in tuner in the FT-710 I’m planning to purchase. Right now I use a 60 watt single band 10 meter radio.
Thanks for your videos!
Just what I needed to know about which UNUN to use for what wire.....Thanks Walt....VK2BMV
Thanks for watching! 73, Walt
Excellent video Walt.
Thank you very much! 73, Walt
Walt thanks for spreading the truth. Slightly compromised antennas are great, only compromised by an unnoticeable amount. That means they WORK. I have used 29 foot wire with my home-built 9:1 unun on multiple successful portable adventures. Also other wire lengths for avoiding resonant wires, and the tuner makes it work GANGBUSTERS. Thanks Walt for encouraging people to try and see for themselves. It WORKS if you follow basic principles. And it's FUN. Keep striving, keep trying, keep having fun, Dave WA4NID
P.S. - I have edited this since I had said 49:1 unun with my portable ops, but I actually use 9:1 unun (homebrew) with 29 foot and sometimes longer wires. I am still studying all this, but it seems my results and good operating experience generally conforms with yours. I am now also building 4:1 unun so I can try out Rybikov and other shorter unbalanced antennas. Keep striving for fun and QSOs. I keep having fun with CW and sometimes with SSB. All the best.
P.S.S. - my 49:1 transformers are used for the EFHW (End Fed Half Waves) wires which require higher ratio of impedance match. Keep bringing it Walt!
I always enjoy your videos, but sometimes they are especially informative. Thanks!
Thank you and thank you so very much for supporting my channel!!!! 73, Walt
Dude, you nailed it. Am recommending this video....
Thank you so very much!
Nice job explaining things. I added the 1:1 and 4:1 LDG baluns to my list of things to look for at Hamvention. Last year, Gigaparts had a nice sale on them.
Thanks! I’ve got two LDG 4:1 baluns. I’ll bring one to Dayton. You can buy me a couple beers lol
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES 🍻sounds good to me!
In my experience a simple 1/2 wave dipole fed in the center will typically give you about 70 ohms which will at best give vswr of 1:1:5, and is ok, like your man says if your under 2:1 the antenna will work ok. Ive used a 9:1 unun with 84ft of wire and had great results.
Yeah, I understand. This was done to simplify what we’re trying to do at the feedpoint
Fantastic information and without getting dizzy friend -👍.
You do great work and on top of that you demonstrate its positive results.
It's a pleasure to follow you.
Thank you very much for the kind words! 73, Walt
I've looked through all of your videos and unable to find your video on rf ground. Thank you for your GREAT videos!
Thank you! Here’s a link to the video:
ruclips.net/video/KjEOUZS_5sw/видео.htmlsi=KTXkEfCiYyNHcx7x
This video reminded me of the radiomen in the Navy while tuning up the FRT-39s. They had to drive the PA, then use dials connected to the caps and coils while looking at voltage and current meters. (basically tuning the antenna) Occasionaly they would connect the wrong antenna, get high SWR and the caps would start snapping and arcing. It would scare the crap outta them.
Great video, thank you! I teach licensing classes for our local club, and I'll likely point some of our new (and more tenured) hams in your direction. Really enjoyed the explanation, will definitely watch more of your videos.
This helped a lot Walt. Of course this too shall cost me money. But like they say, you can't take it with you. I'm just going to get them all and save money on shipping.
It’s a good collection to have!
This information is GOLD. Thank you for taking the time to make it.
Great video and valuable information Walt. Kudos Brother.
Walt ... great rules of thumb for the real world. Couple what you mentioned with the realization that a doubling of power is 3 db or 1/2 S unit, even SWRs between 4:1 - 6:1 would hardly be noticed on the receiving end. However, the transmitter would not like them for long!
73 - KF6IF
Roger that, thanks for sharing. 73, Walt
Always great videos with information that will help others with Ham Radio! Good to hear you on the livestream last Sunday! Keep them coming, Walt
Yesterday I built a 1/4 wave on isolated mast. I found eventually the verticals needed to be a little shorter but I didn't use the VNA. All elements were stainless telescopic (up to 5.6M without any extensions). I was struggling. There were certain frequencies it just would not tune on, if it did it was a higher SWR with a very wide Q but I could only get very low SWR with high Q on certain frequencies. I added a 1:1 ferrite toroid choke UNUN 2x11 or 12 turns bifilar (high temp silver coated wire 17gauge on a 240 43) 80mm x83mm plastic box with clear door. Around 50cm of M213 50ohm coax out the top and a SO239 on the bottom side. It was tight but good to keep the tails short the connection to the coax has room inside the upper gland. I added an o ring to the top side of the gland but next time i will not use one I will add some silicone inside / around the gland where it... / then tighten it to the box.
When I added 1M more of coax the SWR came right down. I I had used a 1/4 wavelength metal mast this might have helped. The radials were all 1/4 wave horizontal to the ground 4x of them I tried at different heights but the tuning height of a few M was not too bad to get an idea. Then I tried the 1:1 choke and it seemed much much easier to tune the antenna. I found a tight Q close to a suitable frequency in the band and the best I got was 1.4 SWR at 4M test height. I think this antenna needs some tuning at the feedpoint. I will put it on the vna and see what is a suitable tuning solution. Alternatively. If you do not have a vna or similar you could add capacitance or inductance and find the sweet spot that way. Enough experimenting will get you there in the end.
Weather or not to use a 1:1 also can depend on mast type and length. I found that with insulated masts or very short masts that it can be important to choke near to the feedpoint. 0.05 of a wavelength from it approx.
@Walt. Awesome video you should be a professor. I have a question on the off center and fed dipole. In your video you said that it required a 4 to 1 balun. Because it is off-center fed in the elements are two different lengths. Why wouldn’t that be considered an unbalanced antenna? I’ve been a hand for 25 years and I’ve learned more from you from your videos than any other resource. Thanks for your assistance and 73.
Thank you so much my friend. The OCF dipole is actually a balanced antenna as it finds the point on the wire where the impedance is approximately 200 ohm over several bands to make it a multiband antenna. Now think of balancing a pencil on your finger that has a heavy eraser at one end. You’re not balancing it dead center but closer to the heavy end. Same principle with balancing the dipole.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks again.
Another great video. Thanks Walt.
Thank you so much! 73, Walt
Excellent explanation Walt !! 😉👍
Thank you! 73, Walt
Good video man. You are killing it as always. Lots of great advice.
Thank you my friend! 73, Walt
Thanks for the explanation, Walt! Just want to add a little thought: if you are using a balun or unun with a ferrite core, the core can become over saturated after a period of time and work less efficiently, which could lead to failure. It's very unlikely if you are a person who just making voice contacts or whatnot for a period of time similar to what you do, but if you're running a digital mode like JS8Call 24/7 where your radio is transmitting a lot, it can be a concern. In that case, maybe a resonate antenna might be better choice than say one which you need a balun or unun.
Thanks! Great input, thanks for sharing
I love your videos. Keep up the good work!
Thank you very much! 73, Walt
Walt, thanks! Learning more with every video you produce.
AC3EA
Thank you for watching and commenting my friend! 73, Walt
Walt, not only are your explanations great, your drawings are works of art. Have you ever considered publishing an antenna design booklet? I'd buy one!
Thanks so much! Yes I’m actually putting my sketchbook together and will definitely self publish it. Hopefully I can find the time to finish it soon. I appreciate your kind words my friend! 73, Walt
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I'm so happy to hear that, Walt. I hope this serves as a tiny incentive. Posters would be cool, too. Pin-ups for nerds, hi, hi. Looking forward to that first QSO, my friend. 73, N7BWB
great job, should be wicked helpful, especially for beginners. I personally don't use 1:1 baluns, I've always used coax chokes for dipoles instead. 73 de KB1TCD
Thank you! 73, Walt
Great overview. Thank you.
I just watched a very interesting video by someone that fits beoadcast equipment He uses a circulator. Radio on port 1, antenna on port 2 and 50ohm dummy load on Port 3.
He said that reflected power will come back down the coax and be directed to the dummy load, not into the transmitter.
I've never seen one used like that before.
BROADCAST!!!
Great video Walt!
Thank you! 73, Walt
Excellent presentation.clarfied all my doubts or myth about random length antennas.vu2ft
For some, the impedance ratios for baluns and ununs may be a bit confusing. In your end-fed, half-wave (EFHW) antenna example, having a feedpoint impedance of about 2450 ohms at one end, the optimum unun for that is a "49:1" ratio, as is commonly stated. Since "49" appears on the left side of the colon, some may think that the antenna's feedpoint impedance is stepped up 49 times to the feedline or, saying this misconception another way, the load impedance that a run of coax sees at the antenna at the unun feedline connector, would be 49 x 2450 ohms! This error in perspective is due to our common left-to-right arrangement of drawings and thought processes where the radio transmitter is on the left and antenna is on the right.
I plan to start collecting them like pedals... Or wall hanger axes! Love it man! 73
Hahaha that’s what I do and as you can see on my wall I have some pedals I use with my little axes haha
Great, informative video - thank you Walt.
Great video Walt, thank you.
Thank you very much! 73, Walt
Thanks for the breakdown! Love the CBGs on the wall!
Walt, I’m like the lead newbie!!! About to go online after getting my general. Have not purchased any transceiver or built an antennae. Have used a wire in the back yard to monitor with a borrowed receiver. I have a house on the beach and want to set up that property with one of your beach configs. I like the G90 as it appears to be a rugged machine and would always be a good machine for the surf/sand. would like to be a member and have joined the channel but do not see any button to become a member that contributes monthly etc. Like your beach videos as that is where I want to start with my rig. Will look at a different machine for my main house. My beach house is on Grand Isle, LA. Let me know specifics of what you recommend for the beach. I can’t seem to find the details and links when I go to comments to find details.