With telescoping whips there's a useful tip that saves time getting the length right. Establish the number of thicker sections to get just short of the right length and pull those out. Then you only need to do the measuring with the last section. A cord with knots is also less clumsy than a tape measure. Put a loop in the end to attach to the base and add a knot for each band.
The 17' telescoping whip is easily my favorite antenna for portable use. I have the original and enhanced versions from WRC. They are so versatile, it's great to use mounted on the car, from a park bench, a stake in the ground or a tripod. Plus a 1/4-wave antenna is great.
Hi Walt, I watch about every episode and especially liked this one at about 4:28. You showed me an easier way to measure the antenna as it is extended. THANK YOU!!!
Hi Walt, stumbled across your video looking for 17" whip antenna ideas. THANK YOU for inspiring people. If there were more operators like you in the ham radio community, it would be twice the size it is! De NG2Q
Hi Walt, went back to view this video once again. At HamCation, I purchased the MFJ version of the 17’ s/s telescopic antenna. I’m hoping in the very near future to utilize it for a POTA at Tomoko State Park (here in Florida), which sits adjacent to salt water. Sooo, I have to build my noodle radial, sand spike assembly and connect all to my FX4CR, or G-90. Thanks for these episodes of experimentation in our wonderful hobby. AC3EA. George.
Thank you Walt for sharing. I am in the market for a wire antenna and just can't decide what to get. You have definitely made a case for the ones you show. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks from your Hampton Roads neighbor. I have both the MFJ-1979 and Chameleon SS17. I use both regularly with my triple mag mount on the truck and as part of "Frankenstein" antennas with my CHA EMCOM antenna and TM-1 Super Antenna. Will need to check it out on 80m and 40m with the analyzer this weekend. 73 DE KJ4MZ E E
Hey Walt, most people my age, (mid 60's) here in Canada can switch back and forth between metric and Imperial measurements but we still buy 2x4's and 4x8 sheets of plywood at the local Home Depot. You'd have to search for a metric tape measure. We went metric in 1975 but not quite there yet. Another great video!
Thanks so much Jeff! I remember going to Montreal in 1974 as a 12 year old kid and thinking the smaller metric sized cans of soda were the coolest thing ever. You guys up there in the Great White North adapted a lot faster than we did for sure.
I understand metric, however I prefer using Imperial because its what I think in naturally. 68F means a lot more to me than 20C even though I know both mean the same thing Honestly I also like it because it is different - kind of a protest against powerful entities and their desires for global homogeneity in all things. Engineers and certain other professionals need to understand metric, and they will of course as part of learning their trade. For the rest of us, in our day to day lives there is really only one measure that matters often - what's the outdoor temperature?
Update Walt you are a HAM’s HAM nearly an Elmer to many of us based upon these comments! Again you been inspiring! Indeed you have, which is evident by your awesome videos! Much appreciated thanks very much! Last week my G90 and 1979 were delivered😊 Yesterday my Rig Expert ! Now just waiting for Coax. Then I should be back on the Bands😊😊😊 But I too tend to yet again decide that new toy “tri magnet mount “ I just need to make my kit 😊😊😊 73 Steve AA4SH
Very interesting video I saw a very experienced ham using one at a ham meet (+ BBQ !) This summer here in Belgium. He had a long radial leading away, and quickly got going on his radio. I've got to get one for Christmas 😂
Thanks for the video Walt, I purchased the MFJ 17' whip and use it alone, and with my Wolf River Coil. With my FX-4CR or my Xiego G90 it makes a very portable station. Use it for POTA , also just throw in the "boot" of the car and even when I'm away from my residence I have a station for vacation. Also great for BYOTA. (Back yard on the air.)
A black or red sharpie is a great way to mark the 6m, 10m 12m, 15m, 17m points on a whip antenna. While the exact point for each band may move a few inches depending where you set up. My marks always have a SWR of 1.5 or less. A quick adjustment of a couple inches will get your SWR under 1.1 depending on your location/setup. I can adjust the length with a NANO VNA in less then a minute,
Hey Walt I love the videos. Perhaps talk about the early submarine communication back in the WW2 era when subs pulled antennas behind them in the saltwater and used very low frequencies. 73 Bryan KC8HPS Colorado.
I just received my 5.6 meter telescoping whip from overseas for less than 15 US. Note to self: (and any other broke Amateurs) Don't forget to purchase the 10M to 3/8-24 thread adapter. Now I have to wait til next month to play with this thing and it's getting cold out. 😞 Hey, another great video Walt. You always include what works, and maybe more importantly, at least to me, what doesn't. I appreciate that.
Great video Walt. I also have one of these type of antennas they are great. You can use a tape measure like you say or a length of para cord with knots for the bands you use. Or string what every you have. 73 👍🏽
I am all about the whips in the field personally, but there is something pretty important to remember. That guide to resonant length assumes a good ground plane and good ground under your ground plane. If you are placing everything on dry sand with no salt water on site, the ground will suck regardless of what you put down for a ground plane. This means that you will have to extend your whip more to actually get resonant. The more conductive the ground under your ground plane, the shorter the whip can be and reach resonance. I generally use the Wolf River whip because it is slightly longer than the other 17' whips, for just that reason, though I have a Chameleon whip as well. If all else fails, clip an extra length of solid copper wire to the end of your whip if things are really bad on the ground. Walt avoids all this by habitually setting up by the saltwater and running a counterpoise/radial down to it. That makes for a fantastic ground plane and thus avoids the problems I just talked about. For my own part, I have just gotten used to knowing about how long a whip I need and using a NanoVNA to dial it in once I am in the ballpark.
Spot on Matt. Really good comment. I'll add that a 1/4 wave vertical over a proper groundplane generally measures about 36 ohms +J0 (ie it is resonant). But 36 ohms is going to show some SWR to the coax because it's not 50 ohms at the antenna. SO, what I do is make the antenna a bit LONGER. This raises the feedpoint impedance up to 50, but it also adds inductance (perhaps 36+J15). Then I attach a capacitor in shunt (across) the coax where it connects to the antenna, and this makes a very simple "L match" and now I can get a perfect 1:1 SWR, 50+J0 at the antenna end. What I describe is probably overkill if you have a short feedline, but I present it here as a teaching tool for those who want to learn more. 73 OM
@@WECB640interesting. I have, in the past, run one of the extension legs (like the ones that come with the Buddipole and Buddistick Pro) under the 17’ whip to get closer to 1:1. Not always needed, though. Like you say, you can get close enough without the shunt. But your comment interested me bc I’d usually understood shunts as typically being employed as a coil across the feed point (between center & shield), which would be an inductor (as all coils are… right?!)… for the purposes of raising the feed point impedance (as low feed point impedence almost always occurs with physically short vertical antennas). So wouldn’t we expect additional capacitance in shunt to raise the feed point impedance..? Or are you perhaps not running the capacitor across the two coaxial conductors, and rather have it only inline with the center of the coax and the radiating element?
Yes correct. If the radiator is a bit short it has capacitive reactance and we use a shunt inductor to form the "L match". If the radiator is a bit long, it then has inductive reactance and we use a shunt capacitor to form the "L match". Either way works. BTW, MFJ (much as I don't like the quality control) sells both types of shunt but IMO they are overpriced, so I make my own. 73@@Kinetic79
Oh, now that's a very good suggestion! It never occurred to me to try. I've just kinda been ok with whatever SWR I end up with as it is generally pretty darn good already. I am definitely going to look into that. If it does not add much hassle to the set up time and gets a better result, I can't think of a reason not to try it! Thank you!@@WECB640
I got mine today. Started to check it on 15, 17 and then it would not extend out long enough for 20 meters! One section would not pull out. Before I did anything stupid (like resort to vice grips) I called DX Engineering. They sure are good. They said they would replace it right away! Can’t beat that service. Looking at the tape measure it appears the wavelength numbers come from the old 468 or in the quarter wave case 234 divided by the frequency. Not too good if you take it literally. It’s a good guide. I have always found the 468 or 234 constant to be long, which was OK as I would rather cut off copper rather than stretch it. The thicker antennas (as opposed to thin wires) tend to be shorter. Also the radials or lack thereof in some cases makes a big difference in the vertical length for exact resonance. In most cases you don’t have to hit it dead on anyway but I thought I would point that out. Many factors, usually unnoticed, affect the resonant length. Insulation can be a big factor as well as diameter. Also the length of a resonant full wave antenna or 3/4 wave antenna is not three times the resonant half wave length. I get a lot of raised eyebrows when I teach that! The most obvious example is a 40 meter dipole on 15 meters. A half wave resonant wire on 7.0 MHz is actually resonant above 21.0 MHz. Typically a 40 meter antenna cut for the CW band will be resonant in the 15 meter phone band.
You should be able to extend the length with one of the 3/8-24 thingies that attach to the bottom of whip antennas-a tilt-over, a spring or a short male-to-female extension if you can find it. I've also found that elevation the antenna lowers the resonant frequency.
@@Inkling777Yes, I use a Quick disconnect that does add some. However, a brand new telescoping whip should be completely functional and DX Engineering agreed completely. Good company.
I have a piece of bank line with knots at quarter wavelengths that I use for making wire antennas. Probably a bit lighter than a tape measure but obviously not as versatile. I'm getting pretty tempted to try a loaded vertical based on your and other hamtuber videos :)
As they say “we use the imperial system and landed on the moon … if we used the metric system we would have invented time travel already” For DX I think these whips are ideal, paired with the faraday fabric (kb9vbr) they become urban parks friendly. Walt, hope to hear you on the air this weekend on the cqww ssb contest! 73!
Europeans are using the metric systems, as are much of the rest of the world and almost all science. Why haven't they invented time travel yet? Don't depend on us to do it all. We're buried in problems right now.
Nice video. I like the stainless-steel whips and I need to get a couple. I have been using a pair of CB whips cut for 10 meters as a rotatable dipole. Also, I like using metric measurements building antennas. It's easier than trying to figure out what .346 inches is. I have a 10 and 25 ft tape measures with both Inches and metric on the same tapes. telescoping whips have so many uses. KF6EWO
So I see on car mag mount obviously no radials as the car is ground, but are you using cut length radials when in vertical ground spike? Would it work better if using radials? Thx 73 M7RWA
UPDATE: Hi Walt; I use the buddie pole 9.5 foot telescoping whip with a magnetic mount and a common mode choke from the car; just like you did in a previous video.. using a 12 V 6 AH LiFePO4 battery. It works great and its working on 40 thru 6 with the wolf river coil SB1000. Easy to tune with the NanoVna to get it resonant with a light touchup from the xiegu 6100!!! Here is the video that i based it off of . ua-cam.com/video/JHNbEND-Tt0/v-deo.html
When I'm away from saltwater I typically just put 4 wires on the ground about 5 meters long each, if I can I'll add a couple more. I just put an alligator clip on the end and clamp them to my ground stake, When I'm by saltwater I just run one wire out to the damp sand or slightly into the water. Both ways work well for me.
Great video Walt. I have the MFJ whip and I will start portable in the spring. Quick question. When you use the mag mount, do you need a counterpoise? Or is the vehicle a good enough ground plane on its own. Thanks de Jim VE3UZX
Get 80 m on your 891? With the magnet mount on your truck? Thank you.😊 Is there any way you could demonstrate that please? Using the mfj. I have atas 120a with my 891 and I obviously don't get 80 meters and I would love on the road even if I have to park. What kind of coil would you put at the top? I'm a novice just got into ham
Better gain for sure but the problem is the match at the feed point. Half wave antennas have very high resistance at the feed point and that's why end fed half wave antennas need a 49:1 unun to get a match. I can use a 17' telescopic whip on a mag mount with my G90's ATU but the amount of loss after tuning that thing means I'm not getting much power radiating from the antenna itself.
The metric system isn't that hard. It's simply 1-10, the same as counting. If you can count to 10, you can count to any number. If you understand units of 10, you can use metric for anything.
Hey Walt, Just wanted to say I’ve been watching your channel for a few months now and your my favorite ham radio UA-camr, no bs and straight to point, I learn something everytime I watch your videos, thanks for making them!
Thank you for your operating experience with all of the options. I have both the MFJ 1979 and the Chameleon SS17 and for anyone interested in getting one, definitely get the Chameleon. It's much more robust in construction and also the upper segments are much thicker. The 1979 is a bit flimsy up top and probably will wear out more quickly despite both being the same price. For awhile there the SS17 was sold out and was hard to get (I became impatient and got the 1979 first). Another great video that makes my day! Always appreciate your vibe that keeps up the HAM spirit! 73!
On my whips after I get them tuned for length I mark the whip with a sharpie marker, that way I just extend them till the mark shows when I setup at the park. The sharpie does wear over time but it's quick to freshen it up.
Hablando de Idiomas! "Yo no hablo Ingles!" bajo un poco el volumen del audio original, y utilizo el lector de sub-títulos de UA-cam. O sea colega, a mi me estas hablando en español! es Genial! 73 desde Argentina .
Hey Walt, hope all is well. Got a question for you. My SS 17 telescopic antenna is mounted to a 24”, 1 3/4” piece of PVC and I just put that into the ground. Is there any advantage to using a metal ground rod instead of the PVC?
Just a thought Walt. What if you connected a say, 4 to 1 UNUN and a counter pois to one of the 17ft. whips. Would it be multi band with one length without adjusting?
Hello, do the elements of the whip stay firm the one connecting to the 2 other elements? Does the SWR stays put when operating the antenna in the wind? 73 es dx Gust ON6KE
Great video. How close do you have to be with the antenna measurement? Is a 1/4 inch going to make a difference? When you are making adjustments to the antenna and using a Rig Expert in what increments should you be adjusting the antenna? Thanks
Great video and thank you for the reply on the other video, what distance are we getting on 10 meter? This antenna design and a yagi do not use the atmosphere correct?
Both this and a yagi will use the ionosphere for skip. In the HF frequencies pretty much everything eventually skips. I’ve typically seen 400 to 600 miles on a first hop skip with a vertical, my longest DX with this type of whip on 10 meters is South Africa from Virginia. 73, Walt
Great point these 17 ft whips give great results. I use it with the MFJ tapped coil mounted directly to the SO239 on my car trunk. Not to drive mobile with!
Wow, nice guy, nice video. Thank you. Also cool for mag mount on the car. I like the pac-12 Antenna, it's very easy to get a good swr by changing the position on the coil. How do you shorten the antenna? From the top or can you do it from the bottom? If you have to do it from the top you have to unscrew the antenna every time. The tape measure is great. I will buy one when I find a tape measure with frequencies on it and one which use the metric system. Because in Europe nobody uses inch, only UK. Thank you for the video and good explainings. 73 greetings from Austria. 👍🏻 Sorry for my english, it's not the best.
I bought an ft891 and the fc50 tuner recently, I am using a hustler 6btv at home. I am looking for a portable antenna that can cover 20 and 40 meters that won't break the bank and can be easily deployed. I have heard performance on 40 is not good with a 1/4 wave vertical, what would you suggest?
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES it says An essential employee is ill. For now we need to shut down this portion of the website when I try and order. I can get the slide-winder dx but its pricey after shipping. I know hams that have the 1979 and they say its not good on 40. I was trying to keep the cost around 200-300 dollars because I need to purchase an analyzer also. What do you think about the SE X80 Vertical? I could mount that to a construction tripod and lay out some ground radials or use a faraday blanket as a counterpoise.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES And FWIW, I just pulled the trigger on the Chameleon tactical delta loop kit with 2 of these whips. Can't wait to pair them with my IC-705!
I just used my Wolf River Coils 213" whip for POTA today. The new one they came out with this year is awesome. It collapses smaller, so it'll fit in cary-on luggage. It's double crimped and more rugged than their previous one too. It's become my go-to antenna the last few months. It's easy to setup on a mag mount and switch bands. I memorized how many sections to drop between each bands, LOL.
Another very good video Walt. I love using a vertical whip on a mag mount for quick POTA activations or just to rag chew. Great when it's raining or snowing and always pretty darn effective. I have a large SUV and use a mag mount right in the middle of the large roof. One thing I do that helps a little is to attach 4 quarter wave radials with a large clamp to the base of the mag mount. I'm in Idaho and I usually arrange the radials to face the direction I want the a little more of the signal to go to. About a 90 to 120 degree spread. Does it make a major difference....No, but from what I have observed, it does help a little. I manage to keep them off the ground most of the time. Give it a try and see if it adds a little bit of improvement. Being able to go to a RF quiet place also is a huge bonus. I have also clamped a 17' whip to the top of a stout 12 meter pole, set at about 10 meters and added another half wave of wire below it to make a vertical dipole. Very effective antenna and the added height of having 1/2 of the antenna above 10 meters also helps.
Hm cool. That’s quite a lot of height (clamped at 10-ish meters)! Just curious, did you run the coax vertically up as well, or did you try to pull it away at a sharp angle (of course unlikely to achieve totally perpendicular to the pole)? .. thinking about this, I think you could theoretically use the shield of the coax as the other half of the vertical dipole, and run the coax vertically down the pole, as long as the coax was choked very effectively (with a ft240-(31 or 43) toroid at the quarter wavelength point. That would give you an almost sleeve dipole or flowerpot type arrangement. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about the interaction between the coax and the wire element. :)
@Kinetic79 I put a 1 to 1 choke at the antenna feed point and when I have a tree available, run it as horizontally as possible. Otherwise, just bring it down at an angle.
Hi Walt, I finally picked up a Chameleon SS whip. Also found a great deal on a new ATAS 120a from Japan. Saved about $75 from buying it in the US. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
New ham here trying to drink from a firehose...at 1:25 in the video it looks like you've got an unun hanging off the vertical. Is that required? Also, at 3:23 you mentioin using a transformer. Is that another name for a loading coil? Thanks.
Hey Walt! I mark my whips with a sharpie for each band. Saves carrying a tape measure, and even with different ground conditions, it gets you close enough to fine tune if you wish. Four 10 meter (33ft) harbor freight tape measures with wires and connectors soldered on make great radials for a whip, and are bright yellow for visibility if using them in a park. Same with the wolf river coil, I mark it as well, and it will be very close depending on ground conditions.
I just got the wolf river coil version I was wondering, I'm going to try using the auto tuner on it to hit 80 M have you tried? Maybe if I use the coil with it I might be able to get to 80 if I put the collar all the way at the bottom
Interesting. I am looking into someone to put on the side of my old 1990 Chevy Van as a whip type thing and use my 857D and LDG Y100 tuner on it ... and listen and transmit at night when camping without making a whole scene .. .. but can if extended camping. someone said an 8" stainless whip ... but this looks interesting, adjusting to length ..
Walt, I really like your last two videos where you start out with what you were going to share with us. Also, these last two how to videos were desperately needed. They both fill a gap. There are many videos that review sliding coil antennas or telescopic whips. There are many videos showing people using them for POTA activations, but I haven’t found any that simply explain how to use them… until now!
Just a thought: I still find the metric-imperial system a non-conflict issue. Americans use metrics more than they think--from buying soda in liters, eye-glasses, audio equipment specs in Hz, medicine-milligrams, radio-KHz MHz, electrical units of 120/220 volts, heck, even our money is metric being base 10. I still find it interesting that in Canada and UK-- they interchange metrics and Imperial units in cooking and baking-- even measuring (one sure way to get in trouble). Keep up the great videos! de AI4QT
Thanks! I have actually been using the metric system in shipbuilding for almost 30 years. It really is used more here in the USA than people think. 73, Walt
My favourite antenna for a fair while. Performed quite well, but repeated exposure to moderate winds absolutely wrecked them. They slacken off and refuse to grip after a while.
Great video Walt. I just recently bought the MFJ-1979 17ft whip (yeah MFJ uses feet not meters) I set it up according to Greg Mihrans KJ6ER POTA Performer setup and it is amazing the QRP results that I am getting. Multi pileups and more DX than I have ever had vs Inverted V dipoles and hamsticks. Easy and quick to set up and take down. AND it's doesn't require any long extention poles. kd9van
The telescopic aerial. I use one on my campervan and also on a lighting tripod. Both have homemade bottom loading coils. Recently filmed it at Rutland Water. Yesterday. Cheers from old George in the UK 🇬🇧
Just be aware that the AliExpress ones often don’t use the 3/8” thread at the base, so you may need an adapter to use as flexibly (from a mounting perspective) as the usual American branded suspects.
Love my Chameleon, usually magnet mounted on the roof of my 1-ton pickup. I’ve developed notes for tuning the whip that will tell me for example for 15m I need to collapse 3 3/4 sections if mag-mounted, or 3 5/8 sections if using a tripod. Then no tape necessary. Not that any one way is better. This is just an option.
Hi Walt, I have two sections of my MFJ 17' whip are stuck. I have tried two pliers and some WD40 but no way they will extend. It is thin and denting from the pliers. If I pull too hard, I fear it may come apart. So, for now it is a 13.5' whip. Any suggestions??
Great Video... I recently did my research and settled on purchasing the MFJ1979. Going to pickup a steel rod and attempt a set in my small Back Yard. Got some radials ready too and RigExpert to check it out before hooking it to my rig. I was wondering, what brand or where did you get that delta loop mount? Keep up the great videos... I enjoy them as newer ham, great to learn from others experiences/knowledge! 73!
But when I put an SMA adapter on the bottom & tried to use it on my handheld it just tore the top off my rig. 😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣😁... we may laugh but I bet someone has done it
Insanely jealous of your mag-mount on the Jeep hood. Just recently discovered the hood on my Jeep Gladiator pickup is PLASTIC! Bummer. I have a cover on the cargo bed so clamping to the edge messes up the waterproofing. BUT… a special mount for the outside of the bed can had so I now put verticals-ham sticks, Wolf River coils and short whips, and son-on that little gem. Going to get an extendable whip.
Hey there Walt, good concise video on the different configurations of the 17ft “Telewhip” I have the MRQ version and it’s great. Oh and BTW as a 60turns on the coil Englishman I use imperial and metric interchangeably esp when antenna building. 73. M7PBX.
I have both the MFJ and the Wolf River 17ft whips. Both good pieces of kit. I never even thought of using them as a dipole. It'd be saggy as all get out, but a 40m dipole.... hmmmmm lol
I've got a little aluminum tripod that was made for the Super Antenna MP1DXTR80. It has connectors to attach radials and I throw out about 12 of those and mount either a 17 foot whip or a Hamstick on the tripod. Works really well. I carry a NanoVNA that I can use to quickly tune the antenna. I suppose I could use radials just as easily with the ground spike setup you describe, but when I'm doing SOTA activations it's usually too rocky to drive anything into the ground so the tripod is a good solution. Just needs to be weighted down with some rocks when the wind is strong.
Ok, quick question: will I have more success transmitting if I measure out a natural wavelength or if I extend the whip all the way and use a tuner (for SWR). Which will send signal out better???
With telescoping whips there's a useful tip that saves time getting the length right. Establish the number of thicker sections to get just short of the right length and pull those out. Then you only need to do the measuring with the last section. A cord with knots is also less clumsy than a tape measure. Put a loop in the end to attach to the base and add a knot for each band.
Great ideas! Thank You!
Awesome, Thanks for the idea!
Or, extended the thinner sections and make adjustment with the fat bottom sections. Save taking the antenna down and putting up again!
73 M3KXZ
I might try marking one of my radials with a label maker. I have to carry them anyway.
Gives 5+9 a new meaning :-) 5 sections + 5 centimeters
The 17' telescoping whip is easily my favorite antenna for portable use. I have the original and enhanced versions from WRC. They are so versatile, it's great to use mounted on the car, from a park bench, a stake in the ground or a tripod. Plus a 1/4-wave antenna is great.
Absolutely, there are so many cool different configurations and uses for them.
Hi Walt, I watch about every episode and especially liked this one at about 4:28. You showed me an easier way to measure the antenna as it is extended. THANK YOU!!!
Thanks so much for watching my videos! it takes a little practice but works well after you do it a few times.
Brilliant video Walt as always. Enjoy every one you do!
Thank you so much my friend! I say the same for every video you do! They’re the best!
Hi Walt, stumbled across your video looking for 17" whip antenna ideas.
THANK YOU for inspiring people. If there were more operators like you in the ham radio community, it would be twice the size it is! De NG2Q
@@MattblankNG2Q thank you so much for the kind words! 73, Walt
Hi Walt, went back to view this video once again. At HamCation, I purchased the MFJ version of the 17’ s/s telescopic antenna. I’m hoping in the very near future to utilize it for a POTA at Tomoko State Park (here in Florida), which sits adjacent to salt water. Sooo, I have to build my noodle radial, sand spike assembly and connect all to my FX4CR, or G-90. Thanks for these episodes of experimentation in our wonderful hobby. AC3EA. George.
Thanks George! Have fun with that setup!
73, Walt
Thank you Walt for sharing. I am in the market for a wire antenna and just can't decide what to get. You have definitely made a case for the ones you show. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks from your Hampton Roads neighbor. I have both the MFJ-1979 and Chameleon SS17. I use both regularly with my triple mag mount on the truck and as part of "Frankenstein" antennas with my CHA EMCOM antenna and TM-1 Super Antenna. Will need to check it out on 80m and 40m with the analyzer this weekend. 73 DE KJ4MZ E E
Thanks for watching my 757 neighbor!
All the best and 73, Walt
Hey Walt, most people my age, (mid 60's) here in Canada can switch back and forth between metric and Imperial measurements but we still buy 2x4's and 4x8 sheets of plywood at the local Home Depot. You'd have to search for a metric tape measure. We went metric in 1975 but not quite there yet. Another great video!
Thanks so much Jeff! I remember going to Montreal in 1974 as a 12 year old kid and thinking the smaller metric sized cans of soda were the coolest thing ever. You guys up there in the Great White North adapted a lot faster than we did for sure.
I understand metric, however I prefer using Imperial because its what I think in naturally. 68F means a lot more to me than 20C even though I know both mean the same thing
Honestly I also like it because it is different - kind of a protest against powerful entities and their desires for global homogeneity in all things.
Engineers and certain other professionals need to understand metric, and they will of course as part of learning their trade.
For the rest of us, in our day to day lives there is really only one measure that matters often - what's the outdoor temperature?
Greetings from Finland! We always have had the metric, but we still have 2x4" wood and the bigger coax cables are 1/2" or 7/8".
Update Walt you are a HAM’s HAM nearly an Elmer to many of us based upon these comments!
Again you been inspiring!
Indeed you have, which is evident by your awesome videos! Much appreciated thanks very much!
Last week my G90 and 1979 were delivered😊
Yesterday my Rig Expert !
Now just waiting for Coax. Then I should be back on the Bands😊😊😊 But I too tend to yet again decide that new toy “tri magnet mount “ I just need to make my kit 😊😊😊
73 Steve AA4SH
Thanks for that
Very interesting video
I saw a very experienced ham using one at a ham meet (+ BBQ !) This summer here in Belgium.
He had a long radial leading away, and quickly got going on his radio.
I've got to get one for Christmas 😂
Put one on your Christmas list!!! 73, Walt
Thanks for the video Walt, I purchased the MFJ 17' whip and use it alone, and with my Wolf River Coil. With my FX-4CR or my Xiego G90 it makes a very portable station. Use it for POTA , also just throw in the "boot" of the car and even when I'm away from my residence I have a station for vacation. Also great for BYOTA. (Back yard on the air.)
Thanks for watching! I've got mine in the "boot" as well. Should we call that GOTA? (Gardens on the air) hahahaha
A black or red sharpie is a great way to mark the 6m, 10m 12m, 15m, 17m points on a whip antenna. While the exact point for each band may move a few inches depending where you set up. My marks always have a SWR of 1.5 or less. A quick adjustment of a couple inches will get your SWR under 1.1 depending on your location/setup. I can adjust the length with a NANO VNA in less then a minute,
Great advice, thanks!
Hey Walt I love the videos. Perhaps talk about the early submarine communication back in the WW2 era when subs pulled antennas behind them in the saltwater and used very low frequencies.
73 Bryan KC8HPS Colorado.
I just received my 5.6 meter telescoping whip from overseas for less than 15 US. Note to self: (and any other broke Amateurs) Don't forget to purchase the 10M to 3/8-24 thread adapter. Now I have to wait til next month to play with this thing and it's getting cold out. 😞 Hey, another great video Walt. You always include what works, and maybe more importantly, at least to me, what doesn't. I appreciate that.
Thank you so much for the kind words! Hope that whip gets up soon! 73
Great video Walt. I also have one of these type of antennas they are great. You can use a tape measure like you say or a length of para cord with knots for the bands you use. Or string what every you have.
73 👍🏽
Thanks! Para cord with a knot, great idea!
I am all about the whips in the field personally, but there is something pretty important to remember. That guide to resonant length assumes a good ground plane and good ground under your ground plane. If you are placing everything on dry sand with no salt water on site, the ground will suck regardless of what you put down for a ground plane. This means that you will have to extend your whip more to actually get resonant. The more conductive the ground under your ground plane, the shorter the whip can be and reach resonance. I generally use the Wolf River whip because it is slightly longer than the other 17' whips, for just that reason, though I have a Chameleon whip as well. If all else fails, clip an extra length of solid copper wire to the end of your whip if things are really bad on the ground. Walt avoids all this by habitually setting up by the saltwater and running a counterpoise/radial down to it. That makes for a fantastic ground plane and thus avoids the problems I just talked about. For my own part, I have just gotten used to knowing about how long a whip I need and using a NanoVNA to dial it in once I am in the ballpark.
Spot on Matt. Really good comment. I'll add that a 1/4 wave vertical over a proper groundplane generally measures about 36 ohms +J0 (ie it is resonant). But 36 ohms is going to show some SWR to the coax because it's not 50 ohms at the antenna. SO, what I do is make the antenna a bit LONGER. This raises the feedpoint impedance up to 50, but it also adds inductance (perhaps 36+J15). Then I attach a capacitor in shunt (across) the coax where it connects to the antenna, and this makes a very simple "L match" and now I can get a perfect 1:1 SWR, 50+J0 at the antenna end.
What I describe is probably overkill if you have a short feedline, but I present it here as a teaching tool for those who want to learn more.
73 OM
@@WECB640interesting. I have, in the past, run one of the extension legs (like the ones that come with the Buddipole and Buddistick Pro) under the 17’ whip to get closer to 1:1. Not always needed, though. Like you say, you can get close enough without the shunt. But your comment interested me bc I’d usually understood shunts as typically being employed as a coil across the feed point (between center & shield), which would be an inductor (as all coils are… right?!)… for the purposes of raising the feed point impedance (as low feed point impedence almost always occurs with physically short vertical antennas). So wouldn’t we expect additional capacitance in shunt to raise the feed point impedance..? Or are you perhaps not running the capacitor across the two coaxial conductors, and rather have it only inline with the center of the coax and the radiating element?
Yes correct. If the radiator is a bit short it has capacitive reactance and we use a shunt inductor to form the "L match". If the radiator is a bit long, it then has inductive reactance and we use a shunt capacitor to form the "L match". Either way works. BTW, MFJ (much as I don't like the quality control) sells both types of shunt but IMO they are overpriced, so I make my own. 73@@Kinetic79
Oh, now that's a very good suggestion! It never occurred to me to try. I've just kinda been ok with whatever SWR I end up with as it is generally pretty darn good already. I am definitely going to look into that. If it does not add much hassle to the set up time and gets a better result, I can't think of a reason not to try it! Thank you!@@WECB640
I got mine today. Started to check it on 15, 17 and then it would not extend out long enough for 20 meters! One section would not pull out. Before I did anything stupid (like resort to vice grips) I called DX Engineering. They sure are good. They said they would replace it right away! Can’t beat that service.
Looking at the tape measure it appears the wavelength numbers come from the old 468 or in the quarter wave case 234 divided by the frequency. Not too good if you take it literally. It’s a good guide. I have always found the 468 or 234 constant to be long, which was OK as I would rather cut off copper rather than stretch it.
The thicker antennas (as opposed to thin wires) tend to be shorter. Also the radials or lack thereof in some cases makes a big difference in the vertical length for exact resonance. In most cases you don’t have to hit it dead on anyway but I thought I would point that out. Many factors, usually unnoticed, affect the resonant length. Insulation can be a big factor as well as diameter. Also the length of a resonant full wave antenna or 3/4 wave antenna is not three times the resonant half wave length. I get a lot of raised eyebrows when I teach that! The most obvious example is a 40 meter dipole on 15 meters. A half wave resonant wire on 7.0 MHz is actually resonant above 21.0 MHz. Typically a 40 meter antenna cut for the CW band will be resonant in the 15 meter phone band.
You should be able to extend the length with one of the 3/8-24 thingies that attach to the bottom of whip antennas-a tilt-over, a spring or a short male-to-female extension if you can find it. I've also found that elevation the antenna lowers the resonant frequency.
@@Inkling777Yes, I use a Quick disconnect that does add some. However, a brand new telescoping whip should be completely functional and DX Engineering agreed completely. Good company.
No Imperial antennas at my QTH. More DX with metric antennas 😂... Thanks for video Walt. Telescopic whips are certainly useful.
wow! metric antennas and DX, great to know hahahaha
I have a piece of bank line with knots at quarter wavelengths that I use for making wire antennas. Probably a bit lighter than a tape measure but obviously not as versatile.
I'm getting pretty tempted to try a loaded vertical based on your and other hamtuber videos :)
A lot of great information. Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching and commenting my friend!
Another good video. I remember in school I hated the metric system. After working a few contracts in metric I never want to go back.
Same here Corey, seems like we have been using the metric system in ship design forever now.
As they say “we use the imperial system and landed on the moon … if we used the metric system we would have invented time travel already”
For DX I think these whips are ideal, paired with the faraday fabric (kb9vbr) they become urban parks friendly.
Walt, hope to hear you on the air this weekend on the cqww ssb contest! 73!
Europeans are using the metric systems, as are much of the rest of the world and almost all science. Why haven't they invented time travel yet? Don't depend on us to do it all. We're buried in problems right now.
@@Inkling777 how do you know they haven’t already??
I hope to be on the air this weekend working the contest!
Nice video. I like the stainless-steel whips and I need to get a couple.
I have been using a pair of CB whips cut for 10 meters as a rotatable
dipole. Also, I like using metric measurements building antennas.
It's easier than trying to figure out what .346 inches is. I have a 10
and 25 ft tape measures with both Inches and metric on the same
tapes. telescoping whips have so many uses. KF6EWO
Thanks! Yes metric is so much easier building antennas.
Great video Walt! I have a Chameleon whip. Now I want another! 🤣. Was that a Sasquatch sighting at 2:41? 🤣
hahahaha probably Sasquatch, seems to make an appearance on that walking trail everytime I film a video LOL
So I see on car mag mount obviously no radials as the car is ground, but are you using cut length radials when in vertical ground spike? Would it work better if using radials? Thx 73 M7RWA
UPDATE: Hi Walt; I use the buddie pole 9.5 foot telescoping whip with a magnetic mount and a common mode choke from the car; just like you did in a previous video.. using a 12 V 6 AH LiFePO4 battery. It works great and its working on 40 thru 6 with the wolf river coil SB1000. Easy to tune with the NanoVna to get it resonant with a light touchup from the xiegu 6100!!! Here is the video that i based it off of . ua-cam.com/video/JHNbEND-Tt0/v-deo.html
Excellent setup!!! Thanks for sharing. 73, Walt
With a telescopic whip, or tank whip antenna, if using a ground stake what would suffice for a ground plane/counterpoise Walt?
When I'm away from saltwater I typically just put 4 wires on the ground about 5 meters long each, if I can I'll add a couple more. I just put an alligator clip on the end and clamp them to my ground stake, When I'm by saltwater I just run one wire out to the damp sand or slightly into the water. Both ways work well for me.
Thanks for the reply Walt much appreciated.
Great video Walt. I have the MFJ whip and I will start portable in the spring. Quick question. When you use the mag mount, do you need a counterpoise? Or is the vehicle a good enough ground plane on its own. Thanks de Jim VE3UZX
Thanks! I’ve found that the vehicle is good enough on its own. 73, Walt
Get 80 m on your 891? With the magnet mount on your truck? Thank you.😊 Is there any way you could demonstrate that please? Using the mfj. I have atas 120a with my 891 and I obviously don't get 80 meters and I would love on the road even if I have to park. What kind of coil would you put at the top? I'm a novice just got into ham
I’m sure this can be done with a Wolf River Coil Silver Bullet 1000 and a telescopic whip on a mag mount. I’ll give it a try.
love your channel, but also love imperial measurements, old engineer here, but never went metric. I don't consider myself a dumb american for that. 73
I have one but haven't used it yet. I want to elevate it 10' but have no idea how to counterpoise it or add a unun.
I really don’t use an unun with these. I just adjust the length up or down until it’s resonate.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES What do you attach the shield of the coax to?
We love our mfj!
It's a great quick and easy antenna!
Can these be used for shortwave?
Yes, absolutely
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES sweet
Hi, Walt. I was thinking about buying one of these- sounds like a good investment! 73, Mike K3CXG who dat.
Well worth the investment my friend! 73
WHY NOT USE IT AS A 1/2 WAVE ON 10 METERS. BETTER DB, GAIN RIGHT ?
Better gain for sure but the problem is the match at the feed point. Half wave antennas have very high resistance at the feed point and that's why end fed half wave antennas need a 49:1 unun to get a match. I can use a 17' telescopic whip on a mag mount with my G90's ATU but the amount of loss after tuning that thing means I'm not getting much power radiating from the antenna itself.
I think if God wanted us to use the Metric system he would have given us 10 fingers!!! 😮😂
The metric system isn't that hard. It's simply 1-10, the same as counting. If you can count to 10, you can count to any number. If you understand units of 10, you can use metric for anything.
Hey Walt,
Just wanted to say I’ve been watching your channel for a few months now and your my favorite ham radio UA-camr, no bs and straight to point, I learn something everytime I watch your videos, thanks for making them!
Thank you so much for the kind words and most of all thanks for watching! 73 my friend
I got mine today 🎉
Se agradecer el que digas también las medidas en metros! (Me evitas hacer cálculos o preguntarle a Luzia 😀)
Walt, I find that your channel is one of the most helpful ones on UA-cam for amateur radio stuff. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so very much! 73
Hi Walt, I have the Wolf River coils long whip with their Silver bullet 1000 set up. Works great. Having a blast the past 2 weeks on 12 and 10m!
Those bands have been great the past few weeks! 73
Thank you for your operating experience with all of the options. I have both the MFJ 1979 and the Chameleon SS17 and for anyone interested in getting one, definitely get the Chameleon. It's much more robust in construction and also the upper segments are much thicker. The 1979 is a bit flimsy up top and probably will wear out more quickly despite both being the same price. For awhile there the SS17 was sold out and was hard to get (I became impatient and got the 1979 first).
Another great video that makes my day!
Always appreciate your vibe that keeps up the HAM spirit! 73!
Thank you so much! I agree and as I mentioned in the video the Chameleon is for sure the better of the two. All the best and 73 my friend!
On my whips after I get them tuned for length I mark the whip with a sharpie marker, that way I just extend them till the mark shows when I setup at the park. The sharpie does wear over time but it's quick to freshen it up.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
Was that a 1:1 balun on your quarter wave vertical?
Hablando de Idiomas! "Yo no hablo Ingles!" bajo un poco el volumen del audio original, y utilizo el lector de sub-títulos de UA-cam. O sea colega, a mi me estas hablando en español! es Genial! 73 desde Argentina .
Muchas gracias mi amigo! 73 de K4OGO
Hey Walt, hope all is well. Got a question for you. My SS 17 telescopic antenna is mounted to a 24”, 1 3/4” piece of PVC and I just put that into the ground. Is there any advantage to using a metal ground rod instead of the PVC?
As long as you have a good counterpoise or ground radial system below it the PVC is great and really not a big change by using a metal support.
Just a thought Walt. What if you connected a say, 4 to 1 UNUN and a counter pois to one of the 17ft. whips. Would it be multi band with one length without adjusting?
That's a great idea and should work well.
Yes, I have the Moonraker one, as I saw a UK amateur using one.
I have used mine with a mag mount
and on my car's mount. 😊
Nice video. I'd love one of those tape measures. Where can I buy one from?
I'm another antenna nerd from the UK 😂 M0JTL
Thanks! Here’s a link:
chameleonantenna.com/shop-here/ols/products/cha-ant-tape
Hello, do the elements of the whip stay firm the one connecting to the 2 other elements? Does the SWR stays put when operating the antenna in the wind?
73 es dx
Gust ON6KE
Yes in my experience the whip stays firm and stays put in the wind. 73, Walt
Great video. How close do you have to be with the antenna measurement? Is a 1/4 inch going to make a difference? When you are making adjustments to the antenna and using a Rig Expert in what increments should you be adjusting the antenna? Thanks
1/4 will make a small difference. I typically adjust in 1/8 inch increments once I see the SWR getting close
Great video and thank you for the reply on the other video, what distance are we getting on 10 meter? This antenna design and a yagi do not use the atmosphere correct?
Both this and a yagi will use the ionosphere for skip. In the HF frequencies pretty much everything eventually skips. I’ve typically seen 400 to 600 miles on a first hop skip with a vertical, my longest DX with this type of whip on 10 meters is South Africa from Virginia. 73, Walt
Great point these 17 ft whips give great results. I use it with the MFJ tapped coil mounted directly to the SO239 on my car trunk. Not to drive mobile with!
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Wow, nice guy, nice video. Thank you. Also cool for mag mount on the car. I like the pac-12 Antenna, it's very easy to get a good swr by changing the position on the coil. How do you shorten the antenna? From the top or can you do it from the bottom? If you have to do it from the top you have to unscrew the antenna every time. The tape measure is great. I will buy one when I find a tape measure with frequencies on it and one which use the metric system. Because in Europe nobody uses inch, only UK. Thank you for the video and good explainings. 73 greetings from Austria. 👍🏻 Sorry for my english, it's not the best.
Hey Walt, did you use a balun or unun in your setup or was that blue box just a choke?
Hi, sorry I missed this comment. The blue box is just a LDG 1:1 choke. 73, Walt
Hi Walt in VK land we can get 5.6 meter whips of eBay, just add a 49:1 and a tripod, great on 27 meg 😉
Thanks Walt. I don't have one yet but I've checked the price a hundred times. I may hit the buy button next time. Always good stuff here.
Thanks so much!
I bought an ft891 and the fc50 tuner recently, I am using a hustler 6btv at home. I am looking for a portable antenna that can cover 20 and 40 meters that won't break the bank and can be easily deployed. I have heard performance on 40 is not good with a 1/4 wave vertical, what would you suggest?
Take a look at a Wolf River Coil setup, good performance in 40 and 20 and you won’t need a tuner. Perfect for a FT891
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES it says An essential employee is ill. For now we need to shut down this portion of the website when I try and order. I can get the slide-winder dx but its pricey after shipping. I know hams that have the 1979 and they say its not good on 40. I was trying to keep the cost around 200-300 dollars because I need to purchase an analyzer also. What do you think about the SE X80 Vertical? I could mount that to a construction tripod and lay out some ground radials or use a faraday blanket as a counterpoise.
"I say whip it, whip it good"
Cool whip.
That's it, I'm getting a flower pot hat hahahaha
A pair of these set up as a dipole or vee is great for 20M and up.
Yes they are!
'MERICA! 5 Meters = 13.5 Corgies, 4.8 Savage Axis Rifles, 17 Hotdogs, or any other unit of measurement your 'Merican heart desires! (lol)
LOL
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES And FWIW, I just pulled the trigger on the Chameleon tactical delta loop kit with 2 of these whips. Can't wait to pair them with my IC-705!
I just used my Wolf River Coils 213" whip for POTA today. The new one they came out with this year is awesome. It collapses smaller, so it'll fit in cary-on luggage. It's double crimped and more rugged than their previous one too. It's become my go-to antenna the last few months. It's easy to setup on a mag mount and switch bands. I memorized how many sections to drop between each bands, LOL.
I need to get one of those whips!
Can I use this antenna on CB Radio 11 meter band❓
Yes
The whip you are showing is £80 over here. You can get one off e bay but they all have a m10 thread and are not 3/8th thread.
All expensive.
The coil you mention at 3.25 with the 17M.. what is that? And I also notice something near the end of the cable ? Is that a 1:1?
That’s the Chameleon TDL in vertical position using the Chameleon coax which has a built in choke.
Thanks!!! @@COASTALWAVESWIRES
Another very good video Walt. I love using a vertical whip on a mag mount for quick POTA activations or just to rag chew. Great when it's raining or snowing and always pretty darn effective. I have a large SUV and use a mag mount right in the middle of the large roof. One thing I do that helps a little is to attach 4 quarter wave radials with a large clamp to the base of the mag mount. I'm in Idaho and I usually arrange the radials to face the direction I want the a little more of the signal to go to. About a 90 to 120 degree spread. Does it make a major difference....No, but from what I have observed, it does help a little. I manage to keep them off the ground most of the time. Give it a try and see if it adds a little bit of improvement. Being able to go to a RF quiet place also is a huge bonus. I have also clamped a 17' whip to the top of a stout 12 meter pole, set at about 10 meters and added another half wave of wire below it to make a vertical dipole. Very effective antenna and the added height of having 1/2 of the antenna above 10 meters also helps.
Hm cool. That’s quite a lot of height (clamped at 10-ish meters)! Just curious, did you run the coax vertically up as well, or did you try to pull it away at a sharp angle (of course unlikely to achieve totally perpendicular to the pole)? .. thinking about this, I think you could theoretically use the shield of the coax as the other half of the vertical dipole, and run the coax vertically down the pole, as long as the coax was choked very effectively (with a ft240-(31 or 43) toroid at the quarter wavelength point. That would give you an almost sleeve dipole or flowerpot type arrangement. Then you wouldn’t have to worry about the interaction between the coax and the wire element. :)
@Kinetic79 I put a 1 to 1 choke at the antenna feed point and when I have a tree available, run it as horizontally as possible. Otherwise, just bring it down at an angle.
Thanks and thanks for the interesting comment!
Hi Walt,
I finally picked up a Chameleon SS whip. Also found a great deal on a new ATAS 120a from Japan. Saved about $75 from buying it in the US. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Awesome! Stay safe as well my friend! 73, Walt K4OGO
New ham here trying to drink from a firehose...at 1:25 in the video it looks like you've got an unun hanging off the vertical. Is that required? Also, at 3:23 you mentioin using a transformer. Is that another name for a loading coil? Thanks.
Hey Walt! I mark my whips with a sharpie for each band. Saves carrying a tape measure, and even with different ground conditions, it gets you close enough to fine tune if you wish. Four 10 meter (33ft) harbor freight tape measures with wires and connectors soldered on make great radials for a whip, and are bright yellow for visibility if using them in a park.
Same with the wolf river coil, I mark it as well, and it will be very close depending on ground conditions.
Great tips, thanks for sharing
Awesome Walt!! Just ordered one this morning to use with my G106. Cant wait! 👍👍👍
p.s. 2:46 was that a sasquatch behind you?
Wolf River Coils also has a 17' telescopic whip. I have the Otophone with 2 Silver Bullet 1000s and two 17' telescopic whips. KM4NHN
I just got the wolf river coil version I was wondering, I'm going to try using the auto tuner on it to hit 80 M have you tried? Maybe if I use the coil with it I might be able to get to 80 if I put the collar all the way at the bottom
Interesting. I am looking into someone to put on the side of my old 1990 Chevy Van as a whip type thing and use my 857D and LDG Y100 tuner on it ... and listen and transmit at night when camping without making a whole scene .. .. but can if extended camping. someone said an 8" stainless whip ... but this looks interesting, adjusting to length ..
Walt, I really like your last two videos where you start out with what you were going to share with us. Also, these last two how to videos were desperately needed. They both fill a gap. There are many videos that review sliding coil antennas or telescopic whips. There are many videos showing people using them for POTA activations, but I haven’t found any that simply explain how to use them… until now!
Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope to keep making videos that help others in the hobby.All the best and 73, Walt
Just a thought: I still find the metric-imperial system a non-conflict issue. Americans use metrics more than they think--from buying soda in liters, eye-glasses, audio equipment specs in Hz, medicine-milligrams, radio-KHz MHz, electrical units of 120/220 volts, heck, even our money is metric being base 10.
I still find it interesting that in Canada and UK-- they interchange metrics and Imperial units in cooking and baking-- even measuring (one sure way to get in trouble).
Keep up the great videos! de AI4QT
Thanks! I have actually been using the metric system in shipbuilding for almost 30 years. It really is used more here in the USA than people think. 73, Walt
My favourite antenna for a fair while. Performed quite well, but repeated exposure to moderate winds absolutely wrecked them. They slacken off and refuse to grip after a while.
Which brand did you use? I wonder if some are sturdier than others?
@@StevetheNPC1337 MFJ. Excellent when new, but they had a definite working life to them.
good to know, thanks
I love using my WRC whips for dipoles.. Got into africa with that and my 991a on 10m on a 25ft pole.
Add a Chameleon mil. Whip extension shorten about 10" and you have a Rybakov.
No, Americans do not speak English! 😜😂🤣
Cool antenna. I'll have to give a hard pass on the metric thing though.
I have had my eye on the 17' telescopic whips for a while. You have convinced me to get one!
It's a great thing to have for a quick and easy setup. I love mine!
I have the MFJ 3 m whip and MFT ATU for 11 m ban and lysten to HF bands.
Interesting, thanks! I may need to spend some money. 😁
Great video Walt. I just recently bought the MFJ-1979 17ft whip (yeah MFJ uses feet not meters) I set it up according to Greg Mihrans KJ6ER POTA Performer setup and it is amazing the QRP results that I am getting. Multi pileups and more DX than I have ever had vs Inverted V dipoles and hamsticks. Easy and quick to set up and take down. AND it's doesn't require any long extention poles. kd9van
Thanks! Great setup, thanks for sharing!
Greg just released an update to his Performer setup. He shows how to build a linked radial wire(s).
The telescopic aerial. I use one on my campervan and also on a lighting tripod. Both have homemade bottom loading coils. Recently filmed it at Rutland Water. Yesterday. Cheers from old George in the UK 🇬🇧
Cheers from Walt in the USA 🇺🇸
YES! YES! This is the video I've waited for 👍. Got my 17ft telescopics off AliExpress and ready to play 📡
Just be aware that the AliExpress ones often don’t use the 3/8” thread at the base, so you may need an adapter to use as flexibly (from a mounting perspective) as the usual American branded suspects.
Perfect timing! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for posting enjoy your videos! Good info!
Thanks for watching!
Love my Chameleon, usually magnet mounted on the roof of my 1-ton pickup. I’ve developed notes for tuning the whip that will tell me for example for 15m I need to collapse 3 3/4 sections if mag-mounted, or 3 5/8 sections if using a tripod. Then no tape necessary. Not that any one way is better. This is just an option.
Sounds like a great setup! 73
This is one of few antennas I would buy. It's easy to make EF or dipols but I dare anyone to make own telescopic antenna :D
hahahaha yes that would be difficult
Im always on the hunt for that magical combination of efficiency and ease of deployment. Mostly for qrp use in the field.
This is easy for sure.
Hi Walt, I have two sections of my MFJ 17' whip are stuck. I have tried two pliers and some WD40 but no way they will extend. It is thin and denting from the pliers. If I pull too hard, I fear it may come apart. So, for now it is a 13.5' whip. Any suggestions??
Yikes, I’m not sure. Sorry.
Great Video... I recently did my research and settled on purchasing the MFJ1979. Going to pickup a steel rod and attempt a set in my small Back Yard. Got some radials ready too and RigExpert to check it out before hooking it to my rig. I was wondering, what brand or where did you get that delta loop mount? Keep up the great videos... I enjoy them as newer ham, great to learn from others experiences/knowledge! 73!
Thanks! Have fun with that antenna! 73, Walt
But when I put an SMA adapter on the bottom & tried to use it on my handheld it just tore the top off my rig. 😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣😁... we may laugh but I bet someone has done it
Oh I’m sure lol
Insanely jealous of your mag-mount on the Jeep hood. Just recently discovered the hood on my Jeep Gladiator pickup is PLASTIC! Bummer. I have a cover on the cargo bed so clamping to the edge messes up the waterproofing. BUT… a special mount for the outside of the bed can had so I now put verticals-ham sticks, Wolf River coils and short whips, and son-on that little gem. Going to get an extendable whip.
I'm jealous you have a Gladiator LOL I love those trucks!
Hey there Walt, good concise video on the different configurations of the 17ft “Telewhip” I have the MRQ version and it’s great.
Oh and BTW as a 60turns on the coil Englishman I use imperial and metric interchangeably esp when antenna building.
73. M7PBX.
Thanks for watching and for the great comment! 73, Walt K4OGO
I have both the MFJ and the Wolf River 17ft whips. Both good pieces of kit. I never even thought of using them as a dipole. It'd be saggy as all get out, but a 40m dipole.... hmmmmm lol
A nice saggy directional dipole!
I've got a little aluminum tripod that was made for the Super Antenna MP1DXTR80. It has connectors to attach radials and I throw out about 12 of those and mount either a 17 foot whip or a Hamstick on the tripod. Works really well. I carry a NanoVNA that I can use to quickly tune the antenna. I suppose I could use radials just as easily with the ground spike setup you describe, but when I'm doing SOTA activations it's usually too rocky to drive anything into the ground so the tripod is a good solution. Just needs to be weighted down with some rocks when the wind is strong.
Great setup, thanks for sharing!
Ok, quick question: will I have more success transmitting if I measure out a natural wavelength or if I extend the whip all the way and use a tuner (for SWR). Which will send signal out better???
I read some comments: I think the answer is.. when I use the tuner to get the ‘match’ I lose a lot of my transmit power?! Right?