Salty Walt’s Guide to Building Portable Ham Radio Antennas

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  • Опубліковано 29 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 146

  • @hedgiehogUK
    @hedgiehogUK 2 місяці тому +6

    THANK YOU!
    As someone who struggles to imagine concepts, tutors telling me "it's easy, you just do a thing and it'll be great" is utterly an useless approach (as are UA-cam videos about, say, BALUN winding where someone makes a huge video cut because they know what comes next so they think the next steps will be obvious to the rest of us… ERM NO!!)
    Much appreciated this video, Walt, along with your chatter as you were doing this. Helped me. 👍📡

  • @WECB640
    @WECB640 2 місяці тому +7

    Walt this is great. The hat looks superb! Remember kids, POTA is like golf....."Replace all divots". 73

  • @emielv7872
    @emielv7872 2 місяці тому +4

    Thank you Walt. Was great to see an actual build of one of your antenna designs. Cant wait for the antenna book. Hope to catch you on the air sometime. 73.

  • @kagmich5796
    @kagmich5796 2 місяці тому +4

    Walt, you are the reason I started building my own antennas. Thanks again for ALL the great tips!

  • @TungstenAmp
    @TungstenAmp 2 місяці тому +5

    Thanks for letting us watch over your shoulder. I’ve been wanting a DX Commander mast and this is the best demonstration I’ve seen for it.

  • @DeputatKaktus
    @DeputatKaktus 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for this video. At 43 I am just getting my feet wet with radio and am currently just SWL‘ing, and occasionally tagging along with friends. But I think I caught the bug already. You made this whole antenna building affair a lot less daunting than other tend to make you believe. After all, there are loads of seasoned hams with heaps of experience out there as well as those with a whole lot of opinion about what works and what doesn’t. The challenge is, I feel, to tell the two apart.
    73 from Germany!

  • @russellroberts2228
    @russellroberts2228 14 днів тому

    Excellent, informative, easy-to-understand tutorial. Aloha de Russ (KH6JRM).

  • @ThereseBrosnan
    @ThereseBrosnan 2 місяці тому +1

    Another great vid, thanks for all you do with these! Renewing time with my G90 and lots here to try...maybe "kiss" the nearby brackish sound with a radial 🌊

  • @davidrennolds969
    @davidrennolds969 2 місяці тому +1

    Yet another informative video Walt. Can't wait for your antenna book to come out. 73 Dave (G0BXS)

  • @JD144-
    @JD144- 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for the “behind the scenes” look and tips! Always enjoy the videos.

  • @graphicventures
    @graphicventures 2 місяці тому +2

    Hello Salty Walty, hope all safe your end. God bless. Enjoy your videos - as always! Cheers from the U.A.E.

  • @mikeramsey9747
    @mikeramsey9747 2 місяці тому +2

    You definitely make it look simple to build an antenna then get it up and operating.

  • @45Unit
    @45Unit 2 місяці тому +2

    Thanks for showing how simple antennas you build can work.

  • @markw.4679
    @markw.4679 2 місяці тому +2

    Back to basics, I love it!

  • @petersichel9934
    @petersichel9934 2 місяці тому

    Nice video. When measuring element lengths, if instead of twisting the wire back on itself you fold it back on itself you create linear loading allowing you to shorten the element slightly. The ratio is about 3:1. To shorten 1 foot you need 3 feet of linear loading. This trick can help you support a 33’ 6” EFHW on 32’ 8” (10m) pole, or just avoid cutting wire when adjusting your antenna. 73 and Enjoy! K1AV

  • @N4FTD-Paul
    @N4FTD-Paul Місяць тому +1

    Perfect for beginners. Reminds those of us who've been around a while that "it's not rocket science" and a "whack and hack" approach can get us on the air more quickly and more often. That's what I love about your videos, Walt. Keep 'em comin'! 73, Paul

  • @MrTommy001
    @MrTommy001 2 місяці тому +2

    You crack me up pounding that PVC into the ground - so easily. Here in NV when I'm out POTA'ing, I HAVE to bring a cordless drill and an 18" auger bit to drill a hole into our concrete-like ground just to get an antenna to stand up. But I still love it.

  • @IdahoBruce-r3g
    @IdahoBruce-r3g 2 місяці тому +2

    You never cease to amaze me, Walt. Thanks for the step-by-step instructions. I'm still using my Rybakov from a couple years ago (thanks to you) and I'm able to tune it from 80-6 meters with my G90. No band is worse than 1.3:1 after tuning. So, with a mere 8 feet of additional wire, we have access to every HF band except 160. Not bad. Thanks again for your contributions to the hobby.

  • @jimashmore6787
    @jimashmore6787 День тому

    Thanks for being realistic and passing the " scientific " folks.
    73, W5AAQ

  • @Buzzygirl63
    @Buzzygirl63 2 місяці тому +2

    Super helpful! I've built a number of wire antennas in the past but it's been many years, so I can use a refresher. Thanks for the show and tell, Walt!

  • @softstart100
    @softstart100 2 місяці тому +1

    Awesome video. That's how I built my wire antennas and still do. Save a lot of money not purchasing aluminum lol.

  • @robertruth3281
    @robertruth3281 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you Walt! This gives TREMENDOUS insight into a great way to "do business"!

  • @RunScared
    @RunScared 2 місяці тому +2

    Echo the comments of many here. Walt your videos are really interesting and helpful to me as a new ham. Happy Thanksgiving from a Canadian eh!

  • @bevo65
    @bevo65 2 місяці тому +1

    This man’s DNA is nonsense-free. Listen and heed! 🤠

  • @danieldaley9097
    @danieldaley9097 2 місяці тому +1

    THANKS SO MUCH….I’M JUST STARTING OUT AND THIS TAKES THE MYSTERY OUT OF THINGS FOR ME….

  • @darrentimmins3776
    @darrentimmins3776 Місяць тому

    many thanks for sharing your videos, i enjoy watching and building some of your projects 73,s M7ODT

  • @paulKJ5GKK
    @paulKJ5GKK 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video Walt. Appreciate the detail on lengths. I've been having great success with your random wire suggestions and now I'm gonna build this 17/5 vertical. Keep it coming. 73

  • @CD-W0DOS
    @CD-W0DOS 2 місяці тому +3

    Hey I beat you to the punch at 20:05 !! I couldn’t believe my ears after i heard you come in right after me!! Hope to make a qso with you some day Walt. 73

    • @CD-W0DOS
      @CD-W0DOS 2 місяці тому +1

      Notice my “my friend" at the end. I most definitely stole that from you.

  • @robbcrm1142
    @robbcrm1142 2 місяці тому +1

    Built that antenna today and spent the afternoon in my back yard in central Georgia just south of Robins AFB talked to Beto in Rio, Brazil at 6pm on 10 and Michael in Greece at 11pm on 20 with 20 watts on my easy to use G90 that I bought after seeing you have so much fun with it. Thanks Walt!! Love your Beautiful drawings… looking forward to buy your ARRL antenna book!!! Take good care, eat more crab/ lobster!! 73, Robb KC0VRO

  • @W4OGW
    @W4OGW 2 місяці тому +2

    Hey Walt, thanks for another great video! Can't wait for the book!
    Ever try Rick's Cheese Steak Shop ( not a sponsor) in Newport News Va? Man, what a sandwich!
    Anyway, great job, as always! Go Navy!
    73, W4OGW (formally KQ4NEI)

  • @handyparts
    @handyparts 2 місяці тому +1

    Great build hope to see more builds in the upcoming weeks 👍

  • @KC3UVF
    @KC3UVF 2 місяці тому

    I really need to put one of these up sometime. I don't have a 4:1, but I do have a 9:1. Just for something different than my 40m efhw or 80m random wire.
    That was definitely quite a storm. I was utterly floor4ed when I let the dog out before bed to see aurora with the naked eye in this light polluted area. There were reports of it showing up immediately at sundown. I'd have killed to be up at Cherry Springs State Park for the show.

  • @newsles2
    @newsles2 Місяць тому

    This is great. Thanks! Btw, I have those same wire cutters (from Bimart in my case) but I found the next model up from the same make to be way better, sturdier and more reliable for just a few dollars extra. As to a DX Cpmmander pole, I have the 10m and I've had issues with one of the lower sections working loose and sliding down (despite I thought, tightening it a lot) especially when it's been windy. But yeah, thanks again Walt. The book is going to be excellent I'm sure.

  • @mabattershell
    @mabattershell 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks Walt, your enthusiasm prompted me to build a random wire, 19 ft long, end fed antenna yesterday. I hung it between a tree in my front yard and my office window. I had purchased a Nelson Antenna 9/1 unun transformer years ago and just now used it for the first time. I made some POTA hunter contacts to Fla. and a special event station in NJ on 20 Meters. It also tuned up on several other bands as well. I had a blast and created my account with POTA. Keep up creating your awesome content!

  • @dandypoint
    @dandypoint 2 місяці тому +1

    Excellent! You also can’t reinforce the fundamentals enough like the horizontal measurement you mentioned! How to do it is in all the books but people still miss it. Keep up the good work.
    73, de N4DJ

  • @markw.4679
    @markw.4679 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you‼️👍

  • @rdpoulson
    @rdpoulson 2 місяці тому +2

    Hi Walt - thank you for showing an antenna build step by step super helpful!

  • @gaptastic
    @gaptastic 2 місяці тому +2

    Great video, Walt!

  • @stephanhersey1186
    @stephanhersey1186 2 місяці тому

    The park maintenance people don't like seeing people pounding stakes or anything into their grounds as they are afraid of you pounding into sprinkler lines. I've been hassled a few times.
    Good video.
    Steve, k7ofg

  • @NovemberOneOscarGrouch
    @NovemberOneOscarGrouch 2 місяці тому

    Building antennas can be so simple and fun. Thanks for another great video Walt. Have fun out there!

  • @DrDonPjr
    @DrDonPjr 2 місяці тому

    I built the 41’ 17’ (counter) with the 9:1 yesterday. Works 160-6 most without a tuner. The others tune very easily.

  • @christophermarshall5765
    @christophermarshall5765 2 місяці тому

    Nice job Walt!! You built this antenna, and proved it works. This is all that matters. We had the solar storm here also. People were posting pictures on our news. When these happen, I know to wait about a week or so for things to settle down before conditions improve.

  • @geirha75
    @geirha75 2 місяці тому +1

    Excellent Walt, and a lot of useful tips. Thanks!

  • @mikestone9129
    @mikestone9129 2 місяці тому

    Another great video Walt. Hope your wife is doing well. 73s, N5MLS

  • @hallen4094
    @hallen4094 2 місяці тому +1

    Love this channel 👍🏻🇬🇧🍺🇺🇸 keep up the great work 73's

  • @corsavic1
    @corsavic1 2 місяці тому +1

    thanks walt nice too see how its done

  • @jackmortimer329
    @jackmortimer329 2 місяці тому

    Thanks Walt. This is what I was looking for. You have confirmed many things I have been thinking of.

  • @DavidCohenII
    @DavidCohenII 2 місяці тому

    Super informative - thank you! This is exactly what I need. Currently (finally) studying for my General, live in coastal SC, and am mostly interested in portable operation. 73 de KK4WPE

  • @bkbigtone2866
    @bkbigtone2866 2 місяці тому +1

    This was a great video. Can't wait for the book.

  • @robertmeyer4744
    @robertmeyer4744 2 місяці тому

    Great job Walt. Thank you for the /W1 for that POTA station. help with his log . He may need that state for a award . I love that wire. I have it in bright pink and yellow in 20 AWG . When doing a resident antenna that threw and twist at end gives a great place to tune , make shorter or longer just twist extra wire . For my 10/11/12 meter one on 1/;2 wave I put different color heat shrink at the 3 tune points. Gets me very close every time. Around 5/8 wave will tune on 4:1 UNUN just play with length until you get the tune you want. The exact 5/8 wave is not important. Go for a SWR did in tune. I used a VNA-H4 to get a nice dip in SWR. I got 1.1 at 28.074 MHZ ar best . Was luck that day. I just guessed twist at end. I just aim for 1.5 SWR call it good . I even made a nice pile up on 20 meters at 43 FT vertical with 4:1 and it tuned 1.7 SWR with first try. I called CQ POTA got over 100 contacts that day. 5/8 wave 20 meter sloper . The RX was all over S9 . hed to back of RF gain and use filters in 7300 to narrow my RX bandwidth. Was awesome ! Just get 4 or more ground radials down. I had 16 about 1/8 wave ones down on 20 meter. Just hit tune on 7300. gave me 1.1 after 1.7 start. That was with pink 20 AWG wire and speaker wire on ground. And did only 50 watts. many thought I was QRO 1 KW . Love getting into the rose garden ! Some call that after S10 . Then northern light great in NY as well. lots of RED ! The last one i saw some green and red . Mike N2MAK saw them to ! Enjoy the peek of solar cycle ! 73 from NY !

  • @KF0NNQ
    @KF0NNQ 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for the video. Love the hat!!! That's was a great show! 73, Bill.

  • @CriticalThinker-42
    @CriticalThinker-42 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for getting back to Antenna Building video's, Walt!
    BTW, IMHO a Better/More Accurate Term is Non Resonant Antenna, as their intended to be Non Resonant on the Ham Bands. (and they continue to dispel the Myth that an Antenna needs to be Resonant in order to work well). The term Random Wire is a Misnomer that tends to mislead people causing confusion and frustration.
    Like some still using the term Windom Antenna which is an Off Center Fed Monopole fed by a single conductor that works against a Ground/Counterpoise system, instead of the more accurate term Off Center Fed/OCF Dipole which is fed through an Unun with Coax. Thankfully using Windom for a Coax fed OCF Dipole has mostly died out.
    Keep Spreading The Good Word, Walt!
    73 mike

  • @alexdiamantopoulos6614
    @alexdiamantopoulos6614 2 місяці тому

    Very well made Walt I do the same antenna on the pole in my back yard here in Florida.

  • @hughpatterson1480
    @hughpatterson1480 2 місяці тому

    Another home run Walt! I'm about to go do a testing session as a VE at our club and I'm going to make sure everyone attending knows about this video and your channel. Wow, conditions have been rough on the bands. For a week straight, I was logging global contacts from Japan to Eastern Europe. Then the bands went wonky. So I am waiting it out. I did manage to make a few decent contacts during this down time though. The Xeigu G90 proves itself again and again. I took copious notes from this video. Thank you again for this and all your other great videos. Also, I realized I addressed you as "Walk" not "Walt" in my last comment (previous video). My eyes are not what they once were. Sorry...73...Hugh...KN6KNB

  • @mobiltec
    @mobiltec 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video Walt. 73

  • @ChrisN9XC
    @ChrisN9XC 2 місяці тому

    Thanks walt for the info !! I Enjoy your antennas ideas they work great for me here in TN... 73 N9XC

  • @arthurgumbus3969
    @arthurgumbus3969 2 місяці тому

    Thanks Walt: I will be building your 10M vertical soon for my Xeigu g90 for POTA use. Keep up to good work. And BTW, I will be activating on shoreline Parks here in Connecticut soon. Best regards... Art W1SWL

  • @kennethherring2918
    @kennethherring2918 2 місяці тому

    Great video as usual, Walt. Thanks. I've follow your channel on a regular basis and I'm always looking forward to the next video. While I've been in the hobby for several years, it seems that I've gravitaed to making and expermenting with portable antennas and your videos are a great resource for ideas.

  • @jimashmore6787
    @jimashmore6787 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks, Walt! Look forward to the book!
    73
    W5AAQ

  • @pthithic
    @pthithic 2 місяці тому

    That's right! Been wanting to see you build of the antennas for ages!!

  • @JT-py9lv
    @JT-py9lv 2 місяці тому

    Need to rename the antenna... Leaning Tower of Pizza Antenna - LOL Enjoyed the video... OH - Like the SEA PATROL cap !

  • @EA8CVZ
    @EA8CVZ 2 місяці тому

    Buen trabajo. Gracias 73.

  • @TerraMagnus
    @TerraMagnus 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for taking the time to do this, Walt!

  • @josephgomes8543
    @josephgomes8543 2 місяці тому

    Hey Walt, we're having a very windy day here, so I suggest that you put the 2 DX caps in the G90 case so they don't blow off the table. A great little antenna and blessings on the great tuner in the G90. BTW, I discovered your channel when you were in Poland. 73. KC1MTM, Joe

  • @billssimplepinedesign8878
    @billssimplepinedesign8878 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video ! Thanks for sharing.

  • @CamilleCullen-ow6qj
    @CamilleCullen-ow6qj 2 місяці тому

    Another great video, many thanks! Robert K5TPC

  • @dnel83
    @dnel83 2 місяці тому

    Great video, very helpful, thanks!

  • @cinderoftheland1496
    @cinderoftheland1496 2 місяці тому

    Appreciate the level of detail!

  • @robbcrm1142
    @robbcrm1142 2 місяці тому

    Just talked to Finland, from Central Georgia, USA on that antenna. Haha!!

  • @KG6UQA
    @KG6UQA 2 місяці тому

    Awesome video walt... great content and also wanted to see things you do do to build your antennas

  • @Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee
    @Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee 2 місяці тому +1

    Nice 👍

  • @WildeGreg
    @WildeGreg 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for another great video Walt.

  • @javierarmendariz193
    @javierarmendariz193 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for the basic video! When is a ground rod needed? Yes, saw the aurora in MD.

  • @ArcticBlues1
    @ArcticBlues1 2 місяці тому

    Great Job!
    Thank You :)

  • @hazer72
    @hazer72 2 місяці тому

    That shiny new G90!

  • @JohnR_ytbe
    @JohnR_ytbe 2 місяці тому

    This video is so inspiring! Thanks Walt!

  • @johnjohnson2826
    @johnjohnson2826 2 місяці тому

    Hey man thank you so much. I love your enthusiasm.

  • @davemichaeli5339
    @davemichaeli5339 2 місяці тому

    Thank you, Walt, this was very helpful.

  • @KellyeEversole
    @KellyeEversole 2 місяці тому

    Great video!

  • @Kevin-M0KMU
    @Kevin-M0KMU 2 місяці тому

    Thanks again for another great video 👍

  • @revbikerbigd8664
    @revbikerbigd8664 2 місяці тому

    Great job Walt, thank you 👍

  • @jerryKB2GCG
    @jerryKB2GCG 2 місяці тому

    Thanks much Walt, great build video

  • @ki5tgk
    @ki5tgk 2 місяці тому

    Awesome Job Walt! Thanks and God bless

  • @ragheadand420roll
    @ragheadand420roll 28 днів тому

    Thx walt.

  • @DF2GN
    @DF2GN 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for this great video. 73 Klaus

  • @wambroser
    @wambroser 2 місяці тому

    Great video Walt!

  • @derwerd
    @derwerd 2 місяці тому

    Thanks Walt. That was fun.

  • @dc5723
    @dc5723 2 місяці тому

    The Leaning Antenna of Pisa, awesome! 73 de KH6DC

  • @hennero.3826
    @hennero.3826 2 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for the video, Walt. 🙂 As I only have approximately 3 months experience so far, I hope it is still legitimate to ask this potentially stupid question:
    When I use such a setup, I attach the driven element to the top of the pole before I put it up, and while turning and twisting the elements to together, the wire gets slightly coiled around the pole. Now, when seing how properly you tape the wire to the pole and how nice and clean it looks, I would like to know if you do that for a reason and if it makes a difference? 🤔
    73 de DO1HNR

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  2 місяці тому +1

      Hi and thanks for supporting the channel! Honestly I haven’t found any difference between a twist or having the wire straight put the pole. All the best and 73, Walt

    • @hennero.3826
      @hennero.3826 2 місяці тому

      @@COASTALWAVESWIRESOk, cool. Then I can stick with my method without fearing I am doing something "wrong". 🙂
      Your version with the electricial tape at the right places has the advantage of preventing the elements from automatically dismounting themselves, though. 😉

    • @petersichel9934
      @petersichel9934 2 місяці тому +1

      @@hennero.3826If you want to pole to stay up for more than a few hours without any sections collapsing, the tape is key. For a typical short POTA activation, it doesn’t matter.

  • @petemillis4666
    @petemillis4666 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video Walt!
    73 M3KXZ

  • @travisgilley3603
    @travisgilley3603 Місяць тому +1

    What determines if you use a 4:1 or 9:1 unun ? Love your videos and information. Keep up the great work and content!

    • @COASTALWAVESWIRES
      @COASTALWAVESWIRES  Місяць тому +1

      Thanks! I did a video on this:
      ua-cam.com/video/KTRF8TWZQds/v-deo.htmlsi=CLYa3KzQ4sqn-DW_

    • @travisgilley3603
      @travisgilley3603 Місяць тому +1

      @ I will check it out. Thanks. You the man!!

  • @StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio
    @StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio 2 місяці тому

    If I am doing any work at all now measuring and cutting with a tape measure, I wear work gloves. What I ended up doing was making up some guides using paracord for each of the main lengths I cut so I don't need the tape measure.

  • @jimhopk
    @jimhopk 2 місяці тому

    A rubber wine cork. Why didn't I think of that! 😂

  • @Jiminico
    @Jiminico 2 місяці тому

    How about some SWR figures for each band? We all don’t use a G90 that can tune a wet noodle. Can we expect our radio’s 3:1 internal tuner to tune the bands? I’m this case, I think you said 20 to 10 meters. Great videos! Love the channel. Thanks

  • @jamesabc372
    @jamesabc372 2 місяці тому +1

    Walt ,I built a 20 meter vertical dipole antenna. I'm
    using a10 meter aluminum
    mast with a tripod. I'm using a1:1 voltage balun. I'm using fiberglass fishing rod for the driven element wire 14 guage. And because of the metal mast
    the bottom element out 45 degrees away from the mast. Is that enough to stop any interaction with the mast , also the feed line
    Lmr 400 is parallel with the
    mast. Swr 1:26 @ 14.175 X= 8 ohms, R=62 ohm , impedance is around 63 ohms. Should this antenna
    be effective for dx? Just your opinion. Thanks! Do I need a chock for a voltage balun?😮

  • @scottmorris4914
    @scottmorris4914 2 місяці тому

    Great video. Thank you for putting it together. Is 4 radials provide for an effective counterpoise? I know the more the better, is 4 enough?

  • @briantalley8415
    @briantalley8415 2 місяці тому

    Thanks, Walt, this was really helpful.
    Out of curiosity, how was the SWR on that antenna?

  • @n0vty873
    @n0vty873 2 місяці тому

    I have a $10 chineesium fiberglass fising pole abt 18 to 19 ft in length. Stood up in a push in fishing pole holder, 17.5ft of wire up the pole, 9:1 and/or 4:1 unun to feed it, a choke on both ends of 50ft of rg58. And a single 30ish ft ground radial (what I had laying there). Tunes up nice on 40m through 6m using my FT-991A. Just put it up playing with it, maybe make a package deal to sell them.

  • @janiceemery2008
    @janiceemery2008 2 місяці тому

    Thank you Salty Walt for sharing such a great video. Walt what is the max power you can push through that kind of antenna? Looks simple to build, I think I will give it a try. Thank you again Walt.

  • @louislaporte1466
    @louislaporte1466 2 місяці тому

    Great video! What kind of SWR do you get with the antenna shown in this video? Do you check, or is the internal tuner on the G90 good enough that you don't worry about it? (and do you get this whole band with the ATU?)