Erecting the MyAntennas.com EFHW-8010 End-fed Half Wave Antenna and Initial Testing (

[@AC3HT]

Thanks!

[@sxshun8]

Mr. Casler, I purchased EFHW 7510-2k based on your videos and am up and running. Using a flagpole down slope. Your videos have helped a lot. Thank you for sharing your time and brains.

[@Scott_AI5EF]

Love mine. Up over two years and I've only had to retune it once, for wire stretch. I learned a lesson about not stretching it too tight.

[@chrisbaker2903]

How do you tell if it's to tight?

[@Scott_AI5EF]

@@chrisbaker2903 If you're getting a lot of wire stretch, you'll know it when you start having tuning issues. Now, I pull it taught, not tight and then I put a tiny bit of slack in it. Just until I see a slight dip in the wire, when you look at it from the side. That will make a huge difference in not having to make constant adjustments to the overall wire length. It's very windy here, so too tight and the wire would stretch.

[@chrisbaker2903]

KK6LOP, Chris from Kingman, AZ, U.S. I got my license about 7 years ago and I put up an End Fed Half Wave from My Antennas dot com as it was the only hf antenna I could afford at the time. Currently it has one point attached to the highest point on my house top and the other end 10 Feet above a rocky knoll in my back yard so that it's maybe 10 feet higher than the house top end. In between there's about 35 feet to the ground, so it's very much lower than would be ideal according to everything I've been told and yet I've been able to easily contact other hams 2500 miles away and also only 200 miles away but behind a couple of mountain ranges on 100 watts with a Kenwood TS-450 and an MFJ-945 antenna matching unit. I've made pretty much the same contacts with my new ICOM 7300. My best contact so far was from my home in Arizona to a person in Northern British Columbia, maybe 2200 to 2400 miles away. From my experience above I'd have to say, if asked, that the End Fed Halfwave Dipole is an excellent antenna. Mine is the My Antennas dot com EFHW-8010 which as it implies works on 80 and works on 10 and it works on all the bands in between. I haven't folded mine over or cut any off and my radio seems to be just fine with it. I'll hook up my manual tuner and see what happens though. Your video has given me something to think about. If I had it to do over again I'd do the same thing.

[@mikemcnamara4326]

I got the one set for 75m. Keep it rolled on a cable roll. Start with 50’ coax, then the antenna wire, then 50’ of black 550 cord, then 50’ green 550. Keep it with a wrist rocket I modified to hold a fishing reel to throw a medium sized lead weight over a 50’ tree. First setup was in glacier park and made qso’s on 75, 40 and 20. 5/9 to California through an FT-991 pushing 100 watts.

[@richardsanders7731]

Haha...no such thing as tampering with my OWN gear...the nerve of some companies is hysterical...if I was...I don't know renting it or just borrowing the antenna on some kind of deranged subscription Ma Bell lease...then sure....but if I want to inspect your work...then I expect to be able to use a common tool to open it up...like a screwdriver or a torx/allen wrench...but if there is some B.S. garbage that is supposed to keep me from opening it up....then you can keep it...and I'll give my money to a respectable competitor! Great video as usual, Dave! 73

[@W9HJBill]

I have the EFHW-8010-2K in an inverted L with the transformer on a wooden post 3 feet off the ground (and grounded to an 8' copper ground rod), then going up to a three limb about 30 feet up (and a slight angle, maybe 10 feet forward, then pretty much horizontal for 100 feet. SWR for 10M is about 2.6,:1 12M is about 1.5:1, 15M is about 1.8:1, 17M is about 2.9:1, 20M is about 1.04:1, 30M is about 1.8:1, 40M is about 1.46:1, 80M is about 2.2:1. 60M is 8.7:1 but with an antenna tuner it works. I haven't really cut any wire off yet, just threw it up there and it seemed good enough for most bands (especially 20M and 40M). Others have mentioned Steve Ellington, and if you go check out his page, he has a video on how to, with a relay and some radials, you can actually turn the EFHW-8010 into a 9 band antenna without a tuner ... including 160M and 6M.

[@jay-rus4437]

Ive been running a Chameleon Emcomm III with fairly good success. Good ground system, grounded arrestor for coax, choke at Feedpoint, inverted L configuration with the vertical at approx 24’, and then run my RX audio through a Heil Parametric EQ to keep noise floor down. It has been a good antenna for coast to coast from Oklahoma using 95 watts. Getting ready to raise it to 32’ vertical

[@MrBambaboy]

My 80-10 EFHW goes straight up 50 feet and over the top of a red cedar tree. Have SSB contact with England on 80 meters running barefoot. Longest DX is on 40 meters from North Alabama to Kuwait. 73, ND2C

[@davecasler]

Great results!

[@MrBambaboy]

@Alexej Svirid I checked LOTW and yes it was 9K2GS.

[@banihex]

Interesting. I have the Mfj version, for 2 years now, and love it. What’s interesting is that I have low swr across all of 80 meters and the same coverage on 10.

[@btaylor1948]

I've been using the same antenna here in Eastern Idaho for almost 2 years. It is outstanding. I've worked all around the world on FT8 at 25w. Mine starts at 8ft and goes to 20ft in a straight line west to east. My coax is on the 8ft end. SWR with my built in tuner is less than 1.5 to 1.

[@sh839c]

Did you ground it?.

[@btaylor1948]

@@sh839c Yes. The balun is connected to a pushup pole which is next to my ground rod. All this sits right outside my rig room.

[@YZFoFittie]

Why East to West? Isn't that your nulls?

[@btaylor1948]

@@YZFoFittie West to East is the only place on the property where I could anchor the end of the antenna. It runs from a pole just above the radio room (basement) and to a pole mounted near the top of my work shop. I have no problem getting out in any direction right now. Lots of polar jumps get me into EU. Mostly FT8/JS8 @ 50w right now.

[@YZFoFittie]

@@btaylor1948 I fear you are limited to digital modes then, phone is a whole different ball game...

[@rickeaston3228]

You make very good presentation materials to show what you are trying to illustrate. Most You Tubers don't come close to the effort you put into what you show.

[@BillSproul]

Nice video. I've had this antenna for 4 yrs. I worked 110 countries on FT8 in about 6 weeks, not trying hard. Pulls in Australia, Japan, etc, from the east coast. I have mine in an inverted L, with the bottom leg at about 70 degrees to clear vegetation, the balun box 5 ft from the ground. Grounded with a rod and using 4 radials - reduces noise. Main length is up 20-25 ft. My SWR is quite a bit better than those shown in the video. I have the same analyzer. The antenna must be cut for min SWR @ 3.55 MHz, according to the designer. I did that, and the SWR there is 1.2:1, rather than 1.6:1 as in the video. Below 3:1 on all the other bands except 30m. At 10.655 it is only 1.15 to 1. At the high end of 30m it is 3.1:1. I folded 6 inches of wire back at the end. I don't think its wise to have such a large amount of wire folded over the end, my opinion is that this contributed somehow to higher SWR values. This wire tends to stretch, so I had to cut even more off anyway. This is a great antenna folks, super easy to put up. Just use a good choke as these antennas are prone to common mode current. Slightly noisier than my 40m doublet, maybe one S unit. I am not intending to be critical, I love your videos Dave and I enjoyed this one. Just wanted to share my experience.

[@todddavid3695]

That's a good antenna. A friend of mine down the block uses one. It's up above about 2 stories in the backyard .It's done really well from here in AK. Also a common mode choke from the same manufacturer is a good move too.

[@petersichel9934]

Good video as usual. I noticed you have the end insulator on backwards. This insulator is designed so that the end of the rope loop passes through the end of the wire loop. The idea is that even if the insulator breaks, the antenna won't come down.

[@brian.7966]

This is a great introduction to the end-fed thank you. I use a half-wave end-fed 40 to 10 and it does work extremely well, I have now bought the 80-meter coil to connect to the end.

[@geirha75]

How is your 80 m extention work? bandwith/swr?

[@leericelli_w8rnb202]

Dave: I have two of these antennas, one at my home and one at my cottage. Both work well and are operational on all the bands you mention. I use an external tuner for both which enhances it's versatility. For me, the antenna works best when the transformer box is located at the highest point and is grounded. You will be impressed with how well this antenna works on so many bands.

[@brian.7966]

I had trouble when I fixed it at the House, I finally took the 49/1 transformer don the garden. the noise went down plus the SWR, a Great antenna to use in a small garden.

[@randyhoward8927]

Thanks, Dave. I've purchased the 40 meter version of this antenna, and am getting ready to put it up around the roof-line and see how it does there. Appreciate the review and the tips. 73, KB5RJ

[@stephenwilliams5201]

Hi hi. Om. Just ordered. 30 male 259 plugs. And watching all the antenna design and will add yours to my bag of tricks. A frend died and what was given to me was 800' of rgu 58 cable. It's fun time for me as I have several DC receivers. (Ten tec) 160, 80, 40, 30, and 20meter. Going to be a fun summer. Tks Fer tips ps the DC rigs were built by me .over the years. Tks de kv4li 73

[@w.rustylane5650]

Just got my General license and have an HF rig, a Kenwood TS-430S, and am thinking of getting an end fed half wave antenna. 73 from K9POW(AG) in eastern Tennessee.

[@full_metal2452]

Could I use an Icom AH-705 along with my IC-705 to tune this? I didn’t think the AH-705 was meant to use with an end fed

[@stevesummersell_K4WXX]

Following! I too have the 705

[@wx0mik-testing]

You can modify that antenna to bring 75m lower for usage. All you need to do is cut the antenna wire in half and add a 250 pf to 500 pf capacitor 1 kV or higher. The value can be changed to tweak the resonant point. I am running that right now (homebrewed). I am getting a lower SWR than what you are showing. Though the FT8 think I can agree with, the longer I use FT8, the higher the SWR gets.

[@pasixty6510]

The resonant frequency for the 3.5 MHz Band can be tweaked without affecting the other bands by inserting a capacitor of something between 300 and 700 pF right in the middle of the wire. The products of some other vendors (like e.g. Hyendfed) come with such capacitors.

[@TXLorenzo]

I believe the EF antenna is one of the best bang for the buck antennas you can buy. I use it for the home base as well as for portable. It is great for small spaces and easy to erect in the field. It is flexible and you can make it a vertical or horizontal polarization. I find a sloper configuration using a telescopic 40 foot pole a great combination.

[@k2icc]

I am using a 9:1 UNUN, with 135' of AWG14 wire. It tunes with IC-7300 from 80 to 6 meters. On 160 meters, I need to use the LDG IT-100 tuner. So, with it, a perfect low SWR from 160 - 6 meters. All modes, up to 100 watts, maximum radio power.

[@o00scorpion00o]

Beauty about the 49:1 is that it’s actually resonant on multiple bands with no radials or tuner needed except the higher portion of 80m but adding a capacitor roughly mid point will lower swr on 80m without effecting the higher bands. So feeding g this antenna with coax gives minimal losses. Yes the coax is the counterpoise. The only difference is 160 meters where it becomes inefficient because swr is around 10:1 in my case making the losses big over coax but I’ve made contacts 500 miles on 160 m with just 100 watts.

[@joerogers4227]

I do have that exact same antenna and with a wideband tuner I check in to a 75 meter net at 3857.5 and have good results. Good contacts on 40 and 20. I live in a HOA and need to keep a low profiles on antenna's and this fits the bill. As to high price, I have a mult-band (only one antenna) use on my transceiver. So buy or build separate antennas makes them more visible and parts and wire still do count. Now looking to try 6 meters and they are smaller antenna's that can hide behind the house or near trees that do not let the general public (and the HOA) see. Stealth, stealth, stealth

[@dwatson4]

I have the 80-10 EFHW 1 kw and the 73 ft 160-6 EF. My Yeasu FTdx1200 has 2 antenna inputs and tunes them both. The 80-10 is on a mast 30ft up running to a tree that is 40 ft up. I can get anywhere in the US, Europe, and South America on side band. Still no side band contacts in Asia. Great antenna easy up easy down,

[@timg5tm941]

These are often misunderstood but very effective single wire multiband antennas.

[@joerogers4227]

good antennna. I have it 30 feet above the ground, all the way. I had a tree fall on my wire and broke at the Insulator, so I repaired it and we took off about 4 feet off the end. I have been using the antenna for several years, W6CEF.

[@glennhelwigwk8p530]

Dave I be-live that Steve Ellington reviewed the same antenna and found that: 1) cut the antenna in half 2) attach a 300 to 500 pf capacitor min 1000 volts across the the antenna wire. 3) This will raise the resonant frequency on 75 meters but not affect the other bands. 4) Lower capacitance = Higher frequency . If memory serves me he had this in an end fed half wave long wire configuration. You my want to test this out!

[@robertl.tisdale5166]

Steve Ellington have a video on how to mod the antenna to bring in 75 meters using a 500 pf cap.

[@LonnyBarry]

Used same Ellington video to mod my own. Worked perfectly on a fantastic antenna

[@americaswayout4489]

@@LonnyBarry Thanks for sharing, just curious have you ever done a full 2-30 or even 60 meg SWR scan? I have an occasional need to use marine SSB and was wondering if the 3.6 repeat of near resonance happens to fall in the marine. Of course, cutting your wire to favor those bands might be required, I just have not seen anyone sharing that scan from a VNA or other device?

[@user-mt2qn4yp8w]

Hi Dave. I have an end fed for my 7300. It covers 1.0 - 54MHZ. It is 124ft. long and I have it as a sloper. It is rated for 2KW. The antenna is called ULTIMAX DXTREME by Ultimax antennas. My 7300 handles any high SWR that the antenna throws at it. I just tossed mine in a tree and didn't have to do any tuning. Had it now for about 2 years. So good luck with yours. Like I said with mine it works fine. Only thing I would like to do is to get my other end higher. I would say it is about 12 ft on the low end and about 25 ft on the high end. 73 Clark KG7LOI.

[@wushock92]

Thanks, Dave. I have an EFHW I'm waiting on an MFJ Window coax bulkhead to put up. I'm encouraged by your results.

[@wsmith7140]

I have the same antenna, but mounted very low. It is about 14 ft on each end and 8 ft in the center. I guess it works like a NVIS. I used a NANOVNA to tune the length for 40 m. It shows right at 1 to 1 on 7.30. It didn't chan the other band's center point a lot. Using external turner to load 80 to 10 m. Won't tune 6m at all. 160 will tune, but dosent seem to be effect. With my IC-7300 and tunner i easily cover the easrern half of USA. Dont plan to change it.

[@rebelliners]

You need to review the Buckmaster OCF Dipole Antennas 160, 80, 40, 20, 17, 12, 10, 6 meters, 3,000 Watt, 270 ft. Length this thing is Awesome

[@eddy2561]

I believe this antenna was reviewed in QST in 2016 by the good doctor himself, w1zr, the Ask Doctor columnist for QST, and he wrote he was impressed with this antenna. The EFHW-8010-1K is pricey compared with other endfed antennas being sold, but seems to work FB as a dipole.

[@schoocg]

As usual, so well done and informative. Thank you.

[@adamivanecky3907]

hi dave the lowest part of 80 meter band is 3.5-3.8 mhz

[@kentk9aee898]

Dave, a common mode choke on the feed line .05 wavelength from the unun could lower the SWR. See EFHW group FaceBook. The outer surface of the coax shield is acting as a counterpoise.

[@davecasler]

The shield on the cable acts as the ground connection, and an unun near the antenna will disrupt that. The cable shield is connected to ground at the station ground rod.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

Hi Dave, I am wondering why you did not ground the antenna? My group has used one of these for a couple of years on outings & they don't ground it either... would not grounding it, knock down the noise level (floor). I am also confused by this setup as an inverted 'v'(iv); doesn't an iv require the feed to be at the center & at the apex? Which leads to this q. If you mounted it (feedpoint) at the apex, then sloped the active (hot) side downwards like the sloper shown on the instructions; couldn't you then take a matching length of wire, attach that to the ground lug; slope it in the other direction to a grounding rod? There are several configurations this antenna can achieve. 73 & good luck during FD John - N7GHZ

[@michaelsayles9082]

I grounded mine and its well under 2:1 SWR on most bands! 30 ft off the ground 73 W2LAZ

[@davecasler]

It's grounded via the cable shield as per instructions.

[@jptucsonaz8503]

@@michaelsayles9082 if you temp. Disconnect the ground, what are the effects to swr & noise/signal levels?

[@joecraft4409]

On my 8010 i had to put a screen over the vent to prevent a mud daunner wasp,from building another egg lay inside it. Those dang wasp take advantage of any well protected spot to lay an egg

[@robertmachette836]

Would adding a 500pf capacitor at 1/2 point of wire move your 80 res to up into phone band without impacting the higher bands?

[@Dennis35793]

On my efhw I get everything except 160m I cut it at 134 ft

[@mbtjr]

I know this is a compromise and convenience antenna, but people should be aware that an EFHW on 80 meters has less than stellar radiation patterns for DX on the higher bands (at least if it's strung completely horizontal or in an inverted V). The largest Alpha Delta 10-80 fan dipole is a better option if somebody is going to put up the antenna permanently and has the space to properly do it as a horizontal dipole or inverted-V. Of course the Alpha Delta antennas are 10/15/20/40/80. But when I had mine up I could at least tune one or more of 12/17/30 (never tried 60) but not all of them unless using a wide range tuner. Like I said, I realize people like this antenna for ease of deploy, portable operations, and in cases where they have difficulty stringing up a 130+ foot dipole truly horizontal or inverted-V. I just wanted to make them aware that is by no means a good dipole for DXing on 20-10 IMO.

[@cpt.moroni3092]

Great video, I’m searching for antennas for a go box set up. My stake ECS gave me a good set up. Im not sure what to use for antennas. The go box can handle all bands, and there’s a laptop for fldigi.

[@rossbassette7518]

Dave, does the aluminum top rail mast electrically interact with the antenna resonance?

[@davecasler]

Yes. My modeling shows that if you have the end of the antenna closer to the mast than 3 feet it will interact so just keep about 3 feet of rope between the end of the antenna mast and the antenna itself.

[@rossbassette7518]

@@davecasler Dave, Very much appreciated as I am planning to hang a 67ft EFHW from a 30ft aluminum pole constructed from top rail. I'd do telescoping fiberglass if it were cheaper

[@iainmeteorscan1555]

Hi Dave. Great video, as usual. But answer me this, please: when are us hams going to stop referring to “tuning” our antenna with our ATU (whether internal in the radio, or external) and instead use the correct term “matching” (or transforming) our antenna impedance to the 50 Ohms impedance of our radio? Perhaps you might consider a video on this subject, as you explain matters so well? The term ATU should be replaced with AMU - Antenna Matching Unit, or IMU - Impedance Matching Unit, as that is what the so-called and mis-named ATU actually does - MATCH (in another word, transforms) the antenna impedance to the 50 Ohms impedance of our radio. For too long, hams (particularly newbies to the hobby) have been conned into thinking an ATU “tunes” the antenna, which of course it does not. How about it, Oggy?

[@davecasler]

Probably never. Note that tuning, as of a radio to a particular frequency, is an impedance matching process to create resonance. I think the terminology will be around forever.

[@iainmeteorscan1555]

@@davecasler Thanks for your reply, Dave - all copied! BTW, I am mentoring two UK Hams who have taken their first step into Ham Radio with their Foundation Licence. BOTH have told me they avidly watch your videos and I have told them they couldn’t do better to progress in their new hobby. I, of course, am also an avid watcher myself! Iain.

[@douglaswilliams6834]

Seems like a very useful antenna that makes it easy to get on all bands, 80 - 10 meters. I imagine, at the height you mounted it, it will mostly serve as an NVIS antenna on 80 and 40. Looking forward to viewing your on the air video. 73 de WB4DW

[@chrisbaker2903]

Mine is pretty low too and I mentioned a contact I can make pretty regularly that's 200 miles away behind some mountains but I've also made contact to Norther British Columbia, about 3000 mile and I was able to make a contact to Alaska one time. I'm going to raise the far end by about 40' from the 10' it is above ground right now and see what happens. KK6LOP in Kingman AZ

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi My 130 foot, 80-10(my antennas), 49-1 efhw works great. I made and hooked up multiple counterpoises to the ground rod, making 80 work very well and 160, yes 160 work decently! But, My antennas sells a 173 and a 202 foot efhw with a 9-1. Would the extra length improve my bands? Especially 80 n 160?

[@Outdoors_with_kg4muk_Wayne]

Hello Dave de Kg4muk I have been looking at the same Antenna myself thinking of running test on it I’m currently running test on the MA5B and the Cushcraft R9 73”s

[@dheller777]

Just received the 75-10 2k version. I tried to get them to send me the directions in a pdf for suggested installation methods but was told via email since I am a ham I ought to know what I am doing installing an antenna. Not very impressed with their customer service for sure. I am hoping their antenna works better than the current MFJ 10-80 end fed I am now using. I am shooting for a little better swr in the 3.9 area of the band than I am currently getting with the MFJ. Thanks for your installation video Dave, and for sharing the information of suggested installation they were not willing to give me.

[@davecasler]

I am surprised they were so cavalier. Certainly if there was no owner's manual in the box they ought to send you a PDF.

[@dheller777]

@@davecasler Thanks Dave, my thought exactly.

[@georgelevandoski6396]

@@davecasler I didn't get one in the box either!

[@jerryhenry7189]

I am considering purchasing an end fed dipole. I've looked at the MFJ-1984HP for $90.00 and the MyAntennas EFHW-8010 for 205.00. My question is is the MyAntenna EFHW-8010 realty worth $115.00 more? 73 W5JGH

[@davecasler]

I reviewed the MFJ-1 984 and didn't like it. I was very pleasantly surprised by the MyAntennas antenna.

[@andy2E0JIU]

Got same antenna so looking forward to the next one:) mine works great 👍

[@normjacques6853]

Hi Dave.....Could this be 'cut' for the phone portion (or a part of it) of 75/80M without adversely affecting VSWR for all of the other bands? Thanks, and 73! W1NLJ

[@davecasler]

No. Doing so will throw the other bands out of whack.

[@jeffdyer2393]

Yes you can cut the wire in half place a 250-500 pf capacitor across the two wires. See Steve Ellington video.

[@KD8GKR]

like to see the results with that analyzer used on the MFJ version several years back.

[@mortimersnerd801]

Made my own... a 130', 49:1, a single core FT 240 43 material (am going to try 2 for better efficiency and less chance of core saturation)... 40' of LMR400 for a coax shield counterpoise that does NOT PARALLEL the active radiator, NO common current torids needed and RF almost FSM undetectable at the operating position, earth grounded as suggested... straight line sloper across the road to the roof of an apartment building, coax fed end 30' up and the other about 70' up and in the clear. VSWR on 7, 20, 24.. zip, zilch, nada... 3.75, 1.5:1, 3850 2.5:1, 18m 1.5 and 10m 1.8_2.5 at the FM high end. 100 watts works all DX not just the $100K big gun 2kw stations and their monster antennas...yes us Canucks can run 2250 PEP watts. I continue to experiment for continued improvement and knowledge... Tnx OG, excellent presentation.. from a once upon a time, my own call in VE6OG land. .....Richard.. VA7AA

[@davecasler]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds like your antenna solution worked well for you.

[@mortimersnerd801]

@@davecasler ... got my two 43 cores from Amazon today, so this weekend I'm gonna put on my black hoodie, a cape and intone some more 😁incantations to the black art gods of EFHW...more to come.. Tnx Dave. VA7AA

[@timbacchus]

I always like to temper with my tuned circuits. I don't like the SWR of the antenna. But I know that no single antenna will work on all the bands. I wonder how it works on receive.

[@davecasler]

We'll find out when I do the research for the next video!

[@JayN4GO]

It’s very effective on 80,40 and 20. RX is good. Same as a 1/2wave center fed for me. The loop however works well for me on all bands HF

[@fordwk]

Can you use is for NVIS?

[@dalekeener2533]

I was wondering if the direction you mount this antenna affects the direction the antenna radiates. For instance I have been told G5RV style antennas mounted North -South radiate East-West. Are these the same?

[@davecasler]

Similar, though the effect is not strong.

[@gregorycooper7962]

I don't know if you still see these comments, but does the antenna have to have the coil close to the feed point. I bought an 80-10 EFHW and it does not have it. DO I NEED IT?

[@ronwatkins5775]

What is a counterpoise? Do you have a video for that?

[@kentk9aee898]

It is horizontal wire connected to the ground lug on the unun. It takes the place of a ground. It does not help an EFHW antenna. I believe the feed line coax outer surface of the shield acts as a counterpoise. The length of the feed line can effect the antenna. Like Dave sez, everything affects everything. Google Steve Ellington EFHW.

[@davecasler]

A counterpoise is something having reactance (usually just a length of wire) that can store energy and then release it back into the antenna. The colloquial phrase is that a counterpoise is "something the antenna can work against."

[@barryrosenbloom189]

Also, How do the toprails connect to each other. They are tapered according to my online view is that good enough to rely on for a permanent install plan?

[@stevenblack122]

Have been looking at this but not buying yet...for quite a while. As one sees in studying My Antennas web site, several 80/10 and 40/10 EFHW’s are fore sale. Some have 16awg wire and higher power rated ones have 14awg. For those wanting 80 ssb they sell A 75/10 model that has nominally, fractionally better swr results except in 30m and 2Om...but test was on 30 foot inverted L design. The 40/10 model has poorer 12m and 17 m performance and no 80m. No idea why used inverted L. Set less than 1.85 on 3.75 to 4.00mghz. 80/10 was less than 2.09 from 3.52 to 3.70 mghz. Will be interesting to see Usable 80 meter band size

[@davecasler]

The 80m bandwidth is not very much, and it's all down in the CW/digital end of the band.

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Dave hi What are your views on this setup??

[@SteelWolf13]

Why does it have a vent?

[@neiltaylor6825]

The toroid can get very hot and also releases moisture build up

[@falconredneck]

Dave Can a balun be made to handle 100 watts or more using FT-8 and used with the EFHW-8010?

[@davecasler]

Yes, I misspoke. The antenna can handle about 200 or so watts of constant power.

[@jordan1234564]

As of now I can only Rx due to only being a tech. If I get an end fed half wave and cut wire length for 80m. Should I be able to receive on all bands just about?

[@chrisbaker2903]

You shouldn't cut it at all.

[@joeb3300]

I bought this antenna 3 years ago (before the QST review, when the price was bit over $100). Excellent performance with my FT-450D.

[@paulkish007]

ThankYou David!

[@binksblog]

Have one meself. Very pleased with it.

[@robinmariejohnson7783]

I’m a newbie and this was very informative! Any suggestions for a good antenna for a FT-991a?

[@davecasler]

Antennas are radio-agnostic--you don't need a particular antenna for a particular radio. See dcasler.com/reference/ for the reference antenna.

[@cujo7240]

I just purchased this same 8010 EFHW antenna and I'm planning to install it flat at about 30ft in the air in a direction NE to SW. I'm curious if anyone has experimented with with the various possible configurations you can use for these EFHW antenna's and which one is best? The configurations I'm thinking about is flat, slower, and inverted V. Thanks

[@davecasler]

If you read the instructions between the lines, they seem to be arguing for an inverted vee. That's how I installed mine.

[@sh839c]

Does it work better without a ground?.

[@davecasler]

It is grounded via the cable shield.

[@johnterry9913]

Interesting. I watched your review of the MFJ 10-40 M efhw, which did not perform well. I use the MFJ 10-80 M efhw and have had very good results on all bands, particularly 40, essentially the same as this review of the EFHW-8010. I suspect the 130 foot 80-10 configuration may be a better choice than the 66 foot 10-40 configuration regardless of vendor. Thanks for all you do. John N0JT

[@msgaltman3075]

Thanks for the great video Dave. I' considering this antenna for my very first home antenna and was hoping you could recommend a tuner should I need to work the parts of each band that the SWR isn't the best. Thanks!

[@stater3]

Steve Ellington shows how to use this 8010 on 60 meters and it works.

[@rickeaston3228]

This specific antenna and others like it are really unusually very capable antennas that cover many frequencies. But these antennas are not perfect and they don't have perfect SWR on all bands and some bands can end up with unusual high swr. A tuner can be used if needed. How these antennas are installed affects their characteristics and non of them cover 160 and 80 meters well across the whole band. These antennas rely on ferrite transformers that don't work well at high power. These antennas are well worth having around and will give any owner of these antennas a lot of usefulness from 1 low cost antenna.

[@philbodden4981]

Hi Dave, I have the same antenna, but my SWR very high, I have tested the wire and it seems good, how do you test the transformer?, mine seem like a closed circuit? Is this normal, ?, Thanks

[@davecasler]

It will be a closed circuit at DC because it's basically a transformer. Try to get the center of an inverted vee configuration at least 20' high. You may have to try a counterpoise. I'd start with 10 feet, then 20, and so on.

[@philbodden4981]

@@davecasler Thank you, it was an issue with my coax connector, repaired, all good now, thanks again., BTW I enjoy your videos.

[@1crazynordlander]

Get a LDG AT-PROII Autotuner and you have my reference station. You have nearly everything I have now. I have done a lot of research and feel I am almost there. I do want to get the DX Cammander antenna from Callum. Has yours come in yet? I can't wait for you to review that one! Thanks for sharing. Kevin KA0KAE

[@davecasler]

Nothing from Callum yet.

[@alzeNL]

@@davecasler hes shipping 3rd week of june (i.e now) afaik :) i'm waiting for my 2nd dx-commander which will be used as part of phased array ! www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/products/dx-commander-premium-build-hf-multi-band-vertical-system/ dates on cal's site.

[@tomw5vlt119]

What happened to the reference station series?

[@davecasler]

It's there. See dcasler.com/reference. I haven't yet picked equipment for VHF/UHF.

[@tomw5vlt119]

David Casler I see equipment list, but was expecting video segments demonstrating how the elements all come together. All the bonding, grounding, connections, bus bars, cables, antenna installation and testing installation... all the “how”. We’ve had some back and forth replies, thought we were on the same page. Anyone can put a list of equipment out there; the challenge for beginners and new to shack solution folks is figuring out how to put it all together... the value that no one has demonstrated for a wide audience in need both now and in the future ... as there’s not a single photo in any (all poorly done) ARRL book - to demonstrate anything, any detail, any connection. And since nobody anywhere has a HAM RADIO SUPERCENTER nearby with installers to fall back on, and no books with any photos, case study examples of comprehensive solutions, showing those connections, details, and examples (photos or videos)... everyone is left in the dark. At least I was under the impression you were going to fill that enormous gap with videos on how that list all comes together. Very disappointing, so very much needed. If you’re thinking, “well I can’t develop a total shack solution for everyone’s needs, everyone is going to have some specific needs...” Yes, of course. But without even one reference example out there for all of us to clearly see “how one example all comes together”... even just one... we’re all left sitting in the dark with no clear photos or videos, terrible photo-less ARRL books throwing high level generalities around, never getting into specifics, details, connections that we could if just once getting a case study/example of a fully functional shack from A-Z so we can see and say, “oh that’s what that meant... oh that’s how somebody solved that detail... oh I see how that can come together”, etc. Filling in so many foundational blanks that FROM ONE CLEAR CASE with details, by photos or videos demonstrating, THEN people will be FAR better equipped to amend to their specific needs from even one comprehensive Reference example. It seemed you were going to throw back the curtain and the mystery so badly needed, that you said you were going to link the Reference Station web page to URL links to the perspective videos. I guess you’re backing off on all of that, that admittedly was a challenging task. And was why people like me were applauding your so badly needed effort. So badly needed. In my heart, knew it was too good to be true, so sad. We’re back to rely on terrible photo-less ARRL books, lacking anything in detail or comprehensive, any parts or connections detail as a foundational example of shacks and components coming together functionally ... and shallow, non-comprehensive, non-detailed KZbin’s to flounder.

[@geofham8332]

Hi, rated at 1kw but only 25w of FT8?????

[@timbacchus]

So you don't burn out the tuned circuit

[@davecasler]

My mistake. I was thinking of my transmitter (which should be limited to 25 to 30 watts on FT8 and the antenna, which will handle maybe 200 or 300 watts of FT8 (but why would you want to?)

[@barryrosenbloom189]

Thank you Dave. The MyAntenna video is helpful. I am looking at getting their EFHW-8010-2K-Plus. I am a newbie and look at all of these videos for installation tips. this is 130 feet long and I am trying to figure out how to install. I think it only needs to be 10 feet high. Is it any different in installing than 8010-k end fed on this video? thx

[@chrisbaker2903]

The higher the better.

[@ReedAB8AS]

Thanks Dave. Wildflowers 👍🏻

[@carl-gunnarhillefors7612]

Hadn't seen this episode before! Well You don't have to cut it off, just fold it back and tighten with electric tape or straps. Lengthen with innerpart of a "sugarkube" -simple coupling with two screws in small tube. (or solder) Thank You Dave! Illustrative and very Educating! 73s Gunnar sm6oer >>\

[@vidasvv]

GREAT video Dave ! Can you make a video or know of one showing what happens to a core's characteristics if heated up ? 73 N8AUM

[@georgelevandoski6396]

Dave: Really enjoy all of your videos! You are very frequently part of the conversation on the 146.940 Repeater here in Houston. I have the new "plus" model of this end-fed. Want to install it as and inverted "L". Up a large Loblolly Pine about 10-feet out the shack wall, up the tree's trunk 30-feet or so and then over to my tower...Opinion please?

[@MrDaveaccord]

I have one, quality construction and worth every penny.

[@somethingclever1234]

I have this antenna, it is phenomenal as a sloper....73

[@jimmcdonald4034]

49:1 unun not a balun

[@Motomurphy]

great stuff!

[@donalddavis581]

You need to test one of the endfeds from Hfedz...The guy in Puerto Rico makes a great endfed!

[@wushock92]

I bought one of Luis' antennas. Just waiting on an MFJ window bulkhead to hook it up.

[@dxradioman6351]

100 watts is no problem with CW

[@paullalli7774]

I never had much luck with end fed antennas. Part of that is probably my own fault, just couldn't get them to 'fit' where I wanted them. Oh well...

[@racing8872]

I always enjoy your tests and reviews and find them very informative and educational Do you think you will ever do a review for a MFJ-1778-G5RV antenna My Elmer gave me one hope to set it up soon Wally KD9OGA

[@panamahank]

A balun is used to match a balanced antenna (doublet) to an unbalanced feedline (coax). Why would an end fed wire need a balun? I do appreciate you disproving the claims the manufacturer makes for this very overpriced antenna. It is NOT resonant within all HAM bands. It does require a tuner to match the radio. BTW, there is no such thing as a multi band half wave antenna. Antennas can be half wave only at one frequency.

[@cobrasvt347]

Let me borrow that X former box. I bet I can push enough power to temper it. 😂 73’s

[@worms1]

great vid thanks you handsome devil

[@GuntherKen-j8x]

White John Lopez Mary Martinez George

[@twohandsandaradio]

Rediculously overpriced. Sorry.

[@lizzyfan1986]

No, they are actually well priced and very good quality

[@wafflestomper9829]

Nothing is "overpriced", YOU just can't afford it.

[@harmzegt8066]

Lets talk About the elephant in the room. Since almost all radio amateurs are 60 and over of even pensioners, they got money to spend and never complain when they get robbed. Why oh why y’all keep paying hundreds of dollars/euro’s for 20 or 40 meters of wire and a Small box with some windings in It. Seriously y’all ruin the market for starting amateurs, because the shops think everyone is a lunatic with thousends to spend a month. Get real.