Icom 7300: How To Set PILEUP BUSTING Audio

[@Steve_AI7SV]

Wow! Your recommendation worked for me. Busted the pileup with my 1st call today.

[@K0LWC]

Glad it helped, Steve. Now you’re ready to slay the DX! 😉

[@billmoore770]

Same thing just happened to me. I'm a believer.

[@arkadiuszweiss]

A long time ago it was believed that there should be a lot of midtones in SSB around 1Khz (the 300Hz and 3KHz band edges are weakened). The time has come for dynamic microphones instead of crystalline ones. They produced high-quality sound in SSB. Unfortunately, dynamic microphones sounded poor in AM (AM remained in CB, but in amateur AM service it was quickly abandoned). An AM receiver uses de-emphasis to reduce noise and required crystal microphones having naturally occurring pre-emphasis. A dynamic microphone in AM does not work efficiently unless it is corrected with filters. Today, DSP improves everything, an ordinary microphone sounds great "like a million dollars". In addition, old radios from the 1960s produced a huge amount of noise that obscured weak stations, but some of them were able to receive stations with a lot of pleasant bass when the speakers were large. In the tube era, a microphone with an impedance transformer had to be used, sometimes in the radio and sometimes in the microphone. Microphone inserts of 30 to 200 Ohm were used, followed by a transformer giving at least several kilohms of impedance at the output so that the tubes received an appropriately high voltage. Piezoelectric microphones did not need a transformer but sounded worse in SSB. Moreover, when the microphone impedance transformer was installed in the radio, the radio was more stable and more resistant to RF radiation attacking the microphone cable. It was very good separation of audio from RF. Good health.

[@roberthopkins8089]

Well said that man well said...

[@DrBruceWilson]

Thank you fir these recommendations. I'm getting back into the hobby and just worked coast-to-coast with a wire antenna and 20 w. Got "great audio" feedback too. 73

[@TheCrunchbird]

I tried your settings running 100W into an end fed half wave 80 meter inverted L antenna that is matched using a 49:1 UNUN. The result was 5 x 9 from both England and Ireland on 75 meter SSB. I went on 40 meters SSB using the same audio settings - the same antenna and 100W. I worked VK, ZL and ZS as well as most of Europe with some very nice signal reports. Incredibly, I busted numerous pile-ups with my low power. Your settings work extremely well. One word of caution, the good old boys on 75 meters complained bitterly about my audio. Be sure to set the audio back to more normal settings for local communications. Thanks again from Dave, N2SN in NE Florida.

[@docmonty5859]

These are exactly the same results that I received. Working a contest today with the new settings I was able to break through pile-ups with ease. I agree with you 100% that you have to put your mic settings back to normal when rag chewing as others listening will certainly let you know.

[@Bobbert153]

This makes sense! It's the little things in life that can add so much enhanced enjoyment to this hobby. Great presentation. Thanks, Bob, KM6PAX

[@K0LWC]

Well said!

[@jimt9816]

A truly remarkable improvement compared to the out of the box settings. As you say everyone's voice (and mic and voice characteristics) is different, I ended up with Mic Gain=40, Comp=3, TX Bass=0, and TX Treble=+3. I'm amazed at the dramatic difference/improvement of my signal as heard through an internet SDR site (about 250 miles from my QTH) that allowed me to hear and record my actual transmitted audio (with the ICOM SM-30 mic, with Lo Cut Off).

[@knarfark]

Thanks for the video. I have been in commercial radio for almost 50 years, so I'll give your settings a try!

[@Ellen-DavePote]

These settings worked for my IC-705. Very good video.

[@hamradiotube]

This just makes me think...why didn't I do that! Fantastic video, I loved the way you presented every point you were making. Now I've learned things and must experiment. Nice job. 73

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

I watched your video a few weeks back and took your advice on the TX settings of the mic gain, comp, bass and treble and I use the stock mic... wow... I get so many comments on the high quality of my voice. People love it. Unsolicited comments on how good it sounds. I also run legal limit with a homebrew 4-1000A but I think you hit the bulls-eye on how to set up TX for SSB on the 7300. From hearing your voice on this video, I think my voice profile is similar and maybe that matters. In any case, thank you. 73 WA4QGA, El Paso

[@K0LWC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charleswoods2996]

Got one on the way, scheduled to be here (Akron, Ohio) by this coming Tuesday 5/4/2021, and I'm still planning in running my INRAD mic, W2IHY 8 band EQ and EQPlus! So far, I've running that audio set up on a Kenwood TS - 480SAT and I've received very positive compliments on my "deep, *projected* voice" over the air! Good video/advice! KD8EFQ/73

[@jamiesuejeffery]

Thank you! I recently purchased a IC-7610 (I only purchase a radio every 30 years...my workhorse is a IC-736), this helped me, but the 7610 menus are a bit different.

[@hankosaurus]

Very useful video, Matthew. Thanks! Had no idea that the standard mic has a Heil element. 73 de kc4i

[@parkerriverrat1]

thanks for the video, how do you set the waterfall to show activity when you are in TX mode? I see yours is in red. Mine just locks up and shows nothing in TX mode.

[@JackSquat54]

On RX i like to leave the menu settings tone control in the middle and play with the twin PBT settings. I have 3 preset settings ranging from trebly to bassy and can fine tune from any of those presettings if i want. I works for me. I'm Not saying it is any better. I enjoyed your presentation.

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi How did you set your voice pre-sets? William

[@adamke0vny295]

Learned some extra stuff on the audio settings. Thank you. Also try setting your hpf and lpf for RX audio. Will help null out some of the high and low hiss with out running NR. Changed how I use my 7300 dramatically.

[@K0LWC]

Indeed. The filters are great on the IC-7300!

[@cocoavideos]

Just got my radio, what values do you use for hpf and lpf?

[@tomcruiser2407]

Great video I need the same setting for the Heil Pro 7 headset too. It has about the same balanced level as the standard mike.

[@rdredfox]

One of the reasons the audio is so great on the 7300 is that Icom got Bob Heil to work with them to design the tx audio system.

[@ky4tgtodd203]

Great video! Very helpful!! I miss hearing you on KZbin! Hope you are well brother! 73

[@rogerkulpnik]

Nice! The manual they ship with the radio lacks a lot of detail about settings compared to the full manual one can download from the icom website. I like how you jump right in without dumb intros and babble that plagues so many other videos out there.

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi How are you listening to your voice live, while making audio adjustments?? I watched the video but can’t seem to see which setting you are in. Thanks!!!

[@K0LWC]

Using UtahSDR to monitor my signal. Google it - great SDR system in Utah.

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

@@K0LWC Thanku

[@neilnaples6892]

Just setup my 7300 using your gain settings. Thank you

[@ElPasoTubeAmps]

Excellent video - Great job getting to the point and suggesting settings I am going to try. 🙂 - as a side note/question could you please help me understand why I keep getting, what I assume is some sort of warning beep on receive, when running my 7300 in AM mode on 40M? I am exhausted in trying to find out why. I know I am a little weird running a 7300 in AM mode and I use it to drive a homebrew 4-1000A amp and Love it. People say it is good stuff - I also run other homebrew equipment in high-level modulated AM - I am an old-school, boatanchor, vacuum tube guy and the menus on the 7300 make me crazy sometimes but it is a nice radio - It seems only to beep (again, I assume some sort of warning beep ?) in receive mode, on 40M in AM - not in SSB or not on any other band. I am sure it is likely a couple of clicks/punches on the front panel but it is driving me crazy. 73 WA4QGA El Paso, TX

[@davidkucera4857]

I agree with almost all of that except the mic gain is way too high. You can tell it’s clipping, even without a scope, just by ear. The IC-7300 is known to have a very effective alc that reduces output power aggressively as you approach clipping. The mic gain should be set so that you never exceed 30-50% of the meter ALC scale.

[@garykohtala3936]

Not to distract from an otherwise excellent presentation, I agree that the mic gain was excessively high. Icom radios default mic gain settings are historically about five times too high for average use. I think Icom assumes that you will place the mic away (6 inches?) from your mouth and speak in a normal voice. That does not play well, at least not for me. I always close talk across my microphones and have excellent results. I usually set mic gain in my IC-7300 to 10-15 MAX, Compressionto 5, BW to Widest setting, depending on what I'm doing. A higher Mic Gain setting will be too much. That assumes talking close to the mic for best audio. Remember, the IC-7300 stock mic has a Heil element I wonder what your recommended settings would look like on a scope? I hear many stations on the air with excessive bandwidth, splatter, too much bass, too much treble, etc. Many sound like they have a cloths pin on their noses. It would be a great thing if more people would take pride in their audio quality. It is a direct reflection on the operator. I agree that there may be multiple ways of setting up IC-7300 audio to attain the prescribed meter deflection per the manual. Some sound great, some not so good. It all comes down to the particular operator's voice, how close they speak into the mic, the environment in which they are operating, etc. Thanks for the great presentation. Keep up the great work. Best regards - Gary, K7EK

[@hotforit]

Great video! I'm looking forward to trying out these settings. Will try some on my 9100 as well.

[@K0LWC]

Let me know how it goes!

[@tonygarcia5964]

Great video question how did you get your own signal to appear on waterfall while transmitting? Thank you for a great KZbin experience.

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

3:57 Do you see the weird RFI going on to the left and the right of your current frequency? What causes that? I just had that happen last night.

[@K0LWC]

That’s LED interference from my light I’m using to film this video.

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

@@K0LWC very interesting to know. Now I can trace down which one is causing mine. Thanks alot

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Nice video!!! How are you setting the ability to hear your own voice as you are adjusting the audio settings? Thanks William

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi Nice video. In setting the tx voice to dx or plain conversation, is there a way to set the two? Thus, after calling dx and establishing a conversation, I could the switch(without going through menus)immediately to a conversation mode? Thanku William

[@K0LWC]

No way to save each as a custom audio preset. Though you could save each as a “radio” preset and just change the audio settings. It’s overkill, but would accomplish what you want. Look under the “FT8” or “Presets” section on Menu 2 for saving presets. Presets are just saving radio configuration settings - including audio.

[@kayakbassfishing473]

What mic can I use .. Heil or is there another brand .. what about the Icom desk Mic's are they enhancements at all or is the hand Mic just as good?

[@danaann9944]

How do you hear yourself on the radio and how does the compressor, and other settings compare to a female voice? Thank you.

[@ralphmichaelferraro2398]

very helpful. .. Thank you

[@SteveBerwick]

Transmit Bandwidth set to narrow will also give your signal more punch.

[@davem7847]

Great video. Have an IC-705, now I know how to set it to get alot stronger signals out on the air. Also how to counter act the audio issues with the Noise Reduction. Thanks!

[@eliekadi_OD5KU_KU5OD]

mr heil cordinated with mr icom to set the tx eq

[@vencentbauer]

Now can we use the 7300 on the 40 channel ssb and is that 10 meter ?????

[@Perspectologist]

Nice explanation. It was a good idea to record on another receiver (I presume) so we can hear how your voice comes through the noise. The on radio recording is great, but it wouldn’t have illustrated this as well.

[@twohandsandaradio]

Would be interesting to see where you ALC meter is at.

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Hi Love the audio on this radio. What do you suggest for settings on AM? Thanku William

[@edwinheuveling6574]

What is the bandwich jou using in this test mid narrow or wide thanks

[@K0LWC]

Wide

[@edwinheuveling6574]

@@K0LWC Thanks

[@gregsaiter3768]

Thanks,great video. I have a question: In the manual it also talks about adjusting these settings along with the ALC setting. Can you give me your intrepetation on that? TIA.Greg KO8A

[@K0LWC]

ALC should bounce around 50%-75% of the ALC meter. If you’re pegging it into the red you’re likely distorted.

[@ths3900]

Is the heil element on all the 7300's or just the later models?

[@WILLIAMPERRELLI]

Is there a way to hear ones voice live or recorded on the rig in order to set voice tones? William

[@K0LWC]

You can record your audio or listen to the playback with headphones on. Just turn on the “Monitor” feature.

[@rojer9344]

What do you set your tbw on with that setting

[@K0LWC]

Wide.

[@robertramos36]

where your compression is mine is just blank? nothing is there ?

[@K0LWC]

Make sure you’re in SSB mode and compression is turned on in the radio.

[@laurentb.5574]

Hi, Thank you for instructive video. But I have a question : How do you do to hear and record your voice ? I would do that to adjust my audio. Thanks

[@K0LWC]

I use the Utah SDR. Google it and you'll find it!

[@cocoavideos]

@@K0LWC That Utah website is pretty neat, no idea you could listen to HF via the web and even adjust to your own receive frequency! Bands are not letting me reach it tonight (I'm in CA), will try a different day.

[@michaelpoczynek]

Thanks. Trying this on the 7610. DE VY2MJ. 73.

[@rtrjmk5]

Nice presentation.

[@titanecampi]

indeed great video Matthew, although i used my 7300 for FT8 mainly it would be nice to do some DX. A question for you how where you able to talk and hear your voice through the 7300? Roland va2jwz 73

[@K0LWC]

I recorded my transmitted audio on an SDR receiver located in Utah on 40M and edited it into the video. I’m kinda glad conditions sucked today as it’s a bit more realistic.

[@rickmckee6698]

I would not describe your voice as a "lower, boomy voice", I would describe it more "midrange". But it's a good video.

[@K0LWC]

I guess I need to project more in my videos. 😂

[@RADIOBUNKER73]

Can you tell us with X bandwith were you using? WIDE, MIDDLE or NARROW?

[@K0LWC]

Wide 100 - 2900

[@johnsmiley2922]

Excellent video...thank you

[@K0LWC]

Thanks, John.

[@davidtheriault7652]

Needed this audio “class”! Big thank you! 73 de KO4KHB

[@gregkurtz-Work]

Excellent training and examples. So helpful. Thank you for sharing. N8IOK

[@K0LWC]

Thanks, Greg!

[@michaelmattichiii1595]

Very well done

[@extremlaybak]

Try 5 on compressor for rag chew

[@jimshook39]

Fantastic, thank you! 73

[@Capt_Duffy]

Brilliant video...

[@K0LWC]

Thanks for watching!

[@nordland2235]

How many kh wide is the icom 7300 ?

[@K0LWC]

2900

[@chrislauren8711]

What about TX bandwidth, i amuse you are on wide 100-2900Hz ? Cheers

[@K0LWC]

Always! 😉

[@the11metersd.x.channel.55]

Thank you for this demo. Very useful information. The IC7300 has so many functions and hidden menus I am discovering new options every day.. 73s HS0ZOU P.S. Subbed and liked..

[@daveengstrom9250]

Too much bass makes a lot of syllables hard to hear for a lot of guys like me. Even when I was a kid I turned the treble up to make it more understandable for my ears. Everyone thinks their own voice sounds too high on a radio so the bump up the bass. Wrong.

[@jsa310]

Great video!

[@felangga]

How do you get your scope running when TX ? Mine the scope will pause while on TX

[@bojanrimanic6010]

You have to be in center mode

[@Radiomate]

I'm new to this radio how did you record your voice? Excellent video and I've subbed 👍

[@pmull252]

I'm not really sure. It sounds clipped.

[@carlosspadoni7268]

excelente video muchas gracias , tks a lot.

[@vk2lhc332]

Thanks for the video.

[@rona514]

how many inches from the MIC are you talking into it ? thanks

[@K0LWC]

3”-4” talking across the mic, not into it.

[@rona514]

@@K0LWC gotcha so hold the mic sideways while you talk few inches away, you sound superb

[@AD4C]

There is an easier way to configure the 7300 to have both punchy and ragchewing audio without having to do several steps within the menu. This is what I did on mine. Using your menu set the TX NAR Wich is the narrowest bandwidth on TX to 300 to 2900 so that way you will keep intelegibility to barke pileups and work dx. Then go to your TX SSB tones and set it to +5 on Bass and also on Treble. This way the only thing you have to do is switching the TX BW from WIDE to ragchewing to NAR for dx/pile up without having to do several steps as described on this video. Also, NEVER open your compressor level to 100% that is a huge mistake, besides to make a radio with poor spectral purity you will become the most unwanted ham on the bands because of all your splatters and also doing it you will risk the clarity of your signal, chances are your ex station won't pick you up.

[@K0LWC]

Good tips, but the 7300 won’t allow your signal to get beyond 2900. You could overdrive it to the max, and you’re just going to have an awful signal within 2900. The radio produces an RF waveform further down the DSP chain that is very clean no matter what you set your audio to settings-wise.

[@AD4C]

@@K0LWC well that depends on which way you feed the audio to the 7300, if instead of front mic you feed it trough the rear USB connector using a PC software, you can extend the bandwidth up to 3.1 Khz improving the inteligibility, it's been proved and documented by many guys including me.

[@K0LWC]

@@AD4C I believe it, if you’re tapping into audio a different way and not using the mic port, but that’s a pretty small number of hams. I like that Icom designed their audio in a way that was pretty foolproof.

[@AD4C]

@@K0LWC 100% agree, the way it's design is enough and there is no need to open the bandwidth of this 7300, it was just curiosity to know how wide can TX. I consider the 7300 one of the best radios in the market and I can say after owning more than a hundred radios from all JA brands as well as American ones including the K3 and the O2.

[@therealflashoverman]

How did you get the compression button active?

[@therealflashoverman]

I had to put the unit in SSB mode first. Then it was active.

[@therealflashoverman]

i had to have it in SSB mode first.

[@K0LWC]

Glad you got it.

[@toratora6079]

What is the setup for TBW you're using on this video ?

[@K0LWC]

Wide 100-2900 always!

[@yorkshirebikerbitsnbobs]

That the hand mic on the 7300 has a Heil insert is apparently a myth! And that's according to Icom themselves.

[@carlosspadoni7268]

excelent man tks a lot from ea8.

[@pd9rd]

Great info! very helpful .. How did you record your own audio? 73

[@phillefever1934]

As if there is any magic in a Heil element. Any 50 cent electret mic element will easily do a great job on the human voice

[@LEEBO-56]

HELLO EVERYONE..GREAT VIDEO ..I HAVE A ? ON MY IC7300.. I'VE CAN'T GET TX TO GO TO WIDE , MIDDLE ..IT'S STUCK ON NARROR. NOT GIVING A CHOICE..ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. BE SAFE AND STAY WELL EVERYONE.. ( DESPERADO 56 NORTH OF TAMPA FL.)....

[@danielpenaofficial4186]

Go into function screen and turn it to wide

[@user-by7zs2nm8x]

Breaker breaker good buddy 😂

[@ronangsr]

This works with the ic705 wow the difference

[@Bernard-John]

Hi,interesting video, don't agree with everything, but some good points 👍,, thanks for Rotterdam.

[@ReedAB8AS]

Thanks good info

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice.........................

[@dudeski934]

I hear your from minneapolis I'm in Farmington Minnesota

[@K0LWC]

Indeed, I’m in Maple Grove. I sometimes hop on the Faribault, Hastings and Burnsville repeaters!

[@K4AX]

ALC. ALC, and also, check your ALC 😉

[@southboundsuarez9832]

Oh Man! First I thank you and appreciate the fact that you took the time to make a very nicely produced video. I am embarrassed to mention this and I do not wish to come off as some troll or one to criticize. However, this is some of the worst 7300 audio I have ever heard. It is absolutely terrible. I have never heard one sound that bad on the air. I had assumed it impossible to make bad audio with an Icom.... proved me wrong. Does not anyone here find it aweful or is it just me?

[@14KiloWhisky]

Just you 😂🎉

[@miker8379]

The utube audio sounds great but that’s the worst sounding nasal 7300 I’ve ever heard. Hope it really doesn’t sound that way on air.

[@G0LGB]

You clearly have some Italian blood in your veins if you think that sounds at all good.

[@martyb.995]

dUDE YOU BUST PILE UP WITH POWER.........TRY YOUR DX SET AUDIO AND 100 WATTS......HAHAHAHAAAAAAA

[@rodgermunson3178]

sounded like shit

[@K0LWC]

Did you mean it sounds great?

[@pook2830]

Your methodology is flawed. It's a shame these videos have to exist. There was a time people used to actually build their own gear, and now we need videos to show them how to use ones they've bought properly because they can;t understand how a radio works.

[@twohandsandaradio]

I'm amazed at how few people can even adjust the mic gain without someone showing them on a video. We're talking people that had to pass a couple of tests just to get into the hobby and can't do the most rudamentary tasks on a radio. Then we have the masses that just blindly follow along and do whatever someone says. Everyone knows you'll bust a pile up with mic gain at 100, compression at 10 and keep that mic right on your lips.

[@pook2830]

@@twohandsandaradio When I took my exam, one of the questions was "Draw a circuit diagram for a Colpitts oscillator operating at 10MHz complete with realistic estimations of component values and show you working out". No multiple choice... no tick boxes.... actually draw a schematic. Makes you think doesn't it?

[@geod3589]

@@pook2830 ...and no 1 day cram class to be taught the answers in advance.

[@TheCrunchbird]

@@pook2830 When I took my RAE (radio amateur exam) in England back in the 1960's I had to draw a schematic for a heterodyne frequency meter, no kidding, N2SN ex G4FEB.

[@pook2830]

@@TheCrunchbird I know... yet in the UK, you get people saying the foundation exam is not too easy. They have to study for weeks in order to pass an exam with multiple choice questions such as: The correct formula relating the voltage, V, the current, I, and the resistance R is A] R = V - I B] R = V × I C] R = I / V D] R = V / I I kid you not... this is something people who have studied for weeks fail. That's an actual question from a Foundation License paper. I'm not saying it's not appropriate... I'm saying that a great many people fail this exam and say that it's too difficult.

[@thomastammaro693]

Great video sir.

[@Ramjet7777]

I just wish there was a tutorial on tx audio set-up for the 9700 on FM

[@Ham-Solo]

Very informative I’m going to try some of these settings to see what it sounds like for sure. Thanks for posting this video. @Ham-Solo K0FYR

[@josuejosemarinrodriguez867]

Good for me CO7RR

[@TheCrunchbird]

I tried your settings running 100W into an end fed half wave 80 meter inverted L antenna that is matched using a 49:1 UNUN. The result was 5 x 9 from both England and Ireland on 75 meter SSB. I went on 40 meters SSB using the same audio settings - the same antenna and 100W. I worked VK, ZL and ZS as well as most of Europe with some very nice signal reports. Incredibly, I busted numerous pile-ups with my low power. Your settings work extremely well. One word of caution, the good old boys on 75 meters complained bitterly about my audio. Be sure to set the audio back to more normal settings for local communications. Thanks again from Dave, N2SN in NE Florida.

[@gordonmurphy4321]

Great feedback on the video and can’t wait to this out. I just got a 49:1 UNUN and I’m trying to decide length and if the coax works well as a counter poise. How long is your EFHW?

[@TheCrunchbird]

@@gordonmurphy4321 My EFHW inverted L antenna is cut for 80 meters. It is 135 feet long and is configured as an end fed half wave end fed for eighty meters. It is fed with a 49:1 UNUN. When used with an Icom-7300. The SWR is very low on all bands 80 through 10 meters. A choke needs to be added to the transmitter side of the coaxial cable but NOT at the antenna side. The coax will be used as a counterpoise by the antenna until it sees the choke. The choke should be mounted about three feet from the transceiver. I used about a dozen turns of coax on a four inch PVC pipe for the choke. It must be working OK as I have zero RF in the shack. The inverted L has both a lot of very low angle radiation that is great for DX as well as a fair bit of high angle radiation that is equally great for local - 500 mile communication. An inverted L is thus obviously good for both DX and local work. It is without question the best all round multi band HF antenna that you can use. This antenna REALLY kicks some serious ass!!! To add to all of this, an end fed half wave inverted L does not require one to add any radials or counterpoises. Such are 100% optional. Myself and others do not use any with great results. Look up EFHW antennas on KZbin by Steve Ellington. This incredible guy will put you right. He is an absolute genius. I have worked the world on 80 - 75 - 40 - 15 meters SSB and CW using an EFHW inverted L with just 100 Watts during the current lousy sunspots of 2021. I have mostly come out on top during DX pileups even with my low power. My EFHW loads up fine on 10 meters but that band is still more or less dead until the solar cycle improves. To summarize, The EFHW antenna when used as an inverted L is the best antenna that I have ever used and I have previously owned a large tower and a beam antenna!!! Dave, N2SN.

[@TheCrunchbird]

@@gordonmurphy4321 My EFHW is cut for 80 meters. It's 135 feet long. The UNUN is mounted two feet from the bottom of a first pine tree. I used a 10 foot ground rod right below the UNUN that provides a DC ground to the antenna. The first 50 feet of wire go up vertically and the rest horizontally to the top of a second pine tree. It is a fantastic antenna.

[@gordonmurphy4321]

@@TheCrunchbird Thanks David! I will watch the videos and am glad to know how long your antenna is and if you relied on the coax as the counterpoise. I was thinking of putting a ~66 foot antenna up but I will try to see if I can get the length your used installed.

[@TheCrunchbird]

@@gordonmurphy4321 Try to put it up as an inverted L so you have low angle radiation for DX. Go vertical as high as possible then horizontal or even sloping down to the ground.