Nice video, thanks. I have a similar transformer, what I have done is to place the antenna cable from the transformer along the mast but vertically, not sloping, fastened with velcro strips, I have noticed better results in the SWR and good contacts. 73.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video! I would do also try vertical with a fiberglass mast. Sometimes though I use a carbon fiber mast and I prefer to keep the radiating element away from the mast. Also, with a longer wire say for 40 meters, I do not have a mast long enough to run vertically so I either use a sloper or an inverted V.
Thanks for the video. When you get it set up for other bands might I suggest some sort of strain relief between coax and "spark" plug. Regards vk5cz ..
Doorman Dave piked one of those up at the Hamfest in Sandwich earlier this year. I went to go find the guy and he was gone by that time. If I see him at another Hamfest I’ll pick one up and take it into the sky.
From your video, the antenna is working very well for such a lightweight portable antenna but you might want to add a counterpoise wire to see if the antenna improves. At the moment I think you are using the screen of the feeder coax as the counterpoise which has two disadvantages, the first is that you are bringing back RF to the rig (at 10w that's not such a problem but not good practice) - the other point is that if you switch to a different length of feeder coax at some point, you may find that the antenna goes off-resonance. The counterpoise wire needs to go from the earth side of that BNC socket on the end of the "spark-plug" - which in your set-up would make it a raised counterpoise as you have the connection up in the air. 73 Ed DD5LP/G8GLM.
Probably not the most efficient coupler, mainly due to toroid core geometry, but you will make many contacts, for sure. It's nice that it's so small, but you definitely need some kind of strain relief for the coax cable.
Thanks for a very informative video, the little "spark plug" seems to work very well. Do you have the antenna wire lengths for both 20 & 40 meters. Best Regards ..... Garry VK2ZP
Enjoyed the video about the spark plug antenna. From what I have seen I think that I want to give it a try. Keep up the good work. 73 AE4OY William Peacock EM-81UF SOUTH EAST GEORGIA
That's a great point Steve. I'm thinking of doing another quicker video adding another length for 40m and then see how it looks on 20 15 and 10. Not sure about 17 and 12 though.
@@McPilot_W3DDS I have built a few EFHW transformers with FT140-43 cores, and I found that they matched better at 64:1 turns ratio. My FT240-43 cores seem to do fine at 49:1.
I'm not sure why it's so short but I measured it today and it's only 28 feet long. I don't understand why it's so much shorter than a typical 20m EFHW.
I ended up with 28 feet total wire length. Not sure why it's so much shorter than I was expecting. If you get one you should still start with something around 34' and trim as necessary. 28' just seems too short but that's what I ended with.
I liked how well prepared you are, it is giving me good direction as a new ham.
Thanks please reach out if you have any questions
Nice video, thanks. I have a similar transformer, what I have done is to place the antenna cable from the transformer along the mast but vertically, not sloping, fastened with velcro strips, I have noticed better results in the SWR and good contacts. 73.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video!
I would do also try vertical with a fiberglass mast. Sometimes though I use a carbon fiber mast and I prefer to keep the radiating element away from the mast.
Also, with a longer wire say for 40 meters, I do not have a mast long enough to run vertically so I either use a sloper or an inverted V.
Wonderful tiny thing. Good for outdoor activities. Thanks for sharing an happy DX
From our Discord. Thank you Michael. This was a fantastic Product Review. I will buy this product.
I love my sparkplug antenna, it has become my go to for Pota,
Great video. I really like that antenna. I may have to order one for myself.
They do a 100 watt version as well.
Thanks for the video. When you get it set up for other bands might I suggest some sort of strain relief between coax and "spark" plug. Regards vk5cz ..
Yes I think that's good advice, thanks.
good video keep it up!
Thanks!
That's a sweet piece of gear. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for watching
Doorman Dave piked one of those up at the Hamfest in Sandwich earlier this year. I went to go find the guy and he was gone by that time. If I see him at another Hamfest I’ll pick one up and take it into the sky.
Sounds fun.... and dangerous.
From your video, the antenna is working very well for such a lightweight portable antenna but you might want to add a counterpoise wire to see if the antenna improves. At the moment I think you are using the screen of the feeder coax as the counterpoise which has two disadvantages, the first is that you are bringing back RF to the rig (at 10w that's not such a problem but not good practice) - the other point is that if you switch to a different length of feeder coax at some point, you may find that the antenna goes off-resonance. The counterpoise wire needs to go from the earth side of that BNC socket on the end of the "spark-plug" - which in your set-up would make it a raised counterpoise as you have the connection up in the air.
73 Ed DD5LP/G8GLM.
It would be interesting to see how adding a counterpoise affects performance.
Nice video
Thanks
Probably not the most efficient coupler, mainly due to toroid core geometry, but you will make many contacts, for sure. It's nice that it's so small, but you definitely need some kind of strain relief for the coax cable.
Thanks for the comment and totally agree on the strain relief
Thanks for a very informative video, the little "spark plug" seems to work very well. Do you have the antenna wire lengths for both 20 & 40 meters. Best Regards ..... Garry VK2ZP
Enjoyed the video about the spark plug antenna. From what I have seen I think that I want to give it a try. Keep up the good work. 73 AE4OY William Peacock EM-81UF SOUTH EAST GEORGIA
Thanks, it's a nice portable antenna for sure.
Great video, though it would have been nice to see how it tuned on 17, 15, 12, and 10M. This antenna should have manageable dips in each band.
That's a great point Steve.
I'm thinking of doing another quicker video adding another length for 40m and then see how it looks on 20 15 and 10. Not sure about 17 and 12 though.
How high is the telescoping mast? I've found this is the most expensive part of building antennas like this! Where did you get yours?
The one in this video is a Jackite 31ft telescoping mast. I got it from Amazon a few years ago.
I also have a 31' Jackite pole. They perform very nicely.
50 W rated Mike? seems it might melt at that much power, although I've never tried one
I've only tried it up to 10 watts but the specs say it should be ok. They also make a higher power rated one.
very cool!
Pretty cool antenna, amazing you made both coasts on 10 watts. What was the telescoping mast you used. It looks a bit stronger then some I've seen.
Thank you. The mast is a Jackite 31' telescoping kite pole.
Hmm, why wouldn't it work, it's just a 49:1 transformer on an EFHW wire, right ?
Thank you for your feedback.
@@K9KMVTheUnluckyHam IT is a 64:1 3 turns primary
@@McPilot_W3DDS I have built a few EFHW transformers with FT140-43 cores, and I found that they matched better at 64:1 turns ratio. My FT240-43 cores seem to do fine at 49:1.
@@gravestonemyth I agree. A 64:1 with a ~66 ft wire is great
So what was the final length of your wire?
what was the final cut leingth?
That's a good question I will measure and let you know.
I'm not sure why it's so short but I measured it today and it's only 28 feet long. I don't understand why it's so much shorter than a typical 20m EFHW.
My cut length was also below 28 and SWR was fantastic 1.2:1 for the money this is a fantastic antenna K8MST
What's the weight on the matching unit?
Sorry, I don't have an accurate way to measure the weight
your coax is acting as the counterpoise.
Narrow your SWR sweep on the analyzer down a bit for a more accurate reading.You have it set at 1000 khz.
Thanks that's a good idea, once it gets closer to the range I'm looking for
great demo
Thanks !
It is smol
Correct
How much did you have to trim off? I must say that I was impressed! N4KBM
I ended up with 28 feet total wire length. Not sure why it's so much shorter than I was expecting.
If you get one you should still start with something around 34' and trim as necessary. 28' just seems too short but that's what I ended with.