I use the DX-Commander Expedition all over the Pacific (A35RR, FK0RR, 3D2RJ, E51RR, 5W0RR, H44RR, P29RR, E6RR, 4W6RR and 8Q7XR next week). I was the instigator of the Expedition model when the original model become too much of a hassle getting on and off airplanes. So, working with Cal the Expedition model was born :) I have drilled a hole through the side of the bottom section just below the "driven plate". I then use this hole as the "exit" hole for the 40mtr element which i thread up the centre of the pole and then out of the top element. The 40mtr element threads into the pole as i pull each section out to construct the pole. that leaves 3 wing nuts for 3 other bands. Typically i use 20, 30 and sometimes 17 with the 40 mtr element up the guts of the pole. Works REALLY well. Hope to work you from 8Q7XR next week up to the 24th Nov. 73, Roly - ZL1BQD ohhh.... the real purpose of the Expedition model was so that it would fit into my suitcase. Out of sight, out of "Customs" interest !! And, no extra piece of ;luggage that airlines can charge you for.
Great stuff Roly! I will absolutely be trying that setup for 40. If nothing else it eliminates one of the pieces of tape. The holy grail will be if we can find something to replace the hose clamps / jubilee clips. I always have my Swiss army knife, but I'm fascinated by the idea of making this a tool-less design. 73's and I will definitely listen for you late November. If you hear me, it'll be bare-foot with a DX Commander classic :)
@@MattHeere I have a DX-Commander Classic installed permanently at P29RR. I have discarded the hose clamps and used self amalgamating rubber tape on all the joints. Not only does this stop the pole from collapsing but it also waterproofs each of the joints. So far it has been there for 8 months with absolutely no problems with collapsing, water getting in, and more importantly a nice warm home for insects and bugs etc....... You will have to use your Swiss army knife to pack it back down again though :)
@@RolyRJ I did the same except for the one that secures the driven plate. Still have the clamp there. In the permanent install they don't bother me a bit - good solution actually. Portable though I just know I'm gonna get to the park one of these days without the darned screwdriver and I'll be cursing that thing while trying to set it in place with a coin or a bottle cap or some such thing.
DX Commander again shines as a very practical HF antenna. I am beginning to regret having not bought one when I first decided to get back into the hobby. I have spent more $s trying to do something more permanent at home. I have a bunch of stuff to yet get back on air. We have a local park next to a bridge that was left in place after the new one was built and have been toying with getting on the bridge with something an put up a tent to get out of the sun and try my luck. Nice video and just another endorsement of the easy benefit of a DX Commander.
Thanks! If you like the idea of operating /P then you should take a few minutes and hit the parksontheair.com website. Actually, the Facebook group is much more informative than the website, but you can't always assume that folks who have any sense are on Facebook :)
Nice vid. For end feds portable try an end fed half wave. No radials and gives you resonance on the halfwave length plus harmonics. 66 ft gives you 40 20 15 10. Takes 5 mins to set up too. 73
I have an EFHW with a 49:1 transformer. I have mixed feeling about it. The performance can be quite good, but the bandwidth is equal to a dipole at best (usually worse) and if you have to start zig-zagging with your deployment then the far field pattern is a mess. I'll put it on the list for a future chat. Lots of interest in EFHW for sure.
That Ninja though. Nice! Speed is my thing. haha
I'd have never guessed ;)
I use the DX-Commander Expedition all over the Pacific (A35RR, FK0RR, 3D2RJ, E51RR, 5W0RR, H44RR, P29RR, E6RR, 4W6RR and 8Q7XR next week). I was the instigator of the Expedition model when the original model become too much of a hassle getting on and off airplanes. So, working with Cal the Expedition model was born :)
I have drilled a hole through the side of the bottom section just below the "driven plate". I then use this hole as the "exit" hole for the 40mtr element which i thread up the centre of the pole and then out of the top element. The 40mtr element threads into the pole as i pull each section out to construct the pole. that leaves 3 wing nuts for 3 other bands. Typically i use 20, 30 and sometimes 17 with the 40 mtr element up the guts of the pole. Works REALLY well.
Hope to work you from 8Q7XR next week up to the 24th Nov.
73, Roly - ZL1BQD
ohhh.... the real purpose of the Expedition model was so that it would fit into my suitcase. Out of sight, out of "Customs" interest !! And, no extra piece of ;luggage that airlines can charge you for.
Great stuff Roly! I will absolutely be trying that setup for 40. If nothing else it eliminates one of the pieces of tape. The holy grail will be if we can find something to replace the hose clamps / jubilee clips. I always have my Swiss army knife, but I'm fascinated by the idea of making this a tool-less design.
73's and I will definitely listen for you late November. If you hear me, it'll be bare-foot with a DX Commander classic :)
@@MattHeere I have a DX-Commander Classic installed permanently at P29RR. I have discarded the hose clamps and used self amalgamating rubber tape on all the joints. Not only does this stop the pole from collapsing but it also waterproofs each of the joints. So far it has been there for 8 months with absolutely no problems with collapsing, water getting in, and more importantly a nice warm home for insects and bugs etc.......
You will have to use your Swiss army knife to pack it back down again though :)
@@RolyRJ I did the same except for the one that secures the driven plate. Still have the clamp there. In the permanent install they don't bother me a bit - good solution actually. Portable though I just know I'm gonna get to the park one of these days without the darned screwdriver and I'll be cursing that thing while trying to set it in place with a coin or a bottle cap or some such thing.
DX Commander again shines as a very practical HF antenna. I am beginning to regret having not bought one when I first decided to get back into the hobby. I have spent more $s trying to do something more permanent at home. I have a bunch of stuff to yet get back on air. We have a local park next to a bridge that was left in place after the new one was built and have been toying with getting on the bridge with something an put up a tent to get out of the sun and try my luck. Nice video and just another endorsement of the easy benefit of a DX Commander.
Thanks! If you like the idea of operating /P then you should take a few minutes and hit the parksontheair.com website. Actually, the Facebook group is much more informative than the website, but you can't always assume that folks who have any sense are on Facebook :)
Great information!
Nice vid. For end feds portable try an end fed half wave. No radials and gives you resonance on the halfwave length plus harmonics. 66 ft gives you 40 20 15 10. Takes 5 mins to set up too. 73
I have an EFHW with a 49:1 transformer. I have mixed feeling about it. The performance can be quite good, but the bandwidth is equal to a dipole at best (usually worse) and if you have to start zig-zagging with your deployment then the far field pattern is a mess. I'll put it on the list for a future chat. Lots of interest in EFHW for sure.
Great information and video! Like that DX Commander! Thanks for sharing your information! Juddie - WD8WV
Yeah
I gotta get one
Cool setup for your bike! Looks like you were riding into a Lake Arthur picnic site. N3SDO
What kind of footprint do those 10 meter versions of the DX Commanders have?
Where did you get the weight? Getting the rope up has been my biggest challenge portable
Amazon. Search for "arborist rope" and you'll find them. I originally had a 12oz weight but ended up getting an 8oz instead.
Let's see the sammich