Why is my signal so strong? My HF ham radio portable antenna kit

What do I carry with me when I hit the road for a Parks on the Air or some other kind of portable radio activity. In this video I break down the contents of my portable HF antenna kit:
My HF Portable Radio Kit: • My HF ham radio portab...
Husky 5 gallon professional storage totes: www.homedepot....
Amazon packing cubes: amzn.to/3vzTWDV
Weaver Leather Throw Weight: amzn.to/3bl0IGZ
RG-8X Coax: amzn.to/3Q93GwO
Wolf River Coil Silver Bullet 1000: www.wolfriverc...
Chameleon SS-17 Stainless Whip: chameleonanten...
Antenna jaw mount clamp: amzn.to/3PVdHOA
3/8x24 stud for clamp: amzn.to/3oLZRlB
Build a link dipole antenna: • Parks on the Air (POTA...
Chameleon CHA-LEFS end fed antenna: chameleonanten...
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KB9VBR VHF/UHF Antennas:
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My Parks on the Air setup:
Transceiver: amzn.to/3lmHoei
Battery: amzn.to/3xBGgbv
Tuner: amzn.to/2ZCNM9l
Folding Table: amzn.to/3xFIp5Z
Throw Weight: amzn.to/32QW2nB
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#hamradio #amateurradio #HFportable #Fieldradio #POTA #Parksontheair #chameleonantenna #portableantenna

[@granitebuilt5836]

Your down-to-Earth style videos are much appreciated. What have you typically found gives you better performance for long distance contacts between the wire and vertical style antennas?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Good question. I've gotten DX on all three of these antennas. I'd have to crunch the numbers, but I believe I've gotten the most DX contacts with the vertical. But I'm going to add the caveat that the DX usually comes on 17 and 15 meters and I'm most likely using the vertical on those bands.

[@davewhite7679]

I totally agree! 3 great performing antennas that can adapt to nearly any field deployment situation. They cost me about $200 total and I Iearned a lot in the process. Mine are very similiar to Michael's. #1. A Linked Dipole (40-30-20m) - Home brewed for less than $30. #2. A 40 meter EFHW - Mine is the HF-Kits 40-10 sold by ARRL for $80 (kit). #3. A 17 ft. Telescopic Vertical Whip with 4-16 ft. wire radials. - Mine is the MFJ-1979 and the jaw clamp mount for about $90. KZ9V

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Love the kit@ Modular is the way to go portable.

[@jeffreymccall4246]

Thank you for this video. Most people talk about the ‘big’ things in POTA, but it’s easy to get stopped by the little things.

[@Niteskate1]

Nice video Michael, a well thought out kit that obviously has been put together from your experience in the field doing POTA activations. Thanks for sharing.

[@johnkaelberer237]

Excellent. I like the two is one, one is none approach. I also like that you use resonate antennas. No need for the trick "Tactical" antennas that cost half as much as your radio. You will get the best signal with a resonate antenna and they can be deployed in many different ways. The WRC antenna is also an excellent vertical. I bought the Buddipole/Stick antenna set up prior to the WRC coming to the market. A slightly different style of vertical than the WRC, but I have great results with it. I have added a 17' whip to my BP set up. I really have enjoyed making my own antennas. A portable vertical pole and wire (with radials) vertical antenna is also a great performer. Many choices, but in the long run, the simple wire antennas will be the one's that perform. The real go to antennas. Thank You for the time you spend in doing your videos Michael. Portable does not have to be expensive to be effective.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've consistently received the best performance from the dipole, but sometimes its not possible nor expedient to set that antenna up in the field. Hence the reason I carry three different styles of antennas. At least one is always going to work.

[@YllaStar95970]

Colour coded ropes, fast, efficient, labour saving, what's not to like?👍

[@janiceemery2008]

Excellent video, thank you for sharing.

[@marcelookunz-lu1fk]

Que bueno es encontrar gente que le gusta lo mismo que a mi! Felicitaciones. (logro entender usando el traductor al instante de Google)

[@joshuagosnell22]

Love your antenna box. So nice pack. An easy get two. An I like how u color your rope for size. Also the WRC is awesome antenna. Never own one. But that's antenna I want soon. Can't wait see more from you. An maybe work u during your POTA trip. W4GOG

[@kd5you1]

Great video Michael! I've been using a number of homemade antennas, and between the inverted V's, OCF, delta loop, and Chameleon Emcomm III, the inverted V's tend to perform better than the others. I also made a linked dipole for 80 and 40 meters using Anderson powerpoles, and one thing I just thought of is if all I need is 40 meters and I have only that one antenna with me, I can connect the paracord to the insulators at the mid point of each wire and still use the antenna with the 80 meter segments dangling. 73 KD5YOU

[@SammyGill]

What u suggest for 2m 70cm Hiking in mountains and have a pick up to carry equipment. Please suggest easy to DIY or something not very expensive to buy

[@MrRadiorobot]

...and then after the careful preparation all you need is the correct kind of weather, now try fitting that in the box!!! 😂 My number one item for portable operations, a "fishing umbrella". Another good presentation. Thank you 😁

[@Jonathanlexy]

I really enjoyed seeing this video. Nice to see how other hams think about how to pack and what to take. I always take my wolf river coil and the MFJ long whip, two antennas plus a mag mount and ham sticks. 73

[@W8VHS]

Great video as was the previous one about the sling bag. I have purchased the Domke wraps for my FT-891 and Tuner. I also find the sling bag less than optimal. Mine is a 3V gear sling, I going to budget for the two strap version, Also those storage bags and the husky box are great ideas. Thank you Sir. Have a great day, Vern W8VHS 73

[@Outdoormorefamily]

Just came across your channel. Getting into HF and you have been very helpful and straightforward. Thank you

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Awesome, I'm glad to have been a help.

[@gaptastic]

I really like that antenna you built. I like that you used powerpole connectors rather than banana clips.

[@zrdcorp]

Oh nice !. I have that same red waterproof box from HD. I didn't know I could leave the lid attached and open it from the side...

[@KN4OKadventures]

great antenna kit Michael! I totally agree with having different antenna's and a back up radio!

[@jkreski]

Very nicely organized! Compact but complete.

[@markk7mwj37]

Michael, I blame, er, credit you with my recent purchase of a WRC Silver Bullet 1000! 😁Took it camping at Waterloo County Park here in western Oregon a couple weeks ago. The camp was busy for three days with grandchildren so I didn't get to spend much time on the air. In that brief time, though, I did make a few west coast contacts right away on 40m with the Chameleon 18' whip, the three standard 33' radials that came with the setup, using 75w on my Yaesu FT-857D. I was quite pleased with the results. I like your approach and style of video production. Very good job! And being from Oregon, your beer looks interesting, too!

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thanks for the comments. We may have to set up a beer swap, I've had some beer from Oregon and It's very tasty.

[@tpobrienjr]

Good selection of containers. Keeping it down to 20 pounds per box is a good idea, especially with modular boxes.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Rule number one of operating portable is: you need to be able to carry your own gear.

[@HNXMedia]

Super helpful! Thanks!

[@mikemiles3068]

Looks great Michael, your POTA setup is very close to mine: FT 891, PC50 AT, WOLF RIVER COIL, HOMEMADE 40 MTR. EFHW, and SPEAKER WIRE ANT. 73 KV5P

[@kenluning909]

Nice antenna kit. I like the Husky brand containers.

[@WN8HGZ]

thanks for clarification de wb8idy swansboro nc

[@__JAG__]

Great video as always. I came back to watch this again. I remember to recommending some bags. I am doing POTA and need to get more organized so I don't leave anything at home. Flying will add a little more complexity. Hoping we meet on the air some time. KE9BAH

[@joseneves2822]

Thank you very much for more this excellent video 👍 I took good note of the whole setup, mainly the antennas For now I'm thinking of buying the CHA LEFS (Lightweight End Fed Sloper) EFHW

[@GuyReynolds-rb6rm]

Very helpful

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Hi . Great video. Just a reminder that in video links don't appear or work on Smart TV,s and description also are not visible. Titles on videos are ok. People forget this when making videos. But I would like to say how much I enjoy your videos and tips. I am about to go on QRP portable operation, Adventures by, cycling, canoeing and hiking. It's going to be challenging. Cheers from old George in the UK. 👍🇬🇧🤠

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I know what you mean. Occasionally I'll watch content on my TV and all the added content in the description is hard to access. I'm not sure if there is an easy way around it, but am open to advice. Thanks again for watching and I'm glad you enjoy the content.

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Many thanks.

[@W3DRE]

Always great videos. Thanks Michael!

[@thomasr.jackson2940]

Algorithm Drive: engagement! Oh, and another informative video. Thanks!

[@GuyReynolds-rb6rm]

Love the dipole antenna. Like to say the video where you built it.

[@frankwc0o]

We hams sure think very similar. I have a similar box in my car for mobile. :)

[@kylesnavely6165]

Great video, thanks!

[@larrybomber83]

I found your containers. I do like how they work with the whole lid coming off. Need to buy them and get them loaded before summer is over. Been over 95 here in Texas for last several weeks so I have not been in a hurry to get out there yet. Thanks for the insite Michael.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

We say the same thing about the weather when activating parks in the winter up here in Wisconsin.

[@KD9YY]

I love my CHA-lefs... your videos have me seriously considering a Silver bullet with a 17ft whip though. KD9YY

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Both are great antennas, and it's good to have options in the field.

[@vicmiller7191]

Nice break down of your core antenna 📡 kit. Thanks for sharing... Vic de KE8JWE

[@alzeNL]

nice video, interesting set of equipment and good insights for different antennas for different situations. thanks again for your videos, always interesting and can take something away to use in practice.

[@barrykery1175]

Nice package. Well done. Where's part two?.......radio and power? Barry, KU3X/QRP

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Radio and power was the previous video, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZXEoqmYa9x4qtU

[@bobhawkins2997]

My dear fiend. I think you are OCD. Amazing organization.

[@thesilverangel3760]

I jus ordered my third antenna, I’m beginning jus licensed General and how do people organize their HAM Handhelds, antennas etc.. I have a Boafeng, now want to get a Yaesu with a field battery charger ability

[@brianfields4479]

great video again, and wow plenty of gear, lucky you have a car. For my summer bicycle mobile I always ditch most ants, and use a resonant vertical on 20m or 40m Vertical fibre pole and vertical wire, and being by the sea, 3 radials are all I need, battery and rig, very simple and gets DX every time. Takes me 7 mins to deploy. my recent video on qrz just shows how simple verticals can be. many thanks for the look into your ham world, its always interesting to see how other use this great hobby, 73 zl3xdj.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

This is an ideal setup for car camping with our teardrop trailer, but bicycle mobile takes a totally different strategy. I'll be doing a bicycle activation soon, so it will be interesting to see how I pare down the equipment for that.

[@jj25397]

Very nice system you have there. By chance, you don't have a video or picture of your circular layout for the radials, do you? I'd like to see that if you do. 73

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Thanks for the comment. This video goes into detail on the ground radial network I'm currently using: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5m9gGCLjtqdo5I

[@BradSnyder1]

Nice antenna gear Michael! I really like those Husky boxes as well. Might have to buy some of them. 73

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've had the box for over a year and its been holding up well.

[@mfredricknew]

great vid and great pack idea. have you considered selling those kits?

[@gabrielortiz1397]

Hello, for you what is the best #1 HF Portable Antenna??? Please, thanks

[@reidtillery2856]

Hello, Michael, does the end-fed half-wave need a counterpoise if you have it attached to a ground? And would a 2 footlong copper tube suffice for a ground?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

There is a bit of a debate if a counterpoise is necessary. Technically, since the end-fed is an unbalanced antenna, a counterpoise of some sort should be provided. But real-world testing has shown that the end-fed half wave operates just fine without the counterpoise. In some instances, the coax is acting as your counterpoise as common mode currents can travel down the outside braid of the feed line. If your coax is long enough to handle this, then there will be no issue. But if you are feeding the antenna with a very short length of coax, the common mode currents may affect your SWR at the transmitter. A counterpoise and/or RF choke will mitigate that. While using a 2 foot copper tube as your support will add a bit of a ground, it won't be sufficient to provide an effective counterpoise. I typically don't use a counterpoise with EFHW antennas, but I'm also using at least 25 feet of coax. I do use a counterpoise with end-fed random wire antennas, but those almost always require one.

[@christophersmith1155]

I see that the Wolf River is good for 10 to 80 meters. Im wanting to use it for 11 meters. can I use the 17 foot telescopic by itself or will I need the coil with it ? Im using a RCI N6 radio with 850 watts pep output , so I need to keep my SWR under 1.3.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

The coil will cover the 11m band. But it isn't rated for 850 watts. If you have the 17 foot whip, I'd skip the coil and just adjust the whip so it is resonant on your frequency of choice.

[@demorestautosport]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing 👍 - KE8QPI

[@SammyGill]

I am exploring for easy to use antenna for hiking in mountain areas. 2m - 70cm is my playground What u suggest ? I have vehicle - a pick up. What is best solution ?

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

hiking or backpacking, I'm assuming you are looking for something to use with a handheld radio. Look at the Abree foldable antennas or the Signalstik 1/4 wave flexible antenna. If you want more gain, consider a Yagi like my tape measure antenna: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ6roISoecuqY5I

[@SammyGill]

@@KB9VBRAntennas Thanks - I have alinco dual band mobile in pickup and seems Yagi is good option - will try that. My handheld is anyttone 878 UVii plus - a signal stick may not be sufficient in mountains to catch repeaters- dobu suggest Jpole or what ? A long wire antenna on trees ?

[@radian2323]

Why would you use a dipole over the EFHW? I currently have a EFHW I've been using and didn't see the advantage of the dipole. Is it just more convenient to have the coax come down in the center rather than the ends in some situations?

[@davewhite7679]

WSPR test comparisons between my linked dipole and my EFHW in similar configurations favor the dipole by 4 to 6 db. Both are great antennas. The EFHW wins on multband convenience, but the dipole wins on signal performance. KZ9V

[@radian2323]

@@davewhite7679 did not know there was such a large difference. Looks like I need to build some dipoles.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

There is a slight efficiency loss with the end fed half wave due to the transformer, but not enough to really call it a compromise. The big difference is that being a multiband antenna, the EFHW's radiation pattern will change on its non fundamental bands. The dipole, since it is a monoband antenna, will always have a consistent pattern (although pattern can change with deployment height and ground conditions). Long story short, I like both antennas and in using both I find that I consistently put out my best signal and hear weaker stations when I use the dipole. When propagation is challenging, this can make all the difference. Sometimes it is worth the effort to put up a mono band antenna.

[@radian2323]

@@KB9VBRAntennas That's really good to know. I'll need to put together a 20 meter dipole together. I've had a good luck making contacts on my EFHW but I'd like to make DX contacts which can be difficult from Minnesota. Thank you for the info!

[@RMJ01]

@@radian2323 remember DX to Europe is easier with main radiation lobes of antenna aimed towards NE. So almost over the pole. Reached DXCC phone from Northern Minnesota recently using 100 watts and wire antennas (random wire end fed and g5rv Jr).

[@jamess1787]

What was in that metal box? 😇

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Desiccant. I use it to keep the bin from smelling musty.

[@blomidon]

What type of wire do you use for the radials? de VO1OK

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I'm using 14ga THHN stranded wire. You can use any gauge though. I have a big spool of the 14ga, so it gets used for these kind of things.

[@hamtrucker]

Awesome, I needed this for my personal use. This is the best and most simple kit! Thanks 73s de KK4LGL

[@w8lvradio]

Have you ever had problems getting throw bag/rope stuck in tree? 73 DE W8LV BILL

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

I've had other objects get stuck in the trees, but never the throw bag. It's design (steel shot in a canvas bag) has mass but also a damping effect so it is resistant to wrapping itself around branches.

[@EdwardVanNatta]

I am looking for about your product place lace me a message .when I post this , I am looking more information no this. . you have in this video ? Out help build ham ham go bag or out box

[@lorelynamora1276]

Ser my recwes pilipino vertion

[@johnpritchard5410]

almost seems like satire...

[@wild-radio7373]

Husky is made in Israel. We are totally Boycotting them right now.

[@KB9VBRAntennas]

Mine says Made in the USA on the label, but I totally get the reason for your boycott.