FARA-J EMP Cloth J-Pole Antenna TESTED!

I was sent a very innovative Roll-Up J-Pole antenna from VF Comms. It's called the Fara-J and it used EMP Cloth as the radiator. Let's see how well it performs! vfcomms.com/shop/antenna/fara...
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[@oldms]

I really like Ham Radio Rookie. He's got an infectiously good attitude.

[@MATTHEWPRUESSING-wd7yl]

Sounds like a good option for me when doing Aries races, volunteer work at a checkpoint for a marathon to connect to my HT

[@K1RKK]

These types of videos are great! Especially to share with people having questions :-) 73

[@writtensword173]

These are the videos I need. Real world examples, because I pictured a traditional rigid, upright “J” shaped pole until now.

[@javiermijares]

Would be interesting to retest the N9TAX as well

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Looking forward to the next video. Great job!

[@don_n5skt]

I got mine also. He put my callsign on it also. I don't know if he is doing that for everyone but that is a VERY nice touch. Thanks for the review Josh.

[@don_n5skt]

On the size difference, the Fara-J is a full size J-Pole. He mentioned that on the CaHR video he was on.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I have the callsigns as a add on now. They take up a lot of time to do. So I need to charge for it from now on.

[@fm71450]

Dear Josh, thank for testing, and for your integrity/honesty in saying that the test needs to be re-done. From S.E.Tenn, KQ4IXD

[@raymondmartin6737]

It looks nice with the green scenery in the park where you are. No winter.😊

[@timel64]

The comparison I have been waiting to see!

[@jeffyork4021]

Love these type of videos. Keep them coming!

[@ryankc9oza118]

I'm enjoying mine. I enjoy the dB tests you do between the antennas. Thanks josh

[@Lee-NN7X]

Good stuff Josh

[@blueboy1183]

Thanks for sharing!! I just order one of the cloth j-pole today!! Look forward to next video!!!

[@tuckersimpson4442]

Thanks Josh! I picked up 2 Fara J’s! Pretty slick setup! Really interested in being able to tune it for 70cm. Can’t wait for video #2

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Josh that's such a cool antenna man made a cloth it's amazing my best friend just got one I can't believe the material

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It really is!

[@BenButler1]

Heard Ben on a podcast talking about this antenna. Added length came from the r&d of it. Looks like a great bit of kit.

[@VE9ASN]

Just ordered one while watching this video! I still like my Ed fong though!

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Both have a place in ham radio. Ed’s is an amazing antenna!

[@VE9ASN]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie can't wait to give yours a go, 73!

[@hamradiotube]

I'd be curious on the next test what the difference would be if you use the same type and length of coax. The Ed Fong only has a few feet of RG-174 vs. what looked to be about 15-20' of RG-316. While the RG-316 is more efficient, it's a bit longer run. Unfortunately I can't find a loss calculator on RG-316 anymore. Times Microwave used to have it, but they redid their website and it's no longer there. But 20' of RG-174 has about 2.9dB of loss at 146MHz. Perhaps use the extra bit of 174 from the Ed Fong on the Fara-J to make it a little more apples to apples?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Tests were done against a same length my video was confusing because I was holding my extension. I’ll make a note of that on the follow on video.

[@chublez]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Excellent. I found that huge spool of coax in yer hand to go a few inches a bit concerning myself. Either way I do Like That the Fara-J leaves you the option to haul up whatever lower/higher loss and length of coax you so choose. I'd probably go for a bit of Hyperflex 5 myself and keep it short maybe 3-5 feet. Always have an extension in the car if I want. Be interesting to see straight adapter to radio no coax connection fer the science of it.

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Josh you're so damn awesome you just keep making great videos you're awesome man love you Jason and Chris😊😊😊

[@marinevet7273]

Hope you do a follow up video real soon as I am impatient or I might kick the bucket while waiting and miss “the rest of the story” Thanks Josh

[@K6WRF]

Id be curious to know how it is affected if it gets wet. Great video

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

There is little to no change when wet. I have tested it soaking wet and zero issues

[@K6WRF]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Thats awesome .. Cant wait to have one. Thanks for the update

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

THANK YOU! I am super curious about what numbers you get. Love the tama-go-bag. I need one.

[@raymondmartin6737]

I like my tri-band TBJ 1 EdFong Antenna, in the PVC tube. 😊

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

Yep want ine

[@m7trsradio]

Only my opinion which means nothing. More wire in the air better output sugnal. How ever everyone one will be different. The main answer is we are ALL outside on the air regardless what we use. No right or wrong. Great video josh 73

[@omroi2001]

I found that the "Bat-A-Rang works great for throwing a line.

[@daveengstrom9250]

That looks like a handy sort of thing.

[@muddytiresclub4264]

I do like the antenna test videos

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Very interesting that you can tune the Fara-J by folding it over. So in theory, one should also be able to use this one antenna for 1.25m besides 2m and 70cm? Looks like I may have to play around next time with my VX-6. Great stuff, Josh! Thanks for all that you do.

[@markharrison1160]

I've already made my own.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Awesome! Hope you are enjoying it

[@DonzLockz]

I hope you retest them all at the same time to get a fair comparison.🙏

[@JS-oq2cd]

For VHF/UHF stuff, try to keep the antenna away from foliage...especially coniferous trees. Might try a tall fiberglass pole out in the open for better testing conditions...31' Jackite pole.

[@WW5RM]

Band conditions! Good comparison but your original test may have been a day with enhanced conditions. So it may NOT be anything wrong or different with your home station / RX station. Really the only way to get a true test is in a laboratory. The 2nd best way is at least a month, probably over a year actually in real world conditions. I suggest setting it up at home and checking local repeaters over about a week, month ....etc or more. Preferably late afternoon, hot summer with bright sunshine and no cloud cover. Tropo happens here every day. Especially this time of year. Band conditions here, changes every hour sometimes. Even a bright sun shinny day you may have some Tropo taking place. Especially in the morning. Hot summer in the late afternoon, no clouds. Thats the real test. But like i said. Good "comparison". I suspect the length difference is due to velocity factor. Faraday cloth is conductive but nearly like copper is.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I agree with your points here. This video series started out as a one radio, multiple antenna shoot-out comparison. It works well for that so long as we keep the results for review later. It even better for multiple radio, one antenna comparisons as you have audio and db. Agree on the length.

[@WW5RM]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse yeah. The title says "test" but seems to me it's more of a comparison. Testing a antenna one time even in a lab isn't proving much.

[@mattparker9726]

Saw your bit on The Modern Rogue channel, was WAY more impressed with you, you didn't have more Ham in you other than the radio. Anyways, I've been looking into Meshtastic stuff as an emergency comms, and I have an old TV antenna on top of my house. Can you do a video on converting one to run on 915mhz, as well as whatever hardware/electronic bits I need to connect the radio? Thanks!

[@pnwfamilylife2857]

Got an email notice today, back in stock. Checked 3 hours later to buy, out of stock.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I’m hearing they had website issues and to check back throughout the day.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Here is how to tune the Fara-J kzbin.infoJYkSCSzqHQc as Josh mentions.

[@pspadotto]

Most importantly, can we all agree that it's not "far-a-jay" but farajay, rhymes with faraday...like the cage...because it's made of EMP cloth?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No we can’t probably all agree. 😅

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Hold up. I am Canadian Eh, no doubt aboot it. I approve of this pronunciation. As long as all of you don't lambast me on my pronunciation of 'decal'

[@B.Murphy]

[Swoosh]

[@KC7ZXYtube]

Gudetama!!! 😄

[@weshawkins7165]

Good option for me when I’m out in the mountains away from my vehicle prospecting. What type of adapter do you need to attach the coax to the HT.

[@JeffCowan]

I'm curious how it holds up in a longer term durability test.

[@Eric10179]

Could the SNR difference just be because of a good day vs bad day for propagation?

[@nandrews8412]

I wonder how a slim jim version of this type of antenna would perform.

[@gbwill0]

I would love to get one and give it a shot, what type coaxial do you recommend?

[@scotterdog1036]

What about the null point that occurs at the azimuth direction of the stub? Is that real or myth?

[@KalashniKEV762]

Can you make a field expedient Jungle Antenna from FM 24-18 and test it against these too?

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

I can't wait to put it on the air at 14,000 feet.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Attach a weight :D

[@dsolo3250]

So how much farther does this ed fong J pole get versus a factory rubber duck antenna ?

[@Echo_5_Charlie]

Hi, I'm newly licensed, and I have to order an antenna for my birthday present, an AnyTone AT778-UV. It's in my 09 CrewMax Tundra, and I have it raptor lined (same as rhino liner but stronger). I'm thinking the Tram 1180, but not sure what else I need besides the antenna. Maybe some sort of wire and connection to plug it up? Any guidance from you would be so tremendously appreciated. Thank you! If you need more info I can get it right away

[@W9HJBill]

Pretty cool. I just hope it DOESN'T come with that yellow nightmare of a bag. 😁😁

[@KE4NAB]

Josh... did you ever figure out what was going on with your rx?

[@christophersmith1155]

I WANT ONE OF THESE FOR 11 METERS CB. IT MUST BE RATED FOR AT LEAST 1500 WATTS.

[@yungsmile7546]

Surely you jest😂

[@dsharaf]

Love the head to head comparison. 🙂 May I suggest moving your body further away from the antennas when in use? Perhaps using a 15' length of coax to extend the distance would help.

[@Edward_ZS]

Are they both dual band?

[@slappomatthew]

I really want a folding/roll up 10m j pole. I can’t find one

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I am working on stuff like this. Stay tuned.

[@izmazix2148]

Watch2End&Comment

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Picachu!!!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s Gudetama.

[@FlabbyBro]

Is there anything like either antenna for GMRS?

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I will be making a gmrs version soon

[@forgetyourlife]

Ed Fong makes his in GMRS as well.

[@KC1PBW]

Of course it's already out of stock. I see something cool online. Click to buy it and it's gone haha

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I am working on it. There will be some available soon. I have a order in for enough to make 500 and have about 50 ready to go later this week. Sorry I am struggling to keep up with demand. :)

[@KC1PBW]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie it is perfectly ok. It was just funny to me that it was so popular so quickly

[@maytronix7201]

Good problem to have 😉

[@18wheelerham]

IT'S IN THE HOLE it's in the hole

[@maytronix7201]

Out of stock... must be popular

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

He’s posting some more stock soon. Likely today.

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

Annnd my site is crashed lol. I’m trying!

[@maytronix7201]

Lol...yea, site crashed for me too. Received a notification that they came back in stock... site crashed while ordering.

[@kumasu]

It should be pronounced FAIR-uh Jay, right? Since it's Faraday cloth?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

But it makes your radio get many fars.

[@kumasu]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Ha, yes, that is true!

[@jayzee1968]

146.450 vs 146.580?? Maybe that’s the difference? Lol

[@kylefreemason]

For the price, no thanks. Looks gimmicky.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

It’s not for everyone I get that. But it’s not a gimmick.

[@eliasjoserodriguez5160]

Btw I made a similar one from aluminum tape lol

[@LeopardAppaloosa755]

Surprise surprise. I bought it anyway and tried it out. I can't tell the difference between it and my Arrow J-pole dual bander. The Arrow is up 25" and I hoisted the Fara-J up to the same height. Both made contacts on a repeater 37 miles away from me on 5 watts, 20 watts and 50 watts. Reception back was 5/8 and the guys I spoke with could not tell a difference in the transmission between the Arrow and the Fara-J. So, to me, it is a fantastic antenna for 2 Meter SOTA and POTA. Simply can't get lighter than this. With the call sign embroidered on the cloth, it cost me $70. Best $ ever spent on lightening my go bag. Looking forward to when they get the 6 Meter version in stock.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

@@LeopardAppaloosa755 AMAZING! thank you for the update. I am looking seriously at getting the 6m out soon.

[@yungsmile7546]

N9TAX is my choice and the best bang for the bucks. Josh, why post this fail and request subscriptions? 🤔

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s not a fail. The Ed Fong is the best jpole I tested. The Fara-j is only 1 db lower. Which means it’s performs as good or slightly better than the n9tax when I last tested those. 🙄

[@christophersmith1155]

I WANT ONE OF THESE FOR 11 METERS CB. IT MUST BE RATED FOR AT LEAST 1500 WATTS.

[@yungsmile7546]

Surely you jest😂