Callum Makes DX Commander Classic in 2024

[@jackK5FIT]

My Classic with 80M has been up almost 2 1/2 years. I take it down about every 6 months to tighten everything up and inspect. I used the cut chart for the elements and measured in metric to be accurate. SWR came out at 1.5 or less on every band. Quality product and customer support. If I ever need to replace my Classic I will order another one.

[@problemwithauthority]

@@jackK5FIT exactly

[@jonthebru]

My DXC Classic has been up about 5 years, it probably needs some maintenance love but I haven't done it yet. I use it for WSPR and FT8 because the band can be easily changed. This new version has some good improvements.

[@dw6528]

Thank you! Does your 80M pole sway in the wind? I'm interesting in that unit - but we get very high winds where I live.

[@jackK5FIT]

@@dw6528 I guy the antenna at the second spreader to make grass cutting easier. I leave a little slack in the guy lines to allow minimal movement in the wind. We have thunderstorms and tornados and this past spring we had 102 mph winds in our neighborhood. Classic is still standing and working on every band. You would never know it was subject to those high winds. I highly recommend the Classic.

[@manoffaith2501]

I bought the DX Commanders Classic from Callum two years ago and have been extremely satisfied with the performance of the antenna.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice

[@vk2yi81]

Yesss🎉 made the highlight reel twice. Bought a stack of tickets more to support the cause, than to win :) Much appreciated. - Ezy

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha Yes Ezy!!

[@ham-radio]

The high quality of the components and the machining is very evident in Callum's video. That along with the packaging make it a very attractive product. I suspect that many who have signed CC&R's (conditions, covenants and restrictions) and live with the problems of an HOA (homeowner's association) would be able to install this antenna. I was a real estate appraiser for many years and never found a instance where a ham antenna had any impact on the fair market value of an adjacent property. 73, Jim W6LG

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah.. Some good observations Jim!

[@don_n5skt]

The best antenna I have ever owned. 5 years up I think. I have upgraded it with new spreaders and went from D10 to DX10. Thing is, I look forward to working on it. Just moved it to my new location and it was my first antenna back in the air. Will be using it again tonight on the HRCC 40m HF Net. I normally run 1000W. Thanks Callum for sharing this great invention with us. I have used the inverted L technique with it on both 80m and 60m. Both have worked flawlessly.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Brilliant Don!

[@pc4ad]

Surprised by an element I didn't notice before, like the little knot in the 40m element halfway. Having had an (1 think first edition) of the classic with all guy wires which I didn't need to replace but actually did to have the Signature 9 without guys. Which I guyed anyways because of the extremely windy corner (funnel like) I am at. Not because I needed to but it just feels more comfortable. Guys aren't tight btw, there is some shock cord in it so it is still allowed to move. It justs get a little restricted if it moves too much. Still very satisfied with the setup and happy to use it anytime. Did some experiments in order to try to improve, but all I did was making it perform less, so it's in original setup again. Keep on going Callum!

[@RiaanZS1ZAR]

I have taken my spreader plates and drilled 5mm holes just inside the element holes for the shock cord. This way my element wire is on its own through the hole and the shock cord goes through the 5mm hole just inside the element hole. More freeplay for the element wire during high wind without shaving against the shock cord. Work well for me.

[@johnlew5972]

Or to make it semi directional. Blocking signals from direction you don't want.

[@foxonem7dfh257]

Excellent Video Cal, I ended up with the wires in a tangle as well. Rapide is up first contact was Gotland on 20m 59

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice!

[@KC1RWR-VE9FR]

I love the “OCD & Physics” caption. That needs to be the title of your autobiography, mate. 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHA Yes!!

[@2140BlackCreek]

Callum, hello from NE Florida, clear skies, full moon and 70F. Eat your heart out 😆 Have had your DX Commander Classic now for 5 years. First used in the Seattle area and then for the last 2 years here in Florida. The slim look of the DX Commander is the ONLY reason I can have an antenna as our village is an HOA, that's a draconian organization of Karen's, organized to tell one how to live and unfortunately very common to Florida. On both coasts, my DX Commander has reached out and touched every continent on 100W, and now, with the addition of an amplifier its a remarkable experience to listen and speak with so many more. The changes from my model to the latest are very good. Thank you Callum, and by the way, keep Mike away from the sausages. Beer and singing that's OK, but sausages and singing? Something is wrong there. AA7MO

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good work - and also very funny!

[@youtubeaccount931]

You made quick work of that almost like you have done it before!

[@Dusty_Ham]

It's always enjoyable watching a master at work. Thank you for the vids Callum! They are always enjoyable.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah thanks!

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

👍👍👍

[@prepr8725]

purhased 10 tickets to support your sponsorship of expeditions. The signals coming in from expeditions using the dx commander are easy to work. Seems to be working great.

[@robertmeyer4744]

Great antenna ! I have made so many contacts to others with DX commander antennas' from all over the world ! Ground mount vertical gives the take off angle for DX . Cheers from NY !

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Always lovely to see you in the comments! I think you are our top contributor!

[@gaptastic]

It's funny I just entered the raffle cause tomorrow I will be building my DX Commander classic that I bought 3 years ago. Callum has done some very cool upgrades, so hope I win!!!

[@Dreamlgider]

Good stuff supporting dxpeditions 👍💪

[@garryhammond3117]

You make assembly look prettywell painless Callum - Thanks! - Cheers! VE3GHP

[@thomasperina2990]

Hello Lord Callum: Thank you for this antenna video sir. Question sir. Is your shot cord UV PROOF. ???? If not approximately how long will it last outdoors before replacement is required ???? Thank you in advance. God Bless you and my best to Wendy and the dogs. TMP, Unit 22 from N.J. P/S, I love that pasture with the animals next to your antenna testing area. !!!!!

[@don_n5skt]

Mine is going on 5 years up.

[@ohenekojo2561]

Stop calling him that 🤮

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Marlow shock cord is possibly the most expensive marine shock cord in the world. Made about 50 miles away from our factory in England and used by top sailing / racing teams in the world. No problem.

[@winstonchurchill6506]

A clasic gonna write it in a attic hang on a song there

[@johnlew5972]

Can we add another vertical wire and coil it around the pole to load the wire for 80 meters? If we can at what height would we put the coil. (That seamed to be important on the DX Commander Signature 12.4) Thank you for the fun!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Never tried it since you would be totally parallel with 40m to the top.

[@jonthebru]

The 80 meter inverted L configuration works really well.

[@vicmiller7191]

I have no issues in supporting the DXExpeditions and I am happy to help out. If I win fantastic, If I don't that is fine too. at least I know it will most likely help in the long run to keep promoting Our great hobby. Thanks Lord Callum. Take care and 73. Vic de KE8JWE

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good man.

[@LeGrandFromage58]

so that's why the clamps were on the screwdriver! 🤣

[@tommysa3atf714]

I just need to get a real TX antenna instead of my home built "43 feet vertical" that I've been running with for years now even though it works pretty well. Think how nice it is to always be tuned in and ready :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes, I must admit, being able to go anywhere at the touch of a button is fun.

[@shayne109]

very nice i have a Signature9 up about a year and I'm very satisfied with it a second DXC for portable or just twinning up with my S9 would be very welcome just in time for x-mas good luck entrants.

[@johnlew5972]

What about a window screen to block noise from your house that gets to your dx Com???

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can use a reflector. That works. Tuned about 5% longer and roughly just under 1/4 wavelength behind.

[@AubsUK]

I've just entered the raffle. Great idea, you help the community, and we help you to do it :-)

[@dw6528]

Can anyone explain why the design contains a 1/4wave element for 20m - when the 40m element could function as a 1/2wave on 20m - and produce a slightly better output at 5 degrees - and thus better performance for 20m DX. Do any users remove the 20m element for that reason? What am I missing? Sincere thanks in advance

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nobody removes the 20m element because 1. Your comparison will depend on ground. If you have a VERY good ground, the 1/4 wave will be substantially greater in terms of low angle gain compared to a half-wave. 2. Verticals and dipoles resonate every OTHER harmonic so we use a trick to make the 15m element work on 40m (not 20m) 3. Because of the half-wave issue, we can't add a transformer to the 40m element to make it an end fed (for instance) since the element would have to be twice as large to start with.

[@dw6528]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you!! I happen to live where there are very high winds and I would definitely want to have the pole anchored by nylon guys at 3 different points up the pole. I'm wondering if the downward pull on those anchor lines would be more than the pole sections could handle - and the sections would end up collapsing under the downward pull? Sincere thanks!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

On a Signature 9, you don't need ANY guys. Just let it "wobble around". I don't think we've lost any Sig 9s yet - even in storms around the world.

[@dennis8019]

have small garden.. 5x12m if i place a pole in the centre and put my concrete bricks back over the radials would it still work?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes.. the RF hasn't been taught about bricks yet.

[@chrisbartlett6022]

Yet another spiffing video, great to confirm nothing about Science has changed since the First one, just a few tweaks to add tension to the long runs of wire. Have a number of DX antennas now and would like to say the quality and customer service you have given me over the years is top notch. Still want to win the raffle though, hopefully I will get a winning ticket 🙂Keep on keeping on Cal, you are a Rock Star, yes really 🙂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good luck!!

[@MikeBarta208]

Just got the Rapide 2 Plus 🤞I can get it up this weekend, just entered the raffle! Love your videos, thank you!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Woo-Hoo!

[@johnleonardelli_VE3IPS]

Just got mine and of course the best antenna work is in the winter in the snow hihi ...10m is open

[@db3mi]

Hey Cal, going to install my dxcc tomorrow innthe garden as i lost one of the zs6 trees. going to rework it, it‘s the old version. did you manage to get a 3/4l element for 10m working without losing the other bands? best bemi, 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah.. Never tried - but it WILL work.. Just make the 30m element a bit shorter.

[@db3mi]

@@DXCommanderHQ ok - to go more into the detail: 80m instead 30m + 3/4l 10m. If i tried i had always too much influence on the other bands. Propably have to think about shorter 30m as 3/4l 10m + 80m ... tnx es 73 de db3mi

[@Moselblues]

Hello Cullum, I'm wondering if you have also a "high band" version of your dx commander (or if it is possible to modify a kit). Im looking for a 20/17/15/12/10m vertical and can't go much higher than 5 meters. Br and best 73 de DG1JAN

[@problemwithauthority]

The Classic covers all of that and more

[@M0RMY]

You could take out the top sections of the pole and just not run the 40m element. Easy

[@dorvinion]

Rapide I think would what you are looking for Right around 6M tall 10-30 (or 40)

[@2e1paw]

I’m in 😊

[@DXCommanderHQ]

In which case, look at the Rapide.. Remove last couple sections and only fit the higher elements and ignore 30m. Use the 30m "slot" for something else.. Even a 6m vertical.

[@genoa1979]

In your market ,when return pole of 18 meter? I want it 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

They arrive next week.

[@mw7fon709]

Cheers cal bought a couple of tickets....you got to be in it to win it i say.... Gerwyn Mw7fon

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Absolutely!

[@W5RTM]

always like your videos and this time is no different ...

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you!

[@sv1dkd]

Hi Cal! Just entered the raffle, what a great initiative!! DXCommander is the best! Bravo!! Quick question: what is the soundtrack in this video and where can one get it?? Cheers mate! 73 - Andy SV1DKD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Soundtrack is very short.. It's called Liberate - Peter Sandberg found on Epidemic Sound. You can play it for free.

[@justmejonboy]

Customers promoting your product, very clever 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm. Don't understand but thanks for saying hello.. They normally say what they think on eHam.

[@DK5ONV]

Brilliant, awsome, marvellous, fantastic, excellent, super yummy . . . ect ect. 💯😍👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thank you so much 😀

[@pe1pqx321]

To bad I can not enter for the raffle.... Don't want GooglePay and have no creditcard...

[@mharrison557]

Brilliantly easy to assemble and erect ...hoping to get a dx commander antenna in my tiny garden.. radials may be a problem though ( shared tiny garden) I'll give it a go after Christmas i think ..😅 oh well ..bought 10 tickets but I'll keep my fingers crossed 🤞 😅

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good luck!!

[@mharrison557]

@DXCommanderHQ thanks Calum ..appreciated 😊 73s M7 CYC

[@4nk8r]

Another great video , know what I mean :) 😂

[@wc4j]

Ok can't reply to my original post. Is there a way we can support your fundraiser without using raffal? 4 different banks don't like it.. I've always had this issue with it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Sorry about that.. If you want to contribute to the fund, feel free to drop me an email and I'll send you a link. No more than $5 please.

[@charlieoscar09]

The noise floor on these things is tiresome.......Especially compare to your latest experiments with the horizontal aerials

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I spent YEARS on your "tiresome" antenna. In the main, it's always the low-bands that cause issues. In which case, get a dedicated RX antenna for 40m and below.

[@1shARyn3]

try 2 meters on it

[@DXCommanderHQ]

(works actually!)

[@wc4j]

wow want to enter raffle but all 4 cards won't auth the bank says scam detected. raffal sucks

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Don't say "Raffal Sucks" since that's unfair.. If your bank thinks it's a scam, then complain to your bank. They are only trying to keep you safe.