Lets Talk Mobile Portable Vertical Ham Radio Antennas For HF

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Thanks for the video! I am really into portable operation now. The Wolf River Coil TIA is one that caught my eye. You can purchase a second sleeve for the coil and be able to QSY from one band to another. I have heard a lot of good things about the performance of it, and the price is attractive.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

interesting on that second sleeve.

[@danchristopher9483]

Look up the trxcommunications 392M HF antenna

[@lbroolz]

Thank you SO much for your channel. I've been into radio off and on (the learning part) for years and would learn what I could, when I could, starting back in caveman days where I had to read and read for hours on end (before YT) and hence the off and on. But what I love about here is, I can go back and rewatch anything I need to. It's been like riding a bike with you. I just got back on and.....kept a riding. So, here I am. Antennas are my "fetish" (if you will) in radio. I couldn't get enough of them back in the day. Hot weather, cold, rainy, dense snow, stubby, long, floppy, rigid, anything really. Over time, I sold a bunch of that equipment, due to a number of reasons, some personal/family. But, that has changed, and for a number of reasons, the main being the internet and amount of information there. NOW, I can just turn you on, have you running in the background and continue to do whatever I'm doing. Pause, rewind, use links, etc. Technology. Huh...imagine that. I had a "master plan" for a mini command center, but in time gave up on it. The zeal has been invigorated. I appreciate that more than words can say. Thank you. (and for not being a douche). Great channel, great info, you're a great teacher and host. Much appreciated.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@arnoldschmidt2753]

What type of metal/alloy is best for the antenna? Aluminum is not magnetic. Iron,cobalt,nickel are a very interesting group . Stainless steel, either 304 or 316 are heavy duty and have chromium and some copper in the recipe. Cooper can oxidize with time and turn green unless it is coated . I realize that this video is dealing strictly with lightweight units but my requirements are durability. No use buying the lightest one and have a bad fall with it while walking to location and discovering that it's mashed up . I like the wolf creek unit and the vehicle mounted unit as well. I'm still learning about all the equipment required to successfully build a durable system. Thanks Josh for all your work doing these videos.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Aluminum resonates just fine if its tuned to the frequency you're transmitting on.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Great live stream as usual Josh! Thanks for being the first to break the news about the SlinkTenna HF antenna. Someone actually purchased a SlinkTenna as well as a KeychainQRP HF transmitter about a minute after you announced it! 73! Jim - KH2SR

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Very excited! Keep up the cool projects!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

When you use Slinkies for antennas, what type of matching do you do for a 50 ohm cable?

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

David Harden The SlinkTenna uses a 9:1 UnUn.

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@JamesHannibalKH2SR Thanks!

[@davidsradioroom9678]

@@JamesHannibalKH2SR Thanks.

[@kd6hucatmsndotcom]

I'm kinda late to the party, but Super Antenna MP1 running PedestrianMobile is my fave!

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

While I have thought about buying antennas, I do mostly enjoy building my own. I especially enjoy when it works. I'm thinking of buying an efhw. I would get the slinktenna, but I don't want to need a tuner everywhere I go. For verticals, I am considering the hamsticks for emergencies when I don't have the ability to hang a wire. Ham radio did his dude multi hamstick dude commander that looks cool.

[@sphexes]

I love that Josh is one groovy up-to-date dude who's not afraid of weird beers. You're great for the proselytizing this great hobby. Yes, we learn plenty from the Budweiser drinking Elmer's, but craft beer guys with cool hats, beard and laid back attitude is much more preferred. The No Emasculation Zone! 73 W8XDX

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Hah. Thanks!

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

Now that I look into it, I may get the TIA or sota special from wolf river coils.

[@MichaelSmith-yy8fw]

Yes. That’s exactly the reason I bought the WRC antenna. After you get it close you can twist the collar to get a finer match. Just for that I like the WRC coils better than my Buddipole coils which allow you to get close but then adjust the radiator or radials. 🙂 My antenna is up on the deck and my radio is in the basement causing the dash up and down stairs to be a little more than tiring! Thanks for your response. MikeinMinnesota N0WDM

[@tomaszgawrys1625]

thanks for video this is perfect knowledge about portable antennas more videos about equipment and radios please

[@chuck4050]

I have a Wolf River Coil and it works good, I have used a ground stake and a mirror mount for CB antenna to hook it up bought mine before the TIA was out. After watching you struggle with keeping the MFJ vertical I sent you something today that might help if it fits, should be at the P.O. Box Wednesday hope thats a good address. Keep the videos coming your doing a great job! Chuck

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks Chuck! I'm excited to check it out! Thanks!

[@chuck4050]

Well Josh I hope it works I didn't have the MFJ to make sure it fits you get to test it.@@HamRadioCrashCourse

[@tommycheshire5508]

You helped me to decide on the Wolf coil vertical antenna. I ordered one tonight. I heard you say that you 3D printed you wire wrap handles for your wire storage. Where might I be able to find some to purchase. I tried the spray. Kite string winders but they are a bit small. Thank you for your time and effort. N4KBM

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I printed those winders on my 3D printer.

[@tommycheshire5508]

Does any company sell anything like it?

[@rudyackerman5747]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Do you have link to the file. I search thingiverst and could not find one. Thanks

[@wild-radio7373]

Still the best memes in the business ♡♡♡

[@donsugg4048]

Have you heard about the tri band vertical made out of pvc pipe

[@michaelparker6218]

@Josh and @k8MRD have you experiminted with using the longer MFJ whip on the Wolf River Coil ?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Not yet. But it’s on my list!

[@pnwgeek]

I used the 17ft MFJ-1979 whip with my Superantenna coil (basically the same as a wolf River coil), and it worked very well on 20m by itself, and made tuning and usage of 40m quite easy. Needed guying though for tripod use.

[@Sisufinn]

Looking for a part 90, 50-100 watt mobile radio and backpack antenna for Search and rescue. What do you guys recommend? FYI I don't know much of anything about radios.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Which radio are you connecting to?

[@waynemcmullen2723]

Enjoyed the video! I just have a question about the X5105, does it have a Morse code decoder built in? Thanks again! Great show!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

no cw decode

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Wayne McMullen I believe it does have PSK-31 decode with latest firmware update.

[@guyhornbeck8940]

For both the AX1 and the MFJ vertical - I would imagine that both would perform much better with some tuned radials. The Wolf River TIA comes with 3 33’ radials and a stand-along tripod. Of course the Wolf River Coils TIA would perform better. Seems like an unfair comparison

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

How is it unfair? The AX1 and MFJ fit in a pocket. The WRC does not. One might fit in your system better than the other.. AS mentioned.

[@arnoldschmidt2753]

This telescoping antenna doesn't have 30 M ? Who makes a 30M antenna and what does it look like? Is it simple wires of specific length with or without a balen ?Or more rigid mast arms @90°?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

If you’re talking about the 17’ telescopic without the coil, it tops out at 20 meters. If you add the coil it go much lower and include 30 meters.

[@MrTimowens]

What hind of metal wire winder is in the thumbnail picture.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I made it with a 3d printer :D

[@lbroolz]

You should make more and sell them. ;)

[@lbroolz]

Seriously. Different sizes, 3 packs and so on. I'd buy SEVERAL of varying sizes. Multiple uses. (ex 1; I make paracord bracelets/items as well. Would love one, well many, approx 6". Ideal. 2; Different gauges of wire for modding computers, 4" or so for that, another example of why I would buy many, and there's more).

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

@@lbroolz Not a bad idea :D I'll keep that in mind!

[@bradkark]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I have been looking for these. eBay has kite string winders but they are too small. But thats all I can find. I was going to see if I could find a design and get it 3D printed.

[@Fishermanfred1]

can you tell me when you have live shows like this ?? I would like to join in to this show. Thanks , Fred

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Friday nights 7:00pm pst.

[@MichaelSmith-yy8fw]

Bought the WRC tia. Very pleased with the concept but having trouble getting a good SWR. User error I’m sure. Amazing service. I got an email on Saturday December 28 at 6pm from one of the owners helping me out. ! Right in the middle of the LSU football game! That’s devotion to your product. MikeinMinnesota N0WDM

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I've found Its a bit of running back and forth to get it lined up with the tuning. Also, once you're close try wisting the collar up or down a bit to fine tune the match.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

Hey guy ! I'm KO4OAJ, a new ! Got a 817, w Auto tuner. SOTA/POTA QRP what's your best choice ? Portable / LW ?

[@gosman949]

I've been a General Class ham for over 50 years. I've been inactive about the last 45 years but kept my call sign up. Now that I am retired and have disposable income, the transmitters and receivers are no problem. My issue is antennas. I want to work the HF bands. 10-80 meters. This is my stopping point that has prevented me from getting back into amateur radio. I have a home and room for antennas. Where can I go to get info?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You can Google amateur radio HF antennas and get alot of results. Do you have property to put up larger antennas?

[@gosman949]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse yes a small yard and a 1800 sq. ft. home.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Ok, space is generally needed for full length 80 meter wire antennas. But there are lots of other options you can deploy if you want to work 10-80. A good place to start would possibly be a vertical antenna, like a hustler 6BVT. You could also try and get some mast material in the air and run something like an Off-Center Fed dipole which would also work.

[@mattquince6508]

Another vertical option is an antenna made by GAP. They use counterpoises instead of radials. I’m looking at getting one for my new station.

[@chrisc353]

For grid down shtf situations, would you suggest analog over digital or the other way around?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It depends on what you're attempting to do. If you relaying medical info, digital is really good. Otherwise, analog would be preferred in alot of situations.

[@Thermopylae2007]

I enjoy chatting with people on Single Side Band (essentially what you mean by analog) but am hoping to get into digital. One big benefit over digital is that the message will get through under conditions where you would not be able to hear the other station enough to talk over voice. You could probably also send email via digital by connecting to Winlink nodes out of the affected area in a localized or regional grid down scenario. I think that the two modes compliment each other.

[@JATP-wp6eh]

I wish he’d have translations for people that don’t use pounds and ounces. I thought ounces was a measurement for liquid?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I feel you’re adult enough to handle this on your own for the sake of the videos time.

[@JATP-wp6eh]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Im 17. I guess it is mostly Americans that view your show. Love your content. Has helped me a lot and gave me a great interest with the hobby. Love my baofeng.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for watching. Your age doesn’t predicate how adult you are in my eyes. 👍

[@JATP-wp6eh]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse thanks! ♥️ 😃

[@gregfuller9586]

Josh just got my WRC TIA, about radials how many and what do you do to elevate? Do you elevate the coil (table top, extension mast?). THanks for the video great stuff!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You can use a stake to elevate the radials, but I don't I just lay them as straight as I can. I have the WRC kit with the tripod, so there is a radial per leg (three legs). That seems to work just fine for my applications.

[@AlpineWarren]

Where did you get those wire winders?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

3D printed.

[@rudyackerman5747]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Is the STL file online some place?

[@moondog_radio]

The wolf river coil is an MP-1 Superantenna knockoff.

[@bentleys5059]

Wolf River coil vs MP1?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Super antenna is quite a bit more.

[@donsugg4048]

Don from NC

[@erichughes9098]

😎👍

[@izmazix2148]

Watch2End&Comment

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks.

[@emperorrexlv.c.6723]

2512/2531 5/5 . peace

[@RadioHamGuy]

Great show, thanks...wd0akx

[@YZFoFittie]

Buy once, cry once. MFG makes a business of selling junk to cheap, unsuspecting, people...

[@frankmayo1410]

I hear a lot of talking and little instructions other than a lot of GABBING.

[@carjensen]

Please get organized before the videoing.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No