How to Build DX Commander Rapide 2022

[@sfrahm1]

Be sure to subscribe! So Callum can back to streaming until YT corrects their absurd mistake in deleting his main channel.

[@1337flite]

The audio on this video is beautiful Callum.

[@AlvinMcManus]

I will purchase one as soon as DX Engineering has it in stock.

[@GregTI3GB]

I have this system and its excellent, I did a small modification and it was to connect one of the radials to the metal roof of my house. the antenna Works great and I have could make the turn around the world with the DXC! I really recommend this product, specially if you live in HOA areas, my neighborhoods thinks I have a weather station on my yard! 😆 73s! T

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha brilliant!!

[@GerbieUTube]

Just purchased one at Martin Lynch & Sons..... can't wait for it to arrive.....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You'll love it.

[@GerbieUTube]

@@DXCommanderHQ With respect to tuning: do I start tuning 30m, then 20m, 17m , etc...?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Tuning.. It doesn't REALLY matter because as long as all your elements are already up, you can tune them all in one big blast.

[@drj113b]

Hi Callum, Thanks for these videos - I love your products and the beautiful way that you present them in a no nonsense, clear manner. My house has a 2.5m wide side portion between the house and the fence that is likely where I will be able to place it - Imagine, a long rectangular section - 16m long, but only 2.5m wide. in your experience, how would the radial system work? Should i stop thinking, and just do it - Hopefully, it would be significantly more effective than my longwire antenna for DX.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK easy.. Place them down with the longer ones going up and down the passage and a few tiny ones near the base between the fence and house. Just litter the floor :)

[@billgill85]

Hi Callum, you reference another video showing how you designed the antenna. Does this go through the MMANA model in detail? I've been trying to replicate your model (basing the wire lengths off the instruction sheet cut list) and finding that I'm not getting comparable results. Unfortunately the shipping to Australia is horrendous, so I'm attempting to build a replica Rapide. Just trying to validate the model before I start cutting any wire. Are there any traps for new players with MMANA that might explain why the model is off?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Talk to me about shipping.. Better still, watch the channel.. I have a deal coming up any day. PS - the MMANA model is here drive.google.com/file/d/1gmF6QbmYliABZt2ybd7bONvxP9cs5iP0/view?usp=drive_link

[@patrickhooper1757]

Hi Callum, really enjoy the video. I purchase the mast from DX Engineering and I am working on a Home Brew. One question, what will happen if I make a "coil" for 40 meters in line and not wrapped around the mast? Will it impact the other bands ? I to use the mast for mobile operations - the size and weight are perfect. I followed the instructions and cut all of my band wires, I cut the 40 meter per the instructions, just trying to avoid wrapping around the mast.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK.. You COULD find a small length of 2-inch former (6 inches probably ideal).. Wrap some turns around it (probably about 10).. Slip it over the mast then continue up to the top and adjust the foldover for best resonance..

[@patrickhooper1757]

@m0mcx Callum, Perfect I will experiment and report back the results.

[@patrickhooper1757]

drive.google.com/file/d/18YyCpj5SSSjrbNdceRNNPZ74jYmxUhZj/view?usp=drivesdk

[@patrickhooper1757]

Coiled worked great. It is a little low, I need to trim the elements, and maybe add another turn.

[@TI2GBB]

​@@patrickhooper1757 can you share your results and how you build the coil? What is the SWR in the other bands? 73 de TI3GB

[@ArcticBlues1]

Thank You :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Welcome!

[@MrKholcombe]

Callum, I have a question. Rather than all the radials, what would happen if I drove a 4ft grounding rod at the base of the mast and ran a copper grounding wire from the bottom plate to the ground rod? Permanent install obviously

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Keith, a ground rod is good for lightning only. You will need radials friend..

[@AlvinMcManus]

@@DXCommanderHQ he could use a window screen! :)

[@eduardogarciamontesdeoca5935]

Hello Callum. I’m using a DX Commander Rapide for almost 2 years now with a tuner connected but I’m about to fine tuning all the elements for a perfect SWR. You mentioned here the SWR calculator… so, in which order should I start adjusting the elements or there’s no variation in 20m (for example) if I adjust the 12m element? I’m a bit confused with that

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, small changes to one element will no affect the other elements. WHat I do is adjust all the elements at the same time. Normally it just "works".

[@justin9605]

Thank you.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You're welcome!

[@DawsonMackenzie-v9o]

Ty

[@K7HKW]

Do you need the foldback on 30m? If I have a 25 foot pole could I just run the 30m wire without the foldback all the way up?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You only need a foldback to make sure there's enough at the top to create some tension. It has absolutely no measurable effect on performance.

[@K7HKW]

@@DXCommanderHQ Thank you sir. I'm excited to build this antenna!

[@tommiehinman1349]

How would an aluminum mast effect this antenna's performance?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I don't know.. It can start to work like a huge dumping capacitor. Made that happen originally with the 12.4.

[@tommiehinman1349]

@@DXCommanderHQ ty, i just have tbe used military rft sectional tubes and was tempted to try. They have composite guy rings that could be modified to accommodate the elem

[@geraldcampbell6834]

Cool I have a XAir18 also!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah nice! I use up most of the sound cards. Very cool low-latency USB interface even withou the XLRs :)

[@thespugy]

hi Callum, having messed about with cbs when i was a kid i am wanting to build something but i know abolutly nothing and i'm struggling to get a handle on what i need. i would like to make an antenna that can be used with a cb radio but also used with a cheap baofeng uv5r typoe thing. i know they suck but money is tight right now and i just want to make something work so i can show the missus the hobby is not a massive waste of money. we are both somewhat conserned about russias movements right now. and yes i intend to pass the foundation before transmitting on the baofeng. i dont know if we can do it with one antenna or wether just buying a cheap set up wpuld be the way to go. any advice would be good. i live on top of a hill if i say emley west yorkshire that would give you an idea of where we are. many thanks and thanks for your channel. =

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so make ONE antenna for both CB and VHF/UHF is not impossible but - er - weird! Your best bet is 2 x antennas.

[@AlvinMcManus]

An Ed Fong J Pole is great for VHF/UHF but you will need an antenna for the 11meter band (CB) so two antennas like Callum says.

[@jempibassman3702]

Hi, ON7MA .. where can I find the Mmana Files for your antenna's ? do you have any download place for them ? Tnx on forehand, JP

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I only have the DX Commander drawn up and published. It's here: drive.google.com/file/d/1gmF6QbmYliABZt2ybd7bONvxP9cs5iP0/view?usp=drive_link

[@jempibassman3702]

Tnx Callum.. Friend of mine , Ulrich bought one and i'd liked to simulate it in Mmana, also for 80m , so top for this

[@mewrongwayKOCXF]

👍

[@MrDeivisD]

Thinking to buy this antenna as new ham first antenna, but no 40m, how to make it into 40m?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I explain in the user guide how to swap 30m to 40m 😊

[@kd8ccx]

Has anyone mounted their DX Commander on their roof? I have a metal roof, and live with hills all around me. Just looking for feedback.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes.. Check gallery page on website.. Flat roofs apparently work well!

[@dsmith004]

I like "taut." It sounds more exciting. I need to get a life ... 🤪