Antenna Comparison For SOTA - J-Pole vs Yagi vs Rubber Duck

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Nice seeing everyone get involved with your antenna testing. Looked like a great time.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Shane! It was a good time for sure. Your channel is awesome! I hope more people find it. I wish you lived closer. I'd do a joint activation with you.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

#MNHR Team replay for the win. Friendship is magic.

[@RedSummitRF]

Indeed, one of the greatest gifts one can give is their friendship. Thanks!

[@NS7F]

*surprise*

[@sr-vv7bs]

GREAT VIDEO CHARLIE!! Chuck and I both watched and enjoyed it!! Keep up the GREAT work!!

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Chuck and Sue! It sure is a lot of fun. You are both doing a fantastic job with the club!

[@willian.direction6740]

Its even worse when someone tunes up then not call you. Great test.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Ian - yes, that is worse hahaha, and that's what happened here. If I didn't know better I'd say they were jamming on purpose 🙄

[@AvocaSingleTrack]

The coax dangling all around the reflector is negating any gain you would have had with the yagi. There make velco wire ties that weigh nothing and would allow you to run that coax out the back of the yagi. Nice video !

[@RedSummitRF]

Ok Steve. Thank you for your observation about he dangling coax. I'll have to go back and watch this because I usually do velcro the feed line to the boom. I must have overlooked it or was sloppy. I appreciate the note and that you took the time to watch! 73

[@ReedAB8AS]

Enjoyed Watching This. Thanks. Did you and the TPrepper run into anyone on that trail?

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks Alan - there was somebody on the road just ahead of us and somebody that appeared as we were bushwhacking up to the top. Both of them turned around right around where we parked. I think they were hunters. First time I have seen anybody else up there. Of course I always go in the summer months 😀

[@jlowknight]

Happy to discover this channel. Great content. Going to check the other gentleman channel as well. Thank you!

[@RedSummitRF]

Hey there! Thank you. Your channel is pretty awesome too! Thanks for visiting!

[@walshgeo]

Charlie, Great video. I will have to try my roll up j pole in the field. I use it at the QTH for 2m. Do you recall what was the name of the push up pole that the Tech Prepper used? 73 George KB3WAQ

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi George - thanks. Yeah the roll-up is a great portable antenna. The mast The Tech Prepper used is called a SOTAbeams Carbon-6. There's a link in the description below the video.

[@walshgeo]

@@RedSummitRF Thanks73

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Gud show guys. really like the comparison of the three antennas. but wud hv liked to see the yagi and the J-pole compared at the same height. for a more accurate test. I wud think the yagi shud hv outdone the J-pole by couple db anyway. but still a neat cool outing. Tnx agan fro doint the acctivation. and better yet for sharing. 72! gud dx ! and Hilltopping. de WA1RKS

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Ellis - Thanks for watching and offering some feedback. I was going for real use case scenarios here for SOTA ops, which is why I tested this way. I'm sure the Yagi would outperform the j-pole side-by-side like you suggest, but for SOTA ops this is the way each is deployed in the field for the most part. Thanks for supporting the channel and dropping a note. Maybe I'll catch you on the air at some point. 72 Charlie NJ7V

[@SkyCharter]

3:16 If you want that beam to be true to its design, dress that cable tight to the boom so it's not flopping around the near-field of the elements.

[@RedSummitRF]

Yeah, not something I typically do, John. As you know, we sometimes forget things in the field. I usually use velcro to snug it to the boom. I really appreciate your support of the channel and you offering up your comments. Thanks!

[@SkyCharter]

@@RedSummitRF Oh I get it... especially when running a camera after a long hike with limited time. I have an arrow laying about so might try that experiment. You are doing good stuff with a great channel... especially that 6 summit you did!

[@xted]

I've had absolutely zero luck getting any sort of beneficial use out of my 4pc arrow 2m beam. I've tried almost every way to mount it with tripods, masts, different orientations and heights, etc. It actually functions better without the 4th reflector element. Not a fan so far.

[@RedSummitRF]

Interesting. I am actually not using an Arrow antenna in this video. It's a 3 element homebrew. I wonder what the issue is with your experiences. What results are you hoping for?

[@SkyCharter]

Is the mast holding the J-pole fiberglass?

[@RedSummitRF]

Yes, it's fiberglass . . . I'm pretty sure it really wouldn't mater much if it was carbon fiber though (if you are implying that) kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5XbYq2aosp8hdU

[@SkyCharter]

@@RedSummitRF At HF perhaps, but a woven carbon fiber should behave more and more like a conductor as we approach 300 MHz... or so the missile antenna folks have found who rely on it to be a conductive plane. Of course VHF is in the muddy middle ground. I think I have my new test topic.

[@RedSummitRF]

@@SkyCharter HAHA glad I could help with that new topic. Good luck. Will you be making it a video for your channel or will it be on your website. I'd love to see the results.

[@SkyCharter]

@@RedSummitRF Both. Demo on vid and details in article.

[@SkyCharter]

Preliminary report. Fiberglass mast against N9TAX 2m monobander has the expected slight dielectric detuning, but quite functional. My carbon fiber surf casting pole completely detunes antenna and from many inches away. You can see me walking the fishing pole towards the antenna on the Return Loss plot from meters away. Need to purchase the Carbon-6 and check its reaction, but if it really is woven carbon fiber, its conductivity should spoil any nearby parallel antenna element. Perfectly usable as support for dipole of course.

[@malenve6vid]

Hey Red, I will trade you an EDZ 2 metre for your yagi. HAHAHA Great video as always Charlie. I have the Sotabeams mast as well, love it.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Malen - hey the EDZ is not a bad piece of kit! I've been thinking of making one. Congratulations on achieving Mountain Goat!