My Classic w/80 m L is working great. Hearing stations I've never been able to hear before. I flip between my Classic and my EFHW and although the Classic is more noisy, I can hear stations (and make contacts as well) that I can't with the EFHW. Getting great signal reports from my FTdx-10. My radial area is limited but I put out 32 three meter radials 360 degrees and every band (except 30m won't tune) is below 2:1 with all but 80 well below. Thanks for a great product with great support. Loki has an email with my swr readings. Jack K5FIT
To add my two bits to the radial discussion today, I've just put a mag mount ham stick antenna on top of my old DX commander radials (no direct electrical connection) and it's tuning up and hitting all over the US on FT8. I'm now debating on doing a ground plane under my deck before it gets installed.
Callum, just a thought. But have you ever considered an upgrade path for your antennas? In essence, a kit that a DX Classic could be upgraded to a Signature 12.4 or something else in your product line. If possible, this might be something I would be interested in...and possibly lead to more sales for you. Best Regards. K8JAZ.
Unfortunately, none of the parts fit else I would design it that way. Interesting. Although the radials are transportable from one antenna to the next!
In North Side of Houston TX, on the .70m is an issue. The area has pine trees. The needles are 1/4 landa and have chemicals in them which absorbs RF. Some species of trees may do that on HF?
My back yard is 50' x 50' with a 5 foot chain link fence around the yard. How will that interfere with the DXCommander vertical? Should I put on top of my garage? Thank you
No rain in over 4 months on dry rocky soil. Earth ground not option. 20 random lengths of scrap wire laying around. 25, 33, 45, and 67 ft. No rain in over 4 on dry rocky soil here in SE Arizona. Frank de KI7MJU
Hi Callum, I have both a Classic DX Commander and the 12.4 Signature. I have 2 questions and haven't found the exact answer in your videos and information (which are very much appreciated). I have a constrained lot 24.5 m X 6 m with a house along one of the long sides. The house is 3.7 m tall to the gutter and 6.7 m to the roof peak. My question: Is it better to place the Signature in the middle of the lot with radials on all sides the antenna or place the antenna as far away from the house and only have the radials 180 degrees from the antenna?? Would love your opinion and advice. The second question is that I understand the larger diameter spreader plates on the 12.4 Signature improve the antenna performance. Have you considered having larger diameter spreader plates for the classic? I think the diameter of the poles are different so they are not interchagable. Keep up the great work and information- It is very much appreciated!!!
Question. I have small yard 100 by 50 feet. What can I do for a short wave antenna. Oh and I have high tension power lines about 500 feet away. Currently running a dipole from one end of the 100 feet to the other about 10 feet off the ground. Receiving only right now.
OK Kevin, I would give a go with some cheap wire.. Make a loop. Depends on your connection to the radio.. If you have a regular socket type input, graft one side of the loop to the earth pin and one side to the ground pin. Use coax to extend the distance between the radio and the connection to the loop. Height down't matter. Just go all the way aroound say at fence height.
I have a small garden and 100’ feet from a fresh water lake, I have a pipe that’s 4 feet in the ground and 6 feet above, This is also 6 feet from the property line, also there are 4, 8 foot grounding rods 6 feet from the pole with 6 gauge wire going to the pole, hopefully this will work?, just waiting on your new antenna with no guy wires, PS, the ground is black dirt the heavy clay so very conducive earth
Has anyone dug a 6-12” trench around their antenna setup , isolated the main mast filled it with salt water to sea level sodium content and have done a experiment…. Would love to now about it….. yes I’m a nutter. ! Cheers lads👍🇦🇺🥃
I live in an area of the US with lots of tornadoes and near blizzards. I'd think I'd need some added guys other than how you put it up there. I'd want to be definitely at 100km/hr while holding my breath at 130km/hr about 60 and 80 miles per hour). Any thoughts? de WO8USA
Well, we have had a few survive genuine HUGE storms. The problem is normally guy wire breaking rather than the pole. ALso depends on which model, for anything bigger than 10m, I would go with up to 3 sets of guys. In any case, we actually do a replacement "at cost" for any accident that happens..
Not sure if this is true, Guy in the states put 4 radial wires inside lengths of garden hose pipe, filled them with salt water and sealed the ends, and the improvement to his ant was Fantastic.
Gain.. That's a loaded question! Everyone will give you different numbers depending on the angle of take off.. Put it this way, more than any other vertical on the market because there's not traps / coils (apart from the 12.4).
Hi Mr. Callum, I am interested in erecting the 3 element verticals in the triangle configuration.. I saw your youtube video on it a year or so ago.. I looked for it but could not find it, then I thought it was probably lost with the lost of your Channel.. Is there anyway I can get it along with anything U think it might help me.. I am planning to use 20 meters.. I am trying to use MMana-Gal but so far I can not figure it out.. I am not good with manuals, do U have any suggestions.. Having said all of this, do U think it will work with 5/8 Elements & be an improvement?? Assuming one could figure out the matching net.. I am talking over my head; which is always full of ideas and questions.. ☺ ♠W.G. / K4WGD
OK.. So John Gendron NJ4C made me the box for this and did a marvelour presentation about it.. I am trying to find his TH-cam video...! If not, drop him a line (QRZ) and ask.. He did this well.. Better than me!
Depends on height and band.. You should probably get out on 40m OK for local contacts but I can't imagine it's super good for 20m and up.. How to improve.. You have a 20m run.. Thought about a fan-dipole fed in middle? Support in midde - but it would look a bit crappy! :)
@@DXCommanderHQ I've got on the Friday net on 80m 40m but never 20m , I do get out on 20m pretty well but 17,15 and 10 I use a t2lt style vertical....... just figuring it out being a 10w station
@@DXCommanderHQ I have a 13’ X 60’ strip. But wife won’t let me lay radials down on concrete that she has to walk on. But in 5 1/2 months I will be divorced from her. And she will be moving out. Then I could try some radials.
Love your videos and thank you again for doing the presentation for our club W4BUG Gold Coast Amateur Radio Assoc . 73 happy DX-ING Kd4hgr Ricky trustee for W4BUG.
Dear mister “nothing personal”… Most of us really do like Callum content and your trolling adds ZERO to the mix. Your parents know you’re being disrespectful to adults? 😊
This is ridiculous. Somebody is making money off of this. And it's not my me. I talk all over the world on a sstricker 955 hope with 300 what's with a I max 2000 at 49 feet to the bottom of the anttena. Go get a job. And contribute. To other people in a way that really matters. Nothing personal
I bought the DX Commander Expedition in April. Best antenna I own so far! Since then Ive gotten a slew of DX contacts. Thanks for what you do!
Good choice! Thanks for the support!
You and Mike are cutting edge HAMs... BRILLIANT!!
Yeah, he's a good sport!
My Classic w/80 m L is working great. Hearing stations I've never been able to hear before. I flip between my Classic and my EFHW and although the Classic is more noisy, I can hear stations (and make contacts as well) that I can't with the EFHW. Getting great signal reports from my FTdx-10. My radial area is limited but I put out 32 three meter radials 360 degrees and every band (except 30m won't tune) is below 2:1 with all but 80 well below. Thanks for a great product with great support. Loki has an email with my swr readings. Jack K5FIT
Loud and clear sir Callum
dig the drums in the shot!
To add my two bits to the radial discussion today, I've just put a mag mount ham stick antenna on top of my old DX commander radials (no direct electrical connection) and it's tuning up and hitting all over the US on FT8. I'm now debating on doing a ground plane under my deck before it gets installed.
Oh yes, some copper under the deck. Good idea!
Got very small analog mixer. Really helps the receive signal. Have Icoms, so have not tried the mike. Icoms have odd mike wiring.
Yeah I heard.. Me neither.
Callum, just a thought. But have you ever considered an upgrade path for your antennas? In essence, a kit that a DX Classic could be upgraded to a Signature 12.4 or something else in your product line. If possible, this might be something I would be interested in...and possibly lead to more sales for you. Best Regards. K8JAZ.
Unfortunately, none of the parts fit else I would design it that way. Interesting. Although the radials are transportable from one antenna to the next!
In North Side of Houston TX, on the .70m is an issue. The area has pine trees. The needles are 1/4 landa and have chemicals in them which absorbs RF. Some species of trees may do that on HF?
Not that I have heard of no...
Thanks Callum. K8JAZ.
My back yard is 50' x 50' with a 5 foot chain link fence around the yard. How will that interfere with the DXCommander vertical? Should I put on top of my garage? Thank you
You SHOULD be fine.. The only thing that MIGHT cause a slight issue with tuning is inverted L on 80m.. But to be honest, sounds perfect..!
No rain in over 4 months on dry rocky soil. Earth ground not option. 20 random lengths of scrap wire laying around. 25, 33, 45, and 67 ft. No rain in over 4 on dry rocky soil here in SE Arizona. Frank de KI7MJU
Right.. Maybe talk to Tyler. He has same issue but still gets out.
Hi Callum, I have both a Classic DX Commander and the 12.4 Signature. I have 2 questions and haven't found the exact answer in your videos and information (which are very much appreciated). I have a constrained lot 24.5 m X 6 m with a house along one of the long sides. The house is 3.7 m tall to the gutter and 6.7 m to the roof peak. My question: Is it better to place the Signature in the middle of the lot with radials on all sides the antenna or place the antenna as far away from the house and only have the radials 180 degrees from the antenna?? Would love your opinion and advice. The second question is that I understand the larger diameter spreader plates on the 12.4 Signature improve the antenna performance. Have you considered having larger diameter spreader plates for the classic? I think the diameter of the poles are different so they are not interchagable. Keep up the great work and information- It is very much appreciated!!!
OK.. I would go far away and 180 degree radials (if you can because you have guy lines too)
@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you!!
Question. I have small yard 100 by 50 feet. What can I do for a short wave antenna. Oh and I have high tension power lines about 500 feet away.
Currently running a dipole from one end of the 100 feet to the other about 10 feet off the ground. Receiving only right now.
OK Kevin, I would give a go with some cheap wire.. Make a loop. Depends on your connection to the radio.. If you have a regular socket type input, graft one side of the loop to the earth pin and one side to the ground pin. Use coax to extend the distance between the radio and the connection to the loop. Height down't matter. Just go all the way aroound say at fence height.
@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you Sir!
I have a small garden and 100’ feet from a fresh water lake, I have a pipe that’s 4 feet in the ground and 6 feet above, This is also 6 feet from the property line, also there are 4, 8 foot grounding rods 6 feet from the pole with 6 gauge wire going to the pole, hopefully this will work?, just waiting on your new antenna with no guy wires, PS, the ground is black dirt the heavy clay so very conducive earth
I'm sure it'll work BUT I will be recommending a thin walled aluminium tube which also has some flex..
We used to use chicken wire for 11 meters
Has anyone dug a 6-12” trench around their antenna setup , isolated the main mast filled it with salt water to sea level sodium content and have done a experiment…. Would love to now about it….. yes I’m a nutter. ! Cheers lads👍🇦🇺🥃
Nothing wrong with nutters. I do know of folks thast have used half a ton of rock salt, yes. Thing is, you need that out several wavelengths really!
I live in an area of the US with lots of tornadoes and near blizzards. I'd think I'd need some added guys other than how you put it up there. I'd want to be definitely at 100km/hr while holding my breath at 130km/hr about 60 and 80 miles per hour). Any thoughts? de WO8USA
Well, we have had a few survive genuine HUGE storms. The problem is normally guy wire breaking rather than the pole. ALso depends on which model, for anything bigger than 10m, I would go with up to 3 sets of guys. In any case, we actually do a replacement "at cost" for any accident that happens..
Not sure if this is true,
Guy in the states put 4 radial wires inside lengths of garden hose pipe, filled them with salt water and sealed the ends, and the improvement to his ant was Fantastic.
Sounds like a load of baloney Brian :)
Question; how much gain does the DX Commander provide on average.
Gain.. That's a loaded question! Everyone will give you different numbers depending on the angle of take off.. Put it this way, more than any other vertical on the market because there's not traps / coils (apart from the 12.4).
More excellence, Cullum! Volume seemed a bit low, but my loud A/C unit is likely the culprit. 73. Bill/WW5MB
Hi Mr. Callum, I am interested in erecting the 3 element verticals in the triangle configuration.. I saw your youtube video on it a year or so ago..
I looked for it but could not find it, then I thought it was probably lost with the lost of your Channel.. Is there anyway I can get it along with anything
U think it might help me.. I am planning to use 20 meters.. I am trying to use MMana-Gal but so far I can not figure it out.. I am not good with
manuals, do U have any suggestions.. Having said all of this, do U think it will work with 5/8 Elements & be an improvement?? Assuming one could
figure out the matching net.. I am talking over my head; which is always full of ideas and questions.. ☺ ♠W.G. / K4WGD
OK.. So John Gendron NJ4C made me the box for this and did a marvelour presentation about it.. I am trying to find his TH-cam video...! If not, drop him a line (QRZ) and ask.. He did this well.. Better than me!
Found it! th-cam.com/video/jJXaWQyZFbk/w-d-xo.html
9:1 unun fixed to soffit 17ft up.....20m wire run to tree 10ft fixed, works OK but how could it be better??
Depends on height and band.. You should probably get out on 40m OK for local contacts but I can't imagine it's super good for 20m and up.. How to improve.. You have a 20m run.. Thought about a fan-dipole fed in middle? Support in midde - but it would look a bit crappy! :)
@@DXCommanderHQ I've got on the Friday net on 80m 40m but never 20m , I do get out on 20m pretty well but 17,15 and 10 I use a t2lt style vertical....... just figuring it out being a 10w station
One issue wit AL. High heat and humidity will cause it to put over time. Like a Coke can outside over time.
Ah-ha
Would love to have yur antena but have no room for radials
You need about 12 feet.. You don't have that?
@@DXCommanderHQ very narrow behind house, and concrete slab
@@DXCommanderHQ thanks for the response
@@DXCommanderHQ I have a 13’ X 60’ strip. But wife won’t let me lay radials down on concrete that she has to walk on. But in 5 1/2 months I will be divorced from her. And she will be moving out. Then I could try some radials.
You have very small lots in the UK.
Land is expensive :)
I believe that you should have demanded to know from TH-cam why your channel was deleted. For all you know, they may do it again.
.. you never know! And I tried a LOT of things but hey.. Lightning doesn't strike twice. Or does it! LOL!!
I talk all over the world on an I max 2000. With 300 what's. Its not that complicated. Nothing personal
Imax 2000. Yes, I have the same. Tunes down to about 15m band but then becomes deaf on 20m and below.
Love your videos and thank you again for doing the presentation for our club W4BUG Gold Coast Amateur Radio Assoc . 73 happy DX-ING Kd4hgr Ricky trustee for W4BUG.
Rick! That was a fun presentation, yes! :)
Dear mister “nothing personal”…
Most of us really do like Callum content and your trolling adds ZERO to the mix. Your parents know you’re being disrespectful to adults? 😊
Trolling? Sorry no idea what you are on about. Is this a mix-up maybe? Translating UK to USA sometimes does that with humour.
@@DXCommanderHQ
Sorry Cal. That was meant for the douche who kept on with his critical thoughts only to follow up with a “nothing personal”. 😁
Great job well done! 73 W3AMT
Many thanks!
Can you please get to the point. 249 alabama. One of the loudest stations in the nation. Nothing personal
I'm afraid, once the recording is done, I can't accelerate. But you can speed me up on TH-cam to 200%, Then my videos will be much quicker.
This is ridiculous. Somebody is making money off of this. And it's not my me. I talk all over the world on a sstricker 955 hope with 300 what's with a I max 2000 at 49 feet to the bottom of the anttena. Go get a job. And contribute. To other people in a way that really matters. Nothing personal
Sorry - I really don't understand but I know you are being honest and straight forward..
He's also being a jerk with too much time on his hands. You go get a job Mr "Nothing Personal
thanks cal allways enjoy your vids iam the hustler user she is still there after ten years trapped 73 m3hnl
HAHA Brilliant :)