HAM RADIO: DX Commander Base loaded for 80M Vertical.

The DX Commander or other 10 meter glassfibre pole, fitted with a Loading Coil.
A 80M Vertical Antenna with a 9.68M driven element.
A base loaded DX Commander for use on 40/80M bands, with the use of the 40M element that's 1/4 wave on 40m (9.68M). The coil gives a very low angle of takeoff making it great for DX, and because there is no ground on the coil it can be added to other elements to form part of an all band vertical (ABV).
Please note: That the original DX Commander uses on 40m -11.15m (foldback back down pole ) and for this version 19.5 turns are required.
Also a standalone version that can be.used with any glass fibre pole or bamboo Caine etc....
Thanks and acknowledgement to Roly - ZL1BQD for the original idea.
Coil: 25 turns 5mm apart on a 76mm OSD plastic pipe. tapped at top and bottom, I used 1.8mm enamel coated copper wire about 8.5M long from www.brocott.co.uk.
Cheers
Mike M0MSN

[@battlestarone]

Hope you read this but it got to be one if the best ham radio antenna builder channels on KZbin,,i have been a ham 30 yrs and i am still learning new ideas from your channel,,many thanks gm7jds.

[@joecraft4409]

Grest job Mike, the lathe groove mskes a world of difference in the appearance of the coil. 👍

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Nice development Mike, looking forward to the royalties 🤫

[@mike-M0MSN]

LOL...😂😂😂😂

[@Bernard-John]

hi,good informative video,good to learn something new,well explained,thanks from Rotterdam

[@mike-M0MSN]

You are welcome!

[@Capt_Duffy]

Great work indeed !

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@rickadair5573]

Fantastic video AAA 👌

[@timg5tm941]

Nicely done Mike! 73

[@AndyWragg]

Great build Mike. You need to have a word with your mate with the lathe to knock out a couple of hundred lengths of coil former.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Andy

[@pu4mksmarkussalustianosalu783]

Muito bom parabéns pela iniciativa antena vertical

[@mike-M0MSN]

Muito obrigado

[@WHNorthcote]

In the USA they have Caterpillar Grommets that are evenly spaced so winging a coil is more easier than guesswork or having a lathe. It is a shame the UK does not have them as it would aid the winds on the former much more better.

[@EricMethven]

In the U.K., they are known as Castelated Grommets (Farnell, RS Components) and they work well for coils.

[@markarliss8415]

Crenellated grommet strip, available from CPC in the UK

[@MegaPrime2010]

Hi Mike, great video, but I have a question... I notice your build is on a pole without the other dx commander radiator elements. Have you tried this with a "whole" dx commander, and if so was there any issue with resonance on other bands?

[@huangbill6324]

I really hope to buy the finished product

[@Andelle72]

Really like this, fun build. For the DXC 40m element at 11.15m the description says 19.5 turns. Did you happen to take a uH reading for 19.5 turns? Thanks again for the knowledge. Tip top videos

[@Locksnut]

Very nice Mike. The one without the lathe work must have taken much effort and time for the proper spacing. Your friend’s lathe work was spot on. 73

[@graysonhamza5235]

i know im asking randomly but does someone know of a way to get back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly lost my account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me

[@graysonhamza5235]

@Hezekiah Tripp Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@graysonhamza5235]

@Hezekiah Tripp It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much you saved my account !

[@hezekiahtripp2711]

@Grayson Hamza happy to help =)

[@NICKGAR7]

Hi Mike, Thanks for updated stuff. I still have to assign a couple of hours to try mine out. Question about your ground radials when you implemented the 80 coil- Did you add any extra wire to your radial system or did you simply use the 10-40 DXC type of radial system? Mine might be a wee bit more complicated in that I intend to use it portable with elevated feed-coil at approx 3m AGL and try with a couple of 19/20m elevated radials.... let’s see!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes mate added a single 20m ground radial

[@proudsnowtiger]

Very good. Would that do 60 as well, with a different tap? You could remotely switch between the three bands with a couple of relays and putting +/- 12v dpwm the coax, if you're too lazy to get up and move the flying lead :) probably better just to run a separate conductor, though.

[@mike-M0MSN]

proudsnowtiger yep 60 is turn 19 ish.

[@markg6jvy135]

Great build Mike, you’ve done a few of theses now and they look better every time - top band next 😉😂

[@mike-M0MSN]

you never know?????

[@ON8EI]

@@mike-M0MSN Top band Mike, I would be very interested to see. ON8EI John.

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. N0QFT, Glen

[@olegoleg5411]

Very nice job! 73 from UT5RQ

[@mike-M0MSN]

Many thanks!

[@tareke5268]

good job Mike.......

[@superconductorchip9072]

The pipe you are using is Gray it has carbon in the plastic mix, use a white or better still clear pipe, this coil will heat the pipe up. I make my coil formers on a 3D printer this way I have no drilling after, just wind and go. That said great video, I like to see Hams experimenting not just making a homebrew G5RV or a windom I hear it all the time on the bands, " I'm running a homemade antenna" they call a piece of wire and a bit of feeder homemade !! Cheers

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks for the tips!

[@user-tz3il8hn6y]

Good luck , 73 ! RN4W

[@glenmartin2437]

Thanks.

[@nelsonbretschneider7708]

Excelente montagem,com certeza uma boa antena,73 PY3NQ!

[@daveN2MXX]

Awesome video!! Thank you!! I have seen several people on videos recently use a diagonal cutter to crimp a non-insulated terminal before soldering. 8:17 Am I seeing this correctly? Is this a thing? Why not use a crimp tool with the proper non-insulated crimp die???

[@mike-M0MSN]

Just watched it back, I think it was because of the space or because I could not be bothered to get the tool out of my bag.... still it worked ..lol.. Thanks.👍❤️

[@garryvandeensmith2133]

To achieve completely parallel wraps on "staggered vape coils" we used to wrap two wires in parallel & then unwind one of them. I wonder if those without access to a lathe could use a similar "sacrificial wire" technique using say speaker wire as it's 5mm wide, or a hollow core cord like Dyneema that lays pretty flat, or even 5mm plastic from cable ties without the ends & then you could just leave either of those glued in place?

[@mike-M0MSN]

good tip. :)

[@don_n5skt]

What is giving you the large bandwidth Mike? Is it the larger diameter coil? Do you use linear loading and are you still able to get 15m on the 40m element? Great video. Thanks.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hi Don, I believe it is the the coil diameter that helps, the aerial is 31 foot long NO fold back so not linear loaded for this coil. 15 is ok (may need to use a ATU a bit) for the 11.2 meter version (linear load version) the coil needs to be 19.5 turns 3" Dia

[@don_n5skt]

@@mike-M0MSN Thanks for getting at the heart of my question. High Q is wrong. Really meant that your bandwidth is awesome on that coil.

[@ianxfs]

Everyone should have a friend with a lathe 👍🏻 😁

[@theradioham]

Nice job Mike, where did you source the plastic pipe, looks nice and heavy duty. Adrian

[@mike-M0MSN]

Kiowa.co.uk

[@LevyCarneiro]

Do you connect the bottom of the coil to the ground of the SO239, or just leave it not connected to anything? I’m working on a similar antenna (but for 40m) but found conflicting information online regarding this part. Thanks!

[@dxscotland5901]

Great job as usual Mike!,so when are you’re coil kits for sale 😀

[@mike-M0MSN]

Gm4zji maybe later

[@dxscotland5901]

Mike-M0MSN I’m going to have a go for the 40m vertical design Mike it looks 👍

[@mslayne001]

Question please, if you added another separate coil in parallel, by using a jumper around the original coil to a second one tuned to a different frequency. Would this broaden the bandwidth of the antenna automatically. Would the rd wave find the closest resonating coil. The idea is to have both coils live at the same time. But tuned for separate frequencies. On parallel circuits. This how my hygain 680 antenna is built for the different bands. 9 of them. I was just wondering if it would work for a wide band 80m antenna, one antenna for the whole band.

[@mike-M0MSN]

that's an interesting idea, I cannot see the answer off the top of my head, it maybe worth building it and giving it a go, please let me know how you get on...

[@kd5inm]

If you placed the coils side by side would that act creating a magnetic field in the adjacent coil? May have to turn one coil on its side so the fields are out of phase with each other.

[@jrjr1273]

Very nice build. What is the thread count per inch on Your form? Thank You for sharing this project. 73’s

[@mike-M0MSN]

5mm spacing not sure what that is in inches

[@42kwhaum2]

how do do you for engrave the 76mm OSD plastic pipe in spiral ? You use CNC machine ?

[@mike-M0MSN]

A friend done this for me with a lathe

[@johnwilson4909]

Mike, I really like this build. However, black PVC has a carbon base and can compromise Hi Voltage Hi Frequency builds. Totally fine with your design. Please try it again with a no carbon PVC design.

[@kevinmatthews2620]

does that mean i can forgo my inv L for 80m on my dx commander, and re adjust the 30m leg for 60 & 30 m ?? , my current 80m inv L is 19m 10cms ish and i can get into most of south america and into oceania on ft8, be interesting to know, also where is the 15m gone ??, as my memory serves me correctly 15 is a bounus on the 40m element , i know questions galore :) 73s kevin G2KS

[@mike-M0MSN]

The loaded base is never going to be as good as the full sized 1/4 wave on 80, but yes you could replace the L with a 60/30 but.......build one and give it a go.. that's half the fun....

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍Thanks for sharing. Coil looks good. Would suggest wrapping some self-amalgamating tape around the PL-259 at the base of the antenna. Without it, water will probably ingress into connector and co-ax (I learned this years ago the hard way 😉).

[@mike-M0MSN]

Steve GM0HUU Cheers Steve, it does not stay out only when in use...

[@trisgreaney1647]

very nice 73 NA4A

[@francisboudreaux3880]

I don’t know why no one’s build one for sale as of yet. I have been looking for one also

[@don_n5skt]

I bought one from Roly but he is in New Zealand and the cost for shipping was very high. It is better to build yourself if you can. The biggest obstacle is the lathing or as Mike said in a earlier video and does show in this video, hot gluing the wires. The hot gluing you need to see Mike's earlier video. That convinced me that it would be a chore. However, PERHAPS, this version would not be as difficult to do.

[@francisboudreaux3880]

Don [N5SKT] - Thanks for the alert about New Zealand. Thanks you for the help I’ll probably end up making my own. Francis [WD5CFM]

[@mike-M0MSN]

Hey Guys, perhaps Caterpillar Grommets is the answer?????

[@francisboudreaux3880]

Hello Mike, is it possible to create a 160 meter coil using the 40 meter wire?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes I have done this I will try to find the video and post the link.

[@vladnik7719]

Do you know exactly the value in uH of the coil so it can be wounded on a different pipe and wire diameters . This aproach is best solution for multiband 40m and 80m vertical antenna. Thank you for sharing . Every 10 turns , 7.3uH. You said ,didnt watch till the end. Sorry. I apologise.

[@ReedAB8AS]

I need a friend with a lathe 😊

[@roymycock413]

Hi Mike great video, I checked out the website that you gave for the pipe supplier. There are two sizes both are classed as 3”, one is the high pressure pipe (I think that’s the one you used) which measures 89.9 mm outside diameter. The other is solvent weld waste pipe, which is 82 mm outside diameter. Could you please clarify which pipe size you’ve used before I order mine. So appreciate all your efforts and the information. I certainly can’t use our kitchen work surface as my bench though I’d be shot at dawn!! hi Ok thank you so much G0 DTT 73s

[@mike-M0MSN]

Product Code: LPCLC-0750

[@roymycock413]

@@mike-M0MSN Thanks Mike very much appreciated 73s

[@roymycock413]

Hi Mike I’ve managed to get the bits and build the coil, I was just wondering could I run my wire vertical element on the same pole as my inverted L dipole. Would you foresee any problems with that, as you probably guessed I’m not very technical on these things 🤔

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@roymycock413 it worked for me, give it a try..👍

[@peterdemey1083]

@ 5:36 i see you are soldering but do not understand or see how you connected the chassis of the pl259. chassis to bolt for counterpoise?

[@rw4pz1]

Хорошее видео Все понятно. RW4PZ. 73!!!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Спасибо

[@skyterrapin]

Irrigation pipe is threaded the whole length

[@marconiponcol1089]

Sukses

[@barrywendon5168]

Nice one Mike G6JMX Barry 73

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Barry

[@SMShannon55]

Hi Mike, After a year I don’t expect you to see this or respond, but it looks like a person could use bare wire in this instance, since the wire is well spaced anyway. If you read this what do you think? It would make some of the steps easier. Also I already have bare wire. What about a change in velocity factor?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Well I try to keep up to date with all the posted video’s, yep bare wire would work just as well maybe even better because you could use a hose clamp over the top of the coil to adjust the tapping point…..

[@SMShannon55]

@@mike-M0MSN Thank you!

[@emanuelcrozoleto4806]

Good morninng Mike, here Qra Emanuel PU2-PEJ second region from Brazil, campinas city São Paulo. I have an question, what is indutance for antenna for 80 meter band?

[@emanuelcrozoleto4806]

Sorry for my english

[@mike-M0MSN]

Inductance is around 19uH.

[@emanuelcrozoleto4806]

Good afternoon Mike, more an question, with an form 40 millimeter but with the same 19 micro Henry's works?

[@petervk5cov17]

Mike, why didn't you mount the coil above the driven plate and connect it directly to the this plate? Peter VK5COV

[@mike-M0MSN]

Peter VK5COV Hi Peter, you can. I just wanted to show that it could be used as a standalone. :)

[@petervk5cov17]

@@mike-M0MSN Mike, have you tried a 80m loading coil on the DX Commander with the other band quarter wave driven elements? I'd be interested to know if I could get away with not using the inverted L. I have a shiny new DXC ABV on the way from Callum. Currently using an old 4m Hygain with a weather beaten loading coil.

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@petervk5cov17 On my list :)

[@StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio]

What have you got hooked up there for a counterpoise?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Stu M7TTC just a single 20m length of 1.5mm wire.....

[@anjarriyantoto8668]

the counterpoise is combined with cabel grounding, thx sucses 🙏👍

[@Hungry_Hunter]

Irrigation drainage pipe comes in several diameters one of which is 50mm. It's very useful for winding coils such as this because its a helical construction with 6mm spacing. A lot easier than getting your pipe turned with a lathe.

[@Tonylovesjazz]

In several videos, 5mm spacing is mentioned. Would there be a difference in coil turns if 6mm spacing is used? 73's K8JAZ.

[@johnbauman4005]

​@@Tonylovesjazz You need the same number of turns for same inductance. Only length of coil changes. Would use an LC meter to confim/adjust inductance before finalizing the coil. In the video he provides the inductance in uH for 10 winds and gives the total # of winds so you can calculate the necessary total inductance accordingly. I am unsure as to how the requisite loading inductance was calculated at the outset however. Would have to hit the books for that. 73, John - KK7JBZ

[@9w8zzkmohamad59]

Hi mike. Zaheer here 9w8zzk. What tool do u use for creating the line of pvc for copper wire?

[@mike-M0MSN]

A friend with a lathe.... but you can use hot glue or two sided tape.

[@9w8zzkmohamad59]

@@mike-M0MSN using thread really nice workmanship,mate.

[@9w8zzkmohamad59]

How long the pvc pipe from starting till the end with some space for so239?

[@billythebootlegger.4376]

Hi mate good build 👏👏 would it not be better to to place the coil at the top of the 40m element, placing it there raises the point of maximum current to where most of the antennas radiation takes place making it more efficient. Then you would only need a shorter section above to bring it to resonance; which could be a brought of at 90degs for an inverted L or at 45degs to give some slight directivity. The 40m section wouldnt be affected as the coil would choke off the 80m part .. great video though m0zww

[@billythebootlegger.4376]

And also the coil wouldnt need to be as large, 45mm close wound with 18 gauge....

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes you could do a top loading coil or mid point which would be the best of both worlds, top loading would change the radiation pattern and reduce the angle of takeoff great for local work, and you would need a very strong pole to hold the coil on or near the top. Mid point loading is best for local and DX but you loose the 40m switching, so base loading...... but an inverted L with a 40m trap would work a treat... why not try the top loading solution 👍😁

[@billythebootlegger.4376]

Already have mate 😀😀

[@billythebootlegger.4376]

I use a 12m pole made a guy plate to fit at just under 10m the coil sits on top of that with the 80m wire coming off of that.... also added a further 168uh coil (220 turns give or take) and got top band as well... works well, its a variation of the Battle Creek Special.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Got to send me a photo of that.. :)

[@cthoadmin7458]

Couldn’t you just use 2 mil or so insulated electrical wire? Then you wouldn’t have to faf around with lathes or spacing and hot glue? The electrical insulation would give you the spacing and prevent arc over at high power. Perhaps I missed something here and there’s another reason for doing it this way. Tnx for the vids Mike, just made your multi core efhw 1:64 transformer...

[@sebastiaomachado1230]

qual e o diametro do tubo e o comprimento

[@PerB_M]

Hmmm, the 1.8mm wire is sold in 500 grams or 1 kg, how much does 8.5 meters weigh? it is not mentioned on their website :-)

[@mike-M0MSN]

500g of 1.8mm copper is more than 50m

[@PerB_M]

@@mike-M0MSN thank you :-) I have sent you an email (from qrz.com) hope you monitor that account :-D

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@PerB_M Yes I have got it, will reply soon.

[@andylinton2798]

What type of pipe is that Mike?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Osmo I think...maybe hepworth 3 inch drainage pipe

[@andylinton2798]

@@mike-M0MSN Yea? Very thick wall. Not sure where I'd get that here (Ireland).

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@andylinton2798 online....

[@andylinton2798]

@@mike-M0MSN I would if I knew exactly what it's called!

[@andylinton2798]

@@mike-M0MSN NIce sig from you here on 3755 just now!

[@MsSpavel]

​ 21 / 5.000 Rezultatele traducerii Rezultatul traducerii It has no counterweight ?

[@billgatewood9578]

How long is your radial?

[@Py1axRADIOAMADORISMOSEMSTRESS]

Hellow mike i have question if i anderstud you coment is not nessesary radials mabe 4 10m wires will give me better tx ? Pls tls nice job 73 PY1AX TONY

[@mike-M0MSN]

subbed :)

[@KenPaisley]

Why not just put a big roller inductor in a box at the base? Or better yet a tuner.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yep. ( cost )

[@huangbill6324]

I need to buy finished products Need an offer for international postage to reach Taiwan

[@andyM7XTT]

Hi Mike are you selling these made up please? Regards

[@mike-M0MSN]

No, sorry. they are easy to make give it a go.

[@YD4GSI]

Skema

[@johnmadsen9302]

? pris for a loading coil til 80 m send to Danmark