Does the MFJ-1979 work on other bands than 20 meters?

I recently had huge success using the MFJ-1979 17ft vertical whip on a POTA activation, but does it do other bands than 20 meters? Let's find out!
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[@loraz0]

I enjoy watching your videos. The telescoping whip is one of my favorite antennas for portable. I spent time tuning mine, and used a sharpie to mark each band, and a small piece of tape on my radials at various lengths for the different bands. If you do this, most times just putting it at your marks will get you in very usable range without an analyzer.

[@SteveH-TN]

Thanks for sharing this video. I just received my G90 yesterday and ordered the MFJ1979 today. Just discovered your channel today as well. So your demonstration is timely. My new Rig Expert AA 55 is scheduled to arrive in 2 days as is theMFJ1979. 73 Steve AA4SH Tennessee

[@LB0FI]

The G90 and a 17ft whip is a killer combo. Hope it works out for you!

[@buzzsah]

Nice, I will be installing the Coment's ver of it in a few weeks

[@FEPLabsRadio]

Morten, I had no idea it got that warm, as far north as you are. Those are Alabama temps! Good video, that whip is way better than I thought it would be.

[@LB0FI]

It’s more like an Alabama winter, isn’t it Jim? And it does get this warm more often than it used to. Together with shorter and wetter winters and more severe weather.

[@Tommyr]

It got to 100 F. a few days ago in southern N.Y. , we've been mid to 100 F for 2 weeks. We need rain BADLY.

[@LB0FI]

@@Tommyr I can see that. Luckily we don’t get those temperatures often here.

[@temporarilyoffline]

That's not bad at all! Very creative.

[@LB0FI]

I don’t know how creative it is, it’s just physics. But I honestly didn’t think about it myself until now.

[@Inkling777]

There's another way to use these handy telescoping antennas. Adapt several 3/8-24 antenna mount adapters to have an adjustable vertical element and one or more adjustable horizontal elements. That can then be elevated on a tripod above the ground to get wider coverage. For the tripod, check out those photographers use for lighting. That is a large market, so competition keeps the quality up and the price down. A good source is B&H Photo.

[@LB0FI]

Sounds like a great way to do it! I'll have to check that out.

[@tomkortoian3964]

Nice video... I have this same antenna, gonna pickup a ground rod or metal rod to attach to the mirror mount. I dont have a lot of space so I am going to deploy when I want to play on HF and take it down when I need to cut the lawn! I agree, antenna analyzer ensure no mistakes and good match. Do you think a Choke or 1:1 unun is needed to reduce any common mode currents?

[@LionRoars918]

Great antenna

[@LB0FI]

It is, but it's not very durable unfortunately. Mine broke this winter.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Dude spike!!!

[@LB0FI]

The best thing I have ever won on CaHR. Actually the only thing I have ever won on CaHR, but still the best thing.

[@Inkling777]

Clumsy me finds adjusting the length with a tape measure awkward. A cord longer than needed for a band is easier to use. Different knots can indicate different parts of a band. And since the resonance frequency can change with elevation, different knots can indicate heights for the antenna.

[@LB0FI]

That is actually a great tip!

[@jamesklohr7001]

Great video, by also having precut radials for each band below 20 Meters , the depth of the SWR might improve.

[@LB0FI]

The length is not critical on ground radials. If the radials are however the length is critical.

[@K0BJJ]

I'm using one of those MFJ-1979s on my WRC Mini works extremely well.

[@LB0FI]

I’m going to try it with the Buddistick coil before I sell that antenna.

[@LB0FI]

@Mark Herman That’s a project that I kinda forgot about, but now you just gave me a couple of solid winter ideas! Thanks!

[@frankelly6742]

You don't need the analyzer in the field if you calculate the length for each band and test in advance. You can either measure the length needed for each band or mark the whip for the different lengths. I keep a chart of the proper lengths for each band on my phone and a tape measure in my go kit. I use the MFJ-1979 either ground mounted with radials or on a triple mag mount on my Ford Expedition which acts as a perfect counterpoise. The only drawback is it doesn't tolerate a lot of wind. Fran/KC1NDQ

[@LB0FI]

I have thought about that, and although it wouldn't give you a perfect match every time it would sure be close enough.

[@geod3589]

I've had my 1979 for 5-6 years now. The only band I've not used it on is 160 meters. I made a pigtail that will allow up to 4 radials. I am a band-hopper so I use a small auto-tuner and leave antenna fully extended with radials attached for all bands. This is a very versatile antenna with many possibilities.

[@LB0FI]

Mine lasted about six months until it broke unfortunately. I am getting another whip, but probably not the MFJ1979.

[@45auto]

KB9VBR uses his whip for 20m and above. Then he uses his Wolf River Coil for 40m and below.

[@LB0FI]

Yes, my next plan is to test with a coil.

[@Bill_KL7TC]

I have used mine on the trailer hitch of the car, with no radials on 10m-20m FT8, a few SSB from Alaska to the states. I am sure it would work even better with radials. KL7TC

[@LB0FI]

When on a trailer hitch the car acts as a ground plane though. I used mine on a magmount on the roof of the car many times. So, in conclusion, the antenna is a great performer with poor build quality.

[@mssippijim]

About 1/4 wave should work for a given frequency. I just ordered one of these whips. My question is on higher bands would it be better to use it full length and add inductance with my wolf river coil to try and resonate it at 5/8 wave or just shorten it to 1/4 wave? Antenna experts?

[@LB0FI]

Exactly! And I guess that was what I did, wasn’t it?

[@TR6Telos]

Fully extended at 5m with horizontal ground radials would it not need tuning as it would be a half wave for 10m?.

[@LB0FI]

Yes, but you tune the antenna by shortening it.

[@s8ultra732]

Do i need chokes or baluns with this antenna?

[@LB0FI]

It's a quarter wave vertical, so the short answer is no. The long answer is as usual "it depends".

[@Macjohn1419]

Thanks for the short, concise video. Wish more people could produce to the point videos instead of long winded, meaningless videos.

[@LB0FI]

I have both kind of videos, this is one of those straight to the point ones. Thanks for commenting, and please enjoy more of my short content.

[@Macjohn1419]

@@LB0FI I tend to cringe when I see an interesting video and it’s over 10 minutes long because I know there’s a lot of off topic bantering going on. I tend to fast forward to get to the meaningful part. I’ve seen longer videos, but the vlogger kept to the subject and was an engaging speaker. And I think intros music and animations are overdone.

[@LB0FI]

@@Macjohn1419 Thanks again for enjoying my content, and I am so happy that you are able to stay short, concise and on topic with your comments.

[@W1ZY]

You do not tune by running back and forth like that, nor by looking at the SWR. You need to pull the radials out taught. Then place the measuring device AT THE ANTENNA FEEDPOINT, _not at the far end of the coax._ You forget about SWR and read reactance on the instrument. Adjust the length until reactance is minimum (0). Depending on your ground radials, the impedance should read between 30 to 60 Ohms. Connect the feedline and operate the radio.

[@LB0FI]

Thank you for your input. Also, I asked if the antenna works on other bands than 20. And it does. Is it text book perfect? apparently not according to the KZbin comment experts. Has this configuration given me lots of portable DX. Yes. I sure hope this boosted your ego, because you did not provide anything constuctive with your feedback. This is a textbook example of a sad ham comment.

[@vladtepes481]

No Duh! and with a coil 30 and 40 are also possible.

[@LB0FI]

Thanks for your constructive comment!