Single Ground Radial System for ALL Your Portable Antennas: POTA, SOTA, Back Yard Portable
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ส.ค. 2022
- I will show you how to make a Single Ground Radial System for ALL Your Portable Antennas: POTA, SOTA, Back Yard Portable
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AMAZON LINKS TO PRODUCTS IN THE VIDEO: I may receive a small commission
➽ BNTechGo Wire -- amzn.to/3bpAl2B
➽ Sewell Silverback Banana Plugs -- amzn.to/3oSyMgC
➽ Female Banana Plug Jack Socket -- amzn.to/3SmLG3T
➽ "Y" Banana Jack -- amzn.to/3Qepwiv
➽ Gabil GRA-ULT01 Antenna Mount Tripod -- amzn.to/40tR5cw
➽ Gabil GRA-7350T Telescoping Antenna -- amzn.to/3bqX0uU
➽ Super Antenna MP1DXMAX -- amzn.to/3v3K1GH
➽ Comet HFJ-350M Toy Box Antenna -- amzn.to/3Jo1CPz
➽ BD7-Maple Ground Spike: -- ebay.us/4zDfgb
NON AFFILIATE LINKS:
➽ Mueller 40A Alligator Clip -- www.digikey.com/en/products/d...
➽ Desco Banana Jack Ring Terminal -- www.globalindustrial.com/p/ba...
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#HOAHam #Antenna #Radials - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Bro - you had me at the radial formula!! ROFLMAO! Outstanding, thanks Bob!
Sarcasm, its a gift I was born with. Glad you enjoyed it.
While there are a lot of great Ham videos for Radial Systems, this must be the best - Hands Down!! Totally demystified Radial Systems. I'm using your system for the next ARRL Field Day.
Ham Radio Outlet staff recommended this video to me, SPOT ON RECOMMENDATION! Just ordered everything Bob recommended, can’t wait to put it all together and experiment. Thank you, HOA Ham!
HRO is recommending HOA Ham...WOW! I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know, and I hope you find this as a great solution for your operations.
This just totally demystified the process of adding radials for me. I've got a couple of months, at least, before I'm probably going to try this myself (I only just tested and passed for Technician), but since portable operation is one of the things I'm very interested in, this really helped me feel like even I (a notorious klutz) could do this! Thank you!
Well, that's pretty much what I was going for. Every manufacturer out there with their "custom" radial solution when one method could cover them all. It was a problem I needed to solve for me and I'm glad others are benefiting from it.
Bob, Fantastic job on this video and all the work you did on figuring out all the bits and bobs best suited for a portable radial system. Just ordered all the parts based on your recommendations.
Thanks for watching Donald and glad this was helpful to you!
Amazing work Bob. Very detailed and clear instructions. Thank you for this.
My pleasure. The videos I do for things I am deeply interested in (i.e., for my operating) are always the most fun to do.
I love your idea of using the banana plugs. However I took a little different approach. Using the 20amp alligator clips from Amazon and 4 - 33' lengths of wire, I stripped about 1/2" off the wires, twisted them together and soldered them. Then I made a hook out of the wire and attached them to the alligator clip with the screw and soldered the wires to the alligator clip. I then put heat shrink over the soldered alligator clip and wires to help as a strain relief. This configuration worked great for the POTA support your parks weekend where I got over 170 contacts from New Zealand to Spain from the midwest with just the 17' MFJ-1979 on a home brew mount attached to a grill in the park with 12 radials. I would have got more, but the temps climbed to over 100 degrees and my body decided it had enough heat. I look forwards to seeing more of your videos.
Duane, spot on with your approach. Soldering to the clip is another great option; so glad it is working well for you.
I did the same soldering approach here. Simpler and more robust connection IMO. Works well with my WRC SB1000. 😉While the banana plug approach is more ascetically pleasing, the direct solder and screw down approach is more permanent, which I like. Plus you save some coin on not buying spare plugs or connectors. And as far as being a trip hazard, the alligator clips WILL unclip if enough force is put on them, just like the banana clips. It's all in how you want to set up your kit. Bright colored wire is always a better choice for radials when setting up in public areas to avoid the unsuspecting person from getting caught up in the web of radials ;) 73
One of the best explanations I have seen. Parts list and how to use said parts. Outstanding.
Thanks Ryan, appreciate the positive feedback. My best videos tend to be ones I personally benefit from, and this is certainly one of those. I've been working on a solution for my antennas for some time and this is the result.
Radial length: ANY you like, just lots of them.
Thanks for weighing in Callum; agreed. Great to have you stop by the channel and take a look.
This video is outstanding. I'm working on making radials for my WRC and this is exactly that I needed.
Thanks Jerry, just trying to solve a problem that was annoying me and thought it would help others.
Great video! I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for spending the time to sort out the junk for us.
My pleasure Donnie, it’s all I use now on all my portable antennas
This is really REALLY solid content. I tried finding alternatives to the products you suggested and nothing holds up to the quality and the price point. Bravo!
Now I just need to finally give up a few days to get my licensing and I'm good to go. The to build all of the things with a heavy emphasis on staying out of the shack.
Yep, there really is a difference in the quality of the components, and for something that you want to never let you down, I thought I would go with the best I could find. Thanks for the feedback.
Just ordered the supplies to do this today. Thanks for the idea. I'm also going to make a couple of single wires cut at 16' 6" so that I can use a bnc to banana plug adapter to make a dipole. The dipole wires can be used as radials too when not serving as a dipole.
Great idea, multi purpose! Best utilization of the materials.
used several of the affiliate links and a couple of the non just now- Thank you!
Hope you find it a useful as I have. Radials aren't a big deal to me anymore; this just makes it easy.
Brilliant idea, Bob. Well done. And the best part is…. No soldering! Perfect for POTA and the like.
ARRL’s “On the Air” magazine had an antenna build project involving an MFJ 1979 where this would work perfectly!
Thanks for the kind words kyoshivp...it solved a problem for me and I thought it might for others as well.
good, clear, concise explanation of your requirements and how you selected parts to meet that requirement. a process set of steps that many ignore 🙂
Thanks for watching and the feedback.
Amazing stuff Bob.Thanks! You put an asterisk on what Ham is all about!
Appreciate the view and positive feedback; thanks.
Thank you for this. It will make easy to add radials of different lengths to my DX commander to see if they are of any benefit to what I have already. Also a real time saver when I take the expedition portable. Great video.
M Demes. This was born out of my frustration of all my antennas; had to come up with a better way for survival.
Outstanding tip! I'll probably make two 3 radials sets when I purchase my mpas kit.
Great video, I only have a spike/mirror mount and a wrc tripod and a 50 pack of power poles so I just used power poles on mine.
I like your clip idea though as a PP can disconnect easily when you are pulling on the radials straighten them.
Your video proves that in HR there are 100 different ways to arrive at the same place. 😀
So true about 100 ways. Sharing ideas lets everyone decide how to operate well, and do it in a way which works best for them.
Clever simplification of a boring task I hate - deploying radials. I will steal most of your ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Steal away! It really is a nuisance. This has simplified it for me.
Very cool. Never used radials before. I like that with the hardware you used &system you created they could be used with almost any antenna setup.
Thanks for the positive feedback.
Ok Bob since you did all that leg work so I didn't have to AND you made a nice video putting it all together, you have earned a new sub! Great job
To get you as a sub was worth all the work BLACKHEAT1028. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Brilliant! Another great video Bob. I don't know why I didn't think of banana plugs sooner myself. Particularly on my Buddistick Pro, which I am almost certain, I was going to lose the counterpoise nut. This completely solves that as well as many others.
It's amazing we all can keep sharing ideas, and they just keep coming. Hundreds of ways to do this ham radio way of life.
@@HOAHamRadio You said it brother! I have been a ham since 1996 and I learn new things every day. The ingenuity of our community is second to none and I don't care if you have been a ham since Marconi or brand new, we all have ideas to share.
I bought a 20 piece bag of those brass nuts on eBay. Buddipole needs to rethink that attachment system.
Great content. Workable solutions. Thanks Bob
Appreciate the feedback Outlaw!
Hilarious comment on the radial length formula!
BTW- passed my EXTRA today!!!
HUGE congrats on the Extra; big accomplishment -- one of my bucket list items.
@@HOAHamRadio thank you Sir. Loved the flag pole video!
@@Mandarin110631 Me to, its enjoyable when non-standard ideas actually work.
@@HOAHamRadio PS although I did pass the exam I’m still a complete newbie. I’ve spent the past few months getting my licenses but still no fist contact yet. I have a baofeng and just got a radioddity 10 m I’m setting up this weekend. I’ve been on a learning binge and so now it’s off to contact land. Thanks for the inspiration
@@Mandarin110631 I did want to make you aware; 10 meters has been trash for several weeks due to some of the recent major solar events. Do keep that in mind as you are working the band.
Great video, thorough explanation, and complete shopping list. Appreciate all your efforts
Thanks for watching and the positive feedback jjlejr.
? Having another look at the video, you mentioned 16.5 ft radials with the the Wolf River coil clip-on demo, which had three radicals.
Does that mean 3 individual alligator clips, with (3) 16.5 radials each?
@@jjlejr I put three individual 16.5 foot wires together with one banana plug, one ring terminal, and one alligator clip. You can use as many with the one / one / one as will fit. Each single wire does not need its own alligator clip.
Pretty cool I put together the 20m ns 40m so far. used 20m a couple times and definatly helped my MFJstick, going out shortly and will add the 40m piece and see how it works. I put together 6 radials. That wire you recommended is amazing.
Always glad to hear the ideas I share are helpful. And that wire IS amazing, just never tangles.
This is absolutely brilliant, thanks so much!
Appreciate the feedback and hope the idea helps.
This video helped me a lot. I live in an apartment, so I have to make do with what I've got. I'm going to try suggestions in the videos. Thanks!
Glad you found it useful; just trying to pass on things that have helped me.
Nicely done! Great idea. This would make it easy to do an a/b comparison of performance with and without radials. Could make an interesting video…..
I’m thinking about giving verticals another try. Haven’t had the best of luck with them up here in the PNW but maybe with the sunspots returning?
Sunspots are our friends! You are correct, this would make for rapid a/b comparison...I need to remember that.
I use cheapo car connectors. Speaker wire and a big square washer. Homebrew coil and selfie light tripod. Happy qrp operation. Cheers from old George
Thanks for watching and commenting old George. We have so many things right in front of us to get operating; just have to open our eyes and get a bit creative.
Excellent presentation!
Hope you found this helpful. Thanks for watching.
Good ideas, thanks.
Setting up a WRC sota special off a small balcony.
Take care
Way to go Bovine Excrement! Operating from a small balcony!!!
Worked very well with allmy antennas
Glad to hear Greg! Thanks for watching.
Great information. I definitely will be making these! 73
Thanks for watching Rich C, this makes life so much easier for me.
Nice. Thanks for the video!
Welcome Tim, I enjoyed this one especially as it was helping me with a problem I've had for some time.
Fantastic video!
If I only had one antenna, I wouldn't have known there was a problem needing fixed. But hey, why only have one antenna.
Thanks for the info. I've been looking for it. I'm a new ham, but I do think you are right that 2 experienced hams will come up with 7 answers. I've looked at several videos and what I think I know is that there's more art than science in these portable counterpoise wires. I think I'll start with 3 x 16' and see what happens..... May I assume my SWR meter will tell me I need to make a change?
Yep, your gonna find the number of opinions (many conflicting) on the subject of radials is endless. I always start with what the antenna manufacturer suggests and then adjust from there. Don't care if its convention, only if it works. If you're off, the SWR meter will let you know.
I've been using that same wire. Love it because it doesn't tangle.
It is amazing how this stuff doesn't tangle; don't have any other wire quite like it.
Thanks for the Video!!!
You bet Norm_Sue B. Hope it jogs some good ideas for you.
Well done! Thank you.
My pleasure Terry, thanks for watching.
For those that use the DX Commanders your system would make installing and removing the radials so much easier.
I haven't used, or even seen one close up. I know they are popular and effective antenna systems for sure. Maybe one of the TH-camrs who owns one will stumble into this.
Thank you for this video.
My please; was just solving one of my own challenges.
Empirical data by Callum seems to be best.
Best "Formula" EVER! 😁😆😅🤣😂
Might have to tweak a bit, not sure I captured all the elements and variables. 🙂
Excellent !! 👍
Thanks John, just solving my own problems and hoping others can benefit.
Great video! I purchased all the recommended parts, many thanks! KI5KGT
Was just solving my own problem...seems to have helped many others.
Well done.........
Thanks Kenneth, makes life so much easier.
Thanks for the well-researched suggestions!
I enjoyed doing the work on this one as it was a problem I was trying to solve for my gear.
I use Meullar too, although I got the 20A ones. Ty for the recommendations on the banana plugs and silicon wire
Glad to hear I'm not the only one; this makes things so much easier.
Thanks for al the nice work and information you put for de Ham radio . 16 1/2 feet of wire this works also for 10 meters ? 🙏
Thanks for the positive feedback; not sure on the 10 meters as I never operate 10 portable. They could always be coiled up to shorten if needed. Someday I intend to operate all bands to confirm but just haven't gotten to that yet.
Thanks!
Thank you Marc for the support; very much appreciated.
Thank you for paving the way for hams and sharing your knowledge. 73 BretC/AC0AE
Appreciate the kind words Bret, thanks for watching.
This is my new favorite ham channel. Keep up the good work. Question. I plan to use this setup with two ham sticks and that exact tripod. I have a 20m and 40m hamstick. Do you recommend I use 3 or 4 16.5 radials?
Tricky question because there are so many variables. I keep bundles of 3 wire per banana plug with me. I use one bundle of 3 on 20, then keep that when I go to 40. If that doesn't get it done, I add the second bundle of 3 wires, 16 1/2 ft each, and that works for me.
Thank you@@HOAHamRadio
One of the most helpful You Tube videos on the WWW and #1 on radials! Thank you. If I want to hook up 24 33' radials on a wind river coil antenna do you think 6 strands to 4 ea alligator clips would be the easiest way to go? Just clip one to each leg and then a second on one of the legs a second time? Bob / Ocala
First, thanks for the compliment. I was trying to solve my own problem and seem to have ended up helping others. Yes, you can use as many wires as will fit in the banana jack, then just clip them to the different legs of the WRC tripod.
Got the parts from Amazon we'll be building the counterpoises this week thanks for the suggestion for parts 73s from w3oj
Fantastic John, I hope this work well for you.
Excellent video, entertaining and informational! I'll add this to my to-do list for sure. 73, K8JLW
Thanks for the feedback, glad you found it useful.
Love it!
Psyops, good to hear from you. .... --- .--. . / -.-- --- ..- / .- .-. . / .-- . .-.. .-.. Hopefully I didn't just curse at you 🙂
Lol
Soo…. How many do I need if I want to use it with all with the GRA-7350TC. Antennas are not my forte as of yet.
I would suggest using highly visible wire (orange, white, yellow, red) for radials.
Orange and yellow for me, always.
Thanks for this video. Was wondering where to get a ring terminal that will accept a 4mm banana plug?
Arnie, my go to sources are Amazon, McMaster Carr, DigiKey; that's where I would search.
Great video, thanks. Wondering what your thoughts are for radials using stainless steel measuring tapes that allow for easy deployment and measuring lengths. Maybe a video review where you compare wire radials vs measuring tape radials will be great, given how well you compare different solutions in your videos.
MD-BLUE, thanks for watching. I've never used the tape measure radial, but now seems like I'll need to add that to my list!
Thanks Bob. Looks to me that such tape measure solution will allow for easy length adjustments, with the measurements right there for reference, or even markings directly applied to the tape for different configurations. Stainless steel measure tapes seem cheap enough to have multiple of them as radials. The question is if the conductivity through stainless steel and the flat shape of the tape affects performance, or even the portion of the tape that remains retracted inside.
Sir what a great job explaining everything. Wow thank you very much for sharing!
I live here in Tampa Bay as well, hopefully some day we can meet up and make a POTA activation. 73 de KK4NWW.
Eduardo, thanks for the positive feedback. I just had to find a better way for something that was so frustration to me, and I thought it would help others.
I bought the parts from your list - and the y adapter spins in the ring terminal. Have you found that to have an effect on the conductivity?
As long as there is some contact should be good; you could check continuity with a multimeter
I have my own system using those clamps and barrel connectors for my WRC radials but I like your system so I'm going to switch. I have the 24 gauge version of that wire in yellow. Do you think the slightly smaller gauge would work as well?
W4MKH, I believe that would be fine. Sotabeams antenna wire is 24 gauge I believe, so you're in good company with them.
@@HOAHamRadio Thanks. I have 250’ of it so it would be great to be able to use it
I got the clips and spade from Mouser. There price for shipping was reasonable. Super fast shipping. FYI.
Good to know, thanks for sharing and watching.
KB9VBR did a similar thing in a video last month, except he soldered the wires directly to the clips with no banana jack or ring terminal. I know you probably thought of that, so I am curious as to your thought process. Is there an advantage of one way vs the other. in your opinion?
Chuck, thanks for the question. Two reasons, since I have some antennas which are better suited for banana plugs rather than the alligator clip, I want the ability to do either or. The second reason is the alligator clip large enough to handle larger diameter spikes gets very clunky on a winder. The way I have done it, the clip does not go on the winder. That was the logic behind my direction. Performance wise, both would be the same; really boils down to personal preference.
Where'd you get the radios from the you make them yourself or did you buy them as a kit?
I made up this kit from materials I tested and sourced. I've picked the best items for the final design that anyone can put together to match up with their needs.
Bob how long were the six radials you put together on the one plug and do you adjust them for the band you are working or leave them all the same length fully deployed??"
thanKs, 73
Greg WA3GM
The 6 wires in the demo were just scrap lengths (less than 2' each); I wanted to show how many wires the banana plug would accommodate. I have been using 3 wires per banana plug in my set up at 16 1/2 feet. One set of 3 has worked great for me on 20 meters, and for some strange reason, it also worked on 40 meters for the Gabil antenna I've been testing.
I've made multiple sets, 3 wires each, so I can add or take away depending on the SWR readings I'm getting where ever I operate. Thanks for the question.
@@HOAHamRadio thank you. Keep up the good work
I have something I want to try. I have 3 30' HFT retractable tape measures I want to use with alligator clips to connect to a WRC.
Dominic, great idea. I'd enjoy learning how this works out for you.
Think this would work for a radial on the Buddipole Versahub?
Thanks for the view and the question. I have never used nor seen a versahub so this is only a partially informed opinion.
As long as there is something for the alligator clip to grab on to it should work. Length would be determined by Buddipole as I believe they call out very specific lengths. You would need a loop on the end of the radial to attach this to an elevated rod; again, I think that is how their system works; an elevated radial.
Bob, is there any way you could make this easier for a blind ham to understand? I am having serious trouble trying to set up ground radials, and it is affecting my ability to enjoy my station setup! 15:24
@shanejackson1973 is there a specific question for which I may be able to provide a specific answer that may help? If there is a local ham radio club that could offer some on site support, that would be a great option.
@@HOAHamRadio I just need to know the ins and outs of setting up these antennas! I get "what" you're doing, but please, How do you do it? What purpuse does setting up radials provide; and how in the world do you get them set up. Physical description, Bob, and thank you very kindly for addressing this! We just need to know the phyisics of actually setting this up!
Wow... I love this idea and wanted to do it. But when I saw the cost for shipping to get the banana jack ring terminals and the alligator clips, I said "oh well"... going to have to find a different way. I like the banana plug idea though, mine just won't be nearly as neat and tidy as yours.
Hope the ideas help you develop a system that works great for you! Thanks for watching.
@@HOAHamRadio Found a better price for the Desco ring terminals and the Muller alligator clamp so I'm going to replicate what you've done (instead of "reinventing the wheel"). I had to laugh, though, when I went to Amazon to look for the banana jacks you recommended... on the page for those Sewell Silverback plugs, where it lists the "Frequently Bought Together" stuff, it had the plugs, the Bntechgo wire and the Mueller clamp!! Apparently enough folks are trying this out that Amazon is recommended the whole kit!! LOL
@@bjbackitis LOL us right. Leave it to Amazon to figure out how to make the most money off of us all. Glad you were able to find lower prices.
Can someone confirm the ring terminals fit the 4mm larger banana plug that is recommended to buy? Bought the recommended Sewell banana plugs and turns out they are one size larger than the standard 3mm. They will not fit at the end of a standard ring terminal. Has anyone bought the Desco ring terminal and did it fit the 4mm Sewell banana plugs?
HOA
I’ll take that as a compliment
How do you calculate the radial length of 16 1/2 feet?
1/2 of 33' which is a commonly used radial length by portable operators. I half the length, then use more as needed, so I can operate in a smaller amount of real estate
Would be great to sell as a pre setup kit
I've thought of doing that a number of times and just haven't found the time in the schedule. Thanks for watching.
I only use one full 1/4~ radial per band in a portable POTA situation, but i keep it elevated with a 4 foot fiberglass electric fence pole. I put the GRA-7350TC on its tripod on the picnic table which keeps the wire near horizontal. I get good VSWR & the radiation pattern is good, i try to put the radial in the direction most of my contacts may come from. Has anyone else tried this for POTA? I appears to act like an inverted L dipole with the raduating element vertical. Cheers, Davey - KU9L
I really like your set up method @KU9L; it will be interesting to see if anyone chimes in with similar.
@@HOAHamRadio in a portable short term POTA, radials are not as exciting as the pileup a few minutes later, lol.
@@KU9L Sooooo true. The only way I can get a pile up is going POTA, oh my, what a blast!
I just flip the screw to the other side and it’s easier to screw the ring terminals in.
Now why didn't I think of that; great suggestion! Thanks for watching Tracy.
@@HOAHamRadio I would be lying if I said I wasn't struggling with the same issue, until it finally occurred to me to just flip the screw to the other side.
We tend to overthink many aspects of antennas and transceivers....when the best solution is often the most simple....the KISS design philosophy. Why do people use a banana plug, power pole connector, ring terminals, etc....just connect the radials directly to the alligator clip.
David, perhaps you don't own all the antenna systems I do. They each require a different set up, and therefore a different radial system.
Rather than having multiple styles of radial systems, individualized to the antenna brand, and constantly making sure I have the correct kit with me, I have removed the possibility of error by creating a universal system.
This isn't overthinking, this is error proofing so no matter what antenna I have with me, my universal radial system works.
Thanks for viewing and commenting.
@@HOAHamRadio I think you missed my point. You are absolutely correct about standardizing your radial system. I have not yet seen an antenna system where the alligator clip approach will not work instead of banana plugs or other bizarre connectors.
I'm still on the clock at work and obviously missed your point and offered an irrelevant response; apologies David.
@@HOAHamRadio I think we are both on the clock and multitasking hahahaha. Keep up the great work!! Your videos are excellent.
Great way to get it done! Love the detail and the testing of items!! MAHALO from O'ahu Michael KH6ML
Thanks for the view and feedback Michael.
Not NaCl, CuSO4. Sheesh! 🤭
I knew there was at least one error in that formula. 😊
14:22 You bent the ears back because they're kind of ear-relevant??
I see what you did there. 😆🤣😂
Must have been by accident, not sure I'm that clever.
Brilliant
Thanks @lyderiscom; I had to come up with something, all the different methods unique to each system was unacceptable!
Thanks for sharing this. Thank you! This will definitely be another tool in my POTA/SOTA kit. 73 de Bill K0WHW @Bill-HRT
Glad it will be of help. Thank for watching.
Very Nicely Done. I have this same project on a back burner for my Wolf River Coils TIA.
Thanks for the detailed info on using the banana plug ring termials.
de W5KAL
My pleasure Ken; this was all about me solving my challenge, and thought it could help others.
Thanks!
Thank you for your generosity!!