I guess times have changed a lot. I was first licensed at age 15, 1971 and everybody made their own wire antennas, dipoles, slopers, loops, inverted vees etc. Of course no internet then and no ebay. But i gota tell you the fun of using the formulas for various antennas, scrounging enough wire, getting it installed and making numerous trips trimming them for best SWR was not only fun but left a feeling of accomplishment even though it was not rocket science. Of course, then, everyone started out with the Novice license, CW only, 75 max watts power input and crystal controlled. Later we were allowed to use a VFO or a rig which had one. My first contact was from Columbia, SC to Greenville, SC, about 85 air miles. My rig was a Heath DX35 and a Hammarlund HQ170. I was ecstatic, my signal left my parents home and traveled 85 miles and was received by another Ham. I still make my own wire antennas and each time I put one of my home-brewed antennas up and make a contact, the joy of my first QSO, now 52 years ago comes into memory. Now, I'm not saying I would not have ordered one online had that been an option but the thrill of doing it all myself was something very special too me.
Get your 1:64 unun from Eddieson on eBay. About 15 dollars. Buy some 18 or 20 gauge speaker wire (100 feet for $11.00 or so), split it, as you only need one side of the two wires, and use 33 or 66 feet or whatever length you want. Eddieson uses 140-43 cores. Mine easily handles 100 watts CW. Have used it for months as my home antenna and use one as my POTA antenna.
I have not heard of these antennas, so I have not used any of them, but it is good to know that eBay is a good place to look for antennas when you need one. Thanks for sharing.
You know what I am going to say. I know he doesn't sell on E-Bay anymore but he did when I bought all 3 of the ones I own. Best antenna I have ever owned or used and I have 3 of his models. -- DX Commander. ;) These are actually all new to me and I am going to check them out. One antenna I do not have is an OCF Dipole and I would like to try one out. Also, 100% agree about 80m, way to big for POTA. I have an 80m Sota Beams 4 band and I have yet to deploy it due to the size. I did buy an 160m MyAntennas EFHW that I managed to deploy across my entire house from the far corner of my property to just at the front of the house. It tunes and works remarkably well from 80 meters to 6 meters.
6:40 Hey Jason- Regarding the end fed half wave....I used a homebrew 40M efhw for field day, but I included the 110uH inductor at the end with an additional few feet of wire which makes it an 80M (high Q) efhw. This frequency agility allowed me to work 10M, 20M, 40M, and a few contacts on 80M without making any adjustments to the antenna....winning! 73 de N2MXX NJ
I bought the Nelson Antenna End Fed random wire at the recommendation from K8MRD, it works as advertised and can indeed use all the bands as described. Its a High quality antenna too, it should last a long time.
I have the Nelson high power end fed half wave and is a fantastic wire. It slopes from about 15 feet by the shack to 100+ feet to the top of a big oak out in the yard. No tuner. and under 2:1 swr on 10 through 80m. Also easily handles legal limit with ease. It will beat my vertical 9 out of ten times.
Thanks, Jason. I am looking at options for POTA. A couple new options I'd not seen previously. Lots to think about. I might end up with a couple options to play with.
I have an N9SAB linked dipole which I use for portable (WWFF and POTA). I really like it. Lightweight, good choice of wire that doesn't tangle easily. The loop can be attached to my 12m Spiderbeam pole using a cable tie or paracord. Used it for my POTA activation DA-0009 Barnim Nature Park outside of Berlin and made many transatlantic contacts.
I picked up a TenTennas 49:1 transformer assembly for EFHW. Nicely assembled in a 3D printed box. I have the wire cut for 40 M and am planning to tune as well as test this coming weekend (after Field Day).
@AJ K I cut the wire to 68 feet for starters. A couple of inches became a loop for attaching an insulator. I expect the final length to be about 66 feet.
I bought a 6-80 meter EFHW from Luis Rivera, WP3LR, at HFedz over a year ago and I'm embarrassed to say I have yet to put it through its paces yet. Luis was very responsive to any questions I had and even offered suggestions to questions I hadn't discovered yet.
I have bought a few HFedz antennas from Luis and they work better than they should. I think the end fed 88' model is my favorite. I put one up at home for temporary testing months ago and it's still up connected to my IC-7100 used mostly for digital and back up. I liked it so much I bought a second one for portable use. www.ebay.com/itm/194086099151 The N9TAX Slim Jim antennas are awesome also.
I worked Europe on 10 meters 20 watts. My "antenna" was an aluminum window frame. This older ham asked me what all I could load up. My reply was "a wet noodle". We both got a laugh out of that. 73 de ke4obe
I bought just the Nelson Antenna "Box" for a random wire length as a base antenna. I don't really have the room to put up a tower and an HF antenna, so I have 140 feet of wire on the 9:1 box strung up around my residential property (NO HOA). I use Marine-grade 14ga tinned stranded copper wire and it works great. It tunes 160-10 beautifully. The only setback: it's a bit noisy. Even with an RF choke in line, I still get S3-S4 worth of noise, so hearing QRP stations is a bit on the tough side. 73, de N1CPG
Great vid Jason. I’ve been using one of the 9:1 EFRW boxes from Nelson antennas. Had some Davis RF 26ga stealth antenna wire at home and cut a couple random lengths. Threw one up in a tree off my deck and one stays in my RV. I use them mainly for QRP work using my FT-817, IC-703 or G-90. Works exceptionally well regardless of radio or location and would recommend. de k8wf
Nelson antennas have been a winner for me. Have two of the EFHW (40M), and both work awesome. I haven't even bothered to trim them, as the SWRs are great. Looking forward to trying the random wire versions.
I use the Nelson Antennas 9:1 EFRW as my primary weekend antenna (use another 9:1 to load my rain gutters during the week as I live in an apartment). It’s fantastic and I pretty regularly make 5-8000 mile contacts with 100w SSB or 75 CW ( I’ve actually ran 100 CW a few times.. shhhh). Nothing but good things to say about it. Loads 10-160 though I run 160 rarely due to me being scared of arcing in my tuner. Great antenna.
I've got my eye on that one Ray for home use (hopefully stealth enough to get by HOA). Supposedly it will do 80-6 :) Wish it would handle a bit more pwr for digital/cw. Thanks for sharing your experience(s) 73
@@shawnp6653 it loads all the way down to 160 but is obviously very compromised. I do have trouble on 6 with an autotuner but I think if I had a 50 MHz manual tuner it would be fine. Just worked Z21RU on 40 at 20 ft high. Works great.
@@W3OY-RAY Z21? Wow! Congrats! Never had a lot of interest in 160, would be nice to do it once in while. I do like 6 so I am hoping my LDG autotuner can do some magic there. 73s Ray & Good DX!
great video as ever Can I ask a question of possible- have a nelson balun myself - but not much luck with it yet (only tried once until now) What length of element do you use if you do not mind me asking?
I have a real distrust of things sold on eBay, having been ripped off three times. Ripped off once, shame on you. Ripped off twice, shame on me. I need some LMR-400 and am going to get it from DX Engineering even though it is about 50% more than what is sold on eBay. At least I know what I am getting is not fake crap from China.
What annoys the living $@#% out of me is these antenna vendors leave out a VERY important piece of info, that being the total LENGTH of their longwire antennas. I have a small lot and need to know how that info before ordering, rather than spending my limited funds and then finding out theres no way to use the antenna on my lot.
Tim. KB0VQP. I rest a room at a house. Have limited choices. After getting my ICOM 7300 , I bought a ECOMM 2, end fed , 60 foot , Chameleon antenna from Denver Ham Radio Outlet , $ 130. Strung it from the house , to the farthest tree.
I guess times have changed a lot. I was first licensed at age 15, 1971 and everybody made their own wire antennas, dipoles, slopers, loops, inverted vees etc. Of course no internet then and no ebay. But i gota tell you the fun of using the formulas for various antennas, scrounging enough wire, getting it installed and making numerous trips trimming them for best SWR was not only fun but left a feeling of accomplishment even though it was not rocket science. Of course, then, everyone started out with the Novice license, CW only, 75 max watts power input and crystal controlled. Later we were allowed to use a VFO or a rig which had one.
My first contact was from Columbia, SC to Greenville, SC, about 85 air miles. My rig was a Heath DX35 and a Hammarlund HQ170. I was ecstatic, my signal left my parents home and traveled 85 miles and was received by another Ham. I still make my own wire antennas and each time I put one of my home-brewed antennas up and make a contact, the joy of my first QSO, now 52 years ago comes into memory.
Now, I'm not saying I would not have ordered one online had that been an option but the thrill of doing it all myself was something very special too me.
Get your 1:64 unun from Eddieson on eBay. About 15 dollars. Buy some 18 or 20 gauge speaker wire (100 feet for $11.00 or so), split it, as you only need one side of the two wires, and use 33 or 66 feet or whatever length you want. Eddieson uses 140-43 cores. Mine easily handles 100 watts CW. Have used it for months as my home antenna and use one as my POTA antenna.
I have used all three of these sellers. All three are great antenna builders and I really like them.
I have not heard of these antennas, so I have not used any of them, but it is good to know that eBay is a good place to look for antennas when you need one. Thanks for sharing.
I really like N9SAB’s antennas. Super light weight and they work very well. I haven’t heard of the others. eBay here I come!
Thanks for sharing
I got 9-1 union from nelson! 20 ft crappy pole with 30ft 9inches 22ga silicone wire wrapped around it, xiegu g90 radio 40 meter NJ to Florida!
You know what I am going to say. I know he doesn't sell on E-Bay anymore but he did when I bought all 3 of the ones I own. Best antenna I have ever owned or used and I have 3 of his models. -- DX Commander. ;) These are actually all new to me and I am going to check them out. One antenna I do not have is an OCF Dipole and I would like to try one out. Also, 100% agree about 80m, way to big for POTA. I have an 80m Sota Beams 4 band and I have yet to deploy it due to the size. I did buy an 160m MyAntennas EFHW that I managed to deploy across my entire house from the far corner of my property to just at the front of the house. It tunes and works remarkably well from 80 meters to 6 meters.
Obviously you are correct. But yes, not on eBay anymore
6:40 Hey Jason- Regarding the end fed half wave....I used a homebrew 40M efhw for field day, but I included the 110uH inductor at the end with an additional few feet of wire which makes it an 80M (high Q) efhw. This frequency agility allowed me to work 10M, 20M, 40M, and a few contacts on 80M without making any adjustments to the antenna....winning! 73 de N2MXX NJ
I bought the Nelson Antenna End Fed random wire at the recommendation from K8MRD, it works as advertised and can indeed use all the bands as described. Its a High quality antenna too, it should last a long time.
I have the Nelson high power end fed half wave and is a fantastic wire. It slopes from about 15 feet by the shack to 100+ feet to the top of a big oak out in the yard. No tuner. and under 2:1 swr on 10 through 80m. Also easily handles legal limit with ease. It will beat my vertical 9 out of ten times.
Thanks, Jason. I am looking at options for POTA. A couple new options I'd not seen previously. Lots to think about. I might end up with a couple options to play with.
I have an N9SAB linked dipole which I use for portable (WWFF and POTA). I really like it. Lightweight, good choice of wire that doesn't tangle easily. The loop can be attached to my 12m Spiderbeam pole using a cable tie or paracord. Used it for my POTA activation DA-0009 Barnim Nature Park outside of Berlin and made many transatlantic contacts.
Nelson Antennas are spectacular. Shane Is a very good person to deal with!
I picked up a TenTennas 49:1 transformer assembly for EFHW. Nicely assembled in a 3D printed box. I have the wire cut for 40 M and am planning to tune as well as test this coming weekend (after Field Day).
@AJ K I cut the wire to 68 feet for starters. A couple of inches became a loop for attaching an insulator. I expect the final length to be about 66 feet.
I bought a 6-80 meter EFHW from Luis Rivera, WP3LR, at HFedz over a year ago and I'm embarrassed to say I have yet to put it through its paces yet. Luis was very responsive to any questions I had and even offered suggestions to questions I hadn't discovered yet.
I've heard about that antenna but never owned one. I will check it out, might be good video material. Thanks Phillip!
I have bought a few HFedz antennas from Luis and they work better than they should. I think the end fed 88' model is my favorite. I put one up at home for temporary testing months ago and it's still up connected to my IC-7100 used mostly for digital and back up. I liked it so much I bought a second one for portable use. www.ebay.com/itm/194086099151
The N9TAX Slim Jim antennas are awesome also.
I have the Nelson antenna; very happy with it!
Thanks! I have been looking for a temporary antenna untill I get my vertical set up.
I'm gonna try that Nelson antenna! Thanks for the video!! WX7MTH
Enjoy!
I have three of the Nelson end fed antennas. best antenna I've used at both my homes.
I worked Europe on 10 meters 20 watts. My "antenna" was an aluminum window frame. This older ham asked me what all I could load up. My reply was "a wet noodle". We both got a laugh out of that. 73 de ke4obe
I have two radioman79 qrp antennas, 80 & 40 meters. I also have a nelson 130ft longwire. All three are installed at my home qth.
Short of putting up a tower, The Nelson efhw are the best antenna money can buy. At the price he’s selling them for, it’s basically a charity
I bought just the Nelson Antenna "Box" for a random wire length as a base antenna. I don't really have the room to put up a tower and an HF antenna, so I have 140 feet of wire on the 9:1 box strung up around my residential property (NO HOA). I use Marine-grade 14ga tinned stranded copper wire and it works great. It tunes 160-10 beautifully. The only setback: it's a bit noisy. Even with an RF choke in line, I still get S3-S4 worth of noise, so hearing QRP stations is a bit on the tough side. 73, de N1CPG
N9SAB antennas are very well made, durable and work well. I've got one of his 20/40m linked dipole antennas and it's my standard antenna for SOTA.
Moving, Hustler 6BTV vertical will have to wait until spring. Just ordered Nelson's End fed random wire 80-6m
Thanks for the videos!
Great vid Jason. I’ve been using one of the 9:1 EFRW boxes from Nelson antennas. Had some Davis RF 26ga stealth antenna wire at home and cut a couple random lengths. Threw one up in a tree off my deck and one stays in my RV. I use them mainly for QRP work using my FT-817, IC-703 or G-90. Works exceptionally well regardless of radio or location and would recommend. de k8wf
I have a EndFed its ok but only Handle 10watts but is good for POTA
Nelson antennas have been a winner for me. Have two of the EFHW (40M), and both work awesome. I haven't even bothered to trim them, as the SWRs are great. Looking forward to trying the random wire versions.
They're great
This Video convinced me to buy the J-POLE but you are still out of stock :-(
Fixed, thanks for pointing that out
I have TWO Nelson EFHWs (8010 & 4010) and love em!
I use the Nelson Antennas 9:1 EFRW as my primary weekend antenna (use another 9:1 to load my rain gutters during the week as I live in an apartment). It’s fantastic and I pretty regularly make 5-8000 mile contacts with 100w SSB or 75 CW ( I’ve actually ran 100 CW a few times.. shhhh). Nothing but good things to say about it. Loads 10-160 though I run 160 rarely due to me being scared of arcing in my tuner. Great antenna.
I've got my eye on that one Ray for home use (hopefully stealth enough to get by HOA). Supposedly it will do 80-6 :) Wish it would handle a bit more pwr for digital/cw. Thanks for sharing your experience(s) 73
@@shawnp6653 it loads all the way down to 160 but is obviously very compromised. I do have trouble on 6 with an autotuner but I think if I had a 50 MHz manual tuner it would be fine. Just worked Z21RU on 40 at 20 ft high. Works great.
@@W3OY-RAY Z21? Wow! Congrats! Never had a lot of interest in 160, would be nice to do it once in while. I do like 6 so I am hoping my LDG autotuner can do some magic there. 73s Ray & Good DX!
Bang for the buck, Nelson Antenna Products are really good. I have an EFHW 80-10 from him, it's a great antenna.
#MNHR #TeamReplay
N9tax jpole is also a good one.
MyAntennas EFHW 80-10 works well for me
I've used one of those, they do work well
Always looking at hf antennae to make MSWE and FD easier.
Great video de W2CSI
Does anyone know where online I can find Laws in regards to regulations on Ham Radio Antennas?
I use N9SAB and Nelson antennas and have good luck with both of them for portable ops in the backyard or park.
73 George KB3WAQ
great video as ever
Can I ask a question of possible- have a nelson balun myself - but not much luck with it yet (only tried once until now)
What length of element do you use if you do not mind me asking?
I want a Nelson bad 10-80 but I’m worried I won’t have room I hate to stop down to the 40 meter one
Why a Kenwood TS 890 s is cheaper on Ebay (Japans sellers) than the sellers here ins the US? What is the catch?
Have you tried the Ultimax Dxextreme Endfed?
Why do my ham radios not receive when two feet from my computer. They just don't work when by my computer.
Need one that will handle 600 Watts pep, thanks Jason John kj7tbr
You look better with no facial hair. No hom-o. Lol. 73
LOL
yo bro
I have a real distrust of things sold on eBay, having been ripped off three times. Ripped off once, shame on you. Ripped off twice, shame on me. I need some LMR-400 and am going to get it from DX Engineering even though it is about 50% more than what is sold on eBay. At least I know what I am getting is not fake crap from China.
What annoys the living $@#% out of me is these antenna vendors leave out a VERY important piece of info, that being the total LENGTH of their longwire antennas. I have a small lot and need to know how that info before ordering, rather than spending my limited funds and then finding out theres no way to use the antenna on my lot.
kICK aSS vIDEO
Thanks
🤜🏻👍🤛🏻♡♡♡
I really appreciate your work luv :)
Tim. KB0VQP. I rest a room at a house. Have limited choices. After getting my ICOM 7300 , I bought a ECOMM 2, end fed , 60 foot , Chameleon antenna from Denver Ham Radio Outlet , $ 130. Strung it from the house , to the farthest tree.
I am using PACKTENNA antennas designed for POTA/SOTA , EFHW, EFRW.
73 de VA6RC
Packtenna is one of the best
I got one EFHW by "TennTennas" off Ebay. Works good.