Beginners Budget HF Ham Radio Station. How to setup an effective Budget HF Station

Peter G3OJV from Waters and Stanton, demonstrates a simple low cost budget HF Ham Radio station setup. He discusses the antenna choice and shows the efficiency of such a station on all bands from 40m to 10m. With this simple system, Peter has worked all over the world from both his home station and when outdoors operating portable.
Xiegu X6100 Transceiver
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AV-20 VSWR Power Meter
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[@johnemmons9087]

I’m old than most and I’m finally getting into ham radio!

[@southjersey10]

I started at age 64 😢

[@johnemmons9087]

@@southjersey10 hey Jersey! To be 64 again!!!!🤣😉

[@mewrongway]

Awsome!!

[@richm2835]

A useful video for new Hams .As a relatively new operator myself , I soon found that I enjoyed working /P and SOTA activations which I initially did on 2M and more recently wanted to get into HF also. Although I can run 50W I was on a budget so the radio has to be portable as well as a home station. I got the G90 which runs up to 20W after several owners recommended them and I made up three antennas and transformers after picking up tips from videos including your own . An EFHW for home , one for portable and a portable wire dipole for 40M . This set up does every thing I want and I get some great audio reports from other stations who occasionally seem surprised when I give my working conditions .

[@neilhenderson6602]

You remind me so much of my father who served in the Royal Corps of Signals in the second world war

[@iv3shf]

I started contesting with a dipole and an FT101ZD with a dipole on a balcony and doing all russian contest that were around at the time, at the end I won the 1995 160mtrs CQWW.. The thought is, start on a budget, you'll never know where it might get you!! great video!

[@watersstanton]

Good advice.

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

Hi peter M7RFS. The half square operated. I naught a g90 off over a year ago and am still over the moon with it no problems what do ever. Thank you 73😊

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

Sorry about my spell checker lol g90 simply the best

[@WECB640]

Well done Peter! I agree that far too many recent operators fixate on SWR. I believe this is a result of the marketing propaganda that perhaps goes back to the 1970's when we had a CB craze here in the US. Your suggestion of both rig and antenna are sound for anyone starting out on HF. Good advice. 73 OM

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. Nice to hear from you.

[@joseneves2822]

Yes, Xiegu X6100 is a very good transceiver Mine arrived days ago and only use in the field ... is my portable HF 🤠👍 Many thanks for sharing / 73 CR7BDO

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing Jose.

[@AlvinMcManus]

I'm starting off with a Xiegu G90 that I got for

[@btdavidson]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 📡 *Introduction to Budget HF Ham Radio Station* - Setting up a simple HF ham radio station on a reasonable budget. 00:44 📡 *Antenna Options for Budget HF Station* - Introduction to a simple dipole antenna. - Explanation of an end-fed half wave antenna covering multiple bands. - Overview of the compact and versatile half size G5 RV antenna. 03:11 📡 *Recommended Budget HF Transceiver: Zigoo X6100* - Features and affordability of the Zigoo X6100 HF transceiver. - Highlighting the built-in antenna matching unit. - Considerations for a budget-friendly and versatile first HF transceiver. 05:02 📡 *Test Setup and Performance Evaluation* - Description of the test setup with a half size G5 RV antenna. - Demonstrating the antenna matching process on different bands. - Analyzing VSWR, coaxial cable losses, and net power output for each band. 09:30 📡 *Understanding VSWR and Power Loss* - Explaining the significance of VSWR and its relation to power loss. - Emphasizing that a 5:1 VSWR still results in a manageable loss. - Providing perspective on dB changes and their impact on HF signal stability. 11:47 📡 *Conclusion and Recommendation for Beginners* - Summarizing the value and affordability of the recommended HF transceiver. - Addressing budget constraints and offering a simple yet effective station setup. - Encouraging beginners to explore various options for a fulfilling ham radio experience. Made with HARPA AI

[@86casimir]

Thanks again for this video. On the other hand, I allow myself to intervene about this famous SWR. I don't agree with you on some of your statements that above 2:1 isn't too bad. I don't know the xiegu 6100 but as on all transmitters let's not forget the final power stage where when the reflected power reaches around 11% for an SWR of 2.0, I'm afraid the power transistors are starting to dislike . I dive back into my calculations which give this: SWR RATIO 1.0/1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4/1.51.6/1.7/1.8/2.0/2.2/2.4/2.6/3.0/4.0/5.0/6.0/10.00 REFLECTED POWER IN % 0.0/0.3/0.8/1.7/2.7/3.0/5.0/6.0/8.0/11/14/17/20/25/38/48/55/70 OUTPUT POWER IN % 100/99.7/99.2/98.3/97.3/95/94/92/89/86/83/80/75/62/52/45/30. With my antenna analyzer, if I see more than 2:1 of SWR the first thing I do is to go back to my settings in order to obtain a correct SWR which does not exceed this measurement. Cordial 73's. Joel/F8MGW

[@watersstanton]

You are right to be cautious but the power output devices are extremely well protected and reduce power as VSWR rises. I regularly operate with VSWRs above 3:1 without problems. As a Company we rarely hear of power device failures. It was a lot different 20 years ago!

[@TheArtofEngineering]

I think that VSWR is from the meter placed AFTER the ATU in the Xiegu. So the finals of the transceiver are not "seeing" the SWR indicated by the meter. As Mr Stanton points out the Xiegu also has protection ccts too. 73 de VK2AOE

[@zs1ml-mariuslubbe505]

I respect all you have to teach us, but in this case, after getting a 100w amp, the newby could have aquired an IC-7300. An easiers and very capable radio. Granted not the class of tuner of the Xiegu (which I have a very high regard for)

[@watersstanton]

Yes very true and my main radio is also an IC-7300.

[@phils2180]

Maybe but a BIG + for the Xiegu is it's portability, you certainly don't get that with a 7300 and you can do a lot with 10w on a hilltop.👍

[@richm2835]

​@@phils2180 In my limited experience that is a good point. A radio that is portable, if you enjoy that, can be used in most situations including the shack , particularly if the power output suits your needs and you don't have the money to spend on two rigs.

[@RF_Burns]

In the UK, newbies are limited to use 10W PEP into the antenna. I can say in all honesty that I have more DX success with my 10W 705/EFHW at the beach or in the hills that I do with my 100W 7300/cobweb at my urban QTH. Being a true shack-in-box, the 705 also adds more bands, modes, and features that the beginner would find extremely useful.

[@24So]

Running a icom 718 shorten 11 meter vertical and 3 element yagi

[@SixOnTheSideBand]

Greetings brother! What is your opinion on the PortaPack H2 X6 100? I've wanted to get my license for many years. Just never seemed to get around to it. With the rise of concerns globally. I hope I've not waited too long. My biggest objective at this moment is to be prepared for emergency situations. And the H2 X6100 also appears to be mobile. My budget is limited. So I'd like to avoid purchasing mistakes. I do plan on getting the Technician and General license right away. Followed by preparing for the Extra . Best regards, Mike

[@watersstanton]

I own an X6100 and lime it. I believe an X6200 may be released later this year.

[@SixOnTheSideBand]

@@watersstanton The PortaPack H2 is an less expensive version of the X6100. It sells for just over 200.00 us.

[@johnemmons9087]

I actually have been looking at this very radio. And I really don’t know much about any of them! Could you do a comparison with this radio you used and a yaesu ft 891? as they are in a similar price range? Really appreciate your videos!

[@watersstanton]

They are really quite different. Do you want 10W portable or 100W base/mobile?

[@johnemmons9087]

@@watersstanton thanx so much for the response. I do want a radio for both home base and rv, rooming base. and I’d like as much power as I can get, I believe, as I am new at this. I guess I asked about the yaesu because it’s close in price. And I guess I wrongly assumed a ham radio, is a ham radio, is a ham radio! I do really like the radio you used in this video. It’s setup in a way that is very intuitive for me to use which I like and the price is right! How far can you reach out with your radio? Thanx again! ps. btw what is the difference of the two?

[@RF_Burns]

@@johnemmons9087 The 891 has no tuner, no sound card for data, no builr in battery, and it requires a 2.5-3.5 kg lifepo4 battery to handle the large current draw. I tried using one for mobile and portable but I found it to be a hassle. I now use an IC-705 outside of the shack and I couldn't be happier. 10W is more than sufficient when used in a good locaton with a half-wave antenna.

[@johnemmons9087]

@@RF_Burns thanx for your input!!! Love your handle!

[@AlexeyDXman]

Also I can recommend for newcomers a dummy load to testing equipment.

[@watersstanton]

Yes agreed.

[@patriot9455]

There have been reports of "problems" with the firmware, requiring frequent updates. This has put me off on this unit. It is an attractive radio, and most new releases have similar situations, I am told. My last HF rig had tubes, a Kenwood 520. Low power and QRP are the ways I want to go this time. If this radio has reached a suitable level of updating, I will consider it

[@richm2835]

I'm quite happy with the performance of my Xeigu g90 and the firmware it came with , I don't think they "require " updated firmware from what I gather you only need update if you think you will benefit from any new features . I spoke to one owner who said the latest firmware adds more colours and info to the waterfall and scope for example , which isn't enough for me to risk anything going wrong if I mess with it.

[@patriot9455]

@@richm2835 I thought it was about the 6100?

[@watersstanton]

Adding features and factory support is a positive, not a negative. 73 Peter.

[@richm2835]

@@patriot9455 It is , I'm new to HF but heard the same about the g90 as well , I've spoken to people with the 6100 and they are happy enough with them .

[@patriot9455]

@@richm2835 Obviously, financial abilities, available space to apply antennas, and ease of operation are factors to look closely at before purchase. I know of several youtubers who use the G90 in portable and mobile use, as well as part of "shack" use. I am not saying the 6100 is not a good radio, but it is more expensive than the G90. It is in the price range of some of the "big name" multiband QRO radios. The G90 seems to be more able to be mounted in more locations, one "tuber" showed it mounted in the same space as a US CB radio, in the dash of a motor vehicle. The 6100 would not be usable mounted there. Would I consider a 6100, yes, as a second radio.

[@Volcano-Man]

Build one and learn. I have homebru an 80 m rx and tx, and a 20 m trx. Built my own aerials, amu; for a fraction of tbe cost of a new allsinging, all dancing, but doesn't make NATO Standard tea, operators radio.

[@watersstanton]

Well done.

[@binnawan]

Peter, I can't find a way to contact you except here. I am winding the choke for the 40/80M efhw, following your video for coil winding. Using 18swg and winding 5cm I am getting 122 mili henries (.122 henrys). adjusting turns in a major way I can get down to 72 mili henries. Measuring on a Digitech L/C meter with range Henries (too high for 2mH range). Any comment ? Baz

[@watersstanton]

I think you mean uH. The value is not super critical. Anything between 70-100uH should work.

[@jakubrusiecki1640]

Thanks for great vid. How would you compare + es - of x6100 vs g90? 73 kuba sp5nzf

[@watersstanton]

I have them both. G90 great and 20W but smaller screen.

[@jakubrusiecki1640]

@@watersstanton tnx

[@Deadonkey85]

XIEGU X6100 or a used Yaesu 450d. Basically the same price. Do I want Power or waterfall….. 😂

[@robertrockwell7581]

a swr over 5 will damage the radio.

[@watersstanton]

Wrong. Modern radios are well protected and will simply reduce power or shut down.