N9TAX Slim Jim Antenna design and use

[@reidtillery2856]

I have one strung up in a pine tree at 55 feet, fed by 75 feet of LMR 400. This antenna honks like a mother goose. Great antenna.

[@plemieux84]

I made a 600mi FT8 contact on 2m with this antenna. It punches way above its weight class. A+

[@jolebole-yt]

Interesting antenna that I have to give it a try for portable use with my ID52. Thank you for your brilliant brake down of how this antenna works and various mounting options. You are doing Ham Radio like its ment to be. Well done! 👍🏻

[@stevesummersell_K4WXX]

I too have an ID-52. Have you had a chance to get one yet and how do you like it? Also, does it help you get onto a D-Star repeater?

[@Snarecadence]

I just bought this dual band slim Jim antenna. I bought the PVC attachments that you can install the antenna on the outside of 3/4 PVC pipe. I have it mount on my Extension pole up 28 ft. I reached my Ham Radio Group Repeater on UHF 30 miles away from my home. I love this design. It is so easy to mount. The price is fantastic. I've bought an Dual Band Vertical antenna for $90. Sent that back to Amazon and This Antenna Performs MUCH Better.

[@k5wxp22]

Great antenna...I just ordered another one for a go kit. Started out as a tech and using it with a UV5R while traveling for work, and I would get a high floor at a hotel and hang it in the window. Easy to hit local repeaters with it, and it has held up for about 10 years now. Thanks for making a great product! 73, Brett K5WXP

[@kishascape]

I always wanted a 2m bicycle antenna and most idea I saw where just adapting base station antennas or some other complicated stuff and then grounding to the frame but this antenna actually seems perfect, specially with the fiberglass rod mount idea. That would work perfectly.

[@mikestone9129]

This is an awesome antenna, got one and getting ready to buy another. Update; I now have 2 of these and they are both outstanding. Heavy duty and built to last. I'm using them on my Wouxun 2m/70cm and my Wouxun GMRS radios as well as all my Baofengs. The swr's are dead balls on right out of the box. So easy to set up and use.

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

Same here. Very happy with them

[@enricofermi67]

Sorry about your, you know, testicles.

[@moonchild2213]

I have my 2m/70cm N9TAX jpole rolled up in my communications bag, super easy to toss up into a tree when setting up a portable communications station. Must have antenna in my book. I did build one of these with 300ohm TV line but really love the professional look of N9TAX 450 ohm design...Build One, Buy One...

[@electrophonic]

I have two of these and highly recommend them! I have used them in various conditions - indoors and outside - and they always perform very well. Lightweight and compact... I have one in my radio kit for my HT and one that I deploy when I'm stationary in my camper van. The antenna turns my 50w Kenwood into a powerful crossband repeater at special events. It's a powerful force multiplier! Two thumbs up!

[@rhslax39]

Just got your dual band slim Jim with BNC to SMA, works awesome indoors much better than the stock antenna on my uv-5r

[@hamradiotube]

This was really cool to watch. Always love a good antenna video. Thanks for explaining the science behind these antennas.

[@centralfloridagmrs]

Highly recommend this Antenna. We use this on our road trips. It's like a Base Antenna on the road.

[@JunkyardPhysics]

Very comprehensive discussion of slim Jim antenna types. Thank you

[@howardkarse9915]

I have used mine this past weekend while providing communications support for Extreme Trail Running races in the local mountains. Attached to the top of a 22 foot fiberglass flagpole (telescopic) with 50 watt radio and had no problems being heard....even stations a hill or two away. FYI - it was a 50 mile long running path so our aid stations were not usually LOS. Well built, durable, effective and economical - what's not to like? It is what I recommend to newly licensed Hams who are rubber-duck-bound.

[@kapapatence6423]

how did you attach it to the flagpole? I am in a similar situation for a trail race.

[@DirtyWesley]

A friend hooked one of these up to his GMRS handheld a few weeks ago. I was really impressed and will be getting one.

[@Tommy_Boy.]

Thanks for the video Joe! Enjoying my N9TAX dual-band slim-jim very much so far. 👍📻⚡️

[@gm0hzi]

my very first vhf antenna was a home built slim jim . now almost 40 years later im back to using a higher gain version of a slim jim . at the notch as you suggest bend the antenna at 90 degrees then add another radiator section vertically downwards , effectively you have two slim jims sharing one matching "stub" running horizontal

[@RyanHannaProductions]

Joe I've been buying your antennas for years and they're awesome. Keep up the good work

[@N9TAX]

Thank you for the support and for being a loyal customer! 73, Joe N9TAX

[@adammontgomery7980]

I ordered one from you the other day, should be here soon. Just a suggestion: you could press in a metal grommet to prevent the hole for hanging from wearing/splitting. Might just look into shoestring eyelets as they should be cheap

[@hardtruth2039]

Just ordered my 2m/70cm slim Jim. Thanks guys.

[@pbraun2102]

I have two - a dual-band that I bought for vacations and a second one I inherited from a friend (will need to figure out what it's built for.) Great build quality, works like a champ. I hang it from the hotel window with a big suction cup and work local repeaters very reliably.

[@N9IWJ]

To seal my connectors I just use clear silicone caulk Little messy put it on, years later slicing with the razor or a knife comes right off very easy super water tight Also I've seen a product that's a liquid with a brush making antennas like yours liquid vinyl tape dries in 5 minutes, looks pretty good

[@bsdguy]

That fiber glass rod idea is mint.

[@jeffatkins4368]

Just ordered 2 of your antennas. Look forward to testing out. 73

[@azwb]

Antenna Properties (Beginning of Video) Antenna Construction: @10:11 Mounting the Antenna Indoors @14:50 Mounting the Antenna Outdoors @20:48 Ridgid Mount Mast @26:05 Connections/Water Intrusion/Silicon Tape @29:30

[@N9TAX]

Thank you good point lol. I went ahead and added the chapter markers. 73, Joe N9TAX

[@Scaliad]

Bought one a couple months ago... It has good SWR, even on the 1.25m band. Getting ready to order another for a spare.

[@jasonbrown467]

appreciate the video, i just bought my second attenue from you this week. once i figure out how to get these things way up in the a tree i am going to test the fudge out of it!!!

[@backdraft424]

Just Ordered mine. Cant Wait !

[@w4mkh]

I will soon be moving into an upstairs condo and I have thought about just dangling one of these out of the window. How would it work if the slim jim was fed from the top instead of from the bottom. In other words, how would it work if I just hang it upside down out the window?

[@KandiKlover]

I always wondered what a J Pole was exactly and how it worked and why the little j bit. That intro explained it all perfectly and I see now why it's popular on lowband vhf like CB/10m and 6 Meter HAME. That said though, where does the 6dB gain figure mentioned in the store listing come from then because that's inconsistent with what was modeled here on the video.

[@georgelasko8346]

Very informative. Thank you. I have one of your antennas on the way.

[@grumpy_ken]

very cool design and construction. subbed

[@mikegardner400]

Just ordered one. I live in apt. so am going to hang it out on the balcony and bring it in when not in use.

[@cmillerphotos]

Got my Technician/General tickets the same day a week ago. "Playing" with a cheapo Baofeng until I can afford a "real" radio (next payday) but I just ordered a Slim Jim to use, at least for now, because I live in a townhouse and can't do an outside antenna. (Also don't have attic access from my unit.) Hopefully it'll do me good until I can do something better. Like move to somewhere I can put an antenna on the roof. 🙂 Thanks for the video!!

[@N9TAX]

Just remember try different locations if you get poor results at first. Indoor radio antennas are fine but can be tricky. I have a spot in the house where you can move the antenna back and forth just a foot and go from a full quieting signal on a local repeater to nothing at all. 73, Joe N9TAX

[@cmillerphotos]

@@N9TAX I've run into that with just the little "rubber duck" antenna. I figured standing in front of the window would be the best spot to reach a repeater about 20 miles away, but the "sweet spot" is actually about 3 feet to the left. But I'm pretty happy I can hit it at all with my little 5 watt HT. Thanks for the response and the advice!!

[@mandytuning]

3years since i tie it to a atv mast at roof height ,survived hurricane Ian in Florida and still hit repeaters up to 37 miles on a ht Baofeng bff8hp.have another in my SXS for an emergency only in the trails

[@mandytuning]

4years, still holding.

[@personalunderstanding7055]

Can they be used for transmitting as well as receive ?

[@Blaculo]

I own two of these. One stays in my go box.

[@ludoka58leo]

I have one and recommended to other HAMs....we all love the N9TAX slim jim

[@chrisgaeth]

Just bought one for my go bag with the hook.

[@cmillerphotos]

Question / suggestion: Tri-band version to add the 220MHz band? 🙂

[@N9TAX]

I mean we did look at adding a third band. While it my be possible it is not easy and would likely make the antenna too delicate and more expensive.

[@kennethbuss332]

What are your thoughts on using this antenna from a portable extendable mast..like a SpiderBeam fiberglass pole? If I use this, would I slant the antenna down at maybe 45 degrees? Thoughts anyone?

[@maynardtowner2458]

What about mounting in an attic with a metal roof?

[@chrisstewart5992]

I bought one a year or two ago and I just can not get it to work. No idea why.

[@jstrunck]

Thanks for posting this! I usually use mmana gal but I see ez-nec is fairly simple as well. Subbed. Thanks

[@N9TAX]

Yes I have used EZ-NEC for years. Had a paid version with the company I used to work for. But now the creator has retired and made the pro version FREE! So now is a great time to check it out.

[@GG-vx7gi]

Great info on the antenna, definitely going to order one. Would like to attach it to a fiberglass spider beam type pole. These seem to have top most sections in an appx .25 inch diameter. Do you tune them differently if you know how they're to be mounted? Not much 70cm here, any advantages to going with 2m only?

[@N9TAX]

We do not tune them different for mount on a fiberglass rod. 1/4" dia is not going to make a noticeable difference. The only advantage to the 2m only antenna is the lack of the traps. So less failure points. Though we have had very few issues with the traps. The few failures have been from very used antennas that were rolled and unrolled a lot of times.

[@kennethbuss332]

I also just bought a Spider Beam fiberglass antenna mast. Can you let me know how this has worked out for you with the Slim Jim? I have one coming tomorrow.

[@dansklrvids7303]

Super helpful explanation thanks

[@58Alpha]

Quick question, will spray painting this to match the color of my house siding affect the antenna negatively? I just want to blend it in more so it's less noticeable. Also, fellow hoosier here, heard you're in Indiana in the video.

[@_peaboy]

How does the Slim Jim compare to the Standard antenna? Any differences in performance charasteristics when modeled or in real world usage? If not, why have two models? :-)

[@N9TAX]

So all of the antennas are slim jims. The standard antenna does not include the built-in cable but rather just has a female connector for the end user to add their own.

[@mattcarolina]

Not really sure why I want to but I just received the gmrs antenna I ordered from you... is it OK to use liquid electric tape to cover the ends where the wire is bare and soldered? I know you said you have had them last for years with it as is but I can't seem to leave well enough alone. I'm sure I'd probably be waiting 12$ for a dab of it but I have to ask

[@exceptionalnotary9529]

Can you provide a link to the fiberglass rod that you have in the video. A link to the mount would be helpful also.

[@N9TAX]

I bought mine at an ATV dealer years ago. But the same thing can be found all over amazon. www.amazon.com/s?k=atv+flag+mast.&crid=15U2YRBPBBUFI&sprefix=atv+flag+mast.%2Caps%2C95&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

[@hubapptechnologies5708]

Where to buy this antenna for 915Mhz?

[@TictacAddict1]

Why aren't the top and bottom solder points covered in shrink wrap? Can I dip them into a vulcanizing rubber to seal the ends from the environments? I'm going to get a couple of these, one for mounting to the safety flag of my recumbent trike and one for a rollup in my bag while travelling.

[@N9TAX]

After much testing it was found that covering the ends is completely unnecessary. Therefore since it will only add cost to the product for the buyer and slow production we do not cover the ends. If you feel the need go ahead but use something that will seal it properly as a bad seal will trap water inside and create a problem that didn't exist.

[@Aimsport-video]

These antennas are awesome.

[@Robert-cd5zr]

How long can the cable reasonably be before attenuation offsets the advantage in height?

[@lordofthemound3890]

Depends on what kind of coax it is. Generally speaking, thicker is less lossy, but it’s also heavier and less flexible. Search “amateur radio coax calculator” and run some numbers. I generally shoot for -1 dBi loss or less (that equates to -20.6 % loss in power-you won’t notice it).

[@godfreydebouillon8807]

Beginner tech here. If I try to mount this on my chimney is it necessary to ground it?

[@N9TAX]

J match style antennas should not have a ground attached directly to them. For lightning protection a grounded lightning arrestor can be placed inline with the cable where it enters the building.

[@samopallst]

oh friend! hello! forgive my English (I am so interested in your antenna! but how to buy it from you? I saw like your antennas on eBay, are you selling them? and Im also thinking how do I buy it from you? I live in Kazakhstan. do you not have a delivery to my country?

[@PhilipWiggins]

Whats the total length of this antenna?

[@W0JMR]

Would you consider making a 6m Slim Jim?

[@N9TAX]

Soon....

[@moonchild2213]

Nice...

[@AaronBlankenship]

Would this be suitable for mounting horizontally in a vehicle rear window? Would I need to create a 3D printed mounting bracket to ensure it's oriented properly? What should I expect it's performance to be compared to a ut-72 or ut-308 on the roof? MURS and GMRS uses.

[@N9TAX]

While this may be possible the antennas are 5 feet long which will make mounting it challenging. Also most vhf and uhf signals will be vertically polarized which means up to a 20db penalty for cross polarization. Also most vehicle windows have some sort os tint. This also blocks radio waves. I would expect an installation like that to work worse than a handheld radio with a duckie antenna inside the car.

[@disposalgreen]

I want to mount this inside my jeep 74 cj5 was looking for a antenna I can mount in my rag top I do have a roll bar and 2 roof bows made of metal inside could you give any suggestions or mods I can do to mount the antenna. Or should I mount vertical on a fiberglass pole on exterior. thank you bob

[@N9TAX]

A fiberglass rod external to the vehicle would be better. These antennas are not the most vehicle friendly.

[@kc3yyp]

Great video!

[@chipfornaris]

I have 2 now, a dual and I just ordered a 220 band, Joe, it’s time to invent a Tri band model!l hahaaaa

[@binklewisbillsfan]

Great info for me (total beginner) - I only have a Baofeng UV-5R at the moment. I'm in a stucco, steel framed house - great for termites, not great for reception :-). Curious how much better this will be vs the default antenna? I can get FM and noaa channels in other parts of the house near a large window, but not in the man cave, which is on an external wall. I know the UV-5R only puts out 5w so I'm not sure if I'm gonna have to step up to something like a yaseu with 80w in combination with something like the slim jim to get signal in the man cave without going external. I sent an email on the site, but figured I'd comment here and help anybody else who reads the response - Thanks!

[@N9TAX]

So the best way do figure this out as I stated in the video is to survey the house. If you find places that the radio works well inside a full size antenna placed there will work even better. Then you would only need to work out how to run cable back to the operating position. In this case the room you are calling the man cave. If you are doing all of that though you may be better off putting the antenna outside. Even hanging it from an eave on the house should well outperform an indoor antenna.

[@DrRevKing]

👍 Great presentation! Just ordered 3 from your website in preparation for what God may allow to happen to remove Satan's hold on our nation in order for it to be placed back "Under God". Blessings and Thank you! ✝️ ☦ 👍

[@grumpy_ken]

sir this is a wendys

[@IgorDeCamps]

Couldn't you technically make a 10m/11m slim jim?

[@johnkemas7344]

Sure.

[@joeshmoe781]

what would happen if mounted against a tree? A palm tree.

[@N9TAX]

Placing any antenna directly against a solid object of any kind will cause some amount of de-tuning of that antenna.