Next Level Portable Antenna Comms: JPC-12 Center Loaded Coil Antenna Review

Today we look at the JPC-12 Portable Antenna for 40m-6m. As mentioned in the video, this is a compromised coil antenna system.
This powerful antenna is designed to enhance your signal strength and improve your communication experience. With its center loaded coil design, the JPC-12 offers maximum performance and efficiency, making it the perfect choice for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
The JPC-12 is lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry and transport. It's also easy to set up and use, making it ideal for both novice and experienced users. The antenna is made with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity.
In this video, we'll take a closer look at the JPC-12 portable center loaded coil antenna, including its features, benefits, and performance. I will also show you how to set up and use the antenna, so you can start enjoying improved communication in no time.
There are multiple places to purchase the JPC12 antenna. I purchased mine on Aliexpress. since purchasing there, the antenna is now available on Amazon (affiliate link included) :
get it here 👊👊👊👊👊👊
• Next Level Portable An...
I waited about 2 weeks for delivery and paid 102 USD (roughly), plus 28.73 USD for shipping (which I failed to realize at the time of recording). Of course, for $209 USD, you can get free shipping and purchase from DX Engineering (no affiliation). I like this idea as if something goes wrong, at least you have someone to call and ask a question about.
www.dxengineer...
www.aliexpress...
In the video, I use the screenshots I acquired from aliexpress (HamRadioShop store in the video. Credit to them for that info (During QSO's).

[@nicks4489]

I have one of these antennas as my QTH antenna as I am in a buit up area with a very small back yard. It's pretty efficient on 20m, less so on 40m as you said, but it does get out. I have installed an additional 30 radials and that helps I think. It's so good, i'm looking at other more conventional base antennas and thinking, will they ever do bettter, for example the Diamond BB7V, as I can't really have an antenna permanently mounted here. I've worked 65 countries with the JPC-12, including China, Qatar, Brazil, all on SSB, not FT8, For the money, and especially for those in an HOA situation, the antenna is great, thoroughly recommended. I'm in the UK.

[@arnoldgrubbs2005]

Nice video! I like the looks of this antenna better than the Buddistick (I have one of Bud's early ones). The reason is the slider looks like a winner, because on the Buddistick there are screw in taps and wire that are very easy to loose, this looks more idiot proof, which is a good thing for me out in the field!

[@stevecharles8526]

I have one of these and have made contact all over the world with it. Very compact, versatile, and sets up quickly. It’s my go-to portable antenna next to the WRC sporty 40.

[@Aimsport-video]

Two types of JPC-12 owners.. those that have pulled their Base units apart and those that are about to. Have a soldering iron handy people.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Heh

[@conorturton]

I've got the updated version and had it for about 8 months. The coil is only really to be used for 40m to 17m, for 17m you need to be at the second turn down from the top. From 15m-10m you want to take the coil out and adjust the whip, it is a full sized 1/4 wave ground plane vertical on those bands. For 6m you remove the four aluminium poles and just use the telescopic whip - you can just about get away with 10m doing that too. One thing I did do though was to get some 10.5mm ring tabs and solder some wire to them to replace the ribbon cable radials that come with the antenna.

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

Thank you very much for this!!!!

[@stephenburgess5109]

Thanks for the vid Love mine 1 so compact idea actually used once while dog sitting and worked VK from G land on 100 Watts and no one new can erect it in 3 mins ideal for a quick QSO when the neighbors are out they would never now your a ham 😊

[@MrToymod]

I put a 5m telescopic whip on mine as well.

[@K5YVY]

If BuddiStick and Wolf River Coil had a baby…😂 great choice for someone that has been interested in either antenna but didn’t want to pay the higher price. Good work Sean.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Nice contact in there too 😜

[@K5YVY]

@@HAMRADIODUDE awesome Contact yes! Forgot to mention that lol.

[@SimonBlandford]

Had lots of fun with this antenna. I got a 5.5 meter telescopic replacement and an extra coil so I can tune down to 80m, make an (almost) 5/8 wave on 10 meters and get a full 1/4 wave, without any coil, down to 20m. I also got a thread adaptor so I can use it on top of the car using a magmount (not while driving of course!).

[@heifitz9]

Please do the 17 foot antenna video. I have this antenna and I would love to see if the bigger whip will make a difference. Thanks.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Dude, I've looked at this set up so many times on Aliexpress and wondered if it was any good...don't have to wonder any more; thanks for investing a ton of time to bring this to us.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I hope you enjoy it, I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[@adventureseeker9800]

That Foxtrot(x3) callsign is pretty slick.

[@trainboss12]

I have this antenna it works well, i bought a 5.6m telescoping whip and with that you can turn this into a true 1/4 wave vertical on 20m and use much less of the loading coil on 40m to make it more efficient. also up here in Canada the ground is frozen so i cant use the ground spike yet plus i also use this when ice fishing. i solution i found is to buy a lighting tripod most lighting tripods have either a 1/4inch threading or 3/8th inch the jpc 12 is m10 treading you can buy 1/4inch or 3/8th to m10 adapters online however 3/8th inch male threads will thread into m10 female just fine. Cheers VE4WAT

[@radiotests]

Good info

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Awesome. I agree, a true 20 is nice. Soemtimes I do it with that 5.6m pole, sometimes I use the Telescoping antenna that's 17ft long with radials. But if you can't get into the ground ,my ground spike is just as worthless. I've also used Tripods, PIcnic benches, and trees to tie my 5.6 to. Cheers!

[@haramanggapuja]

Over a decade some back I bought one of the first PAC-10 antennas from the guys selling them at Dayton. I think I've used the entire set up maybe twice. Something about the entire put-together just made 'em inconvenient. This revised version from Asia seems a better physical design, despite the revelation of your difficulties with the base/feed point piece. So looks like you sold another doodad for the go-bag, amigo. Thanks for the great review & preview. 73 de W8IJN

[@OverLordkv]

Have you used an end-fed antenna and which is more efficient in your opinion? Thanks

[@aziranmajid]

Hi, 9w2gzx from Malaysia. I would like to know if the pac-12 can be left in the open to face the elements e.g rain/snow. ~73~

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Great question. I have not tried so I would not be able to answer. I may be able to throw it outside during the next snow storm, but I am uncertain I want to risk ruining it.

[@timmanwell2538]

I'm not sure under what circumstances I'd want/ need to do this, but I"ll ask anyway.....can this thing be parted-out/Frankenstein'd? IOW, could I use the JPC-12 coil with WRC legs, and say, Chameleon whip??? As always, thanks for your great vids! 73. Tim

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks. I think the one issue you may have is the M10 style nuts / Bolts/ Couplers on this. But otherwise, if you can get it to fit, you can Frankenstein and experiment away. Good luck.

[@danielkingshott2659]

I'm curious about this, I got one of these from aliexpress a few months ago, pretty much immediately broke the spike, the thing fell over and nuked the coil Into an unsprung mess of wire.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Interesting. I guess I'll try harder to break it.. 😂

[@kellydiver]

I met the guy who makes these at the Dayton Hamvention this year. He’s the real deal. If I hadn’t just gotten a Wolf River Coils antenna, I would definitely spring for one of these.

[@Francois_Dupont]

the chinese guy who make these? or the original inventor who made his version with garbage from the hardware store?

[@kellydiver]

@@Francois_Dupont The Chinese guy who makes them. I don’t know who actually invented them.

[@haramanggapuja]

Just got mine today. Sneaked it in the house & out to the yard under the pretense of working in the yard. Ran it thru some tests with the VNA. Seemed to tune pretty nicely. Discovered that, if you remove the coil, it’ll pretty much run 17m thru 10m & will cover 40 thru 10m tuning the bottom with the AH-705 tuner & the IC-705. So it replaces the two telescoping poles, the reels of wire & accouterments. And it’s easier to carry and set up. Perfect POTA/BOTA/SOTA antenna in one bag. So, yeah, I’m sold on it. Again, thanks for the video about this, amigo. 73 de W8IJN

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

My pleasure, glad to hear!

[@jamess1787]

I can't wait for the comparison video. 🥳

[@ae1tpa92gwtom2]

I have had my eye on this antenna for a while, thx Shawn, you did us a favour by taking it apart!!! Cheers n 73

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

My pleasure!

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

Very cool antenna. I'm going to have to give it a closer look. Thanks for the great video, Dude! ....and nice Blackhawks hat! I knew you had good taste.

[@dougdaniels]

I worked you on Monday. Sounded great.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Got this thanks to your video, use it extensively on POTA activations. Issues: couldn’t carry the spike into an aircraft so developed a tripod variation. The clip the has to move up and down slipped sideways twice and it’s the devil of a job to get it back in place. I tried with a 17ft whip, unless conditions are calm it gets a bit too unstable for my liking.

[@bohicaniac]

I have done two 5 park POTA roves in the past couple of weeks with this antenna. Very easy to set up and tear down, when doing a rove I just collapse down the antenna, separate the base+spike+radials and toss the two assemblies in the back of my pickup truck so I don't spend much time screwing and unscrewing everything. Trickiest part is managing the radials. With a G90 running FT8@10W on 20m I can get the activation pretty quickly then go to the next park. I even snagged a South African contact from NC. I did notice the top of the base "twisting" as Sean describes, I think I'll see about adding some glue there to avoid the pull apart issue.

[@Airsoftforall]

I run the jpc-7 on a extendable painters pole and a tripod mounted to a pallet in the bed of my truck for use when i am parked. These work great.

[@NeedleBender948]

When you set this antenna up does it have to have open land around it ? I’m looking at using it at my home I have very little open space with homes and brick walls around me , need a company vertical I can collapse due to HOA if anyone has info be greatly appreciated

[@adventureswithsteve2981]

Great wee antenna , i use it on the side garden from my 3rd floor flat and just pack it away when i am done for the day. I wondered about adding a second coil and larger whip for 80m. Its my go to antenna for backpacking

[@johnkaelberer237]

Neat antenna for the price. I would expect it to work about the same as the Buddipole or Silver Bullet. Naturally, a longer whip on any of them will increase performance and bandwidth a bit. I have a Buddipole, so for me, there is no need for this antenna. For someone looking for a decent, low cost portable vertical antenna, this one just might fit the bill. From what I can see, the Buddipole would be the clear winner in quality. Thanks Dude, good review !

[@norrinradd8952]

Just don't use it with Ape's shiny turd amp on 20m. Nice video bro. 73

[@richarde735]

are the threads 3/8-24 or M8-1.25?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

huh, interesting. I thought I mentioned it in one of my jpc12 videos. M10 x 1.5mm Thread

[@SuperRvman]

My jpc 12 will not load properly on any band. Tried all adjustments. I noticed my slider coil is labeled jpc-7. I wonder if they sent me the wrong coil. Can someone check their coil and see if it is labeled jpc 7 or jpc 12. I also noticed that the ground spike is connected electrically to center pin of so239 and antenna is connected electrically to shield of so239.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Same coil. Do you by chance have a multimeter? Maybe check continuity between the so239 and add on each section, checking continuity at each point, then to the antenna. How far off of the swr with that coil?

[@SuperRvman]

@@HAMRADIODUDE yes I have multimeter and yes I have continuity through all sticks. Is that normal having the center pin of So239 connected to ground spike and shield connected to antenna? Enjoy your videos.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@SuperRvman that's the issue. It should be center pin to the antenna and shield to the radials. Glad you caught that, and thanks!

[@tulenik71]

Not only this is exactly the same coil. You can buy dipole version, add bottom part with SO-239 and ground spike and you can use both configurations. 2 coils stacked will give you 80 m.

[@muskrat1949]

for 20m would the whip be fully extended or retracted a bit?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

As I recall (I haven't had it setup for a few months), 20 was all the way extended and a click down (or two) on the coil.

[@muskrat1949]

@@HAMRADIODUDE thanks; the more I play with it, the better it gets. Been having good success with it; also depends on propagation. 73 from VA2KDJ

[@CriticalThinker-42]

Good Video! Glad to see you showing a mid loaded antenna instead of the much less efficient base loaded design. 73 mike

[@BobBroeking]

Nice review. I have bought one earlier for my 705. Look forward to trying it out. What antenna analyzer were you using?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I think I was just using a nanovna in this video. However, I also used a mfj 259b during testing

[@dmarza]

nice video/ TNX/ last fall I got the antenna and an additional 17' telescopic whip, so on 40 m it has a wider bandwidth/ I separated the flat cable in 5 radials and it tunes very easy using the RigExpert when I change bands/ on my first try it got me all the way to France from Kingston, Ontario with just 10W 🙂/ TNX again & 73 de VA3HFC

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Can you share where to get a 17ft telescopic whip that fits the threading ?

[@gsansoucie]

Aha, first time I’ve heard the ground spike is aluminum. For SOTA, I imagine I would destroy it in short order. I have a home brew spike I made up for my non resonant vertical that I made from PLA and ordinary aluminum tent pegs so I could replace the pegs when I bend them. This is basically an easier to use coil than on the Buddipole/Stick with the taps that are a pain to keep in tune.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I've done the same thing with 10 spikes, made a what I call, dude spike. What a fun time. I much prefer the aspect of engineering. I should have mentioned I can't find anywhere that specifies that this is aluminum, everyone just says it's a ground anchor. So I might be incorrect about that, but everything that I could visually and physically determine would indicate aluminum to me. If You're interested in the dude spike video here you go, kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIjViX2pqbeDe6M

[@Screamingtut]

It would be a Buddistick (it is only a vertical) not a Buddipole. I have both, plus Budd W3FF is a personal friend of mine & the guy who created the Buddipole. he retired and gave his son Chris the company to run. Budd lives in Redding, CA he was in my club I had made a homebrew version of the Buddipole back in the early 2000s.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Good point.. buddistick. Thanks!

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Yep. Buddistick. Buy American with great support.

[@radiotests]

Side note : Chelegance sells direct for $144. DXE gotta be nuts doubling the price.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks. I am in the process of ordering a few more chelegance antennas.

[@n0vfiradiomisadventures]

You did a live with this a bit ago (I worked you that day). I was wondering if you ever got the long whip on it and tested it yet? Thanks for all the FT70 vids by the way!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

While testing my new carbon fiber mast that I'll be releasing soon, I intentionally dropped the mast with the antennas on them and destroyed my antennas. The new ones have entered the United States in our scheduled for delivery on the 29th. I'm going to try to get something tested, but also it's tax season and I got a few projects. I also have a couple more ideas too so be on the lookout in about a month or so. Plus the weather will be nicer lol

[@Dusty_Ham]

Look like a nice little antenna, thank you for the video Dude!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you for watching

[@kyhwana]

Yeah, I have one of these, it works pretty well!

[@alexblinoff5241]

У меня такая антенна "трудится" на полевых выходах уже наверное, года три. Сразу же купил опционный "диск" для подключения противовесов. Это очень удобно и практично. А так же опционный телескопический штырь 5,6 метров. Провёл с использованием данной антенны не одну сотню связей из полевых условий QRP. Есть межконтинентальные связи и связи на расстояние свыше 10000 км. Кстати, у меня практически сразу развалилось "основание". Не выдержал заводской клей резкого перепада температуры. Я просто заново собрал этот узел, приклеив его хорошим двухкомпонентным клеем. Заодно поменял провод, припаяв вместо штатного, в ПХВ-изоляции, провод чуть большего диаметра и во второпластовой изоляции. 73!

[@Gduwidjeieiidoeiwiwi7]

Подскажите пожалуйста, а где диск брали?

[@radiotests]

Agreed, even I can get one at that price, great vid!

[@doc145]

I just checked the price it’s $210 not $101. Ok I went to Ali Express and it’s about $125 with shipping. The $210 was DX Engineering.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Yep, just came to point out the information in the description, but it looks you got it. Have a good one

[@doc145]

I agree. It’s worth the extra $$ in case something does go wrong. 73 Phil K1PJR

[@Razor2048]

How does it look to actually adjust the coil, the video seems to skip over that?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Sorry, you push that piece up or down to the markings

[@u2fanforever1]

Do you think the radials work better pulled apart or just one long single radial?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Pulled apart would probably be best if you can.

[@W1ZY]

Great review!

[@JT-py9lv]

I wore my HRD t-shirt to winter field day this weekend....

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Heck yeah! How was it? I should be out that way in a couple months.

[@kleinbiker1]

That grooved texture is called knurling.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you so much. Knurling ... I'll try to remember that

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

#teamreplay whomp whomp

[@MikeN2MAK]

Always appreciate your reviews. #TeamReplay

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you so much.

[@W8JESRadio]

Yep you sounded good here into Ohio.. 73's

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Great contact! I will be uploading the logs tomorrow. 73

[@lyledal]

If it is just a Buddy Pole, is it a good value as compared to the Buddy Pole? Great video, Sean. Thanks!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I think it's a great value regardless. I'm going out now to play around some more. Wq9f may have a buddy pole I can borrow for a few days. Alternatively, I may loan him this one

[@McPilot_W3DDS]

easier to tune than a Buddistick and cheaper

[@KD9ZHF]

Sweet Ride.

[@bertolo75]

How did you open the cylinder of the PL259?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Hello, I don't have the coil with me at the moment, but there was just four screws that I unscrewed and it came out. It's the four screws that surround the PL259. If you need, please let me know and I could probably make a quick video for you

[@bertolo75]

​@@HAMRADIODUDE I meant the 2-cylinder and not the PL

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@bertolo75 I don't believe I opened the cylinder. I believe that I just accessed the ground to be solder via the PL259 mount. I can go recheck when I get home if needed

[@bertolo75]

@@HAMRADIODUDE I do not understand how to detach the aluminium cylinder with the plastic one. Perhaps the two cylinders are glued together.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@bertolo75 I think I understand. You're speaking about the coupler that attaches the antenna to the coil? When I get home I could take a look

[@brianjrichman]

I have this antenna and have also written a much better version of the manual for it. The manual as-supplied is as you can see from the screenshots, full on "Chinglish".

[@jerryKB2GCG]

can you share the manual ?

[@brianjrichman]

@@jerryKB2GCG I still need to complete edits.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

let me know when it’s done, just got the antenna today and the manual is awful, it leaves out suggested configs for half the supported bands

[@brianjrichman]

@@jerryKB2GCG I'll send the half completed one I have. The thing to remember is that the coil is a center loading one, and only covers 40 to 20m bands but the manual implies other bands... I have found I have to set it to either 20 or 40 and adjust the length of the whip for the others. I am going to put what I have found to work in my document - just not this week!!!

[@brianjrichman]

@@jerryKB2GCG Best email address to send it to?

[@regularguy519]

Did you use your 17 footer yet?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

A bit busy at the moment.

[@vironpayne3405]

I am glad you mention the threads are not standard. I roll a little different. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pITLdYyij6x-osU

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Yeah absolutely that could pose a problem. I did get a coupler and rethreaded another antenna, pain.

[@vironpayne3405]

@@HAMRADIODUDE I usually opt for a wire due to efficiency, but the in state and national parks you can't tie on to trees. Our county overnight camping parks are adopting the same rules. Some parks will not let you drive stakes into the ground. A vertical on a tripod or magloop are the only options at that point. Until then, if there are trees, I'll use wires. The bands are very good now so anything works.

[@tulenik71]

In all the world with the only exception of one aggressive country (and partially its two minions) standard is METRIC.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Liberia, and Myanmar and the US

[@agoraphobicadam1171]

Hey, You got Joe Brett. :)

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I was star struck, could not formulate a sentence.... Truth

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Can you share a link to where I can find the 17fiot antenna

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

www.aliexpress.com/item/32861839345.html and a review kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4Wamn1vZ9KFjtE

[@jerryKB2GCG]

thank you, did this one need an adapter to replace the telescopic element on this antenna?

[@ryankc9oza118]

Looks like a good antenna. 👍 And congratulations on hitting 20k

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I'm loving it. I want to go out now

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

And thank you.. next up, 15,000.. 😎😂

[@K5QBF]

Awesome video.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you!

[@jimfurubotten8757]

Just baught mine $209.00

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Hey Jim, How are you liking or disliking it? Thanks

[@jimfurubotten8757]

@@HAMRADIODUDE haven’t really put it to the test. Set it up in my yard. 20 meters wasn’t bad.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@jimfurubotten8757 If I can catch up with stuff today, I was thinking about going to operate a bit. I'm still impressed. Good luck!

[@mikesmithg0rfd356]

thank you

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thank you for watching. Hopefully it was enjoyable.

[@jamesrospopo3137]

Is there any difference between the one from DX Engineering and Ali Express ? Other than the price.

[@redman840]

It’s the same antenna.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Same antenna. I mentioned it in the description I believe. Thanks.

[@kyhwana]

I have one of these and have used it on FT8 with a 705 and gotten world wide with it, as well as with a G90 and gotten ZL-VK SSTV with it! You can throw some more radials on it too to help it out.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Absolutely! I have some radial solutions for multiple Antennas, and I can probably do the same / incorporate it all into this antenna. Thanks

[@barrykery1175]

Great video. Very informative. Glad to know I can fix my feed insulator if it comes apart. BUT..... you NEVER want to base load a vertical antenna. WHY? Those four one foot long aluminum masts are actually the current portion of the antenna. The current portion of the antenna does the most radiating. That's one thing that makes that antenna better than a not of other vertical portable antennas that are sold. The radial wires that come with the antenna are only 18 feet long. Way too short for 40 meters, but usable. I made three 35 foot long radial wires for my PAC-12. I get a great match on 17, 20, 30 and 40 meters. Barry, KU3X

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Did I base load it? I'll have to go back and watch.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Same thing with their JPC 7 dipole. The coil needs to be between those poles and the telescoping antenna. Thanks