What I love is the evolution of the antenna, all the little bits that make it easier and better and survive the UK weather, which is the killer of my designs.
My DXC Expedition has just arrived! I will make it up next week. I love how the construction of the DXCs continues to evolve. Well done Cal, John 2E0SVB
Hey Johnathan. Love the shows. It brings reality and practicality into the art of Amateur Radio. Keep up the work. It puts a whole new light onto the art.
Hi guys. Oooof exciting times. Fingers crossed 🤞🏽 I will have enough signal to watch this. I will be in Wales and phone signal is poor where I will be. So in that case MW7TRS 73 👍🏽😊
I'm waiting form my kit to arrive... Have the 10m pole already so I ordered the plate conversion kit. I'm hoping to add 80 meters with a base loaded coil I'm making. Great video and lot's of fun. 73's Calum Hood 😀
Looks great and for me food for thought. I am an EFHW fan and my deployment is pretty slick, however, I bought my classic for our club and and it’s not used much as we tend to support local mills on the air, canals on the air and village fetes etc so radials are a big issue with members of the public. I really like the look of the new version the colour and its speed to deploy BUT I’m in the process of moving home and depending on the location I would probably buy one for permanent use. Thanks for the dem 👍🏻 73 Mike
4:20 Got my expedition today! One issue, I can't seem to unscrew the cap at the bottom. Anyone else experience this? Otherwise very happy about doing the DX Commander club! Cheers, Cal, keep up the excellent work!
Thanks for reaching out, speaks volumes as to your dedication to your products!!! Used my heat gun this morning and it loosened up. Maybe some adhesive or something got between the cap and the pole. Now the fun begins! Cheers!!!
Hi Calum. Deploying it from a backpack is the real challenge. I’ve built and tuned my expedition but only used it 3 or 4 times since because even after trying to optimise the deployment process I have never managed to put it up in less than 45 minutes. I have all bands from 7mhz to 28mhz (which for me is the main point of using a dxc). Main pain points are elements coming out of the intermediate guide plates and attaching the 30m and 40m/15m elements in the top. I have all numbered and color coded and I have crocodile clips on the radials. Also, I have a feeling (not scientifically tested) that the upper bands have poor performance on the DXC. Nowadays I use a home brew linked dipole as an inverted V on the expedition mast 7m height. Deployment is 10min. I have all bands from 6m to 40m and I takes me less than a minute to change bands. Even if the radiation pattern is theoretically less than ideal for DX on the inverted V dipole, I’ve made great DX contacts on 10m with it. So my challenge to you: shows us a fast deployment of a 7 band dxc expedition from backpack to first CQ call. I need ideas and motivation to use mine more 😊
OK.. QUick tip. Put the wire in first and use the shock-cord as the "plug". I'm sorry this is taking you so long. Most folks are suggfesting about 10-12 minutes.. I will do a physical test soon. I htink my issue might be getting the right velcro straps etc for the elements and radials.
@@DXCommanderHQ The devil is in the details. The guy that put up the video with the fastest dxc expedition deployment used 3 elements only and no clamps. With a 6 element dxc you have to put the clamps, otherwise the pole will collapse (ask me how I know this). There are 8 clamps plus 3 intermediate spreaders. All this has to be installed in a specific order. Each clamp has to be tighten and secured into place individually. Only then the wire elements can be installed. From experience, the pole will never be exactly the same length on each deployment (temperature, force applied to secure each section, etc). This leads to the fact that whatever you put on each element to avoid it popping out of intermediate spreaders, will not always be aligned with the corresponding spreader (I’ll try the expedition 2024 tip to tackle this but pretty sure that the shock cord won’t be enough for all my 6 elements). In my kit not all the spreaders slip freely to the end of their pole segment. This further makes it harder to align everything. I also feel the need for an extra small spreader the will support the end of the 30m element and the upper middle part of the 40m element. This would be 10x better than having to improvise with tape each time. After all the elements are on the pole, you can finally put it up (and guy the 3 points). Only then you can lay the 20 radials around spreading more or less each one. All this to say: no way you can deploy a 6 element dxc expedition in 10-12minutes. We still love you Cal. You have done a lot for the ham community.
One tip to get started is to keep all the spreader plates and clamps strung onto a bit of cord in their correct order. This way, you pull out the pole, slide all the plates and clamps onto it and just tighten the clamps at the correct place. Then having the quick release stoppa knots means just attaching the elements to the plate, then snapping them in. I can do an expedition deployment in less than 15 minutes this way. On my expedition (old version) I can do 3 elements and deployment in less than 10 mins.
@@M0RMY The cord tip seems good but I'll still have to see a video of you deploying a 6 element DXC expedition in less than 15 min from backpack on ground to coax being attached to the radio ;)
Received 6 days ago... wonder antenna. By the way, there are US Shippers shipping inside the US that can't ship and deliver that quick and this came from across the pond.
Thank you for everything you do! I've been saving up for a DX Commander and now that I have a "big kid" job I'm really looking forward to building one. Hopefully I'll be able to set up something like this for a SOTA or IOTA activation. Again thank you so much, the work you do is seen and appreciated. Kyle KG6BXW
Nice video and also nice antenna ! Always a pleasure to watch your contents 😁 do you know if it could be possible to replace de 10m and 15 1/4 wave wire by a 5/8 one (with a coil) kn parallel of the 20m and 40m 1/4 wave wire ? Did you yes try ?
Just take my money... guess my old venerable prototype expedition that has been with me since 2018, may need an upgrade. That antenna has over 20k of contacts on it from POTA, my St John Expeditions and several contests. Just a great antenna.
Calum, Mine is on the way and preparing my mind. Couple questions. The new guide has two cut lengths. One on the chart covering all antennas and a different one under the Expedition heading. Which? And more so which is the correct cut length if you do fold backs at each spreader. With the new way of using shock cord on each spreader for each element, is there enough shock cord for more than 3 elements? I watched Ian's excellent instructions and he did not have enough to add 17m. Thanks!
We have since added an extra 1m (3-ft) shock cord. Be frugal! OK, so element lengths. Either fit ALL of them or just three. Adding new ones after the fact makes small changes to resonance. If you don't mind using ATU, then ignore. You also asked a good question on element lengths. I'm on hols here and don't have access to my notes. But if you are doing element, use original 6-element sheet. The loops make almost no impact to resonance. I think.
@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks Calum. I know you mentioned numerous times, do not worry about lengths, just cut, but the instructions are contradictory on the lengths. I will stick to the original table at the top of the instructions. I plan on doing 40,20,17,12,10. Going to leave 30m out as you mention it might cause issues, and I could care less about 30m. Might try 80m if I have enough wire. Shock cord is cheap, please spare us more in the future. :)
@@MrThisIsMeToo I am currently building the expedition. This is my first antenna build and I am pulling my hair out. Are you connecting the 40,20, 17, 12 and 10 all at the same time? I have been working on 40, 20 and 10 and worry about the bend on the upper antenna. How would you attach the 80? I would be interested in that.
Did you end up needing to tune any of the bands other than the 40M that you cut too long? Or if you follow the cut dimensions are you basically in a pretty good tune right from the start?
A nice build, sir! Can you tell us the brand of torch Wendy bought you? Similar to you, I watch almost all videos at 1.25 by default, and 1.5 to 1.75 depending on the subject. What's bothersome now is watching a normal streaming video with my wife. I often want to fast forward or increase the speed. 73.
@@DXCommanderHQ I thought that as well. But after starting it and being halfway done with my build, I like the experience. Its my first antenna build, so it is going slowly. I reference the printed instructions and video a lot... some things that I wish I could see on the video aren't on there.
Too fiddly, too many bits, too many mods, too many changes. Pole too light. Hang the wires on top securely and do the adjusting/ tuning on the bottom without having to take down and put up constantly. It worked for me. Simples.
Looked like a C-17 Globe Master flying overhead! Enjoyed the build Callum. You got me thinking of ordering another Expedition … darn you 😂
Yep, C-17
Definitely a c-17
Hi Callum, just the sort of videos I like, down to earth and no fancy smancy unnecessary stuff. Thanks for taking me along on the trip Hugh
Glad you enjoyed it!
What I love is the evolution of the antenna, all the little bits that make it easier and better and survive the UK weather, which is the killer of my designs.
Thanks for the video. Very edutaining. Part of what i enjoy about your videos are the differences in slang from across the pond.
Glad you like them!
My DXC Expedition has just arrived! I will make it up next week. I love how the construction of the DXCs continues to evolve. Well done Cal, John 2E0SVB
Hey Johnathan. Love the shows. It brings reality and practicality into the art of Amateur Radio. Keep up the work. It puts a whole new light onto the art.
Exactly life is short were all rushing about at least Cals not glossong over the mistakes 😊 +1 for real deal
Just ordered the 2024 DXC Expedition. My old version of the DXC Expedition is great but the new one will be even better can’t wait to build it!!!
39:10 no Cal, the RAF showed you the name: DX Commander Globemaster. The plane is for global expeditions so, there you are! 😊
Hi guys. Oooof exciting times. Fingers crossed 🤞🏽 I will have enough signal to watch this. I will be in Wales and phone signal is poor where I will be.
So in that case
MW7TRS 73 👍🏽😊
Love the new solution to for the 40m element. I'll be adopting that on my older expedition pronto.
I didn’t realise how compact that pole was!….very interesting indeed.Thanks for the real life video..73’s
Our pleasure!
Looking good! Liking the new means of element fixing and stealth colouring. Another winner 👍🏻
Thank you Cullum, enjoying watching your build videos. Keep it up and have a great day!
Thanks, you too!
looks amazing Profesional build
35:50 C-17 Globe master. "T" tail and winglets. I just stumbled on your short, got on this video and your link.
I'm sold!
Ah! Nice!
Third time trying to watch this. Great build Callum. All looking good. Oh yeah C-17 globemaster III
73
I'm waiting form my kit to arrive... Have the 10m pole already so I ordered the plate conversion kit. I'm hoping to add 80 meters with a base loaded coil I'm making. Great video and lot's of fun. 73's Calum Hood 😀
Good luck!
Well Done!! Thanks Callum!! 73.
Looked like a C-17. Cool video. Thank you!
Looks great and for me food for thought. I am an EFHW fan and my deployment is pretty slick, however, I bought my classic for our club and and it’s not used much as we tend to support local mills on the air, canals on the air and village fetes etc so radials are a big issue with members of the public. I really like the look of the new version the colour and its speed to deploy BUT I’m in the process of moving home and depending on the location I would probably buy one for permanent use. Thanks for the dem 👍🏻 73 Mike
Nice trick with the 40/15m i gone use is for the 'Old" expedition. Although I do notice that the 40m element sometimes changes to SWR
Fantastic antenna. Hoping to get one and use it when motorcycle camping. 73 K9WWW
Ive heard of people motorcycle camping. Sounds interesting. However, i like my four wheel tent shelter.
W4IHC says: Like most things American, the C-17 Globemaster is chunky...but for a reason:) it carries a lot. Can also reverse on the tarmac.
saving one for our field ops...
Very nice presentation of the 2024 version.
hope to catch you on the waterfall soon
Francis de DV1K 73
Sounds great!
Great video Cal. The antenna looks great. Personalize it in camo colours was my first thought. 👍🍻
I like it!
I have mine on my way now, this video helps me decide which is which sandwich 😂
See you there
4:20
Got my expedition today!
One issue, I can't seem to unscrew the cap at the bottom. Anyone else experience this?
Otherwise very happy about doing the DX Commander club!
Cheers, Cal, keep up the excellent work!
Oh shit.. Try some very hot water (opnly on the cap) and a tap-tap-tap..?
Thanks for reaching out, speaks volumes as to your dedication to your products!!!
Used my heat gun this morning and it loosened up. Maybe some adhesive or something got between the cap and the pole.
Now the fun begins!
Cheers!!!
Call it The Globemaster!
Hi Calum. Deploying it from a backpack is the real challenge. I’ve built and tuned my expedition but only used it 3 or 4 times since because even after trying to optimise the deployment process I have never managed to put it up in less than 45 minutes. I have all bands from 7mhz to 28mhz (which for me is the main point of using a dxc). Main pain points are elements coming out of the intermediate guide plates and attaching the 30m and 40m/15m elements in the top. I have all numbered and color coded and I have crocodile clips on the radials. Also, I have a feeling (not scientifically tested) that the upper bands have poor performance on the DXC. Nowadays I use a home brew linked dipole as an inverted V on the expedition mast 7m height. Deployment is 10min. I have all bands from 6m to 40m and I takes me less than a minute to change bands. Even if the radiation pattern is theoretically less than ideal for DX on the inverted V dipole, I’ve made great DX contacts on 10m with it.
So my challenge to you: shows us a fast deployment of a 7 band dxc expedition from backpack to first CQ call. I need ideas and motivation to use mine more 😊
OK.. QUick tip. Put the wire in first and use the shock-cord as the "plug". I'm sorry this is taking you so long. Most folks are suggfesting about 10-12 minutes.. I will do a physical test soon. I htink my issue might be getting the right velcro straps etc for the elements and radials.
@@DXCommanderHQ The devil is in the details. The guy that put up the video with the fastest dxc expedition deployment used 3 elements only and no clamps. With a 6 element dxc you have to put the clamps, otherwise the pole will collapse (ask me how I know this). There are 8 clamps plus 3 intermediate spreaders. All this has to be installed in a specific order. Each clamp has to be tighten and secured into place individually. Only then the wire elements can be installed. From experience, the pole will never be exactly the same length on each deployment (temperature, force applied to secure each section, etc). This leads to the fact that whatever you put on each element to avoid it popping out of intermediate spreaders, will not always be aligned with the corresponding spreader (I’ll try the expedition 2024 tip to tackle this but pretty sure that the shock cord won’t be enough for all my 6 elements). In my kit not all the spreaders slip freely to the end of their pole segment. This further makes it harder to align everything. I also feel the need for an extra small spreader the will support the end of the 30m element and the upper middle part of the 40m element. This would be 10x better than having to improvise with tape each time. After all the elements are on the pole, you can finally put it up (and guy the 3 points). Only then you can lay the 20 radials around spreading more or less each one. All this to say: no way you can deploy a 6 element dxc expedition in 10-12minutes. We still love you Cal. You have done a lot for the ham community.
One tip to get started is to keep all the spreader plates and clamps strung onto a bit of cord in their correct order. This way, you pull out the pole, slide all the plates and clamps onto it and just tighten the clamps at the correct place. Then having the quick release stoppa knots means just attaching the elements to the plate, then snapping them in. I can do an expedition deployment in less than 15 minutes this way. On my expedition (old version) I can do 3 elements and deployment in less than 10 mins.
@@M0RMY The cord tip seems good but I'll still have to see a video of you deploying a 6 element DXC expedition in less than 15 min from backpack on ground to coax being attached to the radio ;)
Sometimes you just have to believe. Practice makes perfect
C17 Globemaster II it is. Most likely in/out of RAF Mildenhall, a Combined RAF/US air Base. My first stop back home to the US after Desert Storm.
Yep, the chunky Hercules :) lol
Great video Callum. Yep, I was watching you at 1.5x, I have the same issue. Haha
Haha!!!
Ordered…. Now the impatient wait begins! LOL
Received 6 days ago... wonder antenna. By the way, there are US Shippers shipping inside the US that can't ship and deliver that quick and this came from across the pond.
Great video! Aircraft was definitely a C-17. Flown back and forward to Iraq in them a few times! 73
It's better that Django lost his ball and not his marbles. LOL! I'm liking this new antenna design.
Haha
2024? 😢what am I go to buy until then 😂😂 Looks great Cal, Keep it up 👍
From the boot of the car to calling CQ takes me about 6 - 7 mins with the new DXC Expedition Cal. Fabulous for all my POTA work :)
Brilliant Roly!
PROVE !!! 🤔
@neilgodfreybartley3143 FFS calm down!
Thank you for everything you do! I've been saving up for a DX Commander and now that I have a "big kid" job I'm really looking forward to building one. Hopefully I'll be able to set up something like this for a SOTA or IOTA activation. Again thank you so much, the work you do is seen and appreciated.
Kyle
KG6BXW
Nice video and also nice antenna ! Always a pleasure to watch your contents 😁 do you know if it could be possible to replace de 10m and 15 1/4 wave wire by a 5/8 one (with a coil) kn parallel of the 20m and 40m 1/4 wave wire ? Did you yes try ?
You could.. But I can't remember why I never tried it. There is a reason.. But's it late here!
can 40m be left off the antenna? For example, POTA activation with only 20, 15, and 10.
Well you could - but to be honest, achieving 20, 15 and 10 is the same as achieving 40m (you get 15m for free) 20 and 10 too.
"I like that"😁
Nice Callum.
Just take my money... guess my old venerable prototype expedition that has been with me since 2018, may need an upgrade. That antenna has over 20k of contacts on it from POTA, my St John Expeditions and several contests. Just a great antenna.
Haha John! Yes, talk to me and we can get you a new one.
Calum, Mine is on the way and preparing my mind. Couple questions.
The new guide has two cut lengths. One on the chart covering all antennas and a different one under the Expedition heading. Which? And more so which is the correct cut length if you do fold backs at each spreader.
With the new way of using shock cord on each spreader for each element, is there enough shock cord for more than 3 elements? I watched Ian's excellent instructions and he did not have enough to add 17m.
Thanks!
We have since added an extra 1m (3-ft) shock cord. Be frugal! OK, so element lengths. Either fit ALL of them or just three. Adding new ones after the fact makes small changes to resonance. If you don't mind using ATU, then ignore. You also asked a good question on element lengths. I'm on hols here and don't have access to my notes. But if you are doing element, use original 6-element sheet. The loops make almost no impact to resonance. I think.
@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks Calum. I know you mentioned numerous times, do not worry about lengths, just cut, but the instructions are contradictory on the lengths. I will stick to the original table at the top of the instructions. I plan on doing 40,20,17,12,10. Going to leave 30m out as you mention it might cause issues, and I could care less about 30m. Might try 80m if I have enough wire.
Shock cord is cheap, please spare us more in the future. :)
@@MrThisIsMeToo I am currently building the expedition. This is my first antenna build and I am pulling my hair out. Are you connecting the 40,20, 17, 12 and 10 all at the same time? I have been working on 40, 20 and 10 and worry about the bend on the upper antenna. How would you attach the 80? I would be interested in that.
Did you end up needing to tune any of the bands other than the 40M that you cut too long? Or if you follow the cut dimensions are you basically in a pretty good tune right from the start?
COrrect. They were cock-on. Both builds (when Jonathan tested his at his house it was perfect.. Something in the water that day!)
Question: If I am focusing on say 20 meters - would pulling 4 x 5.2 or so meter antenna wires up - creating a 'caged dipole' help on bandwidth ?
The bandwith on a vertical or a dipole almost covers the whole band anyway.. But a good experiment.
Would love to see a six element build
A nice build, sir! Can you tell us the brand of torch Wendy bought you? Similar to you, I watch almost all videos at 1.25 by default, and 1.5 to 1.75 depending on the subject. What's bothersome now is watching a normal streaming video with my wife. I often want to fast forward or increase the speed. 73.
The torch.. It's a Dremmel..
🎉🎉
Yes, it is the C-17 Globemaster III!
Callum, which wire strippers do you use in the video that you said were good??
Ah.. RS Components.. dont know model number.
I love those clamps, but can't find them anywhere
Google search, "HCL EzClamp".
@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks!
Airplane looks like the C17 transport
It's a C-130 Hercules. Semper Fi Brothers and Sisters 0311
Thanks for your service nycmnyby.
That appears to be a C-17 cargo plane
It is a C17 Globe Master it is from the USA and RAF have them and the US.
can these antennas be used as a permanent antenna?
Sure.. Or look at Classic or Signature 9. Similar.
Those nylon clamps looked the business and far less damaging than jubilee clips, M0LSL
does this come with the guy rope and spikes for guying ?
Everything bar the "spikes".. Any tent peg will do. We covered this on the live show after (see description).
@@DXCommanderHQ saw that just now, and Thank you
I would like to see it deployed from a pack on a summit.
So would I.
Believe that is the new Atlas A400M lying over you. Looks the shape anyway
It's a Boeing C-17 Globe Master.
The plane may have been a C5 Galaxy
C-17 Globemaster
Can you just have 40 and 30 m?
Erm.. 30m would be a "hack" but you could do it.. If you wanted that, suggest looking at the Classic. Same price.
it would be alot better if all the bits at the start was allready done at the factory it would save so much time.
Cost.. You want to pay for that, we'll do it.
@@DXCommanderHQ I thought that as well. But after starting it and being halfway done with my build, I like the experience. Its my first antenna build, so it is going slowly. I reference the printed instructions and video a lot... some things that I wish I could see on the video aren't on there.
Yeah, C-17
Nice R&D Callum! Easy fast and efficient :) Good job! 73 OH6GFG Harri.
Nope.....anxiety going thru the roof watching this 😫
Need to lay down....😢
HAHA!
Deployment video please callum.
Soon..
C-17
Hey Callum, how much can you sell me one of these postage to VK1?
Check website. Shipping is auto calculated..
10-15 Min's 🤔🤣
Lol when youve done it thousands of times, he probably can build one in his sleep.
Too fiddly, too many bits, too many mods, too many changes. Pole too light. Hang the wires on top securely and do the adjusting/ tuning on the bottom without having to take down and put up constantly. It worked for me. Simples.
Good for you! Don't spent 7 minutes doing it my way, lspend 7 minutes doing it YOUR way! And why not :)