DX Commander install on a Concrete Base.

Assembly and install of a DX Commander ABV antenna onto a Concrete Base -- M0MSN

[@jonthebru]

I can say as a 70 year old that your putting huge labels on the various element wires is fantastic!

[@AlvinMcManus]

I'm 72 and I'll be labeling the plate too!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Hi oh! I learn a new hack/trick from every assembly video I watch and they are all different. Your clip location tip is invaluable and so obvious. Cheers..

[@dean8223]

Great to see home brew antennas being made, you don't see so much of the home brew these day's. It's amazing what you can do with a pole and a bit of wire. Keep up the good work.

[@thedutydoctor]

Nice video Sir - W8BFO here, love my DX-Commander.. if you can only have one vertical antenna this is certainly the one to have.

[@Andelle72]

Really like this install. Nice work.

[@markramsay6399]

Nice video Mike. My kit has just arrived today so going through a load of videos first. I really like the idea of the base and this is something I will try once I have the thing built. I like the idea of storing the DX on its side using a couple of brackets up the side of the house. Install should then be a matter of seconds.

[@andyM7XTT]

Great video Mike!! Very well presented n zoomed in to help us:) made it alot easier for me thankyou 😊

[@mike-M0MSN]

Great to hear!

[@phredyh]

Mike thanks fer the video. I’m mounting my DX Commander in a fixed position as well. I’ve had to postpone my installation due to Wx here in Colorado but should be able to finish up soon. Keep up with your excellent videos... cheers Fred ... KE0EF

[@richarde735]

Mike, I am following your lead on the concrete base!

[@MW6PNW]

I did something similar yesterday but yet again I’m seeing this one day too late. I unfortunately have to remove my bunches of radials to put the new antenna up next weekend as I put my old one up yesterday to see if I got things right which I’m pleased to say looked good at the end of play. Only problem I have apart from the radials is my pole at the moment is 7mtr. and I’m replacing it with a DXC pole at 10mtr so may have to re cut the elements or one or two at least. What’s the secret with the 80meter wire? When I fitted one on mine it sent the swr high on 40 until I took it from the base feed across to a fishing rod then up onto the roof?

[@alzeNL]

rah, spend a fortune on a buddipole, then discover dxcommander, that said it was via a QSO via Echolink to my local repeater the guy told me how good these antennas are, your installation looks amazing as well, love the clear/direct comparision of the dipole as well. Top Work !

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

Hi Mike, Brilliant Video, Very educating. It's just a pity that I have far to much junk in my garden to install my DXC Classic. Plus being disabled & on crutches don't help much at all either, LOL. Kind Regards, Ray, Sittingbourne, Kent.

[@americaswayout4489]

Very GOOD !! THANKS for sharing

[@G1WHP]

Nice video. It’s fun playing with this antenna. I got mine mounted on some waste pipe too. Catch ya soon PAUL 👍🌟

[@mike-M0MSN]

G1WHP cheers Paul.

[@fordmustanggtish]

First time I actually have seen a dx commander vertical put up. have been watching callum a while now and never actually saw one of his antennas in use! Real neat! I especially like the performance it gave you! Happy "dx"ing. 73 VY2KW

[@MontyWoo64]

A very informative video. I've had a look through your other vids, and I cannot find the one detailing how you built the base and radials. I'd be very interested in your solution. Thanks.

[@Kirkbdavis]

Great/helpful video. Nice yard BTW. 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tonywalker8250]

Thankyou for that.

[@kevinshieldsw1kps785]

Wow, superb installation! I’m such a moron I can’t figure my SWR! I put antenna up to all the measurements and it seems not right! I’ve received all new wire so I may start all over again! -73- W1KPS

[@americaswayout4489]

Cal, how about an install ( some version of DX commander) on a metal roof. I noticed the metal walls at the farm so likely the roof may also be metal. I imagine many folks have some kind of metal roofs. My home has a porch at both ends of the main part of my home with all three roofs being steel. My research on metal as the ground side of n antenna finally being admitted to work well enough.

[@mikeramsey9747]

I like what you did, but for strength you could had made the center pole in the ground longer then slid the antenna over the longer pole to help provide support to the antenna

[@stargazer7644]

The guys support the antenna. The nub in the base just keeps it from moving.

[@davidnachbaur6805]

Hey Mike enjoy the video. I have been pondering the purchase of a dx commander. My concern is in a permanent installation. How many years would the fiberglass hold up? In florida we have sunshine basically 365 days a year between hurricanes. Can you tell me what your experience with fiberglass aging?

[@ViewFromTheSkies]

Impressive Mike, I love your base plate so interested on the diameter of that pole that.s goes into the dx commander. I just need to think how to secure the dxc to a concrete fence post, when covid goes I would not want the grandchildren falling over guys.

[@mike-M0MSN]

It's a decorators pole 30mm dia

[@ViewFromTheSkies]

@@mike-M0MSN Mike I have concreted a 30 mm pole in the ground today using a bag of quick dry cement. I think I will be popping up to the local caravanning accessory shop and buying 3 large storm peg stakes and concreating those in the ground for the guy ropes. Thanks for sharing your idea with us all. Steve G4YTK

[@jimbrown4135]

Great installation. Wondering if you used a 36” pipe would the DX Commander stand on its own without guys? I understand that it would need to be a tight fit.

[@stevesf28]

On my install, using 1-1/4 inch Schedule 40 PVC water pipe, it will go almost that far into the bottom section, and even with the 3/4 inch PVC inside that pipe, it would be good for unsnapping the guys for mowing around. I would not do that on a windy day, (Without guys) as I fear the pipe would worry at the inside of the DXC mast. Also, thanks for showing that bottom piece has an insert, Mike. I was prepared to drill the cap to fit it over the pipe. (I keep trying to tell the warden that I should not be left alone with tools without adult supervision.)

[@jimbrown4135]

I would use metal pipe. I did something similar with a different mast and it worked. I wish I could talk to Collum but he is not taking emails right now according to his website.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes I think so, give it a go. 👍👍👍. try to use a Glassfibe pole

[@alanjames4526]

Great video, Mike. You have shown me great detail of the installation which I was looking for. I am strongly thinking of getting the DX Commander but want to do it permanently year around here in the northern CA foothills. What do you and Callum think? Do you have suggestions on waterproofing it, etc.? I also have some local restrictions here on the 65 acres (XYL - hi hi). 73 Alan KZ6B

[@mike-M0MSN]

I have my antenna up all year round, guided at 3/4 1/2 and a fibreglass tube 4 foot up inside and 2 foot in the ground. no issues in winds up to 60 MPH not seen any faster wind here....

[@alanjames4526]

@@mike-M0MSN Thanks, Mike. I am also interested in installing a DX Commander elevated about 10 feet above the ground with elevated radials. Have you had any experience with that? Alan KZ6B

[@Surge1045]

You have a video where the DX Classic slips over a yellow tube sticking out about 3’ from the ground. What is the outside diameter of that tube? I have a Classic on order and I’d like to replicate that set up. Thank you!

[@mike-M0MSN]

the fibreglass tube is 40mm in diameter .

[@w2msa]

Thanks for the video. de W2MSA

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you too!

[@philwright5970]

Hi. Did you make the elements as per the manual Phil

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes Phil as per Callum's instructions

[@paulhastings3109]

@@mike-M0MSN here in the US we use feet and inches. Do I convert or metric 73 great videos KQ4CDPaul

[@Bass-guitarist]

Mike, slightly off topic for this vid but what machine/make/model number are you using please to provide the labelling?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Dymo labelManager 160

[@Bass-guitarist]

@@mike-M0MSN ordered one today, thx

[@James_Bowie]

In the fine print: Directors chairs are not provided with the DX Commander Classic kit. 😛

[@m0bob]

Am I right in thinking that vertical antennas when used on 40m pick up plenty of DX, but miss the local contacts around the UK, Ireland etc? Thanks. Bob.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Robert Adlington I found that to be partially true I do get a reasonable amount of into G on 40 m with the DX Commander.

[@Jonshome337]

Mike whats the diameter of that pipe in the concrete pls?

[@mike-M0MSN]

40mm glass fibre pole.

[@paulkazjack]

So why does this system not use baluns?

[@stargazer7644]

Because groundplane verticals aren't balanced antennas. Verticals are asymmetric and unbalanced by design. The groundplane is not the same as the radiating element. The unbalanced currents go into the ground system. Balanced symmetric antennas (like dipoles) generally need baluns when connected to unbalanced coax.