A not so elegant way of installing a 20 meter vertical and making contacts with it. You can also support this content through Patreon / redneckhamradio
I am running a 20 meter hamstick on the 40-ft sailboat that my wife and I live on fulltime. We have the world's greatest counterpoise - saltwater. I have made contacts, during my short and new Ham radio career, all over the world on my barefoot Yaesu FT-891, pushing 100 watts. You have good days and bad days with any rig but there is something very satisfying about doing it with minimal equipment and a fraction of the power that the big boys use. If you will allow me to toot my own horn a bit, here - You have a setup not unlike the rig on our 40ft yacht. Ain't nothin' redneck about that, brother. KO4ZIV
Thanks for explaining that Watching the grayline is more important than anything 👀 Maybe also not running over the fence post with my Tractor , unfortunately also had delivery trucks run over their fair share as well. Thanks for sharing this video. I will subscribe to your channel next. 73 Steve AA4SH
An old-time farmer might call this a "one gallus antenna." (I'd better explain that since it is an obscure term. Galluses are suspenders. So if you're so poor that you can only afford one suspender, you might be a "one gallus farmer.") :-)
It's very refreshing to watch someone just messing and seeing what works , what doesn't and how to improve it, well done and thank you for your time and effort, 73 de G0VCW
I just found your channel, I'm binge watching now. I had the same problem you did with the noise in my shack. It only happened when my wife was watching TV. I put a choke on the power cord and got rid of about 80% of it.
Nice job! For coax connections exposed to the weather, I have had very good luck with 3M Temflex. It's a self-sealing rubber tape. Put a layer of 3M Super 33 over that for some ultra violet protection. Wrap some on the coax connections into the shack and at the antenna and you can save some headaches with water seeping into the line. 73s
Move the post 1/4 wave length away from the arbor and it becomes the reflector and makes it directional. Those ham sticks are killer for any band from 10 to 20 meters. Several Pota guys use them. Keep up the good work Sir!
If you want to stop RF from getting back into your shack, the choke needs to go close to the house. As it is, the outside of the coax serves as an antenna to carry your own RF back into the house. Thanks for posting the video. It is interesting that despite all the naysayers a simple and inexpensive antenna can work well.
@@stevet7522 That depends on the type of antenna. Some antennas use the shield on the coax as a counterpoise or ground plane. Putting a choke at the antenna with that type of antenna will stop it from working correctly. Some antennas need a choke close to the antenna to prevent getting RF on the shield and make the antenna work properly. And, some it doesn't matter.
I use a 20m Hamstick for SOTA activations with my 20 watt Xiegu G90. I put it on a very low tripod built for a Super Antenna TM1. I use about 18 little radials. Four of them are 2m long but the rest are about 1.5m long. They just lay on the ground in a horrible, curly mess. My SWR on 20m is usually about 1.2:1 to 1.5:1, which is easily tuned by the internal tuner on the G90. With this setup, I make contacts in the Eastern states and Canada, and even once in France, on 20m SSB from western Nevada. I've used the same setup with a 40m Hamstick but my received signal isn't as clean and I usually only make contacts in the West. I've used EFHW and resonant wire dipoles in inverted V configuration but the Hamstick setup is a lot easier to erect and I don't think the ability to get my signal out is much less.
That's a brilliant idea for growing green beans! I'm gonna try that. My RFI problem comes and goes. I think it's something in my neighborhood that intermittently causes problems. I've turned the power to my house off and run the radio on battery power and still had RFI in the shack. Doesn't happen often but when it does only the strongest signals can be heard above the noise floor. 73 from KF0ALT in the great state of Nebraska.
bro, you got a lot of ground right there with that latus you have set up. weld those together ( little tacks, to ensure continuity) HUGE addition to your ground plane
I was thinking about that the whole time! lol. I'm sure different metals... different velocity factors and blah blah blah, but I'd try to use some strong clamps that would bite into the metal a little bit, probably some vise grips just for the heck of it and see what the antennalyzer thought about it!
New subscriber here. I am tuning a pack of 4 Shark sticks for my truck while on the road. We live in Texas and are in Florida for grand baby time. I have a red neck carrying case for my Kenwood 520ST and solar charge controller and the like. Like you say it is a hobby of exploring. Who knows we might be able to have QSO when traveling back through Mississippi. All the best, 73 de KI5HXM
That antenna is grounded. You need to ground all the coax coming into the shack. Best to put lighting protection on them. It doesn't cost much for the lighting protection and it helps clean up the RF coming in.
Make whatever you have on hand work. That was pretty much my setup for Winter Field Day for our club, but was using a 17' vertical with a Wolf River coil on 40M. I was surprised to hear my CS getting that POTA! Just subscribed. 73 de N4WLC Bill
I've been studying for my M license I have ham radio equipment that I listen on two different band I can't get on their talk because I don't have license so I can only listen
Thanks for the great idea. I just passed my General exam last week. I live in a HOA with regulations and this antenna would be very inconspicuous. I just subscribed to your channel. - KB1YRF
Hey, if it works for you that’s all that matters. Your RFI issues have to do with common mode current. A good 1:1 choke or air balun using a balanced line multiband dipole (doublet) should take care of the problem.
Nice video. Nice usage of a steel t-post and mirror mount. I at first thought you were using the fence panel as the antenna. HHHMMM may have to check into that one. de W5KAL
Well if it works why not ! I’ve hashed up stuff like that myself and it works eve a Hustler RM40 on a metal palisade fence worked a treat keep it up 73 de M0SRW
So you like 20 meters SSB . You need to get a 17 meter ham stick it's what I call layed back compared to 20 meters. Give it a try. I think you will definitely enjoy talking on 17meter band. 73 AE4OY William Peacock EM-81UF SOUTH EAST GEORGIA USA
Can some of you guys it's in Mississippi tell me where you're at in Mississippi I'm in Pass Christian Mississippi and I've been studying for my ham license
I've had nothing but good luck with my hamsticks, especially the 20 meter because it works all across the band without adjustment. The 40 meter works across the entire band with a tuner. 20 meter hamstick on a fencepost? Reminds me of what they say about duct tape... Don't laugh. Fixed is fixed!
Liked it. There was a article in QST with something similar. Think the radials were shorter. Be nice to see some light hearted fun. What frequency were the 4 radios tuned into? lol
AI5BL, great video. I've actually ordered this mount and the MFJ-347 Dipole mount, pairs of 6m and 10m Hamsticks and now I'm going to order the 20m ones... I see you did 4 16' radials and you mentioned they are not enough. How many of what length do you think would be sufficient? Also, are the radials just laid on the ground's surface or are the ends staked with rods or something??? Lastly, which do you think would better, the Hamsticks in Horizontal Dipole or verticle??? Thanks again for the video, I plan to watch more and see what other cool tricks I learn.
I have always heard from several of my elmers through the years that the more ground radials the better. In my experience 4 has always worked fine for me. Length needs to be around 1/4 wavelength but that too can be up for discussion. Just experiment and see what works for you. I do have the radials staked just to keep them from coiling up. I'm sure the Hamsticks will work fine horizontally in a dipole configuration but I have just always used them as verticals either mobile or as a groundplane.
Great idea love it I have everything except the hamstick I even got green beans growing on the fence. Question I have some 1/2" EMT 10' should I use a stick of that to get it a little higher??? KI5OVM 73 !!!
That's a great question Dwayne. A little height definitely wouldn't hurt. The only issue I believe would be keeping the ground radials at about a 30-45 degree angle from the antenna to keep the impedance correct as with any ground plane. Better yet may be actually mounting it almost on the ground and keeping your radials running along the ground thus making it a "ground mounted vertical". The take off angle would be much lower making it better for dx but not so much for local communicating. 73 d' AI5BL
I've never talked do anybody cuz like I say I don't have license but if anybody is close to me I'm not young I'm 64 but I need somebody more experience in this equipment
If it works don't try to fix it! HAM IT UP ! HAM HARDER. The radio you are using is that a YAESU ft840. If it is that's a real good little radio I have had three of them. 73 AE4OY William Peacock 🦚 EM-81UF Blackshear, GA 😎 (OLDYELLA)
Ok, I got an idea for a new project. I have a piece of hog panel out behind the barn. When I get some free time, I'm gonna cut it in half then elevate each half off the ground about 3 feet and a few inches apart. I'm connecting the shield today one side and center conductor to the other. I wanna see what happens, would it be resonant anywhere? KI5IQE
That's extremely weird. I've never ever had RF back on 20m. In fact every antenna I've ever built, tuned okay on 20m, even if it wasn't supposed to.... 80m on the other hand, a pure pig. RF back on every single thing I've built. Worst band ever. Total nemesis.
First question how the heck do you keep the wire on the library bib straps from breaking lol ever time get those I 1 to 3 washing n there broke I got a small place in Mississippi few cows goats n bee's I like your videos I'll be watching I use to live Wisconsin but my family all from down here I'm a hour from mfj 73 n good dx n9prf
@@RedNeckHamRadio I use buy them long ago n thay were all right But in last 4 or so years the brake the wire on the strap in a short time It like Caroline boots had 2 pair I like alternate ever day so dry out The last 2 pair I got way over 10 years but this one got now ant going make 3 for Shura the black changers to funk green if get wet 😳 Ever needfoot oiled n seems are pooping n one wellps dun cracked Made in Vietnam 😭 I'm in Mississippi but it feels like northern Wisconsin this week it 6 last night spent most the day thawing pipes to water my cow's I'm about have merry redneck Christmas n warm me up with a Mason jar lol Hope you n your a vare merry Christmas and a happy new year
Hi. Good job with the antenna and radials. If you want to try something more, MFJ makes an entire line of telescoping aluminum antennas up to 17 feet. The 17 foot version, the mfj-1979, makes a 1/4 wave vertical when fully extended, and would work with your mount and radials. Super wide bandwidth. 73
that air-core choke is exactly what I was thinking I'll need for my 20 and 40. I like this setup a lot.
That’s what it’s all about having fun and making contacts.
I am running a 20 meter hamstick on the 40-ft sailboat that my wife and I live on fulltime. We have the world's greatest counterpoise - saltwater. I have made contacts, during my short and new Ham radio career, all over the world on my barefoot Yaesu FT-891, pushing 100 watts. You have good days and bad days with any rig but there is something very satisfying about doing it with minimal equipment and a fraction of the power that the big boys use. If you will allow me to toot my own horn a bit, here - You have a setup not unlike the rig on our 40ft yacht. Ain't nothin' redneck about that, brother. KO4ZIV
Great vid! The song "a country boy can survive" popped into my head.
Thanks for explaining that Watching the grayline is more important than anything 👀
Maybe also not running over the fence post with my Tractor , unfortunately also had delivery trucks run over their fair share as well. Thanks for sharing this video. I will subscribe to your channel next.
73 Steve AA4SH
That is no longer just a Bass Boat…. It’s also a mobile aquatic HF transmitter research station…🤙🏻… Roll Tide and Go REBS !!! Awesome video buddy
An old-time farmer might call this a "one gallus antenna." (I'd better explain that since it is an obscure term. Galluses are suspenders. So if you're so poor that you can only afford one suspender, you might be a "one gallus farmer.") :-)
It's very refreshing to watch someone just messing and seeing what works , what doesn't and how to improve it, well done and thank you for your time and effort, 73 de G0VCW
I just found your channel, I'm binge watching now. I had the same problem you did with the noise in my shack. It only happened when my wife was watching TV. I put a choke on the power cord and got rid of about 80% of it.
If you are using galvanized steel for your arbor, you might have your ground radials there too.
Gardens on the air....I'm in..lol
Nice job!
For coax connections exposed to the weather, I have had very good luck with 3M Temflex. It's a self-sealing rubber tape. Put a layer of 3M Super 33 over that for some ultra violet protection. Wrap some on the coax connections into the shack and at the antenna and you can save some headaches with water seeping into the line.
73s
Mathematical elegance ( creating the most effect with only the required elements) is the bet possible result.
Move the post 1/4 wave length away from the arbor and it becomes the reflector and makes it directional.
Those ham sticks are killer for any band from 10 to 20 meters. Several Pota guys use them.
Keep up the good work Sir!
If you want to stop RF from getting back into your shack, the choke needs to go close to the house. As it is, the outside of the coax serves as an antenna to carry your own RF back into the house. Thanks for posting the video. It is interesting that despite all the naysayers a simple and inexpensive antenna can work well.
Can there be a choke on both ends?
@@stevet7522 That depends on the type of antenna. Some antennas use the shield on the coax as a counterpoise or ground plane. Putting a choke at the antenna with that type of antenna will stop it from working correctly.
Some antennas need a choke close to the antenna to prevent getting RF on the shield and make the antenna work properly.
And, some it doesn't matter.
I use a 20m Hamstick for SOTA activations with my 20 watt Xiegu G90. I put it on a very low tripod built for a Super Antenna TM1. I use about 18 little radials. Four of them are 2m long but the rest are about 1.5m long. They just lay on the ground in a horrible, curly mess. My SWR on 20m is usually about 1.2:1 to 1.5:1, which is easily tuned by the internal tuner on the G90. With this setup, I make contacts in the Eastern states and Canada, and even once in France, on 20m SSB from western Nevada. I've used the same setup with a 40m Hamstick but my received signal isn't as clean and I usually only make contacts in the West. I've used EFHW and resonant wire dipoles in inverted V configuration but the Hamstick setup is a lot easier to erect and I don't think the ability to get my signal out is much less.
That's a brilliant idea for growing green beans! I'm gonna try that. My RFI problem comes and goes. I think it's something in my neighborhood that intermittently causes problems. I've turned the power to my house off and run the radio on battery power and still had RFI in the shack. Doesn't happen often but when it does only the strongest signals can be heard above the noise floor. 73 from KF0ALT in the great state of Nebraska.
bro, you got a lot of ground right there with that latus you have set up. weld those together ( little tacks, to ensure continuity) HUGE addition to your ground plane
That's what I was thinking too.
I was thinking about that the whole time! lol. I'm sure different metals... different velocity factors and blah blah blah, but I'd try to use some strong clamps that would bite into the metal a little bit, probably some vise grips just for the heck of it and see what the antennalyzer thought about it!
New subscriber here. I am tuning a pack of 4 Shark sticks for my truck while on the road. We live in Texas and are in Florida for grand baby time. I have a red neck carrying case for my Kenwood 520ST and solar charge controller and the like. Like you say it is a hobby of exploring. Who knows we might be able to have QSO when traveling back through Mississippi. All the best, 73 de KI5HXM
Congrats on the Grandbaby. I sure hope you are getting to work some of this amazing 10m dx.
I am thinking of putting a CB mount on a chain link fense support.
i'd bet that wire mesh in the background influences the vertical antenna alot
That antenna is grounded. You need to ground all the coax coming into the shack. Best to put lighting protection on them. It doesn't cost much for the lighting protection and it helps clean up the RF coming in.
Very cool, I may have to give that a try!
Make whatever you have on hand work. That was pretty much my setup for Winter Field Day for our club, but was using a 17' vertical with a Wolf River coil on 40M. I was surprised to hear my CS getting that POTA! Just subscribed. 73 de N4WLC Bill
Keep the spirit of experimentation alive! Did it make a contact? Yes. Then it works. Liked and subbed.
I've been studying for my M license I have ham radio equipment that I listen on two different band I can't get on their talk because I don't have license so I can only listen
After reading the comments, I made an antenna from a panel mount so239. 5 welding rods later and I was on the air. easy tune to.. snip snip
If you're "too concerned" about "appearances" or "looks" you'll never satisfy anybody. Just "run what ya brung!"
KD8EFQ/73!
Great work... Appreciate the video. The redneck way and you have a bent "stanger" on that hamstick too
Thanks for the great idea. I just passed my General exam last week. I live in a HOA with regulations and this antenna would be very inconspicuous. I just subscribed to your channel. - KB1YRF
That mesh for the peas could be used for a ground. Lots of metal in the , err, ground. Connect to CB mount with wites ending in alagator clips.
Put chokes on your tv radio power cables
73 from my tech bench.👋🏻
73 de' AI5BL
Great video. New to the channel. I have several hamsticks and I will definitely give this a try.
Think I’m going to give ham sticks a chance. Thanks for the video. 👍
Thanks for the video. I'm stuck in an apartment trying to figure out a way around the rules here. It all helps. AF6TW
Hey, if it works for you that’s all that matters. Your RFI issues have to do with common mode current. A good 1:1 choke or air balun using a balanced line multiband dipole (doublet) should take care of the problem.
Fun to watch. Thanks
Nice video. Nice usage of a steel t-post and mirror mount. I at first thought you were using the fence panel as the antenna. HHHMMM may have to check into that one. de W5KAL
This is what I'm talking about!! Greetings from West Virginia. Carl kc8ylt.
Enjoyed the video. Very informative. I also like ham sticks. 73
Spot on .
Gotta love splatter on another frequency..
I love it! Experiment and try something new. If it works, it works!
Well if it works why not !
I’ve hashed up stuff like that myself and it works eve a Hustler RM40 on a metal palisade fence worked a treat keep it up
73 de M0SRW
It’s all in the hog panels...jsn
Great video, look forward to more. 73, N2SCD
Look forward to QSO with you on 20 73s WB7ORB
Any antenna is better than no antenna.
nice work keeping it real.
Thanks
Southwest Germany waving a hand! 73 de Your Friend Uncle Guenter
Good luck on your channel! Subbed.
Thanks for the sub!
Looks good.
Great job! Welcome to UA-cam! Best of luck with your channel! 73 de K2CJB
Thanks
Your Video title made me watch your video. I Subscribe !!!
So you like 20 meters SSB . You need to get a 17 meter ham stick it's what I call layed back compared to 20 meters. Give it a try. I think you will definitely enjoy talking on 17meter band. 73 AE4OY William Peacock EM-81UF SOUTH EAST GEORGIA USA
Can some of you guys it's in Mississippi tell me where you're at in Mississippi I'm in Pass Christian Mississippi and I've been studying for my ham license
I've had nothing but good luck with my hamsticks, especially the 20 meter because it works all across the band without adjustment. The 40 meter works across the entire band with a tuner. 20 meter hamstick on a fencepost? Reminds me of what they say about duct tape... Don't laugh. Fixed is fixed!
Not going to lie. With the adjacent interference, I could not understand a single word of that contact. I'm glad you could.
To Funny! Very good idea!
Liked it. There was a article in QST with something similar. Think the radials were shorter. Be nice to see some light hearted fun.
What frequency were the 4 radios tuned into? lol
Not sure about the exact frequency of the radials. I just guestimated with about 16 feet of wire for 20 meters
what is that home made choke.. 3" or 4" PVC with like 5 turns?
If my memory serves me I believe the pvc was 2 inch.
AI5BL, great video.
I've actually ordered this mount and the MFJ-347 Dipole mount, pairs of 6m and 10m Hamsticks and now I'm going to order the 20m ones...
I see you did 4 16' radials and you mentioned they are not enough.
How many of what length do you think would be sufficient?
Also, are the radials just laid on the ground's surface or are the ends staked with rods or something???
Lastly, which do you think would better, the Hamsticks in Horizontal Dipole or verticle???
Thanks again for the video, I plan to watch more and see what other cool tricks I learn.
I have always heard from several of my elmers through the years that the more ground radials the better. In my experience 4 has always worked fine for me. Length needs to be around 1/4 wavelength but that too can be up for discussion. Just experiment and see what works for you.
I do have the radials staked just to keep them from coiling up.
I'm sure the Hamsticks will work fine horizontally in a dipole configuration but I have just always used them as verticals either mobile or as a groundplane.
Great idea love it I have everything except the hamstick I even got green beans growing on the fence.
Question I have some 1/2" EMT 10' should I use a stick of that to get it a little higher??? KI5OVM 73 !!!
That's a great question Dwayne. A little height definitely wouldn't hurt. The only issue I believe would be keeping the ground radials at about a 30-45 degree angle from the antenna to keep the impedance correct as with any ground plane. Better yet may be actually mounting it almost on the ground and keeping your radials running along the ground thus making it a "ground mounted vertical". The take off angle would be much lower making it better for dx but not so much for local communicating. 73 d' AI5BL
@@RedNeckHamRadio 👍
Nice,
Are the radios required? How did you attach them to the ham stick?
I've never talked do anybody cuz like I say I don't have license but if anybody is close to me I'm not young I'm 64 but I need somebody more experience in this equipment
Elegant or fugly.... if it works who gives a hoot! ;-) Subbed. 73's KG7GTF
My words exactly
I think you are inspire with callum😄
Thanks
Did you have that PVC pipe wire choke on it before when you were having RF audio issues?
Yep I did
If it works don't try to fix it! HAM IT UP ! HAM HARDER. The radio you are using is that a YAESU ft840. If it is that's a real good little radio I have had three of them. 73 AE4OY William Peacock 🦚 EM-81UF Blackshear, GA 😎 (OLDYELLA)
Ok, I got an idea for a new project. I have a piece of hog panel out behind the barn. When I get some free time, I'm gonna cut it in half then elevate each half off the ground about 3 feet and a few inches apart. I'm connecting the shield today one side and center conductor to the other. I wanna see what happens, would it be resonant anywhere? KI5IQE
Great video! de W2CSI
How many turns and what size was the coil on the base??
Paul K1YOU
I'm using 2" PVC to wrap it on. There are 5 turns making sure they do not overlap and secure them with Ty-raps...zip ties.
@@RedNeckHamRadio Nice job..I had similar problems and ended up using wrap on locking toroids which seem to take care of my issue
Paul K1YOU
That's extremely weird. I've never ever had RF back on 20m. In fact every antenna I've ever built, tuned okay on 20m, even if it wasn't supposed to....
80m on the other hand, a pure pig. RF back on every single thing I've built. Worst band ever. Total nemesis.
Wow isn't that strange, 20m is the only band I've had many issues with.
First question how the heck do you keep the wire on the library bib straps from breaking lol ever time get those I 1 to 3 washing n there broke
I got a small place in Mississippi few cows goats n bee's
I like your videos I'll be watching
I use to live Wisconsin but my family all from down here I'm a hour from mfj
73 n good dx n9prf
Never had any trouble with my Liberty's They are about 10 years old
@@RedNeckHamRadio I use buy them long ago n thay were all right
But in last 4 or so years the brake the wire on the strap in a short time
It like Caroline boots had 2 pair I like alternate ever day so dry out
The last 2 pair I got way over 10 years but this one got now ant going make 3 for Shura the black changers to funk green if get wet 😳
Ever needfoot oiled n seems are pooping n one wellps dun cracked
Made in Vietnam 😭
I'm in Mississippi but it feels like northern Wisconsin this week it 6 last night spent most the day thawing pipes to water my cow's
I'm about have merry redneck Christmas n warm me up with a Mason jar lol
Hope you n your a vare merry Christmas and a happy new year
If it works brother go for it ha ha 73s - KI5TKD
Well done. Thank you. DE VY2MJ. Cheers!
Great job, just subbed 73 de K0MRD
Hi. Good job with the antenna and radials. If you want to try something more, MFJ makes an entire line of telescoping aluminum antennas up to 17 feet. The 17 foot version, the mfj-1979, makes a 1/4 wave vertical when fully extended, and would work with your mount and radials. Super wide bandwidth. 73