My best portable HF antenna is an endfed half wave with a homemade 49:1 unun. Gets me on 40,20,15 and 10 m without tuner and great results. Transatlantic SSB QSO's are done regularly with 5 Watt from my FT-817ND No commercial antennas for me, only homemade wire antennas. 73 de ON4MGY
Excellent presentation and thank you for your great tutorials. I am presently studying for my very first technician exam hoping to upgrade in a short period of time to the amateur extra. As far as portable antennas, I would like to see a video with a prepper mentality (SHTF). The ideal would be a portable package for all modes with a built-in automatic tuning system. Not every HAM radio operator, wants to be carrying heavy-duty gear in the field. Furthermore, building a minimalist portable HAM package would be the ultimate rig for anyone interested in a fast bug-out scenario. In preparation for my new exciting HAM hobby, I have already purchased the Icom ID-52 with a Yaesu FT-65 as a backup, and the Yaesu FT-818 fully loaded as a mobile mounted in my truck. For the QTH gear, I bought the Icom IC-7300 and the IC-9700, with the IC--R8600 as the next toy in line. Sometimes a good hobby takes a good load of investment, but as a retired USAF veteran, I am very happy preparing myself to the max in HAM radio. Thanks!
I like my ham sticks. Sure do. I picked them as they're the easiest to deal with based upon how I operate 99% of the time. But the EFHW (from anyone/any company) are always a great antenna to have with you (as a primary or backup) to have in your collection! 73
My preferred antenna for POTA is my K6ARK EFHW. If you use 26 awg polystealth wire as your antenna wire and 3D print Adams winder design, it is insanely compact. The antenna is small enough to fit in my pocket.
That was great ! best way to find out. ask the hams what are we using and works for us. I am playing around with end fed half wave . found some improvement on 15 threw 6 meters using a type 61 core . less heating of the core on FT8 50 watt. also 20 and 40 meters using a 64:1 with T240: 43 core had less heating on core at 50W FT8. using a infrared camera . I did find using 49:1 to 64:1 changes the tune a bit. so does going to a different park . I have used center fed and off set center fed dipole. still work great. in the field can be harder to deploy and tune. saving up for the 2024 DX commander expedition portable antenna and buying extra wire for extra bands if I want. waiting for the new M & P POTA flex coax to come out. ham radio 2.0 has a review on that. now you done radio's and antenna's . cover coax,solar and battery as well. ask the HAM's what are you using just like hear. think that would be great info to add to this. POTA getting big. a whole lot of fun. I am using RG 316 and RG 400 now. I had LMR 240 and did not last. not blaming the coax. I roll it up into a back back thrown in trunk of car, PTFE coax holds up better. 73's Boston NY !
I'd add the Wolf River Coil to the mix. There's a few different size options for the coil, whip and tripod legs, which makes it easy to find a mix that suits your needs. More importantly, it works great on a mag mount, giving it some added flexibility for quick activations on the go or when the weather isn't cooperating. If you travel with different/rental cars, like I do sometimes, you'll appreciate how easy it is to re-tune on a different vehicle compared to a hamstick. The TIA was my first HF antenna. I've since added a 2nd collar to make it easy to jump from 20m to 40m. I've also purchased the WRC 213" whip, which is an absolute beast as a 1/4-wave vertical for 20m (and higher), whether it's on the car or a tripod. And thanks to you, Dude, I measured and tied knots in some paracord so that I can easily adjust the whip for all the bands from 6m-20m. 73, N2MAK
Nice to see you, Mike. I'm actually building a coil antenna system at the moment. Flexibility on a mag mount in the winter here, may be critical. The less time in the cold, the better!
New to HF. Having a ton of success with a chameleon 17’ vertical. Just got a TennTennas EFHW in the mail. Hoping to get it on the air soon! EFHW just seems so portable and versatile KC4PPS
Building you own antenna isn't as hard as some may think. You don't even need a lot of expensive gear like an antenna analyzer or vector analyzer. All you need is the SWR feature built into your radio, a paper and pencil and an antenna book to learn the basics from. I started with a simple 40 meter dipole... I later added a 20 meter and then 15 meter elements to it transforming it into a fan dipole. With that antenna I've managed to talk half way around the world on just 20 watts... Now I'm playing/experimenting with portable EFHW antennas like the ones featured in this video. If I can do it. Anyone can... So jump in there and have fun on the air.
I am surprised that no one is talking about the MLA! The PreciseRF HG1 on a small tripod or the AlexLoop on a small tripod. These are great antennas... do not require "putting up" anything and on 20 to 10 meters can rival a halfway dipole at height. The MLA can be operated only one loop diameter above ground. I folds up into your diddy bag and when deployed is directional and very useful in attenuating QRM and atmospheric and local electrical noise. They are not perfect, but do offer an alternative to effective get on the air. Regards... K1YPB... on the air since 1962
Tenntenna is a great EFHW. For around $40 you get the well made 100W SSB transformer with nice waterproof enclosure. You need to add your own wire & trim, etc. PLEASE do a review on this , where people need to be aware of how well this antenna plays especially for the money!
It really depends on your transeiver… does it have an internal ATU? Is it a singleband QCX Mini? Or a multi-mode, multi-band radio, like the Yaesu FT817-18? What? My KX2 loves a PackTenna random wire, because it has an internal ATU. My QCX Mini(s) prefer a EFHW, cut for the middle of the CW portion. But I love the simple & cheap, broad-banded speaker wire dipole in an inverted V. It’s been in the ARRL Antenna Book for years. 72
i've always said that the best portable antenna to use is the one that you will actually take with you and use. you can have your personal preferences (and mine is an EFHW) but if it gets to the point where it's a case of " i don't really wanna do this with this **** antenna it's too much of a pita when i pota, then find something new if that makes sense
Instead of always using an EFHW try a non-resonant antenna. Using a stealth 71' wire sloper 15' at high end, 6' at low end with a 9:1 unun, 50' of coax, common mode choke, no counterpoise I get good signal reports on daily 40 & 80 Western SSB nets and work DX (QRP & 100 watts SSB) on the phone portions of all HF bands, 160 - 10 meters, including WARC bands. Internal ATU is used on 160 to 40, none needed 20 to 10 for SWR 1.5 or less on all HF bands.
My favorit antenna is a endfed 21m meter wire and a small homemade L/C Tuner. You can use it from 10 to 40 meters with a small counterpoise. Like Peter, VK3YE. Vy73 and thank you for Video, Edwin, DK2TY
It works best with 3 hamsticks instead of 4, I'm certain there's some coupling effect occurring with 4 of them. Otherwise fine. I know of several others who have built a similar type antenna based off the idea, and have had luck!
Hi bud. Unfortunately, the video is over a year old and I don't remember which 20m dipole was in the video. Are you referring to the one in the thumbnail? If so, I just made that. out of two telescoping 17ft antennas. cheers.
@@HAMRADIODUDE You're a very busy person, and producing a lot of valuable content and many thanks for that! From a "studying to become ham operator". Hello from Ontario Canada.
The antenna that I've gotten the best POTA results with is the KM4ACK EFHW. I've gotten over 100 Qs numerous times with distances up to 4,000 miles.
My best portable HF antenna is an endfed half wave with a homemade 49:1 unun. Gets me on 40,20,15 and 10 m without tuner and great results. Transatlantic SSB QSO's are done regularly with 5 Watt from my FT-817ND
No commercial antennas for me, only homemade wire antennas. 73 de ON4MGY
Keep this series up. Awesome stuff
Excellent presentation and thank you for your great tutorials. I am presently studying for my very first technician exam hoping to upgrade in a short period of time to the amateur extra. As far as portable antennas, I would like to see a video with a prepper mentality (SHTF). The ideal would be a portable package for all modes with a built-in automatic tuning system. Not every HAM radio operator, wants to be carrying heavy-duty gear in the field. Furthermore, building a minimalist portable HAM package would be the ultimate rig for anyone interested in a fast bug-out scenario. In preparation for my new exciting HAM hobby, I have already purchased the Icom ID-52 with a Yaesu FT-65 as a backup, and the Yaesu FT-818 fully loaded as a mobile mounted in my truck. For the QTH gear, I bought the Icom IC-7300 and the IC-9700, with the IC--R8600 as the next toy in line. Sometimes a good hobby takes a good load of investment, but as a retired USAF veteran, I am very happy preparing myself to the max in HAM radio. Thanks!
I like my ham sticks. Sure do. I picked them as they're the easiest to deal with based upon how I operate 99% of the time. But the EFHW (from anyone/any company) are always a great antenna to have with you (as a primary or backup) to have in your collection! 73
My preferred antenna for POTA is my K6ARK EFHW. If you use 26 awg polystealth wire as your antenna wire and 3D print Adams winder design, it is insanely compact. The antenna is small enough to fit in my pocket.
I always like this style you do. It's fresh.
Thank You Thank You. Just having fun
That was great ! best way to find out. ask the hams what are we using and works for us. I am playing around with end fed half wave . found some improvement on 15 threw 6 meters using a type 61 core . less heating of the core on FT8 50 watt. also 20 and 40 meters using a 64:1 with T240: 43 core had less heating on core at 50W FT8. using a infrared camera . I did find using 49:1 to 64:1 changes the tune a bit. so does going to a different park . I have used center fed and off set center fed dipole. still work great. in the field can be harder to deploy and tune. saving up for the 2024 DX commander expedition portable antenna and buying extra wire for extra bands if I want. waiting for the new M & P POTA flex coax to come out. ham radio 2.0 has a review on that. now you done radio's and antenna's . cover coax,solar and battery as well. ask the HAM's what are you using just like hear. think that would be great info to add to this. POTA getting big. a whole lot of fun. I am using RG 316 and RG 400 now. I had LMR 240 and did not last. not blaming the coax. I roll it up into a back back thrown in trunk of car, PTFE coax holds up better. 73's Boston NY !
Another great video! Thanks!
Thank you for the video. Have a great day and Merry Christmas.
Thanks for watching and enjoy your BS antenna!
I'd add the Wolf River Coil to the mix. There's a few different size options for the coil, whip and tripod legs, which makes it easy to find a mix that suits your needs. More importantly, it works great on a mag mount, giving it some added flexibility for quick activations on the go or when the weather isn't cooperating. If you travel with different/rental cars, like I do sometimes, you'll appreciate how easy it is to re-tune on a different vehicle compared to a hamstick. The TIA was my first HF antenna. I've since added a 2nd collar to make it easy to jump from 20m to 40m. I've also purchased the WRC 213" whip, which is an absolute beast as a 1/4-wave vertical for 20m (and higher), whether it's on the car or a tripod. And thanks to you, Dude, I measured and tied knots in some paracord so that I can easily adjust the whip for all the bands from 6m-20m. 73, N2MAK
Nice to see you, Mike. I'm actually building a coil antenna system at the moment. Flexibility on a mag mount in the winter here, may be critical. The less time in the cold, the better!
Excellent to hear you did the knot trick too! Merry Christmas
Packtenna. Yes yes yes
New to HF. Having a ton of success with a chameleon 17’ vertical. Just got a TennTennas EFHW in the mail. Hoping to get it on the air soon! EFHW just seems so portable and versatile
KC4PPS
EndFed, my favorite 👍🏻
Building you own antenna isn't as hard as some may think. You don't even need a lot of expensive gear like an antenna analyzer or vector analyzer. All you need is the SWR feature built into your radio, a paper and pencil and an antenna book to learn the basics from.
I started with a simple 40 meter dipole... I later added a 20 meter and then 15 meter elements to it transforming it into a fan dipole. With that antenna I've managed to talk half way around the world on just 20 watts...
Now I'm playing/experimenting with portable EFHW antennas like the ones featured in this video.
If I can do it. Anyone can... So jump in there and have fun on the air.
Awe! Too late for me fella. I can normally do an hour earlier than this... But hope it goes well..
I may not make it today either. I'm on UK time, that's why I'm in your streams on Friday mornings ,🎅🎅. Happy holidays
What’s up Mr DXC , Dapper Dan still working on coping your antenna, he’s learning
great video thanks 73 from kb2uew
I am surprised that no one is talking about the MLA! The PreciseRF HG1 on a small tripod or the AlexLoop on a small tripod. These are great antennas... do not require "putting up" anything and on 20 to 10 meters can rival a halfway dipole at height. The MLA can be operated only one loop diameter above ground. I folds up into your diddy bag and when deployed is directional and very useful in attenuating QRM and atmospheric and local electrical noise. They are not perfect, but do offer an alternative to effective get on the air. Regards... K1YPB... on the air since 1962
I'll take a look at it. Thanks for the suggestion!
Tenntenna is a great EFHW. For around $40 you get the well made 100W SSB transformer with nice waterproof enclosure. You need to add your own wire & trim, etc. PLEASE do a review on this , where people need to be aware of how well this antenna plays especially for the money!
❤Best extendable hand held ham radio antenna for the anytone 878 and the baofeng ... thanks?
It really depends on your transeiver… does it have an internal ATU? Is it a singleband QCX Mini? Or a multi-mode, multi-band radio, like the Yaesu FT817-18? What?
My KX2 loves a PackTenna random wire, because it has an internal ATU. My QCX Mini(s) prefer a EFHW, cut for the middle of the CW portion. But I love the simple & cheap, broad-banded speaker wire dipole in an inverted V. It’s been in the ARRL Antenna Book for years.
72
i've always said that the best portable antenna to use is the one that you will actually take with you and use. you can have your personal preferences (and mine is an EFHW) but if it gets to the point where it's a case of " i don't really wanna do this with this **** antenna it's too much of a pita when i pota, then find something new
if that makes sense
Super awesome 😎. I would love to try all of them and @ DXCommander.
Don't forget about Chameleon Antenna 📡
Instead of always using an EFHW try a non-resonant antenna. Using a stealth 71' wire sloper 15' at high end, 6' at low end with a 9:1 unun, 50' of coax, common mode choke, no counterpoise I get good signal reports on daily 40 & 80 Western SSB nets and work DX (QRP & 100 watts SSB) on the phone portions of all HF bands, 160 - 10 meters, including WARC bands. Internal ATU is used on 160 to 40, none needed 20 to 10 for SWR 1.5 or less on all HF bands.
My favorites are an RFHW and my Super Antenna clone which is a center loaded vertical.
I've been wanting to build a coil. There's a few 3d printing files online for one. I think I'll give it a shot
I love my 40 m end fed half wave but run mine as a vertical.
The best antenna is the one you put to use, on another note, the world has no time for Whuffoes!
My favorit antenna is a endfed 21m meter wire and a small homemade L/C Tuner. You can use it from 10 to 40 meters with a small counterpoise.
Like Peter, VK3YE.
Vy73 and thank you for Video, Edwin, DK2TY
I missed this one, sorry. Been busy. Let me know if you do another
Thanks, and no worries! I'm definitely going to do another one. I should have a topic in a few days. Merry Christmas!
The thumbnail picture... Wanted to see that 😢
Wake me up when it starts!
Hey, wake up..5 minutes
How is the vertical antenna you made with several ham stick working out?
It works best with 3 hamsticks instead of 4, I'm certain there's some coupling effect occurring with 4 of them. Otherwise fine. I know of several others who have built a similar type antenna based off the idea, and have had luck!
Hi this is AA1Qm i would info on the 20 meter dipole
Hi bud. Unfortunately, the video is over a year old and I don't remember which 20m dipole was in the video. Are you referring to the one in the thumbnail? If so, I just made that. out of two telescoping 17ft antennas. cheers.
Mac 40 ATU random wire
Packtenna 20/40 sold out. 😕
Think I would have come up with a better name than my buddies stick
Lol
Scout75 youtube link isn't working, the real one is: www.youtube.com/@Scout75PortableRadio
Thanks again..I wonder who they didn't work. Anyway, fixing now. Sorry scout
Kevins channel not linked properly either: www.youtube.com/@WQ9FHamRadio
Many thanks. Sorry Kevin
@@HAMRADIODUDE You're a very busy person, and producing a lot of valuable content and many thanks for that! From a "studying to become ham operator". Hello from Ontario Canada.