I have watched several videos explaining how to build the DXC. All of them were helpful, but I think your videos are the best. You were careful to explain each detailed step with demonstrations along the process. Thanks for being so thorough in your presentation. I look forward to putting my DXC together when I receive it in a few days using your videos.-Lonnie, K4KZ
I am expecting delivery of my DX Commander in the next day or so and have been watching different videos on erecting it, but your 3 videos are in my opinion one of the best. The smaller details you went into such as tying the bungee cord, and making up the radial ends, and such gave this new M7 some great little tips that I will find very useful
All setup and working. I had to use the 4.82m and 20cm foldback for 14mhz. I am very pleased so far, its turning out to be a pileup buster on the key. Work ZL on 7mhz 2 days ago. I will be doing some WSPR checks to see how my signal compares with other UK stations. Once again thanks for your great videos. Steve G4YTK
Your three videos helped me a lot. I've read and re-read the written instructions and had a fair understanding, but you cleared up things nicely. I'll now be more confident in my build. Looking forward to future videos...subscribed. 73 Jim MM7ATF
Still fighting with the swr on all my bands. Going to take it down again and try one frequency at a time till I can get it right. SWR is so high that my external MFJ 998 tuner can only get the swr on any band down to 1.7 to 2. The 10 meter band is unusable even with an external tuner. Been dealing with this virus in our neighborhood and being almost 70 years old has slowed me down a lot taking it up and down. Glad yours went so well. Also I am debating on going by testing at the base of the antenna verses at the radio. I believe the latter is the way to go. Thanks again for your three part series, I appreciate your effort in helping all of us with this antenna setup.
Hi 1958Eagleeye, thanks for watching. It was a pleasure to make and a great product. I mainly wanted to highlight the parts of the build I found a little hard to understand via written instruction. I am very much a visual thinker and am so used to working from a drawing. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
Great series of videos, explains every step building this kit plus for me building my own making each part it gives me so many ideas as to how to do it. I also like the network device you used. I am thinking of getting one of those also. Thank you for taking the time to put these videos together, I appreciate it.
Hi AWO, thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Great to know my videos are appreciated. The VNA I used is the NanoVNA I am in the process of doing a review video that should be done in the next few days. Hope it will be of intrest. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
I am in the process of building a DX Commander, and I think I have watched most of the vids showing builds. Callum's own series, detailing all the various models are, I think, the most help, but, that said, he did design it! So far my only change has been to not use the clear tubing on the hose clamps. No doubt it does work, but to me, an old school engineer, it looks a bit amateurish, so I have used a foam sticky backed insulation window seal. The D10 wire is a pleasure to use, far to "nice" to use for radials, so I am using some salvaged ring main cable. As it is solid fairly thick copper, it may work better, but as it cost me nothing and only a little time to strip down, I now have well over 50m of D10 for other antenna projects. I have a NanoVNA (from Amazon), as an alternative to an MFJ. It is as little fiddly, but is a great tool! Being on a restricted income, it is handy, I discovered that the secondhand monoband Diamond white stick, actually covers 2m, 70 and 23, making it a real bargain, and has saved me having to buy another antenna to cover the extra bands.I would recommend the DX Commander series of Antennas, the quality of the kits is beyond compare, and apart from the hose clip "gripe" (which is a personal thing) I have yet to find any fault. The NanoVNA is also good value. The screen is a bit small, but you can link it to a laptop, which certainly helps. As an M7, it has capabilities well beyond my knowledge, but over time i have no doubt that I will find more uses for than just setting the element lengths for SWR. As my antennas and cables age, it will help with fault finding etc, proving the investment even more worth while! When set up using the Nano, there is no need for a tuner, which would nearly double the price overall, very important when starting out and when cash is short. If you compare the cost of a G5RV, a tuner and the masts, with guys etc, I reckon the DX Commander is cheaper, even if you add the cost of the NanoVNA in, not to mention the DX Commander takes up virtually no space and is easy to knock down and take portable. Jim M7BXT
Hi Jim, thanks for watching. My main aim of the build videos, was to stay as true as I could to the instructions. I plan a few modifications to my DXC in the future such as replacing the parachord on the elements with elasticated chord etc. The great thing about the design is that you can put your own mark on it, make it suit your operating style and such. I personaly feel that the DX Commander is an awesome cost effective antenna, made from great quality parts. As you say the DX10 is great to work with and it does seem a shame to use it as radials. I tend to build my own dipoles and parts to save on cost and find it to be the best part of the hobby, as I to am on a budget. I will certainly be buying more DX10 for future projects. Hope your build goes as well as mine 73 DE Steve 2E0XSB
Hi James ..... Glad that I came across your interesting and relevant post .... I’m a new MI7 myself and am wondering whether I should erect an Inverted V or ask Santa for a DX Commander... If you have time to reply I would be very interest to hear how your build went as well as your overall impressions of how well the antenna has worked for you.... Seasons Greetings... Good Dx... 73.... Gerry ☘️🎄🎄🎄
@@tixilx As yet I have to connect it up. I live in social housing and my 2landlord" does not want me to drill holes in the walls! I can't even put up a white stick on the chimney! That said, I now have permission to bring the feeds into the loft, via a vent to bring them to the shack on the front of the bungalow, the antennas being in the back.My 2m feed is via the hole left when I took down the TV antenna, leaving room for RG58 through the hole where the 75 ohm went! A point of caution on dipoles, even a half size G5RV needs about 20 meters, with the 80mtr coils, the length of a cricket pitch, which I thought I could get in, but I forgot that I needed to allow for the guys on the end masts, however, by going inverted V I can just get it in. While i reckon the DXC Classic is the best one, if cost is a major factor, the portable options are cheaper, albeit with fewer bands, or failing that Cal does say in his videos that home build is an option. While not as good, to get you going and if you have a suitable mast, a bit of time with an old chopping board will get you in air. Cal gives us all the element lengths and encourages us to give it a go! There are loads of videos out there from experienced amateurs, particularly from the States who are very impressed, and can give a far more informed review that I could do if mine were connected! Hope Santa is generous! 73 Jim M7BXT
I love your videos. I’m visual as well and the instructions have me bonkers! I need the visual. Your video I hope will have my DX Commander up. I’m going on now to try and get this finally done!
Steve - it was a pleasure watching you build this. It's a great antenna!!. Have fun and enjoy the radio. Looking forward to a DXC-to-DXC QSO in 2020. 73 Tom M0RMY
Hi Tom, thanks again for watching. It was a pleasure to build and works great too. I'm looking forward to getting out and about and using it for some parks on the air in 2020. Would be great to get a DXC to DXC QSO in the future, 73 DE 2E0XSB Steve
Fantastic series. Makes the assembly very clear. 👍 (My feedback to Callum was that his instructions are too 'historically chatty' about why he did this or changed that. I prefer step by step without side commentary, and with plenty of pictures.) The old D10 wire is a right curly bastard to work with -- ask me how I know. 🙂
Hi, really enjoyed that series on the DXC. Very tempted to try one myself. Must congratulate you on the thoroughness of the content, like you, I prefere being shown rather that reading. You certainly achieved that. Thanks, 73 de Nigel G0CQZ
Hi Nigel, thanks for watching and glad you found it informative. I love my DXC and would definitly recomend, just wish I could get out in the caravan and use it more. 73 DE 2E0XSB
I had the same thing with 20 meter element and it ended up just like yours (the option with the 6 cm fold back). I did find that if you put a little spacer down about 1.5 feet from the top, that holds the 40 meter wire out and spaces it away from the 40 meter element wire going up, it helped bring the 40 meter element up in frequency while not taking 15 up too high in frequency too far by shortening it. I ended up with the 40 meter being lowest at about 7.1 and the 15 meter band being lowest about in the middle like around 21.250 Also as was pointed out to me on my UA-cam video that the clips: I guess?? are supposed to be below the spreaders? Although not in any instructions: I am going to take a look at the Callum vids. to see what I can see?? I did mine like yours because it keeps all the spreaders from going up and down all over the place while you string the wires; it makes sense that way! What I need to think about is weather putting the clamps over the joint so that the clamps are over two thickness of the mast may actually be safer in that you are less likely to crack the tubes because you have the clamps on the joint keeping the sections tight so they won't slide down inside each other. I am going to try it that way but suspect it may affect my bungee lengths a bit. What I did works well because the plates rest on the tube below it and the whole thing can't go anywhere. Thanks for the video it helps see what others did. It is sooo blooming hot here in Utah that I am stuck indoors with 110 degree weather outside. Yuck I want to go and get this thing portable on the air! 73 DE KB7CQ
Hi , great videos I will be following yours while I build my DXC hopefully this week. I have just ordered carabiners. My question for now will there be enough cord to cut 3 guy ropes supplied from Cal or have I got to go and buy some ?
Hi, thanks for watching. The cord supplied is enough to make the guy ropes. I have personally made another set that can be adjusted as you never know what's an inch beneath the soil. I use paracord for lots of my antenna projects and can be picked up cheap on Amazon. 73 Steve 2E0XSB
Steve tnxs going to do the same alone with 80mts. Just might have to convert it to feet and inches. Never got into metric miss that day school 73 KQ4CD Paul
How do you get the elements back in place after shrink wrapping them as surely wont fit through the holes on the plates when shrink wrapped?? Asking as just about to start doing mine this weekend.many thanks and great very straight forward videos👍👍
Great set of videos, I'm leaning towards getting a DX Commander set for myself. I'm wondering about the NanoVNA you're using. I could do with one of those but I've been afraid of buying one because there is a multitude of different ebay suppliers and none of the mainstream suppliers sell the NanoVNA. So I don't know who to trust and worried incase I get a counterfeit copy. They don't all look the same and there are lots of different versions with different firmware and variations of the kit. Can you recommend a supplier so I don't end up with a duff one? Thanks. Austin M7AVX
Hi Steve, many thanks for your videos, they are very helpful, Calum has done a great job on the DXC I wonder Steve if you have any detail on the 80M. Element on how you made the transition from vertical to Horizontal? I intend using mine for Portable. From my VW California, so looking at ways for quick erect and dismantling for moving on Many thanks in anticipation Regards Brendan. GM0CQV
Hi Brendan, thanks for watching. The 80m element is a little more of a challenge I swaped the 30m for 80m and fed it up to the top spacer plate (the small 2 hole spacer), then I thew it over a tree branch to test it out. I filled an old sock with gravel and tied about 15m of paracord to the open end of the sock, thew it at a branch that was roughly 7m heigh (same height as the top spacer), then taped the end to the element to the chord and raised it up. Not ideal but was a quick fix and it worked. My plan is to get another smaller fishing pole and use that to hold the 80m element at 7m height. making a H shape as such. The sock and tree method worked well but means you need to be near a tree or large bush (and you get some funny looks on a camp site. one woman thought I was trying to kill squirrels lol). The extra pole means a longer setup and take down time but means you can take it anywhere. Hope this helps. 73 de 2E0XSB Steve.
Radio Rants hi Steve, ok on a second pole, I have a 7Mt one I can use if there not a handy tree, actually I was asking about the turn from Vertical to Horizontal at the 30m element point, do you pass the 80M element through the hole and then go horizontal or do you have some sort of Loop like Calum suggests? Something with a bit of give in it and not to sharp a transition? I am hoping to do some remote areas here is Scotland over the summer, perhaps islands Thanks again Steve for your vids and replies
Hi Brendan, I have a small loop secured by 2 turns of insulation tape and used a small (10cm or 4") bungee chord with the spare carabinas and shock chord I had left. I used very little tape as I wanted that to be the fail point rather than put any undue stress on the rest of the antenna (That was my thinking anyway). I did try the 30m bungee at first but it didnt look right (stuck out to much) and me being a bit OCD just made the smaller bungee so it looked more aesthetically pleasing. I made a small loop under the top spacer but close enough to not put any tension on the bungee. It worked fine for a weekend away for me, however the weather was fine with just a light breeze. Hope this helps or gives you an idea of how you might solve this. If you do try something different please let me know how you did it. Wish you a great summer in Scottland with your DXC hopefully we might get a DXC to DXC contact on your adventures. Yes I am a little jealous. 73 Steve
Hi Fred, thanks for watching. I got my NanoVNA from Amazon for around $45. I have had no problem with mine but have heard of people buying from other sources and having issues. For the price its a great piece of kit, just besure you source one from a reputable place. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
Hello Steve! Nice videos. Wanted to ask if the results were what you waited for? How was the performance in 40m / 20m? I´m planning to buy a pole tomorrow from DX Commander and make my own antenna.
The DX Commander works great on 40m and 20m they are my most used bands. 80m I do use an ATU but thats 80m for you. I would also recomend the DX10 wire its great to work with. 73 DE 2E0XSB
@@FoxtrotMike Hope you realise the importance of DX10 velocity factor and correct amount of wire to be used and cut including foldbacks, be interesting how yours turns out best of luck
@@mikeh9446 Hi Mike and thanks! Well, that´s a point I´m concerned. I guess I´ll have to make a lot of trial and error attempts (40m/15m first). It was way too expensive right now to get the DX10 wire shipped here, gonna wait a bit.
Great build, well done! I've had all the DX Commander bits in the empire of dirt known as my shack for a year or so and with one thing and another I've never got round to putting it together. As soon as the weather's a bit better I'll get on to it. One of the members of my club has a DX Commander semi permanently Installed. He lashes it fully built to the side of his house when he isn't using it then just takes it I to the garden, slips it over a pole sunk into the ground, guys it then he's on the air. Have a look for ianxfs on UA-cam. He also has some video on how it behaves in high winds. Might catch you on the other side of the electric bill! 73 de Malc M0IYI
Hi Malc, I have just subscribed to his channel. He has some good videos, I am sure I have seen some of them before. Hope to catch you on the air 73 de 2E0XSB Steve
HELP... What do I do if my SWR is high? Do I shorten or lengthen the wire? I have a DX Commander as well and I am using the DX50 wire. Thank you and 73! W1KPS
Question appears: Is the SWR too high on lower frequency or higher frequency? low SWR above tuning frequency means too short (Add), low SWR Under tuning frequency is too long (Cut)
I have watched several videos explaining how to build the DXC. All of them were helpful, but I think your videos are the best. You were careful to explain each detailed step with demonstrations along the process. Thanks for being so thorough in your presentation. I look forward to putting my DXC together when I receive it in a few days using your videos.-Lonnie, K4KZ
Thank you for the three videos on building the DXC, I found them so very useful. 73 Tim
I am expecting delivery of my DX Commander in the next day or so and have been watching different videos on erecting it, but your 3 videos are in my opinion one of the best. The smaller details you went into such as tying the bungee cord, and making up the radial ends, and such gave this new M7 some great little tips that I will find very useful
Thanks so much for this set of tutorials it really was a time saver for me. 73 -from ZS6CU
Many thanks for taking time to post these very informative build videos - 73 ☘️
All setup and working. I had to use the 4.82m and 20cm foldback for 14mhz. I am very pleased so far, its turning out to be a pileup buster on the key. Work ZL on 7mhz 2 days ago. I will be doing some WSPR checks to see how my signal compares with other UK stations. Once again thanks for your great videos. Steve G4YTK
Great series i like yourself find it easier to understand visually working from drawings so your vids are really helpful .Many thanks 73 MW6RGK .
Your three videos helped me a lot. I've read and re-read the written instructions and had a fair understanding, but you cleared up things nicely. I'll now be more confident in my build. Looking forward to future videos...subscribed. 73 Jim MM7ATF
Still fighting with the swr on all my bands. Going to take it down again and try one frequency at a time till I can get it right. SWR is so high that my external MFJ 998 tuner can only get the swr on any band down to 1.7 to 2. The 10 meter band is unusable even with an external tuner. Been dealing with this virus in our neighborhood and being almost 70 years old has slowed me down a lot taking it up and down. Glad yours went so well. Also I am debating on going by testing at the base of the antenna verses at the radio. I believe the latter is the way to go. Thanks again for your three part series, I appreciate your effort in helping all of us with this antenna setup.
Hi… Hope you got your SWR issues sorted 🙏
Thank you for taking the time to review and video document the build process.
Hi 1958Eagleeye, thanks for watching. It was a pleasure to make and a great product. I mainly wanted to highlight the parts of the build I found a little hard to understand via written instruction. I am very much a visual thinker and am so used to working from a drawing. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
Great series of videos, explains every step building this kit plus for me building my own making each part it gives me so many ideas as to how to do it. I also like the network device you used. I am thinking of getting one of those also. Thank you for taking the time to put these videos together, I appreciate it.
Hi AWO, thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Great to know my videos are appreciated. The VNA I used is the NanoVNA I am in the process of doing a review video that should be done in the next few days. Hope it will be of intrest. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
Steve.... excellent trilogy 👍 I’m still trimming my elements on my DX Commander ABV. Keep upping the good work mate. 73 Fred, KE0EF.
Agree that drawings are really helpful. It is an excellent antenna.
Callum has really worked out all the kinks, making it an end users dream to build!
I am in the process of building a DX Commander, and I think I have watched most of the vids showing builds. Callum's own series, detailing all the various models are, I think, the most help, but, that said, he did design it! So far my only change has been to not use the clear tubing on the hose clamps. No doubt it does work, but to me, an old school engineer, it looks a bit amateurish, so I have used a foam sticky backed insulation window seal. The D10 wire is a pleasure to use, far to "nice" to use for radials, so I am using some salvaged ring main cable. As it is solid fairly thick copper, it may work better, but as it cost me nothing and only a little time to strip down, I now have well over 50m of D10 for other antenna projects. I have a NanoVNA (from Amazon), as an alternative to an MFJ. It is as little fiddly, but is a great tool! Being on a restricted income, it is handy, I discovered that the secondhand monoband Diamond white stick, actually covers 2m, 70 and 23, making it a real bargain, and has saved me having to buy another antenna to cover the extra bands.I would recommend the DX Commander series of Antennas, the quality of the kits is beyond compare, and apart from the hose clip "gripe" (which is a personal thing) I have yet to find any fault. The NanoVNA is also good value. The screen is a bit small, but you can link it to a laptop, which certainly helps. As an M7, it has capabilities well beyond my knowledge, but over time i have no doubt that I will find more uses for than just setting the element lengths for SWR. As my antennas and cables age, it will help with fault finding etc, proving the investment even more worth while! When set up using the Nano, there is no need for a tuner, which would nearly double the price overall, very important when starting out and when cash is short. If you compare the cost of a G5RV, a tuner and the masts, with guys etc, I reckon the DX Commander is cheaper, even if you add the cost of the NanoVNA in, not to mention the DX Commander takes up virtually no space and is easy to knock down and take portable. Jim M7BXT
Hi Jim, thanks for watching. My main aim of the build videos, was to stay as true as I could to the instructions. I plan a few modifications to my DXC in the future such as replacing the parachord on the elements with elasticated chord etc. The great thing about the design is that you can put your own mark on it, make it suit your operating style and such. I personaly feel that the DX Commander is an awesome cost effective antenna, made from great quality parts. As you say the DX10 is great to work with and it does seem a shame to use it as radials. I tend to build my own dipoles and parts to save on cost and find it to be the best part of the hobby, as I to am on a budget. I will certainly be buying more DX10 for future projects. Hope your build goes as well as mine 73 DE Steve 2E0XSB
Hi James ..... Glad that I came across your interesting and relevant post .... I’m a new MI7 myself and am wondering whether I should erect an Inverted V or ask Santa for a DX Commander... If you have time to reply I would be very interest to hear how your build went as well as your overall impressions of how well the antenna has worked for you.... Seasons Greetings... Good Dx... 73.... Gerry ☘️🎄🎄🎄
@@tixilx As yet I have to connect it up. I live in social housing and my 2landlord" does not want me to drill holes in the walls! I can't even put up a white stick on the chimney! That said, I now have permission to bring the feeds into the loft, via a vent to bring them to the shack on the front of the bungalow, the antennas being in the back.My 2m feed is via the hole left when I took down the TV antenna, leaving room for RG58 through the hole where the 75 ohm went! A point of caution on dipoles, even a half size G5RV needs about 20 meters, with the 80mtr coils, the length of a cricket pitch, which I thought I could get in, but I forgot that I needed to allow for the guys on the end masts, however, by going inverted V I can just get it in. While i reckon the DXC Classic is the best one, if cost is a major factor, the portable options are cheaper, albeit with fewer bands, or failing that Cal does say in his videos that home build is an option. While not as good, to get you going and if you have a suitable mast, a bit of time with an old chopping board will get you in air. Cal gives us all the element lengths and encourages us to give it a go! There are loads of videos out there from experienced amateurs, particularly from the States who are very impressed, and can give a far more informed review that I could do if mine were connected! Hope Santa is generous! 73 Jim M7BXT
I love your videos. I’m visual as well and the instructions have me bonkers! I need the visual. Your video I hope will have my DX Commander up. I’m going on now to try and get this finally done!
Outstanding instructions on all three parts, It's going to help me a lot to set up my DXC. Thank you Steve!
Excellent job makingthis video!
Steve - it was a pleasure watching you build this. It's a great antenna!!. Have fun and enjoy the radio. Looking forward to a DXC-to-DXC QSO in 2020. 73 Tom M0RMY
Hi Tom, thanks again for watching. It was a pleasure to build and works great too. I'm looking forward to getting out and about and using it for some parks on the air in 2020. Would be great to get a DXC to DXC QSO in the future, 73 DE 2E0XSB Steve
Great Series many thanks
Fantastic series. Makes the assembly very clear. 👍 (My feedback to Callum was that his instructions are too 'historically chatty' about why he did this or changed that. I prefer step by step without side commentary, and with plenty of pictures.)
The old D10 wire is a right curly bastard to work with -- ask me how I know. 🙂
Hi James, thanks for watching. You wouldn't happen to be the James that Calum often mentions on his channel would you?
@@radiorants1094 No, that's his good buddy from way back. Also acts as a moderator in his live streams.
Hi, really enjoyed that series on the DXC. Very tempted to try one myself. Must congratulate you on the thoroughness of the content, like you, I prefere being shown rather that reading. You certainly achieved that. Thanks, 73 de Nigel G0CQZ
Hi Nigel, thanks for watching and glad you found it informative. I love my DXC and would definitly recomend, just wish I could get out in the caravan and use it more. 73 DE 2E0XSB
very good i liked it a lot.
I had the same thing with 20 meter element and it ended up just like yours (the option with the 6 cm fold back). I did find that if you put a little spacer down about 1.5 feet from the top, that holds the 40 meter wire out and spaces it away from the 40 meter element wire going up, it helped bring the 40 meter element up in frequency while not taking 15 up too high in frequency too far by shortening it. I ended up with the 40 meter being lowest at about 7.1 and the 15 meter band being lowest about in the middle like around 21.250 Also as was pointed out to me on my UA-cam video that the clips: I guess?? are supposed to be below the spreaders? Although not in any instructions: I am going to take a look at the Callum vids. to see what I can see?? I did mine like yours because it keeps all the spreaders from going up and down all over the place while you string the wires; it makes sense that way! What I need to think about is weather putting the clamps over the joint so that the clamps are over two thickness of the mast may actually be safer in that you are less likely to crack the tubes because you have the clamps on the joint keeping the sections tight so they won't slide down inside each other. I am going to try it that way but suspect it may affect my bungee lengths a bit. What I did works well because the plates rest on the tube below it and the whole thing can't go anywhere. Thanks for the video it helps see what others did. It is sooo blooming hot here in Utah that I am stuck indoors with 110 degree weather outside. Yuck I want to go and get this thing portable on the air! 73 DE KB7CQ
Thanks for these vids, just wondering what happened to the 80m band?
cheers
Stu
Hi , great videos I will be following yours while I build my DXC hopefully this week. I have just ordered carabiners. My question for now will there be enough cord to cut 3 guy ropes supplied from Cal or have I got to go and buy some ?
Hi, thanks for watching. The cord supplied is enough to make the guy ropes. I have personally made another set that can be adjusted as you never know what's an inch beneath the soil. I use paracord for lots of my antenna projects and can be picked up cheap on Amazon. 73 Steve 2E0XSB
Steve tnxs going to do the same alone with 80mts.
Just might have to convert it to feet and inches. Never got into metric miss that day school 73 KQ4CD Paul
Steve on ground radials, did you use 6 bunch 4 or 5 in length 🤔tnxs
How do you get the elements back in place after shrink wrapping them as surely wont fit through the holes on the plates when shrink wrapped?? Asking as just about to start doing mine this weekend.many thanks and great very straight forward videos👍👍
Its a close fit but they do go through easily. Thanks for watching 73 DE 2E0XSB
Great set of videos, I'm leaning towards getting a DX Commander set for myself. I'm wondering about the NanoVNA you're using. I could do with one of those but I've been afraid of buying one because there is a multitude of different ebay suppliers and none of the mainstream suppliers sell the NanoVNA. So I don't know who to trust and worried incase I get a counterfeit copy. They don't all look the same and there are lots of different versions with different firmware and variations of the kit. Can you recommend a supplier so I don't end up with a duff one? Thanks. Austin M7AVX
Hi Steve, many thanks for your videos, they are very helpful, Calum has done a great job on the DXC
I wonder Steve if you have any detail on the 80M. Element on how you made the transition from vertical to Horizontal?
I intend using mine for Portable. From my VW California, so looking at ways for quick erect and dismantling for moving on
Many thanks in anticipation
Regards Brendan. GM0CQV
Hi Brendan, thanks for watching.
The 80m element is a little more of a challenge I swaped the 30m for 80m and fed it up to the top spacer plate (the small 2 hole spacer), then I thew it over a tree branch to test it out. I filled an old sock with gravel and tied about 15m of paracord to the open end of the sock, thew it at a branch that was roughly 7m heigh (same height as the top spacer), then taped the end to the element to the chord and raised it up. Not ideal but was a quick fix and it worked. My plan is to get another smaller fishing pole and use that to hold the 80m element at 7m height. making a H shape as such. The sock and tree method worked well but means you need to be near a tree or large bush (and you get some funny looks on a camp site. one woman thought I was trying to kill squirrels lol). The extra pole means a longer setup and take down time but means you can take it anywhere. Hope this helps. 73 de 2E0XSB Steve.
Radio Rants hi Steve, ok on a second pole, I have a 7Mt one I can use if there not a handy tree, actually I was asking about the turn from Vertical to Horizontal at the 30m element point, do you pass the 80M element through the hole and then go horizontal or do you have some sort of Loop like Calum suggests? Something with a bit of give in it and not to sharp a transition?
I am hoping to do some remote areas here is Scotland over the summer, perhaps islands
Thanks again Steve for your vids and replies
Hi Brendan, I have a small loop secured by 2 turns of insulation tape and used a small (10cm or 4") bungee chord with the spare carabinas and shock chord I had left. I used very little tape as I wanted that to be the fail point rather than put any undue stress on the rest of the antenna (That was my thinking anyway). I did try the 30m bungee at first but it didnt look right (stuck out to much) and me being a bit OCD just made the smaller bungee so it looked more aesthetically pleasing. I made a small loop under the top spacer but close enough to not put any tension on the bungee. It worked fine for a weekend away for me, however the weather was fine with just a light breeze. Hope this helps or gives you an idea of how you might solve this. If you do try something different please let me know how you did it. Wish you a great summer in Scottland with your DXC hopefully we might get a DXC to DXC contact on your adventures. Yes I am a little jealous. 73 Steve
Where can I get the analyzer you used in the video? It’s much easier to use and gives much better graphic detail than my MFJ analyzer. Cheers 73 Fred
Hi Fred, thanks for watching. I got my NanoVNA from Amazon for around $45. I have had no problem with mine but have heard of people buying from other sources and having issues. For the price its a great piece of kit, just besure you source one from a reputable place. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
Hello Steve! Nice videos. Wanted to ask if the results were what you waited for? How was the performance in 40m / 20m? I´m planning to buy a pole tomorrow from DX Commander and make my own antenna.
The DX Commander works great on 40m and 20m they are my most used bands. 80m I do use an ATU but thats 80m for you. I would also recomend the DX10 wire its great to work with. 73 DE 2E0XSB
@@radiorants1094 Great, thanks. Just bought the pole. About the wire, gonna try something similar this time, maybe later I´ll get the full kit.
@@FoxtrotMike Hope you realise the importance of DX10 velocity factor and correct amount of wire to be used and cut including foldbacks, be interesting how yours turns out best of luck
@@mikeh9446 Hi Mike and thanks! Well, that´s a point I´m concerned. I guess I´ll have to make a lot of trial and error attempts (40m/15m first). It was way too expensive right now to get the DX10 wire shipped here, gonna wait a bit.
Great build, well done! I've had all the DX Commander bits in the empire of dirt known as my shack for a year or so and with one thing and another I've never got round to putting it together. As soon as the weather's a bit better I'll get on to it. One of the members of my club has a DX Commander
semi permanently Installed. He lashes it fully built to the side of his house when he isn't using it then just takes it I to the garden, slips it over a pole sunk into the ground, guys it then he's on the air. Have a look for ianxfs on UA-cam.
He also has some video on how it behaves in high winds.
Might catch you on the other side of the electric bill!
73 de Malc M0IYI
Hi Malc, I have just subscribed to his channel. He has some good videos, I am sure I have seen some of them before. Hope to catch you on the air 73 de 2E0XSB Steve
I like my NanoVNA!
good on ya mate,,. 73s
Hi Tom, thanks for watching. 73 DE 2E0XSB.
HELP... What do I do if my SWR is high? Do I shorten or lengthen the wire? I have a DX Commander as well and I am using the DX50 wire. Thank you and 73! W1KPS
Question appears: Is the SWR too high on lower frequency or higher frequency? low SWR above tuning frequency means too short (Add), low SWR Under tuning frequency is too long (Cut)
It’s on my 17m band
It’s also way out too not a little out.
@@kevinshieldsw1kps785 You could try to replace the wire for 17m, maybe the wire is damaged inside?
@@kevinshieldsw1kps785 this should be: 17m band- 3.83m + 6 cms foldback According the manual for the DX all band