Building Portable Antennas for Ham Radio

[@Bob-cx4ze]

This was perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Just getting into HF and want to have the basic ingredients to build some different antenna configurations, but don't want to plan and buy one at a time.

[@russellroberts2228]

Good practical advice and suggestions for building a simple, cheap, and effective antenna. Great, informative video.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 73, Walt

[@DarkShadowCustoms]

Great run down about items needed to build antennas. I upgraded to General earlier this month and tomorrow I will be getting an HF rig. Your channel was recommended to me by two or three members of my club so I had to check it out. I plan to purchase the Tenn Tennas 49:1 based on the recommendations from my club members.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! You will love that unun, it's built well and I have had excellent performance with it. 73, Walt K4OGO

[@TheWingnut58]

Welcome home my friend! Another great video full of useful tips. I think I enjoy building antennas as much as I do rag-chewing.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much my friend!

[@TheWingnut58]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I just noticed that your DX Commander 10m is the expedition version.....I made my diy Commander for the original version so not sure if the 3d printed parts I made would work on your expedition. Shouldn't be that difficult to tweak the dimensions though if you're interested....let me know.

[@jamesloder7241]

As a new-ish ham I find this video to be very inspiring! I am so thankful for your rundown of baluns and ununs and chokes and when to deploy them depending on the antenna criteria. I have searched far and wide for the "cheat sheet" for this topic and your video does this and a lot more. I have a 49:1 like yours and will be cutting wire today to deploy, and will invest in some others as per your examples...can't wait to have some more fun! Many thanks! Jim KQ4AVP.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for this comment Jim. Hope to catch you on the bands! 73, Walt K4OGO

[@Overlanding4Fun]

Great video Walt. The only other thing that I would say that people should get their hands on is a good antenna analyzer and learn how to use it.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I totally agree

[@vladtepes481]

I built a Rybakov Antenna and used it for Field Day. I operated about 11 hours and had 200 QSOs and worked 65 out of 85 ARRL sections using 5W.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That’s awesome!

[@wb416]

I've only purchased antennas previously, but after watching your channel, I got some banana clips and used speaker wire to make first dipole (10 meter). I've haven't acquired any standalone baluns yet, but will add them to the inventory. Just ordered some nice silicone wire to begin making some longer band-specific dipoles for experimenting in the yard or on a POTA activations. Thanks for your videos!

[@Al_Dente1]

As I like to say, the worst antenna in the air beats a perfect antenna on paper, every time. You make some good points and offer some good tips. I would suggest to go cut some wire and try it. I have learned many lessons that way. And if it does not work as expected, it makes for material for my next project. I often learned more from what did not work than what did. I hope to catch you on the air. Safe travels and have fun!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you and you are absolutely right!

[@walterbeaton5056]

Thanks for the video and the plug! Much appreciared. 73, Walt (TennTennas)

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Walt your 49:1 is the best!

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

Im a big DXC pole user, I like that expedition pole for use here on the beach. I keep 2 in my vehicle ready to go, with my home brew 49:1, or the Hi EndFed, cheers Walt, nice video, 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I love mine, I actually need to get a second one. 73!

[@stephenplatt5048]

Great info, Walt. Good to see you back home. Happy Independence Day!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you, Happy Independence Day!

[@garyh8315]

Walt, a great review of what works in the hobby. Showing simple works well.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you Gary!

[@tommydean2955]

Walt, always look forward to your videos. Great info not only for beginners but for seasoned veterans too. Retired now for 8 years and amateur radio fits the bill very good. Your experiments and results keep your channel interesting. N4alr

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much! Hope to catch you on the bands! 73

[@user-ss8vx7kk1u]

Hey, Walt! Thanks for sharing. Using your tips I built the Coastal 20 with a fishing pole and on 20 watts from the desert of SoCal, hit Hawaii, Colorado and Georgia in a couple of minutes. Appreciate the education. Keep experimenting.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much and thanks for sharing your experience!

[@sonnyjrcruz3022]

Had always been very interesting and knowledge well shared with viewers like me. Thanks much Walt. 👍🙏👏👏👏👏👏

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!!

[@tommycheshire5508]

Your enthusiasm is catching.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you my friend!

[@hamradiobasics]

Great video Walt. Perfect information for new hams !

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you very much!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Walt, Great info. Just remember to get the connectors in both male and female combinations. Enjoyed the videos when you were in SP land. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! Yes absolutely, connectors are the one little thing that ruin a day. 73

[@andy2E0JIU]

Cheers walt great advice 👍 only just started portable/mobile so got few ham sticks,just bought slidewinder coil,17ft chameleon extendable whip n now a portable cobweb from poland.just need few days off work now

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I’ve been looking at that Cobweb, hope it performs for you. 73, Walt

[@Inkling777]

When no trees are nearby, tripods are handy. The market for lighting tripods used by photographers is large, so the quality is good and the prices reasonable. One good source is B&H Photo.

[@Mr_D555]

Dipping my toe in the Ham world via KZbin University. I see a Hammerlund in your background, I was picking up an old Tektronix O-Scope last night and also came home with a Hammerlund HX-500 and a Hallcrafters SX-100 for a very cheap price.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Awesome! Great finds, I love old radios!

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Working on a Rybakov antenna. Just need to work out the radial connection stuff with the radial system, that I have already. Good info. Welcome back home! 73!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks!! Good luck with the antenna! 73

[@darylcheshire1618]

very inspiring, a lot of club members have permanent antennas at home and are a bit vague (and mumble) on the topic of ununs, baluns and random wires.

[@airheadzradioadventures]

We get so excited when we see a new video! Another great piece of work!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much guys!!!

[@Steven_VE9SY]

For me playing with wires is (other than being on the radio) the funnest part of ham radio. At my age with my eyes, and the fact I have inherited a neurological disorder from my father (all 5 of us children have it and it went back to at least my great grand father ) I can no longer wield a soldering iron well enough to do kit building or even what I would have considered simple repair. At least with antennas I'm usually not soldering anything that I can easily damage. So many times I've built an antenna for or even at FD to hear the older hams criticize it and say that won't work. But every time, we have made contacts. When I'm told that now I ask Have you done it?? most times the answer is no. The others are usually lying. Unless you build a full sized dipole for each band, it is a compromise. Even then once you tune away from the sweet spot, it is still a compromise to a point. I tell my students if you see a design and want to try it, don't let anyone talk you out of it. Chances are they are retired and have lots of disposable income to waist on towers and antennas to put on them. Most of these beams have traps on them. Guess what? they are using a compromise antenna! Once you put a trap in it is no longer truly resonant on the bands they use. That is why they spent $1000s on amps and tuner that can handle the power. Once you engage that tuner you have taken any resonance out of the system. There goes that argument!

[@chuckdaddyo]

Thank you for making this!! I learned a lot. Thank you Walt.

[@DonzLockz]

Thanks Walt. Plenty of good info and practical tips. Thanks :)

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! All the best my friend!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍All good advice Walt.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Steve!

[@WaynesWorld69]

Great video! Really learn a lot from your videos sir. Keep it up.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!!!

[@jimnelson726]

Thanks for sharing Walt. I do POTA and I use a painters extension pole that is 4ft in length and expands to 16ft. I have been wanting something shorter when collapsed so that it fits better in my vehicle. The DX Commander may fill the bill.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

My 10 meter pole is the Expedition model. It packs well. 73, Walt K4OGO

[@MikeN2MAK]

I'm a big fan of the LDG UnUns and the TennTennas 49:1. The nice thing about those is you just need to add wire and you have plenty of options for different antennas.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Same here Mike! Cut some wire and go to work!

[@kennethblackwell1137]

Nice video, Walt....thanks.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!!!

[@captainwyattoutdoors1636]

Great video! Thank you.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much!

[@markschmidt1254]

Thanks!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you for supporting the channel!! 73, Walt

[@mikestone9129]

Another great video Walt. I have a couple of the small fishing poles. On Amazon etc they are also called Tenkara poles, a Japanese style of fishing. Also I have 2 Spiderbeam poles. Fairly inexpensive and they sell them up to 85 feet long, a monster. 73s, KZ5MLS

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Awesome, thanks for the info.

[@o2bnov0307]

Welcome home. I need to build a 20/40 linked dipole. The center conductor is purchased and on its way. I will be using BNTECHGO 20 gauge wire for this QRP antenna. I’ll be to bring it on my next trip to Norfolk. Maybe we can meet up, talk radio, and eat pizza. 73 de David AE4LH

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks!

[@TheWingnut58]

I use the BNTECHGO 20g too....used it for a diy version of the DX Commander as well as several different EFHW and other wire antennas. MUCH lighter than the speaker wire....

[@jamess1787]

Thanks Walt!!!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching!

[@stephanhersey1186]

Thanks for the video. LDG is my go to balun/unun if I don't build my own. Building your own is fun and cheaper., Keep up the great videos. Steve, k7ofg

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Steve, 73, Walt K4OGO

[@SteveHacker]

Fantastic! Thanks! … SO MUCH to learn, but so little time! I’ve just discovered your channel, and am looking forward to watching all your videos! Subscribed and following! … I’m looking for ideas for my first entrance into HF. I’m a brand new Extra (which means nothing without real experience yet), and a man can only survive on a borrowed BaoFeng UV-5R so long… YES! I confess! The only radio I’ve even touched so far is a borrowed BaoFeng! LOL! 😉😉😉 … I’m looking for as much DIY as possible, for both antennas AND radios. I would love to some day even acquire enough skills to even build my own radios from scratch (even vintage vacuum tube stuff eventually; I come from a music background; guitar amps and such, and have a ton of tubes), not only because of extreme budget limitations, but also for the learning experience and education, and also to teach my autistic son (the primary handicap of which is communication and social interaction, so you can see why getting him interested in radio might be good for him, not to mentioned a chance for him to acquire new “life skills”, and he has even asked me about getting a Technician license, and even about CW, which I am studying heavily right now)… … I guess everything you’ve shown here might be out the window though, considering the fact that my ancient house and all my out buildings all have metal roofs. Is that going to kill my dreams via interference? I do have old barns FULL of interesting old construction material though, as well as a ton of massive trees, endless lengths of wood and metal privacy fencing, miles of surplus PVC pipe, metal pipe, basketball goal poles, and wood, etc… Heck, there’s probably even old radios in the barns I haven’t fully explored yet (probably marine though, if there are any)… But yeah, a full acre of land that is all mine to do with what I want, tons of HUGE trees (but a bunch of metal roofs), no HOA, no landlord, and neighbors that couldn’t care less what I do or put up in the yard. I’m just clueless on how to get started, or even what HF radio I’d need to start with (on an extreme budget)…

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting. HF can really be done on a budget, keep looking and watching for something. If there is anyway you can get your hands on a Xiegu G90 I honestly feel that it’s the best starter radio for HF, it’s a Shack in the Box. I completely understand your situation with your son, my oldest grandson is on the spectrum and is non-verbal. I’m hoping to get him into radio when he gets older (he’s 4). All the best and 73, Walt

[@josephgomes8543]

Another great video, Walt. Still havrn't finished testing the 41' wire. This week I think. I hadn't put a 1-1 in the mix but will as I have one here. My results with only the 9:1 and a 15' counterpoise were not great. Adding the 1:1 may help or deleting the extra wire 73 Joe, KC1MTM

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Joe, try the choke that might do the trick

[@osrzgz]

Muy contento por comentar y espñicat todo sobre su trabajo. --Y lo mas imporrante.... Anaimar a la gente que nvestige y realice pruebas propias..para ver la propis realidad. Por sis prpios ojos. 'COMO BIEN DICES,;....-Sal- prueba y disfruta. Y sobre todo pssalo

[@GMT_400]

Good video. Not a senior moment at 20 ohms if your on a short loaded vertical with low ground and coil loss on 40 meters 😊. I built AD5X multi impedance matching transformer for those senior moment. It’s handy too.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much! 73, Walt K4OGO

[@geirha75]

Just of curiosity I have modified QRP-guys no tune efhw antenna from 64:1 to 49:1. Given that I run my a single banded cw QRP transceiver ( 7W ) on 40 m I was able to make the antenna work at about swr 1:43 ( 7-7.2 MHz ). I believe more tweaking by cutting the the wire will decrease swr slightly more.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes a little tweaking might help but 1:4 isn’t bad, I’d keep on rolling with that.

[@geirha75]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks for your response. Based on your experience Walt, does antenna height above ground affect swr compared to only cutting wire?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@geirha75 yes I’ve noticed a slight improvement in SWR when getting an antenna higher

[@KC3UVF]

Glad to see you made it home safely Walt! I could definitely use a 20 odd ft telescoping mast for the efhw at some point. I run it off the deck on the garage next door, but it would be nice to not have to climb up and down the stairs to put it up lol. I definitely need to invest in a 9:1 for my 6m half wave setup. I also use the TennTenas 49:1 for the efhw among other things and can attest to the fact it is a terrific piece of kit at a very reasonable price.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! It’s go to be home

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Happy Independence Day Walt.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Happy Independence Day!!! 🇺🇸

[@mikekrieger8171]

Great video walt.

[@LB0FI]

I remember when Monster was considered premium hifi. Now it's antenna wire.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahaha yes I remember those days

[@billerfurth5247]

Great info. Like your presentations.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you very much!

[@dangermandave67]

Silicone insulated wire is easiest to work with in the field. Much less inclined to get tangled, etc.

[@DiscusRussell]

I had a Hammarlund HQ180 but the UK version without the clock was just an hole lol, fantastic receiver but not for the novice. If memory serves me right it had 32 valves

[@abdulal-hodl8861]

I luv it when Walt talks about poles

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahahahaha

[@stevecolby6505]

Hi Walt, Welcome back to the States.....

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Steve!

[@stevecolby6505]

​@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Was it this hot in Poland? Hampton Roads is baking in the sun....July 4th in Virginia....Mid-90s and steamy....

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@stevecolby6505 no and I’m dying in this heat 😂

[@jeremywho2289]

Great video! You answered a lot of questions I had. I’m curious if you ever find it useful to combine a 1:1 unun as a choke with a 49:1 efhw?

[@chrisnmichelle0218]

I do, I just built a new configuration that uses dc 12v red black wire for the 1:1 and goes straight into a 49:1 enamel coated wire then to the wire, it really lowered the noise a lot and made better contacts for me, but every environment is different, so experiment. Make a 1:1 with a mix 31 or 43 240 toroid and see if it helps you.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes I’ve used a choke at the 49:1. What I do is add a counterpoise to the 49:1 when I do this. I used a length of 5% of a wavelength which comes out to about 6.5 feet.

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES in practice, how much difference did it make?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@Philip-KA4KOE I think it made a big difference, kept common mode current out of my feed line as well

[@sp7szc]

Nice to be home, Walt?🏠😁 Happy Independence Day my friend🇺🇸💪🇵🇱 Marcin SP7SZC

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It’s great to be home but I will miss your great country! Happy American Independence Day my friend!!! 🇵🇱 🇺🇸

[@IrishHamRadio]

A great summary there Walt, pretty much covering everything… I haven’t experimented with making an EFHW yet, nor using UNUNs, but it is my plan as I’d like to change up my current linked dipole default. It works really well, but I always wonder is there something better for my SOTA needs.. Maybe its a combination depending on the summit. 😅

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! looking forward to seeing you on the TEHRS show.

[@IrishHamRadio]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Absolutely!

[@timneely946]

Hi Walt, I just discovered your channel recently and am avidly working my way through your videos (although I must confess that I do so with a certain amount of west coaster envy for your east coast access up and down the seaboard and across the pond). I will be getting into POTA after my wife retires next month and we start to roam around the country in our Casita trailer. In that regard, I’m in the process of gearing up for portable operations and am very keen on experimenting with home brew antennas as you do. Watching this video has prompted me to ask a very basic question that I should know the answer to and hopefully you will enlighten me. When you use speaker wire for your antenna builds, do you separate the two wires and use one at a time or do you join them at either end and use them together. Thanks for your wonderful videos. Your enthusiasm is contagious. 73, de Tim KE6PMA

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi Tim, thanks for watching! I split the speaker wire and just use one side. Works great! 73, Walt

[@ArnieDXer]

Hi Walt, I'm an antenna geek like you, just a bit more lazy, and perhaps too afraid of using a soldering iron to put those connectors onto cables 😂 and now this video sound really as if you wanted to motivate me into digging deeper into this 😂 particularly since I signed up for an exam in late September 🤣🤣🤣 Just two observations: 1) I tried to use a PVC pipe as a support for my FM beam... unfortunately it bends too much, even with a wooden stick inside. A lot better using the stick alone XD Maybe bad luck? 2) Auchan still operates in Russia and even engages in delivering aid packages to Russian troops killing people of Ukraine, thus I'd NOT recommend supporting the supporters of the war and the genocide of Ukrainian nation. Anyway, hope you enjoyed your stays in Poland, and wish you all the best in the future. And we'll be happy if you could visit us again sometime in the future 😃 73 :)

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That’s the first I’ve heard of the Auchan issue. Interesting, I’ll do some research on that. All the best and 73, Walt K4OGO

[@n0vty873]

Nice vid Walt! Give the new guys some ideas, and maybe a couple old guys.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much!

[@trevorhaines2274]

Hi Walt. Love your videos. You’ve rekindled my interest in building wire antennas….. currently running an EFRW with 43’ on a 9:1 Palomar Bullet Unun with a 17.5’ counterpoise and homemade toroid coax choke. Suspended the wire out the 2nd floor window like your Polish QTH setup and it works a treat. An idea for a follow up to todays video, can you cover off the current options for antenna analysers. I am using an old MFJ analyser that’s heavy and large and am curious what’s on the market today. Keep up the great work. Cheers Trevor VK3DCQ

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Trevor! Great idea! 73, Walt K4OGO

[@tlnelson7598]

awesome stuff!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!!!

[@romanomorelli2831]

Hi Walt i have a 10m fibreglass mast I’ve wrap wire 33’ft9’’ around it and the same length of wire lying on the ground as a counter poise what balun or unun you recommend for it like your videos thank you.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! 73, Walt

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

Great video, many thanks!!! Robert K5TPC

[@hiranmukhopadhyay9353]

Great 👍

[@kurtwolter3984]

Great content. Subscribed. I noticed the indoor loop on your shelf. What do you use that for and how’s its effectiveness?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for subscribing! That’s an AM (medium wave) receiving loop. I enjoy listening to distant AM broadcast signals.

[@JackBlack-lq4ir]

Hi Walt, I’ve been watching your videos and seen you used the xiegu g90 a lot. I’m thinking about getting one as my first transceiver. I was wondering if the cooling fan that you can get for it is a good investment, or not really necessary?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi Jack, I’ve found it not really necessary for SSB use. I’ve been running mine for a couple years and have never used one or had a problem. I’ve heard that it’s a must if you’re using the G90 for digital modes. The G90 is a great radio, you will love it!

[@Ammed_KN6STX]

Great video Walt!! I have the Chameleon Coax cable with the inline chock. Does the chock end go next to my radio or does it go next to the EFHW antenna???

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I believe it goes next to the radio in order to use the coax as the counterpoise.

[@forgetyourlife]

Any idea why LDG only makes a Voltage balun and not a Current balun as well?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I have no idea.

[@johnfloy]

Do you have a link to buy those cool in line 1:1 baluns you use? I can't find them anywhere

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

They are built and sold by Tim N9SAB. Looks like he is currently out of stock but you can keep an eye out on his eBay store: www.ebay.com/str/n9sab?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TIbkpe2XS0m&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=IVyKb51XQj2&store_cat=41400377012&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@johnfloy]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES fantastic! Thank you sir from KI5TKD, 73s

[@68thBC]

Ok...please share the info with me on the 1:1 balun for the bnc banana adapter. I hate to be one of those guys but I got to have one.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Built by my friend Tim N9SAB, he just built some more and they go fast: www.ebay.com/itm/164358440127?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TIbkpe2XS0m&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=IVyKb51XQj2&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@usernamemykel]

Walt, call me "Confused"and I hope you can tell me WHICH RATIO unun, balun, transformer, boxun, thingun to use with a fishing pole helically wound with 33 ft., to access the 10m band - please. Many thanks!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

A 9:1 unun should work, I’ve done something similar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnnEaHRsm5h_g6s

[@dancosminmarza2974]

hy i usualy use uv cevlar wier green 4mm outdors the eight dosent bother me the car is cariing it

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

I built an EFHW and wow.

[@Ron-xn4wf]

You covered a lot of information very fast. How about slowing down for us beginners. And focus on one antenna.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I have many videos on each one single antenna. This was simply an overview.