HF Wire Antenna Setup How-To for Portable Operators

There are many strategies for setting up wire antennas for portable HF operation. Heres mine.
Find my antenna matching units at www.k6ark.com.
If you're looking for those little S-clips: amzn.to/3JQfh0Y
(affiliate link)
Most areas I operate lack trees, so the easiest way to get a wire in the air is to use a telescopic pole. I've developed a solid strategy for setup that I share in this video. if you've got a method you like better, tell us about it in the comments below.
Thanks, and I'll see you on the next adventure.

[@vsklingon]

Where did you find the fiberglass pole? 73, NL7CK

[@Porco_Utah]

I use similar fiber glass extendable mast for permanent installation, I wrap a few turn of electrical tape at each section , so it does not collapses during strong wind. AG6JU

[@ChrisN8PEM]

OMG! New video! I teach a Beginners CW class with LICW and your antenna kit came up in class last night. Definitely one or two who are waiting for the Amazon restock! 73!

[@K6ARK]

Awesome, ran into a snag when I ran out of printer toner the other day, but I've got more now and am finishing up the boxes to send to Amazon tonight. More will be in stock by the end of the week, including winders and 20w kits.

[@ChrisN8PEM]

@@K6ARK Side hustles make you hustle... Your winders look awesome, but I did home-brew a set of winders recently.... I used legos to mock up the design I wanted and then I used an old plastic license plate insert and some bungee cord I had lying around. Pretty epic. Super Lightweight.

[@MatthiasLenardt]

Wonderful and easy setup. I like that. Thanks for sharing. Many greetings, Matthias 👋 DL1NDG

[@steveallison7950]

Great video! In similar setups I like to secure the guylines with a tautline hitch. That way if they need adjustment, it is quick and easy. Keep up the great work! 73

[@DaveW6OOD]

BTW... Nice coil modified EFHW with the small compensating coil. I would love to see a video on the how and why of a "tuner free" multiband antenna. I had to figure it out myself by researching "that mysterious coil in the LEFS" and other "high performance" end feds I see out there.

[@mateuszk3210]

Hey Adam (@K6ARK), which do you think EFHW antenna's orientation would be best for receiving ? Thanks!

[@garyh8315]

Great easy set up. I use a long piece of paracord, clove hitch in the middle, either end to pegs. Then a shorter piece, again clove hitch plus half hitch to secure, then to ground peg. Just need to get your antenna kit into the UK.

[@phmoffett]

Can you tell me where you get your poles? I've looked on ebay but can't seem to match what you have. TNX 73's

[@AI6XG]

Bring along a couple 18" gear ties in 'never lose orange' and tie the mast to a small tree or bush is another option that works well for most of the summits I am on in NorCal. I have, at times, tied to the roots of an upended tree. Even above tree line there are usually a few small trees or bushes, if not stick the mast in a rock crevice. I spiral the gear ties around the collapsed mast when I am transporting it. Thanks for posting the video! TU es 72 de AI6XG

[@usernamemykel]

That "handy rock" is an "Alabama hammer"!

[@woodgrainandwhimsey]

Thanks for this. It couldn’t have been more timely. My K6ARK antenna kit is coming in the mail this week and my 24 foot Carp pole just showed up from Amazon!

[@gaptastic]

As a new ham, I learned a lot from this video. I've been meaning to get a mast with guy lines but haven't done it but this has sparked some fire. I bought the sotabeams carbon 6 a month ago and will do a test run in my yard. Thanks Adam!

[@K6ARK]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful.

[@ScotKlein]

Great video! Can you elaborate on how your radios are connected? Specifically how you have the antenna coming to a T-adapter and going in to both radios. Wouldn't transmitting on one of the radios damage the other?

[@markanderson8066]

I expect it's actually a coax switch that connects the ant to only one radio at a time. That's a common setup.

[@junyangxx]

Probably on one arm of the T adapter there is a 1/4 wavelength coax with short circuit at its end to behave as a bandpass filter just for a working band?

[@josehenriqueschossland485]

73" PU5IKE

[@shawnp6653]

Thanks for sharing - appreciate your time & efforts Adam.

[@doesstuffoutside]

Nice, thanks for making this. I had a very similar set up for my first attempts at POTA this past weekend, but I used snap links to loops on my mast and taught line hitches to my tent pegs. That worked fine, even in 45 knot gusts, but the simple trucker's hitch style tension at the mast would definitely shave weight. I'm going to copy that.

[@scottf4277]

Where did you get your collapsible pole?

[@K6ARK]

I have used this one with good results a.aliexpress.com/_mP4hAe6. I glue the tip section into the 2nd section in the retracted position to reinforce it.

[@HamRadioDX]

Awesome video Adam, great explanation of the setup. Nice shirt too 😉

[@J0HN3]

Did my first POTA activation recently. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@markanderson8066]

Welcome to the addiction! WB2SMK

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I see those radios at the end! Looking forward to this follow-up!

[@K6ARK]

I shot some footage but I'm still not fully satisfied. Going to keep working on it. It's a deep dive into the filter options, what they do, and how effective they are, compared between the two rigs.

[@Chriswilsie]

No ground poise?

[@miketaylor9231]

Nice to have met you at Hamvention! Hope to make contact with you sometime after I fumble my way through CW learning...LOL! 73 - Mike from Arizona ND7E.

[@captainjack75040]

Thanks for the video. Sorry you have a pain for a neighbor. WK0Y

[@tmmlrd]

Out of stock on Amazon 😞 Any plan? Other possibilities to buy one (from Italy)? TNX 73

[@walshgeo]

Adam, Great video! I always like to see how other operators deploy their antennas. 73 George KB3WAQ

[@vaamorais]

Greetings from UK! Been watching your videos and have been enjoying a ton and learning a lot as well. I have been trying to find a solution for a receive only antenna to use while traveling by plane on either a Yaesu vx-6 or Icon ID-52. Any suggestions that could fit this purpose? Thanks.

[@rstiosejo]

I mean the information on the Yagi 6M. Manufacturer and Model. Thanks

[@haramanggapuja]

Solid. About the same as I've used at the beach & in parks. I have a small chunk of angle metal that I shove in the ground and then use double sided velcro strap to hold the mast to that. Suspect your guy line system is easier to set up and probably a tad more sturdy . . . 'cept at the beach, where I can really shove the metal into the sand or use the base of one of those beach umbrellas (people abandon them along the beach and I'm a first class scavenger ;-) ). Thanks for the video. 73 de W8IJN -- Пу́тин хуйло́!

[@DK5ONV]

Thx for that beautiful Video, Master Adam! Folks can learn a lot from you how to get their Mojos working. 73 de Your Friend Uncle Guenter 💯👏🍻👍🙋‍♂

[@full_metal2452]

Very interesting! Looking for a solution for my new Kenwood D-75 HT. What would you recommend from your online store?

[@K6ARK]

Are you trying to do short-wave listening with it? What bands/frequencies are you wanting to cover?

[@full_metal2452]

@@K6ARK Yes any of the 3-30MHz

[@K6ARK]

@@full_metal2452 send me an email, I'll send you something to try out.

[@CrittendenIV]

Thank you for this super quick video. Your presentation skills are great. I really enjoy your vibe. :)

[@d3w4yn3]

Seems so simple, but this was very helpful in stepping through this! Even I could do this!!!

[@TheIronClooch]

I'm beginning to dabble in wire antennas myself and was wondering what your advice might be for keeping your mast stable when you're above the tree line and stakes aren't an option.

[@tommh44]

Thanks for another outstanding video. But I have one question. It looks like the guy ropes are longer than the pole. Maybe twice as long. What am I missing?

[@bereadyeveryday6764]

Very cool demonstration. Thanks for this. What's the source for your pole?

[@dl1hbttom703]

Adam, always worthwhile watching your clips on hints and tips and valuable ... a good source of knowledge and good practice for the portable radio community 🎉

[@scottpastor1]

Good stuff man, nice video, 73, Kc8kbk

[@gregvinci5201]

I know I’m late to this party but a suggestion. Because the three guide wires are so short. Use a tent stake at base of the pole sticking out of the ground a couple of inches to stop it from sliding out. Just a Velcro strap is all that is necessary.

[@cache4pat]

Awesome, no nonsense easy set up, illustrated, example of a quick antenna set up. Thank you for sharing. Cheers, 73, VA3PAF

[@prestonburton8504]

Thank you! If you have info on the antenna's that military field units 'throw up into the trees' i'd love to see a video regarding that (or other ideas - if you are hiking and want to stop and setup quickly, then take down and continue the hike?)

[@RicSpivey]

Thanks Adam! That definitely makes plenty of sense, once my "mast" comes in I'll be playing in the yard too!

[@soldermecold7456]

How did the receiver test go? Are you running both radios at the same time with the Tee adapter? Is that okay as long as you don’t transmit?

[@K6ARK]

It works if you do not transmit. If you TX... Bad things will happen. It's probably wiser to use an antenna switch and change back and forth. The test was interesting. In general, I preferred the analog filtering and subtle DSP of the 857d over the watery sounding DSP on the 891. I sold the 891 soon after. I could see the 891 being better for high RFI, perhaps in a mobile setup, but for portable ops in relatively quiet places, the 857 with Collins CW filters is better.

[@soldermecold7456]

@@K6ARKSpectacular! I didn’t realize you could do that. I recently did some 2m receiver testing between my FTM-500, FT-2900, and RT95… swapping coax manually. Learned the FTM-500 receiver was significantly better, sufficient enough that I was able to chase weak signal SOTA and make contacts I wasn’t able to with the other radios. 8 extra points that day 👍.

[@K6ARK]

@@soldermecold7456 the nice thing about the T connector is being able to record the same signal through both receivers at the same time. I would then listen to them on my right and left ear to compare. But like I said, just don't TX 😜

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Adam, You sure make it look easy. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@VeteransHamShack]

I stumbled onto your channel tonight while watching some HRCC videos and you were one of the moderators in one of his streams. Holy crap dude I thought I recognized you - We met up at Balboa park back in 2014 when i was stationed there in the Navy and you taught me some stuff about SOTA/QRP and how to use an antenna analyzer! I had just got my general license I had posted on an email reflector about QRP and you got in touch with me. I looked up your callsign and found our email exchange. Not sure if you remember or not, but was cool checking out your channel and I subbed!

[@K6ARK]

Yes! I totally remember. That's awesome. You had a buddiepole you were tuning up 🤘😁👍

[@VeteransHamShack]

@@K6ARK Yep! I still have that buddipole actually! I'm just getting back into the hobby after a 5 year hiatus, got out of the Navy and moved back to KY. Bought a new handheld over the weekend (FT-5D) and have been dragging out the radios from storage. Its amazing how much I seem to have forgot over the past few years so I'm glad I found your channel and looking forward to some more videos! - 73! Jeremy KF4CHW

[@K6ARK]

I've been slacking on videos because I've been busy preparing antenna matching unit kits. www.k6ark.com Still fun, but a different kind of fun 😊 I do miss shooting and editing so many videos and will get back to it when I am able.

[@VeteransHamShack]

@@K6ARK I checked out those antennas, very cool! Man I wish i had your knowledge when it comes to the hobby. I've had my ticket since 1995 and feel like i only know the bare minimum haha

[@paulgarcia1566]

Was the endfeed or random wire setup?

[@K6ARK]

I apply this same setup for any end-fed antenna - both the End Fed Half-wave and the 9:1 unun with End Fed Random Wire. For the random wire, I run the counterpoise off in the opposite direction laying on the ground.

[@hillbilly4christ638]

Very informative and well presented. Nice mobile setup. I am looking forward to applying this in the very near future.

[@rafaelseoane9370]

Hi Adam, thanks for this new video. Do you know where we can find the file to 3D print antenna wire winder that you use?

[@rocket862]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a telescopic pole?

[@alzeNL]

Very cool ! thanks for sharing, lots of practical advice here for getting on the air !

[@full_metal2452]

Any good videos on how to tie rope to end of wire to pull tight? Been having excellent results just laying along ground or in a loop on ground but now want to experiment with inverted v 👍

[@K6ARK]

Did you try the method I demonstrate in the video?

[@full_metal2452]

@@K6ARK That is my plan tonight. In the video it doesn’t really show how to attach a string to the end of you half wave end fed though. Just the loop you tied to attach to a rock

[@K6ARK]

@@full_metal2452 sorry, I misunderstood what you were asking. I use an Albright knot. www.101knots.com/albright-knot.html

[@petalsofwisdom7631]

what do tou call that long wire with the bnc? i want to buy one wi

[@barksennui8255]

What's the deal with that last, I love it, where can I get one?

[@craigpalmer9196]

wire winder ,very cool. location very good choice. i am a flat lander

[@K5ATA]

Great video, Adam. Thanks for sharing!

[@DavidBamford]

Excellent explanation Adam! 73

[@Echo_Hotel]

I love finding handy rocks in my yard.

[@texasstealthcamper8139]

Greetings from Houston. 73

[@dangermandave67]

How do you attach the s-clip to the end of the pole?

[@washingtonstatepicker3460]

How long is that mast?

[@K6ARK]

About 20 feet. I've got a slew of masks from small/ultralight to big and tall. This one is in the middle... Nice and packable, cheap, but not too small for it to work well on flatter ground.

[@Tommy_Boy.]

Awesome video Adam! Thanks for the inspiration and simple setup share! 👍📻⚡️Tom - WA7FLY

[@patricksharimccarthy9495]

Do I need to give you more money?!?!? How do I get a winder with a clip that fits your, awesome by the way, antenna??? De K2SCH

[@K6ARK]

Keep an eye on Amazon later this week. I'm sending a batch out tomorrow.

[@harpmatt100]

I BUILT MINE TODAY. GREAT STUFF.

[@royw7229]

conecting the radio's antenna's directly like you did.. won't blow the frontends out when transmit??

[@K6ARK]

Not if you properly tune your antenna to be resonant and have a good match to 50 ohms.

[@trig6712]

Good for you way to go and opperate

[@wcgems]

We need more end fed antenna in the store!!! :)

[@edmoreno9308]

Another great video Adam!

[@owlcricker-k7ulm]

Thanks Adam. I seem to run into a lot of hams make set up way to complicated, especially new hams. The setup seems to take priority over getting on the air. You always seem to focus on simple efficient setups. I have made a lot of contacts with the wire laying on the ground when I don't know the mast has blown down. I do kick a small divot in the ground to set the mast into.

[@K6ARK]

Yes! A little divot for the base of the pole can help. I've seen some use a small spike at the base of the pole as well.

[@silvesterstronach2756]

𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙢 ❗

[@AA0Z]

How big is your tractor deck for mowing that pasture you got going on?

[@K6ARK]

Only a 42". I'm "only" on 1.3 acres. Big enough for a full-wave 160m loop. 🤔

[@K1RKK]

Love how simple it can be! Tell me more about your mast & that slick little table you got there?!

[@K6ARK]

The mast is a typical 7.2m telescopic fishing pole you can find on AliExpress. The table is borrowed from the YL (🤫) and is one of these. www.rei.com/product/197393

[@mattandcarmen94]

Great video!

[@KI4ASK]

Thanks Adam

[@MrDmonies327]

What mast is that? Looks like it's good for backpacks.

[@K6ARK]

It's a cheapie from AliExpress. Like this one... a.aliexpress.com/_mP4hAe6

[@JayN4GO]

Hope to see a follow up

[@taki8592]

Thanks again for the video, wire antennas are light and easy to set up, and offer advantage over other types. Thanks for inspiring me to try out end feds.

[@K6ARK]

End fed half-wave antennas get rid of the bulky, heavy coax and make for a very light package. As a full-size antenna, they are also very effective!

[@slcea7]

Can you share information about the brand of pole, where you got it, and how you did the attachments for the guying lines? Thanks for the vid!

[@TeddJohnson]

@k6ark I'd love to know this as well!

[@phmoffett]

​@@TeddJohnsonsame here

[@DaveW6OOD]

OK, since nobody mentioned it exactly, I'll ask. You take the BNC out of the winder that is holding on to it with a built-in CLIP for the BNC (00:54). Can you share the file to print that winder or even sell them on you site? That's a nice little detail to have in a winder.

[@K6ARK]

David, they are on Amazon now, but don't seem to be appearing in search yet for some reason. amzn.to/35z626x

[@DaveW6OOD]

@@K6ARK Just ordered one. Thank you. (You can never have enough home built antennas IMHO, but I’m certainly pushing the theoretical limits)

[@larrygrigar3793]

Excellent!

[@W7LDT]

Can your end feds handle 20 watts?

[@K6ARK]

The 20w kits can. The QRP kits max out at 5w FT8 and 10w SSB.

[@randalltom9750]

Easy Peasy… I often use my wire antennas as slopers. Attach the wire end to the mast… walk it out, and lean it into a convenient tree, and tune it up! Yahtze!

[@K6ARK]

I was just thinking... I should do an assessment of 3 setups - inverted V, inverted L, and sloper. Do the analysis a few times with different height poles.

[@stilldavid]

@@K6ARK That would be a great video!

[@victorbell1378]

👍

[@josempantaleon]

Great video Adam, Clear and to the point, I run ny antenna system in a very similar manner but instead of an s-clip (which is great) I use this little triangular piece of cutting board that Mike @K8MRD sent me a couple of years ago. I also had modified the end of my mast to make it a bit mor ridged as well, while it is a bit more weight I will often pack a second mast for my Roll-up J-Pole. I know that you are busy these days but I really enjoyed those short Quick Tip vidios that your were doing for awhile. Keep you the great work/content Adam. 73

[@paulsengupta971]

I have tied in a small washer at the mid-point of my portable EFHW and slip it over the end of the pole. That way it slides all the way down the first section and rests on the slightly larger second section which is stronger.

[@johncarcano959]

Aten a wire qrp

[@MK-wt8sx]

Nice video, tnx, I use qrpguys 20.30.40m tuner and 16ft radiator +4 radials. Rig is Youkits tri bender.or qcx. Can't wait for warm weather. Outdoor qrp is fun. 73'