DX10 Ham Radio Antenna Wire

[@hamradiotube]

I officially back you up.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA - Mike told us :)

[@miketaylor9231]

Me too. And if I need to blow up a bridge, I can always repurpose some of the wire from my DX Commander Classic 😆. Mike - ND7E

[@lomgshorts3]

I use #10 AWG solid for all dipoles or end fed antennas. #10 wire lowers antenna "Q", makes the antenna more broadbanded by extending the resonance 2:1 points wider. I learned this while I was in the Navy in 1976.

[@johnarcher9480]

I use 10ga thhn. Mostly for the strength. I’d imagine 10ga solid would be great once the kinks and curls are out.

[@MattHeere]

I love DX10. Just ordered another 200M. It's the only wire I know that's flexible, strong, and easy to solder. It's a handy bonus that the exact resonant lengths for a 1/4 wave for each band are published in the DX Commander manuals. Saves a lot of time tuning when you DIY something else.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah Matt. It's genuinely amazing - anyway, nice to hear from you again fella! :)

[@davidportch8837]

When I was a regular gigging guitarist, all of my instrument wire, coax leads and speaker leads etc would go neatly coiled or folded into the bag and the next night it would all come out magically tangled together! If someone could make instrument coax etc like |DX10, they could make a fortune... another good video Cal... many thanks Dave...G0KPZ

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha yes David - Same here! But there are very lovely instrument and mic leads that do that! :)

[@marklowe7431]

I've just finished making a few using dx50 from Callum. Yes it's costs more than hardware shop wire but when you see the difference and the way it hangs i'd rather pay for dx50 or the 10 than use the other crap for free. Worth every cent or penny.

[@marlinbontrager]

I just got my dx50 wire delivered Thursday the 14th thanks for the fast shipping

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No problem 👍

[@craigpaternoster6221]

As far as wires go, it's sexy 😂 My wifes car windows packed up in the heat, turns out dx10 is great for repairing wiring looms too!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Brilliant!

[@dave6501]

Thanks Callum. Great video.

[@philrobinson8862]

yeah dx10 is definitely the best antenna wire I've used, even with it all chucked into a bag when you take it out just give it a jiggle and it untangles!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Lovely!

[@hallen4094]

Just ordered some looking forward to making EFHW and inverted V for POTA ops.

[@dback4430]

The D 10 that came with my classic in 2018 worked great after you separate it etc, however the dx10 that comes now is just the best !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes, I'm almost embarrased about the old D10 days!

[@dback4430]

@@DXCommanderHQ Don't be , the 40 meter element on the classic was still working great till a month ago or so when I put the 12.4 up .

[@darinsnell3804]

DX10 Is really flexible. I purchased a 500ft spool of wire from a well known radio shop here in the states. It’s not that flexible and the plastic sheath around the copper was a bit thicker. I’m most likely going to purchase another 100M of DX10 so I can play around with the 10M Classic with out entanglements. Great stuff as always 73s de KD8WBZ

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

D10 was used and still is for field telephones and the like. It's a mixture of tined copper and zinc coated steel wires. Very strong and buggers your sidecutters fast. With the steel wires a bit heavy for hanging from poles but could be used for towing cars. ;-)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah that myth! 😆 I snapped some D10 by attaching to 2 pieces of wood and snapped them apart fast. Snap! PS it doesn't survive very well with UV.. Insulation breaks down. And then it rusts :)

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

@@DXCommanderHQ I have seen a picture of a Land rover with the whole rear floor ripped out! The Army plods drove away with one of our field telephone exchanges still connected to the D10 and it was bolted to the floor. Our exchange survived better than the Land rover and the MOD sent us the picture to show what our poor exchange had been put through. So 30 or so D10 pairs had a tensile strength greater than the shear strength of the rover floor.

[@lonewolfhamradio]

Don10 tangles like a b!tch though, I’ve seen metres of it dumped after exercises, the bowman braid (the green Kevlar wire in this video) is good stuff though, it has to be to support the weight of the army cjd and coax.

[@g0fvt]

DX10 does indeed resist tangling extremely well, from memory the popular kevlar wire has a sheath that feels similar.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, strange that. Different factories.. maybe it's something to do with the milspec? I don't know.

[@g0fvt]

@@DXCommanderHQ I don't know, but you may have hit the nail on the head with the rating to -40c. When I did some environmental testing at Racal the temporary looms to the equipment being tested would just be standard wire types. At --40c they did get pretty solid. Obviously the cabling for final use would be rated for -40c. Scarily the coldest place on earth is about -100c ......

[@markramsay6399]

Good video. I recall in an earlier video (or somewhere) you mentioned the difference between insulated wire and uninsulated - particularly if you thinking of fold back. The DX 10 has been great for my DXC. The radials were really nicely buried, but with this heat and lack of rain I am just starting to see them again. Mark, 2E0MSR

[@davidlichtenhan4573]

I’m into wire antennas and was looking for something just like you have. Thanks!!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No problem 👍

[@tomfan84]

DX10 is flexible and easy to work with, but does not lack the stretch or break resistance of actual D10 wire - in fact it’s construction is entirely different. DX10 can be snapped by hand, whereas I suspect you could tow a vehicle with a few lengths of D10. DX10 is great for temporary antennas and probably verticals, but I’m not sure I’d deploy it in a horizontal dipole for any length of time, subject to strain, for example. Horses for courses. It’s good wire but be sure it’s the right wire for your application.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That was a challenge I has a few years ago! I can snap D10 (the old military telephone wire) by hand. Two blocks of wood, connect up the D10 to each block giving you some slack of around 60cm / 2 feet in the middle. Holding your arms in front of you, just throw your arms apart. Snaps easy! I did this in front of a Royal Signals guy who told me you could two a tank with it..! I did actually believe it until I gave it this shock test! There are only 4 x 0.2mm strands of steel in D10 (and 3 copper). I would suggest with 24 x 0.2mm copper in DX10, strength would probably be similar. It's certainly difficult to snap..! Well, I've never tried it actually :)

[@WoodyPhillips]

I have a DX Commander Classic and the DX10 is brilliant!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Woo-Hoo!

[@Dreamlgider]

super strong that's for sure, but OY fall/winter/spring did it in pretty quickly. if PVC jacket breaks it sucks up a ton of moisture and is ruined in a jiffy.

[@mully89]

I love D10 you gave me a roll (when you dug the coax trench at your old farm) so was what my first antennas were made from, still got a d10 dipole strung up between the house and a tree, thought it would stretch or snap eventually but still going strong...will try the D50 soon I think

[@DXCommanderHQ]

The OLD Don 10 will eventually fall apart. Happened to me. But it's 50 years old now..

[@mully89]

Sorry I meant DX10!

[@joonsookim3318]

Will it be a problem if I use 2mm stainless steel wire for the antenna wire?

[@robertbatchelor908]

Strip back the wire. Then tie the Kevlar strands in to a square knot. Next wrap the wire strands over the knot. It's how we joined Military Phone phone wire in the sixties. ( 7 strands of wire. 3 steel 4 copper steel. Tied the square knot with all strands. Then cut off the excess steel strands and wrapped the copper wire over the the knot. We would tape the splice.)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes else it's a bugger!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Great stuff. Take a spool to the OMs at your ham club and they will say "Fine Business" !!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Probably Steve!

[@russ_vee_jr4199]

I believe that's called the Western Electric Splice, which was originally developed to repair Telegraph Cables.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, I think you are right..

[@howardbielich2089]

The substitute wire that I got with my Signature 12.4 seams fine but the heat shrink you supplied didn't go over 4 wires for the radials (FYI).

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! Thanks for info. I will double check. Sorry about that.

[@K5QBF]

Great video as always Cal!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks again!

[@1shARyn3]

DX10 is superrb wire. Love the stuff

[@trig6712]

Excellent aerial Wire . just using CW completed the SP Contest using it on your vertical Great

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice work!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Love this wire.

[@davedoingdavethings247]

Hi Callum, im finding you videos very useful. I've not done much operating since I got my intermediate license (2E0EYZ) some years ago, my dad is a G4 and now at 85 he has dementia and I would like to get my full licence before we loose him. I see from other videos taking your exams can be done from home, that will help as I run my own business and time is limited. I really like the look of your nebula antenna, need to save some penny's while studying. My wife bought me an all singing and dancing alnico base station when I passed my intermediate exam and I have used it on various antennas, I would like to use it with your nebula antenna on top of the hill where my industrial unit is. Sorry for the waffle, keep up the good work. David

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK so the 18m Nebula is probably a bit much for some. Maybe have a look at the 12.4 Signature; slightly smaller, less expensive - and frankly more bands.. My best antenna I fear!

[@rossrobinson7943]

What is the military antenna wire called? I have heard that increased wire diameter increases antenna resonance bandwidth. Do you have any experience showing if that is true or not? What is the weight per meter for DX10 and the military option?

[@g0fvt]

Wire diameter has less effect on bandwidth than you might expect, for HF use any sane thickness of wire will have negligible effect on bandwidth. A popular technique to get increased bandwidth is to have a number of conductors spaced apart. Google "cage dipole" for an example.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ross, both DX10 and DX50 weigh about 1.35kg per 100m.

[@williamhutchinson8818]

In Wisconsin we call it a lineman`s splice.

[@322doug]

Is the best way to get this DX10 in the states is to order from ENGLAND? shipping is probably quite harsh... I would think.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yep.. It's made here.

[@ChoppingtonOtter]

If you had twin wire and joined the two wires at the ends is there any reason that wouldnt be ok to use as if it were one wire?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, you can short it both ends and it's one wire.

[@martinvanek5951]

I'm curious how much the DX10 wire will stretch under tension being that it's copper stranded. No problem with a vertical antenna application but a horizontal antenna application would put more tension on the wire. Especially if the antenna was an EFHW cut for 80m. However I would use DX10 on an EFHW for portable ops without any worries. Cheers Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wire stretch! I need to do an experiment.. Hangin a weight on it. We will find out!

[@tomasrrodriguez5080]

hello. Here in the Canary Islands we have a significant saline environment, so with the sun the PVC coating becomes porous and oxidizes the interior. I would like to know more about this cable. expansion coefficient, resistance to mechanical traction, could you give me the technical sheet. thank you. EA8CJN

[@DXCommanderHQ]

All we have is what's on the website but since this was designed specifically for the British Military, I'll give you a 10 year warranty regardless.

[@davez2989]

How is this wire for more permanent installations? UV issues?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Both DX10 and DX50 are outside rated and have a military spec / background.

[@alexm7mex538]

Hello Callum I use about 17m of green very thin wire i bought from a ham radio supplier for my end feed antenna and it hasn't let me done.

[@petergeorgew6208]

Have 400 metres of DX10 as the total length of 144 radials… OTT i know, but it does work so well 👍🏻😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice 👍

[@heffptbo]

Can you use regular insulated wire or speaker wire

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Any. Yes.

[@MacroPassion]

Hello Callum, If there is enough interest, would you like to do an analysis about the minimum wire thickness for, for example, an endfed. I have very difficult neighbors and I want to make the antenna as invisible as possible. You would do me a huge favor with it. I currently have no antenna and want to get back on the air as soon as possible. Maybe there are more radio amateurs with the same problem as me with very best regards PE2NAN

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, in my opinion it would be a short video... My personal feeling is that for 100W station, go as thin as you want. But I will it to the list.

[@MacroPassion]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks 73 Pe2nan Henk

[@PaulGriffith]

I've heard that called a Western Union splice or lineman splice.

[@EB1156]

Western Union splice is what I learned.

[@db3mi]

hehe - all my antennas are made of wire i had in stock. All but not the DXC Classic that arrives on Wednesday. We'll see if with DX10 ;)

[@zinkzoyd]

Have you ever tried using steel core washing line ? It looks like poly weave antenna wire but is a fraction of the price.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Be careful because unless it's galvanised wire - or stainless, you will be into some losses on uncoated steel.

[@saxon12qa]

I've worked the world on a string of paperclips and 100w. Losses are not noticed.

[@LB7EJ_Bjorn_Otto]

I suppose Dx10 wire would be suitable for Beverage antennas. Is it possible to get 500 meter spools?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well, by special order but honestly, just join it..?

[@LB7EJ_Bjorn_Otto]

@@DXCommanderHQ Yeah, probably the best. The principle of KISS - keep it simple st… applies here as well. Thanks for the reply, and also a big thank you for your youtube shows! Entertaining and informative!!!

[@davidlichtenhan4573]

Not sure my messages are getting posted. Trying again. I’m having difficulty finding your plentiful stock of your wire. Can you help point me to it?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

David.. Just google "dx10 antenna wire dx commander". Here is 100m: www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/products/100m-antenna-comms-wire/

[@johnbuckley683]

How does the velocity factor of DX10 compare to DX50?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I can't see any difference.

[@johnbuckley683]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thanks Cal.

[@brendancooney9401]

What make of wire stripper do you use?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. I got them from RS Components.. Don't know!

[@Andy-M938]

let´s see how it is, orderd 200m. I hate this winding and fiddeling with normal cable. Hopefully this is much better. 73 :-)

[@gaptastic]

Just checked your site for DX 10, looks like the price doubled. Poor me I missed it. I didn't need it anyways was gonna get it to have on hand. "patience I have" -yoda

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No it's not doubled. We have yet to shift the price - even though it's costing us more. Are you sure you accidentally didn't look at 200m instead of 100m? It should still be £39 for a reel which honestly is bloomin good value.

[@gaptastic]

@@DXCommanderHQ like usual you're right. It was the 200m. Sorry for not looking closer

[@alanbailey5866]

Hi Cal. If I order some DX10 Can I collect as I am about 12 miles away

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes. Just email [e-mail] and arrange. We are NORMALLY" open roughly about 9.00 until certainly 1.00, epending on workload.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Cal, WOW, that is a pile of DX10. 🙂 Wish I had the funds to buy a hundred meter roll. I'm getting ready to redo my wire antenna. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah thanks Don!

[@traveleractual]

DX10 is fantastic, it's spoilt me.

[@johnarcher9480]

What gauge is DX10? 10awg?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

We don't measure it like that here.. The spec is here.. dxcommander.com/product/dx50-wire-by-the-metre/

[@jamesrick7474]

Is this 14 gauge?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

James, we don't work in gauge over here, so I don't know..

[@503Nick]

Is dx10 the same as poly stealth?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No. It's unique to DXC however to be honest, I don't know what poly stealth is either..!

[@pc4ad]

That wire is close to impossible to tangle. That says the one who tangles about every wire

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA Anton! Same here :)

[@erniberni8507]

What about litze wire .¿

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well, above 1MHz, not normally used - and rarely in antennas anyway. Expense just not worth it for regular guys like me!

[@davidlichtenhan4573]

I went to buy this on your website and I think it says out of stock. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks - Dave, K6DCL

[@banksarenotyourfriends]

This? www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/products/100m-antenna-comms-wire/

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, certainly IN stock.. It's here: www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/products/100m-antenna-comms-wire/

[@davidlichtenhan4573]

Thanks Cal!!!

[@cornelishummel7987]

dont forget olso for field telefoone

[@jolebole-yt]

Hello. I am from the future. This antenna wire is now £60 in the UK. $75 in the US. The copper wire in the store is locked in a cage.😳

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice time machine!

[@jackkb2txr833]

Hello my friend cal try flexweave antenna wire awesome something like DX-10 maybe better please try it bye for now 73,

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Not better. I used to use it.

[@EB1156]

It's called a Western Union splice in the Western U.S. At least that's what I learned many, many years ago.

[@eoinm0nvk110]

A lineman's splice

[@johnnorth9355]

9 meter length no use to man or beast ? I beg to differ !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA!

[@michaelberry1028]

So not wire but cable..

[@richarde735]

lookin’ a lot less than 135kgs these days!

[@Tonylovesjazz]

Cal, keep it up. You are an endless supply of knowledge, information and random topics of interest. 73's. K8JAZ. 🎷

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you kindly!