Install of the N9TAX and the CTC-50M Comet Window feed-thru jumper - HAM Radio

[@W5HSJ]

Excellent video! I just ordered one of the Comet pass through connectors myself. Don't worry about the quality of your video, to me you showed many of us exactly how to use one of these connectors and keep the wife happy! Thank you for your service for our country as well! God bless, Mark in Corpus Christi, Texas W5HSJ.

[@EverDave]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I did. 73's KL4LS down in Central Texas now!

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

Great job with that antenna deployment. I use the same antenna at my QTH here in central Texas and I love it. I plan to deploy mine in a similar manner very soon but it actually works very well just hanging it inside the window. 73's

[@EverDave]

Thank you Sir! I live in Central Texas as well and I don't have to use this method currently, but it was a HUGE help in Alaska haha

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

@@EverDave Oh well maybe I'll catch on the radio. I'm on QRZ. Callsign KI5PRK. 73's

[@holdfastmackinaw]

Hi Dave- I did 6 years active duty w the Army as a 25B. I've been a ham for a long time. Nice video, I needed info on that passthru and that's just what I need. Thanks!

[@EverDave]

Thanks for your service brother and I'm glad I could help!

[@keithguiste2659]

great video. Clear, concise, easy to follow. And more importantly. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

[@EverDave]

Much appreciated Sir. Thank you for your support!

[@MyronDYoder]

Hi Ever Dave! Thanks for the window feed-thru demo! I live in a basement apartment and saw this listed as an option on the internet, but was curious just how well it worked. I have been a ham for well over 4 decades and also worked as a Cell site maintenance Engineer, and we learned there that ANY connector that is used above about 30 MHZ introduces approx. 2dB of loss... I have the same HT and it has an SMA male connector built on the radio. When your father gave you the radio, It has an SMA to BNC adapter on it already, so, all you need to do is remove the SMA to BNC adapter at the radio, remove all the other adapters and hook the antenna connector directly to the Radio!! It would relieve a lot of stress and strain on the radio connector, and reduce a lot of loss through the extra, unneeded adapters, giving you more wattage into the antenna!!! Just a suggestion from my own and others experimentation with R.F. have a great day and thanks again for the Video. 73 de WD9AKG

[@EverDave]

I was not aware that it already had the connector on it. That's good to know, thanks! I've upgraded a bit so I dont have the same setup any longer, but that jumper saved the day for me. I'm glad I was able to help. Thanks so much and 73's from Texas now! KL4LS

[@jodyjohnson3146]

Great video. Thanks for confirming that this antenna can be used in a pvc pipe. That gives us options.

[@EverDave]

Absolutely! Everyone told me it wouldn't work, but I tried it anyway..

[@WJ6FRadio]

Great video! I use the N9TAX as well. Great antenna. I was In the Army Active duty (1986-1991) 3rd ID & 8th ID Germany. Sounds like Retreat playing in the background.

[@EverDave]

Thank you for your service. You would be correct :) Yeah I like the antenna quite alot. It's very versatile.

[@mholman9711]

Nice, thanks for sharing this. These 2 meter radios are popular out in the bush. I'm using a kenwood tm281 in a big truck.. Anyway I'm getting the baofeng and this antenna seems killer... We'll still be here for you when you come back Haha 😜

[@rejphotography]

Great job Dave. You helped me decide to order a few of these for my first attempt at HF. Taking my General this weekend and not ready to drill any holes just yet.

[@EverDave]

Double check the ratings for your HF rig. I don't want you to ruin anything. It worked on my Drake rig but I didn't use it alot.

[@MarkyShaw]

That's great man. What a nifty little jumper. Wish it was a little cheaper! But definitely saves from some holes being drilled in the wall. I'm literally using the tiny little SMA wire that came with the RTL-SDR jammed in my window hooked up to a pair of rabbit ears. Looking forward to getting one of these one day so I can hook it up to a better antenna along with the Baofeng. Nice little setup man. Thanks for the video!

[@EverDave]

Thanks so much! Yeah it took me a bit before I could swallow the price.

[@WolfQuantum]

Hello from Southwest Texas. I spent four years at Ft. Wainwright. Lived on 6th Street in quarters. Awesome to see Birch Hill in the background in your video. I consider Ft. Wainwright and Ft. Bragg as my Army homes. I miss Fairbanks and the interior of AK. I had this antenna tucked away and thought it wasn't working well from past tests. Then I got to thinking that when I tested it before the listening radios were too close and getting desensitized. Turned out that was it. The antenna was working too well. I took it back outside tonight with a Wouxun 5 watt. Hung the antenna in a tree and hit our repeater lima charlie. Strong signal report back from another club member. Just this past weekend we put up a roof mounted discone and I was thinking I'd like a lower mounted dual band or maybe a GMRS antenna as a second for other radios. (I have both ham and GMRS license). Now I'm torn between keeping the N9TAX rollup as field antenna or slip it into some PVC like you did and use it on the house as a second antenna or maybe as either a GMRS repeater or for 2M/70CM crossband repeat using my TYT TH-UV8000E. Enjoy AK (if you are still there) and 73. K2WLF/WQZW588.

[@EverDave]

Alaska is an amazing place and the N9TAX is one of my go to antennas. I have two right now. Thanks so much for the awesome comment! I'm glad that I could bring back some memories. 73, KL4LS ✌️

[@wakkowarner7391]

Certainly making the most of what you can do there. I need to do something similar at home.

[@EverDave]

It was perfect for my setup in Alaska. I live in Texas now in a home we bought, so my options are a lot different. So are my windows haha. Thanks for the comment and the view!

[@longrider42]

In point of fact you did the right thing, putting your antenna into some PVC pipe. Don't forget you will need a 12 volt desktop power supply. Good looking rig. KI7BSL from Cheyenne Wyoming wishing you 73s.

[@EverDave]

Thanks for the comment! Almost everyone says that it wouldn't work, but it does. Yeah I have a small Radio Shack power supply that works perfectly. Thanks again!!!

[@longrider42]

Well there is a guy who actually makes slim jim antenna's and incases them in the Thin walled PVC, if you are interested > edsantennas.weebly.com/ So yeah, your idea is sound.

[@cmillerphotos]

Ed Fong builds his antennas inside a piece of PVC too. As long as you use the thin wall you'll be good. Don't want the thick stuff though.

[@EverDave]

That's good to know! Yeah I went with the thinnest I could find.

[@johnward7894]

If mama ain't happy nobody's happy good video learned a lot 73 w3oj

[@EverDave]

That is so very true haha

[@Johnyrocket70]

I have 3 N9TAX antennas hanging from my blinds. They work fine.

[@EverDave]

They really do work great. I like mine alot.

[@Shastasays]

Great job. Solid signal. That's what ham radio is about. 73 KD9NGU

[@EverDave]

Thank you very much!

[@nivid01]

Good onya mate re your simple setup!!!

[@EverDave]

Thanks so much! Work with what you got right 😁

[@scotreece5795]

Excellent job I was wondering how that would work. Again great job n thanks for sharing. 73 KN4CBS N.C.

[@EverDave]

Yeah, I was impressed. I've moved since then, but that was an awesome fix for me.

[@williamstaylor5449]

I hope that it is still working well for you. Try to get on HF if you can, even with a compromise antenna - lots of contacts from all over the world (I know it is a bit rougher in AK-land).

[@byn1975]

Thanks for sharing your experience. What's the diameter of PVC pipe?

[@EverDave]

The pipe is labeled as 1-1/4", however, when measured the inside diameter is 1-1/2".

[@shawntaylor1988]

Dave thanks for the video. New to the hobby but my question is... I'm not sure what the cable connection is coming into the radio, but why not use an adapter that would connect to the cable and then sma-f into the radio. I'm sorry if I missed an explanation.

[@EverDave]

Thanks so much for the view and the comment. Yeah, I went from a standard connection to the SMA connection on my handheld. I'd have to watch again to see if I mentioned it. Welcome to the hobby!!! 73, KL4LS

[@Captain1717Q]

How is that CTC jumper holding up?

[@EverDave]

Hello and thanks for reaching out. So I currently don't require it at my home here in Texas so I don't use it any longer. However, that sucker performed perfectly and gave me exactly what I needed. I know it costs a bit, but for me it was 100% worth it. 73s! KL4LS

[@Captain1717Q]

@@EverDave Thank you.

[@donnymorrison5480]

I was wondering if you have made any simplex contacts. There are a lot of connections that may decrease output (wattage) to the antenna. I have some Ed Fong PVC antenna's. I have only checked out one so far using an SWR meter. Results not bad ( 8 watts reflected with 48 watts forward on VHF). You must according to Ed, use the thin wall 200psi PVC. The schedule 40 is too thick and will effect performance of the antenna. Let me know of your simplex TX and RX, I'm curious. Thanks for the insight into the window setup.

[@EverDave]

Good morning and thank you for the comment! Yes, I have made some Simplex contacts. I wish more people monitored the 2m here in the interior of Alaska. My furtherst one was about 9 miles so far and it was all quiet. No issues at all. I don't have an SWR meter yet though.

[@KenCunningham921]

I've heard if you use the #200 pvc pipe (thinner walls) you'll be fine.

[@EverDave]

I found that to be true. I love the performance of this thing. I'm not sure how I missed your comment, but thanks so much for watching and the comment!!

[@donaldshields2483]

you on ur way on 73 D0n k1 emw in maine

[@91210paige]

HI Ever Dave, I have the same Baofeng radio and antenna. Can you explain why you put it in the pvc? Also, tell me more about the battery eliminator? Thanks

[@EverDave]

Thanks so much for the view and comment! I wanted it protected from the crazy elements here in the interior of Alaska. This was the only idea I could come up with. It's a thin walled PVC pipe too so minimal interference posibilities hopefully. The Eliminator is so that I can have it on all the time without my battery draining. I got it off Amazon pretty cheap. I can also use it in the Jeep if I want.

[@91210paige]

Can you do a test to see how far you can reach a repeater with that antenna set up and just the UV82 5 watt radio? for example 25 miles 50 miles away or further? I assume the power of the radio will limit it.

[@EverDave]

The repeater is 15 miles away and I'm using just the UV-82 on 5 Watts. I have had 2 conversations since posting this on the repeater.

[@91210paige]

What do you call the stand that you have your radio sitting on?

[@EverDave]

That's just a cellphone holder that I like :)

[@nealhamilton3881]

What stand is that you're using to hold the radio on the desk?

[@EverDave]

Just a simple tripod cellphone holder like this one amzn.to/2XDrOxA

[@rockyflagg]

stay safe,nice video,thanks for your service. What type of cable did you use?

[@EverDave]

Thanks! I used standard coax plus this CTC window jumper. Works really well for this style of window.

[@rockyflagg]

gave me an idea for my next HOA setup.

[@EverDave]

@@rockyflagg awesome!!

[@slyfox720]

Are you still in Alaska, and if so what part, I was stationed in Ketchikan and Kodiak from 2011-2015

[@EverDave]

Stationed at Wainwright 😁

[@dennismartinez1529]

awesome thanks and 73's KM4VTO

[@EverDave]

Happy to have helped in any way! 73, KL4LS

[@dennismartinez1529]

Ever Dave by the way I am a retired Soldier 😊🤙🇺🇸

[@EverDave]

@@dennismartinez1529 thanks for your service, brother ✌️

[@dennismartinez1529]

Ever Dave thank you for your service 😊🤙🇺🇸

[@jojopri22]

Great job! Keep making videos, 73! KM6EHD

[@EverDave]

Thanks!!

[@jamieb9556]

Should have used lmr 400 coax

[@EverDave]

It's still not flat. Unless I'm missing something. I needed a flat cable and this jumper fit the bill.

[@josebrivera1716]

It might receive ok, but the antenna’s SWR is probably high. I would check the SWR. You are a new ham and probably think it’s ok to ignore people’s warnings on putting the antenna in a pvc pipe. It matters because you could be damaging your radio and not putting out all the power you have because of losses. At least test the SWR. Why wouldn’t you want to know?

[@EverDave]

You make a very good point. I've checked it since this video and it is about 1.4 so it's doing great. I appreciate the info though for sure! ✌️ 73's

[@CroPrepper]

Dude your window is opening towards the outside? Wtf...Using vhf and uhf you should use thicker feeder cables, like RG213. Check the Coax loss calculator for your specific cable. (google). I have the 9tax slimjim too. Aint quite satisfied, using my ft817 on vhf and uhf, it shows pretty bad SWR readings.

[@EverDave]

I don't have the option of running a thicker cable for a few reasons. One, I am not allowed to make any modifications to my house and second it's -30°F today. I understand completely what you mean though. This works really well for me though. Thanks for the comment though. Have an awesome day ✌️

[@K6TJO]

Helpful video! Thanks 73 de K6TjO

[@EverDave]

Glad I could be of help! 73, KL4LS ✌️

[@EddieVfgi]

Thank you for your service! Eddie kj4fgi

[@EverDave]

Happy I can serve. Thanks for your support!

[@scottmitseff4402]

Great Video! KJ7AVQ

[@EverDave]

Thank you so much!

[@dougestes9448]

73 de kd5ilg

[@Nathan1975Liggy]

them through window things are a rip off, they are the same price as a good colinear for 2m / 70cm to expensive not worth any more than £10

[@EverDave]

They may be priced too high, but it was perfect for my situation with our style of windows and the extreme cold weather of Alaska.