Turns out one of the 11 sections on the 17’9” whips were stuck. I was able to extend them one more section, which makes them long enough for 20M without attaching the coiled wires
I can't help but see the popularity of POTA is driving innovation in portable HF antenna development. That we can sit at a picnic table and work the world with a compromised antenna installation is amazing.
The tripod looks pretty close to my David White tripod for a surveying level and/or transit. The legs have no stops because if you're sitting up on a very steep hill you need a lot of range of movement for the leg.
Several years back, I purchased a sat dish tripod for setting up DTV at the camper. It was made by a company called TV4RV (now out of business, the guy retired). That is the exact same tripod with a coupler on the threads up top. Mine has a removable 12" mast that screws in at the top (for the dish). I think I might take a look at that antenna hub and have a dual use for my tripod!
I ordered the POTA Flex 7 bundle on 9/16 from M&P directly. It shipped on 9/22, It's been held up in customs for two days. It was just released from customs. Tracking shows it will be delivered tomorrow 9/27. I was expecting it to be a month.
Hey Jason, great video mate. I had the V dipole Hex set up the other day, and found on 20 meters that the last section, I only needed to pull it out 1/3rd of the section length and it was spot on 1:1. I've also found that the Alpha is 17ft 9 inches, which I believe is about 9-10 inches longer than the MFJ. Love your videos mate.
nice antenna. That potaflex 6 and 7 is startling to ship new. I ordered a 50 ft potaflex 7 on reel with the BNC adapter. also havening them make pota flex jumpers as well. some with N and BNC as well. used the coax builder. The only thing they do not have yet is ferrite beads like ABR has. but I have my own I just snap on if needed. waiting to ship. will take a wile. they testing my jumpers as well. got a whole bunch of stuff. adapters as well good ones. That coax will be great at 70cm as well. thinking about a 100 ft pota flex 7 at a later time. 73's
@6:21 the wider/thicker whip should give just a bit more bandwidth. That's what I've heard about things like J poles and such. If you build it from, say 3/4" copper tube vs 1/2 tube, you'll get more bandwidth. I haven't tested the theory, tho.
Great action - learned about POTA recently. But real quick that's a tough looking laptop! What is it? Any chance you've done a video on that part of your operation? Thanks!
I wonder if you tied the ends together with fishing line or such, to hold the v shape better, if it would fix the "too short" issue (antenna 😮) . It's been my experience that a v with need less length than a flat dipole. Might be worth a test. Also what's your final impression of the tripod? De Jeremy kj7iaz
Someone down below said it looks like a surveying/transit tripod. They are exactly right, I’m four months late watching this video but I thought I was gonna be the first one to point that out, I guess I’m a little behind.😂
Those whips look identical to the Chameleon SS58 whereas the SS17 is similar to the MFJ, but also longer, so there is a downside. But yeah the SS58 has the exact same nubbins on the end like these whips, I would hazard to guess they are from the same manufacturer.
Turns out one of the 11 sections on the 17’9” whips were stuck. I was able to extend them one more section, which makes them long enough for 20M without attaching the coiled wires
Thanks for the follow up. I just ordered one.
I can't help but see the popularity of POTA is driving innovation in portable HF antenna development. That we can sit at a picnic table and work the world with a compromised antenna installation is amazing.
Indeed
The tripod looks pretty close to my David White tripod for a surveying level and/or transit. The legs have no stops because if you're sitting up on a very steep hill you need a lot of range of movement for the leg.
Several years back, I purchased a sat dish tripod for setting up DTV at the camper. It was made by a company called TV4RV (now out of business, the guy retired). That is the exact same tripod with a coupler on the threads up top. Mine has a removable 12" mast that screws in at the top (for the dish). I think I might take a look at that antenna hub and have a dual use for my tripod!
Nice review, Jason. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
I ordered the POTA Flex 7 bundle on 9/16 from M&P directly. It shipped on 9/22, It's been held up in customs for two days. It was just released from customs. Tracking shows it will be delivered tomorrow 9/27. I was expecting it to be a month.
Great! I knew it would be available soon
Hey Jason, great video mate. I had the V dipole Hex set up the other day, and found on 20 meters that the last section, I only needed to pull it out 1/3rd of the section length and it was spot on 1:1. I've also found that the Alpha is 17ft 9 inches, which I believe is about 9-10 inches longer than the MFJ. Love your videos mate.
You are correct, I have the same antenna. He does not have the last section pulled out.
Your whip may be jammed? Alpha website specs the whip at 17' 9".
Yeah it was. Works great noy
How much is this please
Nice, I like it Jason!!! One of my MFJ 17ft rods has been broken damn near since I got the pair 8 yrs ago. The thin top section pulled right out ....
nice antenna. That potaflex 6 and 7 is startling to ship new. I ordered a 50 ft potaflex 7 on reel with the BNC adapter. also havening them make pota flex jumpers as well. some with N and BNC as well. used the coax builder. The only thing they do not have yet is ferrite beads like ABR has. but I have my own I just snap on if needed. waiting to ship. will take a wile. they testing my jumpers as well. got a whole bunch of stuff. adapters as well good ones. That coax will be great at 70cm as well. thinking about a 100 ft pota flex 7 at a later time. 73's
@6:21 the wider/thicker whip should give just a bit more bandwidth. That's what I've heard about things like J poles and such. If you build it from, say 3/4" copper tube vs 1/2 tube, you'll get more bandwidth. I haven't tested the theory, tho.
Makes sense, though
TNX for the nice video and review. Thought it was much more inefficient antenna. Hope see more videos soon!
Great action - learned about POTA recently. But real quick that's a tough looking laptop! What is it? Any chance you've done a video on that part of your operation? Thanks!
What if you and 3 antenna's on it
I thought the same too. Jason should try to put the MFJ 17' wipe in the center 3/8x24 pole?
Yeah, great idea. It only comes with 2 whips, so I would have to buy another one. Or use the MFJ....hmmmmm
Mind sharing how much power you are feeding into this antenna for these contacts?
Awesome i am 13 and i just passed my tech test and looking for a antenna like this. Awesome video
Congrats on the new license!
@@HamRadio2 Thanks I am so exited for 10 Meters.
Gives some options for different configerations.
id like to get into POTA , is there a regular call freq per band ,if so can you link me please so i can use it for reference
No, just find an open spot
Six connectors, hex
$600 is a steep price, but it looks like a good antenna.
Good tripods are spendy.
Be nice if they would just sell the hub as an option for those of us that have tripods and whips galore.
I wonder if you tied the ends together with fishing line or such, to hold the v shape better, if it would fix the "too short" issue (antenna 😮) . It's been my experience that a v with need less length than a flat dipole. Might be worth a test.
Also what's your final impression of the tripod?
De Jeremy kj7iaz
Someone down below said it looks like a surveying/transit tripod. They are exactly right, I’m four months late watching this video but I thought I was gonna be the first one to point that out, I guess I’m a little behind.😂
What would you think about modding the hub and trying to put it on a push up mast? Think it would perform?
Yes
Those whips look identical to the Chameleon SS58 whereas the SS17 is similar to the MFJ, but also longer, so there is a downside. But yeah the SS58 has the exact same nubbins on the end like these whips, I would hazard to guess they are from the same manufacturer.
I have the Chameleon CHA-17 and these are different
Great review, is there a spirit bubble on the tripod for levelling?
No.. I just eyeballed it. Honestly the tripods that I have which have a bubble, I never use anyway
This is good, but it is all other US stations, from Texas one would think working other US stations would be like shooting fish in a barrel.
I think the legs are not lockable. Is to be able to be sure your a😂ntenna is as vertical as possible depending on the terrain
Thread is 3/8 X 24
Very nice
Thanks
Hex because the central mount is a "hex"agon.
3/8 “x 24.
Seems like you were not totally satisfied.
I was, actually. It works well
No Tnx…..
The tripod was made for surveying and getting it level. Scott KF0HRF