I've been bit by The Black Widow: a 15 meter Moxon Antenna project

The Moxon is an 2 element Yagi style antenna that boasts of a low takeoff angle and high front/back signal to noise ratio. The 15 meter Black Widow Moxon is an excellent antenna for Field Day or other events were a lightweight, portable antenna is ideal. Follow along as I build a Moxon antenna out of fishing poles and other common parts.
-- References --
KG4JJH Black Widow 15 Meter Moxon Antenna: www.kg4jjh.com/...
AC6LA Moxgen Calculator: ac6la.com/moxg...
Building the 6 meter Moxon Antenna: www.jpole-ante...
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-- Parts list --
10' Black Widow Fiberglass Fishing Pole (B&M BW3RR) www.walmart.co...
Black Widow 15 meter Moxon Center Hub: www.thingivers...
SO-239 chassis connector
50 feet wire approximately (I used 14 ga)
⅝ inch dowel, 48 inches
½ inch CPVC
#6 x ½ inch machine screws, nuts, and washers
4 #10 eye hooks
Assorted Ring Terminals
Epoxy glue
Duct tape
Painters pole: 15 - 23 feet
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#Hamradio #AmateurRadio #POTA #ParksOnTheAir #PortableHamRadio #BlackWidow #Moxon #Antenna #15meterband #15meterantenna #HFantenna #fieldday #arrlfieldday

[@ingeniousys]

Nice video. One recommendation that I have for those interested in building this antenna: I found that the "10-foot" model of the Black Widow poles used in this video are only marginally acceptable for 15 meters. (They work fine for a 10 meter Moxon.) Black Widows are fast action crappie rods designed to have most of their "action" in last 1/3 of the rod - which is where your antenna connections go for a 15-meter Moxon on a 10-foot rod. The first 2/3 of the rod are much "stiffer" and able to support more weight without sagging nearly as much. Moving up to the 13- or 16-foot versions of the Black Widow and cutting them back to size will provide better support and work nicely on 15 meters. (Also the choice of antenna wire and its weight are important. The 10-foot poles may work OK with thinner wires like AWG 26, but even at AWG 18, they sag fiercely and are difficult to control/correct with guy support lines.) In general, it's best to keep your wire weight within the first 2/3 of a Black Widow rod. 73.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thanks for the comments. I don't know if you saw my followup to the 15m Moxon, but it had some updates on how I overcame the weight of the wire and sagging issues with the spreaders: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGaZcotrmtirnbM

[@JamesEdwards780]

If you don't have a 3D printer, your local library may have one or maker space will have one for sure. Just take the file in on a USB thumb drive.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Libraries and Makerspaces both are good resources if you only need the occasional 3D print.

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

Hi Michael. I look forward to seeing how well the antenna does for you. 73!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

It's gonna be fun putting this thing on the air for Field Day.

[@youtubeaccount931]

Nice! I look forward to more videos of it in operation

[@turtlecreek4633]

Very cool topic, video, and overall edit. Looking forward to your field day results video. Great stuff as usual. 73 w3rrm

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@bereadyeveryday6764]

Can't wait to see this one in action. Very cool!

[@kf7bws]

I have used a 20 meter Moxon four and a half feet off of my roof for three years now. I have worked on FT-8 all fifty states, 701 US counties, six continents and have confirmed 74 countries and 30 CQ zones. I should say my Moxon is in a fixed direction at about 70 degrees from Oregon. The Moxon is a great little Antenna.

[@JennyEverywhere]

I put a 2 meter Moxon to great use when we lived in a 3rd floor apartment. The j-pole I started with was radiating into the building. I found out when the downstairs neighbor started banging on his ceiling with a hammer. I was coming through on his clock radio and waking him up. So I got a couple of wooden lattice privacy screens, put them on either end of the balcony, and mounted a 2 meter Moxon inside one screen. It got into the local repeaters like gangbusters, and the neighbor stopped hearing it through his clock radio.

[@markviers998]

Nice, hope you post a follow up video to talk about how it performed.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Stay tuned. My Field Day video, coming in less than 2 weeks, will feature the antenna.

[@brianf3996]

Nice. I look forward to seeing it in action on field day. I hope to work you on 15.

[@wild-radio7373]

This is totally rad!❤👍

[@WG5Xradio]

Very timely Michael. I actually bought the stuff to make this very same antenna last week. You and Chuck gave me a few ideas on how to do it better.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Awesome. You'll have to let me know how yours turns out.

[@wanderingwithbob2472]

Good luck with this one. Looks like a good performer for Field Day.

[@nickmad887]

thank you.

[@Chahtawarrior31]

Good deal and great video! De WV1Q See you down the bands!!!

[@timdbl7804]

A properly designed and built Moxon should give much more than 9dB front-to-back ratio. Enhanced F to B is the main electrical performance advantage of the Moxon compared with a straight 2 ele beam 😊

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

Nice one Michael, the Moxon is up there with my favourites. I've made individual ones for 20/15/10 now. 20m is a beast. The 12m Spiderbeam pole makes a good support for all 3 and still allows you to get a height of 6m worst case on 20m. You SWR dip will change once you get it in the air but not by much as you say. The only downside is its mono band and 15 is closed so I'm building a Hexbeam too. Downside of the Hex is the front to back ratio doesn't come close to the Moxon.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'm expecting 15 meters to be open for Field Day. With the world's largest amateur radio event, the bands are 'always open.' Honestly, I'm not expecting the SWR to dip much more, the numbers I got are very good and I'm satisfied with the results. I can't wait to really get it on the air.

[@MM0OPXFieldRadio]

@@KB9VBRAntennas your right, even a "dead" band always opens for a contest.

[@Only_Hams]

I built a hex beam for 20m using six black widow poles. Been up a year or so with a couple of repairs. They aren't the best but they work.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

That's not bad.

[@coolstuff_.]

cool

[@travisaugustine7264]

I can't wait for Field Day...makes me think I might need to build something for the weekend as well. You can't be the only one with a toy to play with. Hmmm...what resources do I have out here at camp? (/me looks around and sees a bunch of sticks) Wonder if I could build some sort of a beam out of sticks for 10m.

[@DutchCleveland]

Funny I will be at field day and I am thinking the SAME thing. I also need something for POTA and our camper. So far Im thinking I can pull off a Linked Dipole (10-20-40m) or a Mag loop if I am being courageous. I already own a MFJ-1919EX (fiberglass pole) -NA8Y

[@mikeramsey9747]

Definitely an interesting build, as for the arms could you have used Bamboo vs. the fishing poles?

[@n0vty873]

Get 20 ft Black widow poles and remove the sections you dont need and that will give you a stiffer pole and less droop.

[@45auto]

As soon as you said to yourself "I think I'll build a Moxon" Chuck KK6USY felt it in the force and he smiled. Do the metal hooks not cause any issues? On my way to rewatch your 6m Moxon video.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The metal hooks shouldn't affect things, the wire I used is insulated.

[@W4TRI]

I've never seen one built that way. I'm sure it does not matter too much. I thought building it with the poles pointing "up" was to help it tension things into the same plane and screech it into shape?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've had one or two people say the same thing. The plans I based this project on had the poles drooping downwards, so I went that route. From what I've found, a little slack in your radiator and directors don't affect things that much and the wire don't have to be taught.

[@chucks1967289]

You wouldn't happen to have the link to the .stl file for the female threaded section? Thank you and amazing design!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

This is the one that I used: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3619872

[@chucks1967289]

@@KB9VBRAntennas thank you for your reply!

[@TwstedTV]

How does this differs from the - Shark Ham Sticks on The Chameleon Spider ?

[@herbalvey9267]

I need a 2m moxon antenna.

[@herbalvey9267]

kb9mzh

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

Nice job Michael! I built my original Moxon for 20m and it has worked great! I have a few suggestions for you. Use small paracord or fishing line in place of you PVC spacers this will lighten it up a lot. Some upper tension on your poles might make it a bit sturdier. I used 7.2m fishing rods and didn't use the smaller outer sections, I know you have yours already so try to tension them. I did mine as a upside down umbrella with a peace of PVC extended above and small paracord holding the tips up. Chuck kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpirimSYadWUq80

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thanks for sharing the video. You have some good tips in it. I think I may switch out the wire for something lighter, like 18 or 20ga. I'll have to see what I have in my parts box. That should keep the poles from flexing so much.

[@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I used 26 gauge poly stealth pretty light but hard to see if you lay it down on the ground lol.

[@d3jake]

@@KK6USYHamRadioAdventures How much power can that 26G take?

[@AllanBProductions]

Michael. How do you plan on guying the antenna for field day?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've got a few ides, one of which may involve scoutcraft. You'll have to see what I come up with on Field Day.

[@marcinmichigan2772]

Michael, you made reference about the connector being heavy. Would a budwig so-239 connector save you any weight? Marc/K8MH

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The Budwig would be marginally lighter considering mine has the 4 machine screws and nuts. I'd be curious of the weight difference between the two.

[@marcinmichigan2772]

@@KB9VBRAntennas I measured mine, 38 grams, or 1.3 oz.

[@europa8117]

You should not use carbon fiber since you are electrically conductive.

[@Aimsport-video]

Those poles, thankfully, are fiberglass.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Yep. The fishing rods I used are fiberglass.

[@ehayes5217]

very interesting & tnx for posting! 73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇸 dit dit 😃