Ask Michael, KB9VBR: What is the best wire antenna?

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

You said THE answer right at the end. The best wire antenna is the one you have and that gets you on the air. Awesome discussion Michael! 73!

[@EricFullwood]

For field ops I love the Sotabeams linked dipole kit. I made a 3 and a 4 band. I can get a 1.0x:1 (less than 1.1:1) SWR for the CW portion of the band. No tuner ever needed. Pro Tip: When building use the same mast, coax, etc as you will be using in the field. In antenna life you always want to eliminate variables wherever possible. 2nd Pro Tip: Always pack two antennas. One broken connector can ruin the whole weekend. 3rd Pro Tip: You don't need a $350 antenna analyzer to build antennas. Get a nanoVNA off Amazon and keep it calibrated.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

NanoVNA is great. I bought mine from one of the ham radio dealers, R&L Electronics, rather than Amazon where the dealers are less reliable.

[@Kens1966]

I use a 84' end fed antenna. I don't have a lot of room here too. My end fed lets me talk 20'40 and 75 meters. I have no problems either

[@mattghoward]

the best antenna is the one that is connected to your radio - no antenna is perfect - they are all compromises. Just define what your needs are, what your budget is, what your space is, what bands/modes do you want to operate. I would start simple with a resonant antenna on a single band. it may be that all you can setup is a vertical - so do that. it may be that you have a bit of space and a tree, use that.

[@dougdaniels]

If you build your own wire antenna, whether from a kit or from scratch, you'll be able to see what works best in your environment, but more importantly, through adjustment, why it works. My personal favorite is KM4ACK's EFHW kit. I've done 100+ QSO POTA activations with it on 4 bands with contacts over 4000 miles.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

With the exception of a VHF/UHF vertical on the roof of my house, every antenna I use on my home station is home built. You do receive a great amount of satisfaction building your own and putting it on the air.

[@Tommy_Boy.]

Loved, loved, loved my Fan Dipole wire antenna installed pretty low over my roof (not ideal of course, but that kept it low-profile with HOA restrictions), with elements spread out around different compass headings, keeping elements apart. I started with a 40m dipole stretched from one corner of my garage, across the peak of the house and to the diagonal corner, then later added elements from the center for other bands ... Very Easy! And, with all elements angling downward from the center feed-point the antenna was fairly omnidirectional. It's cheap, functional, and I was able to get on a bunch of bands as a new amateur radio operator without the need for a tuner ... just needed to use an analyzer for adjusting the element lengths as it was being installed. I purchased a pretty nice NanoVNA-F for tuning, etc., for about $95 (much more than the entire antenna cost to create, but SO well worth it), which provides a big screen, big battery, and pretty nice range/coverage. I'm completely satisfied with the VNA for my radio needs, and it's not that challenging to learn, if you found a way to get a ham license. 😃📻⚡👍 Thanks guys!! Tom - WA7FLY

[@ys1rs]

Good answer at the end. Use what you’ve got and suits your space or situation. Just look at the military, they have all the budget (your money), to test all kinds of available antenna options and they always end up with the same ones. Order from top best to bottom: First - the old simple dipole with each leg roll of wire marked for each frequency range. Second - A slope wire with a counterpoise and Third - A vertical whip. Yes! They usually aim for NVIS for Regional Communications only but just get that dipole up at least half wave and you will have great DX!!! They will use one type or the other depending on conditions in the terrain of operations. If they have time, space, support masts and is safe enough, then the dipole is the best option for success. If they are in a hurry or may suddenly have to move or lack time to install support masts will use a slope wire pointed in the direction they need. Now, we as hams, have well defined bands to operate, so, for portable use a linked dipole, or an EFHW, last a random wire with a tuner but go on the air! Great video congratulations! 73, Rob. YS1RS

[@EdzashedFudwinkle]

I'm currently using a Hawkins Thunderbolt Ssd12+ for 10,11m & a 3 sided Delta Loop in the attic/loft for Hf, both work great. I also have a 64ft Efhw for HOTA, and an Ultimax 100Hf which is 24ft, still to be tested out, but rated 5☆ in the US.

[@1crazynordlander]

I believe the best wire antenna is the one you install and use.

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

May I ask what is the Heath Rig over Dave's left shoulder? Awesome video guys!

[@tangle70]

My wife is not a ham and she wants me to put a tower. Right now I have a fan dipole and a EFHW.

[@Not_So_Weird_in_Austin]

I have trees 30 feet tall so an end fed w 9:1 balin vertical is my choice. In the past I had space to run an off center fed dipole cut for 160 meters up at 70 feet and a 40 meter J pole in a 90 foot pine tree. Towers are/were not an option.

[@joel6221]

i don't have a tower or trees. Small yard, so i have a vertical. Any ideas on a wire antenna in my situation?

[@Ben--David]

So I modified my NVIS EFHW (MFJ-1984HP) multiband to an inverted V, but instead of using guy ropes I used guy wires. Happy unintended consequence, though it is no longer multiband it is a PERFECT 20M antenna. 1.0:1 across the band. I have separate 2m/70cm vertical and 10m/6m vertical. So thought it was not what I intended, I am getting contacts 2,000 miles away telling me I am 20 over 9 with no amp and only using 95 of 100w. Never like to drive full.

[@MrStanwyck]

Great video Michael. Quick question, What antenna, either homemade or store bought, would you recommend for doing QRP HF if you had no space limitations? Say for 40m, 20m, and 10m.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Are you thinking of QRP at home or in the field. For a field antenna, there are end fed half waves where the transformer connects directly to the radio's antenna connection with very little coax. At home, antennas fed with open feed line are going to be your most efficient. The doublet is an excellent example. You still use a tuner, but the benefits of open feed line offset any performance loss.

[@MrStanwyck]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks Michael. I’m looking at getting an Icom 705 and want to do SOTA and POTA on QRP. Besides your videos, which was a big part of my motivation to upgrade to General, I’ve enjoyed seeing the long distance contacts others have been making with QRP and a resonant antenna. I was looking at a linked dipole or an end fed like you mentioned. Thanks again for everything you do for the channel. If it wasn’t for KZbinrs like yourself, I never would have been exposed to all the cool things there are are to do in amateur radio. 73, KC2KNA

[@turtlecreek4633]

EFHW was my first HF antenna. 73! w3rrm

[@uns3cur3]

Has it been your experience that the feed point of EFHW has to be at ground level?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

No, the feed point doesn't have to be at ground level. In fact, I routinely place the feed point high for my EFHW antennas and they work great. The reason being is that the RF radiation is greatest at the end of the antenna, so keeping the feed point high can maximize its effect.

[@outlaw6595]

Michael, I am more in your category with a severely restricted HOA. What size wire would you recommend for stealth? It must be "invisible. "

[@outlaw6595]

@Tom Smith the attic is out. Is a new build in Central Fl. It has the reflective backing on the inside of the roof. No mature trees on the lot. There are some trees back of the lot that are useable. I have also considered a flagpole or maybe under the eaves wire.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

A very thin wire, like 22 or 24ga will be nearly invisible and still have a 100 watt power handling capability.

[@richardsmith3468]

Have you tried 2 lengths of screen 90 degrees to each other?? Just wondering. Richard AB6TY 😋🤨🙂

[@jamesgeorge1709]

My choice is a Half Wave End Fed It is not the compromise that the g5rv is. My next choice is the off center fed windom . The advantage is you DON'T need an Antenna Tuner. and it is resonant on several bands. Being a QRPer I have found you get better results if you don't have to use an ATU.

[@paulm0hpd319]

You have a misunderstanding on the use of a tuner

[@michaelosborn1793]

I have an OFC dipole that works 80m thru 10m. Very effective antenna, and usually no need for a tuner!

[@joelschuman1303]

I'm in a similiar situation - lack of outside space for tower or long wires. I highly recommend the ARRL book Small Antennas for Small Spaces. Excellent book and it has given me a few ideas to try. 73 KF0LHU.

[@franciscolopez3229]

May I ask sir since I am new to hf, when you say at least halfwave above the ground for a dipole, is that halfwave measured height is depending on what band you will be working on? Appreciate it sir.

[@SMShannon55]

Yes, so if you’re working 40 meters, you would want to be at least 20 meters high. However, for many of us it’s just not possible to achieve such heights, so we work the various bands without being at the optimal elevation.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

For the optimal take-off angle for DX (distance) communications, you will want the antenna up 1/2 wavelength from the ground. If it's lower then 1/2 wave, the antenna lobes start to angle upwards. Getting a 10, 15, or 20 meter antenna up high enough isn't difficult, but it can be very challenging for a 40 or 80 meter antenna. Antennas will always work at lower heights, but their radiation angles may not be optimal.

[@michealcade7313]

Quick question. I have a radio wavz antenna 4/160 Can you use this antenna over a metal roof.

[@EdzashedFudwinkle]

Over would depend on how high over, if its several feet up in the air I would think it be ok, the roof could make a good ground though js.

[@michealcade7313]

Thank you

[@jamesloder7241]

So why a 9:1 transformer for your random EFHW vs 49:1?

[@davewhite7679]

Random wire end fed antennas are actually cut to very specific lengths that are uniquely NON-resonant on any ham band. This results in the end fed input impedences typically falling somewhere between 300 and 1000 ohms, so the 9:1 transformer gets every band close enough to 50 ohms that any antenna tuner can dial it in. Conversely, the end fed halfwave (EFHW) is resonant on every multiple of that wire's half wavelength frequency. The measured input impedence of an end fed wire at resonance typically falls into the much higher 2,000 to 4,000 ohm range, thus making the 49:1 transformer the appropriate choice for bringing the impednce closer to the desirable 50 ohm match on every band. KZ9V

[@jamesloder7241]

@@davewhite7679 Thanks!

[@miket7184]

Sure glad I don't have an XYL like that to put up with. I also won't tolerate living in an HOA.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

My wife puts up with a lot, too. Unfortunately, if you want to live in a house that's new or less than 20 years old, you will most likely have to put up with some type of restrictive covenant.

[@jayceew2j202]

Best wire is a rhombic 😮😮

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Not a Sterba Curtain?

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

Sorry Dave, I miss Joe

[@nr3rful]

Go vertical. Forget throwing a wire and getting tangled

[@davewhite7679]

In certain applications, vertical antennas are ideal. But, the logistics and performance of verticals can be challenging, especially on the bands below 20 meters. Every situation is different and requires a variety of antenna options. 🙂 KZ9V