Ham Radio Small Garden HF Antenna 1kW - Vibroplex EF-80-10-JR-KW

Her's one answer for those who have a small garden but want 5-band operation from 80m -10m with full power capability.
hamradiostore.co.uk/vibroplex...

[@ehayes5217]

a nice surprise @ the intro, "This is London" (BBC World Service)--caught me off guard & took me bk to my pre-ham radio days in the early 1970's, listening to the world on my Heathkit HR-10B before becoming an active amateur; as always, an entertaining video, made in a non-commercial manner but w/ a sincere heart; so cheers to u🍻& 73 de WA4ELW in TN dit dit

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you. Yes I had a Heathkit receiver as well. Ah those were good days! Keep safe. 73 Peter.

[@dawoodjr]

I did my SWL using an inexpensive Hallicrafters receiver, but I built a Heathkit color TV and AM/FM receiver. Even now, 50 years later, whenever someone mentions “Heathkit”, my mind plays back the SMELL of those units! I suspect it’s the smell of the components they used (e.g., PC boards) as they heated up. But it might have been the smell of the ink in their catalogs. Does anyone else have that same memory?

[@ehayes5217]

@@dawoodjr LOL, I hadn't thought of that "aroma" of a Heathkit after heating-up until YOU mentioned it! My, oh my, thanx for the trip down Memory Lane, my friend & 73 from TN, de WA4ELW

[@paulstevenson9093]

You are looking more relaxed and enjoying the making of these videos, keep up the good work.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Paul. 73 Peter

[@MonteOlsen]

I have to say - you folks provide the best, friendliest and most interesting information on KZbin. I’m an old guy, who really appreciates all of the videos you put up. Thanks!. Monte N7FFO

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Monte. Great to hear from you. Take care and happy Christmas, 73 Peter.

[@Tommyr]

Ahhh, ''Lilliburlero'' ! I can' t tell you how many times I've heard that opening song while I tuned in from across the pond!

[@watersstanton]

Hi guys, nice to hear from you. Yes they were good days when crackles and pops were all part of the fun! Keep safe and happy Christmas. 73 Peter.

[@radioaxe6964]

My favourite small garden antenna. I have been working DX with mine for years. Great video 👍

[@watersstanton]

Great news. 73 PeterMine too!

[@rikrik8410]

Well done Peter a most excellent explanation of an end fed antenna and how to install it in the garden.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks

[@patoborq]

Excellente video Peter. Very informative for those of us new in the hobby. Merry Christmas. 73 from ca3pdb.

[@watersstanton]

Happy holidays! 73 Peter

[@psychodad11]

Another great video, I enjoy these and get useful information out of them. I don't have a small area, but wanted to remain 'stealthy' in the neighborhood where I live. I purchased a efhw 40-10m which is about 66 ft long and was able to get it zig zagged in a 33ft long by roughly 25ft wide attic. I had to incorporate many angles and runs back and forth across my attic. Good thing I am the only one that goes up there. It seems to work good. I really didn't expect any performance out of it because of some of the articles I read about such an install. I plan on getting a efhw 80-10m and will be 'stealthily' hanging it outside because of noise issues associated with an attic installation. Hopefully the new end fed won't be noticed. Stay safe! 73's. Stan N2SCD

[@watersstanton]

Great to get your info. Have fun. 73 Peter

[@DrHWO]

Great explanation Peter, thank you. I'm on my second iteration of an EFHW for 80-10, using a small compensation coil near to the match box, but as its full size, no loading coil for 80m. My initial installation with1mm copper wire worked well but had a fairly narrow bandwidth before having to use the ATU to get the SWR < 1.5. My current iteration uses a much thicker copper wire (2.7mm) which has improved the

[@watersstanton]

Hi Howard. Interesting to read your results. I would suggest more tests perhaps in the Soring.You should get just as good results with thinner wire. All good fun. 73 Peter

[@uonana]

Hi DrHWO, what was your coil former diameter? 73 ZL3SST

[@DrHWO]

@@watersstanton The main reason for changing the wire diameter was the fact that the thinner wire snapped in the wind and the thicker gauge was what I already had! Nonetheless, I have "lost" maybe 1m in height due to the change. Perhaps next time I will use some properly rated wire, rather than hook up wire! Howard, M0YZT

[@DrHWO]

@@uonana 32mm outside diameter by 45mm in length. Howard M0YZT

[@PC1I]

Nice video again Peter! Every once in a while I stumble upon one of your's, always great to watch. :-) Stay safe, 73 de Kees PE2KM

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. Nice to hear from you. You take care as well. 73 Peter.

[@rogerwilliams1597]

Another great video, far better than reading a book on the subject. M0RMW

[@yoki9743]

Nice one Peter.... excellent presentation of a very useful antenna, that can help people just to get on the air.. as even a poor antenna is better than no antenna... stay safe.. Yoki

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks

[@markramsay6399]

Cheers, just placed an order for this on your website (15 April) based on the video. M7MSR :)

[@watersstanton]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Chewbury]

Yet another fantastic, informative video! Keep it up!

[@watersstanton]

Thanks, will do!

[@MWOCQU]

Very interesting, thanks Peter - Frustratingly, for those of us in terraced houses / semis with antenna height restrictions due to matrimonial / neighbour approval we can make the antenna fit the plot , but to meet the new ICNIRP requirements we have to reduce the ERP to 10W ! that added to QRM from virgin cable, V/XDSL and PLT has forced me to adopt the "HF is now Mobile only" approach Some videos on antenna designs for small plots offering ICNIRP compliance at 100W HF would help loads of people.

[@ammocraft]

I’ve used both shortened and full length 80-10EFHW, and found a full length one, even bent all around the garden to make it fit, was far better than the shortened version. Apart from very limited bandwidth on 80m, I found I got out better and heard more with ~40m of wire in the air.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks for that. 73 Peter

[@grahamkent2868]

Thanks Peter, enjoyable video as always.cheers.

[@uonana]

Hi Ammocraft, could you tell me what your coil former diameters were? 73 ZL3SST

[@ammocraft]

@@uonana For the shortened one, I used the kit from HF Kits in NL. They have instructions on how to wind the loading coil on their site. The compensation coil was just 25mm conduit, and I played around with different turn numbers of the actual antenna wire itself, and ended up going with 5 turns.

[@brian.7966]

Hi Peter, I purchased one of these ends fed with 80-meter coils and I am getting good results, I have mine running from the main chimney down to a 20 ft pole then across the back of the garden to a pole where I have fixed the transformer onto a 10 ft pole.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for the info!

[@redf7209]

Due to space limitations i had been considering something along the lines of the linear pattern you mentioned but thought if it worked others would already be doing it. The idea is to create a panel of about 20 two metre lengths of wire arranged in parallel about 10 cm apart but joined in series from end to opposite end with low impedance coax. In effect a long wire without any room taken up except for a rectangular flat panel about 1.5 -2 mtrs high that could be put against a wall. not sure what the gain/directionality would be like though.

[@aceeken]

great video !

[@watersstanton]

Thanks! 73 Peter

[@reallybadaim118]

Excellent video.

[@watersstanton]

Thank you very much!

[@javelinjim4699]

Aaaaaaaaagh..!!!! I saw your first video on the 40-10 version a while ago. I bought the long 80-10 version from you guys, it’s bent all over the place and one end is over half of my roof. It works very well though and tunes without the need for an external AMU. I was really interested in this short 80-10. This would mount about 25ft high in a straight line and in the clear, well away from the house. As you didn’t have any listed at the time, I “panic”ordered one from Vibroplex in mid November. It’s been in customs in the uk for over a week now (14/12/20). It’ll probably cost a huge amount in import tax along with £50 shipping! The moral of the story? I should’ve been patient for a couple of weeks, then I’d have it up and running now! Oh well, it’s another tale I can tell about this compelling and utterly mad hobby..😆

[@watersstanton]

Great news. Nice to hear from you. Happy Christmas. Peter

[@michaelberry1028]

Personally I think the Cobweb remains the best small garden antenna when used in suburbia . The Vibroplex works well and gives the benefit of 80 metres, but, it picks up considerably more local noise than the Cobweb. I do use the Vibroplex EFHW with a 1:1 balun.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for your input. 73 Peter

[@josephsmaldino5694]

great information Peter but, where is the review of the Vibraplex antenna? testing???

[@allyburg7145]

I have two and love them , got USA on 50 watts no problem

[@watersstanton]

Nice to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@2E0ILJ]

Thanks for another interesting video, Peter. 73, M7MVF.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Paul. 73 Peter

[@Jonshome337]

Hi Peter another great Video for us all. Keep the Vibroplex kit coming it's sooo good going to get this one!! What else can you bring us from Vibroplex how about a morse keyer? 😁

[@watersstanton]

Not sure yet

[@PatAutrey]

Do you have a calculator or website that you use to determine the dimensions and inductance requirement for the trap / choke/balun

[@Roddy1965]

Unsponsored plug: My Vibroplex end-fed has worked for a year now in Canada. Min temps about -25C, and max about 36C (yes!). Holding up very well. No regrets buying it.

[@watersstanton]

'Very many thanks. have a Happy Christmas. 73 Peter

[@Roddy1965]

@@watersstanton You too. Keep safe and enjoy the holidays.

[@pda49184]

It's good you are reviewing antenna ideas that are viable for people without a 1/2 acre of land and no close neighbours ... I have seen some really innovative solutions presented by you and always find it thought provoking as I am now 'downsized' and have limited space and need to achieve new antenna installations while the wife is at the hairdressers. 73 - G4RYO 😏

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Peter

[@4X4-RADIO]

It's about timing, perseverance and patience. I have an indoor 50cm MagLoop, X5105 @ 2.5W on 17M I have 70+ DXCC, Best ODX from UK is LU5VV @ 12704KM, Have regular spots in VK, so at some point I will crack VK Also just got to 30 States on WAS This was in the past 100 days for an experiment

[@watersstanton]

4pwell done and great to hear from you, 73 Peter

[@j3xk72r9]

Thanks Peter. I have all the bits to make one of these myself once we get a good days weather to put it up. But what about the counterpoise? As it stands, you are using the co-ax screen as the counterpoise. I was thinking of using a wire counterpoise and putting a choke balun on the co-ax before it enters the shack. Ex. A8690!

[@watersstanton]

A counterpoise does not seem to have much effect but certainly a choke down at the transceiver end is good practice. 73 Peter.

[@pasixty6510]

One of the most important advantages to efhw's over conventional dipoles is that it you don’t have to care when your feedpoint is low above ground. Just rise your wire with a mobile mast or throw your wire as high as you can into trees or whatever. It works, because maximum current will be somewhere around the middle of the wire. Watch out... the high voltage at the end of the wire can hurt you badly! Normally there’s no need to counterpoise the antenna, because it is a dipole. But if you want to try, it’s easy to install a grounding when your feedpoint is close to ground. Don’t try to ground the antenna, if you feed it high above ground, because the grounding line will tend to radiate, making the setup unpredictable.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for yiur comments. 73 Peter

[@eddy2561]

I believe height above ground is more important to a dipole performance than bending it ~ k6sdw

[@watersstanton]

You are right. But with a small garden sometimes there is also a limit how high you can get the antenna. Great to hear from you. 73 Peter.

[@nickmason279]

First thing is that I'd like to thank you for your very helpful videos. I am one of those newcomers that you are aiming at, I take my foundation licence exam on the 3rd of Feb. Since discovering one of your videos I've been working my way though them. My garden is 50 meters long and I live on top of a hill with uninterrupted views West. I can see the Peak District on the horizon. I don't wish to put up anything too obtrusive that might irritate my neighbours and a half wave end fed will probably be my choice. I have a brick built workshop the end of which is 20 meters from the rear wall of the house. I was thinking about fixing the transformer to the back wall of the house about 2.5 meters from the ground and then running the wire down the garden with the far end fixed to a short mast fixed to the gable end of the workshop. Is this a sensible idea or is there a better way? Any help would be appreciated.

[@watersstanton]

Hi Nick. 50m garden on a hill sounds great. Yes, what yiu describe should work well. Good luck on Feb 3 and thanks fir your support. 73 Peter

[@pulponair]

Nice :) I would really like to see a video about 40m Antennas for even more limited space e.g. a balcony. Because some of us (including me) don't even have a garden :(.

[@watersstanton]

. . . Great suggestion and will give it some thought. Peter!

[@alanb76]

The same technique should work, a 20 meter EFHW with a loading coil and tail at the end.

[@davidmaddison2628]

Great video. How directional (or not) is this antenna?

[@watersstanton]

Like a dipole on lowest band but goes into clover keaf and more on the upper bands. Peter

[@stevemorrisby6705]

Do amateur band SWL still exist? I've not come across one for decades.

[@vdleun77]

Hi Peter, great video again! Have a question: could one place such an antenna (inverted L for example) on a roof of a house being several meters from the ground? I've got a flat roof and my partner doesn't want this in the garden... 😅 73's Alexander PD0ALX

[@vdleun77]

@@kellypaws And what about noise level and RFI in the shack with an endfed?

[@Scif64]

BBC is not what it used to be Peter. Another good video.73s

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Steve. 73 Peter

[@GrahamKSmith]

The antenna has a ground or counterpoise attachment screw. Does it need to be grounded?

[@watersstanton]

The simple answer is NO. Some, like to, but I have nv er found any benefit. 73 Peter.

[@alanb76]

Good video, I'm interested in trying this exact antenna setup, probably as a sloper. On 80m the current is all going to be at the loading coil, so keeping that end up high seems prudent... But I keep trying to clean the spot on my screen in the upper left area, and it won't come off... :) de w6akb

[@watersstanton]

Ah . . . sorry about the spot. 73 Peter

[@uonana]

Hi, could you tell me what the outside diameter of both coil formers are please? Thanks 73, ZL3SST

[@watersstanton]

Sorry I didn't measure them.

[@SteveG4YTK]

Hi Peter I am very interested ,but I have a keen interest to use cw on 18mhz and 24mhz as well. Would that work with the internal atu in the IC-7300 ?

[@watersstanton]

The Full Size (40m long one) will. But not the 20m long one. 73 Peter

[@SteveG4YTK]

@@watersstanton so the EF-80-10-JR-KW wont, it needs to be the full size one then. Shame I could have got the EF-80-10-JR-KW 76 feet in the garden I dont think I can get a 40 meter wire in 132 feet.

[@glenwoofit]

An interesting video. I though it was a bit pricy for a wire antenna.

[@watersstanton]

ok many thanks 73 Peter

[@BoB4jjjjs]

That might work for me if I ever get permission to put anything up. It is putting me off the hobby a bit not getting an aerial, antenna up! Nice video Peter, keep them coming.

[@watersstanton]

Best of luck. 73 Peter

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@watersstanton I am working on it, if I can just get an aerial up, I put one up and no one complained, so what is their issue with me putting up a wire or a vertical aerial? I wouldn't care, the wife works for them!!! :-((

[@joerowland7350]

Sup Bob we chatted before hOpe your well put up a stealth antenna at night n pull it down for the day I have 40 acres but I lived in apartment before n help friends set up stealth antenna before I just help a lady put one up for cb She rent a small house the landlord sed no antnna when she ask I told her to wait a few mouths N she ask if she coude put up a flagpole as her dead husband wus a veteran n he sed yes So now she has a flagpole n antnna she talks to a few older lady's about EVER night n it keeps from feeling so lonely O and I had her ask him at coffee shop by his house on a Saturday when thare is a lot of us veterans Thare 😉

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@joerowland7350 So he found it hard to say "NO" nice one. If you put up a steel 9ft 1/4 wave I doubt it would be noticed. My mate (A Radio Amateur) was also on CB, he put up a 9ft = 2.7 meter aerial through the top of his ridge tile (sealed it will silicone from inside), he had a visit from DTI and they insisted he had a Silver Rod out the back, it was a Co-linier for 2 meters. They insisted he had a Silver Rod. He showed them his licence for Amateur Radio and they said "Fine. But what do you use the Silver Rod for?" Makes you wonder! His aerial for 2 meters did look like a Silver Rod, but you would think the DTI would know better! Anyway, they asked him where his CB aerial was, he told them it was in the attic (which was technically true, except it was sticking through the roof). He asked if they wanted to go up and check. They declined saying they were not allowed just to go up without due cause. In other words, they didn't have a search warrant. Not that it mattered as there was an aerial up there, just not connected to the CB. Is there many on CB around your area? Where is it you are roughly. I am in Aberdeenshire, but with a private landlord that will not let me put up an aerial. I put one up and take it down, but it means it is on the ground when it is up. it does not work very good there, plus there is no one on CB around here. I do here a few voices on channel 19 but that is it. Out of two weeks I only spoke to two lorry drivers. I hope it gets a bit busier around here. CBs are going for high prices, so is people buying them to collect them or use them? I do remember chatting to you. That is amazing for me as I have the memory of a sieve. I wish people would get back onto CB now that we have 80 channels, AM/FM/SSB, just a shame that the new CBs are rubbish! There as far as I know only one CB with SSB and I am told they have stopped making it. Some are buying Radio Amateur radios, but get caught with one of those! Some are using PMR radios, some have 25 & 50 watts output, but again, this can cause a lot of problems as it is a 1/2 watt service with business users using it as well. If you block them they are not going to be best pleased and report you if they can, they have work to do and will not put up with it. Are you on the CB yourself or Amateur Radio? Colder nights are coming in so I will be going for the Foundation licence, but I want to be in the Intermediate licence group, that is where I want to be. Can't say I am interested in the FULL licence. There is more power in the Intermediate licence than I will ever use. Take care out there, it is not a safe world at the moment, so stay safe. Talk again.

[@joerowland7350]

@@BoB4jjjjs I'm in the U.S. in Mississippi I'm on cb a little mostly ssb but I'm extra class license n most hams started on cb I like fixing old radio so I buy some at thrift shops or yard sale N keep a few n give a few to people just starting out I think it good for the hobby The antenna I set up for the lady wus a 5/8 wave n it on the ground Just wire n mach in side a piece of pvc pipe n some ground radials Put coax n radials at night lol N thare are a lot cb ops around hear n yes price have jump up On eBay but thare are deal to b found if you look I got radio I gave lady for 5 bucks it wus Royce It needed new caps n I gave her a 104d hand mike that I got when I bout a radio for parts Hope you have a great Christmas N stay safe

[@drgalnimbkarhospital4436]

very nice sir, i have a Q , can I use 49 m dipole to recive short wave radio weak signal form all over world ,with KAITO KA268 12BAND WORLD RECIVER , PLASE DO REPLY

[@watersstanton]

You should be able to get good results. Peter

[@drgalnimbkarhospital4436]

@@watersstanton THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR,

[@mikeg7jyy389]

👏👏👏👏👍🏻

[@watersstanton]

thanks. Peter.

[@charleswoods2996]

Nice video. But a "small" garden antenna? Hardly! Maybe if it were going to vertical, but otherwise any "garden" on average is about 50 to 60 feet deep from the street.

[@watersstanton]

Did you fully watch the video - I showed that it can be installed in gardens around 30ft long. 73 Peter.

[@charleswoods2996]

@@watersstanton Well, if we get on 40 meters in the General Class portion and maybe we can say "Hello!" At any rate, particularly with a good matching network we could tune up just about any piece of metal and fire some RF though it and make contacts around the world!

[@adam-g7crq]

Gardens are for wimp's, if you want challenging DX live in a block of flats 😂😁 great video Peter 👍

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Adam. 73 Peter.

[@adam-g7crq]

@@kellypaws I've got an end fed from my balcony down into the car park works well on topband to 40 meters

[@adam-g7crq]

@@kellypaws kzbin.info/door/eFxv51srJqr0Ip-4SU8C5A

[@adam-g7crq]

Some of my videos

[@charleswoods2996]

Love the comment! I'll give the street address and you can Google map street view; I live in a 3rd floor "flat" and (unsolicited) run a Chameleon matcher rated @500 watts with a 22" mast coming out of that and then on top of that is a 17' Chameleon telescoping mast thus making the whole thing about 19' long mounted to my balcony railing, fed with some reasonable RG8 coax, an RF choke, coming in a Kenwood TS 480SAT with an INRAD studio microphone. And I'm currently waiting on an EQ by W2IHY Technologies, but the g*d damned United Postal Service and the govt. schleps that they are may have lost it in their endless incompetence, inefficiency and waste - explains why President Donald J Trump didn't want to waste a penny on those otherwise worthless clerk-n-jerks at which all of them USPS employees from the top down should hang themselves from utility poles everywhere! Otherwise I do quite well on the HF bands from a "flat" here in the States: 1600 Brittain Rd, Akron, Ohio 44310. kd8efq/73 PS. The last part of that was intended as sarcastic humor. But we really do hate and remind the govt, often thereof.

[@vincei4252]

Who has a wife/girlfriend that mows the lawn? When I lived with someone I'd go out and mow the lawn for 2 hours and she'd be inside playing solitaire. When it snowed I'd be outside blowing the snow and she'd be inside reading a book with a cat on her lap. This must be some strange alternate universe that I've not experienced.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Vince. 73 Peter

[@brianwild4640]

one problem 75 foot is not a small garden where do you live chatsworth house

[@watersstanton]

Have you watched the full video? You only need a 25ft garden. Peter.

[@Scotscan]

@@kellypaws quite, that's the whole point of the video

[@brianwild4640]

@@watersstanton terreced house not got 25foot

[@G7VFY]

Older viewers? Like the walking dead?

[@watersstanton]

Ha ha. 73 Peter