Packtennas are unobtainium typically, so the Xtenna was my go to for a while. Great style and great performance. These days I rock the Reliance bugout mini. I keep everything in a small bag, and it works great. Good video Mike.
@@NovemberOneOscarGrouch My Bugout Mini should be arriving today. I picked up the wire and a winder from Matt at a Hamfest a few weeks back. I was planning to use it with a K6ARK kit but those appear to be unobtainable in the configuration I wanted. So I changed my mind since the Reliance Antennas seem well built and can handle higher wattages if needed.
@misteraon well made, compact and the whole think plus accessories fits in a small canvas bag. (I think I have it shown in one of my videos, maybe) and I don't need a tuner 40-10. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours! 73 my friend.
Mike, I finally got a PackTenna. Was able to get a 20m one with the unfinished end, and will make the end as you have. Will probably use the soybeans wire too. And then link the 40m length as well. You are right. PackTenna absolutely rocks! For me it’s life changing! lol. Thanks for calling it like it is. It’s THE antenna for me!
My favourite 49:1 EFHW has to be the Reel Potable EFHW. Not only does it reel in to a tidy compact form factor, but my favourite feature is you can extend or retract the wire to any desired frequency
For EFHW, check out the Reliance Antennas EFHW bug out mini. The Unun seems well built and relatively small. It’s in an enclosure with a BNC and eyelet for rigging. It sized for QRP work but is rated for 100w SSB and 60 CW/Dig. I just have reservations on the ununs that are a PCB and partially exposed to the elements. I just ordered one for my portable kit I’m working on putting together.
I love the EFHW promo! My favorite is the CaHR Artemis because it works and it was my first ever. I will get a PackTenna sometime when they are in stock again. Love the video Mike. Thank you for being out there keeping it real!
I build my own 49/1's for low power ops (25w) as my current entitlement is 25w. I was interested to possibly buy the packtenna, however the whole store is sold out. I suppose that speaks volumes on the quality, but tell them to get busy 😅😅. Thanks, love the channel 👍
You could use star washers between the surfaces to increase friction, or drill a small additional hole on one side of the mount and pin it to keep it from moving
FWIW, I've been running the Diamond motorized mount for vhf/uhf on a rack on my truckbed shell for years and has been perfect, for HF I have the Alpha Moto on a bayonet type mount and is decent-mostly effective on 10-20m, for EFHW, like you mentioned they all pretty much behave the same, so I vote, make your own with a FT-140-43 Ferrite Toroid Core , some magnet wire, a couple zip ties, a capacitor, a coax connector of your choice and the obligatory 66'ish of wire of your choice mounted on a winder-wither it be bought or dreamed up.. lots of fun, not difficult and satisfaction galore.. 👍
My understanding is that you can use a throw bag over the Washington Monument and string a wire antenna off it. Make sure you have a GoPro recording as I want to see the video. :)
II run the Moto,, I installed it on the hood of my van. Plus, the fixed station mount is easy to change out, 5 mins. Living in CT, and driving east on I-95, I talk to a station in AL 2, 3, time a week while driving East in CT. Tech support is great.
Great informative video. Thank you. What do you like better, EFHW or random wire? Is there an advantage of one over the other? PackTenna is sold out except for the Mini Random Wire Antenna. Should I wait for the EFHW to become available? I like the looks and functionality of the PackTenna. Thank you again.
It all boils down to core choice, correctness of windings, total weight, and your preferences for enclosures. As you know, there are a LOT of sources for premade ununs and kits.
I've never seen the packtenna in stock. That's my biggest issue. I got the XTenna antenna and it's been fantastic. While it's supposedly 60W SSB, I've used it multiple times for 100W and it's been fine.
Thanks for the info! I have the KM4ACK antenna. but don't like the small thyroid. I should have ordered the 140-43 and put that on there. I plan to change it soon. I have never like the cross over way to wind them. The wire is not near the thyroid and can't really do much! My base antenna I just went around the thyroid and put my connection on the box where it ended! I also made 2 more turns and another connection. So I have a 43:1 and a 64:1 on the same thyroid! When I put it up I tried both and used the one that worked the best.
Great Video! I love the Packtenna, I have a couple of them. I am curious though, what would the wire length be cut to for the EFHW? I think I have one at 29’ and another at 33’.
Cant help but think of James Franco in "The Interview" when explaining EFHW's to new hams... "...they are same same, but different.... but STILL same" LOL
My ATAS sits on a MFJ Triple Magnet Mount, off center (for drive-thru’s) on my Subaru Outback wagon roof. Could be easier than unscrewing it. While not an “ideal” mount, plus nothing is grounded or bonded…I’m 76/100 towards Mobile DXCC in 2.5 years, running between 5 and 50 watts (because 100 watts is pointless). QRZ Logbook is current under WB3CFN. (You’ll see yourself in there! 😃) 73 and Tnx!!
Some of the newer thicker cores being used for efhw antennas are about a half db more efficient than the 140/43 cores. Like the "evil efhw" that uses a 2661102002 It's a 61 mix core good for 100 watts 40-10m. Set it up on a Packtenna type form factor and you will have the best of both worlds. Only 0.15 db loss on 40m
Texan's love everything big, hf antennas, the lower the band, the longer the antenna, anything short is a sort of compromise " aka " dummy load. That's why in the early 70's - 80's the Texas Bugcatcher came to life. K8MRD, being a Texan, should study options to revive one of these beasts and install it on the Exploder.
Built a 100W TennTennas EFHW with 14 guage wire. Strong but the wire is not on the light side and i have to roll it up. Recently got a Reel POTA-ble and its great but i wouldn't leave it out in the rain without covering the reel and matching unit.
Just have your wife remove and replace the whip as needed. She's not driving anyway. Another solution would be to deploy the Pac End Fed as a trailing wire antenna behind your truck. 🤣 you could just feed out half or quarter wave at a time, and maybe use a kite. Wife could handle Kite Duty from the passenger seat... Or on the Turnpike, why no just go with a full End Fed Zepp: You'll need a 33 foot open ladder line, one side doesn't get connected, and on the other side, go with a full 133 foot wire.😂 Add a sticker on the back bed: "Stay Back 200 Feet. Driver Not Responsible for RF Exposure." 😂 The Car wash is going to be a problem... 73 DE W8LV Bill
How long is the wire on the packtenna? I'm building a K6ARK antenna and I feel like I'm missing something. For 40 meters I would have to put on 70 feet of antenna. How do I get that up in the air on a summit? I'm starting to wonder if it's better to aim for 20 meters
It’s about 65.5’. Make a link in it for 20 meters and you can take the 40 meter length off like I do. th-cam.com/video/kkL3s3_6AWM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Xbsh8OjffojPJucT
@@hamradiotube So if you're deploying that on a summit in an inverted V you're getting the center 30 feet off the ground?? I don't know how that's possible. Would it be a bad idea to just take the linked part for 20 meters only or would that not be enough reach to successfully activate? I'm pretty new to HF
@@tannerwilcox8942 If I can. But I also don't do much SOTA as there are no mountains in Texas. I usually don't run an inverted V either. Usually I'll just run it as a sloper with the feed point a few feet off the ground and the end of the antenna as high up as I can get it. Don't sweat it too much. You can run a sloper, inverted V, vertical, whatever. If you only have enough room for a 20 meter antenna, just to 20. Thats one of the reasons why I make my EFHW's with links in them. I did a SOTA in Arizona where I took the 40 and 20 meter links off and just ran the 17 meter link as a vertical up a mast leaned into a tree. You've just got to try it. Experiment and see what works.
6:58 the Rickyisms never stop 🤣. I’m just waiting for the Leahyisms to begin lol On a serious note, how much coax do you use with your Packtenna? Because it doesn’t have a proper counterpoise I know you need enough coax length to act as a decent enough counterpoise and ideally put a choke at the radio end. I’ve got a Packtenna EFHW, 2x 10ft of RG-316, and packtenna’s inline choke. My thought was this: antenna -> 10ft coax -> choke -> 10ft coax -> radio. Think that will work?
I'm pretty much the same. I have the first, then everyone else has to have something to beat it to get me to change. A tie goes to the original design.
Get yourself a SotaBeams Bandhopper 3/4 and you have an excellent portable dipole antenna with excellent performance. Imho better performance then a EFHW.
Ps, The K-9000 is a good monut, however, the ground is none, and diamond support did not recomened it to me, unless I was running a self grounding system in some way. Also said running a 8, 6, or 4ga ground wire will not work. Now with that said, this was about 6 years ago. Check before buying.
In the last few years you have recommended this antenna a number of times but they are always out of stock. If you go to the website they represent themselves as a real company but they never have stock.
If you want a PackTenna you would greatly benefit from joining the packtenna.groups.io/g/main page. That is where George updates people to availability. They sell out as fast as they're made and that's the only way you're going to be notified when you can get one. Over there you will find a wealth of information from George and the community. He actually has amazing customer service and patience. I can't tell you how many times I've seen him answer the same questions over an over again. You have to understand, this was always a side project for him. A small business that puts out small batches of antennas at a time that get gobbled up once available.
Choose the EFHW that is PROPERLY resonant as a HW on the band you desire to use, dont use a damned single wire to do a one size fits all bands. It will give poor efficiency on every band but the one designed for.
Packtennas are unobtainium typically, so the Xtenna was my go to for a while. Great style and great performance. These days I rock the Reliance bugout mini. I keep everything in a small bag, and it works great.
Good video Mike.
Plus one for the Reliance Bugout Mini
@@misteraon LOVE that antenna!
@@NovemberOneOscarGrouch My Bugout Mini should be arriving today. I picked up the wire and a winder from Matt at a Hamfest a few weeks back. I was planning to use it with a K6ARK kit but those appear to be unobtainable in the configuration I wanted. So I changed my mind since the Reliance Antennas seem well built and can handle higher wattages if needed.
@misteraon well made, compact and the whole think plus accessories fits in a small canvas bag. (I think I have it shown in one of my videos, maybe) and I don't need a tuner 40-10. I'm sure you'll enjoy yours! 73 my friend.
That is the best, most coherent comparision and discussion of EFHWs I've heard. K8MRD, I salute you, sir! Thanks!
"Two birds stoned at once" love it Mike ... Keep them coming!
Mike, I finally got a PackTenna. Was able to get a 20m one with the unfinished end, and will make the end as you have. Will probably use the soybeans wire too. And then link the 40m length as well.
You are right. PackTenna absolutely rocks! For me it’s life changing! lol. Thanks for calling it like it is. It’s THE antenna for me!
Mini Tarheel 2 and a Breedlove bed-rail mount. Use a quick disconnect on the whip section only.
My favourite 49:1 EFHW has to be the Reel Potable EFHW. Not only does it reel in to a tidy compact form factor, but my favourite feature is you can extend or retract the wire to any desired frequency
I'll have to try that next time with my reel
For EFHW, check out the Reliance Antennas EFHW bug out mini. The Unun seems well built and relatively small. It’s in an enclosure with a BNC and eyelet for rigging. It sized for QRP work but is rated for 100w SSB and 60 CW/Dig. I just have reservations on the ununs that are a PCB and partially exposed to the elements. I just ordered one for my portable kit I’m working on putting together.
I love the EFHW promo! My favorite is the CaHR Artemis because it works and it was my first ever. I will get a PackTenna sometime when they are in stock again. Love the video Mike. Thank you for being out there keeping it real!
I build my own 49/1's for low power ops (25w) as my current entitlement is 25w. I was interested to possibly buy the packtenna, however the whole store is sold out. I suppose that speaks volumes on the quality, but tell them to get busy 😅😅. Thanks, love the channel 👍
You could use star washers between the surfaces to increase friction, or drill a small additional hole on one side of the mount and pin it to keep it from moving
Yeah you prob could use a cotter pin or something like that. Good idea!
FWIW, I've been running the Diamond motorized mount for vhf/uhf on a rack on my truckbed shell for years and has been perfect, for HF I have the Alpha Moto on a bayonet type mount and is decent-mostly effective on 10-20m, for EFHW, like you mentioned they all pretty much behave the same, so I vote, make your own with a FT-140-43 Ferrite Toroid Core , some magnet wire, a couple zip ties, a capacitor, a coax connector of your choice and the obligatory 66'ish of wire of your choice mounted on a winder-wither it be bought or dreamed up.. lots of fun, not difficult and satisfaction galore.. 👍
My understanding is that you can use a throw bag over the Washington Monument and string a wire antenna off it. Make sure you have a GoPro recording as I want to see the video. :)
II run the Moto,, I installed it on the hood of my van. Plus, the fixed station mount is easy to change out, 5 mins. Living in CT, and driving east on I-95, I talk to a station in AL 2, 3, time a week while driving East in CT. Tech support is great.
Great informative video. Thank you. What do you like better, EFHW or random wire? Is there an advantage of one over the other? PackTenna is sold out except for the Mini Random Wire Antenna. Should I wait for the EFHW to become available? I like the looks and functionality of the PackTenna. Thank you again.
It all boils down to core choice, correctness of windings, total weight, and your preferences for enclosures. As you know, there are a LOT of sources for premade ununs and kits.
I use the ATAS120 on my truck on a custom mount using the truck bed tie down pre punched holes. Works great.
I've never seen the packtenna in stock. That's my biggest issue. I got the XTenna antenna and it's been fantastic. While it's supposedly 60W SSB, I've used it multiple times for 100W and it's been fine.
Paktenna mini stock now. 9 to 1 , 100 watts. Can add wire to get 40 meters.
fT891 and Atas 120a for me 100% of the time.
I love the packtenna and I agree with you because, its small and works. Being able to easily hang the wire holder makes it work for me.
I use ham sticks and a mag mount on top of my truck. Yes, it's tall and will hit trees in the neighborhood. Mag mount is easy to take off and on.
Thanks for the info! I have the KM4ACK antenna. but don't like the small thyroid. I should have ordered the 140-43 and put that on there. I plan to change it soon. I have never like the cross over way to wind them. The wire is not near the thyroid and can't really do much! My base antenna I just went around the thyroid and put my connection on the box where it ended! I also made 2 more turns and another connection. So I have a 43:1 and a 64:1 on the same thyroid! When I put it up I tried both and used the one that worked the best.
My thyroid was removed by two highly educated men who cut my throat and took my money; in 2018.
Great Video! I love the Packtenna, I have a couple of them. I am curious though, what would the wire length be cut to for the EFHW? I think I have one at 29’ and another at 33’.
Cant help but think of James Franco in "The Interview" when explaining EFHW's to new hams... "...they are same same, but different.... but STILL same" LOL
My ATAS sits on a MFJ Triple Magnet Mount, off center (for drive-thru’s) on my Subaru Outback wagon roof. Could be easier than unscrewing it. While not an “ideal” mount, plus nothing is grounded or bonded…I’m 76/100 towards Mobile DXCC in 2.5 years, running between 5 and 50 watts (because 100 watts is pointless). QRZ Logbook is current under WB3CFN. (You’ll see yourself in there! 😃) 73 and Tnx!!
For mobile, I use anft 891 and a tarheel, on a bed mount on my 2018 silverado. Can't beat the setup
Sold out as usual
Paktenna mini stock now. 9 to 1 , 100 watts. Can add wire to get 40 meters
Some of the newer thicker cores being used for efhw antennas are about a half db more efficient than the 140/43 cores. Like the "evil efhw" that uses a 2661102002
It's a 61 mix core good for 100 watts 40-10m. Set it up on a Packtenna type form factor and you will have the best of both worlds. Only 0.15 db loss on 40m
Put a star washer in between the mount on the power antenna mount and it won’t slip anymore
Texan's love everything big, hf antennas, the lower the band, the longer the antenna, anything short is a sort of compromise " aka " dummy load. That's why in the early 70's - 80's the Texas Bugcatcher came to life. K8MRD, being a Texan, should study options to revive one of these beasts and install it on the Exploder.
The best endfed antenna is the one you can get because it's in stock. Packtenna is probably the best but they are hard to get
Built a 100W TennTennas EFHW with 14 guage wire. Strong but the wire is not on the light side and i have to roll it up. Recently got a Reel POTA-ble and its great but i wouldn't leave it out in the rain without covering the reel and matching unit.
Just have your wife remove and replace the whip as needed. She's not driving anyway. Another solution would be to deploy the Pac End Fed as a trailing wire antenna behind your truck. 🤣 you could just feed out half or quarter wave at a time, and maybe use a kite. Wife could handle Kite Duty from the passenger seat... Or on the Turnpike, why no just go with a full End Fed Zepp: You'll need a 33 foot open ladder line, one side doesn't get connected, and on the other side, go with a full 133 foot wire.😂 Add a sticker on the back bed: "Stay Back 200 Feet. Driver Not Responsible for RF Exposure." 😂 The Car wash is going to be a problem... 73 DE W8LV Bill
The other way to go is just have her drive and you can play radio the whole time. Change out antennas, wind transformers, solder up a radio kit...
I threw my Packtenna in my car as a backup for a trip. It became my primary antenna instead, Simply because it gets the job done.
How long is the wire on the packtenna? I'm building a K6ARK antenna and I feel like I'm missing something. For 40 meters I would have to put on 70 feet of antenna. How do I get that up in the air on a summit? I'm starting to wonder if it's better to aim for 20 meters
It’s about 65.5’. Make a link in it for 20 meters and you can take the 40 meter length off like I do. th-cam.com/video/kkL3s3_6AWM/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Xbsh8OjffojPJucT
@@hamradiotube So if you're deploying that on a summit in an inverted V you're getting the center 30 feet off the ground?? I don't know how that's possible. Would it be a bad idea to just take the linked part for 20 meters only or would that not be enough reach to successfully activate? I'm pretty new to HF
@@tannerwilcox8942 If I can. But I also don't do much SOTA as there are no mountains in Texas. I usually don't run an inverted V either. Usually I'll just run it as a sloper with the feed point a few feet off the ground and the end of the antenna as high up as I can get it. Don't sweat it too much. You can run a sloper, inverted V, vertical, whatever. If you only have enough room for a 20 meter antenna, just to 20. Thats one of the reasons why I make my EFHW's with links in them. I did a SOTA in Arizona where I took the 40 and 20 meter links off and just ran the 17 meter link as a vertical up a mast leaned into a tree. You've just got to try it. Experiment and see what works.
6:58 the Rickyisms never stop 🤣. I’m just waiting for the Leahyisms to begin lol
On a serious note, how much coax do you use with your Packtenna? Because it doesn’t have a proper counterpoise I know you need enough coax length to act as a decent enough counterpoise and ideally put a choke at the radio end. I’ve got a Packtenna EFHW, 2x 10ft of RG-316, and packtenna’s inline choke. My thought was this:
antenna -> 10ft coax -> choke -> 10ft coax -> radio.
Think that will work?
I always use resonant vertical ants for home or portable, best ant for real dx, 10k miles plus every time.
I'm pretty much the same. I have the first, then everyone else has to have something to beat it to get me to change. A tie goes to the original design.
Get yourself a SotaBeams Bandhopper 3/4 and you have an excellent portable dipole antenna with excellent performance. Imho better performance then a EFHW.
pronouncing the h in "wHip" is funny 😄
Reminds me of Stewie in Family Guy. 😂
@@k5wxp22 lol definitely
Cool Hwip!
@@hamradiotube 🤣
Ps, The K-9000 is a good monut, however, the ground is none, and diamond support did not recomened it to me, unless I was running a self grounding system in some way. Also said running a 8, 6, or 4ga ground wire will not work. Now with that said, this was about 6 years ago. Check before buying.
This whole time I thought it was” killing two birds with one stone”🤷🏻♂️😂
5 different antennas and a 5 or 6. Position coax switch enjoy
Please how can e Nd fed Antenna have a Memory?????
The wire.
Nice shirt lol, I see what you did there. 😆
BRO.. I do APRS!
🤣
I would have thought it’s the one you have. Hmmm
4:33 blurred... 4:44 unblurred ... oops.
Ha! I think that was the first time I'd ever tried using tracking to blur something. Just don't look at those other frames!
Would be nice, if they weren’t always sold out.
Put the black Kitty on the tube
Mobile HF Alpha antenna 6-40m moto-ss multiband hf mobile antenna
In the last few years you have recommended this antenna a number of times but they are always out of stock. If you go to the website they represent themselves as a real company but they never have stock.
If you want a PackTenna you would greatly benefit from joining the packtenna.groups.io/g/main page. That is where George updates people to availability. They sell out as fast as they're made and that's the only way you're going to be notified when you can get one. Over there you will find a wealth of information from George and the community. He actually has amazing customer service and patience. I can't tell you how many times I've seen him answer the same questions over an over again. You have to understand, this was always a side project for him. A small business that puts out small batches of antennas at a time that get gobbled up once available.
So I have to join a list to buy his product? I guess if that works for him ,fine business.
For high viz, heavy duty wire, check out aaronmakeskeys .. I can send you some of you want? The most vibrant green kevlar wire I've seen
Homenick Center
Hi Satan.
The 't' in 'often' is silent.
Your neck hurt?
Choose the EFHW that is PROPERLY resonant as a HW on the band you desire to use, dont use a damned single wire to do a one size fits all bands. It will give poor efficiency on every band but the one designed for.
_”You get two birds stoned at once”_ 😀
Reminds me of when the sugary water in the hummingbird feeder *FERMENTED!*
*73 de AF6AS in **_“DM13”_** land*
Your email please Terence want to ask about Antenna question from UK