HAM RADIO: DX COMMANDER Rapide 40, 20, CB, 10 and 6 Metre Band Mod

They said it Can't be done, the all new DX Commander Rapide for 40, 20, 11, 10, and 6 Metres.
The new DX Commander 7m RAPIDE All Band Vertical is designed for 30m, 20m, 17m, 12m and 10m (with 6m band delivered by the 30m element as a 1 1/4 wavelength element) however if you add the magic 40m element you will lose 10m.
I have come up with a simple hack that lets you get back the 10m band. A great antenna for SOTA, POTA and many more.
This simple solution is shown in this video please leave your comments below, if you have a idea of a how to video or if there is a video you would like to see me do next please also leave a comment below.
Many thanks for watching.
I do hope you enjoy it and subscribe for more..
Many thanks
Mike - M0MSN
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[@ben2e0omr]

Excellent job Mike. Modifying the Rapide before Cal has finished his tests etc. Cracking video as usual!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks 👍

[@SuburbanDXing]

Typical M0MSN video; interesting and entertaining. The only thing missing was the smell of solder at 9:00! 😀 Thank you for posting this and 73! de WX0V

[@mike-M0MSN]

Great point!

[@Ray_M0MXN]

Great Vid Mike, just building a Rapide so may give that a go! 👌

[@sydei3ieb204]

Beautiful build Mike! Cal might start subcontracting DX Commander work to you if you keep this up.

[@mike-M0MSN]

That would be cool!

[@stewartrv]

Very nice! I wonder if you can Roly coil it too for 80m? I don't see why not, I guess just have a crock clip bypass :)

[@mike-M0MSN]

yep

[@M7BCN]

You’re just a genius, very nice job.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you.

[@davem0udb]

Great video Mike, goes with the Peter Waters one on traps

[@hermannharms8401]

Congrads, Mike. Which one is your new radio? FT-DX10 or 101 ?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Well spotted, FTDX10 :)

[@M7BXR]

Hi Mike. I'm thinking of building this, I have a terribly small garden, my house in on the side of a hill near a valley bottom, my roof is below road level, I really struggle! I have a 10m Spiderpole and a home brew "Captain Spider" base that I've knocked up that has space for 3 driven elements. Can you elaborate a little more about the trap and how you choose the frequency? After a lot of googling I have become very confused with trap frequency selection! Have you set it below the 10m band? or above the 40m band?

[@mike-M0MSN]

give it a go Simon, I have chosen the 10m band for the trap as I wanted to use 10 and 40...

[@M0RMY]

Really interesting Mike - thanks for this. That trap works really well.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Many thanks Tom. :-)

[@gideonvandermerwe6339]

How did u do the 2m

[@mike-M0MSN]

2M is a natural harmonic of the 20M/10M

[@markg6jvy135]

Great project and workmanship as always 👍👏👏

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Mark

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

How do you like the ftdx10 ?? Love mine only wish it came with a broadcast band hard filter. I have two am transmitting stations and I’m rfi from them bought a filter and that seems to help one of my two issues. Now to fox hunt down the other. Great use of a excellent product 😉 can’t wait to see 4 of these poles mounted to top of a nebula pole to make a crossed dipoles

[@mike-M0MSN]

Now there's an idea, BTW great radio

[@therealwolfspidertoo]

I'm having trouble making my AM sound good on transmit. Any suggestions?

[@mike-M0MSN]

sorry No clue maybe RF in the feed???

[@davidenglund]

Wow. Just watching...you do really nice work. Fun to watch a craftsman. 73.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks David.

[@joeblow8593]

Nice going! Cheers from the states

[@Paul-Howell-M3EYG]

Love watching your vlogs Mike - Entertaining and useful as always. 😎

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Paul, how's the home town?

[@PRODIGY5369]

Hi Mike, just found your channel. I'm looking to set up a home shack in the near future as currently only operating mobile. Seriously looking at a dx commander variant as a antenna solution. It appears my home has similar garden/ neighbouring building situation to yours. So that is encouraging. Lingering doubts about it being suitable for my conditions. Great video thank you.

[@adelarsen9776]

And there I was thinking Jackie Stewart was dead....

[@mike-M0MSN]

lol

[@roach1317]

Again a great video Mike. 73 DJ6JH

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks 👍

[@oz457]

Hi Steve, I have a question. If using a nebula pole with all bands on there, do you think it is feasible to combine it with a Skylab Skyduster. So I would put the skylab right on top of the nebula antenna. So the 11m/10m skylab would be on a pretty good altitude. What do you think?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi Ben, yes that would work you would need to run a different coax to it, give it a go and let me know. Cheers Steve (Mike)

[@jest.s50si83]

Mike TOOP!! You are wrealy coil master. Complimenty 73 by S50SI

[@mike-M0MSN]

Wow, thanks! good to see you are back on earth for your next visit...

[@steveoneill2118]

Great Video Mike, would your configuration work with a 17m element instead of the 6m as I'm after 40, 20, 17 and 10m on my Rapide?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes probably

[@markramsay6399]

Excellent video as always Mike. But I find myself wondering what that bowl of food is on the side. Some kinda Chinese delicacy... ??

[@mike-M0MSN]

lol, used tea bags mt wife uses them for something!!! lol

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

Thats awesome Mike! Thanks

[@pd9rd]

Fantastic Mike! You keep your antenna building tools in the kitchen drawers right? Admit it! 😄 73.

[@mike-M0MSN]

lol

[@bigliftm]

time to get you a weller soldering station and a rake the scrape out the weeds and moss in your lawn 😉🤣🍻 73s PD0ROH

[@mike-M0MSN]

🤣🤣

[@franciscoalves5058]

were i find this project?

[@mike-M0MSN]

right here

[@franciscoalves5058]

In pdf...

[@ohyeawhosurpoppy]

I like it, I actually like it alot

[@akamanctramp6547]

Nice radio Mike. I bet you got that particular radio of a handsome chap from Cheshire

[@mike-M0MSN]

Come to think of it, he was the spit of Brad Pitt.

[@TheEmbeddedHobbyist]

great radio, loving my FTDX10 to bits.

[@mike-M0MSN]

me too

[@pu4mksmarkussalustianosalu783]

Muito boa antena gostei muito amigo mike

[@chrisbartlett6022]

Nice (understatement)

[@swadeyboy5675]

Another excellent video. What coax are you using. I guess it is specific to the trap?

[@mike-M0MSN]

RG58, cheep and good for this use. :)

[@yt5bos]

Someone with OCD must be tweaking because of that wrong hole for the hot end :)

[@mike-M0MSN]

lol

[@sm3ttz]

"It's a TRAP!" :D

[@dback4430]

Again ,I have to say one of the best builders on KZbin. Thank you for the info.

[@mike-M0MSN]

thanks D.. :)

[@brian.7966]

dongy dony?

[@mm3nrx]

cut the ends of the cable at a slant then u will find it easier to put the coax thru the hole ;) a tip I heard doing panel work etc.

[@mike-M0MSN]

great tip, thanks

[@swadeyboy5675]

Mike. How many turms of RG8 mini on a 25mm former?

[@mike-M0MSN]

take a look at dk7zb.darc.de/Trap/trap.htm

[@TI2GBB]

Hi Mike. Thanks for this info I'm planning to buy the rapide antenna I would like to ask you something. What is the measurement of the PVC pipe you used to build the coi? Are you using RG58? Correct me if I'm wrong but from one of the sides of the coil you add one element of the 10m band and in the other side you add a element for 40m? I'm just trying to understand this to replicate this on my antenna. I hope to setup this on my HOA area. 73s From Costa Rica TI2GBB. Greg

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes RG58 and yes 10m in the bottom and connect the remaining element to the top for 40

[@swadeyboy5675]

@@mike-M0MSN what is the cut lenght for the 40mtr after the coil. And fold back at the end of the 40?

[@swadeyboy5675]

Mike. What value should the trap return, not sure if you stated in the video?

[@mike-M0MSN]

I can.not remember if I tested that, Here is the link to download the calc.. www.qsl.net/ve6yp/coaxtrap.zip

[@swadeyboy5675]

@@mike-M0MSN Thank you Sir

[@PatAutrey]

Hey Mike I love the video I was wondering on the yard to meter band are you able to hit the repeaters with that or is that only used for 2 m single side band Simplex work

[@mike-M0MSN]

Not sure what you are asking here Pat, sorry

[@PatAutrey]

@@mike-M0MSN The auto correct function messed up my sentence sorry I was just wondering on this antenna does it work on FM 2 meter To contact repeaters stations or is it only for Simplex

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@PatAutrey aah yes, ok although it will tune on 2 meters it is not the best on this frequency, that said it will do both repeater and simplex.

[@AbahFran]

very good antenna sir

[@mike-M0MSN]

thank you

[@OG-Capo---]

That is a nice set-up beautiful

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you kindly

[@trazosdetuberiaconcalculad7249]

Very good thanks 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

thank you

[@garyh8315]

Great short cut to open things in a little. Is there any way of making it a temp fix to allow for adding additional DX10 for other bands? How do you rate the ftdx10?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi Gary, everything is temporary, The FTDX10 is bloody brilliant.

[@bitemykrank1970]

I really like Callum's kit, but I'm still struggling to see the RAPIDE bit.....these are FAR from rapid....I have seen people take 2 days to assemble one..... Maybe the "rapide" bit is the speed at which a half-mongrel grows when you hear how well your antenna is doing.....