Antenna Wire Length - Demystifying Feedpoint Impedance

[@rctestchannel-xi9gg]

This is the only video I have seen that would inspire a new Ham to actually build their own antenna. Am an older ham and I am excited to try out your recommendations. This is what Amateur Radio should be all about. Thank you very much...

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Oh wow, thank you so very much! 73, Walt

[@redstickham6394]

You never know what you can do with some wire and insulators!

[@jamess1787]

Drive by expert here: I got nothin', you nailed it out of the park and I learned quite a bit. Thanks Walt! 73 😁

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Haha thank you my friend!

[@drew8535]

This was the most common sense and easy to understand explanation on this topic I’ve ever seen/heard. Thank you!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words! 73, Walt

[@F4LDT-Alain]

I always feel like I'm starting to get a grab on this after watching your videos, Walt. Yours are the best for simple, practical explanations. This one really is excellent. Thanks for this.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

merci beaucoup Alain! 73, Walt

[@mrradio2187]

Excellent video! I'm an old ham but continue to learn even 54 years later! Antenna theory is where the real magic happens. Forget the amplifiers and work on your antenna systems.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you and I totally agree! 73, Walt

[@thomashardy9994]

Learning to use the antenna analyzer in sweep mode really helped me to see what was going on with my antennas. Thanks for all the helpful information.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching and commenting! 73, Walt

[@KO4FSZ_ANTENNAS]

Feed point Impedance for dummies it is so simple to understand the way Walt explained it.

[@MrTommy001]

Walt, the difference between your videos and other guy's videos is, I don't have to fight falling asleep while watching and listening to their 'dull' presentations. You keep it lively and chuckle from time to time. Others? Not so much. I'm brand new to HF and am soaking up all I can, especially from your videos. Thanks for making the un-understandable understandable.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much for the very kind words! 73 my friend

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Thanks again Walt! Great information. I know manual tuners aren't popular these days but making and using one really does help a person understand theory and practice of how matching works.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I agree

[@captainwrongway]

It's great to see some one who explains the technology in easy to understand terms. So many tutorials are geared to the already experienced and goes completely over a new hams head. In my 47+ years I have always tried to teach on the level of the student. Great job! By the way, I may be an "old dog" but you have taught me a new trick or two as well. Hi Hi! Keep up the great work. 73s DE wb7veq

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much! The one thing about physics, engineering and almost anything that involves science is that humans will overthink it. I really just try to keep everything simple. 73 my friend

[@tbelli63]

Super helpful. Thanks, Walt. Always look forward to your videos.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much! 73, Walt

[@dougtaylor7724]

After I got my General ticket it took me several months on my own to figure out all the things you covered in one video. If you had only made this 5 years ago! Keep up the good work.

[@christopherhague2329]

Thanks Walt. You made this really easy to understand and I look forward to using this info for my antenna projects and experiments. That's half the fun of HF for me. 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words! 73 my friend

[@jeffkunce8501]

I'm a big fan of remote, or "at the feedpoint" tuners. Like the antenna matcher you showed, they work sort of like an automatic, infinitely variable unun to give you an (almost) perfect match on (almost) any wire length. Your 50 ohm coax always (theoretically) matches your rig, so the impedance mismatch you need to address is where the coax meets the wire. In-rig and at-the-rig tuners are great for protecting your rig, but have much higher losses than matching at the feedpoint. This is just food for thought - thanks for the great videos!

[@blugoose86]

Thanks Walt. Great information for new and old hams the same. I've learned so much from you guys this past year. Ape taught me how to build AND test my Balun's and UNUN's. You taught me to have fun and not sweat the small s$it. Grateful to you both, and several others, that take the time to share their knowledge and experiences.

[@kennethblackwell1137]

Well done Walt. Love your antenna projects...

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much my friend!

[@johnbonner4430]

Great information. I got a little distracted by the cigar box guitars. Love it!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I’ve been building CBGs for a few years. I’ve got a couple from other builders as well. Fun to play.

[@johnbonner4430]

My daughter and I built one a few years ago for a school project. I almost enjoy playing it more than my six string. They're such a versatile instrument. Enjoy your videos, keep them coming, please. I've been studying for my technician license and hope to be on the air soon.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@johnbonner4430 thank you! Good luck and hope to catch you on the air soon my friend

[@paulsengupta971]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRESI think you need to do video overview on them and their construction!

[@deankq4adj125]

Wonderful video and illustrations Walt. I know it answered a lot of questions I have had concerning building antennas. Keep up the good work!

[@Matt-qq8dh]

Great video. Thank you very much, Walt. I watch your videos the most. I made my first DX contact yesterday with Maritime Mobile Service Network using your 29 ft vertical, 9:1 unun, 1:1 unun, with the classic DX Commander design. The net control operator was in Texas. I used the Xiegu G90 at 20 watts. I was using the flagpole tire support to support the DX Commander pole on my back deck. I used weights as an anchor. You have a treasure of information and it helped me very much. It was simple and it worked great.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you and it so awesome you made your first DX contact! Congratulations! There will be many many more to come! 73, Walt

[@roadsxroads]

I always enjoy your videos, but sometimes they are especially informative. Thanks!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you and thank you so very much for supporting my channel!!!! 73, Walt

[@CQBlindHams]

Great video Walt. I have a 55ft vertical up a tree with a 9 to 1 UNUN about 3ft off of the ground with 1 36ft counter pois elevated off the ground. It works great.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! That sounds like a great setup.

[@cWatts-zv3oo]

Excellent work, Walt! Thanks so much!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank YOU so much!

[@KO4GSM]

Always great videos with information that will help others with Ham Radio! Good to hear you on the livestream last Sunday! Keep them coming, Walt

[@dlabyer]

I really enjoy your videos. Have always enjoyed tinkering with wires. Those who tout resonate antennas seldom have a resonate match. Love my tuners. The proof is in the received signal that peeks when tuned. I've seen test that prove that theres little to no loss in a tuner in the hf bands. I'm down with medical issues so going out with you, through KZbin is great. Keep them comming!

[@rctestchannel-xi9gg]

Dude, you nailed it. Am recommending this video....

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much!

[@canadavey]

Very informative video! Thanks Walt! And I had to laugh at the "drive by experts" comment! Sad but true.

[@LU7ACN]

Hi, this video was very useful for me as a novice ham operator, thank you very much, I will probably watch in a few times to get a better grip of toppics. Many thanks. 73.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching! 73, Walt

[@alflores4220]

I watch a lot of videos to further my education on antennas and some of those old guys are real smart but have the most horrible drawings and handwriting, you have the cleanest illustrations and I know it may be a small thing, but I really appreciate being able to make out what you are drawing. Hey that brown Uke behind you looks a lot like my mahogany Martin Tenor! Aloha , AL

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! That uke is an old Conqueror that belonged to my wife’s father. It’s a special one for me.

[@cWatts-zv3oo]

It's by no means a small thing! I've built a few of walts brain child's and base them off of his very effective drawings!

[@himesjon]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRESdid you do drafting?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes

[@kelley64]

Got to love Single Stroke Gothic Lettering. Make me want to get back on the drafting table. Another great lesson Walt even for the semi seasoned ham.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! I started on the drawing board a long time ago

[@19095987]

One of my favorite, lowly wire antennas for POTA is the multiband 29’ EFRW with the 9:1 unun. It’s quick to set up and effective.

[@geopolska]

Well said and explained, I have done some 12K miles contacts on garbage antennas I made in the past.

[@harveypiper3268]

Walt, this video is great and to the point. I have tried various types of configurations over the 60 years of being a ham and had so much fun. Still looking for the perfect antenna (Hi Hi) but everything is a compromise due to all the unseen variables! I currently use a 29ft vertical with a 9:1. It works great and matches my environmental requirements while living in an HOA. Thank you for your practical and useful videos. Harv K5NR

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you Harv! I think we will always be looking for the perfect antenna Hi Hi

[@SeaDogJak]

I make cigar box guitars and other instruments, cant believe you have a wall full of CBG and strumstiks etc. something else we have in common. Nice informative video.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! Yes I love CBGs, Ukes and Strumsticks! 73, Walt

[@devarajans2881]

Excellent presentation.clarfied all my doubts or myth about random length antennas.vu2ft

[@ka6psdrbeswick709]

I put up a 20 meter long wire cut to length, using the nanovna-f, don't get me wrong it did work but not effectively. Till i learned about reactance. Swr was not every thing , resistance and capacitive balancing was quickly learned about. I guess digging deeper helped me understand why just swr is just a reference to other values. As i understand tuners are great given compromise antennas, however I wanted not to waste energy as heat. Great tutorial ! So down the rabbit hole I go again. Lol 😊

[@Ou8124u]

Great video! I don’t understand most of it, but that’s cause I’m new. Good stuff. Now if I can build one.

[@tankthetuba]

Hey Walt, just to say that I love what you're doing with the wire antennas by the sea. I've just returned to the air this week after a 12½ year break (health hasn't been great for a while..lol) and I'm getting my things together again to get out by a river estuary close to where I live in Norfolk England. "The salt water amplifier " is something I've worked with quite a lot in the past, and set the world record (along with G4AKC) for the first pedestrian mobile to pedestrian mobile contact between G and ZL3 when I was in Christchurch NZ operating as ZL3/G7LPW/Pedestrian Mobile on 20m. Unfortunately my pedestrian days are fairly much over now due to my health, but I plan to do similar to yourself and build wire antennas on the riverside and sit in my car with my trusty old Alinco DX70TH. Hope you're having fun, and maybe catch you on the air sometime. 73, de G7LPW (Keith in Norfolk England)

[@eugene-anthony4823]

Hello! The closer the wire size is to 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, to the wavelength, the lower the losses in the antenna will be. Also, in order to reduce losses when adjusting resistance, it is easier and more convenient to use L-Match than transformer rings that heat up and give significant losses.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that, thanks for sharing.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Nice overview, thanks Walt. I think your results on air are evidence that these "compromise" antennas work. If you think about it, arguably, every antenna is a compromise in some aspects.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you and Roger that my friend! 73, Walt

[@keithhawkins4641]

Good video. I was working on the 25 foot with 4 to 1 and was having trouble with swr. Did not want to cut. I had a single wire connected to ground terminal on the UNUN to a plate with about 25 radials. My swr was not very good. so I finally took one group of radials off the plate and connected it directly to the ground on the UNUN things got better. Still not as good as I hoped but it's raining now so will wait until another day. fair weather antenna builder lol

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! Antennas sometimes just have more moving parts than a clock lol

[@sjaakpaauwe6808]

Thanks Walt this is the explanation I needed!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for watching! 73, Walt

[@hughpatterson1480]

Thanks for another helpful video! The way you put this together was perfect. I added it to my technical journal. I take notes in a journal when I come across useful information so I have it close at hand. So many new amateur radio operators mismatch antennas and Baluns/Ununs because they don't have a clear guide regarding what goes with what. Your video breaks it down into terms that are easy to understand. Thanks again...73...Hugh...KN6KNB

[@warrencaldwell8753]

Thanks Walt. You hit a good one today. As a newer licensed ham, you see people using these all over KZbin, but no explanations as to why or under what Circumstances they should be used. This is a good basic intro and I for one will be culling through this video numerous times and taking notes. Love the background. It looks to me like you love your instruments as much as the radio. I have the same bug with a wide collection of stringed instruments. My strum stick is my late night just before bed go to for playing. 73’s my friend.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes I have the strumstick addiction too my friend. All the best my friend. Keep on strumming and hamming! 73, Walt

[@revbikerbigd8664]

I agree, amazing work you have done with inexpensive equipment, g90 and all your antennas. I love the g90 radio. AA2BD thx. 73​

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@revbikerbigd8664 thank you so much my friend!

[@NeoCynic1]

Being a newbie I thought size matters and so had a lot of antenna envy seeing my neighbors with their 330' tower antennas. Now I know that as in other things, it ain't the meat its the motion when it comes to efficient propagation.

[@coreydanos8258]

Another great video Walt. Between my guitar collection and my radios my wife is going to kick me out one day. LOL…

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks Corey! I’m definitely guilty of both myself

[@W4TRI]

I plan to start collecting them like pedals... Or wall hanger axes! Love it man! 73

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahaha that’s what I do and as you can see on my wall I have some pedals I use with my little axes haha

[@Aussat]

As always Walt a great video with great info. Sometimes hams need to use compromise antennas such as myself, people need to realise not all have the space to put antennas up, i have a random wire that runs up a 12 meter pole that is strapped against a tree yet i have contacts from around the world... for me the Unun's work along with the Baluns. Im on air so thats what counts. You have great info Walt, thanks and 73 de ZL1MY

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much for the kind words my friend! 73, Walt

[@phildurall7466]

Walt ... great rules of thumb for the real world. Couple what you mentioned with the realization that a doubling of power is 3 db or 1/2 S unit, even SWRs between 4:1 - 6:1 would hardly be noticed on the receiving end. However, the transmitter would not like them for long! 73 - KF6IF

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that, thanks for sharing. 73, Walt

[@peterfrend5360]

Hi Walt. Many thanks for a very informative video. Lots of useful information. I always trust your judgement, because you get out there & experiment, & make it work. Yeah Buddy, you have a great channel, I enjoy it, & I learn. Best 73 de Pete GI0FZT.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so very much Pete!

[@aaronjohnston1584]

My brother and I just had this conversation. Good info.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!!

[@JT-py9lv]

*LOT'S OF GREAT INFORMATION*

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!

[@KC3UVF]

Not much to add. You covered things pretty well. If you operate on the go it's really hard to beat a 49:1 and/or a 9:1. Most of the time at home that is what I put out. The ability to band hop is worth the 20 odd percent loss implied in the transformer.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that! 73, Walt

[@av3510]

I want to see you hook up one of those ukuleles to the G90 antenna tuner and see if you can do some DX! Coastal Waves & Ukes!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hahaha that would be fun. Ukes are one of my other hobbies

[@corsavic1]

My god this made more sense than anyone else has explained thank you so much brilliant again...this is the way of the ham

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you my friend! 73, Walt

[@bobr6555]

Less-young (78) ham here and I keep learning from you every video. Love your enthusiasm for our fantastic hobby. You also encourage me to try new antennas so when I go off in my caravan in a few days I'll be trying a wire vertical or two. Maybe see you on the Southern Cross 14238 net again. 73 from VK4BOB

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi Bob! I’ve been tuning in to the Southern Cross Net as much as possible. I can guarantee to will catch me there soon as conditions are starting to favor it. 73, Walt

[@kdsf12]

Love the cigar box guitars :)

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I’ve built a few, they are fun!

[@Anon-fv9ee]

Hi Walt, thank-you so much for this. As a newbie it has cleared up some confusion but also given me a few questions. One antenna not discussed is the terminated folded dipole (TTFD or T2FD). I’ve been told they are electrically similar to a loop (balanced) but have a terminating resistor. I’ve also heard they are broadband. How is the resistor value calculated? Without this resistor is it more like a dipole resonant on only one frequency? My other question was about ladder line - the 300 ohm would need to match to 50 ohm at some point. Should the matching be done at the antenna socket or at the antenna feedpoint? Thanks again 

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks, I have to be honest with you and say I haven’t built or experimented with this antenna. I’d have to do a little study on it to answer this.

[@ErikBijland]

Hi Walt, the quarter wave vertical, just the wire on the red connection off the ldg 1:1 balun and from the so239 a coax cable to the transceiver .. nothing connec!ted to the black connection on ldg 1'1 balun ..? Keep posting great work!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

You need to put counterpoise wires on the black connector.

[@needhelp2453]

I love your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you very much! 73, Walt

[@deanhallberg3340]

Great chat...thanks. love to hear... I don't need that I have a resonate antenna. Really... at what exact frequency? Beyond that I have to say. Is it really resonant? Do you stay parked on that frequency only? HUM

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Exactly! Roger that

[@OH2023-cj9if]

I just watched a very interesting video by someone that fits beoadcast equipment He uses a circulator. Radio on port 1, antenna on port 2 and 50ohm dummy load on Port 3. He said that reflected power will come back down the coax and be directed to the dummy load, not into the transmitter. I've never seen one used like that before.

[@OH2023-cj9if]

BROADCAST!!!

[@JimMest]

Thanks Walt good video, 2 questions that keep me awake are ,1 does the gauge (awg)of the wire used for the antenna affect the resistance calculation adversely? 2 what gauge (awg) would be optimum for a 20-100 watt peak output?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! There is some specific info out there on resistance but I’ve used 22 gauge which is very light for 100 watts and had great results.

[@ChrisMichael-x8j]

Walt, second question. I have a seventeen foot vertices if I put out a 34’ horizontal elevated counterpoise and use a 4:1 Balun would it work as an OCF antenna?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

I don’t think so, I’d have to model it to see. You would probably be better off just building a traditional OCF. I’m really not a fan of elevated radials but that’s only because I’m always by saltwater and elevating them there makes no sense. So with that said I just don’t have a lot of experience with elevated radial antennas

[@potaactivator]

Walt, this is a "must save" video for most hams. You've done all the math and explained feed point impedance in an easy to understand manner. Question: what is the name of the antenna app that you use? I have an Android phone and could use an app like that. 73!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It’s called “Antenna Tool”. I have it on my iPhone but I’m pretty sure it is available for Android. Thanks for the kind words! 73, Walt

[@mobiltec]

This helped a lot Walt. Of course this too shall cost me money. But like they say, you can't take it with you. I'm just going to get them all and save money on shipping.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

It’s a good collection to have!

[@josephgomes8543]

Crawl by amateur here, another good vid, Walt. I always enjoy the results of your experiments. I'm getting antsy to get outdoors and play portable radio too. Still kinda winter here in New England.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! It’s winter one day summer the next here in the Mid-Atlantic

[@monawarrajayki5445]

Thank you very much for all your videos and hunting me on the 26th. Moe KO4GBB

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi Moe! Great to get you in the log my friend.

[@EricMarshallva]

Good video man. You are killing it as always. Lots of great advice.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you my friend! 73, Walt

[@georgebradshaw474]

Walt, thanks! Learning more with every video you produce. AC3EA

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you for watching and commenting my friend! 73, Walt

[@Bdub1952]

Walt, not only are your explanations great, your drawings are works of art. Have you ever considered publishing an antenna design booklet? I'd buy one!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks so much! Yes I’m actually putting my sketchbook together and will definitely self publish it. Hopefully I can find the time to finish it soon. I appreciate your kind words my friend! 73, Walt

[@Bdub1952]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I'm so happy to hear that, Walt. I hope this serves as a tiny incentive. Posters would be cool, too. Pin-ups for nerds, hi, hi. Looking forward to that first QSO, my friend. 73, N7BWB

[@bat-fq6nl]

Thanks Walt!!! I learned a lot

[@dr5674]

Great video!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! 73, Walt

[@thormusique]

Great video, Walt, thanks! Your 'drive-by experts' made me spit my coffee, though I'm not complaining. Cheers and 73!

[@kk0dj]

Great video Walt. Just ignore the know-it-all trolls. Have fun!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you!

[@M0_KNQ]

That's another very useful summary video, Walt. Saved for future reference ! 73, Pete

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you Pete! 73 my friend

[@pasjeihobby]

Impressive wall behind you. Apparently ham radio is not you only hobby ;D

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Haha yes I like to strum the wires a little bit too

[@barryzoll9772]

@Walt. Awesome video you should be a professor. I have a question on the off center and fed dipole. In your video you said that it required a 4 to 1 balun. Because it is off-center fed in the elements are two different lengths. Why wouldn’t that be considered an unbalanced antenna? I’ve been a hand for 25 years and I’ve learned more from you from your videos than any other resource. Thanks for your assistance and 73.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much my friend. The OCF dipole is actually a balanced antenna as it finds the point on the wire where the impedance is approximately 200 ohm over several bands to make it a multiband antenna. Now think of balancing a pencil on your finger that has a heavy eraser at one end. You’re not balancing it dead center but closer to the heavy end. Same principle with balancing the dipole.

[@barryzoll9772]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks again.

[@WR3ND]

Great video getting into the thick of things. Not exactly an adventure in the typical sense, but a productive exploration all the same. Thanks. Cheers and 73!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you and cheers! Walt

[@ChrisMichael-x8j]

Walt, on the ¼ WL wire you used a 1:1 Balun which I believe would act as a choke thereby not allowing the coax braid to act as the other half of the antenna. How did you resolve that? Chris KF0KEO

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

The 1:1 balun is not like the 1:1 choke, it has two posts on it. A red positive one and a black negative one. The upper driven element goes to the red and your counterpoise go to the black.

[@ChrisMichael-x8j]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Why not an unun?

[@tamstutz921]

Walt, I’m using an EFHW with a 49:1 unun that’s tuned for 40m (1.2:1). The SWR is higher for 20m and higher still for 15m. Would an antenna tuner help match the feed point impedance and bring the SWR down?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Yes, you could definitely get it to near perfect on those bands and could also tune it for 17, 12 and 10 meters.

[@tamstutz921]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thank you, Walt!

[@danc7904]

This video reminded me of the radiomen in the Navy while tuning up the FRT-39s. They had to drive the PA, then use dials connected to the caps and coils while looking at voltage and current meters. (basically tuning the antenna) Occasionaly they would connect the wrong antenna, get high SWR and the caps would start snapping and arcing. It would scare the crap outta them.

[@MikeN2MAK]

Nice job explaining things. I added the 1:1 and 4:1 LDG baluns to my list of things to look for at Hamvention. Last year, Gigaparts had a nice sale on them.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thanks! I’ve got two LDG 4:1 baluns. I’ll bring one to Dayton. You can buy me a couple beers lol

[@MikeN2MAK]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES 🍻sounds good to me!

[@basshorseman998]

Thanks Walt, I keep missing you somehow...

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you! Catch you soon

[@JohnnyUrkle]

Hello. I just recently rekindled my ham radio hobby after a 10 year hiatus. Currently memorizing, I mean, studying for my Extra. You are such a great teacher. I see there is a link to get a membership yet I don’t see anything regarding what the benefits of membership are and haven’t heard you promote it. Can you advise? I’m interested.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Hi and thanks for the kind words! I really don’t promote the membership much, there really isn’t a great benefit to joining. I just call it a tip jar to those that want to support the channel. I use the membership money for antenna wire and other items I use in my videos. 73, Walt

[@JohnnyUrkle]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I understand. I will definitely join for the mere fact that you provide a great service answering questions. I’ve tried the local ham radio club route in search of good Elmers, but that’s just not my style. Lots of egos and disorganized. I don’t mean to put all clubs under that umbrella as I’m sure there are some good ones. Thanks for what you do. I know you can’t answer all questions, especially as your channel grows, but I’m thankful for what I can get.

[@oldsplendor]

Most needed video ever! Many thanks once more!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you for watching and for the great comment! 73, Walt

[@billssimplepinedesign8878]

Great video! I go back to them all the time. Thanks for sharing.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much! 73, Walt

[@camrodger8638]

Thanks for yet another great video that stays out of the weeds. Greatly appreciated.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you very much for watching! 73, Walt

[@tommcmichael8679]

So, for antenna length? To get higher, get shorter; to get lower, get longer?

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

That’s right

[@kc6nfv746]

Nice video but LDG needs to improve we're you hook the antenna to it it's kind of weak and can brake the hole for the wire nothing over 14 gage wire can go thru it they should improve it may be even bigger with a bigger hole for the wire a person can put 3 peace of 14 gage build a 3 band antenna add some hooks on the side you tie the antenna wire to it make it stronger so it dont get rip apart

[@chipweather]

You called me out in this video about the 9;1 with a square loop 😅. For some reason my 9:1 have always worked extremely well with 4:1 antennas So i thought it would actually work. I diy'ed it so i probably built it wrong.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Sorry, I didn’t mean to call you out. You’re not the only person that has asked that question or one very similar my friend. 73, Walt

[@chipweather]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES I found it funny. We all make mistakes. 73 and love you videos!

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

@@chipweather thank you my friend!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Insulated wire has velocity factor too.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Roger that, so many moving parts to an antenna and the reason I tried to simplify it in this video.

[@ehsnils]

Even a multiband antenna can be resonant. But the antenna can be fed at various points and the impedance can be different at various points. A wire that's fed with an offset like the FD4 can be resonant on more than one band. I have made one wire antenna with an 1:4 balun (I have tried other baluns as well but 1:4 seems to be the best) and with one short leg and one very long leg that makes it work on 80,60, 40 and 20m quite well and acceptable also on higher bands but I need a tuner and a choke as well to keep it usable on most bands - and I have even had QSOs on 6m with it. One leg is about 13m and the other leg is about 68m (give or take a bit). Unfortunately it's only 6m above ground for practical reasons. My goal with that antenna was to make one primarily for 40, 60 and 80m. It can be used on 160m with low power, but it's not ideal. The disadvantage with this kind of antenna is that it will have multiple lobes that eats into the efficiency of the antenna. It also has to be tuned to be best at 3.5, 7.0 and 14.0 MHz and not in the middle of the bands because as soon as you end up in the higher bands then the tuning will be totally out of band. Even in the 20m band it's a bit more to the center of the band, but it works. I have even made some transatlantic QSOs on 60m with this antenna from my QTH at JO97, one to square FN31 - on 15W, which is the legal limit where I live. You can read a lot of antenna theory but you need a bit black magic to make it work too.

[@Br549jw]

Another great video. Thanks Walt.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Thank you so much! 73, Walt

[@ArcticBlues1]

Wood Turners Wonder

[@thomaskallmyr]

Thankyou😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@davidhaman4642]

Who cares what the self prescribed ‘experts’ think. We all have an opinion kind of like buttock… I appreciate your explanation. Thanks again Walt. David W8BLT a Salty Walt patreon

[@davidjohnson497]

Walt thanks for spreading the truth. Slightly compromised antennas are great, only compromised by an unnoticeable amount. That means they WORK. I have used 29 foot wire with my home-built 9:1 unun on multiple successful portable adventures. Also other wire lengths for avoiding resonant wires, and the tuner makes it work GANGBUSTERS. Thanks Walt for encouraging people to try and see for themselves. It WORKS if you follow basic principles. And it's FUN. Keep striving, keep trying, keep having fun, Dave WA4NID P.S. - I have edited this since I had said 49:1 unun with my portable ops, but I actually use 9:1 unun (homebrew) with 29 foot and sometimes longer wires. I am still studying all this, but it seems my results and good operating experience generally conforms with yours. I am now also building 4:1 unun so I can try out Rybikov and other shorter unbalanced antennas. Keep striving for fun and QSOs. I keep having fun with CW and sometimes with SSB. All the best. P.S.S. - my 49:1 transformers are used for the EFHW (End Fed Half Waves) wires which require higher ratio of impedance match. Keep bringing it Walt!

[@Rubedo777]

Thanks for this on transformers, I’ve been trying to understand these for some months, someone built one that could do three ratios which was too much to understand for me 😵‍💫( m0-msn KZbin channel ) anyway your post helped until I went to buy one and found…current baluns and voltage baluns… 😳 Gordon Bennet ! What’s the score here? All the explanations on KZbin… the science just threw me…what’s the APPLICATION… don’t need a paper full of numbers with formulas, where are voltage baluns/ununs used ? Any thoughts Walt ? Anyone? Thanks for your help.73. 💙

[@marcinmichigan2772]

I think that one parameter has been omitted - that is that most modern transceivers will cut back on their output power when the swr rises. That should be a consideration in my opinion

[@bevo65]

Whoa, is that your menagerie of stringed instruments, or your son's? Looks like my home office.

[@COASTALWAVESWIRES]

Those are mine. I’m a ukulele and strumstick hacker. My son is a real musician and has the guitar collection.

[@bevo65]

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES We're simpatico. One of my other hobbies besides ham is building solidbody electric guitars. I have a very loving wife.