The LOWEST COST ANTENNA GROUND SPIKE You Will Find for HOA, POTA, SOTA and Portable Operations
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- I've searched to bring you the LOWEST COST ANTENNA GROUND SPIKE You Will Find for HOA, POTA, SOTA and Portable Operations
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➽ Mirror Mount -- amzn.to/3wz53N2
➽ MFJ-1979 Telescoping Antenna -- amzn.to/3G92vtn
➽ Keter - 197283 Folding Table Work Bench -- amzn.to/3PuJ42H
➽ Xiegu G90 HF Radio -- amzn.to/3L1SvEc
➽ Bioenno Power BLF-1209WS 12V 9Ah LiFePO4 -- amzn.to/3ExUvkY
➽ BD7-Maple Ground Spike -- ebay.us/4zDfgb
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When you turn the plate 90 degrees to use the plate to clamp onto the ground spikke nail, I recommend reversing the 4 nuts and bolts. That makes it easier to get the pl259 mounted under the connector. 73 de vo1ja
Harry, you are spot on. For me, then I think about the 4 bolts sticking out the other side like little sharp barbs just waiting for an opportunity to poke me. Since my application of this spike is portable, I orient them in to protect me, and other gear, and my go bag. But you are right, it is a pain to get that PL259 connector on, a real pain.
@@HOAHamRadio I don't know why I haven't just taken the grinder and shortened the bolts. Probably because I can imagine having to use a thicker nail/spike, and then discovering that I have cut the bolts too short. But having the bolts under the bracket makes screwing on the pl259 a royal nuisance. I really enjoyed your video, cheers!
The other thing to be aware of is the stainless steel Hardware will gall and strip out, use a little bit of greas on them
You could always hammer the shiny rod in the ground with a board and hammer, then screw the rest to it. I like the cost point of the home depot angle. Here in AZ, and especially where I am, the ground is like concrete. Called Clechea (sp), its everywhere. Great video. I too have a G90. 73
Clechea...that's a new one on me. I'm spoiled with the soil here, which is obvious by how easily I can get these in the ground. I also thought about a dead blow hammer or rubber mallet for the "fancy" ground spike -- that would get the job done without causing any harm.
Caliche ground might require a jackhammer or drill !! LOL ...At least it'll stay put once you get it planted !!
Aaağ
Great video, just came across it. Also tnx for using proper phonetics well enunciated, not of that Kilowatt Denmark stuff.
Glad to have you watching the channel. Yes, phonetics, pet peeve of mine. I will occasionally change up when someone can't hear me, but just pulling nonsense out of the air...eeeesshh!
Great idea. I have used these galvanized land scaping nails, as tent & tarp spikes, for YEARS! If you go to a good old fashion hardware store, you can often buy them by the pound!
If you swap the direction of the bolts, it won't interfer with the UHF connector.
I miss the good old fashioned hardware stores!
Great video, visiting Home Depot ham radio equipment in the morning after work!
Question: what is the table you were using? That would work great for POTA where there's no tables!
@@snuffy19608 Its a Keter workbench. Its great for home projects. Would be great for POTA if your spot is near your car. Its beefy, strong, and durable, but it is a pricey, heavy workbench. I love it, and have had mine for over 10 years and beat the living daylights out of it.... amzn.to/47bdIpB
I bought the ground spike and adapter after watching your video on it. It is a really nice looking set and works great with a hamstick. I’m able to push it down easily on the grass in my HOA but I haven’t tried it in the field. I wouldn’t wanna hammer that nice looking set so I’m now looking to try the other option you showed here as there is limestone everywhere in FL. Especially in the parks. Thanks for another great video. 73. -K4ABX, Mike (another FL HOA ham)
Yep, Home Depot, .98 in the hardware isle. Hammer away!
I'm in NW Broward - I've no problem with the soil.
@@usernamemykel looks like this set would work great for your yard, too. I don’t have an issue at home or some of the parks with a decent layer of grass but when I went to Bahia Honda State Park, I had a hard time putting a stake in the ground. The second option would be perfect for that.
2 questions. 1. I did not see any ground radials, does the earth actually supply the ground plane? Or did you just not show the radials? 2. Dont forget that antenna mount is available at any truck stop or travel center as well. Love's, Pilot, Road Ranger, Flying J, TA or Petro!! Thanks for the video and 73 KG9PN
Alan, since I was focusing on the mount, I just didn't show the radials being set up; they are necessary. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I was looking for something similar, and stumbled onto a one-meter iron ground spike with copper plating for grounding electrical fences. We sort of build on rock outcrops here, so I only have about a meter of soil anyway. LA0CY Sue
Glad you stopped by for a look Sue!
I live east of you on the East Coast of Florida! I took a low coast ground rod and cut it into thirds. This gave me a longer spike. My back yard can hold a lot of water after a hurricane! This will get me up higher for my coax connection and with a 90 on the fitting I hope to keep that part dry. Also the mud may not hold it up as well as the dry ground does.I have not tested this. Maybe I will have a need to test it this summer. I am not really wanting a storm so I can test it. But just thinking of things that will help keep me on the air if one comes. But we can be sure that living in Florida I will some day get to test this! 73 W4DES
Thanks for watching and commenting. I think you are right, the day will come when this can be put to the test.
@@HOAHamRadio Yes! A 32 inch long spike should hold it up high enough to keep the coax connection out of the water. I may not need ground radials when this spike is in mud and or water.
Thanks for the Video, now that's thinking outside the Box, Isn't that what Amateur Radio Is all about, 73's Thanks
Thanks Mario T, sometimes the best solution is the least expensive.
Surf rod fishing pole spike holder works too.
Great idea. It is amazing how many options we have.
I have a shoestring budget and lost the shoestring so cheap and functional is key.
LOL, then this is the way to go for sure! Thanks for watching.
Wow that alternative spike is a GREAT IDEA! Making general choices in life for the spike on the "right" and the "model 90" in the collective might make all the difference. 73 DE W8LV BILL
Thanks for watching Bill. We have so many options to fit our wants, needs, budgets!
Love it! 🤘📻⚡️ Great idea!
Thanks Tommy Boy. Occasionally it is the simple and cheap that works.
Mirror mount and spike makes total economical sense to me.. I like it.. Thanks for sharing.. k0klb
Thanks K0KLB. I sure hope people don't watch my and your videos back to back. I plunk an $11 stake into the ground, you drive a 1/2 million dollar combine into frame and tune it up! That John Deer green is a lot more impressive than my hot galvanized nail.
Nice video.
Something to be aware of is the stainless steel hardware will gall and strip out so put a little bit of grease on them. I use a star washer and a split ring lock washer and nut, then on the other side regular washer and a nylon lock nut, this makes for fast on and off...
This reminds me of the time I used titanium tent stakes and then lost them, now I just use cheap aluminum tent stakes.
Thanks for watching Bovine Excrement and the helpful advice.
Great Video!! And the LONG SPIKE TO CHINA Was Hilarious !! Keep up the great work you inspire hams WORLD WIDE.
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed my sense of humor; I am an acquired taste to many people.
Ok I guess THIS is the lowest cost ground spike antenna. hahahhaha Wolf River Coil antenna would screw right into the top here as well? Did you now have any radials or ground plane out when you made your contacts?
Yep, WRC or any 3/8 X 24 threaded antenna will work. I do use ground radials but don't always show me setting them up...this vid was a long time ago so I don't remember.
Interesting video and ideas, thanks a lot!
Quick question: what's the weight of both solutions?
When doing SOTA on higher summits, every gram counts.
Thans and 73, Stephan
Forgot to mention, this adapter from eBay has a screw on the bottom that allows you to mount the adapter on a tripod instead of the spike. So it can go on a tripod if you can’t put a spike on the ground or wanna change your takeoff angle by raising it off the ground. Great little tool.
OnTheMike, fully agree with you on this little tool. I have a new antenna I'm testing it with now. Using it on a camera tripod is a great idea.
Where would I find this adapter on eBay? What do they call it? Thanks!!
Your sandy soil makes it so easy. My area is all clay and it turns into concrete in summer. I actually used a jackhammer to dig holes for new shrubs.
I like that spike idea, I'm gonna do some shopping tomorrow.👍😉
I certainly am blessed with the soft soil. Hurricanes, well that's another story...storm is out in the Gulf right now deciding if it wants to come make our lives interesting this weekend. A jackhammer to plant shrubs, now that sounds like that deserves a TH-cam video.
@@HOAHamRadio haha, yes, I should have video'd that but it was during the long drought years ago.
I forgot about your crazy weather, thats actually when you want infrastructure to stay in the ground... hope the storm turns away!🙏🤞
I like the look of the Chameleon delta loop but it’s between £400-£500 here and that is not value for money. I like good stuff but not being taken for an idiot.
I just need the spike sorted and a 4:1 Balun and I’ll have made a semi-clone for about £60.
Thanks for watching and commenting. We can pull this off for all kinds of price ranges, from premium to budget....they both put out and receive RF.
I recently used it
It needs a spring washer so you can properly tighten the rod to the base
Otherwise it worked really well
Quick as setup
The spring washer is a great idea, that would be an improvement to the design.
Good video! However, as a long time gun guy and ham, I say the analogy to HiPoint/Flex etc is bogus. Your analogy is insinuating that there is a performance difference between the fancy overpriced spike and the cobbled together inexpensive one. I’ll bet there is zero difference in performance between them.
Spot on Steve, zero difference in performance between the ground spikes.
You mention you have the SS17, but you chose the MFJ for the video? I've heard most folks say the SS17 is the better of the two, durability wise. Why did you choose the MFJ? About to buy one or the other, just curious.
Thanks for watching James. I view the SS17 and 1979 as comparable in quality, so I use and refer to them somewhat interchangeably. They are both better than the BD7IBI from Aliexpress and than the WRC telescoping whips.
Some mirror months have an extra hole for ground wire(s)
years ago, I did the same mount using a SKS bayonet as the spike with a AT-271A/PRC military surplus antenna
LOL, SKS bayonet, now THAT would have made for an interesting video.
just get a 8ft grounding rod from HD, 8 times longer and you can with a hammer
Thanks for the view. In my case, I use the spike for portable operations and have to be able to get it back out of the ground. The 8' rod is great for QTH permanent use.
I had a length of rebar which I angle-ground to a point, and attached an HRO aluminum mirror mount, which only cost about $10. EZPZ!
Rebar, a GREAT budget option for a ground spike. Have a piece sitting in the garage waiting it’s turn in the video schedule.
Turn the nuts and bolts around so there not limiting your access to the coax connector
Yep, for sure that works to get them out of the way. I actually prefer this so they do not stick out the other side as sharp objects....
That mirror mount is also sold at Truck Stops and CB Shops
Another good resource for gear that people don't usually think of. Thanks for sharing.
Some good Ideas, Thanks! IF you wanted to take a hammer to the Mazaratti ground spike without denting its fender, you could screw on an all thread coupling (looooong nut) to its threads, and use a rubber dead blow (no bounce) hammer from that Ham Radio Tool Superstore, Harbor Freight, before screwing on its antenna adapter. The DBH also comes in that's where I left it red/orange or where did I leave it black. And it works with with the VW ground spike, while requiring Fewer Whacks to get the job done. Keep spreading the word! 73 mike
Yeah that'll work
I'm enjoying all the 3D printing ideas you are showing Ham Radio Dude. Just have to find a use for it the XYL sees as valuable so room gets made for it in the house and the budget.
So much variation, and so much fun! While building the QRPGuys 3-band 20-40M vertical I needed support for the 17' of wire so I ordered the 21' carbon fiber fishing mast. Some hams said I could not use it because the carbon fiber was conductive, but the $20 price was attractive and a ham in the UK proved that the loss was less than 1/10th of a DB using it over the fiberglass version. To support the carbon fiber mast I took a 2' piece of 1 1/4" PVC from HD and placed a round end cap at the bottom. This design does not support the usual 12" landscaping spike so I grabbed a 2' piece of 1/2" rebar and several galvanized nuts, washers, and lock washers. I didn't bother to sharpen the point onto the rebar as in central FL it isn't needed either and is wonderful for a POTA activation on a State WMA property trailhead. The biggest issue is to use brightly colored wire for the ground radials when doing POTA so curious innocent bystanders have slightly less chance of tripping over the radials even though I try to place them as safely as possible. In cases where I have trees to work with, I might use a really cheap but effective speaker wire dipole, but that is more complicated in central FL than up north as we have to work around huge banana spiders who have many cousins, brothers, & sisters. Plus there is no place to hammer the dipole either, just kidding. Now when we travel to Colorado in the summer my 3-band vertical needs gear reduction to replace the 2' rebar with a 12" piece and 3-4 short guy wires with their own tent stakes as we call the 2 Quadrillion rocks out there BFRs. Anyway, I support all budgets and alternative construction techniques, often I am remote and have to work from my personal junk box since I can not just go down to my local neighborhood Radio Shack anymore, which is probably good since I'd be working there in semi-retirement instead of Camp Hosting where the air is thin, clean, and full of afternoon thunderstorms requiring the use of lightning arresters! My 65 DB cell amp log-periodic antenna, ground-mounted solar, generator, RV, and ham verticals are always grounded to the 3-4 8' ground rods that the USFS has allowed me to pound into my Camp Host site. In the USFS hams cannot legally do that outside the campground, so in the case of a thunderstorm, it is best to head down the pass to town, LOL. Keep up the good work and never worry about the sad hams as soon they will be going to the great radiator in the sky and life is too short not to POTA. 72 es 73, Dave - KU9L PS - I am a POTA Newbie and I operate QRPp so no one alive has ever heard my signal anyway, LOL!!! ;-)
Sounds like you're having a blast! You are so correct, all the options we have just make for that much more fun. Thanks for sharing and stopping by the channel.
Where did you find the 21’ collapsible pole? Shakespeare used to sell one but I’ve not found it or other 21’ carbon fiber pole. Thanks.
There you go rubbing in your "great weather" and "I live in florida" nonsense again... meanwhile I'm sitting here in the rain today :-(
TO with hurricane season upon us and the full wrath of July / August sun death rays pointed right at me, you will have a few months to laugh at HOA Ham and his “favorable” working conditions.
@@HOAHamRadio You knew I was gonna come back and rub that in!
Their calling this a ground spike but is it really nothing more than a support mount for the vertical? It doesn't appear to be long enough to be an effective ground.
Has anyone added ground radials to see if the antenna is more efficient?
It is a spike that goes into the ground, thus ground spike, and is not intended for grounding...radials are added to achieve acceptable SWR in portable operations.
@@HOAHamRadio Well that makes sense. Wouldn't want new comers to think it would offer RF grounding.
@@n1kkri For sure Ken. Sometimes not all the necessary details go from my brain to my mouth so I appreciate you pointing this out...don't want people confused on this subject.
Would you tell me if there is something for the RG6 TV coaxial would really help.
Victory First, RG6 is made for TV / Video application with 75 ohm impedance, rather than 50 ohm for ham radio. I.E., RG6 isn't for ham radio. I don't do anything with 75 ohm connections so I don't have any gear to point you to.
@@HOAHamRadio Thank you HOA Ham for giving it a try for me. Have a great Memorial Day Sir. Peace
Hi and thanks for the great video. It looks like you didn’t use any counterpoise wires with this set up. I thought that was necessary in this situation (just from watching others’ videos, no direct experience). Obviously you made a great contact with the setup so just checking to see what the story is there. Thank you!
Thanks for watching Scott. That video was some time ago, so I can't recall if I used ground radials or not. You could make contacts without them, but it certainly is not efficient, and they should be used.
5:38 “Finger tighten your nuts” 😂👍🏻
🙂
I go low...$$$ as long as it works..😃😃😃😃
It works! And its not fancy, so no worries about keep it dent free or polished up.
great info thank you Sir!
Hope it was helpful
Use a rubber mallet on the threaded part doh
Yep, that aught to do it....
Second video I've seen on this idea. Guess this is meant for me and I have some of those nails in the garage.
Beat the heck out of that nail and not feel bad about it for a second; another .98 cents and it can be replaced.
Forget the spike, let’s talk about that table
Right! It is awesome. I've had it for over ten years; its been a workhorse. Its not light or cheap, but it is handy and durable.
That is exactly what I built. Total cost was about $11.98 (Amazon for the mirror mount and Lowe's for the spike).
Sounds about right Bill, you can certainly do this on the cheap! And it works great!
I just came from K-0239 Florida Panther Wildlife Refuge off of Alligator Alley using the nice eBay spike. The nice eBay spike wouldn't go more than 4" in the ground due to the rocky limestone. I remembered this video and I wish I had made the low cost spike so I can just hammer away at it and get it further into the ground. Off to Lowes I go.
Get it! And hammer away on the $1 spike!
Your sandy soil in Florida is easy to PUSH a spike in. But my Georgia Clay, in the summer time, is something like concrete!
Yes, I am spoiled...just push it in. It also helps with radials...I can be very lazy and still get decent SWR.
I like it, great job with the video 👍
Nough talking about ground spikes...on to antennas! Got a unique one I'm about to test; it will be of great interest, if it works.
You DEFINITELY need a Sig P320 X-carry. HiPoints are for drug mules.
Yep, I would be caught dead, or alive, with a HiPoint!
You had me at Sig Sauer
...you mean I didn't have you at Highpoint? LOL
This video mixed with your radials video was essentially an article in a copy of “On the Air” from last (2022) summer. Nicely done. Did you use radials for this?
The cut-scene to “China” was hilarious, btw.
Thanks for watching and commenting kyoshivp; you are the second person to mention this article in "On the Air"...I'm going to have to check that out.
Yeah, I wasn't sure if people were going to get my humor. I can be an acquired taste.
@@HOAHamRadio That was probably me on your radials video. Definitely going to do this build…once I actually finish my other antenna build projects. Haha
The China joke took a couple seconds to register, but was brilliant when it did.
I’m enjoying your channel as a fellow HOA dweller.
Love the comparisons between Flex and Zeigiu and Sig and others and the 98 cent spike and the high dollar one. Really made the point(s). Loved that table too. What is the brand and where to find? Tnx. 73
Lawrence, it is an awesome table, handles my table saw, tile saw, miter saw, etc.... I've had (and abused) this one for about 10 years. It's pricey. amzn.to/419bp4g
@@HOAHamRadio Thanks. I may well get one.
Thank you for the tip about reorienting the plate. It's so obvious but I had no idea and have this part at home.
The more we all operate and share our experiences the more we learn from each other; love that about the ham community.
orient the bolts in the opposite direction...
...uh oh, did I say something wrong?
@@HOAHamRadio no not at all, just a thought if you put the bolts in the other direction, you have better access to the p l connector, they are not in the way, and easier to connect radials, they are also out of the way of the
p l connector...just a thought...thanks for posting ... 🙋
@@TheRdeanpeek I follow now; thanks for the tip.
Tent spike from Academy? Small copper ground rod?
Both great options; you really can find a lot of things to use that cost very little money.
Wish I'd seen this before I paid $60 for a ground spike.
Shoot! I wish the same. Thanks for stopping by.
You can get that mirror mount at most truck stops along the interstate.
Yes you can, they are plentiful.
Thank you!!
The more expensive polished kits cost more, but don't work any better. I never worry about tossing this on the floor of the truck when I'm on the go. Low cost, effective, reliable.
@@HOAHamRadio My mount arrived in the mail, I made my way to the park for an activation. I had the settings wrong on my NanoVNA, so I could not see the SWR. That issue has been repaired (thanks to an Elmer), and now I need another opportunity (next weekend) to go to the park. I need to cut some ground radials. I'm going to be using 1980s era Hustler coils (10m, 20m, and 75m). I wish I had been able to find a good deal on a 40m coil at a recent hamfest, but maybe next time. I am thinking of connecting radials via a couple of quick disconnect ends on the mount, and carrying the radials in my backpack. TNX de David AE4LH
@@o2bnov0307 I'm not real familiar with the Hustler, but rule of thumb is vertical antennas need radials. So, I think that should be part of your plan.
Great video, love the ground spike idea.
Thanks Dean. I enjoy sharing all the options we have.
Hello, do you use conterpoise?? I didn't see them. 73 qro HB9GUR
I'm curious about that as well.
I attached a single radial (33' from my Wolf River Coil set) with a ring terminal to one of the bolts. It got me close, then I used the G90 tuner. I was so focused on the spike I didn't think to elaborate on radials. I'm annoyed by radials (getting tangled) so I am playing with solutions I will share in the future. Thanks for the question.
@@HOAHamRadio tnx a lot.... I hope to read your new solution very soon... 73 HB9GUR
Thanks for the update! Radials are definitely a pain, even though they don't add much carry weight.
Thank You for sharing.
Thanks for watching Joe G, hope it was helpful.
Excellent presentation!
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Good idea! Thanks.
My pleasure. More to come...as many as my little free time permits.
Good video
Thanks James. I'll keep them coming; I have more ideas than I have time at the moment.
Where are the radials?
I was focusing solely on the ground spike. I've been developing a radial solution for several weeks that will work with all my portable antennas...stay tuned.
@@HOAHamRadio I have subscribed, so I will stay tuned. I find the most difficult aspect of portable operation is the bandwidth of things like haystacks. I have about 20 kHz where I can move and get a clear frequency, and that drives me nuts. I use a magnet mount on my car. I am thinking of adding radials to that for POTA operation, maybe with a ground spike...but we'll see.
If you bother to read the FCC regulations it is very clear that landlords or other "rental agreements" (and yes that is what your HOA agreement is and the included fees; RENT) CANNOT dictate where you place an antenna as long as it is in you personal area, (i.e. yard, roof, porch) IN FACT attempting to impose such restrictions is a violation of the regs and subject to fine.
HOA's think that piece of paper you signed means they own your home, but they only own the land your home is on. Their ONLY claim under the law is to the condition of the land. What you do with your property is entirely your choice, unless you allow an outside influence to tell you what color your curtains can be, when your porch light can be on, or if you can have an antenna on your roof.