*NEW* 2024 Spec Rapide PLUS DX Commander

This is the new Rapide +PLUS+ that includes a new alloy base and cap and ground mounted post for guyless operation. Perfect for HOA or those folks that still want a no-compromise, low impact antenna but with a small footprint. Available direct from the factory, or from DX Engineering and also Martin Lynch. Cut chart / user guide here: dxcommander.co...
dxcommander.co...
www.hamradio.c...
www.dxengineer...

[@pc4ad]

Goodevening (or whatever time you read this) For a permananet installation, I fully support Callums' way to unscrew the cap and leave the radials including the groundplate on the ground-over the groundpost.. It will make life easier - just unscrew the so-239 fly-lead and take off the pole if you need. This can be very helpfull for maintenance or saving the antenna from a heavy storm ;-) This is my experience with the Signature 9 and will also be with tthe Rapide Plus 🙂 Enjoy your hobby and your radio, 73 de PC4AD - Anton

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nice one Anton!

[@AlvinMcManus]

That is what I did with the Classic that I slipped over a 1.25" Sched 40 PVC that I stuffed into a screw-in post base. Stands up fine w/o guys, but I guyed my pole JIC.

[@GregTI3GB]

I have 2 years using this model in Costa Rica and the performance is outstanding, is perfect for HOA areas! Thanks for this amazing product Cal! your ambassador from Costa Rica, Greg TI3GB!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Awe.. Thank you Greg!

[@kk0dj]

The Rapide should be a staple antenna for small garden/backyard hams! Nice design Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I like it!

[@basshorseman998]

Thank you Cal, I am still undecided about any changes to my antenna farm but, I do like it...

[@eddyyantosjahputra9269]

Have a happy life with this hobby. Greetings from Indonesia, JZ04LED....73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Greetings!

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

My wife got a torch like that for making creme brulee. I discovered it works quite nicely for heat shrink tubing, but it is SO EASY to get carried away.

[@wblue74]

This is the best comment by far.

[@paulsengupta971]

Yes, I also have one for creme brulee. Yes, sometimes it has another purpose...

[@N1RIP]

No need to expiriment Cal, I've been running 24 five foot radials since I've owned the DXC Rapide. Talking all over the world from Kentucky USA. Nice to see the improvements coming along! de N1RIP

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ah! Brilliant. There you go folks!

[@N1RIP]

@@DXCommanderHQ don't get me wrong, I'd still love to see a video of you testing the 6ft radials on the Rapide, but yeah amazing antenna system my friend. I need to buy a few masts from you. Thanks for all you put into DXC

[@GerbieUTube]

Expecting my DX Commander Rapide Plus to be delivered by ML&S this week (to the Netherlands). Can't wait to start the build and see the results on the air.....

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wel, I am re-doing the cut chartt THIS WEEK.. I want to experiment putting the 40m coil higher..

[@m7trsradio]

Great video Callum ive said this before the rapide was never on my radar but think would go better in my garden. Hope to get a ft99a so i have more power as i max out at 5w with my ft817 at the moment. Looks a great build. I currently have the DXC 10m mast up about 4 sections up with a efhw snaked around my garden. 👍🏽

[@PRODIGY5369]

I know where you are coming from with the addiction to household blowtorches. I thought I had it under control and moderated, but then I burned my fingers. Nice vid Cal, thanks 👍

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Funny!!

[@jeffreyreid1729]

I have been doing this for all my Classics and Rapides for several years now. It's the only way to go. In fact I made contact with the recent DX Expedition at Clipperton Is using the Rapide stuck on a pole in the ground on the 12m band. (granted, being on the West Coast made it a straight shot to Clipperton)

[@ham-radio]

Dear Callum Sir, the antenna is brilliant and so are you. For those of us that struggle a bit with metric measurements, I have a couple of questions and a couple of comments. What is the height of the antenna? What is the O.D. of the lowest tube? What is the O.D. of the top tube? For 40 meters is any matching needed? What is the total length and O.D. of the ground post? How much does the assembled antenna weigh? Thank you for answering the questions above. Sorry that I need some clarification. The Rapide-Plus does not have traps and the elements are full quarter wavelength so it will be very efficient. It will be a very good choice for many amateurs around the world. Congratulations Sir. With respect to radials: As a Deputy Building Inspector, I inspected a vertical antenna for a broadcast station that is on 830kHz. They did use buried radials every 2 degrees. The lengths were short due to terrain and other structures near the antenna. I am of the opinion that once a radial is buried, it is hard to know where it is resonant. If the radial is a few inches above ground, it is resonant as cut and is more efficient. Fewer radials are needed if they are elevated. Is that your experience with radials? I know you experiment with designs much of the time and that is why your antennas are such a big sucess! Wonderful to see your cheerful face and energy. I am recovering from yet another round of chemotherarpy. I am currently bed ridden. Transfusion number 19 was yesterday. 73 from Jim W6LG KZbin Elmer in Rocklin, CA.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Jim! Welcome my old friend.. Height is 23-ft Lowest tube is about 1.5 inches Top tube must be about 1/4 inch Total weight: About 5 pounds Resonant radials not required Jim.. Rudy Severns and I are of the opinion that either 1/8th wave or less and about 16+ work fine. Shout and I can build one up for you if you fancy testing it out.. But I know you have a hell of a station anyway! Good luck with round 19. Thinking of you old chap. Callum.

[@ham-radio]

Let's talk about that. I would demonstrate the construction and installation in a very small backyard. I have enough money in PayPal. Do you have a signature edition? Signed by the old man himself? 73, Jim in Rockyland CA

[@tonym7cvk430]

Hi Cal just ordered my Rapide today so hopefully it will be here next week Tony M7CVK

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good choice!

[@justin9605]

Thank you.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Welcome!

[@kumasu]

If I own a Rapide already, can I simply buy the post and drop it on? EDIT: moments ago I contacted Greenland for the first time. Thanks, Callum!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Yes you can!

[@sbromley6739]

Super antenna designs! New to Amateur Radio here, with an EE background. Taking the US Technician and General tests this week. Considering DX Commander Rapide Plus vs. Signature 9. What is the relative gain of these two as-installed? Target usage: 90% base station so I lean toward the Sig 9, but a portable like the Rapide Plus would help me branch out more.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Sig 9. Both are alsmot same. 9 is longer so better result on 40m.

[@hamradiostationg0dtx583]

Very nice

[@5BASSIP]

Hi Cal, can you come up with a one or two new dx commanders for the Low bands, eg 30,40,60,80,160? Thanks! Great job as usual.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

The 18m does that job.. :)

[@philwhoareyou3677]

Cal, just a quick question. Your coil for 40m does it have to be at the base or could it go half way up? I know it would need more windings but the effeciency goes up therortically. But also does that cause parastic issues to the other elements? Just wondered if you experimented with that. Cheers ZL2DEW.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That's the experiment I was doing before I put my back out! But yes.

[@TheREALJosephTurner]

I've often wondered if there's a maximum distance the plates can be away from each other- like enough room to fit a hinge (so that if you tilt it over on the hinge, the radial plate would remain stationary, but the driven plate would be on the tilting portion). of course, this would put more stress on the bottom of the mast, possibly requiring some sort of metal tubing inside the mast. I wonder if having a metal pipe inside the mast, going up past the driven plate would have a negative effect though, even though the mast insulates it from the plate, since the pipe would be in the elements' field.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can hinge it.. Don't use metal inside the pole though.. Well.. It's a long story!

[@travisdrake2940]

Is the 40m portion fully capable or is it just narrow portion of the band?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Full bandwidth, certainly 200kHz at 1.5:1 SWR

[@jcvee15]

Using the ground post, rather than slipping the antenna assembly all the way down to the ground, could you stop it short of the ground by 30-60cm using a clamp of some sort? I need this distance above the ground because of the irrigation that I take on my property. Thanks Callum, and 73!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Erm.. You could do. I have tested at around 40cms and it worked just fine. 60cm would also probably work too.

[@Ray_M0MXN]

Will there be a retro kit to buy for previous current owners?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can buy the ground-pole. That's the only difference really.

[@torpe1]

I wish i could work a DW or DU someday!

[@Zoidberg227]

Switching in the coil for 40m, you lose 30m, but do you also lose 6m? Or is this more of an "it depends" situation?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well actually 6m isn't so far away from 17m as a 3/4 wave.. So it's not bad actually.

[@Zoidberg227]

@@DXCommanderHQ hey thanks for the reply! Thinking the Rapide might be a good fit for my purposes.

[@jackstuart5334]

If you use the 30M wire to wind the 40M coil what is the new cut length for the total length?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well. That depends on the size of the coil.. Actually, that's probably far too much for a 1/4 wave..

[@ek12746]

Only choice now is to get the plates in Ocean Grey or Military Grey.

[@fireskycam9889]

HI CALLUM IS IT POSSIBLE TO DOWNLOAD THIS CLIP AND PLAY IT AT OUR HAM RADIO FESTIVAL COMING UP IN A FEW MONTHS.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

There are better videos for a festival that I can send to you.. Yes is the answer. If you want "better" email me.

[@edppdsc]

Have you got one set-up for 2 meter and 70cm?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No sorry

[@christophertitsworth7893]

Hi Cal, I think I may experiment with the 40 meter element as an inverted L, the way you do the 80 meter element on the Classic. The 40 works great with the coil but I can't leave things alone. Thank you for your content and your products. Chris KE5WNY

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Go for it!

[@M6EastCoastGirl]

Have you tried flat, ribbon cable for radials Cal? Im sure you probably have! I Each wire in the ribbon can be separated. It’s good for /P operations as its very lightweight, maybe a bit too fragile for permanent use? Cheap as chips though. Also has anyone tried Faraday Cloth as a ground plane? Again it looks like a good, lightweight /P option! 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

I've tried many things but not a ribbon cable.. It's not until you are out in the field do you realise how important soft, flexible, non-tangle wire is!

[@austieoutdoors9763]

so its a bit like my cobweb antenna vertically polarized but with a few extra bands nice 73 m7byf

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Multiple resonant lengths of wire. Like a fan-dipole maybe but vertical. Yes.

[@alanreader4815]

The Sig 9 will it work on Bungalow ?. RG30 4PA

[@PRODIGY5369]

It doesn't matter what your dwelling is, you just need a suitable patch of land as all these are ground mounted. Unless I misunderstood your question. 73

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Sure.. You need ideally about 2m x 2m minumum footprint.

[@joel5921]

With a tuner can you get 80m?

[@N1RIP]

I can with my LDG AT-200 Pro II -- there are many factors, what may work for me may not work for you!

[@g4lmn-ron401]

I have a Signature 9, it does not tune on 80 with the internal tuner of my Yaesu FT710, but my external Comet 300 tuner it tunes OK and I can work UK stations no problem. I have a 15 metre run of RG213 so reflected power on 80 at the slightly higher SWR are not a problem.

[@ZeroHarry]

Why not offer a more complicated version of the DX Commander Antenna for the ones that want it more complicated and mark it up 50%.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha yes!

[@VeteranInThePhilippines-uy6uc]

Why don't you explan your antennas don't use any balun/unun so no loss do to no transformer

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Explanation: 6 x quarter waves all working together like a fan dipole - but vertical.

[@louisblock1006]

Why not 11m to ?

[@andy2E0JIU]

It does 11m too,just cut the wire to the desired freq

[@Rubedo777]

Callum you didn’t seem too tremendous today old son…. You seemed a bit pistoffed … Eventually,,, I’ve set my heart on the signature 9, my back garden is about 20 foot squarish and the DX Commander is well down the line at the moment,,, a lot of work to do … this antenna maybe plan B. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling better next time, don’t like to see you down in the dumps. 😊 💎 💙

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Watch to end and I explained!

[@timothymaimone8611]

Callum…. Is soldering the radials truly a waste of time? If you have a reliable crimped connection, then it would be redundant. 73 de KD6UYK (Tim).

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Well... I think so. But I do this SO often that when I dropped doing it a while ago, I wondered why I did in the first place. Assumes the crimp connection is good and so is the heatshrink.