I just received the 100 watt 20 meter dipole and the 40/20/15/10 Meters / Linked End Fed Half Wave one is on the way. Wanted to check this one out!! Cannot wait to try them out!!!
I bought two n9sab antennas of his ebay store and sold my Sotabeams Bandhopper. They are much more robust. Sotabeams works great but its pretty fragile.
"The mission determines the loadout." A linked dipole is a fine antenna for field deployments. It is especially usable if you're running a frequency and will be in-band for some significant amount of time. The same is true of verticals like the Wolf River Coils system. It's a great antenna if your working in-band. But if you're a hunter/chaser, then frequency mobility is more important. Activators are always changing bands as they work a site. So it's untenable to chase them across the bands with an antenna that you have to physically change to switch bands. That's the reason I favor EFHW or random wires for a lot of portable deployments. These antennas are workable on multiple bands and makes chasing activators a lot easier. I've done a number of SOTA activations with a SOTAbeams 20-30-40m linked dipole. It was not a big deal to change the links when changing band. But it made chasing S2S contacts a lot harder. Fortunately (for me), a number of activators will jump to my frequency and call S2S.
Tracey enjoyed watching this video. I also have one of Tim's antennas. The QRP Version. Wish I would have purchased the 100 Watt version but I still think that the QRP Version is a good performer also. I always like watching how you set up your antennas. I use one of your ideas for deploying my spider beam 12 M mast ( use 3inch pvc pipe as a base) works like a champ. Who knows maybe I will catch you on your next activation. 73 George KB3WAQ
Thanks for reviewing this antenna, awesome video! I enjoy POTA and run a Chameleon TDL and an MPAS. I ordered and received the 100w linked dipole from N9SAB after watching this video. Looks very well made and I can’t wait to get out on the air with it. On a side note I recognized one of your contacts, K2HA. I’ve made two contacts with him in the past. Small world, hopefully I can add you to my logbook one day. 73 K1KAJ
I have the same antenna. Works like a champ! I usually configure it as an inverted v. Sorry I wasn’t able to work you for your activation. 73 my friend.
Hi Chris, hope you and your family are doing well! Went back and watched your video on this antenna. Did you ever get the SWR down? I think I know why your SWR was high.
@@OutdoorsOnTheAir 20m was perfect out of the box. For 40m, I just folded the ends back and brought it in. I noticed on yours the 40m legs are separate. On mine they are attached with a small loop at the links.
Thanks for the video. New ham here. I have a loaned linked dipole for 20/40 from a friend who doesn’t need it anymore. I plan on making a fan dipole for home to run 80/40/20/10. We shall see how that works. Question: When you said you had to remove the link for 40, did you mean take it off and run paracord to the 20m?
Welcome to ham radio! Yes, that's exactly what I meant. I had to remove the 40m extensions and tie the paracord to the 20m radiator ends. Now get out there with that linked dipole 👍
@@OutdoorsOnTheAir So to follow up, the other element just sitting there disconnected was affecting the SWR? That means I have to get off my lazy bum every time I want to change bands on a linked dipole (or at least what you experienced)? I wonder if I should just throw the fan dipole together. Or I could hoist up the linked dipole and get on the air and quit this dreaming. Haha. In my engineering career they called this the paralysis of analysis. All the best! 73 de KI5HXM
Nice video, nice antenna. I use a dual band 20 / 40 dipole. It uses coils to make the antenna resonant on both bands. When I operate portable, 99.9% of the time I only use 20 and/or 40 meters. Those are my two favorite bands. Now that 10 meters has been open, I think I will carry along a stand alone 10 meter dipole, just in case. Barry, KU3X
Hi Mike, there are several things i look for when facing an issue like this. - First, is the antenna damaged? I don't believe that to be the case here. - Second, if in an inverted V, is the angle at the feedpoint less than 90 degrees? No, it was much larger than that in this install. - Third, is there metal in the near field of the antenna? Usually not an issue in the backcountry, but there were metal tent poles within about 20 feet of the antenna which might have played a role. - Fourth, the feedline. Was there an issue with the ABR low loss coax I was using? Could be. I bought a bunch of ABR RG8X last year thinking it could help with low power deployments, and while it is good coax, I have found it less than ideal for portable ops. I'll likely expand on that in a future video.
Nice video as always Tracy. Tim makes great antennas. I own a OCF Dipole by N9SAB and it works like a champ. Did you do any antenna trimming before you went on the trip? Thanks and 73! George K2WO in FL
Hello Geoff, thank you! Yes, the FT-891 has the ability to display SWR in place of the Power Output display. 1. Short press the F key. 2. Short press the F key a few times until Function-2 screen is displayed. 3. Turn the multi knob until the MTR box is highlighted (upper left corner). 4. Press the multi knob in to get to the MTR menu. 5. Use the tuning knob to select SWR (you'll have to be quick or the display will revert to the VFO screen). 73 from VE3TWM.
Nice review, Tracy. I scanned on 20m but unfortunately couldn’t hear you there either. Looking forward to your next activation. Have you considered a Zoom video on UA-cam with Tim, maybe others, live or recorded? 73 de N4WLC Bill
Very nice demonstration of the antenna, Tracy. Seems very rugged. I hope, you had enjoyed your POTA activation (beside the bugs...). Thank you for sharing! 73's de Stefan DG4RBS
Hi Tracy just got through watching your POTA activation great video. The antenna seems to be very interesting the link dipole. I was watching on K9VBR Channel where he made contact with you that was exciting. And by the way congratulations on getting Cayman Islands with the set up that’s fantastic. I just became a subscriber on your channel. You do excellent videos Hope to work you someday. Take care and stay safe. 73 WD5ENH Steve
I'm a new ham last year. everytime people say i'm going up from 40 to 20 ... I'm LIKE ...what? BUT I understand after 10 seconds that's up in frequency. It messes with me everytime.
Tim makes great antennas. I own two N9SAB EFHW antennas. Highly recommended.
I just received the 100 watt 20 meter dipole and the 40/20/15/10 Meters / Linked End Fed Half Wave one is on the way. Wanted to check this one out!! Cannot wait to try them out!!!
Thanks for sharing this very interesting information
N9SAB antennas are very well thought out for the those with the need of ruggedness. Functionality rating 10/10! I own three. Thanks for the video!
I often use the SotaBeams linked dipole but this looks like a great alternative
Thanks for the great review
I bought two n9sab antennas of his ebay store and sold my Sotabeams Bandhopper. They are much more robust. Sotabeams works great but its pretty fragile.
Linked dipole from Sotabeams is just great!
Good work! I think part of your success is your calm easily read voice. Good sounds from the deep woods of Ontario.
Thank you, Lew!
"The mission determines the loadout." A linked dipole is a fine antenna for field deployments. It is especially usable if you're running a frequency and will be in-band for some significant amount of time. The same is true of verticals like the Wolf River Coils system. It's a great antenna if your working in-band.
But if you're a hunter/chaser, then frequency mobility is more important. Activators are always changing bands as they work a site. So it's untenable to chase them across the bands with an antenna that you have to physically change to switch bands.
That's the reason I favor EFHW or random wires for a lot of portable deployments. These antennas are workable on multiple bands and makes chasing activators a lot easier.
I've done a number of SOTA activations with a SOTAbeams 20-30-40m linked dipole. It was not a big deal to change the links when changing band. But it made chasing S2S contacts a lot harder. Fortunately (for me), a number of activators will jump to my frequency and call S2S.
GREAT points. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Very cool. Nice setup
Thank you!
I have never used a linked dipole! Time for some experimentation and sending some GBP across the pond……….
Sotabeams make a brill linked dipole.
40/20 and a 80/40/20.
All sold in UK.
Tracy, thanks for another great video. I have a Yaesu FT891 and love it. I'm considering purchasing this antenna.
Thank you, Norman!
Really enjoyed this video Tracy. Looking to add this dipole to my POTA kit. 73
Thank you and 73 from VE3TWM!
Tracey enjoyed watching this video. I also have one of Tim's antennas. The QRP Version. Wish I would have purchased the 100 Watt version but I still think that the QRP Version is a good performer also. I always like watching how you set up your antennas. I use one of your ideas for deploying my spider beam 12 M mast ( use 3inch pvc pipe as a base) works like a champ. Who knows maybe I will catch you on your next activation. 73 George KB3WAQ
Hi George, thank you for your comment! I'm looking forward to that contact with you. 73 from VE3TWM.
thanks Tracy another fantastic video 73 from kb2uew
Thank you, Alvaro and 73 from VE3TWM.
I love seeing your video's, it's like a trip to parts of the world I've never seen. Thank you.
Thank you for letting me know!
I prefer a dipole for portable when I have room. They always surprise me when I use one with great results on 5 or 10W.
I know what you mean!
Thanks for reviewing this antenna, awesome video! I enjoy POTA and run a Chameleon TDL and an MPAS. I ordered and received the 100w linked dipole from N9SAB after watching this video. Looks very well made and I can’t wait to get out on the air with it.
On a side note I recognized one of your contacts, K2HA. I’ve made two contacts with him in the past. Small world, hopefully I can add you to my logbook one day.
73 K1KAJ
Thank you for your comment! you're really going to like that antenna.
I'm looking forward to our contact. 73 from VE3TWM.
Nice review. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
I have the same antenna. Works like a champ! I usually configure it as an inverted v. Sorry I wasn’t able to work you for your activation. 73 my friend.
Hi Chris, hope you and your family are doing well! Went back and watched your video on this antenna. Did you ever get the SWR down? I think I know why your SWR was high.
@@OutdoorsOnTheAir 20m was perfect out of the box. For 40m, I just folded the ends back and brought it in. I noticed on yours the 40m legs are separate. On mine they are attached with a small loop at the links.
Thanks for the video. New ham here. I have a loaned linked dipole for 20/40 from a friend who doesn’t need it anymore. I plan on making a fan dipole for home to run 80/40/20/10. We shall see how that works.
Question: When you said you had to remove the link for 40, did you mean take it off and run paracord to the 20m?
Welcome to ham radio! Yes, that's exactly what I meant. I had to remove the 40m extensions and tie the paracord to the 20m radiator ends. Now get out there with that linked dipole 👍
@@OutdoorsOnTheAir So to follow up, the other element just sitting there disconnected was affecting the SWR? That means I have to get off my lazy bum every time I want to change bands on a linked dipole (or at least what you experienced)? I wonder if I should just throw the fan dipole together. Or I could hoist up the linked dipole and get on the air and quit this dreaming. Haha. In my engineering career they called this the paralysis of analysis. All the best! 73 de KI5HXM
Bummer about the SWR issues.
Great video, thanks
Thank you!
Well done Tracy. Nice antenna!
Thank you!
5:55 You're a lefty too. Cheers to another Southpaw!
Cheers!
Nice video, nice antenna. I use a dual band 20 / 40 dipole. It uses coils to make the antenna resonant on both bands.
When I operate portable, 99.9% of the time I only use 20 and/or 40 meters. Those are my two favorite bands.
Now that 10 meters has been open, I think I will carry along a stand alone 10 meter dipole, just in case.
Barry, KU3X
Thank you, Barry! It's interesting to hear your antenna and band strategy.
I’ve heard great things about those antenna. Surprised you were having swr issues.
Hi Mike, there are several things i look for when facing an issue like this.
- First, is the antenna damaged? I don't believe that to be the case here.
- Second, if in an inverted V, is the angle at the feedpoint less than 90 degrees? No, it was much larger than that in this install.
- Third, is there metal in the near field of the antenna? Usually not an issue in the backcountry, but there were metal tent poles within about 20 feet of the antenna which might have played a role.
- Fourth, the feedline. Was there an issue with the ABR low loss coax I was using? Could be. I bought a bunch of ABR RG8X last year thinking it could help with low power deployments, and while it is good coax, I have found it less than ideal for portable ops. I'll likely expand on that in a future video.
Nice video as always Tracy. Tim makes great antennas. I own a OCF Dipole by N9SAB and it works like a champ. Did you do any antenna trimming before you went on the trip? Thanks and 73! George K2WO in FL
Thank you, George! No trimming. Still wondering if the tent poles were affecting the SWR. 73 from VE3TWM.
Hello Tracy, great video. Tell me does the FT-891 has a swr reading facility; where is it in the menu.
73 de Geoff vk3sq
Hello Geoff, thank you!
Yes, the FT-891 has the ability to display SWR in place of the Power Output display.
1. Short press the F key.
2. Short press the F key a few times until Function-2 screen is displayed.
3. Turn the multi knob until the MTR box is highlighted (upper left corner).
4. Press the multi knob in to get to the MTR menu.
5. Use the tuning knob to select SWR (you'll have to be quick or the display will revert to the VFO screen).
73 from VE3TWM.
Wow. 👍 Pretty impressive
Thanks Tracy, good video.
Thank you, Gordon!
Nice review, Tracy. I scanned on 20m but unfortunately couldn’t hear you there either. Looking forward to your next activation. Have you considered a Zoom video on UA-cam with Tim, maybe others, live or recorded? 73 de N4WLC Bill
Thank you, Bill! and thank you for your suggestion on the Zoom call with Tim. I'll pass it by him and see what he thinks. 73 from VE3TWM.
Very nice demonstration of the antenna, Tracy.
Seems very rugged.
I hope, you had enjoyed your POTA activation (beside the bugs...).
Thank you for sharing!
73's de Stefan DG4RBS
Thank you, Stefan and 73 from VE3TWM!
Nice...................
Hi Tracy just got through watching your POTA activation great video. The antenna seems to be very interesting the link dipole. I was watching on K9VBR Channel where he made contact with you that was exciting. And by the way congratulations on getting Cayman Islands with the set up that’s fantastic. I just became a subscriber on your channel. You do excellent videos Hope to work you someday. Take care and stay safe.
73
WD5ENH
Steve
Thank you, Steve! I'm looking forward to that contact with you. 73 from VE3TWM.
Is there a 1:1 balun at the feed point?
No sir.
I'm a new ham last year. everytime people say i'm going up from 40 to 20 ... I'm LIKE ...what? BUT I understand after 10 seconds that's up in frequency. It messes with me everytime.
That fooled me for a while after I got my ticket, too!