DX Commander Expedition Portable Ham Radio Antenna.

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

Whats really great is its all resonant,.. Callum is a great guy, n has a great product, it also embrases ham radio spirit of building yourself,., you have a great channel as well Mike, Cheers n enjoy the DXCmdr,.. 73 n ciao for now

[@hamradiotube]

Resonant antennas are the best for sure, and being one who loves making them, I'm really looking forward to making/using this.

[@pezz_pezzer]

Damm Mike, okay okay I am subscribing already bro. Geez you don't have to be so insistent, lol. Yes you do deserve as I have been watching your stuff for a couple of week now that I am getting back into the hobby with a new license class so I can have some HF fun. So just you and a short list of other KZbin Ham channels are all I need to get caught up. I mean I did notice Callum was not even subscribed until this video, shameful. Good to be back and I am very excited to be getting into HF and field work with SOTA and POTA. Hope to hear you on the air soon as I will be trying to get my HF antenna setup and going this month. Thank you for the awesome content sir!

[@hamradiotube]

Well its about time!! You're only the 9,062nd subscriber. Where you been this whole time lol! Welcome back. There is lots of fun to be had with POTA and SOTA. Hope to catch you on the waves. 73

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

I got one, the old fashioned way, and won it in a contest. I can't wait for it to arrive! I just watched your POTA vid with it, and it seems awesome. I'll use your build video, when I assemble it. I like your K8MRD mods on the telescopic poles. I already did it on 2 of mine, and this one will be no different.

[@hamradiotube]

That’s awesome man congrats!! It’s a hell of an antenna and one of my absolute favorites. K8MRD mods for the win. Don’t forget my 12 meter add on.

[@Blue-Collar-Radio]

@@hamradiotube I'll refer back to your videos for it when I get it and assemble it. I will definitely add 12m to it. I can't wait to try it out! Seems anytime I search for a video on a specific item, yours are always there. Thanks for all you do Mike, 73!

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another great video, Mike! I need to get my HF ordered before Friday. Can’t wait to try portable.

[@hamradiotube]

warning, its addictive

[@chuck4050]

Mike, I bought the same one it works great, went over and helped a buddy build his today he got the bigger one and its ready to raise and check maybe tomorrow. Get another one of your Carhart lunch bags it's perfect size to transport it. Have fun on your build!!

[@hamradiotube]

Hey that's a great idea. I was thinking about getting another one of those lunch bags already. Now I have an excuse!

[@mikeknapp4251]

Good video Mike. I just ordered the full sized DX commander (extra wire for 80M inverted L) a week ago. I also love Callum's videos as he strikes the right balance between antenna theory and practical implementation. Also, couldn't help but laugh while you were impersonating. 73, Mike N8YO

[@hamradiotube]

Right on man. I have heard nothing but good things about it and am excited to get mine tuned up. Thanks for finding my impersonation comical. Thats the goal. 73

[@salia4597]

Holy hell that's a lot of stuff for a telescope whip😂 I finally bought a Wolf River Coils TIA mini thanks to you. Enjoy the new antenna!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Me, too. Much simpler to assemble.

[@forgetyourlife]

@@davidsradioroom9678 those are great if you dont mind the moving the coil every time your switch bands.

[@hamradiotube]

You won't be disappointed. I love my WRC antennas. Yes there are a lot of bits to put together, but I'm thinking once its all set up, most of those bits will be permanently attached to the plates so there shouldn't be too much to fuss with out in the field. We shall see.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@forgetyourlife I bought extra rings, so I can do 3 bands with a simple change of wire. Also, there are other ways of making a band change easy.

[@salia4597]

K8MRD RADIO STUFF yes, I might steal that idea of adding extra rings. 😂 So far I love it!

[@Chris-in-ky-ky4ckp]

Mike, I think you will have fun building and using the antenna! I've had the DX Commander original ABV for about a year now (semi-permanent install) and it is still working great!

[@hamradiotube]

Building an antenna is always fun. Thats one of if not my favorite part of the hobby.

[@don_n5skt]

Mike, good luck on the build. It is fun. I had to do it with the old wire where you unwound it with a drill. But, I would do it all over again ;)

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks Don, I'm really looking forward to getting this set up. I love an antenna project!

[@peterdekeles.]

The weather better clear up. I've been waiting for someone to review this. CAN'T WAIT FOR CONSTRUCTION!

[@hamradiotube]

It’s driving me nuts. Cold grey and dreary every day.

[@M0SZT]

Fab kit, we've put a few of these through extreme pressure with 80m inverted L's even G5RV's during winter storms. The multiband arrangement is the intended use and in that configuration it beats anything I've used in the field before.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah I've seen those windy videos of yours. The mast is really nice for sure. I'm just waiting for a half way decent day where I have time to put this thing together. It's driving me nuts!

[@K4MJV]

I got one of his 10 meter masts about a year ago and use it all the time when I am camping in my RV for various antennas. Great quality mast for the price. I also just ordered the multi band 80-6 meter version for my house. He is really busy right now so I am still waiting for it to be shipped. I may end up ordering one of these as well down the road. It's a little more work to setup initially but I like the idea of switching bands without having to retune the antenna. Callum knows what he's talking about when it comes to vertical antennas.

[@hamradiotube]

I'm ok with putting in the work to set this antenna up. I love building antennas so this is right up my alley. First antenna I made was a fan dipole, and that's really all this is just vertical. And I get to speak in a British accent while putting it together haha!

[@thuff3207]

I can’t wait to see you put the antenna up!

[@hamradiotube]

Me either!!

[@donizzo8884]

IMO....this is one of the best antennas on the market for multiple band operations. The mast and DX10 wire is incredible. The kit was easy to put together (I’m no rocket scientist) and offers the end user the opportunity to modify/adjust/experiment based on the bands of choice and set up area. Some hams can’t lay out radials in a perfect 360 pattern; it doesn’t matter. I use my antenna at the house and for long durational events; Field Day, POTA Weekends, Winter Field Day etc. My next experiment is running 60M with it. Finally Cal’s website and the local hardware store have options for additional parts if needed. - W1FYG

[@hamradiotube]

Don, I'm sure I will get the same great results as you. I'm itching to get out in the yard to start putting this antenna together! 2 more days till the weekend!

[@donizzo8884]

K8MRD RADIO STUFF I’m tired of the rain here in CT and its keeps falling on my days off 🤦‍♂️.... however no rain on Saturday; hitting parks during the day and night shift. Get that antenna built and work me!

[@dongibbskk4qam]

Great unboxing Mike. Keep the suspense going for us. The next "Who shot J.R.". :)

[@hamradiotube]

Hahaha, thanks Don. Love it.

[@johannilsson4968]

Get one, spend some time tuning it and its well worth it. Its exceptional value. You can build these yourself, a vertical is not complicated, but his kits saves you from making mistakes for small money.

[@hamradiotube]

Oh I'm def going to tune it right. I'm not gonna go through all that work to not have a perfect antenna. Yes, you could build this yourself but the fabrication of the parts is way nicer than anything I would ever be able to make. Thanks for watching.

[@mw7jlmhamradio114]

Boom let's watch this bad boy!! The greatest is a bold statement Mike 😂😂😂

[@hamradiotube]

Hey, I'm a pretty bold guy. The proof will be in the pudding though. We'll see how it gets on in the field.

[@mw7jlmhamradio114]

@@hamradiotube hehe just messing with you Mike:) look forward to the other vids of this antenna :)

[@KX4UL]

Looks like a nice antenna. Good grief that is a lot of parts for a temporary antenna installation. I am exhausted just looking at them all...lol! Me, I am quite fond of my Wolf River Coil TIA 1000...Easy-Peasy with great results!

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah but so what? It's a kit. Thats what hams do, they build stuff. You only have to put them on once and when you're done, you have a nice, resonant antenna. I am curious how long it will take to deploy in the field though.

[@KX4UL]

@@hamradiotube - Yes, as a HAM of 28 years I have done plenty building and repairing, believe me...lol! Having a resonant antenna is a big plus and I bet the DX Commander is going to be a great performer. Looking forward to you testing this baby out. 73!

[@AG7SM]

I've got a 7-band DX Commander (the ABV), and I just love it. It was simple to build and tune over the course of a few days (quarantine projects FTW), and I've been on the air for a few weeks now. I still have to do some finish work on the shock cords, but it just seems to do it's job. I like it so much I'm seriously considering picking up the Expedition version that Cal sent you. I would not be surprised if your POTA activations become significantly more international on the DXC.

[@hamradiotube]

I'm really curious to see about the DX contacts on my POTA activations as well. Every single one of them is state side contacts (and Canada but that's not really DX). I hope it doesn't take a few days to set up. I was thinking a few hours!

[@AG7SM]

K8MRD RADIO STUFF I took my time measuring and tuning. Once that’s all done it’s a quick setup.

[@AG7SM]

@@hamradiotube I was having so much fun using it after I tuned it (Tasmania from Seattle on FT8!!!) that I hadn't gotten around to doing the final heat shrink and shock cord stuff. However, you inspired me and now it's all assembled in its final form, ready to light up the airwaves (as soon as I can put it back up). Consider using some of that liquid electrical tape to seal up the back side of the SO239 just to make it that much more weatherproof.

[@AndyWragg]

Hi Mike, I've had a SOTABeams 10m pole for ages and pulled the trigger on the DX Commander ABV Classic plate kit and have just recently completed the build. It's a great system. However my QTH is dire for HF so I'm going to have to wait until the lockdown ends before I can give it some real abuse. Tip for build the radials - I used a small cable tie to keep the 5 wires in each bundle together whilst crimping and soldering the forks. Once you have all the elements trimmed and the doingy-doingy bits finessed, it goes together in minutes. Stay safe buddy, 73 G1AW

[@hamradiotube]

Hey Andy, hopefully I can get this together soon and you can live vicariously thru me and see how she performs. Thanks for the tip on the radials, that's a good idea. I just see myself cussing them out trying to keep it all together. I'll give that a go for sure.

[@AndyWragg]

@@hamradiotube I used the original military D10 wire for mine, and swore profusely during wire cutting and assembly. Yours should be a doddle in comparison.

[@brianrose2487]

Great video Mike! Look forward to the follow up, ordered a mast a while back, soon be getting a full kit! Take care

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome, thank you!

[@w8haallthingshamradio149]

Mike!!!! Awesome Channel! I have been subbed for a long time now! I really enjoy ALL your POTA and review videos. I got me a Yaesu 891 last week but I'm still waiting for my Wolf River Coil to get here... It's in limo some place with the USPS ..... but hope to have it soon. I also plan to do some POTAing in MI as well once it stops snowing! LOL. I live over here in Dearborn Heights Michigan... I have been looking at the DXCommander as well... Glad you got one so I can see how yours works and how easy....or challenging it is to deploy and take down in a portable situation. Keep up the awesome content... and maybe I'll run into you at a park or on the air way! Appreciate all you do! 73's - N1UI

[@hamradiotube]

Hey thanks for watching. That’s the worst waiting for a new ham toy to arrive. It’ll be worth the wait. WRC makes a fine antenna indeed. I’ll be documenting the build so stay tuned.

[@w4jmc]

Got one last year and like it a lot, used field day last year.

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome, good to know. I was thinking about how great this antenna should do for field day.

[@SteveYancey]

I have one on order, I’m looking forward to learning a little more about assembly do’s and do nots from you.

[@hamradiotube]

I've got a few K8MRD mods I'm already thinking of to make deploying a little faster. We'll see how she goes once build it.

[@k2cjbradio]

Good luck putting that all together! I do like that mast though! Better than my Shakespeare Wonderpole.

[@hamradiotube]

The wonder pole is where it all started with me. Then the antenna disease spread and has taken over!

[@k2cjbradio]

K8MRD RADIO STUFF yep! I’m looking for my next mast. Ugh. It doesn’t end!

[@mmouse928]

Just ordered mine yesterday

[@hamradiotube]

Congratulations!

[@SteveAlbano]

Looking forward to seeing how it performs! 73 - K6SPA

[@hamradiotube]

Me too. It's the worst month of the year here to do anything outside. I'm gonna try to do something with it tomorrow if its not raining all day.

[@SteveAlbano]

@@hamradiotube completely the opposite here in El Centro, sunshine and hot. Gonna be 103 today, to hot to activate my picnic table!

[@VK2YK]

Looking forward to the build. Yes you can't have enough squid poles, I have 8m & 6m permanently in my 4wd and have a short one like Callum's one that I got from SOTAbeams and is used mainly for SOTA & travelling on aircraft. I have 4 x 7m poles up at the moment holding my loop antenna up using homebrew openline to tuner, this is working great on a very small suburban unit block, loop is approx 65 to 70m in circumference. Cheers Adam VK2YK/VK5GA

[@hamradiotube]

Me too. Now if someone can at least get me some good weather during the apocalypse I could put the bloody thing together. Good on the squid poles. I though I was getting up there in numbers!

[@RadioAdventurer]

Hi Mike, it's a great antenna, a Cal is a great man and I love his channel. I have the DXC Lite version, I'm very pleased! The antenna works perfectly from 20-10m, although 10m is a little difficult to adjust. For POTA, IOTA, and other portable activations it is very good but not for SOTA. Everyone involved in SOTA activations knows that less is more. That's my experience. 73, 9A3GVD.

[@hamradiotube]

I've only done 1 real SOTA and it was only about a .3 mile hike up to the top. I brought the 891, the kg6hqd speaker wire antenna and a 10ah lifepo4 battery. It wasn't too much weight and this antenna wouldn't add too much more so for shorter hikes I would imagine it would be ok. Several miles you might start to feel it. Fortunately for me, I only have to go a short distance doing POTA. I can't wait to get it tuned up and on the air though that's for sure. Thanks for watching.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Callum does have a good channel, and he's a very likable guy. Gonna have a look at the DX Commander. A guy can't have too many antennas, or radios.

[@hamradiotube]

No you certainly can not. If you have at least one for every day of the week, that's a good start.

[@A.R.O.T.A.]

Check with Cal but if I remember correctly he gets 15m as a harmonic resonant of 40m so does not require 2 separate wires.

[@hamradiotube]

Yes you are correct. 15 just kinda seems to always be there if you put a 40M element on it.

[@A.R.O.T.A.]

@@hamradiotube in that case you should be able to add another band on top of the ones you said. :-)

[@Chris-in-ky-ky4ckp]

@@A.R.O.T.A. With an inverted L for 80m I get 80/40/20/17/15/10/6 with mine.

[@BradSnyder1]

I can't wait to see this puppy on the air!

[@hamradiotube]

Me too!

[@claudem.p.7969]

very professional the product.

[@hamradiotube]

Yes it is.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Mike, Cal is a great guy. Have been thinking about getting a DX Commander to use on 40, 30, 17, and 12. Noticed two blue light units stuck to the shelf. I see you have been to Harbor Freight. I always use the coupon to get them free. :-) Stay safe. 73 WB3BJU

[@hamradiotube]

One does not go to Harbor Freight without a coupon. You should see my tool box. Theres about 10 more of those lights, and more tape measures than I know what to do with.

[@Frisky0563]

Liked Shared and Subscribed Mike. Great antenna for sure!

[@hamradiotube]

Awesome thank you!

[@HamRadioTV]

That is one nice looking pole...Looks like a cool kit to throw on my adventure bike. Get outside and get that thing built already, I want to hear more about it!

[@hamradiotube]

Next vid is saving now. Should be up soon.

[@steadfast666]

Well bring it on man - what to see the building and testing... 73 de HB9GNK and KB9GNK

[@hamradiotube]

Me too. Soon.

[@moga864]

Wiggly banana things 😂 Look forward to the setup and first use video 👍🏼

[@hamradiotube]

Me too. The weather is going to be crummy here for the next couple weeks but I'm hoping there will be a break this weekend to at least get started.

[@moga864]

K8MRD RADIO STUFF Same here in 4 land. I have the following weekend as a target to try a field deployment for the first time. All depending on if the weather cooperates. I sure hope so!

[@thecarys563]

I've busted two tenkara poles recommended by kg6hqd. Yah I'm a klutz. I'll be interested in your thoughts on the mast vs say Sotabeams tactical. I'm looking for a two foot-ish pack sized mast. Better to get 1 $70-100 mast that lasts than keep buying these carp poles at $30 each.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah those are the bamboo ones that Jerry uses aren't they? I've never used those. I've had no problems with the fiber glass masts that I have and this seems no different, other than its shorter and awesomerer.

[@thecarys563]

K8MRD RADIO STUFF they're fiberglass, but too light for a ham fist like me. I was encouraged by what you said about the top section. I'll watch the next vid and decide. It's between this and the sotabeams tactical 7000hs.

[@smadajoe]

I need that shirt!

[@hamradiotube]

Possibly the greatest line ever spoken.

[@josephgomes8543]

Hey Mike, does one buy a DX directly from Callum? Joe, KC1MTM

[@hamradiotube]

Yep. From the Lord himself. www.m0mcx.co.uk

[@paulhastings3109]

When you going video putting together.

[@hamradiotube]

As soon as it's not crappy outside. I'm going to try for tomorrow but the forecast for the next 2 weeks calls for rain.

[@paulhastings3109]

@@hamradiotube tnxs

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Building this version now while watching your video. Good job

[@hamradiotube]

Heck yeah! You're going to have an awesome antenna! Don't forget about the extra 12 meter K8MRD mod I did a video on not long ago.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

lord Callum rocks

[@hamradiotube]

Yes he does. God save Lord Callum haha!

[@forgetyourlife]

Same bag my carbon mast from Sotabeams came in. Must be a UK bananna thing.

[@hamradiotube]

Haha. They are pretty bananas over there.

[@jmriello]

It’s about US$200. What is the mast made of

[@hamradiotube]

Its fiber glass

[@rossbassette7518]

With shipping, will probably run around $268.00 to USA

[@paulhastings3109]

When you order it. You pay in pounds or his conversion in US$ every thing in meters tnxs KQ4CD Paul

[@hamradiotube]

And its worth every single penny.

[@w9alk744]

When I'm not being a radio nerd I'm a bit of a watch nerd. What is the watch you're wearing? I like the looks of it.

[@hamradiotube]

It's a Fossil. JR1356 are the numbers on the back if that means anything.

[@shawjw247]

Nice job Mike, coffee soon N8NSK

[@hamradiotube]

Thanks, but I'll have a Coke.

[@christophersmith1155]

looks complicated. I need to see part 2

[@hamradiotube]

Me too haha!

[@KO4AFL]

Gotta say love the videos but the British wriggly banana comment 🤣

[@hamradiotube]

I learned it from Lord Callum himself.

[@ianrsigel]

No car chases? No female nudity?? No quality kills??? I'll just have to think about subscribing.😷👍

[@hamradiotube]

Hmm, good point, those are 3 really cool things.

[@AG7SM]

If you do an element for 40m, you'll get one for 15m as a side effect. At least that's what happens with mine.

[@hamradiotube]

Yep, that's just a free band. I'm thinking I should be able to get 40, 20, 17, 15, and 10 with this. At least, that's what I'm going to go for.

[@johnharrison5703]

G0UBE John I bought one of those poles from Callum when he first launched it. It is amazing quality and you are correct it is 33 feet long. I use mine to support a 33 feet vertical half wave for portable use. Anyone not seen Callums youtube channel look it up DX Commander. Some very useful antenna information (note I don't know Callum so my comments are just one ham to another)

[@hamradiotube]

First thing I did when I opened the box was went out side with the mast and extended it. I couldn't believe how many sections there were. It just kept going up and up. I love it.

[@johnharrison5703]

@@hamradiotube same here its amazing in such a small package.

[@mabo4848]

For me, these are far too many parts to be practical as a portable antenna. then I'd rather take my Hf-p1

[@hamradiotube]

You've only got to put them on once, save for the wire though.

[@MrThisIsMeToo]

$210 US type dollars 4 years ago, now $349. God bless inflation.

[@n8nkqrp595]

That's a cheap knock-off of my Michigan Cacti! Well, It's a nice knock-off but still a knock-off. People, if you like the antenna, BUILD YOUR OWN. I mean, you've got the time now. What the hell else is there to do? Mine came first and is AMAZING. When I tell people about my Michigan Cacti, they laugh at me. You can build the DX Commander for free. And if you made a couple plastic rings with a 3D printer, you could easily diplicate it. I suggest building a permanent one in your hard. It's free. And will outperform the 'Commander'. I'm glad DX Commander liked my design enough to copy it. lol. Sorry man... had to say that. I mean, why not? 73

[@mikemcdonald5147]

easier to support a small business and a fellow ham by purchasing from cal. Hes done the hard work and figured out the dimensions and had the rings cut and sized, wire length in a chart, etc etc. I don't have a 3d printer and don't want the trouble of having the figure all that out. Nicer to just put something up that works and works well from the get go. To each his own. I can make a dipole but not interested in having to design my own stuff. Leave that to the engineers like Cal.

[@n8nkqrp595]

@@mikemcdonald5147 Sadly now I must disagree on most. Antenna building takes no engineering, only an interest and of course, the physical and financial ability. Antenna building is one of the few remaining bastions of amateur radio. But that's looking at it from my persepctive: a guy who grew up tearing things apart and building 'inventions'. I'm a retired biomedical engineer.. but the antenna work I'm doing is the same as I did when I was 14. Appliance operating is great.. I enjoy it.. I just enjoy antenna experimenting. My Michigan Cacti will equal or outperfom the 'dx commander'... and cost me nothing. It provided me a wonderful, fun time, and I'm not done with it yet. If one wants to purchase an excellent antenna tho, I can attest to the design concept. It's amazing. Like you said - to each his own. I'd just like to see more newer hams have fun screwing around with antennas. And when I need parts - I go to the local small family hardware store and support my fellow neighbor like folks do when they buy commercial products. Only in my case my money stays in my community. With my neighbor. 73

[@n8nkqrp595]

@@mikemcdonald5147 I love these kinds of comments because I find that I see things through my own 'lens' when it comes to the hobby. Comments let me see that a lot of people feel very differently. It's cool seeing that kind of exchange of view. 73 OM

[@hamradiotube]

You really are building your own with this antenna. This is a kit. You are buying all the parts and assembling everything yourself, except you don't have to make the metal connection plates and plastic spreaders. You are still cutting wire, tuning to freq, crimping and soldering your connections etc...So as someone who does build antennas I can tell you, you are building an antenna when you buy a DX Commander. You don't just take it out of the box and away you go.

[@n8nkqrp595]

@@hamradiotube That's awesome! It only works out if it's an excellent product and it sounds like this one is definitely that. I'd love to buy two of them to play around with phasing them! Maybe I can, but not in the same month. I'd have to stop eating fast food that month and as my mom used to say "that's unacceptable, mister". I'm gonna see about buying one next week. If you didn't tell me what you just did, I wouldn't have thought about buying one. Very cool antenna and guy from what folks say :)