DX Commander Expedition 2024 Model - Definitive Build & Tuning Guide

A step-by-step build of the latest 2024 model of the DX Commander Expedition Multi-Band HF Vertical Antenna. This video contains all the details needed to successfully make your own Expedition, with walkthroughs, techniques, close-up shots, together with useful hints & tips.
If you are building your own Expedition, this video is to be used in conjunction with the user guides which can be obtained from the DX Commander website: dxcommander.com/
This is one of many amateur/ham radio related videos on my channel. Please feel free to browse 👀, like 👍🏻 and subscribe (it's free!), remembering to hit the bell 🔔 so you’re notified of new videos as soon as they're published and you don't miss out.
0:00 Introduction
0:26 Kit Contents
1:49 Base Plates
11:03 Section Clamps
16:52 Cutting Elements
21:03 Antenna Walkthrough #1
23:35 Fitting Elements
24:49 Shock Cord Fitting
26:18 Stopper Knot
29:33 Bottom Spreader Review
31:15 Middle Spreader Review
34:45 Adding 40m Element
39:26 Antenna Walkthrough #2
41:36 Making Radials
46:01 Initial Tests
50:57 Tuning 15m & 40m
52:44 Tuning 20m
54:52 Tuning 17m
57:10 Tuning 10m
59:04 All Band Final Checks
1:00:41 Final Tips
1:00:59 Close

[@billjobes1851]

Thanks very much for a most excellent build video. Your detailed and careful presentation makes every step abundantly clear. Much appreciated !

[@ianxfs]

Great! Glad it helped 👍🏻

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ian, you also sent me some feedback, thanks. You have reminded me to make a video about tuning.. The "foldback" system is easy to comprehend but some folks who have never done that, might need a tutorial.. Happy to add that to the list..! Good work :)

[@ianxfs]

Yes, no probs Callum 👍🏻

[@pcfreak1992]

That’s where I messed up with 40m. I didn’t know what to do with the extra wire at first 😅

[@WG5Xradio]

Very nicely done video. Many other people skip a lot in the interest of time, but I would rather see a complete build, like this one.

[@ianxfs]

Thanks! Yes, all in there so hopefully helps others 👍🏻

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

That was outstanding, cheers n 73

[@ianxfs]

Thanks!

[@johnratcliffe6438]

I'm convinced we were separated at birth. I've just had one arrive. Taking it to Cornwall to build on Saturday. Have a cottage for a week. Taking the FT891. Thanks for the upload, John 2E0SVB

[@ianxfs]

Sounds good John, antenna building while on your jollies 🍷 👍🏻😁

[@davidbowering9820]

Excellent. DX Commander should contract you to produce assembly videos for all their products.

[@ianxfs]

Ha ha yes. But could he afford me 🤔

[@KQ4GDM]

I’m going to redo some of my work on mine after watching this.. thank you for your time.

[@ianxfs]

Glad it was of help 👍🏻

[@pcfreak1992]

Thank you for this video! I wish this existed half a year ago when I built the previous model of the Expedition. This will help me fix my work on my build. 🎉

[@ianxfs]

Great! I also have a mk1 video 👍🏻

[@patrickmolloy6994]

I was going to build my new Classic a couple of days ago, but its to darn cold! good news is that I just found this video of yours, and it's really really REALLY useful. Thank you. Not only is it a great visual guide to the build, but showing your SWR metering and adjustments was so valuable. Brilliant! 73 de M5PM 🇬🇧 Patrick

[@ianxfs]

Great stuff Patrick! Have fun building your classic 👍🏻(I’ve got a classic build on the channel, but it’s the mk1 version, so may be subtle changes from the current model? Worth a look though) 😀

[@richzubko2667]

Good job Ian! Very clear, precise and well illustrated! Long time viewer, Rich. NO9I. Illinois

[@ianxfs]

Thank you Rich! Happy New Year 🥳

[@DavidWood2]

56:31 Ian realised he cut his 17m element a bit short because he used an older cut chart for 17m that didn't allow for the shock cord loops (which electrically shortens the element). Fortunately, he got away with a 1cm fold back.

[@ianxfs]

Indeed!

[@petergeorgew6208]

A truly excellent vlog. Well presented and great narrative. Thank you Ian… I thought long and hard before purchasing my new antenna. In the end, went for a 33’ non resonant antenna, but that is presenting me with its own learning curve. Hasten to add that i have not installed it yet, awaiting better WX conditions. Peter (M0PGW)…😊

[@ianxfs]

Thanks and good luck Peter 👍🏻

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

This was an excellent tutorial. I'll definitely be sharing this with my friends. Outstanding!

[@ianxfs]

Great. Thanks Joseph. The more it helps the better 👍🏻

[@mccooperman]

Really good watch 👌… thank you for sharing Ian … I’ve still not gone with the classic after your build and storage of that which is also excellent… one day I’ll get one not sure which as yet 👏👍

[@ianxfs]

No problem and thanks for commenting 😀

[@mark2w0jmk7]

A great video again Ian. Nice to chat with you on 40m.

[@ianxfs]

Brilliant Mark! Thanks 👍🏻

[@JA-fy1bn]

Very detailed and excellent video presentation. Thanks!

[@ianxfs]

Great. Thanks for the comment 👍🏻

[@jodyspencer433]

Great video sir. Outstanding job! I'm in process putting one together. Been an industrial electrician my whole career (30yrs). Wired just about anything you can think of, hundreds and hundreds of PLC points, to 3 wire house circuits, but this is my first HF antenna. Wish me luck 😆

[@ianxfs]

Yes, good luck Jody 👍🏻

[@355k13]

Thanks Ian, great video as usual from you. I've been contemplating a DX Commander for a wee while but haven't taken the plunge yet. I keep seeing reports of the pole breaking This, in my mind is the one thing that lets them down as, performance wise, they work really well! Thanks again Ian & pse keep em coming 👍

[@ianxfs]

Thanks for the feedback 👍🏻 Ah ok, I’ve not come across reports. Check with Callum as he’ll give honest reports. He also has an “at cost” replacement service I believe if there’s an accident. Check this short clip out from years back…. I wished I’d recorded more at the time 😮 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqCXiYGwj6eFsKssi=RIXWINV0RthzeQBy

[@M0RMY]

Occasionally of the now thousands he’s sold one will break. That’s life. My classic has been permanently installed for now over 5 years in all weather. It’s still perfectly fine. My expedition DXC survived over 50 mph gales on my trip to Scotland and the new one shown here has an even more robust pole. Obviously I’m biased as Callum is my mate - but the new expedition is awesome.

[@ianxfs]

@@M0RMY Thanks for the extra info Tom 👍🏻

[@DXCommanderHQ]

With over 6,000 of these out in the whild, folks do break them once in a while!

[@gtretroworld]

When i first seen the expedition a few weeks ago i was slightly concerned about the top sections but that looks very straight.I really enjoyed that Ian, especially the very understandable Teesside accent 😁….Thanks M3VWN

[@ianxfs]

Thanks Neil. Yes, top seems the same spec as previous model(s), so no probs, just don’t pull last two mega-tight 👍🏻 Up the Boro 😁

[@gtretroworld]

@@ianxfs Thanks Ian, I definitely intend on trying one shortly, I’m just undecided on this or the classic.

[@ianxfs]

@@gtretroworld If staying at home and up for more than short stints then the Classic. If out and about and shorter stints, then the Expedition 👍🏻

[@donausmus4281]

Just starting mine. Thanks for the video.

[@ianxfs]

Have fun!

[@mickeyred]

I was talking myself into a Classic but I think you have just sold me this for portable use.

[@ianxfs]

Both good 👍🏻 Have fun 😀

[@mickeyred]

@@ianxfs ordered expedition. Callum owes you :)

[@andyM7XTT]

Great Job Ian 👍👍

[@ianxfs]

Thanks Andy!

[@m7trsradio]

Wow fantastic build Ian.. i would love love one of these antenna but a little too rich for me. Fingers crossed i will get one to go with my 817. Great build. Can't wait for the field test. 73

[@ianxfs]

Thanks Lee. You’ll have to be nice and ask the big man 🎅🏻 Have fun!

[@m7trsradio]

@@ianxfs Morning Ian, never mind the big mad, would have to get it authorised by the station master 😂 not long got a mag loop for the attic as have a small garden and the neighbour gets wobbly cheeks when I throw up a mast and snake a efhw around the garden. Not sure if I am happy with the loop. I did enter Callums sticker comp to win one. 73

[@paulsanders1]

Thank you so much. I now think I could buy this sntenna and tune it myself! It will be a gift to myself when I pass my General exam so as to legally transmit on HF. 73 Paul Sanders KK6RXU

[@ianxfs]

Great Paul. Good luck 👍🏻

[@hamradiomobile]

Cracking video that, very informative 👍😎

[@ianxfs]

Thanks Duncan 😀👍🏻

[@2e1paw]

My OCD would not able me to build that! .. that long twist on the 40m would eat me alive lol 😮

[@ianxfs]

Ha ha. No need to twist! Haven’t previously 😁

[@markw365]

Solder travels towards the heat source, if you heat it at the fork side of the crimp, you should apply the solder at the wire side of the crimp where the wire comes in and it will fill the crimp. Also don't use a metal base to solder against as that becomes a heat sink.

[@ianxfs]

Thanks for the tip Mark.

[@patrickbuick5459]

Nice video. I keep trying to figure out how to make my Signature 12.4 into field-deployable like the Expedition since my new apartment building isn't keen on antennas, or so I am told.

[@ianxfs]

That’s a bit of a beast for /P Patrick. Perhaps sell and then buy the Expedition? Or at least have a go /P and if it’s too tricky then have a think? Good luck!

[@patrickmolloy6994]

comment @ 19:38 you attach the and solder on the fork connectors before cutting the elements. Callum's guide says cut first, then trim off 1/2" insulation to expose the wire that goes into the barrel of the fork connector. so essentially your cur elements will all be a bit longer. Did you feel it makes a difference?

[@ianxfs]

Hi Patrick. No, no noticeable difference. In the end the environment the antenna is placed in is more likely to affect how the elements are tuned I’d say. Good luck with yours 👍🏻ps. I can’t recall where I measured from, so may have taken account of the bared off wire? 🤔

[@OZ5ZX]

Looks soo nice, sadly i can't get it to Denmark with out paying like 2 times the price. Id love to try one out. Really well mad video to, nice and easy to understand. Thanks.

[@ianxfs]

Shame about the import taxes. Thanks for the feedback 👍🏻

[@patrickbuick5459]

Is it really that bad? I thought getting stuff to Canada was bad, but we exempt Ham Radio equipment from customs duty... but not sales tax and we are at 15% where I live, the highest in the country. Do you know anyone making a trip? It's so small when collapsed..

[@ianxfs]

See DX Commander announcement (Feb 24) about EU shipping from ML&S 👍🏻

[@larschristensen4677]

Excellent Video Ian de oz2lc

[@ianxfs]

Thanks Lars 👍🏻

[@danamarcy5414]

I thoroughly enjoyed your instructions for this topic. Dana Marcy VE6KBI

[@ianxfs]

Great Dana. Thanks 😀

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Little bit confused about the 40m element Ian. I have it through all 3 spreader plates with elastication per your instructions. I've marked 9.36m from the driven plate, but in the video your element from the top spreader to the 9.36m line is already wrapped around the pole. Surely it should be straight to that point, otherwise the element length before the foldback will be out? Then loosely spiralled after 9.36m has been measured? Apologies if I have the wrong end of the stick here.

[@ianxfs]

You’re right John. Not sure what the difference in length is (not much?), but lots of foldback to play with and I just needed a 10cm cut off the end I recall? Either way I reckon, but I did measure from the base plate and then measured the top of the 40 wire with the twist in place 😀

[@johnratcliffe6438]

Ian, I have been making the elements up for my Expedition tonight. I haven't been able to crimp the forks up tightly enough to secure the bare wire of the elements; the holes are just too big. I've looked through the packet and all the forks are the same size. Did you have any problems with yours? Fortunately, I had some forks left over from an old DXC Classic build. They came with yellow casing for the radials and blue for the elements; blue being a smaller diameter for a bare single wire. I had 3 blue ones left, so I've crimped those on instead. They fit the bolts without issue. Not sure why all of the current supplied forks are the same size. Thoughts?

[@ianxfs]

Hi John. Yes they are all the same size and with my crimping pliers they were fine. I too have spare yellow/blue ones. Guessing it’s a way of simplifying the packaging plus a cost saving on parts perhaps, to keep the overall price down? Good luck 👍🏻

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@ianxfs try as I might, I can't get my pliers to compress them properly. They're fine with four radials inside, but the single elements just fall out (yellow slot). Using the blue slot works to a degree, but also deforms the fork. Perhaps I need to go back to the gym! 73, John

[@ianxfs]

@@johnratcliffe6438 Just hold it with solder? Should be ok.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@ianxfs All done Ian. Thanks for your time 🍻

[@ianxfs]

@@johnratcliffe6438 catch you on John….

[@user-cg7uw9uh6n]

Hi Ian, sm I correct in saying that you are wearing an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean ?

[@ianxfs]

Hi, yes I will have been. The orange one 😀

[@user-cg7uw9uh6n]

@@ianxfs very nice time piece Ian. As mutch as I like the ham videos I'd like to see a review of your Range Rover and maybe the Omega...

[@ianxfs]

@@user-cg7uw9uh6n yes 😁, I’d have to set up another channel or two…cars & watches 😮… and then maybe fishing 🎣

[@tonyoutdoors9369]

im using an ats 25x2 i have a back yard approx 5m x 4m i have tried a mini whip and too much noise i do better with a wire tbh any tips its for receive only thanks

[@ianxfs]

Hi Tony. If you look on the channel there’s a loop on the ground series (x4). It works on the lower bands for RX (160/80/40m). This should help with your receive and fit in the space. I continue to use mine in tandem with the main antenna on these lower bands. Good luck 👍🏻

[@tonyoutdoors9369]

@@ianxfs cheers bud

[@mickeyred]

Where does the 9.36m foldabck distance come from? I cannot see it in the user guide.

[@ianxfs]

Sorry Mickey, can you let me know which part of the video this is at and I can clarify? Thanks.

[@mickeyred]

Yes sorry at about the 35 minute mark for the 40m element

[@mickeyred]

@@ianxfs Its the 40m element about 36 minutes in

[@ianxfs]

@@mickeyred it’s at the bottom of page 4 of v1.1 of the 2024 expedition user guide. It’s on the right-hand side of the user guide screen on DX Commander website. The new May 2024 unified guide presumably references this too, but I haven’t checked. 👍🏻

[@mickeyred]

@@ianxfs Ah I am building 6 element so didnt cross reference with this, but the overll length varies between 6 and 3 element. No worries

[@rayhowell400]

How do you put it up and take it down alone?

[@ianxfs]

Very easy Ray. No issues at all. My three guys are all short enough to be reached and pegged while still holding the pole 👍🏻

[@johnlew5972]

Can I but the SO239 assembly from you as a part?

[@ianxfs]

Sorry, no John. You need to contact DX Commander, the supplier 👍🏻

[@martinsmith2984]

How much.. What a joke, All that money for a bit of wire a pole a few clips, your having a laugh..

[@ianxfs]

This is a build video, not a sales pitch. Don’t buy one then. Mine’s great 👍🏻

[@cthoadmin7458]

You don't have to buy the whole thing. Just buy the pole if you want. I just have a 9m pole and run an end fed half wave antenna up it. Quick to deploy portable.

[@martinsmith2984]

@@ianxfs Can make 3 for that price..😂

[@gsahookah599]

We all look forward to your video of the extremely cheap/junk hot-glued mess of an antenna you've made. I imagine your quality cheap junk antenna would surpass the sales of the DX Commander in no time. When can we expect to purchase them in mass quantity from you?

[@martinsmith2984]

@@gsahookah599 But it will work just as good and only cost a quarter of the price, who is the fool, YOU...