It was great to hear from you that a 17’ whip needs to be set up in the clear from all objects. I’ve failed at home so many times and with numerous configurations in vain without any positive whip antenna results. Actually, I purchased the whip thinking it could be quickly setup and taken down in my backyard. Never imagined so many things around the home would be interfering with the antenna.
It’s important to know that there is no 100% efficient antenna setup. If your bands are under 1.5:1, then you should be fine. Your radio and tuner if you have one will compensate, too. Nice video, good tricks to use. Thanks and 73, - KF0QNM
Thanks Steve. Good suggestions. I have the 17’ which I ordered along with the Wolf River coil. I use mine on the vehicle with a triple mag mount on the roof and find I have to shorten it over half a section. My guess is it’s something to do with the capacitive coupling. 73 N4WLC Bill
I've been doing this for the past 6 months. I put my homebrew 40 meter coil with bypass jumper on and then tuned and marked it. Over a lot of deployments the SWR has only changed by .1 up or down on various bands over different terrain. I did mine in all black sharpie but wrote the band number along with the line around the whip. I keep the sharpie with me as over a few deployment raising and lowering starts to scrape away the label and I refresh it. I don't even pull out my antenna analyzer anymore. I just glance when doing my first transmission on the amplifiers swr meter. I keep my tuner off unless doing 40 meters as I just remove the bypass jumper and run it in the same position as 20
Hey Joe, looks like we are on the same page. It sure speeds up the setup process. Been doing the same thing the last 6 months. With our solar peak near, I will start out on 10M and work my way down the band. Sometimes I never make it to 20M. Thanks for watching. Steve - Ad4xt
Thanks, Steve. Another helpful video from you for us newbies. I appreciate you showing the analyzer results as I sometimes use different frequencies as targets and wondered if I was on the right track. Have you looked at the POTA PERFormer version of the 17’ whip? He uses 2 raised radials and I have had good results with it also. It is good to see someone else liking the 17’ whip. 73. N4YLA.
I've thought about using sandpaper or an electric engraver to mark the band locations on the whip. But... I already have a Chelegance MC-750 with the band locations laser etched on the whip and that's hard to beat (aside from the price diff).
Thanks for sharing that info on the Chelegance MC-750. I had not seen. I knew it would be a matter of time before some company laser etched a whip. Well make kit but a bit pricey. Steve - Ad4xt
Don't discard that Intellitron. I went over that issue in a previous video. Here is the link. th-cam.com/video/ZyvoYNG5E7c/w-d-xo.html Some of the chrome coating was getting onto the threads in manufacturing process. Go pick up a 3/8x24 nut from Home Depot. Run the nut on and off a few times. You may need a couple wrenches. It cleans up just fine and will fit everything you need it to just fine. Steve - Ad4xt
I tried all counterpoise versions for the 17' whip, 2 linked elevated counterpoise was the winner. Called the Performer from KJ6ER
It was great to hear from you that a 17’ whip needs to be set up in the clear from all objects. I’ve failed at home so many times and with numerous configurations in vain without any positive whip antenna results. Actually, I purchased the whip thinking it could be quickly setup and taken down in my backyard. Never imagined so many things around the home would be interfering with the antenna.
It is best to have the antenna in a more open area away from trees, fences, power lines and buildings. Tune it up in a good open area. Steve - Ad4xt
I have been thinking about getting one of these 17 foot whips. Thanks for the tips!
I had the same on 20 meters (too short) setting it up with two elevated radials. I just extended the radials and it fell into the sweet spot.
It’s important to know that there is no 100% efficient antenna setup. If your bands are under 1.5:1, then you should be fine. Your radio and tuner if you have one will compensate, too.
Nice video, good tricks to use. Thanks and 73, - KF0QNM
You are absolutely correct. 73! Steve - Ad4xt
Happy New Year Steve. Thanks for the Video, keep uo the good Work & stay healthy in 2025. 73 de Uncle Günter across the Pond 💯👍🙋♂
Thanks Steve. Good suggestions. I have the 17’ which I ordered along with the Wolf River coil. I use mine on the vehicle with a triple mag mount on the roof and find I have to shorten it over half a section. My guess is it’s something to do with the capacitive coupling. 73 N4WLC Bill
The material of the whip comes into play too. Steve - Ad4xt
Great video! Thanks for sharing.
I've been doing this for the past 6 months. I put my homebrew 40 meter coil with bypass jumper on and then tuned and marked it. Over a lot of deployments the SWR has only changed by .1 up or down on various bands over different terrain. I did mine in all black sharpie but wrote the band number along with the line around the whip. I keep the sharpie with me as over a few deployment raising and lowering starts to scrape away the label and I refresh it. I don't even pull out my antenna analyzer anymore. I just glance when doing my first transmission on the amplifiers swr meter. I keep my tuner off unless doing 40 meters as I just remove the bypass jumper and run it in the same position as 20
Hey Joe, looks like we are on the same page. It sure speeds up the setup process. Been doing the same thing the last 6 months. With our solar peak near, I will start out on 10M and work my way down the band. Sometimes I never make it to 20M. Thanks for watching. Steve - Ad4xt
Thanks, Steve. Another helpful video from you for us newbies. I appreciate you showing the analyzer results as I sometimes use different frequencies as targets and wondered if I was on the right track. Have you looked at the POTA PERFormer version of the 17’ whip? He uses 2 raised radials and I have had good results with it also. It is good to see someone else liking the 17’ whip. 73. N4YLA.
I like this set-up as PotaPerformer
I've thought about using sandpaper or an electric engraver to mark the band locations on the whip.
But... I already have a Chelegance MC-750 with the band locations laser etched on the whip and that's hard to beat (aside from the price diff).
Thanks for sharing that info on the Chelegance MC-750. I had not seen. I knew it would be a matter of time before some company laser etched a whip. Well make kit but a bit pricey. Steve - Ad4xt
What is the base for the whip that you're using? Is it DIY?
I use a truckers mirror mount with any type of ground spike you can find. Very sturdy when hammered into the ground. Steve - Ad4xt
I bought the Intelitron and the threads don’t match up with mine other 3/8-24 mounts. I ended up buying the Chameleon.
Don't discard that Intellitron. I went over that issue in a previous video. Here is the link. th-cam.com/video/ZyvoYNG5E7c/w-d-xo.html
Some of the chrome coating was getting onto the threads in manufacturing process. Go pick up a 3/8x24 nut from Home Depot. Run the nut on and off a few times. You may need a couple wrenches. It cleans up just fine and will fit everything you need it to just fine. Steve - Ad4xt
The material is why it seems short, it is not the machine.
I would have to agree with you. Also, it does have enough band width to cover 20m well. Steve - Ad4xt
Steve, does that antenna have some sort of loading coil in it? Good video...73! de WX0V
No loading coil, but you can add one if you want. A 17ft whip can be adjusted for 6m through 20 meters.
@rudyackerman5747 Ok...thank you and 73!
Thanks Rudy, Steve - Ad4xt
30+ countries in 90 minutes on a stainless whip tuned to 10M sitting on a magnetic mount on the tailgate of the pickup.
Nice, Steve - Ad4xt