When People Tie the WRONG Antenna Knots!

There are 4 knots I use all the time, the Alpine Butterfly, a Bowline, a Stopper Knot and a Half Hitch. Learn these and you will never need another climbing contraption ever again. Callum.
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[@nathanw851]

Alpine butterfly puts less stress on the rope no matter which way the pull comes from. Same with a bowline, it's a strong knot that doesn't weaken the rope. Other knots can do the same job, but in extremis (like taking a fall when climbing) the rope can break at the knot, because knots typically create weak points. Bit of trivia I remember from my old climbing days :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Great comment Nathan!

[@bassangler73]

That's good to know. I bass fish a lot and use a Palomar Knot to tie my lures on, and I am told that the knot is stronger than the line itself . I'm not sure if that is true but I can say I went to using the Palomar back in the mid 90's and I have never had the knot fail !!

[@jerry-suhrstedt]

overkill... just buy more rope.

[@alansteiber3031]

Bowline knot limerick. The rabbit comes out of the hole around the tree and back down the hole. This is how my dad taught me how to tie it.

[@ActinOut]

My dad taught me the same thing, only it was a squirrel (lol).

[@DavidMitchell79]

Around here -> The squirrel of comes out of the hole, goes around the tree, up and across the fence to the neighbors yard, grabs his peanut, comes back across the fence and down, around the tree and down the hole. I guess it's those crazy LEFT coast colonial squirrels... 😆

[@_MisterG]

"The rabbit comes out the hole, around the tree, and back down the hole again" - and yet I invariably just wraps loads of paracord round things and hope for the best!

[@andreVE4BK]

I’ve been teaching the bowline knot to scouts for what seems an eternity 😂 … the rabbit goes out of the hole, around the tree, and back down the hole! Easy to remember 👍👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Andre.. I decided THIS TIME not to use the rabbit! LOL

[@d3w4yn3]

I needed this so many times!!! Great video and very pertinent to the HAM world!!! GLORIOUS!!!

[@PaulC-2M0YZT]

Once a Scout always a Scout 😁

[@k9eihamradio]

Cal. The stopper knot is also called a “surgeons knot”. It can also be used to connect 2 pieces of rope, fishing line, antenna wire, etc!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes doubling up, you can make. “fisherman’s “ knot.

[@joewallace3920]

Nice demonstration of the knots. When I volunteered with the local fire department, knots was probably was my weakest skill.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good job at the fire dept..,

[@ferdinandwp4rjl377]

Enjoyed the knot classes Lord CALLUM 👍🏼 Thank you 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks for coming along!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Cal, You have the knack of explaining, what could be complicated, in an easy to comprehend way. I have used those knots without knowing their names. 🙂Take care and stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah nice!

[@jolebole-yt]

Love the knots.I always love to hear the "You Americans" comment from a Brit lol. We do love gadgets yes.. haha. Btw your audio and video setup is stellar!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hey thanks!

[@patrickmolloy6994]

re the bow line at 3:56 ... I loop back the end (its got a tree tab in the video) to make a small loop, It doesn't affect the main loop in the slightest but now if you pull there small end, it all comes apart easily! Love this video!

[@koroba01]

My father served in the US Navy Seabees during WWll (Hawaii, Guam, Japan) and later when I was growing up he was our Boy Scout scoutmaster and he was a fanatic on knots, especially the bowline. He always told us that ropes tied between 2 battleships with a bowline the knot would never come undone, the rope would break first.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I love a godf fantical Dad with knots!

[@keithgm4jkz871]

Cal you make is so interesting and informative.

[@mikesmith5139]

Thanks Callum. Very useful! I bet you were always the top boy scout ! 73, Mike. M0MTJ

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No!

[@mikesmith5139]

@@DXCommanderHQ LOL

[@geoffmcwiggan2814]

Your last example is similar to what we use in Oz. It’s what we call a truckies knot. No matter the dia of the rope…. You can provide enough tension to snap it. Watched a guy who I used to work with snap a 1’’ piece of rope with a triple hitch truck knot…. ! Could not believe what I was seeing 👍🇦🇺🥃

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Amazing!

[@geoffmcwiggan2814]

@@DXCommanderHQ ……..funny that , that’s what I said. . 😎

[@johngriswold]

Gee, I thought that WAS a trucker’s hitch/farmer’s hitch. Great knot basics. Thanks

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah every industry seems to think it’s theirs! :)

[@johnflowers1976]

Brilliant Callum, thanks. This could be a good subject for a radio club evening. I've come across some horrible 'knots' to undo when it comes to teardown of field days over the years. A round turn and two half hitches is good for guying but doesn't give the pulley effect. 73 G0JLF

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes I have done club nights where everyone gets a length of paracord and they follow me.. It can be great fun!

[@Screamingtut]

Callum, the first knot you did is basically a surgeon's knot.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I know about 4 or 5 different names for most of these :)

[@seanwood8043]

Outstanding content and instruction as always and their you go saving people money and time again :) . Less fubbling with extra gear and having to keep up with it like in the field in the dark. ECT. It simply works ! Rock on DX Commander !

[@JoshuaJayG]

Ha! I use a bowline to connect my paracord to my DX Commander guy plate and a taught line hitch to tighten my guys against the stakes.

[@DonzLockz]

All the gadget collectors are getting their knickers in a knot!😆🪢 Another great tip of the day Cal.🍻🤠

[@wordwalker3]

The bowline...make the loop, the rabbit comes up out of the hole, runs around the tree and goes back down the hole! Simple, or knot. 😁

[@PacMan257]

I tend to use a tauntline hitch to tension lines

[@garryhammond3117]

Very "knotty" video Callum - Thanks - it takes me back to my Boy Scout days - Cheers!

[@owen6760]

Great video so practical and informative. Thank you.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks.

[@patrickbuick5459]

Good stuff. 👍🏽 We all learn a certain set of knots and use them. The practicing helps a lot to cement them into the old noggin.

[@problemwithauthority]

I Love knot knowledge, from climbing to rigging to just keeping the boat from floating away. Years back an old boy scout taught me to tie a one handed bowline.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes… great fun.

[@Tjeerd013]

A knot I use a lot is the clove hitch. It's easy to make and it will stay in place as long as there is tension on it . Ideal for attaching longwires and stuff to a tree. It's also easy to remove even when it got wet.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Clove hitch.. yes!

[@1958johndeere620]

About 3 years ago I was helping set up for Summer Field Day with a club I belong to. I was securing some hold down cords for the big tent where radios were to be set up. I got a few tied and some drip I don't know came along and said I was tying it all wrong. He untied everything I did. I am a 30 year commercial fisherman and have tied more lines than he could ever imagine. The club president came along and told him he was tying it wrong, untied his ropes, and tied them like I had it. LOL!!!! This is why I am not active in clubs.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ugh! Tell me about it!!

[@ElectricityTaster]

I have an app that shows you how to tie knots. They should include a section for HAM radio knots.

[@leo3times]

Very nice Cal. Those are easy to remember. I once was told this story as the knot was being tied, I never remembered the story, so no way to tie the knot. 😂 Thx for sharing.

[@mrcoog3k832]

Very grateful for this demonstration. It finally taught me how to tie a bow line easily, plus the Alpine knot. Something I never could do decades ago in boy scouts!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah cool!

[@ronleblanc9832]

nice my father had taught me a whole bunch of knots when i was about 10 years old. but its amazing how many people and can't tie anything or when there done you have to cut the rope to pieces and throw it away

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice

[@Tom-n5tti]

Thanks Callum! Finally got my DX Commander Classic put up (that I received back in October). Instead of using the clips that came with it, I used these four knots. Works Great!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Great to hear!

[@deankq4adj125]

I have used 3 out of the 4 knots, now I have a 4th to add to my knowledge. Excellent video as usual!

[@VE9ASN]

For adjustable guying, the farrimond friction hitch is excellent.

[@arthurgumbus3969]

BOWLINE: The Rabbit (bitter end of rope) goes out the hole ... around the tree... and back into the hole. Burned into my brain by my scoutmaster when I was in scouts.

[@fromthehamshack-radionj4z]

Rewatched this yesterday, because that is a new way for me to learn how to tie a bowline. I would suggest one more knot for Ham Radio operators to learn and that is the fisherman's knot. it is fantastic for tying together two pieces of rope or cordage to lengthen a line or transition from one line type to another. It is also easily undone, when you want to untie it.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Totally agree. I use it too and it used to be in the original Classic user guide!

[@raywilson9450]

I’m a one-trick-pony. Bowline. Anything else requires that I watch a KZbin video. This video will do nicely.

[@TFuzz58]

Brilliant!!! I recommend you add these to the DXC instructions. Love the “turn the key” thing to start the bowline, and I will remember that for ever. I spent a bunch of time trying to make fancy little sliders that tension the guys and gave up. Did loops about a foot from the guy plates that are the less desirable knots so will replace them with alpine butterflies. I’m off to find a piece of cord to practice on. Cheers from Moose Jaw. Tim VE5THF

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha Brilliant Tim!

[@RickPaquin-xg9hm]

I recommend a solution that doesn't involve knots. Adjustable hooks would be nice.

[@dback4430]

Add the Taught Line Hitch and a truckers hitch .

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes.. But I wanted to try and teach people slowly! :)

[@rickgilbrt]

Definitely add taught line hitch. Other than that, perfect.

[@jackK5FIT]

I have literally forgotten almost all the knots I learned in Boy Scouts. This is a nice refresher on knots that are very usable in Ham Radio, especially in a portable setup. You got me started cutting 550 with a side cutter too. Works much better. I usually apply a little flame, cigarette lighter etc., to the cut end to seal it. Just my preference. Thanks for another great video. Jack K5FIT

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes Jack.. Small flame works great.

[@petemillis4666]

Nice video Cal. Knowledge of knots is so useful. I always wonder why people who want to pack light with minimalistic gear for SOTA etc., still use a guy ring for a pole, and karabiners for clipping things together. Knots don't add extra weight and they can't get lost or damaged! 73 de M3KXZ

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Absolutely

[@geoffmcwiggan2814]

I bet ya bloody mouse wasn’t happy with you dismantling him….. poor little fella. 👍🇦🇺🥃

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yeah, I had his tail right off!

[@geoffmcwiggan2814]

@@DXCommanderHQ 😆😂👍🇦🇺🥃

[@bc65925]

I've started using a sheep shank in the place of your alpine butterfly. REAL easy to move or get rid of later.

[@ryanjones9305]

It’s always the little things that make us good at our job or hobby. Learning some basic knots will absolutely make your experience in the field much more pleasurable. I here it every time on field day, “if you can’t tie it right, tie it a lot....” NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Just tie it right! Some semblance of right at least!

[@oldfartonabmx2122]

I’ve not tied a mountain butterfly, looks good I’ll have to learn. I like to wrap a bit of electrical tape around half hitches if I’m using them in a permanent / semi permanent scenario. Holds it nice n tight.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good tip!

[@edcozart9916]

I use all these to put my 12.4 up thanks Callum good stuff de W9US

[@MM0SDK]

This is perfect timing for me. I've just started trying to learn different knots. I tie my guys with a taut-line hitch but not confident enough in it not slipping and releasing tension. Going to retie them tomorrow i think.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good luck!

[@onewolf3750]

I always learn something from you, Callum. Tim KG6G

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thx!

[@russellwatkinson]

Excellent Cal, I'm sure I have accidentally used these but I'm going to save this one and have a practice 🙂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah good man!

[@ThumpMaster6]

“She preferred bondage…” If you know the reference, we are friends forever.

[@kevinaponte7078]

Great to know ham info thanks cal

[@FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z]

Nicely Done - great subject!

[@g4lmn-ron401]

That's a knotty problem sorted, thank you.

[@Tom-n5tti]

Awesome Video Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thx

[@petek1pml746]

That alpine butterfly is a fishing knot We call it a dropper loop.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes in each skill/hobby each knot gets a different name!

[@BoboAthanassion]

First of all, I love all your videos. There all done very professionally and have helped me a lot in this great hobby. Question: I'm going to be putting up a vertical antenna and will be guying it. What type of rope should I be using including the diameter. There's so many different rope materials out on the market which can get confusing. The rope has to withstand ice storms in the Winter here in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Thanks in advance and keep up the good work. 73's from N3NQP! Oh and happy holidays! ;)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK.. for medium installations, genuine 550 Paracord works well. For slightly heavier installations, look at 3mm (1/8th inch) Mastrant. DX Engineering sell it I think. So do we but it’s not in the catalogue. I think we have 50 in stock. Warning.. it’s strong but very thin.. For heavier again, you can go 6mm (1/4 inch) lorry rope (it has a name, some sort of poly rope). Then for REALLY HEAVY like towers and stuff, you are into climbing type rope. In the main, if you are in USA, DX Engineering will have a solution. Hope that helps.

[@bobyrd74]

you dont really need insulators to hang your dipoles.... just use an icicle hitch to secure the end of the dipole elements directly with the antenna/guy rope

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I use bowline.. I’m sure other knots are available:)

[@MegaBuckfast]

That’s was really useful, thank you.

[@josephdurnal]

Just built my DX Commander Classic. I tend to knot the end of something with a figure eight knot. Don't use this on the little bungee stretchy bits when building the DX Commander, just use an overhand knot, I found out the hard way a couple of times, it is really really hard to clip the hook in if you use a figure 8.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

We have stopped shipping the plastic carabiners.. Double overhand is perfect instead. BUT if you do use the little plastics then a single works fine.

[@GordonHudson]

Got a question for you Callum: How do half wave ground mounted verticals model? They don't require radials presumably, but I have heard that they need to be elevated by 1-2 metres or the radiation angle is too high. I am not sure if that is true. Have you looked into it? It would work for a 10/12/15/17 vertical but would be difficult for lower bands realistically due to the length.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Gordon.. you can easily model one.. Connect the vertical direct to the Z equals zero and then adjust the ground with the Ground button.. You do NOT need to raise them up. The maths works just fine.

[@joemanion7376]

I love knots, the more you know the less you need.

[@brucestarr4438]

I wonder why you like that version for a stopper knot over s figure 8 stopper knot?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It’s lumpier

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the Video!!!

[@nommy11]

Kinch Cal Lol Ex lorry driver of over 30 yrs experience your right it slips pmsl fell on my arse many a time hehehehe

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah yes!

[@RickPaquin-xg9hm]

Ok, I failed cub scouts (I couldn't pass knot class). Today my spouse has to tie our trash bags for the curb. The whole knot thing is the ONLY negative I've encountered for this antenna. I do see people using hooks. I'm thinking they might be using bungie cords or maybe there's a way to attach a hook? Anything wrong with bungie cords?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

If you can tie a single over-hand knot (which we can all do from age 4) then it's just one more time around. That's all you need.

[@Matt61702]

Adding half hitch to a half hitch? If you can’t tie a knot, tie a lot! 😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes careful if you do single open half hitch with that blue rope!

[@TimmyD853]

The alpine butterfly oIo

[@doesstuffoutside]

Fantastic knots all around, Callum. The tension system you're using that alpine butterfly on is what I would call a trucker's hitch here in the US. I grew up tying them with the loop made from an overhand on a bight, but in a survival class I took in college they taught us how to make the loop with a slip knot so that it can just pulled free without any untying. I've found a video demonstration here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5aTg3Vshp52asU Might save you some time untying the alpine butterfly, though that knot has a lot of other wonderful applications. Cheers!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK yes.. The trucker's Hitch works GREAT.. I would totally agree.. It is slightly different though.. Anyway, for me, I often want to tie a permanent loop in a line that I can reuse over and over at just the right place.. Often with one hand.. But thinking about it, the hitch would also work. But hey! The Apline looks to pretty! :)

[@mikeladd5880]

I dont have any teeth, how do i get them appart?😂😂😂

[@DXCommanderHQ]

One of those pallet splitters!

[@BoB4jjjjs]

To tie or knot to tie, that is the question? 😄

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha yes!

[@joshmyer9]

I would add one to this list: the cow hitch (aka lark's head) knot. You can tie it with two fingers in under a second, and is a great way to quickly attach one line to another. It's the standard knot to attach lines to a stunt kite bridle. That's a demanding (and expensive) application, so I'd take it as a strong endorsement. There's a nice, slow (19 seconds long!) demo of it up on KZbin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZ6YYZyIj6d9h8U They show it going up to a stopper, which is classic. But if you're guying a lightweight inverted vee in the park, you can usually get away without a stopper (or insulator). Also note that you don't need a tied loop: you can just bend the rope and flip that bend into shape. This version is what I use on stakes to guy my antennas. It makes changing the length fast, easy, and very controlled.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

So many knots.. How many do I teach :)

[@JD-mw9ul]

Tnx Cal, de KM2Y

[@richardsaunders3082]

Being a little knotty this morning??

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha

[@donaldsmith3048]

I use a truckers knot.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

I am American. I use bowlines on my mini carabiners. 🤷🏻

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That'll do!

[@macgyver5108]

Now if you can get the proper pronunciation of Bowline like a sailor vs a landlubber. Drop the W and E, like Bo-lyn (Like Anne Boleyn) and you'll be bang on Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I work antennas..!

[@macgyver5108]

@@DXCommanderHQ I thought you work DX? 😜

[@2E0VPF]

If you can’t tie knots, tie lots.

[@AliReza-zx8km]

❤️

[@peterlowrie1216]

Knotty but nice

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha

[@bigdaadio.K2WW]

Hey, DX "comaaa der" how many dz countries you have confirmed??? DX COMMANDER

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No idea! I've never counted them :)

[@brianspilsbury8953]

if you dont know knots, tie lots

[@fm71450]

Great stuff! No doubt there are many other knots to use, but, having some good ones with which that a person is well familiar when “out in the field” can be very valuable. As always, thank you. KQ4IXD

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Very true! Have a great day!

[@Bill-HRT]

Thank you. This is very useful instruction. 73 de Bill K0WHW. @Bill-HRT