Mini Wire Winder for Ham Radio: Building, Testing, and Improving a Portable Wire Winder
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- I recently did a giveaway of about 40 BNC wire winders with BNC connectors as part of developing a new wire winder. This allowed me to gather valuable feedback from the ham community and offer a free tool to those without a 3D printer (only a $0.20 Etsy fee plus shipping).
In this video, I use the winder to build a dipole, not as a step-by-step tutorial but to test its functionality. I'll highlight any issues I encounter, suggest improvements, and discuss potential upgrades to make this tool even more effective for portable antenna building.
To me, this is my fun in radio: Learning, developing and sharing. The more we know are gear, the better prepared we can become. I am always learning my gear, and learning how to improve/modify and adapt my gear.
If you’d like to try out the design yourself, the new winder is available for download on Thingiverse: [Wire Winder](www.thingivers...)
The newly designed end insulator is also available here: [End Insulator](www.thingivers...)
In this video, I may have called this a FT50-43, that is not correct - the toroid i used is linked below and is a FT82-43
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*Etsy Availability*
www.etsy.com/l...
Please note, this is a Winder, BNC, and Insulator (2). There is currently no kit!
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*Parts Used:*
*Toroid 5943000601* - [Fair-Rite Ferrite Toroids / Ferrite Rings](fair-rite.com/...)
*BNC Connector* - Available on Amazon: [BNC Connector (Affiliate link)](amzn.to/40wiHkD)
*Wire* - DX Engineering 26 AWG Stealth Wire: [DXE 26 AWG Stealth Wire](www.dxengineer...)
*Magnet Wire* - 22 AWG BNTECHGO: [Magnet Wire](amzn.to/4fe8Jcu)
*Screws/Posts* - M3 screws
*Ring Connectors* - #6: [Ring Connectors](amzn.to/48xfXpl)
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Hey everyone: I just wanted to make a NOTE: Please read etc etc: At the end of the video, I made a joke about my ford being broken down. I thought I laughed and made it funny. Although I have had multiple issues since April, my vehicle was NOT waiting for a tow truck. I thought it was funny, but I am being asked by multiple people now...
Sorry for making a joke, Radio is serious business.
How dare you make a joke. The YT police will be all over you for that… 🤣
As a bronco owner and multiple other ford vehicles, I found it completely funny! I have an '05 f250 6.0l. If you know, you know!
This guy gets it! :D. I'm just glad they have this Bumper to Bumper warranty, it's needed.
Just received my Etsy order for two of these little winders. Thank you for the fast delivery. My plans for these are to make a portable 20 Meter EFHW to run FT8 on a 5W QDX and a spare POTA wire antenna for the 20W Xiegu G90. FT82-43 toroids should be able to handle those power levels.
P.S. I thought the Bronco joke was funny. You even kept it tasteful. I would have responded to the commentators that a) when running the Bronco can go over 45 MPH b) least it isn't white and c) you know where BOTH of your gloves are!
HAHAHAHA! You know what's actually funny? I was looking into a Jeep and became really concerned with the corners above about 45 mph. It felt like it wanted to roll. Maybe I got a bad one to test drive (it was a gladiator) Now that they have fixed my issues over at the stealership, I love my Bronco. My pleasure with the fast shipping. I can normally ship out fairly quickly, but have a window just in case. I am glad you like it and please let me know if you should have any comments, concerns, etc. Yeah, 20 watts should be possible, at least for SSB. I look forward to your results! 73!
I got one of the forty and I just built a 4:1 Unun on it yesterday for a Rybakov. This is great little winder.
Did you use a T200 toroid for the 4:1 Unun? Thanks!
@@HAMRADIODUDE I used an FT82A-43 which fits great on the winder.
Aloha Sean, the other day’s video about the winder giveaway, I wasn’t bummed at all but after watching this video on how easy it was to put together, I am Bummed now! 😂
Yesterday, I took the 991A out and made a bunch of good contacts all over the US, Canada, Japan and Australia.
Yes, I have a new all electronic Jeep Cherokee and it runs good for a V6 but is not “ bug free” as far as all the electronics built into it. The electronic cluster has it’s hiccups from time to time and like a typical Jeep, it will give me a “check engine” light that my engine is running cold, which is better than running hot, right? My scan tool fixes that. 😂🤪
BTW, both Lowe’s and Home Depot offers a 10% discount for military veterans but I already maxed out my Home Depot discounts for this year but January is just around the corner. It saves me $$$ for things like chlorine tablets for my indoor pool and buckets of Alkalinity Up also. 😂😅
Thanks for the video. Something has happened to yt it’s become a hard to watch discovery channel ice road truckers gold rush produced garbage platform where many creators think they need their face full screen for 12 minutes. It’s good to see a real person doing real things without bs production.
Nice progress . Love the bigger hole for zip ties and move the 2 holes down a tad. DX on 10 meters crazy hot ! That was a 1:1 choke balun you made. does 2 things . stop common mode current and the outher is balanced antenna to unbalanced coax . (Balun) I did get England on CB from NY ! The pileups are crazy ! just got 9:1 done. He picking that up Sat. 73
Thanks much! I already made the modifications and I like it better, already. Would you have done the Choke any different in a single band dipole configuration? Thanks in advance for the elmering and congratulations on getting over the pond. The conditions will be good this fall, winter, and spring!
Thanks for the video, great run through of possibilities and items to look at. Appreciate putting your design out there and the follow up. Looking at this for my G90 as a quick and easy antenna.
Thanks!
Cool video; I really like the quick pace! Now I just need to get started creating antennas for my LD6!
Printed this morning in PETG, thanks for sharing. Think I might try the little torroid Colin, MM0OPX did all the testing on, but laying on it’s side. Either that, or a 4:1 for a Rybakov. 👍
if you do that on the side, you will be pleasantly surprised to see that not only does the toroid fit onto the winder, but it also fits perfectly in between the strap holders! Good luck!
Keep doing how YOU do... enjoy your content
Thanks, will do! I appreciate it! Have a great weekend!
Great video. We are getting a 3D printer and I would definitely like to make your winder.
Awesome! Looking forward to hearing about your experiences with printing! Enjoy!
Outstanding video and product
Thank You!
Hey Sean. We love what you do. Thanks very much! 3:01
Nice to hear from you, thank you!
It’s pretty sad you have to put a disclaimer in all your videos for all the haters out there. Keep up the great work. Love the videos. Also, try wrapping the coax around the mast in a spiral to keep it closer to the mast and away from the antenna legs.
So true! Thank You so much, I appreciate the support and will the coax wrap, today!
As always, awesome!
Sparkles filament!
@LifeAtTerminalVelocity 30dB , guaranteed. (Fine print: HRD industries makes no guarantees a winder with sparkles will add 30dB)
Don't forget to grease your connectors, people. I keep some in the car since we deal with so much corrosion, rain, and humidity here. It's better to be safe. I use TPFE grease on tons of stuff. Especially my flashlights. You always want to be able to take things apart later. 😆🤙🏾
Great video Sean!
Different color easier to determine the driven element from the reflector...if that puts your mind at ease.
Oddly satisfying. Thank You.
Appreciate what you do!
Thank you
Thanks for your help
I'm glad something in here helped you! Have a good one!
Very nice 🖖
Thank You! 👊
Sweet
I'm sure I have had/used bnc panel jacks with lower profile solder side.
Cool
Make the four holes for the toriod closer to the toroid as well.
Two things could happen there: I could eliminate the strap slots, in order to move the zip tie holes closer, or I can make one hole on each side, instead of two holes on each side.
Thanks for the video HRD.
What size toroid is that FT50-43?
Ah you're right, this is a FT82-43 . the FT50 is what I've internally stacked in the past. Thanks for asking - Solid Free Hanging Ferrite Core ID 0.519" Dia (13.20mm) OD 0.827" Dia (21.00mm) Length 0.250" (6.35mm) www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/fair-rite-products-corp/5943000601/8594086
Dang are you really having issues with the Bronco ? Ive been debating getting one .Ive been a Honda person for a long time maybe i should keep it that way lol .
I've had a lot of issues since April. However, everything is good now and I was just trying to get people to
Chuckle. My apologies if my humor did not articulate well. I got home without a tow truck
@@HAMRADIODUDESean, that Bronco is all electronic, right?
@@HAMRADIODUDEI knew you were kidding in that instance but I wasn't sure if it had given you issues the one I looked at was identical to yours I just know early models can have little bugs that need ironing out .
@@nonya1940 I'm hopeful all my issues are finally resolved, we shall see. @digitaldreamer5481 - All premium gasoline.
Please check your magent wire link. The BNCs are on there twice. Thanks!
Should be fixed, thank you
How much more time we got on the solar cycle for 10m? It's been open like everyday this week!
How should I answer this question? FOREVER! Kidding aside, we should see the peak next year. As we continue towards 2030, we may see the solar cycle coming to an end. This Fall, Winter and really until March in the Northern Hemisphere, should be really good for us. We have the natural ionosphere characteristics of 10m between October and March (The F layer?) and the solar cycle should increase the activity! I am going to really try to get more 10m work done!
Where did you get the “S” biner? Is the thing in the middle a “locking” toggle?
S Biner ,not carabiner (and i said carbiner).. Thanks. The Ham Depot - www.homedepot.com/p/Nite-Ize-Aluminum-KeyRing-Locker-S-Biner-KRGA-A1-R3/315023206?MERCH=REC-_-fbt_test-_-204778400-_-5-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a-_-n/a I think those were them.
Thanks!
I don't know if you knew when you made the comment, I think you did; but, thank you. Yeah, I had these locked while trying to press down on them. Sometimes it's the most basic stuff that is overlooked! Thanks for the elmering!
@ Actually I didn’t notice if it was locked. I was interested the size. They look small but just right for this application.
Try Panduit PLT.6SM-C Cable tie.
@@sshultz5002 Thank you
Dude, great job as always! I definitely want to build one of these for myself. I have a couple of winders from you and just need to sit down and build away. BTW, anyone offended by your videos or what you are trying to share with the HAM radio community is a Communist! Haha! JK! But seriously….
I purchased 3 of the bigger ones and dropped one and the connector mounting broke off...so sad..
Did you reach out to me to get it resolved? I don't see your name in my order database. Is it possible the order was over a year ago? I've switched materials and printing techniques since then. But in order to help, I need to be aware of the issue so I can try to make it better
@HAMRADIODUDE it.may have been..I think they needed a high percentage fill ... I think I did reach out but never got it worked out for replacement. Anyway not sour grapes just information for purchasing
@@terrynichols3040 I can't find record of the reach out, so I am uncertain what happened (Maybe it went into a spam folder or something), but if I get your order information, I can get you new ones. For example , here I am testing it - th-cam.com/users/shortsbaF_dwuB8Q0?feature=share Thanks, and I look forward to being able to help. Best way to reach out is via my ETSY store, so I may be able to properly track this - www.etsy.com/shop/hamradiodudesells/?etsrc=sdt