DOES A SHORT 20M WHIP WORK? | Brewdog Elvis Juice | Elecraft KX2

[@wmb2292]

I picked up a few of these little whip antennas about 20 years ago. My best contact so far was on 20m CW. I worked F5VHY during the IARU contest about 10 years ago. I was operating from Lobstercon in Brunswick Maine as VE3WMB/W1 using my Elecraft KX1 (handheld) with a 16 foot trailing wire while standing in a very damp field (it always seems to rain at Lobstercon) and only a stones-throw away from salt water. On 20m through 10m these antennas are actually quite usable, especially when there is reasonable propagation. (I am sure that a large body of salt water doesn't hurt either). Cheers - Michael VE3WMB

[@Linas_LY2H]

Believe you or not, this kind of antenna became my favourite mobile antenna! I found a 20m loading coil by G-Whip in my junk-box, borrowed a 123cm long whip from my 2m 5/8 mobile antenna, put it all on a medium size mag mount on the roof if the car and, voila, I got nicely working 20m mobile set-up! It takes a tuner to cover the whole band but it's not a problem with my KX2 with an ATU installed. I'm normally running 5W only saving the KX2 's battery and I've been making great contacts around Europe, Russia, Ukraine and farer! So Urban QRP mobile is one of my favourite ways of enjoying radio. 72! Linas LY2H

[@stuarthall3874]

Thank you for your video. I find it inspiring to play around with different antennas. Too often I let the desire for the perfect block the good enough.

[@grahamboor3616]

Great honest video as always Richard, love the tranquility of surroundings as well…G8NWC

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Thanks Graham.

[@andrewd4890]

Some good points made about how everything is live when you use something like that, so moving anything will detune the system. Kitchen sink was a nice touch. 73 Andrew VK1DA/VK2UH

[@bjornw8852]

This type of antenna is interesting for things like SOTA. The amount of burned power in that coil will be compensated by your location. I think we only should avoid to use this antenna at a „bad“ location. Antenna and location should fit together. Vy 73 de Björn, DL2NEP

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

"The amount of burned power in that coil will be compensated by your location" ...a bold statement indeed!

[@NICKGAR7]

Great video, honest and well explained rather than ‘it works’ ! Love the humour with the kitchen sink. Don’t forget the Govt health warning re grapefruit beer playing havoc with your statins! Going to test out a 145MHz 12 x 1/2 wave centrefed vertical collinear today! Wish me luck!

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Good luck with the antenna Nick!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for sharing Richard. I always like your videos. I am familiar with open line feeder, window line feeder, etc. However, this pheasant feeder is not something I am familiar with. What is the characteristic impedance? Sorry - someone had to ask 😳. Slightly more seriously, while I agree with everything you say about these small whips, for anyone wanting a compact QRP/P antenna, I would suggest trying a Small Transmitting Loop (STL) or "mag loop".

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Cheers Steve. I will be doing some videos on STLs later in the year.

[@1337flite]

Thanks Richard - love your work. It's none of my buiness (so I understand if you elect to ignore this - but my curiosity has the best of me as usual - can I ask - what is that location? Do you sleep/live/camp in the building? Is it open to the public as a rental? I'm in VK land so I'm not likely to visit - I'm just curious.

[@adistef]

cows were having a pileup

[@markg6jvy135]

👍👏👏

[@davidvaughn7752]

Yes, a counterpoise will give you the other half of the dipole.

[@kevinnicholls1017]

Thank you for another informative video. I am less comfortable with your choice of beer. I am convinced that there is a sinister conspiracy to pervert the palette of the ordinary man in the street into drinking larger. The journey starts with enjoying the occasional IPA after which there is a transition to craft beers heavily hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops, and before you know it you're drinking grapefruit juice. I have been to several pubs recently that do not sell bitter! Keep up the good work. I will buy you another beer anyway. 73 MW0KXN

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Thanks for the beer Kevin! There are indeed some odd drinks around...

[@davidvaughn7752]

Here, here! K7GYB

[@noomnoom8469]

One of my favourite beers there. But they used to be stronger.

[@teuluPaul]

Austenitic stainless steel sink! - hence non-magnetic... I guess capacitive coupling should still work though?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Yes the coupling would be the same but the whip would almost certainly fall off.

[@forgetyourlife]

Howler monkeys? Hard to tell on an iPhone speaker.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Not many howler monkeys here!

[@davidmeale9572]

Where can you get that antenna , I can't find it on eBay ..thanks .

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

I think it’s the same as the MFJ antenna.