KB3ORG - UltiMax DXTreme Antenna Reiview - Part 1

I added an all band 53' end fed antenna by Ultimax Antennas to my shack. This low profile, quick setup antenna may be the answer to getting on HF.
UltiMax Website:
www.ultimax-an...
UltiMax DXTreme 53' End Fed Antenna:
www.ultimax-an...
KB3ORG Website:
www.kb3org.com/

[@waltherp22guy]

I have the Ultimax 100 antenna 24 ft coming. I will be moving into an assisted living community soon. I am deciding between using a FT-991A with a MFJ-939y tuner or a K4D with an internal tuner. Ultimax told me either one would work with their product. we will see.

[@kc8wvg]

Steve, thanks for the review of this end-fed. Eham also had many good reviews. I built a 44' end-fed and I'm very pleased with the results. This one looks like it might end up above my QTH. Thanks, again. 73s KC8WVG

[@joewilson2258]

kn4kbh , In my experience I find having the tuner at the input of the antenna will be much much better for full rf output as then you reduce to almost zero line loss between your radio and the antenna .

[@ThisOldHamShack]

Just yesterday my son helped me put it up higher so it's away from the roof. It works perfectly now, tunes on all bands.

[@Sui778]

These are interesting antennas to say the least. I have an Ultimax 100 24-ft and first set it up with the transformer on the ground (yes literally sitting on the grass) and ran the wire up to about 9-10 feet in a branch of a tree. The idea was to use the ground as a reflector. First contact I ever made with that thing set up like that was in northern Brazil (I'm in TX). My observations are pretty much that the antenna likes being sloped better than anything else. I haven't tried it vertical (I already have a vertical up that does what I need it to do so I didn't bother).

[@alvarogaitan2529]

good job 73 from kb2uew

[@LavaKimo]

Endfeds work great with the feed point at the low side.

[@ThisOldHamShack]

Yep, but I have to figure out how to run the coax as the low end MUST be a the front (street side) of my house which makes the coax run about 70ft. I wanted to avoid a long run but I might have to do it, and yes I do have low loss cable to use.

[@SilverMoonJoe]

Nice video. They are great antenna but I had never been able to use my internal antenna tuner using this antenna. It wont tune... So I use the MFJ-939 which does a great work. 73, Joe k4jga

[@DougNetherton]

Seems like a variation on a random wire. I noticed a lot of static on your receive signal so I would add a noise filter choke just before your transceiver to cut down on the noise. Doug, VE3MCF

[@N2YTA]

Thanks for the excellent video. I just received my DXtreme 53 foot antenna yesterday. It’s my third antenna from Ulitmax. I first used their 24’ version then (currently) use the 33’. I also have an LDG AT-100 ProII tuner and I live in a mobile home! I’m now using a coil of coax as a choke at the transformer; however the instructions for my new antenna say not to. Are you using any type of choke? The instructions also say not to ground the transformer if it’s more than ten feet off the ground but I have mine grounded to a rod directly below the box, Is your transformer grounded? Again, thanks for the video, and 73, George

[@johnw9557]

Hello neighbor. Great antenna, I use it working POTA, Parks on the air. I run mine with the balun close to the ground and wire end up about 28ft. de K3AFV

[@fernandoares9032]

Good video. You did not say anything about whether to put the transformer high or low makes any difference. ke9le

[@alanchatfield4271]

The old ham shack is so old he thinks he is living on a ball still lol

[@rufus4779]

I’m curious. Have you checked SWR across all the bands without a tuner? N2OWM Jim

[@mikeym1875]

Steve, at the end of the video you said you were going to do some additional testing at your club. Any updates?

[@ThisOldHamShack]

Funny you should mention that. I planned an immediate follow up but life got in the way. But with the stay at home order I am planning an antenna project within the next week, just waiting for the rain to clear out this week. I picked up a second flag pole mast that will be dedicated to this antenna to get it up and away from the roof. I will be doing a video on the install and and testing of the new configuration.

[@alanvk5ar436]

Asking "is the frequency is use" without identifying is illegal

[@al5o-al]

FCC Rules identify within every 10 minutes and at the end of the qso.

[@ricoswanson6847]

Apparently he had Taco Bell the night before. Per 2:05 mark evidence