A 50 Foot Tall HF Vertical Antenna

[@Radio-Hobbyist]

Another excellent video on your channel. I'm currently running nothing except my vertical. A 31 foot wire on an MFJ telescopic pole. Fed with a 9:1 unun and zero radials, this antenna works for me on 40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 with my HF rig's internal auto-tuner. With this setup I am working station 16,000 kms away.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Rick! That antenna system is working tremendously for you, congratulations. Time for a video about it?

[@Radio-Hobbyist]

Good idea!

[@Liberty4Ever]

Great video, Tracy. I like that you end your videos by urging viewers to get outside and be more active in our amateur radio pursuits.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! That's the mission statement of my channel :)

[@timothyortiz6932]

You really do have one of the best Ham channels on KZbin

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you very much, Tim! I know there are a lot of people doing really great stuff out there in KZbin land. People like you encourage us to continue doing what we do.

[@forgetyourlife]

Outdoors On The Air Once again, this guy really fell off the map..lots of successful antennas i look up go back to Tim Ortiz but nothing is available anywhere. With your comment here i notice his Utube channel is void of videos as well.

[@Grizztrails]

Ordered this antenna today(first radio ordered today as well)...Thanks for taking the time to do these videos, your channel has been a huge help getting me started.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for letting me know. Feedback like yours motivates me to get out and make more.

[@kd2kub]

Tracy - I have done this same setup with Hyendfed's 4 band classic and it performs flawlessly for well over a year. I have made several contacts and happy with it's performance. it is now my permanent DX antenna. I did have one issue with HyEndFed's enclosure where one screw came loose that holds it's SO-239 to the plastic case. I had to take that box apart and it was a very difficult task. Ron builds his antennas well and rubber cement's his enclosures together. I will send you a picture some time if you are interested.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hello Andriy, thank you very much for sharing your experience. It's one thing to set the antenna up for a few hours like I did versus having it up for a year. These antennas work really well. I'd like to see the photo, thank you for offering to send it.

[@msf60khz]

We usually say that the ground reflection gives a horizontal antenna a 6dB advantage at its optimum elevation angle. Below that the vertical might be winning, but it depends on soil type. The present antenna is nearly half wave on 40m, so presumably has about the same gain as a dipole. On the higher bands, I presume the main lobe is angled upwards due to the excess length. It might be better to slope the antenna for this reason.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@brianshanahan3878]

To the point and great info! I especially like watching you make a few contacts! 73

[@jonthebru]

My first ham antenna was a vertical resonate on 40, 20, 15 and a bit of 10 meters. It was made of an old CB vertical with some additional length added. Part of the time I had a FT-101 and part a TS-430. Both great rigs.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@markanderson8066]

I have a different fiberglass pole, a 31 footer. But I wrap the wire around the pole perhaps a half dozen turns to keep it from flapping around. I attach it at the top where I have a ring, then as I extend the pole sections, I just give them a slight twist. Saves having to tape them or zip tie them to the mast. Faster up and down. Great video! Thank you!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Mark, thank you for sharing your tip! According to Ron at HyEndCompany, wrapping the antenna around the fiberglass pole will raise the resonant frequency. If people reading this want to try your technique out, they should remember to bear that in mind plus keep the spacing of the ""wraps" far enough apart so as not to affect the SWR adversely.

[@markanderson8066]

Outdoors On The Air Good to know. Happily, my tuner has never had an issue tuning so far but if someone has a problem worth considering.

[@edwymer6928]

Great video Tracy I'd like to try an endfed one day. I am on disability and can no longer work and had to quit camping as well. I really enjoy my ham radio and watching your videos.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Ed! Good to see you are still able to enjoy ham radio, keep going my friend.

[@chrisbaker2903]

You showed the top of the antenna but not the bottom. I would very much like to see the bottom and how you connected to the radio. Also curious how much the trees affect the radiation and how close you are to the antenna when you're working it.

[@EugenioGuarente]

Excelent video Tracy, I want to prove this similar Setup, but with several light twist of the wire over the pole to see how it works.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you Eugenio! Let me know how it works out for you.

[@bradrachielles7890]

Wish you had shown the collapsed mast and the method of locking the sections. Also, what does a 50 foot fiberglass mast weigh?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

If I recall on site, I will show this on my 2023 field day video. Stay tuned!

[@porkyfedwell]

You put some serious work into setting up that station - antenna, tents, furniture, refreshments, etc. Why do I always end up sitting on the ground in the woods working CW on a battery and a radio that is the size of a deck of cards? lol

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I'll have to try that sometime :)

[@lupin007full]

Ham radio is a domain of knowledge that never stops. This video, like all the others you do Tracy are so interesting for me. Thank you for sharing, thank you for sharing your passion. VA2VMA 73's

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome, and thank you for leaving your comment Vianney! 73 from Tracy VE3TWM.

[@Aussat]

Thanks for the video Tracy, great as always. It's due to your video's that I am out portable now! I live in an area where I can't have any antenna's up so decided to get into D-Star and DMR however I prefer HF any day and due to video's like this I am enjoying the local parks etc around Auckland New Zealand, Thanks again 73 Glenn ZL1MY

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, Glenn! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@TheArecf]

Tracy, Thank you for this very interesting video. I may just have to try an end-fed vertical. At present I use two 43-foot verticals with radials and an in-shack tuner. These have worked quite well for me on 20 and 40 meters. I would like configure a vertical antenna for portable use. For my portable use with our RV, an antenna with no radials would be much easier to set-up and potentially less of a tripping hazard in a campground than an antenna that uses radials or even a counterpoise. Questions: I have watched your video a few times and it appear to me that you have 50 of the 66 feet of the antenna wire going straight up the fiberglass pole, however, it is not clear to me what you do with the other 16 feet of the antenna wire: Q1. Do you just lay the remaining 16 feet of the antenna wire on the ground, with the matching transformer at the end of the antenna that is closest to you? If so, does the length of the coax from your transceiver to the matching transformer matter? Q2. Literally all of the instructions that I have seen for installation of end-fed antennas indicate that a ground reference point is needed at the feed point to the matching transformer and that the ground reference can be either a ground rod or a counterpoise. Do you use either of these ground references for the antenna that you show in this video. 73, Rick W0RCF

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Rick, thank you for your comment! Q1 - I ran the excess wire about 8 feet off the ground across to my shelter. I didn't want anyone tripping over the wire. The length of the coax makes no difference at all (within reason...e.g. running 100 feet or more coax could result in loss of TX power). Q2 - The beauty of the HyEndFed design is that no ground radials or counterpoise is required. Having said that, the guys at HyEnd Company do recommend the use of a coaxial counterpoise as shown in my HyEndFed Field Day full review video. Aside from using the coaxial counterpoise with the Field Day antenna, I've never used counterpoises or ground rods with these antennas. And I've never had difficulty making contacts with those antennas. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@Nospecificplan]

Hi Tracy, I understand the report with two number (5-9) but what about the third number (59-4 or 59-04) is it a location?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

04 is the CW Worldwide Zone number. Google the CQ Zones map and it will make sense. Thank you for watching!

[@frankartieta6752]

Yes ! I like this video ! I am not a a vertical operator ! My normal go to antenna is a horizontal dipole about 135 ft long up about 50 feet and fed with abt 52 foot of 450 ohm line running to a transmatch ! I try and tell people that their 1/4 wave verticle is not my antennas equal ! But I really like this you are doing ! A 1/2 wave verticle ! As far as a verticle goes this one ought to carry the mail ! As far as being a 1/2 wave balanced dipole`s equal ! Well that woulde be a topic for the future ! I think as far as a verticle goes this ought to be a good one ! I like this video !

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Frank!

[@gihadmurad]

In this type of situation what happens when one of these really tall trees fall over 1 of the guy wires?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

The tree won't be the only thing that falls down.

[@PatAutrey]

Is that a 49:1transformer at the bottom of the antenna? End Fed half wave?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I'm not certain...I've never taken it apart.

[@dancingbear6239]

Tracy I have Hyendfed antenna. It’s 66’. Where do you run the excess since the mast is 50’

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I run the excess to the operating position, so the antenna is really an L configuration. The bottom of the L is at about 8 feet off the ground.

[@mumi009]

I am using a 15 meter telescope pole combined with a 5 band end fed antenna from the company hyendfed. The feedpoint is at the base of the antenna. The remaining wire is supported more or less horizontally with the help of a nearby tree. This is an inverted "L" configuration.SWR on four bands is very good, but on 40 meters it is a little high, 1.9-2.0. This is a configuration problem. When I hung the antenna as a sloper, all bands were 1.5 or less. I also use the pole support system, as seen on Ron's website and in one of your videos. I have no other guy wires, maybe a big mistake. I will find out when the next big wind occurs. I also use the 12 meter pole from spiderbeam. I hang an endfed halfwave antenna for the 20 meter band (from the German company lambdahalbe.de) vertically. I also have antennas for the 6, 10 and 15 meter bands from the same company. The antenna has no match box, but rather a length of window line with a slider to actually tune it to the desired center frequency. No additonal tuner is necessary. It is resonant on the whole 20 meter band. It rolls up nicely, is light weight and fits easily in a backpack. Same applies to the antennas for the other bands. When I go portable I take my 12 meter pole (not a lightweight!), and a backpack with my rig (Yeasu FT-891), a 12Ah LiFePO4 battery, the antenna, some masking tape and some coax and cordage. I can lean the pole against a tree or some other object or stake it out. This system works very well. I use masking tape because it is cheap and light weight. It is actually quite strong and holds up even when wet, at least for a day's ops. I have room in my pack for some paper and pencils for logging qso's and taking notes. I have my smartphone for looking up callsigns on qrz.com. I have room for a couple of pb&j sandwiches and a couple of cold beers.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your detailed comment! I am especially intrigued by your mention of masking tape working even when wet. I'll have to try using it. I imagine it does not remove the paint off the mast as much as electrical tape does.

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Two ?s What’s the best magic box balun for home made 12awg twin lead 4” spaced with electric fence spacers finned tube insulators? Feeding a 260’ 12awg solid core copper with Thhn insulation center fed Diepole ? 1:1 current or voltage 4:1 think I read sum where the resistance should be 400-600 ohms What’s best way to read the resistance? Vna or ??? Thank you KC3ONO

[@tx2sturgis]

At 4:47 'radial'? No radials here...but we do have a radiator...nice setup...

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Darn. Thank you for the correction.

[@lahnafilomena5511]

Hi Tracy very intersting stuff...I'm also wondering to put up a hyendfed, the short one 40 20 10, round about 12 meters long. I'm planning to use an aluminum mast due to much more stability and ran the antenna as a sloper with the matching box at the top . What is your opinion? Would it work or would there too much detuning due to the metal mast...mny tks in advance for answering. 73s from Germany de Torben DL1IF

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Torben, thank you for watching and for your comment. You need to keep the antenna away from the mast. Perhaps if you erect it as a sloper with some paracord at the top to keep the far end from getting too close to the mast it would work. The metal will definitely detune the antenna if they are too close. 73 from Canada VE3TWM.

[@Frisky0563]

Ive been using a 17ft long telescopic antenna MFJ1979 with a spike in the ground, I just put a 3/8x 24 mount on a tripod I'll be out in the field on Winter Field Day I hope to have a QSO with you someday 73's I made a pvc telescopic mast about 13meters but it takes 3 guys to setup lol I use a dipole and endfed with it like you have.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Donnie. I have done some work with PVC as a mast but found it too cumbersome.

[@Oscaro9928]

Hi, you mention you pull the remainder to the operating position....how high off the ground do you start to pull away from the pole?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

2 sections up (in this case, about 9 feet).

[@Oscaro9928]

Hi, just wondering how much area are taken up by the guy wires, it seems like it could be a problem in a small back yard

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

HI and thank you for your question. In this particular installation I use guy lines, but one of the beauties of these poles is that you have multiple options for mounting. In a space with limited real estate, the pole could be lashed to a fence post or other convenient object. To see an example, check out my video entitled HyEndFed 3 Band + Spiderbeam 12m Pole = Easy and Effective HF Portable Vertical Antenna.

[@paulhastings3109]

I take it the feed point is at the bottom. And how many radios did you put out are they all the same length

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Yes, the feedpoint is at the bottom, near the operating position. No radials were used as this antenna does not require them.

[@JayN4GO]

I have the myantennas 10-40 I’ve been wanting to go straight up in this 60 ft tree and hang the 5ft back down. I’ve used the efhw many ways but never this way. I wonder if the noise level will increase.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Give it a try and find out. I suspect it all depends upon what is generating noise in your area.

[@barrykery1175]

WOW ! What a great video. Very informative and filled with some great suggestions. You really gave great information on theory relating to vertical antennas. If done properly, a vertical radiates well in all directions ! Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, Barry!

[@davidhefner5668]

I'm going to put up a tall on. I also want to put up a 4 ft. X 4 ft. chain link fence around the base. In my area a permit is not required for antennas but one is for a fense....permit fee is $100.00. My plan is to do it without the permit. If they make me remove the fence, or try to fine me, I will make them be accountable for anyone injured trying to mess with my pole. A young boy was killed after he climbed a ham antenna here in Ohio. He used it to climb to the roof and go down the chimney where he got stuck. I'm big on safety and I strongly believe no permit should supercede safety.

[@markh.2899]

Hey Tracy, I'm thinking of using a 40' mast and a g5rv which covers the 80 meter band with an MFJ 949e tuner - will this do as well as your vertical typically? Thanks for all your help, especially for us new hams!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Mark, it might. There are a lot of variables involved. For starters, a vertical has a different radiation pattern than an inverted V. Nonetheless, give it a try. I think you'll do well with that combination. 73 from Tracy VE3TWM.

[@trig6712]

Exellent Tracy, and a good idea for me I have the Hi End fed aerial and I use it but If I can manage out portable not so easy for me now but I am about wiped out by Broadband being transmitted on the overhead telephone line at my QTH now .. TNX ..

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Sorry to hear that, Trig. You might try putting the antenna at several different angles in respect to the phone line to see if one angle works better at minimizing the noise. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[@waynethebarber1095]

How long can you keep an antenna like this up. It seems like this is just a portable situation.....

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Good question, the answer is it depends on the environment and how securely you support it. I have had fiberglass poles up at my home for more than 12 months at a time with no ill effects. For those masts, I attached them to fencing at the base and taped the sections at the joints to keep the upper section from slipping down into the lower section. You can see examples of this mounting technique on some of my earlier videos.

[@rayjones4963]

Wanting to put up a 35 ft antenna. I'll be using 1 1/2 pcv pipe...I want to run the wire down through the middle of the pipe.. I also want it to be center fed. This will be for 20 meters....do you think it will work?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Should do, as long as you do what is necessary to present the proper impedance to the transceiver.

[@TheArecf]

PVC pipe is not self-supporting when stacked vertically, even with guy wires. It tends tends to sag and bow and,if it collapses, could result in injury. You would likely be better served by a fiberglass pole.

[@mumi009]

As always, great video. I also have a 15 meter pole from DX Engineering. Where possible, I push it up next to a tree. Using guy wires you need a big chunk of real estate, at least that is what I make out from the video. Good point about fiberglass poles as lightening attractors. David DM3BC

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comments, David. You are right about needing space if using guy lines.

[@kentmosher2880]

If your wire is shorter than the mast why not install it inside the mast and have a hole outside for your connection? Just thinking it would be better inside than out and would be pulled up as you extend the mast. I have been looking for a good glass mast that can hold a G5RV for a remote usage. Kent Willow, AK. KL7WTF

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Kent, thank you for watching and for your question. In the case of the antenna profiled in this video, the antenna is actually longer than the pole by about 15 feet. I have never deployed a pole with the antenna wire inside. To me, it seems like extra work with little to no payoff as I have never experienced an issue with the wire outside the pole as shown here. No doubt in my mind that the DX-Wire mast would be a good support for a G5RV as long as you don't put the feedpoint at the tip of the pole. 73 from Tracy VE3TWM.

[@mumi009]

Siderbeam makes 18, 22 and 26 meter telescope poles. But bigger is not necessarily better. For my portable work I prefer a maximum length of 12 meters. Easy for one person to handle. David DM3BC

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience, David.

[@Snarky_Radio]

I only see one size of mast on the web site. I only see the 31 ft. not the 50 fter. can you send me a link?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your note. I reached out to Ron at HyEndCompany who informed me he no longer carries the 15 meter mast. Google DX-Wire to find their website. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@Snarky_Radio]

thank you. keep the great videos rolling.

[@theoview]

Thats my idea Tracy, outside the shack! As ham radio newbie, Please givev me your advise. For mij outside radio AN yaesu FT 817 ND or iCom 706 MKII . I am prefer the HF bands. Now I have an iCom IC 718 no addons .my first DIY antenne is an magnetic loop antenne 10M / 40M . Thxs! 73 Theo

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I'd go with the FT-817 versus the 706. MUCH better battery life. Just pair the 817 up with a full-length half-wave up as high as you can get it and you'll make contacts. Good luck and 73 from VE3TWM.

[@theoview]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Thanks ! wat is the main difference FT817 / FT817’ND ? You live in a beautiful country Canada with large parks , ideal for ota HAM activities !bNetherlands is a space shortage in the covid time this becomes even more evident ! Best regards from Theo 73

[@mikestone9129]

As always, a great video.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you very much, Mike!

[@bigchew3149]

i have ben looking for a 50ft ish telescoping mast for almost a year now & Still no luck..I want one to put my Comet GP-9N ant on for VHF/UHF The Ant is about 16-17ft tall by its self but as long i i guy it good i dont se any issue with doing that..i do pretty good at just 25ft or so with my yaesu ft-991 But if 25 ft is good 50-60 is Much Better imo.. It is one of my main goals but i do have a couple of projects i really want to get done asap !

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I have a GP-9 on my tower at home. It's a good antenna but I wouldn't put one on a telescopic pole. I might consider one of the smaller ones (like a Diamond X-50 for example but no higher than the 25 foot mark on a 40 or 50 foot telescopic pole. The poles will bend under the weight if placed any higher.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

thats interesting about the lightning I would have thought the fiberglass wouldn't be a problem like the aluminum would be. Interesting to know.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for leaving a comment, Mike!

[@CLoak183]

How are counterpoise radials not needed?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

The high-ratio balun in the matching unit negates the need for a counterpoise. For more information, reach out to Ron at HyEnd Company. He's knowledgeable and very helpful. You might also want to check out the Endfed antenna group on Facebook.

[@RobPetty622]

Tracy, Your videos and commentary are very well thought out. Very educational, indeed. Concerning guy wires, does that antenna come with and/or need more than one one level of guying? I am thinking two tiers of guying, but at what height? And where to buy or how to make such a collar for the pole seem like good questions. Many thanks, very 73, and keep posting.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Rob, thank you very much for your comments. In this case, the antenna is sold separately from the mast. Since end fed antennas can be deployed in many ways, no guy wires are included with them. In this video I used paracord for guys. I simply tied the paracord around the mast and did not use a collar of any sort. This approach worked fine for me in this deployment. For a semi-permanent installation in windy conditions when using a tall pole like this one, I would recommend guys be attached about 1/3 the way up the pole, and a second set about 2/3rds up. 73 and thanks again!

[@stevenaustin2860]

im going with a dx commander 6 band vertial m7byf

[@somarmd]

Nice video. I purchased a HyEnd Fed Antenna due to one of your video's. I raised it today in a tree. I thought it was up higher than my drone tells me it is. It's sloping from about 20 ft tree to my house. I am curious to see how it does. I'm concerned I didn't get it high enough. A fiberglass pole might be in my future too.....:) Thanks for another informative video.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Dave, thank you for your comment! I bet you'll make contacts even at 20 feet, but getting it up to 30 or 40 feet at the high end will make a noticeable difference. Let me know how things turn out.

[@somarmd]

Thanks Tracey, well, this morning, with your encouragement, I got it up to the top of the tree this time, just about 30 feet. I hear the difference already. Many more channels being heard. My radio is a modest Icom 7000 so I probably would do better with a more modern rig. I'm pleased for now.....thanks for your videos and encourgaement.

[@gsansoucie]

How long was your coax for this end fed setup?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Approximately 40 feet.

[@eduardopower5254]

Congrats for such a Super nice video. Loving camping and HF portable radio this is Gold for me. But I'm curious you said the antenna it reaonates at 20m 40m and 10m if I'm not wrong and you tested it on 15m?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Eduardo! The first antenna I describe in the video is the HyEndFed 3-band model which covers 40-20-10. I employed that one with my 40 foot Spiderbeam pole. In this video, I used the 66' 4-band HyEndFed which covers 40-20-15-10. 73 my friend!

[@stevenaustin2860]

great video twm and ill try it and let you know how i get on because when i make it im going to show it on my group w5kub 73 and enjoy your radio as i will stay safe from liverpool england

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you!

[@terrybondy1948]

Is it a single person deployment? If so, it would have been nice to include the installation in the video somehow. VA3TYB

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Terry, thank you for your comment. Yes, I installed the antenna myself. Putting together a video like this when working solo is a bit of a challenge. Given that it was raining and I was working alone , I opted not to shoot the installation. I was also working against the clock and impending darkness. But your point is well taken and I will try to include installation in future videos. People like you who make suggestions help me improve the quality of my videos. I appreciate the feedback.

[@terrybondy1948]

Well I'm glad you make videos. Thanks!

[@jamesleem.d.7442]

Why would a fiberglass pole be a "lightning magnet" ??

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

There's something about the composition of fiberglass that lends to the build up of static electricity.

[@jay-rus4437]

Just found your channel. Thanks for the info. Great points as well. So many operators are closed minded and think in only one direction. The most effective equipment may not be a good option for everyone. If that were true, then shouldn’t we all be using commercial grade radio equipment that costs $10,000 plus per piece? Its not an option for many, just as some antennas are not

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it. I certainly can't afford to buy the best...and even if I could, I would have missed out on the fun of trying all the different things I have over the years. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@jay-rus4437]

Outdoors On The Air ....looking to get an sdrplay. What antenna would you recommend as a wideband receive only? Im fairly new to ham, so Im not certain which antenna would make a good all around antenna for sdr applications

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Try the Vibroplex EF-SWL, or if you have the space put up a HyEndFed SWL antenna. Either one will give very good SWL results.

[@1redrubberball]

Remember this, just because an antenna can make radio contacts, does not necessarily mean that it is a good antenna, or optimal. The tallest vertical with the greatest gain is a 5/8th wavelength. That length is 42-43' on 20 meters, 59' on 30 meters. If you construct a vertical taller than 5/8th wavelength, as it increases in height, the power in the low angle lobe begins to recede, and the power in the higher angle lobe increases and if carried far enough, multiple high angle lobes develop and grow and much of your power is wasted. In the case of this antenna, it is not efficient above 20 meters, as a vertical and especially at 10 meters, where a 5/8th wave vertical would be about 20-22'.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Interesting points, thank you for your comment.

[@justsoyouknow1196]

couldnt one put the wire inside of the pole? better protected maybe

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Not truly necessary in my opinion, but if this were a permanent setup you could do that.

[@VA3OSO]

That is a huge pole!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

It's a beauty! Hmmm...now I am wondering if I should get a 60 foot pole...73 Carson!

[@eddiepiecart6030]

So it's a wire on a stick with an unun.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Yup.

[@edwymer6928]

Tracy How much power do you use when in the field

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Ed, when using the 897 I use 20 watts. When using my 817, I use 5 watts.

[@MauriatOttolink]

Glass Fibre antenna poles are immune to lightning. Glass does not conduct electricity. Any wires running down it ARE at risk as is carbon fibre.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Google static electricity fiberglass. Some interesting reading there.

[@MauriatOttolink]

Derogatory "Terms" not 'Tones.' At higher freqs. they certainly don't radiate equally all round. A tall one becomes a 'long wire' and develops side lobes which are useful on a horizontal wire (Is said to radiate 'off the ends') but on a long vertical, these lobes radiate into the sky.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks for your comment!

[@tonyridlen]

Excellent presentation of a quality antenna! 73 Tony Ridlen KC9QVE

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Tony! 73 from Tracy VE3TWM.

[@kentwilliams4152]

Thanks for the info! 73's

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome and 73 from VE3TWM!

[@1redrubberball]

I'm going to have to disagree with your belief that a fiberglass pole is a lightning attractor, because fiberglass is non conductive, therefore it isn't an attractor in any sense. The wire it holds up in the air is the only part that can be thought of as an "attractor".

[@MauriatOttolink]

1redrubberball Exactly! The name says it all..Glass Fibre. If the pole were carbon fibre, that would be a different story!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Google fiberglass and static electricity. Some interesting reading there. Also many reports of fiberglass antennas being struck by lightning.

[@1redrubberball]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Of course there are many reports of fiberglass antennas being struck by lightning. Fiberglass is used as insulators, coil forms, weather protecting radome enclosures, etc., for antennas. Wire, aluminum and copper rod stock and tubing, are all commonly used to create the electrical characteristics of an antenna. That's the parts of an antenna that have any influence on lightning, not fiberglass!

[@MauriatOttolink]

1redrubberball. Sorry that I can give you only ONE thumbs up! Wires up the side can get blasted and the resultant, astounding energy can make the glass fibre look a bit sad!

[@MauriatOttolink]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Hmmm. Not read it yet but sounds like some impurities in the glass fibre might make it susceptible. After all, there's a volt or two in the Donner und Blitzen!

[@BastHoen]

Very nice video Tracey. Thank you. 73 PA5BAS

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Bas! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@richarde735]

both metal & carbon fiber will de-tune the antenna

[@ukulelebob4983]

I always enjoy your videos! 73, K1RCE

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for watching, Robert! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@VE3SG]

Thanks Tracy VE3SG

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome, Paul!

[@waynethebarber1095]

It seems to have a good antenna you have to be rich and have lots of land....

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Rich is a relative term. I am by all accounts not rich (financially anyway). I need to go to a campsite to put up a decent sized wire antenna. A good length wire antenna install is pretty much impossible in my tiny, tree filled backyard.

[@nr3rful]

Great, as usual

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you!

[@jozefbezan2501]

Danke für das tolle Video.73,de Jozef.OE1CJG.😊😊😊

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Danke, Jozef! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@ricktompson9453]

Good video.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Rick!

[@placeholder-065]

So you feel the urge to salute a successfully erected antenna, HA! We amateurs are a weird lot aren't we? :-)) 73, good DX Gust ON6KE

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Yes sir! 😆

[@fireyourrocketts]

Great video. Thanks! 73, KI7CSI

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

very nice video TRacy 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@roneymonte]

Nice video! Nice antenna! 73 de PY1ZB

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Roney! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@EricTylerHickes]

Great vid! Thanks for the info!! 73 de KD4SUB

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@patmb2011]

the only thing that might improve the setup would be a dog curled up under the bench

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I like the way you think!

[@leightonlewis4954]

I really loves your videos indeed 73's MW6IFE / 2W0EQQ 😀

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Leighton! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@stevenaustin2860]

ps iv give you a thumbs up