Mike I read all the comments and it was asked before. Can you please let us know what the final length you cut the antenna at? I have mine together but having a hard time with the tune. TIA
Thanks Mike.. I typically don’t purchase wire antennas, but this one looks simple enough for me to assemble and use resonant ready.. it’s high in the consideration list. thx for sharing.
Good work Mike. I home brew 3 so far and they all have a slightly different VSWR curve but my FT 817 is very happy on the VSWR meter with all 3 antennas. My regular SOTA antenna is the 3x18 for 21 total turns but it needed the 10 turn coil out from the feed point end to tune up best. Great antenna. Regards vk5cz ..
I was using speaker wire vertical, my recieve signal was a solid 6, on a station from Italy 🇮🇹. I changed the speaker wire to 6mm Earthbond electrical wire, the signal jumped to 9 + +
Mike, nice report. Thx. What length wire did you finally settle on? I built the EFRW 9:1 version last week. 29’ of AWG 26 hi viz. works great! I used 2mm banana plug to connect the radiating element. I’ve got another one of his kits here and will be building the EFHW Version this week.
Drill out the hole for the 9 to 1 if that's the impedance ratio you want. Then add a switch for either 9 to 1 or 49 to 1. That's what hams do. They make things work the way they want them to work. BTW, I prefer tapping to twisting, because I think tapping is a percent or so more efficient, but twisting is more mechanically reliable.
great antenna build. looks like a easy kit. for that ferrite core the twist is not needed or is the cross over half way threw the winding. all that cross over i for is so antenna lead is opposite the coax input. that uses a PCB . if makings that a 9:1 you may need counterpoise but depends on length of feed line. and choke at radio . if using counterpoise choke at antenna . I haven't needed a counterpoise with 25 ft or more feedline. 73's
You mentioned that you ran out 70' of wire and mentioned it was long. So before I cut mine and find out I could save saved a bit... what was your approx length?
After watching this video, I checked out my parts kit and found a T50-43, 100pf cap, and I had a BNC. So I made it myself but, have not had much success with the EFHW tuning. I also found that my soldering skills are not what the used to be as my eyesight isn't what it once was. Too much solder, and created shorts. Some kits are pre assembled which are tempting to purchase. However, after all of this is said and done... I'd still prefer to make my own and gain the confidence & joy of building it myself. 73's de kd5smf
Heck yeah man thanks for commenting! I do spend a lot of time tuning them. Most of which is edited out. I put it up, take a reading, bring it down, cut it, put it back up, take a reading, etc. etc. etc. It takes a bit of time to do that. Maybe an hour of solid tuning to get it perfect, but once you got it, you got it. Totally worth it. And I never have to take a tuner with me.
Mike, Do you normally run 50ft of coax for your EFHW and also, do you usually run a choke at the transceiver end? Thank you for what you do my friend! Robert- KG4ZSB
At least you're using a chisel tip and not a cone tip like a dingus. But, and this is just a friendly suggestion here, I think you'll have a easier and more enjoyable time soldering if you hold the flat side of your tip flat against the PCB pad and gently push the tip against the leg of the component. If you're lucky and the PCB has plated thru holes this will get the heat into the pad/hole quicker and help to flow the solder better, then the solder will help to heat the component leg and voila!
I agree but the main thing I think is technique. Been soldering for fun and professionally for 60 years. I am still learning. Great review by the way. @@657bhang
I found a link that you can send to someone that does have the 3D printer. Sent it to a buddy and he made me 3. I’ll get it in the morning and post it up here. They worked great. Thought the link was in this vid but maybe it was another.
Wow what a cardio workout with the arms and hands!
Winding toroids is such great therapy!
Mike I read all the comments and it was asked before. Can you please let us know what the final length you cut the antenna at? I have mine together but having a hard time with the tune. TIA
Just received mine yesterday. Can't wait to get it on the air!
Thanks Mike.. I typically don’t purchase wire antennas, but this one looks simple enough for me to assemble and use resonant ready.. it’s high in the consideration list. thx for sharing.
I’ve had my eyes on this kit. Great job with this video too!
Good work Mike. I home brew 3 so far and they all have a slightly different VSWR curve but my FT 817 is very happy on the VSWR meter with all 3 antennas. My regular SOTA antenna is the 3x18 for 21 total turns but it needed the 10 turn coil out from the feed point end to tune up best. Great antenna. Regards vk5cz ..
Great Vid. Nifty little antenna! Have a great holiday
I was using speaker wire vertical, my recieve signal was a solid 6, on a station from Italy 🇮🇹. I changed the speaker wire to 6mm Earthbond electrical wire, the signal jumped to 9 + +
Mike, nice report. Thx. What length wire did you finally settle on? I built the EFRW 9:1 version last week. 29’ of AWG 26 hi viz. works great! I used 2mm banana plug to connect the radiating element. I’ve got another one of his kits here and will be building the EFHW Version this week.
Drill out the hole for the 9 to 1 if that's the impedance ratio you want. Then add a switch for either 9 to 1 or 49 to 1. That's what hams do. They make things work the way they want them to work. BTW, I prefer tapping to twisting, because I think tapping is a percent or so more efficient, but twisting is more mechanically reliable.
Mike, nice report. Thx. What length wire did you finally settle on?
Thanks Mike. Just what I need is another antenna 🙂 Made the purchase. Bob WB6TIS
Yes. You do! Just like I did and still do 🤣
I bought this antenna a week ago and was wondering how it'd work. Looks pretty good Mike thanks
Winding a toroid is like giving yourself stitches!
No hams were hurt in the making of this video.
Great video Mike!
Looks a great antenna.
great antenna build. looks like a easy kit. for that ferrite core the twist is not needed or is the cross over half way threw the winding. all that cross over i for is so antenna lead is opposite the coax input. that uses a PCB . if makings that a 9:1 you may need counterpoise but depends on length of feed line. and choke at radio . if using counterpoise choke at antenna . I haven't needed a counterpoise with 25 ft or more feedline. 73's
I think Mike was on “catnip” in that intro 😅
Great video. I want one.... 📡
You mentioned that you ran out 70' of wire and mentioned it was long. So before I cut mine and find out I could save saved a bit... what was your approx length?
Great video MRD! But you may want to cut down on the Redbull.
All I can say is enjoy for a small antenna kit.
Nice job!! So what was the length of the wire?
Dude, that's awesome! I'll have to get one just for the cool factor. But also... I'm gonna need the link to where you got your cat shirt!
That cat shirt rocks!
After watching this video, I checked out my parts kit and found a T50-43, 100pf cap, and I had a BNC. So I made it myself but, have not had much success with the EFHW tuning. I also found that my soldering skills are not what the used to be as my eyesight isn't what it once was. Too much solder, and created shorts. Some kits are pre assembled which are tempting to purchase. However, after all of this is said and done... I'd still prefer to make my own and gain the confidence & joy of building it myself. 73's de kd5smf
Heck yeah man thanks for commenting! I do spend a lot of time tuning them. Most of which is edited out. I put it up, take a reading, bring it down, cut it, put it back up, take a reading, etc. etc. etc. It takes a bit of time to do that. Maybe an hour of solid tuning to get it perfect, but once you got it, you got it. Totally worth it. And I never have to take a tuner with me.
Noob here and hope my question is not too laughable. Will this antenna work for GMRS and CB as well?
You could tune it for the CB band, sure. That's only slightly lower than the 10 meter ham band. GMRS, not so much.
60 degrees. A little chilly?! 😂….I guess all of the Michigan has finally leaked out. LOL.
Awesome ,,,, can I buy it off ya
What's the antenna and cam it be used for gmrs...and ham also
Mike,
Do you normally run 50ft of coax for your EFHW and also, do you usually run a choke
at the transceiver end? Thank you for what you do my friend!
Robert- KG4ZSB
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. Like much of the answers in the ham radio world "it depends". But that's prob what I use the most.
At least you're using a chisel tip and not a cone tip like a dingus. But, and this is just a friendly suggestion here, I think you'll have a easier and more enjoyable time soldering if you hold the flat side of your tip flat against the PCB pad and gently push the tip against the leg of the component. If you're lucky and the PCB has plated thru holes this will get the heat into the pad/hole quicker and help to flow the solder better, then the solder will help to heat the component leg and voila!
I think cones are easier than chisel, it's a choice.
Not a reason to call someone names
I agree but the main thing I think is technique. Been soldering for fun and professionally for 60 years. I am still learning. Great review by the way. @@657bhang
Your eyes must still be good.
Nice little antenna .. Can I employ you to print me two JuiceBox boxes so I can build them ?
What is a juice box?
th-cam.com/video/7rteR00m6iI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=pIcUaindbqXZwgNG@@hamradiotube
Little power box splitter with buck converter to USB@@hamradiotube
Print file link is in the description of KM9G's video @@hamradiotube
@@MikeSmith-OU812 Oh I forgot to add that. Still don't know what a juice box is though.
Sadly he doesnt ship to the UK😕
Shweeeet!
Antenna's!!!!
Hey, you cut out the "POTA royalty" part! Lol 73 KD9YOD
Lol yeah some things need to be cut in the name of time.
😁😁😁😁😁$$$$$$$$ i'll buy it
Mike, it's not OCD, it is CDO. It has to be in alphabetical order... ;-)
🤣
That linemans splice wasn't that bad. no need to be ashamed.
Lol thanks!
$30!!!??? for 4 component that cost 35 cents with shipping? that's insanity
Is anyone printing the winder, I need 3 but do not have 3d printer,
I found a link that you can send to someone that does have the 3D printer. Sent it to a buddy and he made me 3. I’ll get it in the morning and post it up here. They worked great. Thought the link was in this vid but maybe it was another.
I say Life is To Short For QRP ! I will take an AMP ..lmao Heard that from a radio budy & thought it was funny !
I heard the cat 🐈 sounds upset and needy
Could be $20 cheaper.
Clarabelle Viaduct
cool video
co fart to fart kg6mn