Ultimate Guide - How to Build a DX Commander 2022

[@stevecodman]

DXCommander got me on air - my furthest contact is Gatton in Queensland Australia 10154 miles away running 100 Watts :-) and last week I heard New Zealand! Great piece of kit...

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh wow!

[@fieldofscreams]

I didn't watch this video, but I wanted to make a humorous but complimentary comment. I sat for the Technician and General license less than 6 months ago. I have little contact with locals, so KZbin was important as I started to consider what I wanted to try. In the end, small time KZbinr's such as enthusiastic Astro Leah got me looking at the DX Commander (she wasn't doing a pitch, just using) and many others solidified that this would be my first antenna. I loved listening to Cal think although I didn't really understand what he was talking about. The DX Commander seemed great for home and portable operations. So this antenna was my first purchase toward creating a station. Later I picked out the FT-891. Assembly looked intimidating, but reality was that when the antenna arrived, I was impressed with the quality of the pole and assembly went well and was enjoyable. And then I hooked everything up, barely messed with ft-891 settings, and my wife began to hear voices in the basement. So easy and rewarding. Fast forward four days after a few successful POTA contacts. I hit the PTT button to put out my call sign to an activator and my ATU started to retune. I was shocked and disappointed that it felt the need. Nevertheless, for the next hour it was one QSO after another. I was so excited that it seemed like I was invincible when it came to pileups. So yesterday I just happened to think about going out and checking the guy ropes. That was a shock. I saw a wire wreck at the bottom of the pole. What a mess! I took the antenna down and found that it was just that the 2nd section from the bottom had completely slid down. I had used my own zip tie where it happened (rather than what was provided in the kit). So I placed a new one on the pole and also did the final change from taped element fold-backs to adhesive/shrink tube which had to be done at some time anyways once happy with the tune. So I'm impressed that although wires were laying all over it seemed, this antenna was still effective. My heavens, about 20% of the 20m element was just curled on the ground. I think this antenna is a real value and I like that it intuitively makes sense to me (1/4 wavelength cuts) although I surely don't yet know much about antennas.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Haha! I have done the same :)

[@AlvinMcManus]

I had my 17meter element had come undone at the loop because my temporary tape job let go. Heat shrink this time. LOL

[@alzeNL]

I love the DX-Commander antennas, it got me started when I was a foundation licence holder. It taught me why the antenna wire lengths are important and how to tune an antenna. A number of my fellow radio amateurs at our local club use these antennas, and its just great ! Thanks Cal for these great antennas, I need to get the portable one out at some point ! Thanks again, Alan 2E0FWE

[@briankuzawa1683]

My 8 year old son, Connor (N5CSK) says he doesn't want to enjoy his radio, he wants to enjoy YOUR radio! lol (He wants a TS990 himself... XYL Janae (W5NAE) and I told his to get a job!) Anyhow, thanks for the overview. Con and I (along with 10 yr old Ashtyn, who is trying to get US Tech and General before Field Day 2022) will be building our Classic as soon as FedEx delivers. 73 AA6X

[@DXCommanderHQ]

That is awesome!

[@briankuzawa1683]

@@DXCommanderHQ Con asks if it's awesome enough to get a ts-990... Or even an 890... I told him to give it up and go to school! He can help me cut antenna wires on our Classic when he gets home! (assuming FedEx hasn't lost it in Indianapolis) Besides, my Sunsdr2 DX is good enough... Perhaps I should tell him to save some money for a Xiegu g90 or x6100 lol

[@andrewlee109]

The more and more I watch the build vlogs the more I am able to get my head around how to assemble the antenna. Definitely looking at the DX commander classic with the inverted L found an antenna pully system that attaches to a metal pole on a T and K bracket to use for the extended 80m element.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Ah yes, I did this option and came off the antenna pole at the 5meter (third) spreader plate to a painters pole extended to 7meters with 2ft of shockcord as the anchoring line. Works good and bends with the Classic in the wind so it is not stressing that section. Works very nicely on our local NVIS net.

[@CommodoreKazz]

I received my DX Commander today. I know you have a lot going on but I wanted to thank you for all you do for the community. Thank you KC1___

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Great to hear! Have fun!

[@jolebole-yt]

I setup my 1st ever Commander Classic..Install video helped a lot. I had to add some extra wire for the 40m element, but the SWR is the lowest I've eve tested on a HF antenna. 1.03 and 1.15 on 20 and 40m. I am receiving stations that I have not been able before. I'm gonna double guy it and see how it holds up in the harsh Chicago winter. Cheers!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Excellent.

[@AlvinMcManus]

I have seen so many of these build videos that the word "doingy" has crept into my vocabulary. Thanks for the great video. It is keeping me sane during this build. 73 KN6ZVI

[@DXCommanderHQ]

HAHAHAHAHAHA FUNNY!

[@phoebelala]

Hi Callum, Ive just ordered (Sat 15th) one of your classics with 80M, I've been watching your vids for a while and decided the time is right. Ill probably install it adjacent to some silver birch trees on my lawn so that it isn't the stand-out feature of the garden. Looking forward to getting it on-air. Cheers M0VZZ

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Brilliant!

[@justin9605]

Thank you, I'm building my new Signature 12 on Field Day today. KE8WYZ 73.

[@PeteSnipe]

Having played radio with Home brew half wave dipole and long wires, I have finally come into the fold and ordered an 80 metre Classic kit. Really looking forward to putting the kit together and playing radio with it. Peter M0WHT

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Wow. Amazing!

[@W9HJBill]

Great video. I so can't wait for the 12M version to be released, I'm going to snag one of those for all the low bands and either a Classic or a Rapid for the high bands.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good choice! Similar thinking here too..

[@thuff3207]

Looks easy to set up and maybe I should get one for my shack. Thank you for showing the fun of building.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good luck :)

[@Oregun]

I just ordered the Classic. I live in an HOA and can't "install" an antenna, I plan to run this stealth in my back yard and if anyone complains I'll prop it up/down when needed. I've been running a 25' vertical for a few months and no one has noticed so I'm hoping for the same luck. :)

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Good idea!

[@lowcountryhdrider7644]

Loving the new channel!

[@thesavo]

What is meant at 13:25 when you say "in the main, your rig will tell you where the dip is"

[@DXCommanderHQ]

SWR dip.

[@thesavo]

@@DXCommanderHQ OK. What if our radio doesn't an swr meter?

[@AlvinMcManus]

@@thesavo Oops!

[@Paddy_Roche]

Love you Cal, x

[@RedNeckSurgeyTech]

Even DC could build it lol. Love both DX and DC videos.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Nothing wrong with DC.. Nice one.

[@patrickbuick5459]

I'm curious. Background: I want to use this as a quick up/down antenna at my apartment. I *could* use a drive-on or some kind of tube attached to my Jeep as a base for the mast. I even have a clamp meant for a jack at the rear that clamps at about 4 feet from ground level. Questions: Would this type of mounting work? The radials would be laid over tarmac/asphalt in a kind of fan 180⁰ bowtie pattern, would that make a significant difference? Would it even work? Could I tie in the Jeep as a counterplane? How badly would the metal Jeep and other autos detune the antenna?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, everything will work as you suggest.. If you were worried about the jeep, you could always jumper it to the ground plate of the antenna but in the main, I think you will the Jeep will be invisible. Bow-tie patterns, half-moons, 90 degrees, won't matter really. You will still get out and have fun, I promise.

[@patrickbuick5459]

@@DXCommanderHQ As an update, I bought the 12.4 Signature. Built and erected it myself. Seems very good for DX. It didn't solve my "local" guys on 75/80M. I tried a combo portable vertical with EFLW length for 80 and wow. So 2 antennas it seems. Vertical for distance, horizontal for local (NVIS).

[@raymondwells5807]

Good morning Callum, I am moving house and will be living with my son and I am considering the “Classic” as my permanent antenna. Would placing a coaxial lightning arrestor between the so239 and cable to the shack upset the performance of the antenna. The arrestor would have its own ground rod. I am serious about minimizing risk to my son’s property. Thanks.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It won't upset anything :)

[@raymondwells5807]

@@DXCommanderHQ Weeks later, it is up (still have to measure and install the counterpoise) and I have receiver action on all the bands. I found that the supplied shock cord filled the cup of the caribeener so much that my 78 yr old hands could not fit the hook part. I got a smaller shock cord at a camping supply store and I was able to make and tension the various antenna hook ups. Highly satisfied.

[@davidwilcox9110]

Callum, I couldn’t find any info on your videos about the new HCL Easy clamps. On the HCL website there are so many different models. Which one are you sending with your antennas now? Thank you. Dave K8WPE

[@DXCommanderHQ]

We send the 50mm version and for the 12 and 18, a few 75mm versions.

[@robertsodorsky975]

@bobS. Hi Callum. i just ordered my antenna (DX Commander CLASSIC HF Multi-Band Vertical), (2-29-24). The question I have is how many guy wires do I need to install, and can I put this against a fence post for added stability and if so, what do you recommend? YS Bob

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Just three on the first spreader.. Small ones. Works fine!

[@stevepatterson2290]

question can you slide the fibreglass pole over a steel fence pole instead of using the guy wires?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Steve, trouble with a steel pole is that it has zero "give". But I do know of one person that did do this..

[@stevepatterson2290]

@@DXCommanderHQ thank you

[@gavpop]

To keep the missus happy, would there be any issues running this up the side of tree? ie - to keep it hidden from sight.

[@AlvinMcManus]

I am no expert on this, but I seem to remember a KZbin with that same type of installation. I don't think that trees have much affect on HF signals. UHF is another story...

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You'll be fine.

[@happyhome41]

Fantastic video (one of many). Order placed. Just curious, one of your countrymen, suggested that some elevation about the ground would yield a significant improvement, in a reduction in the needed number of radials. Not worth it ?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No. Don't bother.. And I can't remember if this video showed the plastic carabiners.. We moved away from them. Too many breakages. Moved to stopper knots (some guy in the military suggested it). Check user guide..

[@bianchispurs]

Hello, can this be bought in the USA if so where. Thank you!

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hello.. Yiu can order via card direct from us. We ship normally next day and delivery is normally 3-4 days. No import duty or sales tax! See m0mcx.co.uk.

[@AlvinMcManus]

DX Engineering is now the US distributor.

[@rhythmstic]

Great video.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Thanks!

[@kaigarrels]

Nice...any plans to to a vertical 1/2wave end-fed version for 20m and up? So we have more wire up in the air and less radial efforts? Just a thought...my end-fed vertical for 17m works just great...

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Can do.. Of course 20m will do all the bands anyway (maybe a bit of ATU!). Just buy a pole :)

[@JayN4GO]

Can I slide the fiberglass pole over a metal pole fixed in the yard? I know it may mess with the swr of high enough into the glass pole. Any idea how much until it screws with the antenna ? Thanks C

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You can.. Just beware that I tried this once and the SWR was perfect from about 24MHz and up.. It was sinking all the power into the ground. But the tube was 2m / 6-ft long. A shorter pole would have worked.

[@JayN4GO]

@@DXCommanderHQ ok I was thinking about 16 inches to keep from kicking out. I may be able to slide pvc over the metal pipe and then slide fglass over it. 🧐

[@andrewhill4226]

Hello Callum, someone has probably already asked you, how come you have not used a put over pole for permanant based DX commanders ? So no chance of the put over pole falling down due to tension, different on a telescoping pole. Yes I understand the plates may need redesigning, but the joints are wider and the plates once drilled may fit snug nearer the joints strongest point ? Plus you may not need electrical tape and your large jubilee clip and rubber hose to tighten plates ? I ask as I have just bought a fibre glass 8m ( £24 ) put over pole and I have no fear of having to tape up telescopic joints and worrying they will collapse under any tension from shot cord, etc. 73's Andy M6APJ.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

The Signature 9.5 is designed for pole mounting.. Just not launched yet.. About 3-months away. Almost same as Classic, but no guys! :)

[@Markgcr]

Where do you find those little wire ident numbered white cubes ?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Ebay: Kids Bracelet Number Cubes (or similar search).

[@longeze]

My IC 7300 will not tune the 10M band with the antenna lengths given in the instructions. Instructions call out a length of 8.4M (331"). My radio tunes up a 10M dipole perfectly, but not the DX Commander. I think the length given in the instructions are incorrect. It's my understanding that a 1/2 wave, 10M antenna should be 5.26 meters (207"). Can someone help?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Drop me an email and we can work it out.. That length sounds like the Signature 12.4.. In which case it's a 3/4 wave with a foldover..

[@kevinc8667]

Getting ready to build my DX Commander Classic antenna and have a question about the tensioning loop on the 40m element. Does folding the element back to make the tensioning loop, and then continuing it to the top , not affect its ability to receive/transmit a signal on the element above the loop? Sorry if this is an elementary question - this is my first antenna build.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Don't worry about that loop, it's not even seen by the RF, it's not a choke. Good question.

[@samallenby571]

Can these come pre built with all the wires cut to size etc for each band, and so the antenna just gets extended direct out the box

[@DXCommanderHQ]

No sorry.

[@spillo84top]

Hi Callum, if I put this antenna in fixed installation in my garden, hon many years can live?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

42!

[@johnratcliffe6438]

What impact on SWR/resonance point does the tension loop in the 40m element have? And how many tension loops should the 40m element have? One or two? It looks like two but just want to check.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

The tension loops have almost zero effect.. You can have as many as you like.

[@johnratcliffe6438]

@@DXCommanderHQ Sorry Cal, I didn't make my question clear. My 40m element is cut to the length set out in your chart. Does that length include the extra cable needed for the loops? Or must I add that to the length set out in the chart?

[@tomcat1fl]

Callum, The zed shape for the 40m element, does it allow tensioning upward or downward? 73 de N2XU with my friend KB4OIF

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Both - but I tension it "up".

[@PatAutrey]

If I wanted to build an 80 m square loop but I did not have enough room to do so is it possible to have a smaller loop that has a second layer added on top of the first loop so that it is effectively spiraling upward and would have the same amount of necessary wire for 80 m loop but just not have as big a footprint on the ground? So it would be as big as a 40 m loop but just have two layers layer one and layer two is this doable? If so how much separation would you have to put between the layers? Any thoughts

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Hi Pat.. So I put a loop up for 80m once that was actually less then 60m. Coax fed with a balun BUT with loading coils in each corner. They were about 35mm in diameter and around 60 turns on each. Looking back I could have made the job easier by putting 2 coils fairly near the feedpoint. Easier to tune too. As regards your idea, I don’t know. I’m sure it would work.. But then we’re into the definition of “work “?!

[@michaelaFlangee]

Proably a stupid question, not played radio for far too long, do you see any issues running this for 2,10,11,12 meters, Ill need to look up implications of importing to CZ (OK) post brexit its a costly pain envlolving a long trip and an even longer wait for them to find the parcel. Asking as I have one eu cb and a small 2m tranceiver plusI am looking to get at getting a radio for the nearby amature bandsand currently have no antenna

[@DXCommanderHQ]

OK, so the problem with VHF is that you really need some height to clear buildings. It will work on the ground but honestly not as well as 10m high.

[@michaelaFlangee]

@@DXCommanderHQ thanks for the reply

[@Weightlossjourney24]

I’m not a fan of Fiberglass for permanent placement. In Texas where I live fiberglass wouldn’t last long.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Texas is our biggest customer base. So far no compaints. Actually, it's almost impossible to recycle fiberglass (talk to boat manufacturers) becasue they DON'T rot :)

[@terryburge6763]

Hi Callum, While I wait for my DX commander Classic 80-10/6 meter to arrive I has a thought while watching a previous video from March. Could you put two 10 meter driven elements to cover more of the 10 meter band. I try to work DXPeditions and mostly phpne 28.300-28.800Mhz. But I also get a big kick out of 10 meter AM up in the 29.1-29.2 Mhz region. Seems it might be possible to cover 28.0-28.8 Mhz and also get 28.8-29.2 Mhz or more. Maybe balance it out a little better than that of course. But sometime is seems like two bands close togeter like 12 and 10 meters will cause tuning problems for both. Terry, KI7M

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Terry, yes you can do this.. 28.0 through to 29.2 or so is pretty big - perhaps instead consider a 3/4 wave element (slightly more bandwidth). The new kits have a 4-hole top spreader just for this purpose - but I have yet to try it myself..

[@JPDW3072]

Hi, I'm not a radio amateur but I was wondering about what you have said in one of your video's about how higher the antenna above sea level. I forget which one of your video's that was. So here is my questions. There are a couple of hills here where I live and something I go up on one of those hills 100+ meters high with my handheld (2 meter 70 cm) but I usually don't hear much. But if I go lower hill around 40 meters high I hear a lot more every time. Is there a explanation for that ? Thanks so much, 73.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

It is genuinely possible that you are too high and literally "above" the signals. If the transmitter in question was using a high gain vertical, the lobe of RF will come out like a flattened donut. It is quite possible that you were above the donut. Ideally, it would be cool to find out where the transmitter is and you could effectively "join the dots" and work it out. That is my guess anyway (also from personal experience).

[@Blake-jl8lh]

The way 40 tensions is not very clear in the manual. It seems this video is the only way to get it right. Idk everyone seems to not have problems but it would be nice if some images were in the manual

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You are checking the "new" manual? "Page 17: Your 40m element will go to the top of the pole and back down again by around 2m/6-feet" and half way down page 12 for any longer element (longer than 20m) says, "..make an intermediate “tension” loop at approximately the same place where the 20m element ended" - and then there is 5 pictures. If you have any problems, just drop me a line!

[@Blake-jl8lh]

@@DXCommanderHQ I can't tell you if it's me or the manual to be honest I really wasn't understanding what it means until I watched the video. I'm still a bit unclear if I just leave the bit that folds over the top just hanging loose or maybe tape it down?

[@joydeocampo5577]

How much, avialable in Philippines?

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Website. Check-out. Automatically calculated. BUT make sure you have a permit for Philippines. Your customs people are very strict.

[@TheMultisportGeek]

Can I mount this on my roof???

[@DXCommanderHQ]

You could.. But I haven't done it. Others have!

[@patrickmolloy6994]

nice video. Can you add links in Your descriptive comment? that would be useful 73 de M5PM 🇬🇧 Patrick

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Soon.. I have a few more videos to put up then I can do it yes.. Give me a couple days.

[@ARDFsport]

YL Raisa in her videos appears always with DX Commander masts ;-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6OcgXSsacqen68

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Oh yes, looks like she has a 12.4 there..

[@iconoclasticphilosophy5641]

Looks and sounds complicated. I'd hate to spend that money and muck it up.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Complicated? Nah.. Just 1/4 wave elements and a few plates.