Reference Station Antenna Redux: MFJ-2010 OCFD for 40, 20, 10, 6m (
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- Опубліковано 17 бер 2020
- The MFJ-2010 off-center-fed dipole (OCFD) looks like a much better candidate for the reference station antenna. This video looks at is features, its history, performance across bands, a sample QSO, and a comparison with reference station requirements. The antenna is available from MFJ directly, from HRO or DXEngineering as well as others.
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Excellent job Dave. If your viewers have soil that is not rocky/ledge, they can do what I did to get wire antenna higher (33 feet). I dug a hole with a post hole digger ( hand operated not gas operated), and set a 14 foot pressure treated post in the ground with a bag of rapid set concrete. The post was set 3 feet into the ground. Now at this point, a person could mount a galvanized pipe to this post to gain whatever height than can SAFELY, or, do what I did. At this point I attached two 2X6 PT 14 feet long to the opposite sides of the post. Now, two 2x6's extended about 2 feet above the top of the post set into the ground. I then mounted a 4X4 PT post to the top of the set post by drilling 3/4" holes through the two 2x6's and the 4x4 top post, all aligned perfectly, and placed a sleeve through all three. I then placed a 5/8" threaded rod through the sleeve and placed lock washers, flat washers and nuts at both ends.Now the top section can swing down to the ground for mounting antenna safely and then swung back up. I placed a stop block on the opposite side so that the top 4X4 can only swing in one direction. And, it has a steel cable attached to keep the top section locked in place. A strong, easy to build, way to gain height for wire antennas.
photo, please. Thank you for idea.
Send me your email address, I will send them.
I been using this antenna since Nov 2019, approximately up 35 feet, 66 countries on FT 8 @ 30 watts, my internal tuner also tunes this for 17 and 15m, been very pleased with this antenna.
Another home run on this outstanding and much needed series.
Thank you!
I have been running the higher power version for almost a year now. It has been doing a good job for me with no issues.
The signal to noise ratio is usually more important than just the signal strength, the dipole appeared to be a bit quieter.
I will watch this as soon as I finish work, I hope you are happy with it. I’ve just bought one yesterday and it will be here next week. I’m looking to replace my endfed.
Hope you enjoy it!
Have one of these installed in the back yard with one side at the top back of the house (apex) and the other side mounted 6’ high on a cinder-block wall. Running an FT-450D and making great contacts to the West coast and when the weather is right all the want down to Florida. Thanks for your video.
-de K6QGK
I bought this antenna after you mentioned it. My Alpha Delta DX EE is mounted in my attic. Since putting this antenna up outside, from PA I've had contacts Puenta Arenas Chile, Australia, Japan, Hawaii, and all over Europe. It seems to tune up better than the Alpha Delta, especially on 40 meters.
Hey Dave, assuming you read comments :) planting a bug in your ear... you’re probably already planning this, but when it comes time to pull all this Reference series videos together, for comprehensiveness please cover the following elements somewhere in the remaining videos of the series:
* bus bar and connections between equipment to bus bar, and from bus bar to external grounding solution/panel/box.
* external grounding solution (and bonding if necessary between earth rods; mast/antenna rod vs panel rod, if applicable).
* coax connection details from antenna to internal equipment, stopping via lightning arresters if applicable, applying coax connectors to coax. Also while not “reference” if you have spare time in the video, maybe talk briefly about what equipment you used to switch between BigIR and reference antenna - eg. coax/antenna switching equipment?
* dc power strip, and connections from strip to equipment, if applicable; revisit PowerPole connections.
* microphone and speaker, as applicable, and while not “reference”, to fill up an episode maybe you could mention some optional sound accessories I see offered and as a beginner I do not know what those audio related equipment do or offer in features?
Thanks for considering, and again for the series.
Thanks for the tip. Looks like we think alike!
I have ordered the icom 7300 and mfj-2010! Should have it this week! Already have a power supply. Thanks for all you do. I doubt we will qso, I’m in Central Florida but, who knows. 73
Thanks Dave! I really enjoyed watching you put the antenna up and try it out! I’m trying to decide now which antenna I want to build. I would like to build one similar but one that would get 80 meters as well since we have a very active 80 meter phone net in Kentucky. Thanks again and 73! KM4OCJ
I thought OG was ornery geezer. Joking, Dave. You're my favorite ham UA-camr.
"Old grouch"!! LOL!! As always another great video!!!
I've got the 1500w version at my home, wonderfully simple antenna. Just helped another local ham install one 2 weeks ago, too. Great recommendation!
Does it actually do 1500w? I have the 80/40m version and it will only do about 400w before it saturates the core and the SWR goes through the roof.
@@stargazer7644 sorry, only given mine 100w. Just wanted the heavier wire.
MFJ has a version good for 1500w.
Excellent again, Dave.
73 de Curt WA2JSG NJ
Good job on this video. Might have to try this antenna sometime. 73
Thanks for the video David 73
OG stands for Old Grouch! All this time we thought of it as Original Gangster! lol
nice video as always, cheers 73
"Hiiiiii!" ... "nooo!"
Lol, cute answers. Is she going to be getting her tech license? Good for you for taking the time to get others into radio!
Another good video. I may have missed it, but if mounted as an inverted L, would it be relatively omni directional? Does the pattern change depending on which direction the long and short ends point?
I am new learning, but I think that a push up 30 or 40 ft TV push up antenna mast. It has 3 sections for the 30 ft and 4 sections for the 40 ft there are clamps to hold the sections up but most come with holes and pins to put in the holes to be sure the sections don't slip down. Also the holes are where you have enough sections in the other sections for it to be stable. When all the way down it is around 12 to 15 feet and extending 10 feet at a time, and pin it then push the next section and pin it, and you keep pushing up the sections until you go as high as it will go or you get it as high as you want to go. There are rings that can be used for guide wires if needed or it can be attached to the house like you did the top rail. I don't like going very high above where it attached to the house maybe 20 feet. I found a short piece of PVC pipe that the bottom of the push up mast would fit in, and made a hole with some small rocks in the bottom to help water drain out. Put the bottom of the mast in it so it wouldn't try to move around. There will be more above where it attached to the house than below where it is attached. The wind blowing on the top will want to move the bottom around.
How would you say this antenna compares to your mfj hex beam (when aimed), and are they at approximately the same 20' height? I've got this particular 2010 as well and have had moderately decent results, but considering getting that hex beam. Might need to find a way to get it up higher than the 20' I have the dipole at now too, thinking a rohn h50 as I have the space for guying - but unsure if it'll be stable with a rotator at the top.
I would have used RBN for the antenna comparisons.... Great video Dave ~ k6sdw
I have the 2012 version. And it’s only up about 16ft. Hangs North South. I recently bought a LDG 100pro2 tuner. It’ll tune up on all bands except 80 and 160. At least automatically. I haven’t tried the manual tuning. But I’m a new ham (license in November) and have worked Australia S Africa I worked the DxPedition team on 30m in S Orkney. So it’s a great antenna. And if it was higher who knows what it would do. Thx for the vid.
Im using that Antenna now. Its ok except i had to add a rf trap because of the rf getting into the house.
Another great recommendation for an antenna, so far I have the same gear you are specifying, a suggestion for another good antenna that can be used successfully even in small yards and snuck out in HOA conditions is the silver bullet by wolf river. 73 KA7MHD
What are your thoughts on hanging the Reference Antenna as an Inverted-V? Theoretically this should give us omni-directional coverage.
I very much appreciate the reference station series! Question though: the antenna analyzer seems like a pretty important tool in all this. Are there ways to evaluate an antenna's performance without one (through the radio's readouts, etc)? What are the important considerations when buying an analyzer?
Yes, you can plot SWR with just the rig , paper and pencil or spreadsheet. Just takes a lot longer. Although the 7300 has an SWR plotting function that is pretty slick. That will show you a graphical representation on its display. 73 de K0UA
I think that if can get the antenna up to 30 to 40 ft in the air you will have a lower angle of radiation and reception making it better for dxing .
Yes, absolutely. I don't have any higher supports though.
Im fairly new to HF, and wondering what other options for antennas exist? I bought the IC7300 per your recommendation, but I have height restrictions to approx 15ft in the rafters of my unit. I can only fit a 20M dipole. Grounding is another issue. If the antenna is under my roof (rafters), do I still need to worry about lightning protection?
Not as much, but lightning protection is always a good idea. At least disconnect the radio when not in use during thunderstorm season.
This is n9lyi, John Gruesser from elberta alabama, I believe you asked about other ways to raise up light verticles, and wire antennas plus lightweight beams, I buy harbor freight 22 ft flag poles which are lightweight and telescopic too, also I buy same flagpoles but are 30ft tall work well very fast to upright and secure and take down for major severe wind storms,just a thought and I love ur videos
What would be a good coax to feed this antenna under 100’ ?
I know you said this is a reference station antenna. I think you need to like 80m too. don't need the 6m on a referance station.
My MFJ-2010 OCF antenna, with the yaesu FT991a internal ATU , tunes 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, and 6 meters bands. It does not tune 30 meters.
Great video! KY4BDP LCARA
Thank you for another excellent video. My questions, could I run the antenna along the eaves of my house, or zigzag it in my attic, and what precautions should I take for lightning? Thanks for your series on the Reference Station, still waiting to fire up my Icom IC-7300, but the Boss Lady says I have to finish up the ever popular "Honey Do List" first! Howdy from the Great State of Texas, thanks again for your channel, and 73. KG5WXU
You can run it zigzag in the attic, but you may have to go to great lengths to tune it. Under the eaves might work if your roof isn't made of metal or have foil-backed insulation.
@@davecasler thanks, the eaves would be the easiest, and I don't have any foil backed insulation, so that sounds like the way to go. Do I need to do anything for lighting protection?
@@3oo3tube2020 I will have a reference station video on lightning protection and grounding soon. In the meantime, disconnect your coax from your radio except when you're using it.
I have no problems using a tuner and ladder-line so I doubt if I'd buy one. I've also used OCFD antennas so can make very rough comparisons with them. They work okay ...but, they have their own 'kwerks' you may not be prepared for. Just be aware...
I have my IC-7300 connected to this same antenna at a height of 25 feet. I have found this antenna to be quite good on the 40, 20, and 10 meter bands. Have not used it on 6 meter band. 73 KE8NQL.
Start listening on the FT8 frequency 50.313 about mid May thru the 2nd week in August. This is the "E skip season" in North America. good luck and good DX. 73 K0UA
Hi Dave, could this antenna be used as an inverted V? 73 KM6CW
What do you use for the charts?
Greetings from Central AR. Good job and very interesting. It would also be interesting to compare the OCF with a regular dipole rather than the vertical. 73 DE K7RMJ Frank
Yes, unfortunately I had to take down the 40-meter homebrew dipole to put this antenna up. I'll have to think on how I can put that dipole back up.
Friendly contact for your test!
I have this antenna as it is the longest length I can install at my house. When I am in the field, such as a park, could I add another 66 feet of wire to the short end and use the resulting antenna on 80 meters as well as 40, 20, 20, and 6 meters?
An 80m OCFD will have different dimensions. There are plans out there for them and you can buy them as well.
If the 40m OCFD has lengths of 44/22 ft, the 80m must be 88/44 ft. So it does seem that adding another 66 ft to the short leg will work. Good idea!
Did it tune at all on 15m?
Hi Dave! I purchased a MFJ-2010 from XXX and when I received the antenna, one of the solder joints was broken. Would you have a schematic of the antenna. I would like to fix it so I can get it up. i did contact both MFJ and the vendor I purchased it from, but have not heard back yet. Can you help me?
Sorry Dave, I think I figured it out from you video. Thanks for all the great videos! You are one of my favorite HAM references on the web!
Has anyone try to load up on 30 meters with a built in antenna tuner of rig?
Can you run this as an inverted V?
For installation in smaller lots, how important is it that both sides of the antenna be located in the same plane?
You can bend it in the middle a bit, and the ends can droop down.
@@davecasler Thanks. Good to know.
Don't worry - it will actually work better if only the center is raised to maximum height you have available. OCF antennas are excellent "inverted V" antennas, and are a lot more omni directional to boot!
Also, don't be too worried about bending the ends a bit - Dave mentions letting them droop, but you can also let them angle at the ends to fit. My 80m OCF does that in three places to fit, and it looks great on the analyzer and works excellent.
Unfortunately, this antenna falls short for me, because I also want to transmit on 80 metres. I may go with a non-resonant doublet with balanced tuner or an EFHW instead.
73 VE7NDE
What equipment did you use to run your SWR curves?
RigExpert AA-230 Zoom
Hi Dave! Thanks for all the great antenna videos!
I'm a new ham...and just upgraded to my General license. Anxious to purchase my first base station - ICOM 7300 - but right now am researching my antenna.
I'm in a HOA and plan to install a antenna in the attic. It's a clear span - 60' long and 12' high. I'd like to work HF 40, 20..possibly 15 and 10, mostly CW.
I've looked at the EFHW-8010, MFJ 1984MP, Diamond W8010 and now the MFJ-2010 OCFD.
I'm feeling like the MFJ-2010 fits the bill best for indoor attic situation, but would like and appreciate your opinion. I'm willing to spend a little more for the best fit but think this is the best antenna for the situation. Your thoughts please?
Thank you so much!!!
Brent - KJ7RPL in Happy Valley, Oregon
most younger ones like me 56 years old don't get off work until after 5pm where 80 meter works well. There are lots of nets and rag chewing going on. If your looking for the older retired people 40 and up are great.
80 is a great night-time band. The problem is the sheer size of the antenna and that a single antenna can't cover the entire band. I do keep 80m in mind, but for a first station setup, 80m falls into the category of "2nd step."
Surprised not a 4:1 Balun....Logic on 5:3?
What is the difference in the high power antenna?
The ferrite cores in the HP version will be larger to handle the higher power.
I was all set to take my General exam this Saturday morning. No such luck. The whole friggin state is shut down. Oh well.
Yes, COVID-19 seems to be affecting everything. Call your VE team and see if they can set something up within social distancing guidelines.
You may want to take this time and start studying for your extra too. You may be able to pass both on your first go around. Even if you don't pass your extra, you will get a feeling for it. Of course the study and test questions are the same, however it feels different in the testing location. Good Luck kI7WGA
I need an HF antenna for my attic. Any suggestions?
Dipoles can never go wrong, just make sure you're not exceeding exposure limits
Mag loop with rotor.
Do a little research and build one (or two) of your own. You can see from the cheap production values of this one that there is no "magic" in buying one.
Al Lipscomb there’s no magic your reply either. Getting on the air ASAP is all that matters and if buying an antenna is the way so be it.
I'd suggest a single-band dipole for an attic antenna. The mag loop suggestion works too. Get one with a remote tuner like the MFJ model.
Has anybody mounted this as an inverted L?
I just spent the last week searching every Home Depot in my zip code for aluminum top rail.
Did it work?
David Casler nope, steel only. I’m on a mission now though to find a source of 8-10ft aluminum tubes like that.
Would this be a good option to hide in the attic?
You could, though it’s pretty invisible once up.
New ham here. I googled reference station verses base station. I was unable to find a clear explanation
See www.dcasler.com/reference
Where is the 80m swr
You say the antenna tunes at the ideal part of band. I disagree. My ideal part of the band is the lower end where CW prevails. Your audience is not restricted to SSB only operators. Great video Dave.
the ant tuner does not tune the antenna but the feed line kg6mn
@@jeromegrzelak8236 What are you talking about? I didn't say anything about an antenna tuner.
@@jeromegrzelak8236 The feed line is always 50 ohms. The antenna is not. The turner transforms the apparent impedance of the antenna as seen at the tuner to 50 ohms that your transmitter wants to see.
The tuner tunes the combination of the feedline and the antenna. The feedline will act as an impedance transformer if the load is not 50 ohms resistive.
The quality of the product build is way below par. MFJ really missed on this one. AG8AR
Great video. Any details on how long of a run of coax you ran and what type of coax you used for this antenna? Thanks in advance.
He said in the video he's using RG-213. He was pretty close to the house. I'd guess about 50 feet. Certainly less than 100.