Ed Fong Ham Radio Tri Band Antenna VHF UHF

[@gaptastic]

From what I understand after Ed Fong speaking at our amateur radio association, the pvc cylindrical profile should do well in the wind. I hope you're enjoying the antenna. I'm about to buy one myself.

[@g-whiz286]

I know it's not a long run, but that RG-58 is really working against you. Particularly on UHF. With all that work, spring for some LMR400 coax. You won't be disappointed.

[@danedwards7597]

Thanks! I’ll give it a shot

[@billwhite659]

@@danedwards7597 For that short just use rg8x and you done the 8x is much easy'er to run than that heavy 400. Looks like the run is 20ft or less.

[@danedwards7597]

@@billwhite659 I actually accidentally bought some lmr400, so I think I’m going to see if I notice a difference. It’s all just experimenting!

[@johnroberts6695]

@@billwhite659 » I've got a 42.5-inch cable of RG8X with PL259 connectors. Fong said this is fine up to 50 feet; anything longer will require LMR400. That said, I find it difficult to believe that a 10-watt HT (TYT UV8000D) can push through this much cable. I initially got the antenna for my more powerful radios, but Fong said it would work for my HT. Still, I may go for a shorter cable for that use. I've also got a TYT UV9800 (tri-band), which is perfect. Fong added that it would work on my HT, but warned that adapters and extra cable would reduce efficiency. With a shorter cable, I should be okay.

[@OnRappel]

@@danedwards7597 Yeah, Ed Fong told me that specific thing. LMR400 unless I'm running shorter than 25' then I could use RG8x.

[@alanb76]

Do you have a drain hole in that support pipe? 73 de w6akb

[@danedwards7597]

Yes I did, but I’m not real happy with its performance. The SWR at 144.0 is 1.2 and at 147.5 it’s 2.5. It needs to be shortened, but I don’t know if I should take it apart.

[@alanb76]

@@danedwards7597 I meant a drain hole at the bottom of the aluminum pipe, not sure if that was clear. Sorry to hear you are having a problem with the antenna. It's a tricky setup with what Ed's got in there - a 2 meter jpole with a decoupling stub for 450 and a helical 220 dipole. I would definitely contact Ed Fong first and let him know what is happening. He's very sharp and has made thousands of these, he may have a quick solution for you. SWR is not as important as some people like to think but 2.5 is a bit on the high side. Perhaps make a few more measurements across the band, find the minimum, check 220 and 450, etc. It also may be the coax, there are feedline or connector faults that can cause SWR issues. Perhaps do a test with a different feedline to see if it changes. All it takes is one sketchy coax connector or connection. Ed checks every one of those antennas and he's quite thorough. Best of luck with it. 73 de w6akb.

[@danedwards7597]

@@alanb76 Yes, there is a small drain hole in the bottom of the "J" aluminum tube. I had been using some RZg58U coax, and recently replaced it with some LMR400. I ran an SWR check on the antenna after I made the cable switch. My radio does have 222 and 440, but I mainly use it on 2m. Thanks for the suggestion of contacting Ed Fong. I will send them a pic of my SWR reading I took and see what they say. Don't get me wrong. I like the antenna, I just have a little difficulty receiving a signal for one of the hams on my local simplex net. He happens to be a the local antenna guru, so I really want this antenna to work good so he doesn't bust my chops about it. Ha!

[@kevin4sambos119]

Dan, can you please tell me what part name for the galvanized hanger bracket & where you got it please, thanks. How’s setup working for you so far?

[@danedwards7597]

I had to rewatch the video to remember 😮. What used was an aluminum elbow and a piece of scrape aluminum cut from a sheet from my buddies shop. I ended up moving away from that antenna as I switched to a dual band Icom IC-2730a radio and went to a Diamond X50n antenna. The Ed Fong worked great, I just didn’t need the 220 MHz band anymore and I had ordered the wrong coax (N type ends), so I went with the X50. Sorry if I didn’t help. (The X50 works better too)

[@donnieharpe4043]

The ladder really doesn't move that much.

[@danedwards7597]

Only like a pogo stick

[@ngmasson]

I’m doing a similar install with an Ed Fong antenna. Did you end up running any grounding or lighting protection?

[@danedwards7597]

I should have, but I have not.

[@sweet65mustang]

Fyi. Ed claims there is no lightning protection needed. He explained it in multiple videos. Something to do with the shorted condition between connection points

[@jayceew2j202]

Use different coax especially for 2/70. That Amazon stuff is junk

[@danedwards7597]

The Amazon reviews were good on this cable, but I agree there are far better cables to use. I am impressed on how good of reception I get from the cable and antenna. I'm hearing people I haven't heard before.

[@matts.8342]

@@danedwards7597 I got some RG-8X from DX Engineering for 48 cents a foot. It seems like great cable, and was about the same price as the unknown stuff on amazon. Plus if you are anywhere near a summit racing store you can just go pick it up. Instant gratification is always a plus.

[@Harlen1985]

Sorry but that looks like a shamble of a set up 🤣🤣🤣🤣 73 s

[@danedwards7597]

Ha! Well, I’ve moved on to a Diamond X50 and I’m happy with it.