Blasting to the Coasts with the MFJ 1979 Antenna

[@2b4u40]

Hello, I am Chuck KD4HNS I was the operator for the KT5TX Station. I was using my X6100 with 10Watts(won this radio in our clubs christmas party). My antenna was a home made EFHW(bought). It was a great QSO with you. 73's

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the contact, Chuck! Great effort. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@k6kwi]

Nice video Tracy, thanks for posting. I operated WFD from So. Cal using the same antenna. I made 70+ contacts to 23 states & two Canadian provinces. This includes contacts into Hawaii & PEI (VY2GF), all on SSB. I was 10, 15 & 20m The MFJ-1979 antenna is my goto antenna, it fits in a suitcase nicely. I take it to NZ when I go home & have worked the UK from here on many occasions using it - 12,000 miles at 100 watts. I usually ground mount it with 4 or 5 radials spread out. I've had mine for about 8 years, and no issues. Just take care of it. Keep posting, I always enjoy your videos & commentary.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great results, congratulations! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@rodmurrayVA3MZD]

Well done on the sixty WFD contacts! I operated QRP from inside my ice hut at VE-5319 for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. Calling CQ WFD was futile, I quickly discovered with so much activity on the bands. So I hunted and got 8 in total, on 40, 20 and 15! Adding the bonuses for battery, antenna, outside and away from home and 3 band multipliers gave me 2024! Keep the videos coming! BTW- I use an "antique” MFJ-16010 manual tuner that I got second hand. It works perfectly with the FT-818! 73 VA3MZD

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Operating from an Ice hut sounds like fun! Great results, too. 73, Rod!

[@timg5tm941]

Great job Tracy. I use a copy of this same telescopic whip. A full size 1/4 wave mounted on the car works superbly. Glad you enjoyed 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Tim! Now all IO need is seaside site 😀 73!

[@SteveH-TN]

Appreciate you sharing this video and OSOs ,which indicated to me that band conditions were relatively good. I haven’t been active on the bands for a couple of years because of health issues. The last few weeks I’ve been binge watching KZbin videos which have inspired me to get active again. 73 Steve AA4SH

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Have fun out there, Steve! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@johnhummel-newell.ve5jhn859]

Thanks for the great Video. The melfort repeater group made 183 contact's over the 24 hour period as a 1H station. this was the clubs first winter field day and we were using a Icom 718 at a 100 watts and a home built multi band dipole

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Sounds like a successful activation, well done!

[@adam-g7crq]

I used the MFJ telescopic whipp for the last couple of years and had no problems with it, I also use a couple of loading coils to extend it's range, the slidewinder and the telescopic whipp works great on 40 meters, if I just want to pop out for a few hours around the local park this is the system I use.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@TonyM7CVK]

Fantastic I picked up a Moonraker 17’ telescopic whip here in the UK, I run it either on a triple magnet mount on the car or on a modified Mp1 super antenna tripod it’s surprised me how well it works. All the best Tracy Regards M7CVK,

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Tony! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@kd5you1]

It was nice to hear KT5TX running QRP all the way to Canada. They are the Katy Amateur Radio Society in Katy, Texas, and they are about 9 miles north of where I live. I know this is a off topic, but several times I have connected to the VE4WSC Winlink HF gateway in Winipeg from Southeast Texas... last time was on 12 meters. Thanks Tracy for the great videos. 73 KD5YOU

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the background info! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@hamradioqrp-k0klb]

Hi Tracy.. It looks like a great, outdoor adventure.. I use that MFJ1979 antenna as my "go to" pota antenna mag-mounted on my truck with (4) 16ft elevated radials on 20m.. I've had good luck with it so far during QRP SSB (500mw and 1w) pota activations. You'll like keeping one like it in your "bag of antennas" as a future option.. Thanks for sharing your WFD fun and inspiring others to do the same.. 73, Kevin ~ k0klb - Iowa

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Kevin, thank you for sharing your experience! Looking forward to our chat next month, 73 from VE3TWM.

[@phils2180]

I've built an adjustable whip antenna for SOTA using a 5.2m telescopic whip and home made loading coil for 40m. I looked at the MFJ 1979 but there was no way I was paying £100 for one so I found a Chinese copy for a quarter of the price and it works great!👍 Don't knock Chinese made stuff. Sure, there may be some rubbish out there but there's also decent quality gear that's making Ham radio far more affordable for many Hams.👍 73😀

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@aj2isotadxing]

I have used mfj 1979 for many years and it’s a great antenna , well done on your wfd

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you!

[@geod3589]

Same here. I wipe it down with light coat of WD-40 after each use and it still looks brand new after many years.

[@CigarsOnTheAir]

Great video Tracy, thanks for sharing. I only have 2 pieces of MFJ equipment, an end-fed HW and the small antenna analyzer. For my normal extendable whip, I use the Chameleon 17ft. whip, as well as the Wolf River Coil vertical setup. Both of those really perform well for me. I just recently discovered mounting the vertical whips on my jeep via mag mount and a lid-lip nmo mount. The vehicle is the perfect ground and I have never needed a counterpoise. I have just recently made contacts using this antenna setup for pota all across the US and canada from my location in Washington DC. Additionally, I purchased a Chinese "military" style collapsible whip which is 13 feet long and extremely portable when collapsed. It performs surprisingly well and if you add a tuner or a wolf river coil you can get pretty much all the bands except 160. Anyway, yes I worked WFD this past year with my Xiegu rigs. But as of last month i now have Yaesu Ft-891 as my go-to rig for everything portable. Hope to get you in the log book one day soon! Cheers and 73!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm looking forward to that contact. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@k2cjbradio]

I’ve had great luck with the 1979 on top of a WRC SB1000. It’s holding up pretty well even though it fell over a couple of times. And once again Tracy, you’ve proven that you are a hardcore outdoor operator! I stayed inside! 😂 73 de K2CJB

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience, Chris! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Tracy, That was a nice pileup you had going. That QRP contact with KT5TX was awesome. I suspect the body of the van might be making a nice ground plane. I will soon be out making my first POTA activation with several Hamsticks, but think I may add a telescopic whip for use on my Toyota van seeing how well it worked. I do recognize that WFD may have been a factor in the pileup. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

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

[@brendanelson4648]

It's just good band conditions, would be the same results with any properly tuned 1/4 vertical

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Yup.

[@hamradiotube]

Nice work up there in the freezing cold! Wolf River Coils and Chameleon make versions of that antenna too.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks Mike! Remember what that was like? I'll look up the WRC and Chameleon, appreciate the pointer.

[@hamradiotube]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Lol I'm trying to forget!

[@KX4UL]

Looks cold! You guys did a great job landing some WFD contacts. 73 OM!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you and 73 from VE3TWM!

[@oldpreach]

Hi Tracy. I just used that exact set up for Pota... Yet again... And had a pile up so big it took an hour to clear it up, and I had to break up the calls by section. That's the power of the 1979! Sorry you had a crummy experience with their customer service.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Outstanding results!

[@bovineexcrement8635]

Outstanding. 😁🥶🤪 Thinking about pulling the trigger on that Hustler magnet mount

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! Have fun with that.

[@gliderrider]

Great video! I’ve never seen 15 meters like this. It was super fun. But I couldn’t take the wind at 0°f. I operated from the comfort of a rented cabin in S. Dakota. My 1st winter field day. Next year I may run more power than 5 to 10 watts. 73’s de n5vwn

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I completely understand the reluctance top operate outdoors at 0F and a cold wind. Temperature was more moderate at my QTH. I do like the sound of a cabin in SD. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@MikeN2MAK]

I have the Wolf River Coils 213" whip. It works great, both 100W and QRP. I've used it for several POTA activations from my car with a mag mount. I've also used it on a tripod. 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@davidvaughn7752]

I have the W.River too mounted on my truck. It works great as well!

[@anonymous_friend]

What mag mount should I get for that whip?

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@anonymous_friend I now use the Tram triple mag mount. I've used it a single 5" mag mount but did have it blow over once as a storm came in quicker than expected. It didn't do any damage though. MFJ and others make the triple mag mounts too.

[@frankelly6742]

I use Hamsticks and the MFJ-1979 for all my POTA activations. I have a lip mount for my Ford Expedition as it is aluminum skinned so a magnet mount is not an option. I also ground mount the whip with speaker wire radials. I too am not a fan of MFJ but the whip is a rather simple item they would be hard pressed to screw up. I have had tremendous success with it on all bands 20-6m. I am a fan of the quick deployment and take down. 73 de KC1NDQ

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@K9TPT]

Do you possibly have more information on the mag mount radial modification? Thank you for the great videos.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi Ken, that's a great idea for a future video. I'll ask my friend Tom for details.

[@davidvaughn7752]

Yes, I operated WinterFieldDay... I spent 4 days hiked into the N. Cascades (Summas Mountain) with three LiPo batteries at 5W running my 817 and a random wire. I wish we could have made contact! Had a great time through rain, snow, and wind. It was clear Sunday morning. Looks like you had fun as well!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Awesome stuff, David! Thank you for sharing.

[@davevick1775]

Curious... Never heard of the Golden Horseshoe before; when did they change it over from Golf-Tango-Alpha? Sadly, I didn't get any airtime this year; I had to work all weekend. 73, W8ZZX

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

January 1. Golden Horseshoe is an old name referring to the industrial/commercial wealth of the region between Toronto and Niagara Falls (the west end of Lake Ontario. ARES adopted it and Radio Amateurs of Canada decided to follow suit, thus moving away from GTA.

[@davevick1775]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Hm. Learn something new every day... Thanks, Tracy!

[@TomSP9TL]

Nice work! Good contacts! I see that Tom is Polish :) , something told me that he is, before checking out the QRZ :)

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! Tom's a good man.

[@Obeeewaan]

nice video, and I like the 'go box' the radio and battery were in... any details on it's construction??

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! Ic-7100, LDG IT-100 tuner, 30 Ah battery, home brewed power switch with voltmeter. I don't recall the case manufacturer but it's a professional product for shipping rack mount computer hardware.

[@w4mps1964]

Hi Tracy. I have the same antenna, although it’s just a SS whip. I doubt that MFJ actually manufactures it. However, not without problems. They sent me the whip and I couldn’t get it to resonate on 20. I discovered that it was the wrong length, too short. When I called, they said “oh, you got one of those”. 🥴. They replaced it with the correct one. But caveat emptor is always the rule when you buy from MFJ (My Favorite Junk). 73 Marc, W4MPS

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Marc! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@scottdunbar4898]

My luck with MFJ has been kind of "hit or miss". Thanks for the video.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

You're welcome and thank you for watching!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Good vid, sir.

[@erving-n1ecc230]

Enjoyed the video, not surprised on the performance of a vertical. These type of antennas is all I use both at my base station and portable operations. I myself played WFD for about 3-hours running QRP 10-watts SSB using a FT-897 with a Goal Zero Yeti 400 power station attached to a Alpha M/B Vertical Antenna on a Tripod. I worked as a hunter making 40-contacts on 40-10 meters. Had fun doing it which is the most important for me as this was not a contest! Also i am confused on your issue with MFJ? Sending your antenna back sounds like a good thing to me. MFJ would have either repaired the problem or sent you a new one. Would had been all good on this end! Keep up with the videos, Enjoy watch them with my morning cup of coffee! 73!

[@peterh70]

It would be better if MFJ could arrange that Canadian consumers can sent or bring their broken things to a Canadian dealer instead of let them ship it to the US with high shipping costs for big antennas and probably some hassle with customs when MFJ sent a new or repaired item back to Canada. That counts for every non Canadian company with Canadian suppliers

[@erving-n1ecc230]

@@peterh70 Interesting, Wasn't thinking about the Canadian issues.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for your comment! It's a real logistics nightmare (and expensive) to ship bulky items to the US from Canada. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@mindblast3901]

I have MFJ 1979 Knock off copy MRQ213 17.5 ft. works great 73

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@K7PKB]

Great Adventure. I use the Chameleon CHA SS17 Whip with great results. I too, stay away from MFJ if at all possible becuase of bad results over the years.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the suggestion of the Chameleon!

[@iamnobody9542]

First, QSL on MFJ! There is a problem with telescopic whips, the sliding joints are lossy. This can be minimized by shortening the top sections to resonance and leaving the bottom sections fully extended, as they have the greater contact areas. Good show. Jerry wa2omu

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Great point, thank you for sharing! 73 from VE3TWM.

[@HamRadioPortableOperations]

As always fantastic achievement, great video. How did you like the IC-7100?

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! I personally don't like the 7100's form factor, but it performs well.

[@mssippijim]

I believe MFJ has changed that policy of having you return it. I know another reviewer here on youtube who got a magnetic loop with a problem and had their blessing on performing a repair himself, without voiding the warranty.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the info!

[@VE3RGO]

Did you submit your logs for POTA as well? I was very pleased my HAMRS WFD logs uploaded from my 5 Park Rove with no modification right into POTA. Had to fix a few mistakes of my own entry issues but POTA took them like a champ.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

I did not submit my logs for POTA. I made the decision to concentrate on WFD. Maybe next year. Congrats on the rove!

[@SL-dv8og]

Check out the MRQ213 Moonraker equivalent

[@twooldmeninthewoods]

Great video Tracy! Did you have your opening logo redone? Looks great.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! The new logo was drawn by my daughter (who also did the radiating pine tree logo). That was my Christmas gift from her 😀

[@francescosilvi654]

This is also geating , dear tracy ! Franz as ik0rks

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you, Franz!

[@babyjenks1784]

Can you list what was the mag mount used and did you say there was a video how to modify it to add a counterpoise? I have been looking for an easy deployable option for portable operations POTA etc.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Hi, I used a Comet magnet mount CM-5M. No video yet on that topic, but it's on my list.

[@babyjenks1784]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir hey thank you for replying! I just received my MFJ 1979 whip a couple days ago and used a triple magnet mount to attach it to the roof of my car! I've done 2 POTA activations so far (my first 2 ever) on 20m. First one I had 44 contacts in 32 minutes, 2nd one 59 contacts in 72 minutes. Loving it so far!

[@forgetyourlife]

The 17ft Chameleon whip is a bit more robust if your looking for a nice whip that’s not MFJ

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for the tip! I'll check it out.

[@richwallace4632]

Can I ask how you were using you’re computer? Is it a log in program? I’m a new ham. Thanks.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

The computer is an iPad. I use HAMRS logging software. It's inexpensive and easy to use. Welcome to the hobby!

[@stevehanlon7627]

looks like a fun, quick and simple setup, worked into AZ and FL, not bad. i operated WFD from K-5480 in EPA with a K2/100 running 80 watts into two antennas; a shortened 40m efhw sloped facing the west and a trapped 20/40m dipole also facing west selectable with the KAT100 tuner. it was interesting to hear the difference between the antennas. while there was more noise, the efhw seemed to have a hotter receive. made 376 contacts (288 SSB & 88 CW) in 10.5 hours, sitting outside... the laptop trackpad does not work with gloves, that was my lesson learned. had several good runs including 152 stations in 2 hours on 20 SSB.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Not all MFJ gear is garbage, but I understand your dislike for them. I have a thing for another antenna company. BUT anyway… I did POTA on (didn’t do) WFD activating a park in Delaware on 12m & 17m… I have the video up on my channel. I used ham sticks for each band. One or both of them might have been an MFJ. The MFJ Jamal sticks work good do for me. I also have a few Shark Antenna ones too that work good. 73!

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

What antenna company? I'd like to know. 73 from VE3TWM.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir Chameleon. I’ll never buy anything from them again.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

@@K3JRZOnTheAir Never saw that coming. Thank you for letting me know.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir A bit of a long story dealing an issue with my MPAS 2.0 that had an issue and their customer service in that situation. It only takes one bad instance to change one’s outlook towards something. 73

[@cwqrpportable]

@@K3JRZOnTheAir I've been dealing with Chameleon for a long time and have only ever had positive experiences with them.

[@2e0txe]

Rather than MFJ get the Chameleon version of it

[@KI4ASK]

Excellent video. Yes, we had 65 F temperatures in Georgia. Here’s the video of our WFD/POTA from K-2168 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGOlq2R7frpknck

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Thank you! I am envious of that temperature. Checked out the video, nice job!

[@W1ZY]

OMG. Just sit in the car. 😆

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Wussy! 😂

[@W1ZY]

@@OutdoorsOnTheAir 😘😆

[@larspregge6420]

LOL: "cq parks cq winter ..." Nice antenna, but heavy.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

😂

[@ericgilman5457]

So, you didn't want to return it for a brand new replacement so you stopped buying anything they made? Really? Wow. Just wow..... I bet you believe CW should still be part of the exam

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Let's take this point by point. Sit down and learn. I live in CANADA. The antenna was big and bulky and required a lot of assembly. At NO POINT did they offer to replace it, only look at it. Do you understand now?

[@carletonvoorhies2916]

The terms of the warranty are clearly stated by MFJ.