3 Cheap Wire Antennas for New Ham Radio Operators

I show you exactly how to build the THREE best wire antennas that all ham radio operators should be able to build in their sleep. Presented originally at QSO Today. Callum.
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[@ChipEckardt]

At the time I watched there was under 50 views. A shame because the technical content is exceptional.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Over 1,000 now (4 hours later)

[@BorisEkner]

Agreed.

[@doesstuffoutside]

I have learned a ton from your antenna modelling videos, thank you for making them. I just built a fan dipole after watching one of your older videos about them. Dropped my noise floor from S6 on my end fed random wire to S3, with no perceivable dip in signal strength on received signals. I've only been in the hobby for a little over year, and having people like you making content like this has been a huge boost to my learning. Thanks again.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice work!

[@williambarrett70]

I am building a HALF wave vertical for 20 meters. The feed point is 8 feet off the ground so it's not going to require ground radials. I don't seek any credit for the design myself; I saw it in the December issue of QST magazine and liked it! 73. Bill/WW5MB

[@saxmusicmail]

Callum, I don't know about the UK, but in the US a good cheap wire for antennas is 14 ga THHN. This is insulated stranded wire. 14 ga is 1.6 mm. 12 ga is 2.05 mm. For a permanent installation THHN is fine, but it is stiff and wants to coil and kink, so is a problem for portable antennas. For that I prefer 14 ga MTW... Machine Tool Wire. It is not as stiff and rolls up, unrolls, lays out nicely. MTW is what you might find in a washing machine or dryer, or in automotive wiring. I did just what you said, bought a 500' spool (152 meters) of 14 ga MTW. It was cheap because the spool was cracked. I made it hold together with a scrap piece of 3/8" dia threaded rod, some fender washers, and nuts. Only other thing, it was purple wire. Who cares? Great for experimenting!

[@fthorup]

Building antennas are the FUN part of the hobby! Im taking my license mostly to be able to test my antennas....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good job!

[@ronwolenski-n8wcr]

You explain things so marvelously and simply, with a bit of tech thrown in but you don't know it because the way you explain things. I've been a ham for a while yet I know just the tip of all this. Love watching your videos!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow, thanks!

[@DonzLockz]

very helpful Callum. I need to watch a few times to let it sink in my brain. lol

[@fly1327]

This brought back memories, making so many (literally 100's of) wire antennas decades ago for ham radio. That simulation software would have been KILLER, but PC hardware was just an idea back then. Thanks!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I know..!

[@Subdood04]

This so great stuff. New to Ham, got my General license a few weeks ago. KQ4CHG 73 and out.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Welcome Gene!

[@cornelishummel7987]

Happy to been back hope you get all backups back greetz from holland callum

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

Well...I see you've planned my lunch break for today and tomorrow... Good stuff as usual, thank you. (And there is a transcript.. very cool)

[@williamhutchinson8818]

I understand your comment you are a worker I used to treasure my free time also. Retired now.peace.

[@AndyAAzeroAM]

@@williamhutchinson8818 yes sir, even an hour away from the days stresses helps very much.

[@paulhastings3109]

Thanks Calum back at it. Outstanding

[@DXCommanderHQ]

My pleasure!

[@gregsmith1116]

Thank you,Callum! That video summed up my experience. I have had great success with the triangle up at 1 wavelength on 20 Meters and it gets out great and receives great! So cool. Thank you!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fantastic!

[@lawrence1md]

I would like to see a 70cm triangle antenna build or mock up with that program

[@Siskiyous6]

Callum, I really like your audio now. I am deaf and a half. It used to be I could not follow you, but now you sound great. I have a 144 foot Doublet (43 meters), it tunes all the bands from 160 down to 6, but a few of the higher HF not all that well. I am giving thought to making it a fan Doublet, in particular for 17M, because that is such an important band anymore. I do love antenna tinkering.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, sorry about the video.. When I record at home with all the gear it sounds like this.. BUT when I record using the cheap gopro type cameras, possibly then you can't hear me right.. BUT I always switch on subtitles for you. Good luck..

[@fredflintstone8048]

Another great video, very informative. That software is a load of fun to play with and takes a lot of the guesswork out of setting up antennas.

[@andreVE4BK]

Another great & informative video Cal!… Other than a Cush A4S Yagi, I’ve built all my antennae, from G5RV to copper pipe/ribbon J Poles, to Dipoles & doublets. Currently looking at verticals, and possibly one of yours when finances allow. Keep safe my friend.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Very nice!

[@browntroy101]

Nice video! Antenna building is in my future! Thanks for the very informational video! Great to see the graphics!!

[@frankwc0o]

I hope things are going better Callum. Keep it up.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

They are - thank you!!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Another totally outstanding video. When I started study for the General License (passed it 3 weeks back) I became obsessed with antennas! My DXC classic from DXE is on the way here. I am overjoyed. I hope to do the build justice and follow the manual faithfully and enjoy a level of clean signal my EFHW can only hope for. What I find so intriguing is these verticals are end fed and yet I need a 49:1 unun on my EFHW to get my impedance back to ~50%ῼ, why is that?

[@ronjones4069]

you explain things so well, you bring really hard concepts down to the basics and all that matters. I love your "bananas:.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you, Callum. Have a great day. NOQFT

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you too!

[@pathopkins4500]

Glad to see you back on Cal =)

[@kcarmical]

Great video! Wish I'd known all this years ago :-)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You and me both!

[@nickmoniker]

Thanks for reposting this!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No problem!

[@arkyump]

I wish I could spend a week with you building antennas. I’d buy the chips and beer.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Cool. I love chips and beer! LOL

[@vu3mes]

Nice to see you back Buddy 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@MBillCylle]

Great stuff, Calum, thanks a lot!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

My pleasure!

[@markturner5799]

radials and 7ft solid welded fence 50m long or just fence my garden is 7m by 7mt square thanks cal hi have 50ft trees 10 mt the otherside of fence also

[@DarrenLewis-y6v]

Great stuff Callum,thank you.121Blacktop in the Channel Islands….Darren

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No problem 👍

[@bill-2018]

I've never tried a loop but they sound interesting. MMANA sounds good too. I read it can be used with a windows emulator as I run Linux. Okay, buy an apple, eat it, take a seed, plant it, wait 30 years before you can string up a vertical to it. This takes some long term planning. G4GHB.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ideally a 100 years for an oak tree.. Ideal!

[@bill-2018]

@@DXCommanderHQ If I plant a seed now my future nephews or nieces can put up an aerial. 73, G4GHB.

[@donbarker6783]

Thanks Callum, nicely done. 73 KM4SON

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you too!

[@ryankc9oza118]

Thanks for the info

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Any time!

[@RobertMacCready]

Interesting to watch. I'm many years old and still enjoy learning about antennas. I'm in an HOA here in Florida. Just getting back into HR after a long stint doing other things. Have a 2 meter rig but looking at a new HF rig. My question is should I just start with a simple dipole, do a vertical, or a triangular setup. I have 3 palm trees that are about 15 feet tall (before the foliage). The 1st one is 40' from the 2nd one and the 2nd one is about 30' from the 3rd one. They are not in a perfect straight line but the 3rd one is a shade to the right of the other 2. What would you suggest?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh Robert.. SO MANY options for you. Depends on bands etc. I would start with loading up a 20m vertical using one palm tree as the support. Go up 15 feet and then come back down again - and see what freq it's resonant on, shouldn't be far off 20m.. You will need some small radials scattered / pinned down on the ground. Say 16 x 6 foot radials.. Even in a 180 degree arc. That would do 20m very well.

[@RobertMacCready]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you for your reply and the advice. It is much appreciated. de KQ1K.

[@np3jd37]

I have a Delta loop for 20 meters feed at 1/4 wavelength on one of the sides. It is hanging from a tree so the base of the equilateral triangle is some 12 feet above the ground. I wanted it to rotate so a placed a pvc pipe 3 inches along the base side. Now it is always straight as an arrow and I can rotate it of course with armstrong rotator. With this I think you get like some 1.5 db and an odd look from the neighbors.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Cool!

[@markturner5799]

for vertical

[@g7npl]

Hi Callum can please re put up your videos on Antenna Modelling thanks.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, I have a plan for that. Hang on just 2-weeks :)

[@richardwhitcroftkc3rrw63]

thanks for the review....always learning and thinking .... Rich kc3rrw 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@wrenchmonkey3920]

I've indeed got apple trees but none 15m tall. Do have a concrete stave silo 40' tall. Dont know if they're in the UK, has steel bands and think they'd reflect / direct.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Interesting experiment!

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Awesome!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks!

[@jonthebru]

I understand 60 meters is like a stepchild, but what antenna would you suggest for 60 meters? I'm thinking an EFHW of sorts that would be long enough for 80 meters as well. Crazy, not crazy?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Fan dipole would do both? Or a doublet. Perhaps coax-fed with a 4:1 balun and a tuner.

[@GregWiles-zu4di]

You crack me up and we learn a lot also I'm a Percussionist as well! I fly Tama 9pc. Retiring soon have a buttload of radios a couple of amps.. Hope to talk soon to you be well! 333 kcx 9511.. Personal Here is Greg

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah OP Greg!

[@GregWiles-zu4di]

@@DXCommanderHQ 333 so. cal. high desert! Thanks Callum. 73s Greg

[@mohinderkaur6671]

There are NO 18m verticals in stock on your website. when will they be available?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

About 2-weeks.

[@ronpetroski7203]

Off beat comment here. You have Micheal Kane voice and intellect.

[@wild-radio7373]

Thank you sir!🥰👍

[@wild-radio7373]

Man!! I hope some day I am half as smart as you are!! Thank you for explaining stuff in a way that is easy to understand!! Luv ya♡

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Me too :)

[@Superacerc]

Where is the feed point for those triangular loops?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Normally any corner - BUT it'll also work (not as pretty) along one length

[@Superacerc]

@@DXCommanderHQ thanks Calum. I went back and watched several of your videos to check on that. I think I'll add one here to my yard full of trees and wanted to make sure it's aimed at you guys with the best low angle émission possible.

[@bigdogbrosadventures8371]

Hi Callum, Can your Classic 80m antenna system have the 10 or 12 meter wires be tuned to work RX/TX well on 11 meter (yeah I know)? What is the length of the ground radials (3 meters?) and do they need to be all the same length wire OR could some be longer for the 40-80 meter band for any extra benefit? One last question...do you have SWR/freq plots for the 10 thru 80 meter bands? Many thanks far all your work!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, firstly radials can be as random as you like.. So I used 3.5m radials (10 feet?) on 80m and it worked fine. Thats same as 5 feet on 40m or 2 feet 6 inches on 20m - all worked.. Also the CLassic can be used on 11m. You can either hit the ATU button, or say move 12m into 11m. You will still get a tune (with ATU button) on 12m band. Now.. The new Signature 12.4 has this build it :)

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

What happens when you put the feed point in the middle of a side on the triangle?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You get a bit of both..

[@hughvines4585]

Do you make a scanner antenna 700 to 900 Mhz

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No.. But it's VERY easy to make.. Basically, make a vertical for 800MHz.. That's around 10 inches long.. Connect the centre core of your coax to it and it'll just work.. Else it's off to Amazon to find one :)

[@markturner5799]

can hi use my back garden solid mild steel 7ft fence as a radiator or ground please the fence is 50mt long

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can try BUT you won't get better than some copper lying on the ground near the feedpoint.

[@markturner5799]

@@DXCommanderHQ built myself a half square for 20m band dxing world wide i hung from a tree 30ft high

[@MIKROWAVE1]

Generally we don't say Cheap and ham Radio Operator in the same title because we are so sensitive about being cheap.

[@1shARyn3]

19th harmonic

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHAHA!

[@1shARyn3]

40 meter antenna on the 29th harmonic ....

[@1shARyn3]

19th harmonic

[@joerowland7350]

KZbin unscripted me again 4 time ☹

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Woah!

[@ronpetroski7203]

I would like to pick your brain but not eniff time.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Me too!