LCARA HAM Radio: Hy-Gain AV-640 Antenna - Part 2

In part two of the AV-640 antenna build and initial testing KY4BDP shows the initial SWR readings and reception for several stations including Northern Ireland and Poland!
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[@KX4UL]

Thanks for the two part series on the Hy-Gain AV-640 antenna assembly and tuning. I found it to be informative and helpful. And again, good job on both the antenna and video!

[@dseyna]

Great job, and very helpful. I always enjoy your videos. Not only are they informative, but I like your upbeat presentation style.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

I appreciate that!

[@buckeye5704]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. This is high on my list for when I finally set up my base radio room. After I get the house built to habitable status. I think I'll just rent a lift for the tuning tho. lol Hope I get to work ya someday soon. 73 K1NKX

[@Pascal-F11DRE]

Merci beaucoup pour ces vidéos F-10175 SWL

[@JayN4GO]

Love the shirt;)

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Thanks! There are several out there, but I love this one.

[@darz1271]

Wondering if you were able to resolve the 40 meter tuning issue you described where it was resonating way above the 40m band... I'm seeing a similar issue where it's resonating at 7.47 Mhz with the 40 meter radiator length (L40) set at 18 inches for the SSB segment (per instructions)... which Tom at Hy-Gain says is likely due to a bad joint around the 40 meter hat ring causing the 40 meter radiator to be a lot shorter electrically -- otherwise he says it would never be that far off. The L40 tube would need to be lengthened 18+ inches to offset that much, which is not possible. All other bands are fine -- so it seems this issue and what you showed for 40m are almost identical.

[@Veetheoneandonly]

Thinking of buying one. Not sure the AV680 is worth the extra cost and height as the bandwidth is so narrow on 80 meters. Thanks, Vee W7IBB, Utah

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

I thought the same thing about 80M. Too narrow on the AV-680. I ended up getting an end-fed for now and will feature that antenna later on. Thanks for watching!

[@Veetheoneandonly]

Does the tuning change much when you move it from horizontal on the saw horses to mounted on the mast and vertical?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Once we had it on the mast, we would note where the dip was located on the bands with the analyzer. KY4CKP and I would take it down, tune, then put it back up and note how the dip shifted. We repeated the process four times documenting each of the bands while it was on the mast. It was close to 95F that day so we didn't take it down to finalize 40M a little further up the band, but it's tunable with the radio.

[@davidenglund]

Hi, I'm trying to get my AV-680 in tune, and I'm wondering if you might be able to tell me roughly how much I should adjust these elements. Sounds like for 20 meters you took about 1-1/2 inches off? Not sure what I can do for 40 meters. Do I want to lengthen that? Use one of the extra 40" spokes to do that? Thanks! K0NOC M. Freq SWR Freq SWR. Dir. Adjst 20 14,225 6.07 14,350 6.52 Up Shorten 40 7,175 3.9 7,205 7,300 1.28 Lowest point: 7,286 1.05, Lengthen? 80 3,800 8.41 4,000 14.97 Up Shorten

[@Roddy1965]

How is this antenna working? Are you happy with it? Good for DX?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Hello Craig, Chris KY4CKP here. KY4BDP Brian is on a business trip this week and next week. I'm sure he will respond as soon as he sees your question.

[@k2icc]

How the antenna performance has been?

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

I really like this antenna. It was my first put-it-together antenna and given how long it is, you need a good sturdy mast. As for making contacts, it works very well. Need to adjust 40m some more, but all the other bands are tuned in the lower-middle of the bands.