Okay, Dave. We are the same age - I think you may be a year older than me - but it kind of makes me scratch my head that you say that you have to go inside the house to check UA-cam in case you have a question about the written manual... Unless you're using a flip phone like Gibbs on NCIS, you have a fully functioning computer in your hand with high res UA-cam on it and it doesn't matter if you have Wi-Fi or data, it works great! I've changed out an ignition switch in my Dodge truck in the middle of the desert using a UA-cam video from my phone. You did a really honorable job going back and looking at the DX Commander - I know you got a lot of heat for your first one and maybe you should have explained to your viewers that you were, indeed, doing this as a test with the kids rather than having everybody assume you didn't know you were doing. I've been following you for quite a while and intend to continue doing so. That being said, coming from a family of engineers, first responders, and teachers, please accept this very well intentioned advice and please set out your intent at the beginning of an instructional video as well as know your demographic and understand that the majority of them out here are probably watching you... Wait for it... On their phone. ;) 73!
Dave .... if your wrong, you are wrong .... don't try to defend your self by saying that you didn't build the antenna, but some noob who didn't going to use it anyway.... What does that say about the simplest interest in the antenna? Same if I gonna ask my wife to repair my car when it breaks down. She doesn't care and don't want to learn it either. So if she would try to fix the car, will it be repaired as it should be???
Dave, ever since I received my license I have been making antennas (mostly dipoles). My present QTH has limited space in our back yard where my G5RV dipole just will not fit! Going vertical at this point is my only option. I found the "RYBAKOV MULTIBAND VERTICAL" on the Coastal Waves and Wires channel, and built it using 14 awg stranded wire, 4:1 UNUN, and the DXC 10m fiberglass pole. I can easily tune 40, 20, 17, 15, & 10 meters! Now, I am adding the DXC Expedition kit that has the driven plate, ground plate, wire spreaders and nuts/bolts excetra. Omitting the wire as I can supply my own and also the bungee cord. I'll also have 80 meters on this same set up following Callum's instructions. Yes, the DXC is designed as a portable antenna and is also a very good choice for any Ham at any experience level based on ones budget. Great video and keep up the good work. 73's de kd5smf
Sorry Dave. This antenna could not be simpler to build. I’m no mastermind but after watching how to build this antenna and downloading the instructions I went out bought the pieces required to build my own abv. I first built an 8mtr model and had to re calculate the lengths and after not having the brains do sort this out I put it on a forums. Within 30 mins I had received quite a few comments with the correct lengths for the wires. I read, printed off, went out in my shed and built it. No problems at all. All swr’s came in well under 1.5 where I needed them and it worked very well. I then decided to build the ten meter version, I couldn’t find a pole sufficiently strong enough so I bought Callum’s pole but only the pole. Everything else I have purchased from local shop’s and diy stores. Everything tunes really well and all my swr’s are below 1.3 where I want them on the band’s . Even without a tuner I can go down into the ft8 section of a band and still tune under 1.5 @ 50 Watts and at 200 Watts out of my yaesu ftdx101MP it’s still under 1.8 so still no tuner needed. I like watching your stuff but of all the antenna’s I’ve used over the years I’ve never found one that works so well and so cheap to make yourself (not for all bands anyway) Even towards the end you gave a little back you still didn’t admit that you’d got this wrong from the start. I actually made this antenna for a little over £100 / $135. I wish you well sir but please if your going to do a review please take your time and review it properly. I’m now wondering how many other reviews you’ve got wrong and put me off getting something with your wealth of knowledge. All the best de MW6PNW
I've never been a fan of antenna AB testing by switching them back and forth on a single radio. It needs a long term wspr TX/RX or FT8 RX session over the course of a few days to get a more objective measurement of difference between the antennas.
No it doesn’t. A/B testing is fantastic. There’s no difference in ionospheric conditions, ground conditions, weather conditions, seasons, or time of day. Near-instantaneous comparisons of two antennae on the same signal. You can make the argument that the only thing that it’s comparing is receiving that one signal, and you’d be right. But it’s reasonable to assume that for DX with low takeoff angles the results would be similar.
@@kd8opi A/B testing is inadequate. It is time that amateur radio import basic research design understanding from the social sciences. When you deal with propagation you deal with an uncontrollable variable that can be favorable to one antenna or the other, and there is no way to know. With A/B testing the two antennas cannot be in the same place, and even small location variances can make a big difference. In fact antenna A maybe affecting antenna B ! None of these effects are accounted for or controlled. You need controlled WSPR runs of several hours, a reference antenna, and simple statistical procedures to quantify and control for all these effects. Engineers are good with controlled measurements, not so good in research design involving uncontrollable variables.
@@skywarner4236 Now I’m going to disagree with you on this one. The social sciences have the worst reputation in all of science for having studies that are non-replicable and unscientific. There was an article in Science A few years ago about how sloppy methods and non-replicative data from the social sciences has poisoned what little credibility it’s has. BTW, The social sciences don’t have a lock on statistics, they’re used in every discipline. They just have a lock on bad statistics and bad science. That being said I’ll address everything you wrote specifically because I think you’re completely wrong. Every variable that you say that A/B testing can’t control can be controlled. If you’re concerned about the antenna location, switch the locations and test again! I’m not even sure how your argument would apply to comparing a vertical a a horizontal dipole, which can never be in the same space to begin with, so I think that’s a red herring. And your argument about antenna A effecting antenna B can be dealt with in two ways: 1) you can deploy the antennas is far enough away that prior established science would tell you it is extremely unlikely that one could affect the other. 2) The other way to deal with it is to point out that your methodology of just putting two antennas up judging them on WSPR separately doesn’t control for that variable either. Finally, all good experimental science is essentially AB testing. Doing it well is hard, but the key is controlling your variables and replicating your data. That being said, there is no double-blind, Placebo-controlled study that prove parachutes are effective preventing deaths in people who jump out of planes. So some common sense in everyday observations can help you make a determination when studies aren’t available.
I agree that Heathkit had it right when it came to how to write essentially fail-proof instruction manuals. The latest version of the DX Commander manual is far better than the initial versions. I also think it is a given that makers of DIY of products should hand over the task of writing the instruction manual to those whose expertise is in writing instruction manuals.
Since a spectrum display shows many signals that are constantly changing, some coming and others going, it is impossible to draw any meaningful conclusion from this exercise. It is pretty much a complete waste of time. Much better to have picked ONE signal at a time to look at on whatever radio you cared to use and done the A/B antenna test on that one signal. That would be a meaningful comparison. Then, you could switch signals within the same band or different bands and again do the comparison. I downloaded and read the instructions for the DX Commander. Other than seeing it mentioned on several YT channels, including yours, I have no experience with it. BUT, having read the instructions I am very confident I could assemble the antenna. My only quibble with the instructions is that in several places instruct to put on a connector or create a loop, THEN tell the builder to put on a piece of heat shrink tubing. It is difficult to impossible to apply heat shrink tubing after crimping the connector or forming a loop in the end.
I have followed you for quite some time and know that you appraise the instructions of the kits you present on this channel and you are not intentionally picking on the DX Commander. I remember you were quite impressed with some sort of qrp rig kit and the detailed instructions and images they provided. So, I understand the non-accusatory angle of which this presentation is given, but you just described almost every product and the instruction manual combination of about every product of available. Most modern products don't even come with a manual you have to download it or watch their website video. Actually your DX Commander videos will probably help someone erect theirs. Thanks for all you do I know it takes time. You are an asset to the amateur radio service.
Just wondering why didn't you complain about the issue to DX Commander on Email or phone instead of complaining on this UA-cam making big story out it. I can't get my head around it about what you doing I have watched lots of your good videos you've put out very enjoyable But this video am just gobsmacked you making big childish video out out DX Commander.
I don't know about you Dave but when we have new hams in our area we older guys and gals do what we call elmering said newbies you know to help our hobby and the DX Commander is a portable antenna that can be taken just about any where now you stepper vertical I'd like to see you pack that bad boy to a park or field day lol have a good day de W9US
Thank you, Dave. I enjoyed the video. Looks like you have stirred up a hornets' nest. From this video, comments by others and listening to Callum's videos, this antenna is fine. The assembly instructions are the problem. Writing instructions is a time consuming, tedious labor. Few have the desire, time or skill sets needed to write top notch instructions. I have worked on scientific instruments worth about $ 200K with minimal and poorly written directions. That is not fun! I have worked on tuning and reconfiguring other HF antennas. I carefully read the short manuals repeatedly, marked them up and made a lot of marginal notes. I then watched internet videos and read lots of reviews of the antennas. Then added to the marginal notes. At that point, I assembled the various antennas and did what modifications and corrections and tuning were needed to get the antenna operational. The first time through is usually a hard learning experience. N0QFT
Hilarious!!! I have a Hustler 4BTV with 40 radial between 15 and 35 feet long (750 feet of 16 gauge copper wire all together). It works great! I have contacts all over North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was about $200, easy to put together and tune. Love the videos and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the video David. I am interested in a DX-Commander and monitoring it for a while now. For me personally I like the instruction videos. It gives a very good impression on how to built the antenna before purging it and it really helps to built the antenna for the newcomers. A pictures / video tells more than a 1000 words. The other thing is the DX-Commander team is very open transparent on how the antenna is built. For people who don't have the money to buy the antenna are able to built it them self's. Other antenna builder companies can learn something here. I don't have any relation with the DX-Commander team and I am also not English. I am a member of your channel and I am really gaining knowledge from you but I think you are a little of track here. Let's look into the bright future, 73 and Merry Christmas. Martin. PD1MV
@Frank Caltabiano I think it’s you who doesn’t understand. I wrote “vertical antennas are all basically the same given the same ground radio system”. This means that if you have two same sized vertical antennas without ground radial systems they will perform the same -because neither have radials. If one has a ground radial system and not the other, the one with the radials will perform better. Not exactly earth shattering or debatable statements.
Has a kio hex beam ever been criticized? Has mfj ever been criticized? Has icom or yaseu ever been criticized? Has a car ever been criticized? It's not the end if the world. Both great men have great videos we can learn I'll continue watch a learning from both end of controversy.73 K4VTE
Dave, I agree with your assessment of the DX Commander instructions. A new, non-technical Ham may have difficulty assembling the antenna. Even some Ham Radio "Gray Beards" might have to do some head scratching. The UA-cam videos, while helpful, don't give a complete picture. Some of the videos are ambiguous and can be more confusing than helpful. I understand that Callum has a new instruction manual. I have not had the opportunity to look it over, but will certainly do so. Perhaps you might entertain making a detailed video from the box to on-the-air. Good Luck & Good DX, Al K3ZE
Just curious as to why you think the dx commander is a novice antenna? I dont think that is correct. Agree regarding the instructions, they need revised, not withstanding the videos available.
How do you think DX commander will hold up to a harsh winter? I live in Vermont and went between the DX commander and Zerofive and choose the Zerofive. Both Parties were awesome to answer questions and always replied back. One thing I did learn was the difference between Antenna Tuners, I was using a MFJ-993B and switched to a Palstar AT500 and all I can say is wow! The Palstar like supercharged my Antenna!
My DX Commander Expedition survived last winter in Delta Junction, Alaska (BP74EB) just fine. So far, my DX Commander Nebula is doing fine, but we have only had snow on the ground since mid-September. ;-) Only a few days with 40MPH+ winds so far. Still under 2.0:1 from 6M to 80M. It takes a few cycles of putting it up, testing, dropping it, shortening elements, putting it up and testing, etc, etc. But with a little time, patience, and a good antenna tester it pays off. BTW, the Expedition was my first antenna, but prior to spending the £425 I had researched, read the manuals and watched all of the DX Commander assembly videos I could find. A bit more involved than my Comet GP-6, but not hard by any stretch of the imagination.
I seem to recall Callum recently doing a video in which he said he was revamping his written instructions. I anticipate building his beefed up version of the DXCommander once it ships. Not sure, though, whether I qualify as a complete newb. If and when it arrives I will offer an opinion. 73
Thanks Dave for the information on this Controversial Topic. I just wish people would be more respectful about the human life experience that not everything is easy the devil is in the detail. and some have devilish thoughts. Interpretation of things can be looked at like a hour glass half full or half empty. £249.00 = 332.01 us dollars is quite a investment for a Antenna hope things get squared away. Thank 73 God bless
I don't have a license. I bet i can put this DX Commander antenna together with not much problems. It's basically just an ground plate, a hot plate, some wires. But even in the case i would not succeed as newbie. I can ask someone with more experience and we do it together and learn while doing it.
Hi Dave: It seems to me as a long time Short Wave Listener, that the delivery ratio of Signal to Noise is important metric in an antenna. In other words if two antennas can deliver the same signal, but one of the two, can reduce the noise floor more than the other, then the antenna with the lower noise floor is clearly ahead as far as reception is concerned. Perhaps you can do a receive test with a distant HAM buddy who can generate a test tone from which a comparison can be made? I am interested in seeing how the two verticals can transmit... I wonder what kind of test you are thinking of coming up with? All Ears... pun intended... always Listening... W1SWL Art
Dave: Could you please consider doing some comparisons between the DX Commander and your Hex Beam....this would be a very interesting comparison to see how much performance is gained (if any) when moving from a vertical to a hex beam. Thanks. Rod
An antenna "KIT" that's well over $300 shipped should at least include a comprehensive printed assembly/instruction manual. An internet connection should not be required to properly assemble a purchased product. I wouldn't even attempt to sell a product without a manual, it's just unprofessional IMHO.
A company called S9 (bought out by LDG and then sold again, doesn’t exist now) sold 31’ fiberglass telescoping verticals for under $100 as recently as 2014. You pounded a stake in the ground, plopped the pole on top of it, strung out your radials, instant vertical. Great review in QST. I built one with 32 radials and have a video of it on my channel on AM broadcast band. With a 4:1 unun, it tuned on every band and gave my Ohio signal a footprint in Europe, South America, and the continental US. Not as good as any dipole, beam, or EFHW I’ve put up since. But it worked. It’s laughable people are spending $300 plus for any vertical. They’re like worse than -3dBi, noisy and throw your signal everywhere except where you need it to go. Stop the insanity.
@@kd8opi Absolutely right! You can just string a wire vertically, connect radials, you can even feed it all directly without any baluns. It will be a vertical and it will perform as such. Of course, the more radials the better. 33 ft up is a nice quarter wave on 40m. Since the wire is not much load, you can do it with stuff you buy at Home Depot.
Dave, I knew what you were going after from the beginning. You have been more than kind with all people who did not understand. Thanks for your efforts and continuing patience with the community.
No details on coax type, length... antenna height, radiation plots etc. Not really a comparative test. Also blaming the antenna build on the teenagers now? "The DX Commander is for the new ham".... Well that's the problem ain't it? Seriously David, how can you expect someone with NO interest in ham radio or antennas to be buying an antenna, let alone put one together? Any antenna they would assemble incorrectly in my opinion. I think I read another comment below about needing a shovel, I'd suggest stop digging the hole deeper mate!
@@randonloebsolvingproblems4421 I suspect that’s a poor attempt at describing my comment. How’s about this one - imagine being a sorry little man who has nothing better to do than to make PowerPoint slides and videos attacking and hating on Ham UA-camr’s. Bravo my friend you’re onto a winner there douchebag
Dave. I respect you're views and informative videos a lot. I am sorry you are not able to admit you were WRONG about the DX Commander! Excuses don't make it. Shame!
Dave is correct in his observation. You have 2 people that seemingly have no knowledge of amateur radio struggle to put it together. I'm sure if you took 100 DX Commanders to the local high school and gave them out to 100 people that don't even know what amateur radio is that 99 would struggle. Where Callum lost me was his rude email to Dave. Telling him to stay inside so he can breathe better and on and on. Business owners don't do that. At least not in the US. That email struck me as a cocky arrogant f**** and I'll not watch another of his videos. A perfect example to everyone that the groupthink mentality isn't always the right path. Dave is entitled to an opinion.
@@cappaculla Nov. 25 live stream at exactly the 1 hour and 2 minute mark where it starts. Comments are littered throughout the entire 1.5 hour video but that's a good start. Got Dave riled up enough he told Calum "not sure if you have lakes in the UK but go jump in one". LOL Watch that video. It will change your view of the 60 year old mohawk.
More fake information. It CAN be constructed by a novice ham but it’s used by many experienced hams around the world too. Dave, have you ever considered that you might be wrong?
Many many happy dx commander owners, and the person who didn't assemble it is yelling that the sky is falling. I think you owe Callum an apology. Put your flip phone away and download the PDF of the manual to your smart phone like the rest of the world. I can only imagine what the ARRL is thinking about this quagmire
Dave, what a cop out about you intentionally letting it be pu together wrong!! You made comments at the time about no instructions, yet there are many good youtube videos by its maker showing exact instructions. Are you implying that new hams do not know how to use the internet for instructions? Sounds like you are trying to cover for your mistake now. I would like to ask the young men, under oath, how you instructed them to build the antenna. Did they not even check for youtube videos? A new low!
The dx commander will be just like the g5rv in a couple years. Hams will figure out its ok for camping, hiking, pota,,,ect. There are better solutions for base. For a base its not that great. I agree 100% with you, Dave
@@charlieoscar09 You believe a g5rv is good for a base? (I see you haven't had a nice yagi.) Do you remember how a g5rv was such a hot seller, and now you hardly hear of them? I predict that will be the same with a dx commander.
@@extreme978 Not just me but lots of stations including viariants used by the military. No I have not used a Yagi but I do have an HexBeam . The G5RV is a brilliant aerial if setup correctly that's why people still use them. If fashion means it's around for another 50 or so decades then it's probably been the most popular aerial around maybe that goes to the simple dipole. So I stand by my original post. You made a stupid comment
I am a newbie, first antenna build. I needed a couple videos to ensure I was putting it together and I even thought about rewriting the instructions... KN4YLL
You must live in the dark age when it comes to technology. I don't even own a dx commander ,but even I know there are a lot of videos to help you build it, which quite often work better than a bit of old fashioned paper. The having to go back inside to watch a UA-cam video just shows how old your thinking is or it's just another poor excuse on the build that was done. Ever heard of smart phones, tablets , laptops, all can be used outside, even in some remote places you can use 4g or 5g. You basically want old fashioned paper instructions and not have to watch UA-cam, yet here you are helping people via UA-cam videos and not doing books, you don't see the irony in that ,then I suggest you stop creating UA-cam videos if your going to critise it as a source of helpful information.
Great advice..but youtube is the best way to see how it's done,made,built...better than instructions!!!....If we all had instructions and no youtube your tip jar would be very empty i think for sure😆😆
I’ll align myself with the American and his youngster who is intelligent enough to be accepted by the United States Air Force: Chameleon CHA HYBRID, one page included COMPACtenna, two color pages included Hy-Gain 10-80, sixteen pages included DX Engineering Dipole, six color pages included Radio Wavz 80 DX, six color pages included Icom QRP Magnetic Loop, two color pages included ALPHA DELTA C, one page included Super Antenna, twenty pages included 73 Everyone, KO4CES
I don’t have a dog in this fight because I hate all verticals equally. But, Marcus you make a good point. I think if you sell a relatively expensive antenna, you should include some decent instructions.
If we are talking page counts, DX Commander Classic manual is 7 pages, and there is color if you print color. I can't tell you the last time I bought a product that came with a full manual. Most of the time you need to go online. Heck, the Yaesu FT991 I got only came with one of the 6 or 7 manuals I found online. This isn't the 60s, we have the internet now.
@@hamradio1017 Why make excuses for sub-par documentation? It’s not a cheap antenna, assembly outside is required. Just include a few pieces of paper. I don’t want to carry a laptop or tablet outside to put stuff together when a manufacturer is too cheap to include decent instructions.
@@kd8opi have you read the instructions? I did, no, I don't own one of the antennas... yet. It looks really easy to follow. I think where the sticking point is having kids that never built antennas build a complex multiband antenna. We also don't know their skills in building. Some people are naturals, others can't assemble Ikea furniture. The other issue I have is Dave was not forthcoming on what he was trying to do at first. He was setting it up to fail from step 1 and didn't admit it. That's my problem. He was really crapping on the ability of highschool boys to build a complex HF antenna, not on the antenna itself. He also never mentioned what elements were built for it. It can do several, but not all. Most antennas need some tuning based on many of the instructions I have read lately. That wasn't done.
@@hamradio1017 My point is that if the instructions suck, fix them. Valid criticism if true, and not that hard to do. If he doesn’t already, Callum should have detailed build video on his channel to clarify things. As far as Dave goes, the guy’s no Einstein. He’s wrong about beginners in this hobby. High school boys aren’t dropping $400 on this antenna, another $1200 for a rig, and plopping vertical antennas with radials in their parent’s back yard. That’s a myth. He’s also screwed up “building” a simple MFJ EFHW he couldn’t tune. I own the same antenna and it’s a damn superstar performer for chicken feed - almost 1/10th the price DX commander btw. Bottom line, I wouldn’t look to this channel on building anything. Still, I think he’s getting a bit too much hate for having an opinion. Personally, I think the DX commander is an overly complicated, relatively expensive, and questionably needed solution to achieving a low SWR on a vertical antenna that I think is better solved by using a simple non-resonant 31’ or 41’ piece of wire , a tuner and keeping your feed line short- or by using a remote tuner for long runs of feed line. But, to each his own. If someone wants to invest in this antenna, the bottom line is with a good radial set-up they will achieve the same mediocre performance as everyone else does with a vertical in most circumstances.
The chest puffing savior isn't here for the attention grab? His enlightenment shrouded in arrogance, condescension and false humility? Don't wanna throw shade.
Yeah, not denigrating anyone because of their I’ll health, just asking the guy to be honest. The DXC isn’t a hobby antenna as it once was, it’s now Callum’s primary source of income so an unfair negative review from someone with 100k subscribers needs putting right.
@@martinuk777 if you were asking him to be honest what does the fact that physically he had issues erecting the antenna has to do with it? Besides if Callum had a problem he would’ve addressed it himself which in all honesty he did by email and he said less cruel things then you did and it’s his antenna you coming to defend. And furthermore are you making any money off of Callum and his antenna so why do you care that it’s his main source of income? Stay in your lane. And again I remind you, Carmas a bitch and life is her twin
Okay, Dave. We are the same age - I think you may be a year older than me - but it kind of makes me scratch my head that you say that you have to go inside the house to check UA-cam in case you have a question about the written manual... Unless you're using a flip phone like Gibbs on NCIS, you have a fully functioning computer in your hand with high res UA-cam on it and it doesn't matter if you have Wi-Fi or data, it works great! I've changed out an ignition switch in my Dodge truck in the middle of the desert using a UA-cam video from my phone. You did a really honorable job going back and looking at the DX Commander - I know you got a lot of heat for your first one and maybe you should have explained to your viewers that you were, indeed, doing this as a test with the kids rather than having everybody assume you didn't know you were doing.
I've been following you for quite a while and intend to continue doing so. That being said, coming from a family of engineers, first responders, and teachers, please accept this very well intentioned advice and please set out your intent at the beginning of an instructional video as well as know your demographic and understand that the majority of them out here are probably watching you... Wait for it... On their phone. ;)
73!
Dave .... if your wrong, you are wrong .... don't try to defend your self by saying that you didn't build the antenna, but some noob who didn't going to use it anyway....
What does that say about the simplest interest in the antenna?
Same if I gonna ask my wife to repair my car when it breaks down.
She doesn't care and don't want to learn it either.
So if she would try to fix the car, will it be repaired as it should be???
DXC was my first HF antenna after getting my license. I setup this antenna without any issue with no help other than provided directions. Easy
Hi Dave,
Uh, look behind you. It looks like your lamp is about to fall over - 😲 don't want that to break.
Dave, ever since I received my license I have been making antennas (mostly dipoles). My present QTH has limited space in our back yard where my G5RV dipole just will not fit! Going vertical at this point is my only option. I found the "RYBAKOV MULTIBAND VERTICAL" on the Coastal Waves and Wires channel, and built it using 14 awg stranded wire, 4:1 UNUN, and the DXC 10m fiberglass pole. I can easily tune 40, 20, 17, 15, & 10 meters!
Now, I am adding the DXC Expedition kit that has the driven plate, ground plate, wire spreaders and nuts/bolts excetra. Omitting the wire as I can supply my own and also the bungee cord. I'll also have 80 meters on this same set up following Callum's instructions. Yes, the DXC is designed as a portable antenna and is also a very good choice for any Ham at any experience level based on ones budget. Great video and keep up the good work. 73's de kd5smf
Dave, Can you please set your touch lamp up straight on a solid surface. It leaning is causing me great anxiety.
Great video man, thanks.
I'm glad you pointed this out.
I'm relieved that I'm not the only one. It's that way in the last few videos and my OCD is off the charts! LoL
Sorry Dave. This antenna could not be simpler to build. I’m no mastermind but after watching how to build this antenna and downloading the instructions I went out bought the pieces required to build my own abv.
I first built an 8mtr model and had to re calculate the lengths and after not having the brains do sort this out I put it on a forums. Within 30 mins I had received quite a few comments with the correct lengths for the wires. I read, printed off, went out in my shed and built it. No problems at all. All swr’s came in well under 1.5 where I needed them and it worked very well.
I then decided to build the ten meter version, I couldn’t find a pole sufficiently strong enough so I bought Callum’s pole but only the pole. Everything else I have purchased from local shop’s and diy stores.
Everything tunes really well and all my swr’s are below 1.3 where I want them on the band’s . Even without a tuner I can go down into the ft8 section of a band and still tune under 1.5 @ 50 Watts and at 200 Watts out of my yaesu ftdx101MP it’s still under 1.8 so still no tuner needed.
I like watching your stuff but of all the antenna’s I’ve used over the years I’ve never found one that works so well and so cheap to make yourself (not for all bands anyway)
Even towards the end you gave a little back you still didn’t admit that you’d got this wrong from the start.
I actually made this antenna for a little over £100 / $135.
I wish you well sir but please if your going to do a review please take your time and review it properly. I’m now wondering how many other reviews you’ve got wrong and put me off getting something with your wealth of knowledge.
All the best de MW6PNW
Hey Dave, thanks for all your knowledge over the many years it has been truly appreciate it. Well wishes and stay strong
No offense, but the kids that assembled the antenna mistook a wire for a pipe.
Thanks for watching out for newbies, thumbs up!!!!
I've never been a fan of antenna AB testing by switching them back and forth on a single radio. It needs a long term wspr TX/RX or FT8 RX session over the course of a few days to get a more objective measurement of difference between the antennas.
No it doesn’t. A/B testing is fantastic. There’s no difference in ionospheric conditions, ground conditions, weather conditions, seasons, or time of day. Near-instantaneous comparisons of two antennae on the same signal. You can make the argument that the only thing that it’s comparing is receiving that one signal, and you’d be right. But it’s reasonable to assume that for DX with low takeoff angles the results would be similar.
Remember when you bought an antenna ,mounting kit and climbed the ladder before inspecting the chimney?
@@kd8opi A/B testing is inadequate. It is time that amateur radio import basic research design understanding from the social sciences. When you deal with propagation you deal with an uncontrollable variable that can be favorable to one antenna or the other, and there is no way to know. With A/B testing the two antennas cannot be in the same place, and even small location variances can make a big difference. In fact antenna A maybe affecting antenna B ! None of these effects are accounted for or controlled. You need controlled WSPR runs of several hours, a reference antenna, and simple statistical procedures to quantify and control for all these effects. Engineers are good with controlled measurements, not so good in research design involving uncontrollable variables.
@@skywarner4236 Now I’m going to disagree with you on this one. The social sciences have the worst reputation in all of science for having studies that are non-replicable and unscientific. There was an article in Science A few years ago about how sloppy methods and non-replicative data from the social sciences has poisoned what little credibility it’s has. BTW, The social sciences don’t have a lock on statistics, they’re used in every discipline. They just have a lock on bad statistics and bad science.
That being said I’ll address everything you wrote specifically because I think you’re completely wrong. Every variable that you say that A/B testing can’t control can be controlled. If you’re concerned about the antenna location, switch the locations and test again! I’m not even sure how your argument would apply to comparing a vertical a a horizontal dipole, which can never be in the same space to begin with, so I think that’s a red herring. And your argument about antenna A effecting antenna B can be dealt with in two ways: 1) you can deploy the antennas is far enough away that prior established science would tell you it is extremely unlikely that one could affect the other. 2) The other way to deal with it is to point out that your methodology of just putting two antennas up judging them on WSPR separately doesn’t control for that variable either.
Finally, all good experimental science is essentially AB testing. Doing it well is hard, but the key is controlling your variables and replicating your data. That being said, there is no double-blind, Placebo-controlled study that prove parachutes are effective preventing deaths in people who jump out of planes. So some common sense in everyday observations can help you make a determination when studies aren’t available.
I agree that Heathkit had it right when it came to how to write essentially fail-proof instruction manuals. The latest version of the DX Commander manual is far better than the initial versions.
I also think it is a given that makers of DIY of products should hand over the task of writing the instruction manual to those whose expertise is in writing instruction manuals.
Next time hand your helper a Butternut HF9V in the box with no instructions to see how he handles that.
Since a spectrum display shows many signals that are constantly changing, some coming and others going, it is impossible to draw any meaningful conclusion from this exercise. It is pretty much a complete waste of time. Much better to have picked ONE signal at a time to look at on whatever radio you cared to use and done the A/B antenna test on that one signal. That would be a meaningful comparison. Then, you could switch signals within the same band or different bands and again do the comparison.
I downloaded and read the instructions for the DX Commander. Other than seeing it mentioned on several YT channels, including yours, I have no experience with it. BUT, having read the instructions I am very confident I could assemble the antenna. My only quibble with the instructions is that in several places instruct to put on a connector or create a loop, THEN tell the builder to put on a piece of heat shrink tubing. It is difficult to impossible to apply heat shrink tubing after crimping the connector or forming a loop in the end.
Thanks for out for the newbies! Thumbs up!!!
The truth will set you free......hallelujah Dave , tell it like it is! ~K6SDW
I recently got hit by a lamp off my bookshelf. Please secure your lamp. It is worth the effort.
I have followed you for quite some time and know that you appraise the instructions of the kits you present on this channel and you are not intentionally picking on the DX Commander. I remember you were quite impressed with some sort of qrp rig kit and the detailed instructions and images they provided. So, I understand the non-accusatory angle of which this presentation is given, but you just described almost every product and the instruction manual combination of about every product of available. Most modern products don't even come with a manual you have to download it or watch their website video. Actually your DX Commander videos will probably help someone erect theirs. Thanks for all you do I know it takes time. You are an asset to the amateur radio service.
Use the RBN to test the TX capability of each antenna one against the other.
Just wondering why didn't you complain about the issue to DX Commander on Email or phone instead of complaining on this UA-cam making big story out it. I can't get my head around it about what you doing I have watched lots of your good videos you've put out very enjoyable But this video am just gobsmacked you making big childish video out out DX Commander.
Odd you would complain. The antenna performed well and I said so.
I don't know about you Dave but when we have new hams in our area we older guys and gals do what we call elmering said newbies you know to help our hobby and the DX Commander is a portable antenna that can be taken just about any where now you stepper vertical I'd like to see you pack that bad boy to a park or field day lol have a good day de W9US
Thank you, Dave.
I enjoyed the video. Looks like you have stirred up a hornets' nest.
From this video, comments by others and listening to Callum's videos, this antenna is fine.
The assembly instructions are the problem.
Writing instructions is a time consuming, tedious labor. Few have the desire, time or skill sets needed to write top notch instructions.
I have worked on scientific instruments worth about $ 200K with minimal and poorly written directions. That is not fun!
I have worked on tuning and reconfiguring other HF antennas. I carefully read the short manuals repeatedly, marked them up and made a lot of marginal notes. I then watched internet videos and read lots of reviews of the antennas. Then added to the marginal notes. At that point, I assembled the various antennas and did what modifications and corrections and tuning were needed to get the antenna operational.
The first time through is usually a hard learning experience. N0QFT
Glen, please resume construction of your roof towers!
Hilarious!!! I have a Hustler 4BTV with 40 radial between 15 and 35 feet long (750 feet of 16 gauge copper wire all together). It works great! I have contacts all over North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was about $200, easy to put together and tune. Love the videos and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the video David. I am interested in a DX-Commander and monitoring it for a while now.
For me personally I like the instruction videos.
It gives a very good impression on how to built the antenna before purging it and it really helps to built the antenna for the newcomers.
A pictures / video tells more than a 1000 words.
The other thing is the DX-Commander team is very open transparent on how the antenna is built.
For people who don't have the money to buy the antenna are able to built it them self's.
Other antenna builder companies can learn something here.
I don't have any relation with the DX-Commander team and I am also not English.
I am a member of your channel and I am really gaining knowledge from you but I think you are a little of track here.
Let's look into the bright future, 73 and Merry Christmas. Martin. PD1MV
Dave you have such a good track record why spoil it as you approach the end of your winning videos. Peace
What this should tell everyone is that vertical antennas are all basically the same given the same ground radial system. Spend as much as you care to.
@Frank Caltabiano If they’re ground mounted, they simply suck and aren’t worth testing.
@Frank Caltabiano Sorry, what’s your point?
@Frank Caltabiano I think it’s you who doesn’t understand. I wrote “vertical antennas are all basically the same given the same ground radio system”. This means that if you have two same sized vertical antennas without ground radial systems they will perform the same -because neither have radials. If one has a ground radial system and not the other, the one with the radials will perform better. Not exactly earth shattering or debatable statements.
@Frank Caltabiano No, I’m pretty sure you’re not making sense. Is your big reveal that same verticals don’t have ground systems? So?
@Frank Caltabiano I’m all ears Frank. Read what I wrote, and tell me your point. Some verticals don’t have radials. And?
Has a kio hex beam ever been criticized? Has mfj ever been criticized? Has icom or yaseu ever been criticized? Has a car ever been criticized?
It's not the end if the world. Both great men have great videos we can learn I'll continue watch a learning from both end of controversy.73
K4VTE
Dave, I agree with your assessment of the DX Commander instructions. A new, non-technical Ham may have difficulty assembling the antenna. Even some Ham Radio "Gray Beards" might have to do some head scratching. The UA-cam videos, while helpful, don't give a complete picture. Some of the videos are ambiguous and can be more confusing than helpful. I understand that Callum has a new instruction manual. I have not had the opportunity to look it over, but will certainly do so. Perhaps you might entertain making a detailed video from the box to on-the-air. Good Luck & Good DX, Al K3ZE
Thanks!
Just curious as to why you think the dx commander is a novice antenna? I dont think that is correct. Agree regarding the instructions, they need revised, not withstanding the videos available.
I saw some weak signals completely disappearing when switching to the SteppIR.
How do you think DX commander will hold up to a harsh winter? I live in Vermont and went between the DX commander and Zerofive and choose the Zerofive. Both Parties were awesome to answer questions and always replied back. One thing I did learn was the difference between Antenna Tuners, I was using a MFJ-993B and switched to a Palstar AT500 and all I can say is wow! The Palstar like supercharged my Antenna!
I left mine out last winter here in Utah and it was just fine. The only thing you really need to worry about is winds over maybe 30mph.
@Spike S Thats good to know!
@@KillerSpud Thank you!
Have had mine up for two years now in some cold and snowy winters.
My DX Commander Expedition survived last winter in Delta Junction, Alaska (BP74EB) just fine. So far, my DX Commander Nebula is doing fine, but we have only had snow on the ground since mid-September. ;-) Only a few days with 40MPH+ winds so far. Still under 2.0:1 from 6M to 80M. It takes a few cycles of putting it up, testing, dropping it, shortening elements, putting it up and testing, etc, etc. But with a little time, patience, and a good antenna tester it pays off. BTW, the Expedition was my first antenna, but prior to spending the £425 I had researched, read the manuals and watched all of the DX Commander assembly videos I could find. A bit more involved than my Comet GP-6, but not hard by any stretch of the imagination.
Now where did i put that spade???????? lol
How could you possibly see small changes in antenna performance by looking at an ssb signal, and with a display set to show ~100 db ?
Good job Dave !
I seem to recall Callum recently doing a video in which he said he was revamping his written instructions. I anticipate building his beefed up version of the DXCommander once it ships. Not sure, though, whether I qualify as a complete newb. If and when it arrives I will offer an opinion. 73
You’ll be fine Kyle, it’s an absolute doddle.
Thanks Dave for the information on this Controversial Topic. I just wish people would be more respectful about the human life experience that not everything is easy the devil is in the detail. and some have devilish thoughts. Interpretation of things can be looked at like a hour glass half full or half empty. £249.00 = 332.01 us dollars is quite a investment for a Antenna hope things get squared away. Thank 73 God bless
Great Video Dave!
I don't have a license. I bet i can put this DX Commander antenna together with not much problems. It's basically just an ground plate, a hot plate, some wires. But even in the case i would not succeed as newbie. I can ask someone with more experience and we do it together and learn while doing it.
Hi Dave: It seems to me as a long time Short Wave Listener, that the delivery ratio of Signal to Noise is important metric in an antenna. In other words if two antennas can deliver the same signal, but one of the two, can reduce the noise floor more than the other, then the antenna with the lower noise floor is clearly ahead as far as reception is concerned. Perhaps you can do a receive test with a distant HAM buddy who can generate a test tone from which a comparison can be made? I am interested in seeing how the two verticals can transmit... I wonder what kind of test you are thinking of coming up with? All Ears... pun intended... always Listening... W1SWL Art
Dave: Could you please consider doing some comparisons between the DX Commander and your Hex Beam....this would be a very interesting comparison to see how much performance is gained (if any) when moving from a vertical to a hex beam. Thanks. Rod
Yes, Callum needs to make detailed instruction made just for American users... 🤣
are all the Ask Dave videos available for purchase?
An antenna "KIT" that's well over $300 shipped should at least include a comprehensive printed assembly/instruction manual. An internet connection should not be required to properly assemble a purchased product. I wouldn't even attempt to sell a product without a manual, it's just unprofessional IMHO.
@Spike S It doesn't matter to me who does this, it's still unprofessional and not something I would do or appreciate.
Why when it is so easy to pull down the instructions.
A company called S9 (bought out by LDG and then sold again, doesn’t exist now) sold 31’ fiberglass telescoping verticals for under $100 as recently as 2014. You pounded a stake in the ground, plopped the pole on top of it, strung out your radials, instant vertical. Great review in QST. I built one with 32 radials and have a video of it on my channel on AM broadcast band. With a 4:1 unun, it tuned on every band and gave my Ohio signal a footprint in Europe, South America, and the continental US. Not as good as any dipole, beam, or EFHW I’ve put up since. But it worked. It’s laughable people are spending $300 plus for any vertical. They’re like worse than -3dBi, noisy and throw your signal everywhere except where you need it to go. Stop the insanity.
@@TheRetiredtech Sure it's easy, I've downloaded a plethora of manuals/etc over the years, but wouldn't you rather not have to do this?
@@kd8opi Absolutely right! You can just string a wire vertically, connect radials, you can even feed it all directly without any baluns. It will be a vertical and it will perform as such. Of course, the more radials the better. 33 ft up is a nice quarter wave on 40m. Since the wire is not much load, you can do it with stuff you buy at Home Depot.
DX Commander Classic is the Excalibur of verticals Just saying David: take a look from a noob.. @
Dave, I knew what you were going after from the beginning. You have been more than kind with all people who did not understand. Thanks for your efforts and continuing patience with the community.
Id like to see you you tubers answer comments. It makes for a better you tube experience.
No details on coax type, length... antenna height, radiation plots etc. Not really a comparative test.
Also blaming the antenna build on the teenagers now?
"The DX Commander is for the new ham".... Well that's the problem ain't it? Seriously David, how can you expect someone with NO interest in ham radio or antennas to be buying an antenna, let alone put one together? Any antenna they would assemble incorrectly in my opinion.
I think I read another comment below about needing a shovel, I'd suggest stop digging the hole deeper mate!
@@randonloebsolvingproblems4421 I suspect that’s a poor attempt at describing my comment. How’s about this one - imagine being a sorry little man who has nothing better to do than to make PowerPoint slides and videos attacking and hating on Ham UA-camr’s. Bravo my friend you’re onto a winner there douchebag
Dave. I respect you're views and informative videos a lot. I am sorry you are not able to admit you were WRONG about the DX Commander! Excuses don't make it. Shame!
That is such a blooper you would have better doing a new take
Dave is correct in his observation. You have 2 people that seemingly have no knowledge of amateur radio struggle to put it together. I'm sure if you took 100 DX Commanders to the local high school and gave them out to 100 people that don't even know what amateur radio is that 99 would struggle. Where Callum lost me was his rude email to Dave. Telling him to stay inside so he can breathe better and on and on. Business owners don't do that. At least not in the US. That email struck me as a cocky arrogant f**** and I'll not watch another of his videos. A perfect example to everyone that the groupthink mentality isn't always the right path. Dave is entitled to an opinion.
What email?
@@cappaculla Nov. 25 live stream at exactly the 1 hour and 2 minute mark where it starts. Comments are littered throughout the entire 1.5 hour video but that's a good start. Got Dave riled up enough he told Calum "not sure if you have lakes in the UK but go jump in one". LOL Watch that video. It will change your view of the 60 year old mohawk.
How was the waterfall generated
Instructions? What are those?
The s/n was obviously better on the commander.
More fake information. It CAN be constructed by a novice ham but it’s used by many experienced hams around the world too.
Dave, have you ever considered that you might be wrong?
Many many happy dx commander owners, and the person who didn't assemble it is yelling that the sky is falling. I think you owe Callum an apology. Put your flip phone away and download the PDF of the manual to your smart phone like the rest of the world. I can only imagine what the ARRL is thinking about this quagmire
Dave, what a cop out about you intentionally letting it be pu together wrong!! You made comments at the time about no instructions, yet there are many good youtube videos by its maker showing exact instructions. Are you implying that new hams do not know how to use the internet for instructions? Sounds like you are trying to cover for your mistake now. I would like to ask the young men, under oath, how you instructed them to build the antenna. Did they not even check for youtube videos? A new low!
They both used written instructions and UA-cam videos.
The dx commander will be just like the g5rv in a couple years. Hams will figure out its ok for camping, hiking, pota,,,ect. There are better solutions for base. For a base its not that great. I agree 100% with you, Dave
What a stupid comment....The G5RV has been around for decades and people are still throwing them up.
@@charlieoscar09 You believe a g5rv is good for a base? (I see you haven't had a nice yagi.) Do you remember how a g5rv was such a hot seller, and now you hardly hear of them? I predict that will be the same with a dx commander.
@@extreme978 Not just me but lots of stations including viariants used by the military. No I have not used a Yagi but I do have an HexBeam . The G5RV is a brilliant aerial if setup correctly that's why people still use them. If fashion means it's around for another 50 or so decades then it's probably been the most popular aerial around maybe that goes to the simple dipole. So I stand by my original post. You made a stupid comment
I am a newbie, first antenna build. I needed a couple videos to ensure I was putting it together and I even thought about rewriting the instructions...
KN4YLL
Laughing at all the DX Commander fanboys piling into Dave. I know whose opinion I would rather listen to.
You don't have to watch a video have you even looked at the instructions? And no I don't have the antenna but I did go and look at the instructions.
You must live in the dark age when it comes to technology. I don't even own a dx commander ,but even I know there are a lot of videos to help you build it, which quite often work better than a bit of old fashioned paper. The having to go back inside to watch a UA-cam video just shows how old your thinking is or it's just another poor excuse on the build that was done. Ever heard of smart phones, tablets , laptops, all can be used outside, even in some remote places you can use 4g or 5g. You basically want old fashioned paper instructions and not have to watch UA-cam, yet here you are helping people via UA-cam videos and not doing books, you don't see the irony in that ,then I suggest you stop creating UA-cam videos if your going to critise it as a source of helpful information.
Great advice..but youtube is the best way to see how it's done,made,built...better than instructions!!!....If we all had instructions and no youtube your tip jar would be very empty i think for sure😆😆
I’ll align myself with the American and his youngster who is intelligent enough to be accepted by the United States Air Force:
Chameleon CHA HYBRID, one page included
COMPACtenna, two color pages included
Hy-Gain 10-80, sixteen pages included
DX Engineering Dipole, six color pages included
Radio Wavz 80 DX, six color pages included
Icom QRP Magnetic Loop, two color pages included
ALPHA DELTA C, one page included
Super Antenna, twenty pages included
73 Everyone, KO4CES
I don’t have a dog in this fight because I hate all verticals equally. But, Marcus you make a good point. I think if you sell a relatively expensive antenna, you should include some decent instructions.
If we are talking page counts, DX Commander Classic manual is 7 pages, and there is color if you print color. I can't tell you the last time I bought a product that came with a full manual. Most of the time you need to go online. Heck, the Yaesu FT991 I got only came with one of the 6 or 7 manuals I found online. This isn't the 60s, we have the internet now.
@@hamradio1017 Why make excuses for sub-par documentation? It’s not a cheap antenna, assembly outside is required. Just include a few pieces of paper. I don’t want to carry a laptop or tablet outside to put stuff together when a manufacturer is too cheap to include decent instructions.
@@kd8opi have you read the instructions? I did, no, I don't own one of the antennas... yet. It looks really easy to follow. I think where the sticking point is having kids that never built antennas build a complex multiband antenna. We also don't know their skills in building. Some people are naturals, others can't assemble Ikea furniture. The other issue I have is Dave was not forthcoming on what he was trying to do at first. He was setting it up to fail from step 1 and didn't admit it. That's my problem. He was really crapping on the ability of highschool boys to build a complex HF antenna, not on the antenna itself. He also never mentioned what elements were built for it. It can do several, but not all. Most antennas need some tuning based on many of the instructions I have read lately. That wasn't done.
@@hamradio1017 My point is that if the instructions suck, fix them. Valid criticism if true, and not that hard to do. If he doesn’t already, Callum should have detailed build video on his channel to clarify things. As far as Dave goes, the guy’s no Einstein. He’s wrong about beginners in this hobby. High school boys aren’t dropping $400 on this antenna, another $1200 for a rig, and plopping vertical antennas with radials in their parent’s back yard. That’s a myth. He’s also screwed up “building” a simple MFJ EFHW he couldn’t tune. I own the same antenna and it’s a damn superstar performer for chicken feed - almost 1/10th the price DX commander btw. Bottom line, I wouldn’t look to this channel on building anything. Still, I think he’s getting a bit too much hate for having an opinion.
Personally, I think the DX commander is an overly complicated, relatively expensive, and questionably needed solution to achieving a low SWR on a vertical antenna that I think is better solved by using a simple non-resonant 31’ or 41’ piece of wire , a tuner and keeping your feed line short- or by using a remote tuner for long runs of feed line. But, to each his own. If someone wants to invest in this antenna, the bottom line is with a good radial set-up they will achieve the same mediocre performance as everyone else does with a vertical in most circumstances.
The chest puffing savior isn't here for the attention grab? His enlightenment shrouded in arrogance, condescension and false humility? Don't wanna throw shade.
You didn’t assemble the antenna yourself because you’re struggling physically. Just be honest.
You're admitting that the antenna is not handicapped-friendly!
What type of human gets off on denigrating a man because his health and mortality is an issue? Remember Karma is a bitch and life is her twin
Yeah, not denigrating anyone because of their I’ll health, just asking the guy to be honest. The DXC isn’t a hobby antenna as it once was, it’s now Callum’s primary source of income so an unfair negative review from someone with 100k subscribers needs putting right.
@@DellFargus funny that, I’m disabled and put my second DXC together not long after coming out of hospital after 6 months and learning to walk again.
@@martinuk777 if you were asking him to be honest what does the fact that physically he had issues erecting the antenna has to do with it? Besides if Callum had a problem he would’ve addressed it himself which in all honesty he did by email and he said less cruel things then you did and it’s his antenna you coming to defend. And furthermore are you making any money off of Callum and his antenna so why do you care that it’s his main source of income? Stay in your lane. And again I remind you, Carmas a bitch and life is her twin