This video is to me about the best in terms of clarity with more showing and less telling. I built one 4 years ago with some RG-58A/U I had for Ethernet as kind of a joke but the performance has been really great despite the fact that I made the balanced line a bit long and the wire a bit short resulting in 3 spots with a low SWR between 25 and 28MHz. I used a crossbow to get it 100 feet up a fir tree. I can use it on 10, 11, 12, and 15 meters with a tuner but I'm scared to put more than 100 watts into it without rebuilding it. I have better tools now. I'm using 3D printed air chokes to hold the coil form and I haven't had any problems with RFI coming into the shack. I've reached Iceland with a 5 watt WSPR transmission. I thought I'd say thanks for sharing.
I found you video very helpful, and interesting and gives me some ideas. The part that made me laugh was when you said you used a wrist rocket slingshot to install your rope, man I still have the original name brand wrist rocket slingshots!! That was just great! Thank you and 73s to you.
The J pole is a great Antenna for CB. It works well and can be made of aluminum tubing also. I've made one for 2 meters out of 1/2 copper water pipe. I've also made one with homemade ladder line.
My wire is 300ohm twin lead same as old TV antenna wire. I changed all my dimensions to what yours are and added the choke and I finally got my SWR's down just under 4 from 10 I've tried 6" and 10" on the feed and still can't get a usable SWR. I had no idea this thing was going to be this aggravating. I wrapped my loop around the insulator at the top of the wire but did not solder it back to itself. I'm about ready to cut the jay lose and make a dipole. I liked the idea of a bottom fed antenna because it needs less coax.
I've never tried it with 300 ohm, but it should still work. The tap point for the coax would change, but I don't know by how much. You can get 450 ohm ladder line from TheWireMan.com or HamRadio.com. It is not expensive.
@@carolinapirate2830 yeah I'd like to have it working. I built it to these specs and Dave says you can use wire instead of aluminum tubing. Not sure what the problem is. www.amateurradio.bz/cb_radio_j-pole_antenna.html
@@RC-Heli835 I've built at least three of these over the years using the measurements listed in the description on my video. One of the locals built one as well using my measurements. They all worked.
@@carolinapirate2830 Ok did you say 7" to 8" inches on the feed? I haven't tried those measurements yet. The reason I tried ten is because that's what the jpole calculator suggests. You can punch in 27.600 and get roughly the same long and short length as your antenna and it suggests 9.96" up on the feed. hamuniverse.com/jpole.html
Hi from 🇬🇧 CP, I got a box of connectors and coax,ladder line, and I got an 80ft tree outback, so using your measurements im gonna have myself a crack at 1 of these j poles tomorrow, 73's from 26-CT-4078 The Mad Hatter. Mcr England 👍🇬🇧
I've been using mine for years. They work great. One thing I've learned over the years is they stretch a little over time, so don't be surprised if the resonant frequency drops about 10 or 15 channels after a year or two. It still works great, but you may find you have a lower SWR around channel 1 than channel 40 after a year or two. Also the SWR goes up a little when the antenna is wet, and it comes back down when it dries off.
Nice job. I noticed from your oldradio videos how quiet the background is. I'm awash in electrical noise here both through the line and RF. Hopefully if I can try this design it will improve as the feedpoint shorts all but intended RF (I guess)
I live out in the country with many acres of woods around me. That is part of the reason it is so quiet. There is an older mobile radio you can find on Ebay that has an excellent noise blanker. It is a Realistic TRC-451. That radio is highly sought after so expect the bid to go to $75 or higher. It has one of the quietest CB radio receivers I've ever owned. As it is 30 years old it made need to be serviced when you get it. MikesRadioRepair does a good job with restoring old radios. Make sure the meter still works. The radio is not very good for adding extra channels though. It sounds great with an Astatic TUG8 D-104 desk microphone.
@@carolinapirate2830 Thanks for the info. Lucky to have miles of woods and you probably don't have a bunch of wi-fi gadets or led bulbs or whatever else that causes noise all over the house. the 451's are crazy expensive usually 400+, but will keep an eye out, may get lucky, thanks
I am looking at doing this antenna. My question is on your 1:1 voltage balun did you hook the bottom of the ladder line right to the balun or did you still twist the bottom end?
Is that what you talked to 177 in Toronto on? Great video. Mower junkie hasn't built this one yet. Lol. Thanks for sharing this. Oh have you put a mfj259 or a Rig Expert on it to get the details?
Did you use a jpole calculator to arrive at these lengths? Seems like everyone I see has slightly different lengths. Also is there a formula for building the choke?
I found the plans for a 10 meter version of this antenna centered on 28.400 MHz, and then I did the math to resize it for the CB band. I've been using this antenna for about 8 years now, and it works great. It does stretch a little after being in the air for about a year, so a re-tuning may be needed a year later.
@@carolinapirate2830 I bet you found Dave Tadlocs jpole built with 350 ohm twin lead on bottom and aluminum tubing instead of wire. That one calculates to 24' 2 inches at 28.400 mhz. I built mine to those dimensions first and moved it outside and haven't been able to get the SWR barely below 10. I took the so239 off last night and soldered the coax strait in at 10.2 inches instead of 6 inches where Dave suggested. I've added roughly one ft to both leads.
@@RC-Heli835 No, the design I found was exactly as my all wire and ladder line J-Pole for 27 MHz. It was in a PDF file on someone's web page, but I have forgotten which web page I got the 10 meter designs from. You can see the original plans I used for the 10 meter (28 MHz) version at the web address below; www.shadowstorm.com/cb/pdf/10mjpole.pdf
@@RC-Heli835 The RG58 choke worked for power levels up to 200 watts, but 400 watts+ eventually cooked it. I switched to a 1.5 KW 1:1 commercial balun after that.
I was watching where a guy used a whip antenna for a home base antenna and he couldn't get the SWR down until ha added a Ground Plane. Could you add a Ground Plane to your hanging J-Pole antenna and get perfect SWR? I really like your setup, it would be easy to pack up and use at a hunting camp.
+Parrot Bill well that's a whip antenna that's different to this style itneeds the ground plane to radiate where as his swr is perfect as it doesn't need a ground plane as the other side of the ladder works as the ground,ithink still new myself but understand some
I'm not exactly sure but would the antenna design be the same using stranded 14 vs solid copper core? I can see an advantage of flexibility in the stranded. Can you please comment on this question.
Did you use the choke? I dont I cant get mine up eighty feet. maybe 50? Will it work with out the choke? What does the choke do? You said you was using something else for a choke I dont know what that is? Do you need to ground the antenna?
Do you use any type of lightning protection man? Also do you wire the balun In line or parallel? Is the balun something that can also be made or do you buy one? Thanks!
I've only found one type of lightning protection that consistently works. Before a thunderstorm throw the coax out the window, and drag it away from the house.
@@carolinapirate2830 LOL! What about the times you don't see the lightning until the first thunder clap and it lights up something in your house and blows out the internet box? That happened to me 3 weeks ago. Of all freakin times on a Friday evening about an hour after I got home from work. No web until Tuesday evening when the new box arrived. I was pissed. As much as the internet costs they should let you keep a backup box.
I'd rather use the extra ladder line for transmission line. I can buy all the wire I want at the local Lowes or Homedepot. I have to mail order ladder line.
+JetSetDiva Performance wise they should be about the same. The horizontal dipole has the advantage of being horizontally polarized while most man made static is vertically polarized. In short the dipole will be quieter on receive when it comes to man made electrical static.
+Carol inaPirate Thanks for the quick reply. I'm going to give yours a try since it looks pretty easy to build. I haven't talked CB since I was in my 20's but I'm thinking of getting a little shack going again. Shout out from Wilmington, NC, about 200 miles or so from you.
According to the web page below connecting the center conductor to the short leg changes the radiation pattern and lowers the gain. See his explanation and models below; www.w8ji.com/end-fed_vertical.htm
@@carolinapirate2830 right. But Tom W8JI is assuming no use of a ferrite choke to eliminate common mode currents and feed-line radiation Using. A mix 31 x 12 turns will get rid of the common mode and then either side can be used effectively without any change in pattern. See. ua-cam.com/video/ImbvvfHyctY/v-deo.html.
Nice to see you put the measurements you used however, your video fails the beginner's ability to build a similar antenna from just the video. I'll still give you a thumbs down on principle.
This video is to me about the best in terms of clarity with more showing and less telling. I built one 4 years ago with some RG-58A/U I had for Ethernet as kind of a joke but the performance has been really great despite the fact that I made the balanced line a bit long and the wire a bit short resulting in 3 spots with a low SWR between 25 and 28MHz. I used a crossbow to get it 100 feet up a fir tree.
I can use it on 10, 11, 12, and 15 meters with a tuner but I'm scared to put more than 100 watts into it without rebuilding it. I have better tools now. I'm using 3D printed air chokes to hold the coil form and I haven't had any problems with RFI coming into the shack. I've reached Iceland with a 5 watt WSPR transmission. I thought I'd say thanks for sharing.
just made one today! works perfect! used your exact measurements. thanks, 165 on James island, sc.
I've made it not so long ago works very well 1.1 to 1.3 on 12 watts great video.
I've been using mine now for about six years. It has survived countless storms and a hurricane. It still works great.
I found you video very helpful, and interesting and gives me some ideas. The part that made me laugh was when you said you used a wrist rocket slingshot to install your rope, man I still have the original name brand wrist rocket slingshots!! That was just great! Thank you and 73s to you.
The J pole is a great Antenna for CB. It works well and can be made of aluminum tubing also. I've made one for 2 meters out of 1/2 copper water pipe. I've also made one with homemade ladder line.
My wire is 300ohm twin lead same as old TV antenna wire. I changed all my dimensions to what yours are and added the choke and I finally got my SWR's down just under 4 from 10
I've tried 6" and 10" on the feed and still can't get a usable SWR. I had no idea this thing was going to be this aggravating. I wrapped my loop around the insulator at the top of the wire but did not solder it back to itself.
I'm about ready to cut the jay lose and make a dipole. I liked the idea of a bottom fed antenna because it needs less coax.
I've never tried it with 300 ohm, but it should still work. The tap point for the coax would change, but I don't know by how much. You can get 450 ohm ladder line from TheWireMan.com or HamRadio.com. It is not expensive.
@@carolinapirate2830 yeah I'd like to have it working. I built it to these specs and Dave says you can use wire instead of aluminum tubing. Not sure what the problem is. www.amateurradio.bz/cb_radio_j-pole_antenna.html
@@RC-Heli835 I've built at least three of these over the years using the measurements listed in the description on my video. One of the locals built one as well using my measurements. They all worked.
@@carolinapirate2830 Ok did you say 7" to 8" inches on the feed? I haven't tried those measurements yet. The reason I tried ten is because that's what the jpole calculator suggests.
You can punch in 27.600 and get roughly the same long and short length as your antenna and it suggests 9.96" up on the feed. hamuniverse.com/jpole.html
@@RC-Heli835 My dimensions are listed in the video description below the play button. Clock the "Show more" button to see the full description.
Hi from 🇬🇧 CP, I got a box of connectors and coax,ladder line, and I got an 80ft tree outback, so using your measurements im gonna have myself a crack at 1 of these j poles tomorrow, 73's from 26-CT-4078 The Mad Hatter. Mcr England 👍🇬🇧
I've been using mine for years. They work great. One thing I've learned over the years is they stretch a little over time, so don't be surprised if the resonant frequency drops about 10 or 15 channels after a year or two. It still works great, but you may find you have a lower SWR around channel 1 than channel 40 after a year or two. Also the SWR goes up a little when the antenna is wet, and it comes back down when it dries off.
Thanks for posting this video.
Nice build! Just listen to all the hetrodyne carriers in there, what I wouldn't give to hear propogation like that now!
Nice job. I noticed from your oldradio videos how quiet the background is. I'm awash in electrical noise here both through the line and RF. Hopefully if I can try this design it will improve as the feedpoint shorts all but intended RF (I guess)
I live out in the country with many acres of woods around me. That is part of the reason it is so quiet. There is an older mobile radio you can find on Ebay that has an excellent noise blanker. It is a Realistic TRC-451. That radio is highly sought after so expect the bid to go to $75 or higher. It has one of the quietest CB radio receivers I've ever owned. As it is 30 years old it made need to be serviced when you get it. MikesRadioRepair does a good job with restoring old radios. Make sure the meter still works. The radio is not very good for adding extra channels though. It sounds great with an Astatic TUG8 D-104 desk microphone.
@@carolinapirate2830 Thanks for the info. Lucky to have miles of woods and you probably don't have a bunch of wi-fi gadets or led bulbs or whatever else that causes noise all over the house. the 451's are crazy expensive usually 400+, but will keep an eye out, may get lucky, thanks
You can use a tennis ball for a ferrite choke on that coax in the turns
I am looking at doing this antenna. My question is on your 1:1 voltage balun did you hook the bottom of the ladder line right to the balun or did you still twist the bottom end?
You still need to twist and connect the bottom end. Attach the balun 7 or 8 inches up from the bottom connected/twisted part.
I'm going to work on a Slim Jim when I get to it, I like what you're doing with your J Pole. Keep up the good work!
Is that what you talked to 177 in Toronto on?
Great video. Mower junkie hasn't built this one yet. Lol.
Thanks for sharing this.
Oh have you put a mfj259 or a Rig Expert on it to get the details?
That is the antenna I use for local vertical talk. I can cover about 90 miles with it. My Lazy H antennas blow it away for skip though.
So is the 8'2" before or after you connected the bottom together on the ladder line and is it 17'2" to the insulator and how many turns did u use?
What is the tap point?
Very interesting antenna would like to use it when I go camping
Would this work inside a length of PVC like Ed Fong's 2m/70cm jpole (but longer) offering weather resistance and no need for radials?
Never tried that, but it might.
Did you use a jpole calculator to arrive at these lengths? Seems like everyone I see has slightly different lengths. Also is there a formula for building the choke?
I found the plans for a 10 meter version of this antenna centered on 28.400 MHz, and then I did the math to resize it for the CB band. I've been using this antenna for about 8 years now, and it works great. It does stretch a little after being in the air for about a year, so a re-tuning may be needed a year later.
@@carolinapirate2830 I bet you found Dave Tadlocs jpole built with 350 ohm twin lead on bottom and aluminum tubing instead of wire.
That one calculates to 24' 2 inches at 28.400 mhz.
I built mine to those dimensions first and moved it outside and haven't been able to get the SWR barely below 10.
I took the so239 off last night and soldered the coax strait in at 10.2 inches instead of 6 inches where Dave suggested. I've added roughly one ft to both leads.
@@RC-Heli835 No, the design I found was exactly as my all wire and ladder line J-Pole for 27 MHz. It was in a PDF file on someone's web page, but I have forgotten which web page I got the 10 meter designs from. You can see the original plans I used for the 10 meter (28 MHz) version at the web address below;
www.shadowstorm.com/cb/pdf/10mjpole.pdf
@@carolinapirate2830 ok thanks!😀And the 5 turn choke worked fine?
@@RC-Heli835 The RG58 choke worked for power levels up to 200 watts, but 400 watts+ eventually cooked it. I switched to a 1.5 KW 1:1 commercial balun after that.
I was watching where a guy used a whip antenna for a home base antenna and he couldn't get the SWR down until ha added a Ground Plane. Could you add a Ground Plane to your hanging J-Pole antenna and get perfect SWR? I really like your setup, it would be easy to pack up and use at a hunting camp.
+Parrot Bill well that's a whip antenna that's different to this style itneeds the ground plane to radiate where as his swr is perfect as it doesn't need a ground plane as the other side of the ladder works as the ground,ithink still new myself but understand some
Don't need a ground plane, the ¼ wave section matches it up.
108" whip?
RG 8 Coax Balun 54" long. Negative connections on the braid, Inside Center to radio, and Outside Center to the 108" whip.
I'm not exactly sure but would the antenna design be the same using stranded 14 vs solid copper core? I can see an advantage of flexibility in the stranded. Can you please comment on this question.
Probably. Try it and see.
Hey you still have that Midland? Is it for sale?. Great video I’m working on one today
I have one
Did you use the choke? I dont I cant get mine up eighty feet. maybe 50? Will it work with out the choke? What does the choke do? You said you was using something else for a choke I dont know what that is? Do you need to ground the antenna?
shartne I used the choke on the first wire J-Pole I built. It worked fine. 50 feet up should work fine.
6 turns 6 inches in diameter.
300 ohm ladder line .?
I'm using 450 ohm ladder line in that video, but 300 would probably work too. The dimensions may be a little different.
Do you use any type of lightning protection man?
Also do you wire the balun In line or parallel?
Is the balun something that can also be made or do you buy one? Thanks!
I've only found one type of lightning protection that consistently works. Before a thunderstorm throw the coax out the window, and drag it away from the house.
@@carolinapirate2830 LOL! What about the times you don't see the lightning until the first thunder clap and it lights up something in your house and blows out the internet box?
That happened to me 3 weeks ago. Of all freakin times on a Friday evening about an hour after I got home from work. No web until Tuesday evening when the new box arrived. I was pissed. As much as the internet costs they should let you keep a backup box.
Why didn't you just stick with a ladder line slim jim cos it would saved you adding that bit of wire to the top?
I'd rather use the extra ladder line for transmission line. I can buy all the wire I want at the local Lowes or Homedepot. I have to mail order ladder line.
Then the video wouldn't've been about a J Pole now would it?
Is this a good antenna for talking skip? Or would a dipole be better?
+JetSetDiva Performance wise they should be about the same. The horizontal dipole has the advantage of being horizontally polarized while most man made static is vertically polarized. In short the dipole will be quieter on receive when it comes to man made electrical static.
+Carol inaPirate Thanks for the quick reply. I'm going to give yours a try since it looks pretty easy to build. I haven't talked CB since I was in my 20's but I'm thinking of getting a little shack going again. Shout out from Wilmington, NC, about 200 miles or so from you.
A 53' shortwave cut from 67.6' can RX
1.8 - 50 MHz . Excellent if you can figure how many turns for a trap to use for CB!
good job
Can i pay u to make me one...compared to antron 99 I think yours is better
RF is AC. Doesn't matter which site you solder the center or the shield of the coax.
According to the web page below connecting the center conductor to the short leg changes the radiation pattern and lowers the gain. See his explanation and models below;
www.w8ji.com/end-fed_vertical.htm
@@carolinapirate2830 right. But Tom W8JI is assuming no use of a ferrite choke to eliminate common mode currents and feed-line radiation Using. A mix 31 x 12 turns will get rid of the common mode and then either side can be used effectively without any change in pattern. See. ua-cam.com/video/ImbvvfHyctY/v-deo.html.
Niiiice
Ch. 19 is the middle of the band. 20 is half of 40 doesn't make it the middle of the band. 19 is 27.185 MHz .
Channel 19 is the busy trucker's channel. I was being polite.
You still have tuning to do anyway, do it at 27.185.
@@williamhelms9942 worry about you yourself, clown.
sounds like the guys on the cb built the antenna too.
unfonatley the greece does not know consruction j-pole for cb radio
ξερει φίλε μου και πολυ καλά μάλιστα
Nice to see you put the measurements you used however, your video fails the beginner's ability to build a similar antenna from just the video. I'll still give you a thumbs down on principle.