The Worlds Fastest DX Commander
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 เม.ย. 2021
- Update: I forgot that I have an older version of this antenna. The wing nut issue I talked about has been fixed, so if you order one today you won't run into the same thing.
Most common question I get about my DX Commanders is "how long does it take to put that up." Particularly with the expedition model, folks are operating portable and setup time is lost QSO time.
Today I'm walking you through how I setup my Expedition model, drawing a few comparisons with the Classic model, and going over the things I've done to try and optimize the process. - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I will admit, as a bigger guy myself, I held my breath when you sat in that tiny chair hihi! Good job on the video Matt, you're helping get Callum a new customer here. I'm really close to pulling the trigger on a Rapide.
Matt, this is an awesome setup method! I always like that you take just that extra bit to make things better.
Great video and I have to admit that I've been a bit intimidated by the thought of up and down with DX Commander. This helps a lot! To Callum's point.....you really should do this on a regular basis. You would be filling a void as most vids out there are a bit more rambling, longer and not to the point. I like yours, quick, to the point, very informative and ideas I'll actually use......Thank You and well done! (just so you don't think I'm dissing others.....I really do like a lot of the YT community but I tend to shy away from the 1+ hour-long vids that I'm not sure what or when something I'm interested in will be covered)
Thanks for the insight between the classic and the expedition. Great tips, great video!
Very nice and I must learn over and under thank you for showing how to put this antenna.
Great video! This makes me like the DX commander even more. Your tips are true gold nuggets of info!
Cal's gonna love your tips. Thanks for sharing. I just ordered the standard version.
Almost speechless... strait to the point, amazing tips for an amazing antenna (thanks Callum!)
What an awesome video! 👏 I just got a classic commander and this may put the expedition model in my future for portable Ops. Thank you for all the tips.
Clear, concise and easily understood. Just started my foundation course, no rig yet but you make that particular ae sound VERY attractive. Thanks.
Excellent video as I plan to purchase a Classic for a winter vacation project! Thank you for posting.
I am getting ready to buy one of these and I have watched a lot of build videos but found none that focused on just the fielding process afterwards. Very well done sir and thank you.
Another great video. Best tip was the over under method. I have been struggling with my radials for my SOTA special from Wolf River Coils. Will be picking up a DX Commander antenna in the near future.
Well done Matt! Lots of great info and tips. Also a great explanation of the over/under coiling method. The DX Commander is on my list of things to purchase once I get my license (getting close to writing) and you just simplified ownership for me. You just earned a “subscribe” as I’m interested in CW and portable operations. Cheers from Moose Jaw, Canada.
Tim
Excellent no frills information which make erecting the antenna so easy. Thanks for sharing.
Some great tips Matt. Many thanks for the time you've taken to help all the DX-Commander users out in 'portable land.' 73 Bruce G4ABX
Great tips!! Really appreciate all the great ideas especially the bungee on the plates!
Great demo. Very organized way to set up.
Thanks for your advice Matt! Love the alligator clip tip. Getting ready to deploy my DXC Classic for the first time soon!! 73
Some fantastic tips in this video. Thank you. I sometimes attach the radiating elements on my expedition to the pole first and extend it in place. Useful when you have a limited footprint for deploying the antenna or overhead obstructions.
I've tried that. I think it's slower in the end, especially on tear down - the element wires end up in a heap at your feet. However as you say there are places where due to power lines or trees you can't really work with the pole horizontal, so it's an important technique to know.
Awesome video! Most people never post detailed “how to set up IN THE FIELD” videos on these puppies! Take about as much time as I set up my modified WRC antenna! DX Commander here I come!
A very nice video with clear instructions and tips. Thanks a lot, Matt :)
Thanks for making this video Matt. I'm thinking about POTA poles at present, so this was very useful. I'll try the cable winding trick (at 9.00min) too!
hi matt,
thanks for the clear explanation of how to mount and dismount the Dx commander mast. we have some practice to do for the summer field day😉
Excellent video I have the classic for permanent use in the home qth ..you have just inspired me to get out Mobile ..cheers.
Thanks for this video! I just ordered mine and I will consider those tips for sure!
Great setup method, many neat tricks, thanks & 73!
Great video Matt, excellent explanation and really good tips..
Matt, seriously, great video. I think this will dispel a lot of misconceptions about the DX Commander.
Great tips! I’ll have to get one of those antennas one day!
Matt that was a great video. Thanks for sharing it. Even for this beginner know how easy it is to get going has helped me a lot. Thanks again 73 KL5NU
Thanks for making the vid.. Lot's of good hints there!
Brilliant. I've subscribed for future tips!!
Wow, thanks so much, SO informative. I hope Calum gleans from your experiences as he continues to refine his current stable of wares as well as his new developments! Just sub'd.
73.
Paul Sanders
KK6RXU
Love the bungee idea for the bottom plates.
Great tips and tricks! Awesome vid.
That was a brilliantly useful video !!
Ha! Nice and organized..bet this short review will up sales on Cal's channel.
Thanks Matt, keep them coming..
73
some great tips there! Thank you
Really great video. Very helpful..Thanks
Good video. Work smarter, not harder. I used the over under method to coil just about everything. Go Steelers!!!
Awesome tip vid to speed up the process that’s so worth it 😉😉
Nice job. I'm going to have to figure out how to do the wrap! I'm kinda crippled up and I will feel good if I can get it in a half hour! Hey thanks for the great video.
Very cool. Thanks for the tips.
Only just seen this, Great tips, I've just got myself a DX Commander.
That color code trick - GOLD man, GOLD!
It is helpful. Someday when my elements break or I want different bands I'm going to make them out of silicone hook-up wire so the entire element will be the matching color.
@@MattHeere Another option is to just get some colored heat shrink and do the ends.
Good show Matt. Pretty snappy on the CW. Looking forward to our activation. Rob N3OJL
LOL. It's a lot easier when you don't actually have to decode anything :)
Great tips, thank you.
Great tips. Thanks 👍
Great video! Thanks a lot!
Josh knows a lot about hoeing roads! Perhaps he could give further guidance on radial organization 😂.
On a serious note, yesterday I took out the radials off of mine to lay the DX Commander down and mow the area within the guy lines. It didn’t take long at all to screw them back in under the wing nuts.
But you could EASILY lose a part or trying to put it together in the field. Great idea with the alligator clips! My DX commander has been up since last September.
The one I have up permanently at home is fully hose-clamped and uses all the wing nuts. Decidedly more secure that way. For regular portable use though they're a pain, and honestly if someone trips over a radial out in a park or something I don't want it anchored that securely.
Fantastic video and instructions, thank you! 73
awesome video!!! I have the 10m avb. used it on my 2nd activation and got a contact from AK on 20m. was a bit to set up but was 3 rd time I had it up even then was alittle faster then 2nd. will definitely use the over under method. thanks again. GO STEELERS
kc3pip
Great tips!
Very interesting, thank you.
Thank you. Great video. Was thinking was going to have to make my Expedition sort of a permanent base antenna but rethinking that now.
Thanks Dave. Unless you have a specific need for the small size of the pole when collapsed, consider getting the Classic model. It's pole is decidedly stronger. It deploys as fast if not faster, and it holds more elements if you need them. Really no down side to the Classic except for the larger pole, which typically isn't an issue unless you're traveling by foot, bike, or airplane.
Outstanding
Good video. Subscribed.
Thanks my friend. I gained a new way to attach my radials to my vertical from this. Alligator clips! Great idea! de KE8ONI
Great video. I learned a few tricks. I have set mine up 3x now and don’t hike in, so i leave the elements connected which saves my back during assembly. Radials are my biggest nuisance and my solution was kite string winders. I like the alligator clip but wonder if it adequate for 100w.
Works with my 891 on full blast without issues. The small conductor area that results from the teeth of the clips is only a tiny fraction of a millimeter long. It handles the power just fine, much like a high amperage fuse is just a thread compared to the main conductor.
Thank you.
Brilliant
Great Video. Takes me a little longer but It's worth it. What type of wire are you using for your radials?
Very cheap speaker wire from Amazon. I did make sure to get pure copper. The insulation is a bear when cold, but otherwise a lot of radial for not much cash.
Fantastic video, I wonder if Callum has seen your video.
He was a regular here before the big "incident" with his TH-cam channel. He left some very helpful comments which unfortunately vanished in that process. Great guy though!
Awesome video. I wonder how much more difficult a Signature 12.4 or the Nebula 18 would be.
I doubt that they're any more difficult, but they will likely take longer only because they run more and longer elements (which will take extra time to get into place). Since you're running lower bands you'll also want more and longer radials. I expect the Nebula pole is a handful on your own, but Cal had some examples of putting it up on his own.
Nice 👏👏
Great !! Tnx !
@dxcommander great tips 👌
Awesome, great work. So no hose clamps at all? No issues with the pole collapsing?
None at all. This being the portable version it's never up for more than a day or two, and it's not seen significant rain, but so far so good.
I'm still confused about the windup method. Looking for a video on it.
Matt, I think you need a New York Giants hoodie to help elevate your videos to the next level. LOL
Not likely - all the rest of my NFL wear (which consists of one jersey) is Cowboys! Grew up in Texas - plus who doesn't love to irritate both Giants and Eagles fans simultaneously ;)
@@MattHeere , LOL
Matt !! I Just Ordered a ' signature DX Commander 12.4 " .from Callum , This DX Commander 12.4 has 80 Meters Down to 6 meters, I Probably Talk on All of the Bands except 30 ,12. and My Question is How Many Radials Do I Need ?? 12/4/2022 6:35 pm Jim . B Toccoa ,Georgia KN4LEI Would the RG213 Coax Be Good for it ???
Another great video. You said pack things neatly? What is this concept? Haha. I actually like things being in order but when packing I often can get distracted. I was ADD before it was cool. They just called me a distracted boy. Lol. All the best! 73 de KI5HXM
Just one question, do you use the hose clamp for the top and middle plate?
This is the expedition model, so it only has the lower plate for the guy ropes and one upper spreader. No hose clamps needed for this guy. I do use them on the classic model that I have setup permanently at home.
Hey Matt,
It's been a while since I've seen one of your video's,
I have a knock off version of the DX Commander classic I built myself,
I live in Ellwood City so we're not that far apart,
I hope to hook up some time,
I hang out on 40M mostly,
73
KC3GHC
Ed,
Hi Matt,
Are you using the DX10 wire on your radials? The wire looks like it’s very easy to handle.....if that makes sense, (more like rope than wire).
It's bargain basement speaker wire from Amazon. The elements are DX10 because that way I could cut them based on the directions in the manual and not have to fuss with them, but for radials I decided to save the nice stuff and go with something cheap. They're fine until it gets cold and then they do get stiff.
Thanks for the quick reply!
I worked with the wrong Roadies. It going to take a while to use the over/under coiling method without thinking about it.
You could use a single power pole for each ground radial connection. A ring terminal and short pigtail to a power pole that stays on the base plate.
I almost tried that before I thought of the alligator clips. Decided not to mostly based on the cost of power poles. In the end I'm glad I ended up this way because I'm pretty sure having 5 or 6 little pigtails hanging off the base plate would get annoying fast.
Matt, new subcriber here. Question can the Dx Commander Classic still be used as a portable for POTA?
It sure can, and there are good reasons to choose it. Only get the expedition if you really need for the pole to pack down as small as possible.
Matt. Helpful advice for sure. How long are the poles for the classic? I won’t be transporting with a motorcycle or backpack. Ha!
that is slick. how long are your radials 73 kq4cd
Hi Paul - Radials are an assortment of lengths that are plus or minus whatever the length of my garage happens to be. I'm going to guess they average 18 feet or so. There's one bundle that has two longer ones (maybe 30 feet) and two very short ones that resulted from some poor guessing as to how much wire was left on the spool...
How much longer is the collapsed Classic than the Expedition? I've been known to work miracles when packing a motorcycle.
More than double. It's doable, but a bikes backpacks are basically the poster children for the expedition model. Go with the smaller pole. You'll be glad you did.
I notice you don’t use hose clamps. Have you ever had the mast collapse in on itself. Perhaps it’s not as windy at your QTH as it is here. VO1OK
Hi Matt, Great video! 🖕🖕
You made a quick comment about the DX Commader Classic as being a bit easier to set up.
Why is that?
Thank you.
It's a very minor difference, but the heavier pole is in fewer sections and stands up to rougher handling. Probably saves 15 seconds at most, but since I was going for time I mentioned it.
Note that you need to be using the Expedition kit hardware in either case. The Classic hardware has an extra spreader plate and doesn't support the shock-cord mod for the driven plate.
Steelers, eh? Can't help thinking Big Ben is entering the Brett Favre of his career.
Steelers!
Didn’t know what commander was. Side by side. Lol. Need to get me some radio stuff. If world doesn’t get better. Not lol.
Sad lol. Where in bad spot. Bot we been down before we can come back. Do we want to. Ok starting to ramble so I say to you sir good day. Stay safe thanks for your time and effort also money to make these video’s for us.
From ur ole wv hillbilly buddy.
Why so much work and time if you can do it with EFHW or small wire Dipol or a very small Tuner like the T1 or whatever, in just seconds? Forme it would be to much in my backpack.
I do use an EFHW as one of my portable antennas. You have to remember though that often, using trees is simply not an option. Most of the national parks for instance forbid putting anything in a tree. Also, EFHW only works without a tuner on the harmonics. DX Commander works all bands with no tuner, so if you want to run 40/20 but also the WARC bands, your EFHW requires a significant tuner but the DX Commander does not.
If I would have one it would be one hour untangling wires and another hour thinking 🤔if I connected everything right 🤣but that just me.
i got it 10mins done and shoot
The "under" is called a "Frenchman" Don't ask me why!!
Yes sir. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Stay safe from ur ole wv hillbilly buddy.
Well thought out method. How many evolutions before you nailed this color code and total setup down? I’m going to use it on my DX E. I use my DX C portable but keep it strung and collapse the pole. Takes less than 15 minutes to set up. I always learn something from your videos. Thanks.
Fred W2FTR
That's an interesting question Fred. If I had to guess I'd say I probably figured out each of these tips one at a time on some park activation or camping trip or something. I probably should have included a couple of ideas that I tried and dismissed as being not helpful, but 15 min is already an eternity on TH-cam.
Yes, it’s a process and that’s half the fun.