HOW TO: Wolf River Coil Setup

[@bpsengineer_AC7PB]

I have nearly 100 POTA activations on my WRC. If you ever can’t get the SWR low at resonance, try coiling back the tips of the radials to 1/4 wavelength. In my area (Seattle and on rocky SOTA summits), I have to do that almost every time. I never need the tuner now that I learned that trick

[@n8vox]

That's awesome, Brian! Thanks for sharing that. 73!

[@michaeldugger7716]

Helpful video! I like the battery clips on the radials. Speeds up setup time, so I think I’m going to the hardware store to get some of those today. Thanks for this video, I really appreciate it!

[@n8vox]

Glad it was helpful!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing

[@n8vox]

Thanks man! I appreciate it! I love my WRC.

[@BretChilcott]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are providing a tremendous service to the ham radio community! 73 Bret/AC0AE

[@n8vox]

Thanks Brett! I appreciate your kind words! 73 N8VOX

[@kurtwolter3984]

Great vid. Man it looks gorgeous there. Cheers!

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

Great work Anthony thanks mate

[@n8vox]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked it! 73!

[@MattNeubauer]

Good explanation. Curious if the tuning is repeatable? Meaning, if you use the same gear, will the location of the sleeve remain the same, or close?

[@n8vox]

That's how it has worked for me so far. Sometimes I need to move it up one or two, or it gets moved while it was sitting in the crate I keep it in. But yeah, it works pretty well here!

[@thomashardy9994]

Very compact system. Thanks for the video.

[@n8vox]

You bet! 73!

[@jamesbrownmiller808]

I was watching another ham talking about the same antenna system but he used 24 radials from Wolf River Coils!

[@n8vox]

More radials never hurts. I just don’t have the room or weight allowance.

[@rtaranti]

Great video thanks for sharing! What wire did you use for the radials? Thinking about getting another roll of DX 10 @DXcommander but wondering if there is something equivalent stateside.

[@n8vox]

I don’t remember where I got it, but it has a similar feel to the DX10. Similar, but not exact. Your safest bet is to get the good stuff from Callum. :)

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Thanks Tony 73

[@n8vox]

I’m glad you found it helpful! 73!

[@ronrico2620]

I always hear to get away from the antenna when tuning. I also hear that too much coax during tuning will show a lower swr because of feedline losses.

[@n8vox]

Yes, getting some distance from the antenna when tuning is definitely important. Otherwise you become part of the antenna system. Thanks for watching and 73!

[@thomashardy9994]

Good tip. I didn’t know that.

[@mikemcdonald5147]

I started using neon colored radials so they were super visible so hopefully people wouldn't walk or trip over them.

[@n8vox]

Excellent idea!

[@drc44646]

Hi, What amperage clips are you using? I have to order on line because stores do not keep them stocked up here in Massillon Ohio. I used my antenna one time and said to myself I have to do your upgrade!

[@n8vox]

I honestly don’t know. They were not the biggest ones but also it the smallest. I usually operate QRP with this antenna but have also run up to 80w with no issues.

[@drc44646]

Ok thanks

[@RexTheDane]

did I miss the lengths of the radials?

[@n8vox]

The three 32 ft radials that come with it were split into pairs of 16 ft and spread out in a star.

[@RexTheDane]

thanks boss. great video. I'm working on my WRC right now

[@jimedwards9310]

How long is your counterpoise wires? Thanks.

[@n8vox]

Hi Jim! The 6 radials are about 16.5 feet each. So instead of using the 3 supplied 33 foot radials, I cut the length in half of each one and made 6. In total, the radials are the same length as just 3, just shorter and more of them.

[@SteveH-TN]

Appreciate your demonstration, insights and this video. It’s been helpful. De AA4SH

[@EricRenzema]

Probably a newbie question, but wondering about something you mentioned in the vid... what "bad things" happen if you stand too close to the antenna while tuning? Is it that the RF bad for the human body or is being too close bad for the tuner/radio? or both??

[@n8vox]

Standing too close while tuning isn’t dangerous. However, you’ll end up being part of the antenna and you won’t get an accurate measurement on the analyzer. The “bad thing” that can happen is melting the coil if you push too much power through it. With an IC-705, that’s not an issue with this antenna.

[@EricRenzema]

@@n8vox Thanks!