80 Meters for DX-Commander - Roly's Coil, great for DXpeditions.

"Roly's Coil" for the DX Commander Classic and the DX Commander Expedition. For all Ham Radio operators. Consider this solution for your next DXpedition.
The How to make the Roly' Coil for 80mtrs and the DX Commander range of antennas.
Coils are available either as a "kit set" or made up.
Please contact ZL1BQD via QRZ address for details.
Link for DX-Commander Wire (DX10) and Antennas
/ m0mcx
Link to Mikes Video for Roly's Coil
• DX Commander, Roly Coi...
Other Channels I find interesting and helpful, please check them out.
/ ianxfs - Ian / ianxfs
kzbin.info/door/ZSa... -Tim / G5TM
/ radioprepper - Gil / RadioPrepper
/ hollyend01 - Mike / Hollyend01
kzbin.info/door/tX8... - Carl / 2E0EZT
/ m0mcx - Callum / DX Commander
/ thegazlab . - Gary / M0TIG
kzbin.info/door/fw8... - Roly / ZL1BQD

[@Rubedo777]

You are a wonderful man Roly… you have an easy listen to voice. 💎✨ 73. 💙

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thank you, appreciate your support..... cheers

[@stuartstuart70]

Great work Roly

[@timprice1284]

Roly. You never disappoint! 73s Tim ND4A

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

My pleasure Tim, more to come shortly....cheers

[@timprice1284]

@@ZL1BQDRoly Cheers!

[@G7LJL-Steve_Murton]

Hi Roly I am new to your channel, but I have heard of the famous Roly whilst watching both Mike and Calum’s channels. Recently purchased 12.4m DX Commander pole to use for experiments with vertical antenna’s. The Roly coil will be one of the first. However don’t have the lathe facility and will adopt the Mike hot glue method. I’ll report back what success I have. With regards to your video, I really enjoyed the entirety, good pace lots of visuals good conclusion supported with facts. Best regards Steve. 🎉🎉🎉

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Cheers Steve Happy New Year

[@poly_hexamethyl]

Thank you explaining so well and carefully how you made your coil. I really enjoyed your video. Best of luck with your DXpeditions! 73

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nradicic]

Thanks Roly for teaching us how to fish! - now I need to find a friend with a lathe :)

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thanks Neil, Ahh....read the description, there is a hint there :) Drop me an email, QRZ will help with the address.... Cheers.

[@edwymer6928]

Great video Sir Rolly. Very helpful.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad it was helpful Ed.... cheers

[@dxscotland5901]

I received my Roly coil yesterday 16th and it was installed to my dx commander the same day! I’ve worked Eu/Asia on cw the same evening.This morning on the 17th at 7am I used ft8 and worked v31 Belize along with us and Canada! I can thoroughly recommend Rolys coil and I’m am now able to work dx from my postage stamp garden on 80m!! Thanks Roly and an absolute gent to deal with! Gm4zji Chris

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

That's awesome Chris, glad you have some very nice DX coming in for you now on 80mtrs.. cheers

[@mikestickersm3mxb279]

Brilliant! thanks roly

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

My pleasure!

[@madcarew.3256]

Very good..and an extra i in aluminium!! 73

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Perfect!

[@duncangm5jet916]

What a great upload Roly. Not only do you speak from a position of clear subject knowledge and experience, the manner in which you deliver the content is just fabulous. You certainly kept me engaged for all the right reasons (which is no mean feat on You Tube) and I look forward to watching more of your content. All the best from Scotland! Duncan MM3VRT

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad you enjoyed it, cheers

[@philtuckerm0dpk212]

Great job. I loved this. Very clear and easy to follow. Well done.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thank you Phil, it is all fun :)

[@tallyjbud]

Great stuff Roly! Subscribed

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Cheers, thank you

[@adamap2796]

GD Roly - A really fantastic clear presentation. Subscribed.😀

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Awesome, thank you Alan. I enjoyed it. Next video will be my DX-pedition down to the Auckland Islands way back in 1988 :)

[@ianxfs]

A very nice job Roly! The groove gives it a very professional look 👍🏻

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thank you. Yes the groove stops all the frustration of rogue turns going awol on you .........

[@Aussat]

Love the coil, miss making my own antenna's so you have given me a push into homebrewing again!

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Go on Glenn you can do it...... If you want a former just let me know.

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Thanks for this video Roly, very useful and it's given me some ideas for other coils. I've subscribed too!

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thanks heaps, glad to be the inspiration you needed. I would love to see what you come up with.....cheers

[@johnward7619]

Great video. 73 Roly, de ZS1EQ

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

More to come this year hopefully......cheers

[@carolmartin7042]

Thank you. That was very helpful. And I do have a small yard here. From lovely Missouri, USA. 73 and have a great day. Glen, N0QFT

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you enjoy the other videos as well :) Cheers

[@donalfinn4205]

Great vid and well explained. I’m in! Would have liked to hear the results though!👍☘️

[@K7TDM_Tyler]

Nice Job Roly! I like the style of your videos.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad you like them, I am working on my DX-pedition to the Auckland Islands from way back in 1988 next..... It is quite a task converting old VHS tapes to a digital format first. 36yr old tapes don't give up their info all that easily. Hope to see you again then. Cheers

[@af4od02]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad you enjoyed it, feel free to have a look at my other videos...... cheers

[@edwymer2226]

Great show and very Educational. You remind me of My Step Dad... God Bless and be safe.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad you enjoyed it, more in the pipe line....

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Brilliant upload, thank you.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thank you, more to come. In th e meantime check out some of my other videos 😎

[@simonbaflo5795]

mądre rozwiązanie 😉.Hellllo from Poland/UK. 73 All the very best.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thank you. Hope you enjoy my other videos as well ... Cheers

[@G1WHP]

A great add on to the DXCommander antenna. Love how you had the groove turned into the tube.. Excellent job 👍

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Yes, the grooves certainly makes life a lot easier. Difficult to hold the turns in place otherwise.

[@michaelk5mskaustintexasusa334]

@@ZL1BQDRoly - I have grommet material that I have used previously to help me guide with wire in a coil. It requires a bit of measuring to make sure spacing is perfect, but it works well. Your method is definitely an improvement and doesn't require additional materials. But I don't have access to a lathe, so I use the grommet material for spacing (for now).

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

@@michaelk5mskaustintexasusa334 Great, stick with it and let's know how you get on....cheers

[@mikes6844]

Thank you Roly for sharing your information, I have watched both of Mikes videos as well and grateful for highlighting this useful addition. Thoroughly enjoyed them all especially this one. I'm ½ way there to making my version (without thread). Still limited here to getting out and about while we come out of lockdown so the threaded version will have to wait. Used my DXCommander a lot during recent months and I'd like to get 80 working while the weather is still with us to aid 'messing about' as my good lady calls it. Take care :-) 73 de M0AZE Mike

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Stick with it Mike the results are worth the effort for sure.. cheers

[@MattHeere]

This is on my to-do list for my POTA setup. Thanks for sharing Roly.

[@MattHeere]

Oh and BTW I wonder if it would work winding a 5mm diameter cord along side the wire for spacing if you didn't have access to a lathe? I might have to try that.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

This is one of the things i had in mind for this coil Matt. Ideal for PoTA etc.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Yes that would work Matt. That was a method we used Commercially once. In fact, we wound three wires side by side on to a tube that had a sticky surface. Then two of the wires were removed leaving the third wire nicely spaced. It was quite fiddly from memory.

[@tombaffa9374]

Thank you for sharing. Very nice

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad you enjoyed it Feel free to look around at my other videos 👍....cheers

[@barrywendon5168]

Nice one Roly

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thanks Barry. Inspired to build one? It works really well and a nice answer for confined spaces...cheers

[@timg5tm941]

Great stuff Roly. Subscribed 73

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thanks Tim. More to come hopefully.

[@IndependentNewsMedia]

Great video 👍

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thanks for the visit, I am glad you enjoyed it. Have a look around mu other videos on the DX locations i have operated from 😊 Cheers.....

[@dmcarpman]

nice video and well explained Roly

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Glad you liked it. Many have asked if i have any for sale..... I am putting a few together and may also supply as a kit.... Cheers and thanks for the nice comments.

[@dmcarpman]

@@ZL1BQDRoly i have had my licence near to 3 years now and love trying out different antenna's just wish i had a bigger garden for radials and Callums antenna. lol 73 roly look forward to the next lot of videos

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

@@dmcarpman You would be surprised at what you can do with even the tiniest of back yards. A DX-Commander is the perfect solution, just put out what you can in the form of radials even if they are only a couple of meters long. You will be pleasantly surprised at the results :) Cheers

[@panther7603]

Wow. Great informative and educational video. Thank you sir. 73 de: KO4DJT

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

You are welcome....stay tuned for more to come...cheers

[@jackK5FIT]

Great video! I built loading coils for a 40m inverted V to be able to get 3862 on the phone band and they worked perfectly. I have a DX Commander Classic w/80m inverted L up and I might change my setup to this so I can do digital and phone by just changing the tap. Thanks!! Jack K5FIT

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Let us know how it works out for you...Cheers

[@muhammadalhashash4301]

Thanks for sharing this video Roly 73` de 9K2NO

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Cheers Muhammad, nice to QSO with you. Glad you enjoyed the videos, 73 & best DX.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Roly, You did a fine build. Now I know where Mike got the name Roly Coil. :-) Stay safe. 73 WB3BJU

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Yeah, kinda strange but a lot of fun to go with it. It fascinates me how well it performs really but the PSK reporter tells it all. Cheers

[@Ray_M0MXN]

Great video Roly, gonna give it a go! M7RAY 👍🙏

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Go for it, and please let us know how you get on.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Brilliant upload Roly, the threading of the pipe is inspired. I’m going to have to find someone that can do this for me..

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Works a treat Mike. Anyone with a CNC machine can do it for you as well. Talk to them about "4th Axis" and you will have a CNC buddy for life :)

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

"Fiendishly clever" is the saying I believe Mike :)

[@mike-M0MSN]

ZL1BQD - Roly indeed fiendishly clever... :)

[@mikesmithg0rfd356]

thank you

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

You're welcome, thanks Mike

[@littlebear5219]

Thank you roly that a great antenna I am now going to get some pipe. G0LVG

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Enjoy it, that will certainly give you a lot of fun.... cheers

[@don_n5skt]

Thanks Roly. Amazing video and I shared it on Josh's channel also. After seeing Mike work through the winding, I like the lathing but am not sure how I would achieve without a lathe. I will definately add this to my DXC. I have the room barely for an Inverted L but it is just not coming down below 2.2:1 and I want to cover 3.573 and 3.916 so, quite a wide range. Your coil should do nicely for that. 73 Roly

[@don_n5skt]

Except now I see that you will be selling them. Now I know how to get the lathing ;)

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Awesome, thank you Don. Drop me an email, QRZ will help there.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Only to those who are having trouble finding a lathe that will do the job.. Someone who is into CNC work could also help. Talk to them about "4th Axis" and that will make you sound real knowledgeable :)

[@ActinOut]

Do you know...can one switch the 30m element out and just run another 40m in it's place with this coil at the bottom so as to not have to switch the connection back & forth with the previous 40? Or will the 40's interfere with each other? If with them touching/overlapping each other at the top causes a problem, would another option possibly be to use the 30 holes on the commander or signature 9, but only run the new 40 to the top spanner and fold down over the outside of the spanner from there & back down in manner like the first 40 and put the coil on the bottom for this 40? Thoughts?

[@NICKGAR7]

Excellent. I made one this week using the ‘Mike method’ ie hot glue. Question: does the winding ‘sense’ (handed) make any difference to performance, I wonder?

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Hi Nick, no the winding direction does not matter.

[@MikeDent]

Hey Roly, great work. Thanks for sharing. One question, what would be to stopping you adding another 40m element and using this with the coil permanently for 80m ?

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Nothing. However there could be a lot of unwanted interaction between he elements to contend with... cheers

[@J1mbo888]

Feet up, Cuppa Tea at the ready and "Orf We Go" :-)

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

My style of entertainment. Next up is a trip to the Auckland Islands on my DX-pedition there way back in the '80's......

[@brianfields4479]

hi Roly, wonder what kind of power can you put through this type of coil, as when I attempted one years ago, it shorted out my coax half way back to the shack.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Hi Brian, I have been running this setup at 400watts with no problem at all. I did a "destruction" test a while back and it took a full 1Kwatt for 15 secs bursts but i would not recommend this for normal use. Absolutely no problems for continuous use at 100 watts for sure............ cheers

[@brianfields4479]

Hi Roly. Hope your well and keeping safe. All ok here, although I am finding the band conditions to be poor. I was checking out your 80m Roly coil, and as I have spare dx commander pole set up on 40m, therefor a 80m coil would be a nice project, except I am not in any position to get the materials or make one up. Therefore I was wondering if you have any extra 80m coils

[@brianfields4479]

Sorry I got cut off, best wishes zl3xdj

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Hi Brian, good to hear from you again. i will drop you an email 😊

[@americaswayout4489]

Thanks for sharing. You are doing this, I am just thinking about doing it, so you certainly outrank me in influence and certainly in KNOWLEDGE, so my question is not a challenge but a curiosity? My thinking is this being a fan vertical dipole of just fan antenna, knowing that the signal will follow the most in tune or resonate path, why couldn't you just add the coil as if it were a different radiator and let BOTH the 40 and the coil connected to the radiator as 80 be connected both all the time, with my expecting the signal to sort out its path according to the frequency being transmitted. Right now, most of my hobbing is thinking and planning, getting the stuff needed for when I can do it, maybe in a while I will get to try and do it. Thanks !!

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

You could perhaps have a series of coils as you describe. I think it would be a bit unwieldy and a lot of interaction with the various coils. But more than this would be the efficiency of using coils. The fan vertical dipole system as used by the DX Commander series are a series of 1/4 wave verticals and so afford the maximum efficiency for each band... cheers

[@VK3EGN1]

Vertical monopole for 7 MHz will have impedance about Za = 9 - j 646 ohm, plus ground loss in series (say about 40 ohm). Coil can have X= + j646, and make SWR good. However, base coil can't improve poor current distribution. Top 3.5 m of vertical will have very low current and do nothing for far field. Tip of vertical has more chance to clear ground obstacles, and you really want big current in there. Using top loading will bring maximum current to top of the vertical. You could just attach 10.4 m long sloping wire to tip of the vertical.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Thank you Tina for the input. However, in this and many cases, there is no room for 10.4m long sloping wire..... so this is a compromise that works...cheers

[@co256ra]

Hello Roly, I am slowly putting together my first antenna, multi band ground radials with a vertical element I can hang from a tree. I don’t have an ATU or an SWR meter on my SGC SG-2020, I’m guessing some form of antenna analyser would help me match the length of the driven element to the mid point of each SSB but which one??? Do you have any suggestions/recommendations please, de M7ELX, Guy

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

There are a tons of analysers out there Guy. I am fortunate that I have a bunch of equipment that we use for Commercial instals but that is a very expensive way to go. May i suggest that you go to the DX Commander Discord channel and pose the question there. I think you will find what you are looking for there. Some sort of external SWR meter will pay dividends for you as well.... Cheers

[@co256ra]

@@ZL1BQDRoly thank you, 73s!

[@benparker7172]

Would it be possible to run the coil concurrently with other bands on the DX Commander? I would imagine the coil over the pole would probably create a poor reactance with the other wires, but perhaps if it were mounted to the side of the pole? Either way, quite an interesting design, and thanks for sharing.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

A tentative yes.... I have used it concurrently with the other bands BUT the other bands did need a little tinkering with to get them spot on again. ..cheers

[@MikeDent]

Would it not fit and perhaps be better underneath the element wires? Or yes maybe on a small short pole or spike to the side? Have you tried either.

[@n6tdgtiedyeguy117]

So Roly, I gotta ask...if I have an existing 80m inverted L for my DX Commander..can I use your 80m coil to approach 160m?

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Simple answer....... dunno !! Never tried it. SO.... give it a go and let's know how you get on.. 😎 cheers

[@Capt_Duffy]

Sir it was a brilliant video, just had a question, what is the importance of pitch in winding a Loading coil and how critical is it for the design ? TNX

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

The pitch will affect the inductance of the coil and hence it's tuning. At 80mtrs there is a little bit of tolerance is acceptable but this is a tried and proven design so stick to it if you can.....cheers

[@Capt_Duffy]

@@ZL1BQDRoly thnx alot Sir..

[@MegaPrime2010]

Hi Roly, love your teaching ... but b I've got a question for you ... Rather than adjusting the coil by selecting suitable taps, would it not be easier to insert an iron plug or slug of some description to adjust the inductance of the coil? Your thoughts?

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Hi Luke, Yes that would certainly have an effect and alter the inductance for sure. I just wonder about the mechanics of such an arrangement... Another method is to use a "roller inductor". They are not all that common now days, especiallly high power roller inductors. They would also have to be kept put of the weather as well.........................

[@MegaPrime2010]

@@ZL1BQDRoly ... I was just thinking out loud really ... I haven't thought about the mechanism, but thought it might provide a "fine tune" of sorts. I've seen that Mike M0MSN has made a 160m/80m/40m version as well, but that probably would not lend itself to slug tuning ... ah, but its fun to kick ideas around hey! 73 VK4KYT

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

@@MegaPrime2010 I resort to one of my standard answers Luke, "give it a go"..... cheers

[@K7TDM_Tyler]

I just heard you on 20m FT8! I tried to get a contact... But, nope. Maybe next time.

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

ohh that is a pity... I worked quite a number of US stations. Difficult going because of congestion but also propagation failed quickly. Now on 40mtrs....

[@citke]

You need to sell this as a kit or add on for the DX Commander Antenna. Rickey

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

I have sold several already :) I have offered it asa kit but most want it built up ready to go. Maybe they want it Roly built as well huh :)

[@richarde735]

Roly, would a modified coil work for 160m as well? Rich

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Possibly Richard. The design philosophy was to use the existing elements as is. Hence using the 40mtr element loaded with the 80mtr coil. Loading the 40mtr element with a coil for 160mtrs might be a bit of a stretch. I am sure you can get something that will "match" but it radiating efficiency would not be worth a damn is my feeling..... cheers

[@michaelm1keyhardy865]

love the plastic former pipe what else can you use if you've not got a lathe at hand ? Mike M1KEY M0FCG

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Well here is an idea Mike. Perhaps i should make a video on this as well. First wind double sided tape onto the tube. Then (if you are using 1mm diameter wire) wind five wires onto the former at once, that is, lay 5 wires side by side and wind them on. The double sided tape will hold the wires in position. Then once all the windings are in place remove 4 of the windings leaving only one winding remaining nicely spaced at 5mm. You could try that :) Please let me know how you get on......... or..... (you could buy a former from me or an assembled unit even :) )

[@Kody10538]

How are the grooves made in the pipe?

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

They are cut with a lathe set up for thread cutting. cheers

[@robertscaife9721]

Roly, are you still selling these kits?

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Unfortunately, no not now. Freight has made it impossibly uneconomic.

[@Py1axRADIOAMADORISMOSEMSTRESS]

Roly can ypu give de size this coil number of ring and in meters pls and size wire in vertical tks 73 PY1AX TONY

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Email me. My email address on QRZ is OK.....cheers

[@paulhastings3109]

Have to find someone with a Lathe and my DX Commander tnxs 73 KQ4CD

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

OR, have a look in the description Paul, I may be able to help out, 73

[@paulhastings3109]

For sale...who, where

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Shoot me an email, look up QRZ ZL1BQD

[@stuartstuart70]

Great work Roly

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Cheers