DX Commander Classic | Installing 80 Meters Inverted L | How to setup the DX Commander

Mike KG2MM came over to help me setup my DX Commander Classic. I wanted to setup a 80 Meters Inverted L. I show you where I decided to setup my antenna and what it took to get the SWR tuned to a desired frequencies. We also make a QSO on 80 meters on our center frequency 3.950 Mhz.
#DXCommander
#InvertedL
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Thank you for watching!
~~~~~ Video Contents ~~~~~
00:00 Intro
00:15 Mike KG2MM
01:59 DX Commander Pieces
05:46 Extending the Mast
06:51 Adding spreader plates and hose clamps
11:45 Halo Halo refreshments
12:57 Standing the DX Commander
14:50 Testing SWRs
23:50 QSO on 80 meters
34:04 Outro

[@AlvinMcManus]

I just realized the significance of your call sign. Very clever!!

[@thork0tjt515]

I have my DXC set up with the 80m invert L as well. Works great for me. Thanks for introducing Mike KG2MM!

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Mike is an Avid Ham Enthusiast here in Florida as well as in Parks on the Air (POTA).

[@byronvanvalkenburg8685]

I had that set up as well and it worked great. I now built and put up a 12.4 DX commander. it is nice to have 80 up the pole.

[@g0fvt]

I hope you continue to enjoy your Classic, I have the same with the 80m inverted L section though I took mine from higher up at the top spreader. I kept the elements as per the cutting chart but it is customisable as you have done. Despite having very conductive soil here the performance has improved every time I have added more radials. FWIW most of my rigs are fine with the match on 60m too (though my Icom objects). 73

[@andyM7XTT]

Hi cappy ,really enjoyed this video especially the qso at the end,sounded great!!! Hopefully catch you on air soon.73

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Andy, we had a blast working on the antenna and testing the SWRs. I'm all excited talking on 80m.

[@pd9rd]

You guys are a good antenna building team, enjoyed the video! Every HAM should try the DX Commander, I think it's the best multi band vertical money can buy. Thanks Capt. and Mike! 73

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Here is Mike's youtube channel. He does POTA. kzbin.info/door/1j2wPyPl8WW2pOZ5-b-uNA

[@jojopri22]

Hi Capt. Darren, thanks for the Video! KM6EHD 73

[@chammill3]

I remember MARS stations, sent message from Wurzberg, West Germany to Florida, USA. Am also an Amatuer Radio guy, and an I.T. guy M.C.S.E.....Nice video, good to hear the radio traffic.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Thanks Charles!

[@conchd]

Tried to say hello on 40m tonight Capt Darren, N4VFR. Mike KG2MM, told me he’s on this video. So I watched it. Great video and now I want to buy a DX Commander. 73 Nate W4NDK

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Hey Nate, I just signed off on 40m. Next time. I gotta hit my pit. Early showtime tomorrow.

[@low_power]

Hi Captain, I love your video with Big Mike. Thank you very much . I will research on google the recipe for preparing halo halo👍🏻😊

[@DarrenN4VFR]

You may have a Filipino Restaurant in your city. There are two placed here in Jacksonville, FL that sells them. Or you can buy a ice shaver and make the yourself. You just got to get the ingredients.

[@chammill3]

Thanks!

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Welcome, it was fun making the video with Mike.

[@steve0432]

OMG! That looks good and I wish I was there for Halo Halo!!! :)

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Have you had some before? Really good!

[@mehmetrasidogunc260]

Nice setup 73' TA4AU

[@Deacon72]

Glad to know some local JAX guys run DXC's

[@kevinmatthews2620]

you will find in my experience with the 80 inv L, on ft8 anyways i have managed to work the world on 80m from the UK (16 us states confirmed), with minimal power whether it be 100w from radio or 400w in a contest scenario, you will not be disappointed :)

[@kencannabisgrows7988]

nice car

[@JReed305]

I homebrewed a dxc with the inverted L. I found I had to add radials to get 80 to give me a broader tune, upside is the rest of the bands became broader banded as well.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Thanks! I definitely need to add more radials. Also, I need to find out why I have high SWRs on 40meters.

[@JReed305]

@@DarrenN4VFR Looking at your sweep and giving you a SWAG I would say you need to add 6" or so to 40.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

@@JReed305 Yeah, I'll add more when I get back home to Jax.

[@VP2EIHonAnguillaIsland]

Heyy Capt Dave & Mike.. Looking to get one of these antenna soon... Also Great video from you guys hope to work you on 80m or WWDY sometime from my island.. So Never Again Volunteer Yourself hihi 73 de NN0UHV :)

[@kevinmatthews2620]

on my rig expert aa 54 if you press f+7 it shows a multi swr list, not sure if your zoom model has the same ability though

[@helenfox8579]

I am thinking of getting the Classic with the 80m addition, so thanks for the video. I live about 60 miles from Callum so post should not be too expensive. I noted the 4 bars on QRZ so should your callsign not be N4IFR! Regards Helen PS I only have a PPL!

[@RandallRash]

I think I have decided on a DX Commander Classic. Do you prefer it to the Zero Five?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yeah if you want to have it also portable. It works well and can handle full legal limit 1500 watts.

[@AlvinMcManus]

How long did you cut the wire for the 80 meter option??

[@DarrenN4VFR]

In the video, Mike says it was 19.3 meters long.

[@thuff3207]

Nice install of a DX commander and I wander if the car next the antenna is adding problems to your tuning. The car is in the near field and can affect the antenna.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Ah, that may be the reason for having difficulties in tuning the 40/15 meter bands.

[@andyM7XTT]

@@DarrenN4VFR if the cars causing you problems feel free to ship it to the UK n I will look after it 😇😇😇

[@9999plato]

If you can get 80 by rigging an inverted L, I wonder if the Signature antenna that gets 80 can be rigged an inverted L to get 160?

[@KC1PSK]

What is the length of that 80 meter element?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I believe I started out with 19.50 meters. That's what's on the DX Commander's Wire Cutting Guide in the instruction manual. You can download it.

[@CC-hk6vy]

Hi. Discovered the channel, fantastic. Great Navy talk! QUESTION: IS the DXC in the tree, I am thinking of getting one but would like to but it very close in a tall tree. In Ohio, hard to believe it'd stay up in the open with 3 little guys. DE WO8USA

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I have the 80 meter element stretching to the tre and tied off to the fence. It's a great antenna with low SWRs.

[@robertoler3795]

interesting visual flight rules. I am a Boeing test pilot :) wb5mzo

[@Deacon72]

Got my DX Commander up and 80m giving me an issue.. dip in right place bit 1.9, going to drop it to that third plate and try moving it away from shed.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yeah, move your DXC away from buildings and vehicles and also no vehicles underneath the 80m inverted L. That caused me problems. After I relocated my DXC, my 80m inverted L works perfect to where I wanted it to be resonant on. Good luck!

[@Deacon72]

@@DarrenN4VFR moved everything before that rain cam in, added 4 x 6.6M radials --- still wont go under 1.9:1 At a loss, guess I'll hit the ATU is needed

[@DarrenN4VFR]

@@Deacon72 I ran into the same problem. Just double check the lengths of your elements and make sure they are oriented as indicated on the DX Commander's manual. You will need an antenna analyzer. If you say your in Jax, maybe me an another ham can stop by and help you out.

[@benwilliams8596]

also you are too close to the antenna when making your readings

[@kabayan9852]

im new here sir,i have a personal question sir.. r u a pilipino sir?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yes, Pinoy.

[@kabayan9852]

@@DarrenN4VFR wow! 2m band user here sir.. im here in the philippines

[@DarrenN4VFR]

We have a Pinoy Ham group on Facebook. Not only for Pinoy but for everyone. The majority is Pinoys. Search for Mabuhay DX Group and request membership. Its free.

[@kabayan9852]

@@DarrenN4VFR more vlog about radio sir.. im new to this hobby and i only have a portabase power of only 5 watts for now and a dipole antenna