DX Commander Signature 9 Build

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  • Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024

Комментарии • 93

  • @KN4VA
    @KN4VA 8 месяцев назад +5

    Ah, a traveling man. 73. I have one in the shed to put up as soon as I can get some tree work finished. Thanks for the video.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      Glad you enjoy it! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @_N1PHR_
    @_N1PHR_ 5 месяцев назад +3

    I got the hole in the paver idea from you. I am getting mine started today, Great video 73's

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  4 месяца назад +1

      It was a bit of a pain to drill out that hole, but the end result was very nice and still looks good today months later. Best of luck on your project! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @doc145
    @doc145 2 месяца назад +1

    I live in CT. No clay but rocky soil. A post hole digger and a tamping pry bar works wonders. After the pole is set I just put the soil back in and use the tamping end of the bar to pack it down. Very solid and the pole can still be removed if you wiggle it back and forth.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  21 день назад

      I am very familiar with the Connecticut rocks floating to the surface of yards. Used to live in Fairfield. Glad you found a method that works for you. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @RobertJohnsonG0GFC
    @RobertJohnsonG0GFC 8 месяцев назад +3

    I got one of the early release Signature 9's planted it in the corner of my garden amongst the trees. It tuned on all the bands between 1.1 and 1.4 to 1 (only lower half of 10m) and it has withstood everything this winter has thrown at it. It has out performed my old multi band vertical by a long way. With the trees getting their leaves back it may be time to sneak a Signature 12 in for an 80m vertical.
    73 Rob

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      I will say this, the DXC antenna line up is absolutely worth the money and built to last. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @WilliamHaisch
    @WilliamHaisch 8 месяцев назад +4

    18:25 Repurposing those charm bracelet beads for use as durable labels is next level! Thanks!

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +1

      Glad you like it. It works really well. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @dsharaf
    @dsharaf 3 месяца назад +1

    Wow! Looking just like that older guy up in Maine. 😎😁

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  3 месяца назад

      LOL...just a bit! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @jolebole-yt
    @jolebole-yt 2 месяца назад +1

    Another way to secure that fiberglass pipe and to be able to remove it later is to find a pipe that will accept the fiberglass pole snugly and concrete that small section slightly bellow your ground level and then put the DX pipe into it then slide your antenna on top. That way you can remove the antenna and fiberglass pole and still have the rest underground. Great build regardless . You should be able to achieve lower swr on 20 and 40. Play with the radials. I have my Classic DX Commander down to 1.17 on 20m and 1.01 on 40m. 73!

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  21 день назад

      Awesome! Glad you liked the video. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @Ron-xn4wf
    @Ron-xn4wf 8 месяцев назад +3

    Good job! Nice to see you again. Keep the videos coming .

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      Thanks, will do! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @David-km8in
    @David-km8in 7 месяцев назад +2

    Hi, The thing I like about DX Commander is he is always updating and improving his products.
    At least by not concreting the post in, it will be easier for you to take in down when you move.
    Nice video, I have sent a link to a friend who had just purchased one. He said it's going to be very helpful.
    Best wishes David M0DUU

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +1

      Yeah Callum is very customer centric and I love the quality and upgrades he does to his products to keep up with user needs. I appreciate you sharing my video! Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

    • @David-km8in
      @David-km8in 7 месяцев назад

      My friend has just watched your video. He said some of your tips will save him some time. He also mentioned some of the instructions seemed confusing, but were cleared up with your comments.
      On behalf of my friend, many thanks.
      David M0DUU

  • @YllaStar95970
    @YllaStar95970 7 месяцев назад +1

    You are looking much better now Scott, you had a bit of a workout with this build, but it will pay you back in performance. 7 3👍

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +1

      ABOLUTELY! This was a lot of work, but worth it in the end. I always love my DXC antennas. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @thomashenderson603
    @thomashenderson603 2 месяца назад +1

    For installing the radials, I see a guy take a battery sawsall and add a straw, feed the radial though it and cut the ground and the radial goes right in!

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      That is an interesting idea as well. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @edwymer6928
    @edwymer6928 2 месяца назад +1

    If you use the PVC pipe you can pour some kwick Kreat down
    Into the pvc pipe to make it more rigid.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      Very true, however it seems to be holding up even through the recent hurricane we had here back in August. I had zero issues. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @carl8958
    @carl8958 2 месяца назад +1

    Watched a few weeks back while considering a DX Commander. Ordered, parts in hand, re-watching for build tips. Number beads look like a great idea. Didn't find them in your Amazon store. Have a link perhaps?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  21 день назад

      I have added them to my Amazon store. For some reason I did not have them in there. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @markginsel4238
    @markginsel4238 2 месяца назад +1

    Put mine together carefully measuring everything twice. SWR's for 20 &10M are sky high. Wonder if I need more radials?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      I would follow the recommended radials amount that Callum has in teh build sheet. 20 * 10 should be next to flawless is everything else is dome right. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

  • @FatherMarty
    @FatherMarty 8 месяцев назад +3

    What made you decide to redo the radials? Also, although you don't need to solder tab on the SO-239, wouldn't the locking washer be a good idea? Thanks! I hope to have my sig9 up in a month or so.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      The older ones had a few that were broken. As for the locking washer, I didn't see it as necessary. I removed it on my classic years ago and never had an issue. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @MyHamRadioJourney
    @MyHamRadioJourney 2 месяца назад +1

    Do you feel the DX commander works better than a 10-40-meter EFHW antenna? Will I get more bang for my buck? Thanks for this installation video; it looks great! 73s

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      Overall I think the DX commander is a superior antenna, but it takes a lot more timew ot setup than an EFHW. As far as performance...I think the DX Commander performs better in most cases, but that will vary depending upon conditions at the time of operation. I hope this helps. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

  • @nateitkin8279
    @nateitkin8279 6 дней назад

    Thanks for making the video. I'm considering one of these for my yard and I'm curious about a couple details. 1) Did you fold the wire back for tuning or actually cut it off? 2) Callum said he also got 2m as a bonus. Did you happen to measure the SWR on 2m? I'm wondering if you also got a 2m antenna as a bonus. 73.

  • @mikesavage9499
    @mikesavage9499 5 месяцев назад +1

    Scott, great build video, thanks for that. I have a 5 foot strip of land between my shed and the fence, do you think this antenna would work well in that location with radials only going out two directions and with the shed and fence so close?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  4 месяца назад +1

      I think that should work fine. The radials can be in whatever pattern you have available. It may not be ideal, but I don't think you will get any noticeable loss in performance from the antenna. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @kyoshivp
    @kyoshivp 8 месяцев назад +2

    Awesome video, as always! I always get a kick out of that small sword of a folder you use to open boxes... 😆
    And speaking of neighbors, considering the size of both this antenna and the GP-9 you put up in another build video, have you caught any grief from neighbors or the HOA over either of these antennas?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      The knife is has been good to me over the years I have had it. Cold Steel Tanto folder. As for my antennas, my neighbors are ok with it and I took the time to explain what I do and they were fascinated. As for my HOA, they are scared of me and know better...LOL In the summer the surrounding trees pretty much hide all my antennas especially with the large oaks in the area. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @Jeff-VE3AGV
    @Jeff-VE3AGV 3 месяца назад +1

    Great video as usual. I've had my Sig 9 up for about a year now. I'm thinking of pulling 30 meter as well. I'm wondering what you did about 40/15 ? Did you do the suggest coil idea at the top of the mast? I was considering pulling the 30 meter and giving 15 it'd own dedicated element. Keep up the good work. Always enjoy your videos. 73.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  3 месяца назад

      40/15 seem to work fine. I did NOT do a coil. To me that is just another item to flap in the wind. Now I have other antennas, like an EFHW that have a coil, but those are not permanent installs. I think it would be redundant to have a separate 15 meter since the 40 will share it just fine. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @HamRadioN0CKL
    @HamRadioN0CKL 2 месяца назад +1

    Bet you could tune that ring to be resonate on 160m

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      POssibly if I had enough room...LOL Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @AlvinMcManus
    @AlvinMcManus 2 месяца назад +1

    Thanks for your video. I put up my Classic a year ago and really enjoy it. The new gray plates don't crack. I also used an in-ground pole as part of my installation. Makes it easy to set up and take down without fumbling with the guys to keep it upright and I leave my ground plate in place on the base pole. Did you get yours from DX Engineer in the states? I only got 1 spool with my Classic. You got 3! BTW you can buy the pole base fiberglass pipe from DX Engineering I did. I didn't dig a hole for the support pole but used a large HD umbrella screw in base to set my pole in. I still guy the commander, but only after I have it stood up. 73 KN6ZVI

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      Awesome! Glad you are enjoying yrou DX Commander! They are just solid antennas, period. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @terencebarfield5864
    @terencebarfield5864 3 месяца назад +1

    Question: what determines Antenna Height above ground for All Amateur Radio Operating Frequencies

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  3 месяца назад

      Well, it isn't that simple for all frequencies. If you have a VHF/UHF antenna, the higher up the better the reception for use on simplex, whereas a dipole DOEs have an optimal height based upon the type of dipole antenna it is. On the End Fed Half Wave antennas, having the end of your wire up about 30-50 feet is more than sufficient to reach around the world provided that band conditions are favorable at the time. Vertical antennas like the DX Commander are a fixed height to the size of the pole provided with the antenna and again will reach around the world with favorable band conditions. I hope this helps to clear up your question a bit. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @RobertAhrens52
    @RobertAhrens52 2 месяца назад +1

    Looked for the numbered beads at your amazon link. No joy. Do you have another source for them? TU es 73 de NT5A.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад

      Sorry, for some reason they were NOT in my store. They are now, but here is the link to the ones I ordered. amzn.to/400K8To

  • @uwebeiteke4434
    @uwebeiteke4434 4 месяца назад +1

    Very nice video. Thank you for sharing. Just one question: is it possible to put the dx commander up in the air, or is this impossible due to the need of the radials?
    73s from Germany, Uwe (DC5FI)

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  4 месяца назад

      It may be possible, not sure it would be practical. If you have no space at the ground level, you can try it elevated and see how it performs, but 99.9% of installations are at the ground level. I hope this answered your question. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!!

  • @stevehutchings4339
    @stevehutchings4339 7 месяцев назад +1

    So how do you tune the antenna? Do you do tune and test with the antenna lying down, or do you trim (or extend), then put it back up on its mount each time and test again with the RigExpert?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      Unfortunately you have to set it up, taker a reading with your analyzer then take it back down and cut the wire and retune again until that particular band is tuned before moving on to the next one. It is a task, but very rewarding once it is done. The good news is you only have to do it once unless you change out your elements down the road for maintenance. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @DellFargus
    @DellFargus 8 месяцев назад +1

    I picked up a DXC Classic back in December - the one with the guy lines. Do you think I could homebrew a mounting pole out of a piece of PVC conduit, instead of schedule 40 water pipe like you had? Or, is the new pole some high-speed, space-age material? Also, is there a difference in the mast itself (i.e. wall thickness) to account for the mounting pole?
    It's starting to warm up and the grass is greening here, so I will be mowing soon. I don't want to have to drop the antenna every week to mow/weedwack. I plan to bury the radials under the sod, so those won't end up wrapped around a mower blade... hopefully.

    • @ahoward2kable
      @ahoward2kable 8 месяцев назад +2

      The signature mast has more robust walls than the classic poles

    • @DellFargus
      @DellFargus 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@ahoward2kable That's what I needed to know. Thanks!
      Looks like I'll have to find a creative way to guy the mast so I can mow around the cords.

    • @ahoward2kable
      @ahoward2kable 8 месяцев назад +1

      I saw somebody put some metal posts in the ground, then tied the guy lines to the top of the post a couple of feet off the ground so that they could mow and trim under

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +2

      I agree the signature is a bit more thick than the classic. Now, I think you "could" just buy the Signature pole and use it that way and eliminate those guy wires, but you need to see if the investment is worth it to you. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

    • @DellFargus
      @DellFargus 7 месяцев назад

      @@HR4NT That's a good idea. Then, I can use the old mast for POTA.

  • @KK7RZK
    @KK7RZK 5 месяцев назад +1

    It's been a couple months, how are you liking the antenna?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  5 месяцев назад

      The antenna is absolutely fantastic! Works perfectly and has held up to the wild weather we get here in Texas. I am very happy with it and its durability. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @terencebarfield5864
    @terencebarfield5864 3 месяца назад +1

    Question: what is the thickness the Antenna thickness to accept RF 100 What's ?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  3 месяца назад

      I am not sure I understand the question. Are you talking about the thickness of the wire to accept 100 watts? If so, then I have used 28 gauge and up for successful use on 100 watts. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @rl2109
    @rl2109 8 месяцев назад +2

    Thanks for posting this video! 73 all day!
    -KN4KZT

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +1

      You bet! Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @mrcoog3k832
    @mrcoog3k832 8 месяцев назад +1

    Do you know if the Signature 12 also comes with the fiberglass insert pole? I'd like to do that as well as guy the Sig 12 if possible. Thanks. Great video. Convinced me to buy. (Adding a question) Does your shed block any signal strength in that direction? I have a 2 story house with a metal roof that I was wondering if that will affect any signal path. Thanks again.

    • @ahoward2kable
      @ahoward2kable 8 месяцев назад +1

      The 12 does not come freestanding, you have to source your own mounting pole

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +1

      As the viewer below said, it does not. My shed does not seem to affect my signal at all, but my neighbor with the solar farm on his roof, that is another story entirely. The DXC seems to perform quite well despite my erratic conditions. Hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

    • @mrcoog3k832
      @mrcoog3k832 7 месяцев назад +1

      @@HR4NT Thanks!

  • @todivefor47
    @todivefor47 6 месяцев назад +1

    Hi Scott. I have my sig 9 just about complete. Still need to tune 10M, trying to decide what part of the band I want it tuned to. Before making all my taped parts shrink wrapped went back and looked at some videos, trying to pick up any tips or correct any errors. Everyone seems to put the clamps above the plates including yours. The manual on page 21 says, "Fit the clamps above each join and twist and turn each of the spreader plates snugly as far as they will go." This tells me, join, clamp, and then plate. What am I missing?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  6 месяцев назад

      I have always done it the way that you see it pictured in the thumbnail and that has worked out fine for me. My best advice is don't over think it. Either way it will work, but for ease of maintenance I think doing it the way I did will be easier in the long run. Sometime the instructions that Callum has written out are not explained in the easiest way to follow, hence why i shoot these videos to help demonstrate what I did that worked. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

  • @pvdk
    @pvdk 5 месяцев назад +1

    did you later on reinstalled the 30m element? I want to buy the same antenna and need 30 mters. And how long and how many are your radials? 73 ON4VP Phil

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  5 месяцев назад

      I did not only because I don't really use the band. There would not be an issue if you kept it, but I didn't want to put in the work to tune it. The antenna works exactly as designed and advertised. Absolutely fantastic antenna. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

    • @doc145
      @doc145 2 месяца назад

      Calum has a paper at his site explaining length of radials and efficiency. About 17 is the most efficient. Of course soil matters so I would start with 17 and see what readings you get.
      K1PJR

  • @kumasu
    @kumasu 8 месяцев назад +2

    So why does the presence of the 30M element affect the SWR of the others?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      All of the elements play off each other and will affect the SWR on each band. I could have spent more time with it and micro manage the tuning and probably gotten it to work out fine. This is not a slight against Callum's antenna, but I don't use 30M much if ever, so removing it seemed to be a good idea and you saw the results after I did this. I hope this helps a bit. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

    • @MrTommy001
      @MrTommy001 7 месяцев назад +1

      @@HR4NT I don't do CW at all. so if I get the signature 9 I will just not mess with the 30m band.

  • @joeloughrey2626
    @joeloughrey2626 Месяц назад +1

    Hey. Can you give me a link to the charm beads you used to number your elements? I have ordered some but the holes are too small. Thankyou. Joe M0JEL

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад +1

      Here you go: amzn.to/400K8To Sorry for teh delay. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!

    • @joeloughrey2626
      @joeloughrey2626 Месяц назад +1

      @@HR4NT Thank you.

  • @ahoward2kable
    @ahoward2kable 8 месяцев назад +2

    Curious why you didn't just reuse the radials that were already there?

    • @yt5bos
      @yt5bos 7 месяцев назад +1

      I was wondering the same, that seemed to be a perfectly good set of radials.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад +1

      Some of them were broken and needed replacing, so I decided to go fresh with new ones. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

    • @yt5bos
      @yt5bos 7 месяцев назад

      @@HR4NT Thank you for explaining, the wires looked fine, but some things are not visible on screen.

  • @AlvinMcManus
    @AlvinMcManus 2 месяца назад +1

    Why new radials?

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  Месяц назад +1

      It came with new radial wire and I my old ones had a few breaks that I didn;t want to deal with, so I foigured just replace everything. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!

  • @shawnbarr2358
    @shawnbarr2358 8 месяцев назад +1

    I have on my wish list a DX Commander. I was asked on a round table net if I would ground the antenna. I have never heard about grounding an antenna like the DX Commander. What are your thoughts on this ?
    Shawn
    KE8UHD

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      I do not see the use in grounding an antenna. If it gets hit by lightning, no amount of grounding is going to help. I do not ground any of my antennas and have not had any issues to date. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!!

  • @fm71450
    @fm71450 7 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you for this video. If you stated it, I missed it: Roughly how many hours did this take to complete? Thanks again, KQ4IXD

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  7 месяцев назад

      It took a few hours. If I only had this to do all day and not the plethora of other things on my to-do list, you could technically build this in a day. I am glad you liked the video. It is a fantastic antenna as always. Thanks for the comment an for watching. 73!!

  • @mwcherry50
    @mwcherry50 6 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks for shedding some "light" on installing the Signature 9 , I'm thinking about getting one as long as I don't need an antenna tuner...I already have a metal mast in the ground from another antenna can I use that if the Signature 9 fits over it or will the metal interfere with SWR? 73!

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  6 месяцев назад

      The Signature comes with a mast for mounting. I think a metal mast would interfere as it would be very close to the elements. Once you tune it up, you can get that SWR down really far and close to 1:1 therefor a tuner would not be needed for operation after you configure it. I hope this helps. Thanks for the comment and for watching. 73!!!

  • @stevehopper6068
    @stevehopper6068 5 месяцев назад +1

    When in doubt, Quikrete! When it rains, and gets windy, that clay will turn to mud, and trouble might rear its ugly head.

    • @HR4NT
      @HR4NT  5 месяцев назад

      I thought about that and after two massive rain storms here recently that thing didn't budge an inch. Thanks for watching and for the comment. 73!