I use 9:1 UNUN non resonant end feds in the field and have never needed a external tuner. Tuner in the radio does every band from 6 to 160. I usually use a 72 foot wire with the coax as counterpoise and a choke at 42 feet. Best antenna there is, not by a LONG shot but it gets me on every HF band plus 6M in the field.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Do you use a choke on the coax when using the coax braid as the counterpoise. For me I have found using a 72 foot radiator with a 75 foot run of LMR-240 and a FT240 size toroidal choke at 42 feet (13 wraps) works great. Placement of the choke does effect tuning of the antenna since the coax braid is part of the antenna (the counterpoise). When you use a separate counterpoise wire the choke placement isn't important.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I got my IC 7300 to tune a 9:1 . But with a twist. I used 75 ohm coax and counter poise and a choke at UNUN . used appx 1/2 wave of coax at 20 meters. Still the 4:1 with 25 FT vertical does much better !
I’m a huge fan of the G 90, because of the tuners massive tolerance. I use it with a custom built antenna out of speaker wire. It actually works quite well.
I did the same with the retractable washing line reel but the one with a pullout handle makes it easier for winding up and I used Sotabeams lightweight wire. Works a treat. 👍
Thanks, Josh. I use the random wire when I want multiple bands in a smaller footprint than I can get with a EFHW. But normally I tend toward resonant antennas.
The feed point of an antenna has an impedance (Z) (ohms). The ohm impedance Z varies between the halfwave(high- 2,500 ohms) and a quarter wave (low- 500 ohms) and everything in between. If using an EFHW expect a high Z and use a 49:1 reduction transformer (usually an UNUN) to match your 50-ohm feed line. If using a random length, try for one (see table) that is not a half wave at any frequency in use. Connect a 9:1 unun to your feedline and hook up the wire to the other end of the unun. Since impedance is complex, there is often additional ohms added or lost by ground or capacitive effects. To be perfect, you would in practice need an antenna tuner that replaces the UNUN and loses the other ohmic effects too. Remember, the longer and higher the wire, the more efficient it becomes in TX and RX. Try for a half wave in height. Trees are your best friend here. Good luck. KF3
Excellent Points. I am surprised Josh did comment (or wasn't up to speed) on the fact that random wire antenna lengths are not random wire at all. They need to hit one of the magic lengths that do not fall on the half wave of any frequency you want to use. Thanks for pointing this out. 👍
Hey Josh. Excellent video. I have been making various end-feds with the fishing line you mentioned and can confirm that it is pure copper. Made in America copper as well. I have been using it with chalk lines reels, but love your clothes line idea. So much so I ordered a couple. Keep up the great work.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Yes, they do appear to hold more. I think you said 120'? You are using 30lb and not the 40lb? I never put more than 71' on a chalk line so 160m was never in play. This might change it.
Right on. I'm working on a 40-meter antenna as I write this comment. I got a xiegu x6200 for my bday, and the xiegu amp is still somewhere in Florida atm. So I'm gonna make a resonant antenna and use my homemade balun. I hope to get on the air with this tonight. Thanks for always somehow doing content that sounds with what I'm doing. It's like the ham hive mind is running strong these days. I hope everyone is having a good one. 🤙🏾
Correct code for a 10% discount at Messi and Paoloni is HRCC-73, not HRCC73. The latter was not accepted for the discount. Thanks for the excellent video. Mitch NK3H
Having a 705, I also prefer to use resonant antennas - typically a 49:1 with wire for 10-40 With the ATU-10 I can usually get tunes on 12,17,80 (maybe 30 too) Kinda feel like if I'm gonna use over 60ft of wire I may as well just use a 49:1 so I get resonant where possible, and use the tuner where its not And if I can't use such a long wire use a 9:1 instead
I have been asking the random wire length question for years. I run an icom AH4 tuner and it says to avoid 1/2 wave lengths I use ace hardware clothes line which works surprisingly well, I have lengths from 35 to 135ft I am portable and I do NVIS and reg t from on the ground to 6ft typically
I carry a 9:1 packtenna for my x6100 and the 49:1 for other qrp radios. On the new Mountain Topper, Tim N9SAB agreed to make me a linked 20/15 m linked dipole so I can rock the SOTA
The only time I got an RF burn was from my EFHW/49:1/KX2 combo. I was using ear bud headphones and got a hot ear. The headphone lead is now wrapped around and inside a clip on ferrite. Problem solved.
Josh, how is that stress relief assembled? Did you just loop the wire into one connector, crimp it, and then crimp another on the end? Or did you use the main length and a short length combined into the stress relief connector? And what gauge connector? I'm looking to recreate this as it's perfect for my needs. I've never built the stress relief end before. Yes, I'm a n00b at this.
Quick question. I'm "new" to HF and run an X6100 with an efhw and 49:1 balun. I have the balun located at the "bottom" of the slope (near the ground), but noticed you raised it up on the mast to be at the "top" of the slope. I'm curious why and if I have my antenna deployed right? Thanks, KF0QGT - 73
I can't answer for Josh but I do this, put the balun at the top, when I need to adjust the length of the wire without having to put the mast up and down every time that I make an adjustment.
Honestly, just about any way you can deploy works... Radiation pattern changes a bit is about the main difference. Most of the time with my efhw I run with 1ft of coax and the wire in an inverted-v configuration. Fast and easy to deploy and to put away
I'm wondering if it would be feasible to use two radios on different bands using each side of the antenna. I'm not sure why anyone would need to do that though. Something something emcomm, maybe?
Im pretty new to ham and antenna stuff and will be taking the test to get my tech and possibly my general at the same time here soon. But ive tried to search for an answer but cant find a definite yes or no and wondered is you could answer? I have a antenna analyzer and my Antron 99 is showing good swr on 6m and 70cm under 2 :1 would I be able to actually use the A99 or would i have to get another antenna?
What would the difference be of putting the matching unit down low and having the end up high? My random wire starts at chest height and far end is up in the air.
As the wire moves away from the feed-point you are trading amps for voltage. Amps or Current is highest at the feed point. Amps/Current is what radiates your signal. As you get to the end of the wire the amps are the lowest and the Voltage is the highest. You will see the most voltage at the end of the antenna. This is why elevating the feed-point is always an advantage if you can do it. However in practice I have not noticed much of a difference either way! Hope this helps.
People are so paranoid these days. It is reminiscent of Nazi germany. Did they ID you? Common practice by cops these days. They are looking for conflict so they can put the cuffs on and hopefully you do something that can be construed as resistance so they can charge you with a crime even though you didn’t do a crime to have the cuffs on in the first place. Isn’t it odd that our tax money is being used against us and the illegals run free? What is right is wrong and wrong is right.
I use 9:1 UNUN non resonant end feds in the field and have never needed a external tuner. Tuner in the radio does every band from 6 to 160. I usually use a 72 foot wire with the coax as counterpoise and a choke at 42 feet. Best antenna there is, not by a LONG shot but it gets me on every HF band plus 6M in the field.
I’ve never been lucky enough to get away with a 3:1 tuner on a random wire.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Do you use a choke on the coax when using the coax braid as the counterpoise. For me I have found using a 72 foot radiator with a 75 foot run of LMR-240 and a FT240 size toroidal choke at 42 feet (13 wraps) works great. Placement of the choke does effect tuning of the antenna since the coax braid is part of the antenna (the counterpoise). When you use a separate counterpoise wire the choke placement isn't important.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I got my IC 7300 to tune a 9:1 . But with a twist. I used 75 ohm coax and counter poise and a choke at UNUN . used appx 1/2 wave of coax at 20 meters. Still the 4:1 with 25 FT vertical does much better !
I’m a huge fan of the G 90, because of the tuners massive tolerance. I use it with a custom built antenna out of speaker wire. It actually works quite well.
I did the same with the retractable washing line reel but the one with a pullout handle makes it easier for winding up and I used Sotabeams lightweight wire. Works a treat. 👍
SOTABeams wire is fantastic.
Thanks, Josh. I use the random wire when I want multiple bands in a smaller footprint than I can get with a EFHW. But normally I tend toward resonant antennas.
The feed point of an antenna has an impedance (Z) (ohms). The ohm impedance Z varies between the halfwave(high- 2,500 ohms) and a quarter wave (low- 500 ohms) and everything in between. If using an EFHW expect a high Z and use a 49:1 reduction transformer (usually an UNUN) to match your 50-ohm feed line. If using a random length, try for one (see table) that is not a half wave at any frequency in use. Connect a 9:1 unun to your feedline and hook up the wire to the other end of the unun.
Since impedance is complex, there is often additional ohms added or lost by ground or capacitive effects. To be perfect, you would in practice need an antenna tuner that replaces the UNUN and loses the other ohmic effects too.
Remember, the longer and higher the wire, the more efficient it becomes in TX and RX. Try for a half wave in height. Trees are your best friend here.
Good luck. KF3
Excellent Points. I am surprised Josh did comment (or wasn't up to speed) on the fact that random wire antenna lengths are not random wire at all. They need to hit one of the magic lengths that do not fall on the half wave of any frequency you want to use. Thanks for pointing this out. 👍
Hey Josh. Excellent video. I have been making various end-feds with the fishing line you mentioned and can confirm that it is pure copper. Made in America copper as well. I have been using it with chalk lines reels, but love your clothes line idea. So much so I ordered a couple. Keep up the great work.
Those reels are small, but so is the wire. You can pack a lot on it!
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Yes, they do appear to hold more. I think you said 120'? You are using 30lb and not the 40lb? I never put more than 71' on a chalk line so 160m was never in play. This might change it.
Right on. I'm working on a 40-meter antenna as I write this comment. I got a xiegu x6200 for my bday, and the xiegu amp is still somewhere in Florida atm. So I'm gonna make a resonant antenna and use my homemade balun. I hope to get on the air with this tonight. Thanks for always somehow doing content that sounds with what I'm doing. It's like the ham hive mind is running strong these days. I hope everyone is having a good one. 🤙🏾
Correct code for a 10% discount at Messi and Paoloni is HRCC-73, not HRCC73. The latter was not accepted for the discount. Thanks for the excellent video. Mitch NK3H
Nice video. That a neat UNUN ! Love that Pota Flex coax ! I got the 50 FT POTA 7 reel kit and case. Did KW POTA just fine ! 73
I use 9:1 in the winter sota season when I want to do a quick activation and cover many bands fast.
Having a 705, I also prefer to use resonant antennas - typically a 49:1 with wire for 10-40
With the ATU-10 I can usually get tunes on 12,17,80 (maybe 30 too)
Kinda feel like if I'm gonna use over 60ft of wire I may as well just use a 49:1 so I get resonant where possible, and use the tuner where its not
And if I can't use such a long wire use a 9:1 instead
I have been asking the random wire length question for years. I run an icom AH4 tuner and it says to avoid 1/2 wave lengths I use ace hardware clothes line which works surprisingly well, I have lengths from 35 to 135ft I am portable and I do NVIS and reg t from on the ground to 6ft typically
Good video Josh!! I bought and built the antenna but have not played with it yet.
I carry a 9:1 packtenna for my x6100 and the 49:1 for other qrp radios. On the new Mountain Topper, Tim N9SAB agreed to make me a linked 20/15 m linked dipole so I can rock the SOTA
Sweet camping table! Where did you find it?
Nemo Camp table. It’s all over the place.
I love my K6ARK efhw kit on 40/20/15/10m with my x6100. I have another kit I've been thinking of doing a 9:1 on it
The only time I got an RF burn was from my EFHW/49:1/KX2 combo. I was using ear bud headphones and got a hot ear. The headphone lead is now wrapped around and inside a clip on ferrite. Problem solved.
Another great video! I've seen the feed point in the high position and at the ground. Which is the correct placement?
Josh, how is that stress relief assembled? Did you just loop the wire into one connector, crimp it, and then crimp another on the end? Or did you use the main length and a short length combined into the stress relief connector? And what gauge connector? I'm looking to recreate this as it's perfect for my needs. I've never built the stress relief end before. Yes, I'm a n00b at this.
I think I just used adhesive heat shrink.
I feel to truly be fair, the random wire requires a remote atu.
The feedline losses with a 9:1 arrangement can be very high.
That can be done with the ICOM tuner pretty easier actually.
I'll be the nerd and ask, is that a pocket sized foldable whiteboard? Got a link?
Google it. There is only one. “Pocket white board”
Sweet shades, bro🖖😎
Thanks ✌
Great video
I think my G90 will tune just about anything so maybe time to try a 43 foot efrw, 2/3 the length of an efhw, may be easier to deploy
Hey Josh what antenna mast are you using in this video? Love the videos
It’s an MFJ.
When you do POTA activations, do you use a SIM card in your laptop or do you use your phone as a hotspot?
Neither. Not sure what your question is.
Quick question. I'm "new" to HF and run an X6100 with an efhw and 49:1 balun. I have the balun located at the "bottom" of the slope (near the ground), but noticed you raised it up on the mast to be at the "top" of the slope. I'm curious why and if I have my antenna deployed right? Thanks, KF0QGT - 73
I can't answer for Josh but I do this, put the balun at the top, when I need to adjust the length of the wire without having to put the mast up and down every time that I make an adjustment.
Honestly, just about any way you can deploy works... Radiation pattern changes a bit is about the main difference.
Most of the time with my efhw I run with 1ft of coax and the wire in an inverted-v configuration.
Fast and easy to deploy and to put away
Resonant over random every day for me.
What make and model tripod mast are you using? How do you like it? It looks to be well-built and sturdy!
Sadly, it’s an MFJ. I’m not sure they are available anymore.
I'm wondering if it would be feasible to use two radios on different bands using each side of the antenna. I'm not sure why anyone would need to do that though. Something something emcomm, maybe?
Im pretty new to ham and antenna stuff and will be taking the test to get my tech and possibly my general at the same time here soon. But ive tried to search for an answer but cant find a definite yes or no and wondered is you could answer? I have a antenna analyzer and my Antron 99 is showing good swr on 6m and 70cm under 2
:1 would I be able to actually use the A99 or would i have to get another antenna?
What would the difference be of putting the matching unit down low and having the end up high? My random wire starts at chest height and far end is up in the air.
As the wire moves away from the feed-point you are trading amps for voltage. Amps or Current is highest at the feed point. Amps/Current is what radiates your signal. As you get to the end of the wire the amps are the lowest and the Voltage is the highest. You will see the most voltage at the end of the antenna. This is why elevating the feed-point is always an advantage if you can do it. However in practice I have not noticed much of a difference either way! Hope this helps.
Where can I find the mast you have in the video?
It was sold by MFJ. I’m looking for another one.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks Josh. Let me know what you find eventually.
$75 for that pile of parts and no wire seems a bit steep. If it was assembled maybe.
Look up some of the End Fed kits, remember this is two transformers. I think the price is reasonable someone looking to have a 9:1 and 49:1
Hey buddy, you talking to aliens? I called the police already!
Fun fact. That’s the park the cops were called on me for doing radio things.
People are so paranoid these days. It is reminiscent of Nazi germany. Did they ID you? Common practice by cops these days. They are looking for conflict so they can put the cuffs on and hopefully you do something that can be construed as resistance so they can charge you with a crime even though you didn’t do a crime to have the cuffs on in the first place. Isn’t it odd that our tax money is being used against us and the illegals run free? What is right is wrong and wrong is right.
Do you coil your coax cable in an over-under manner to keep it from twisting the cable?
Yes.