PAC12 antenna setup, test & review - PAC-12 antenna - NOT Chameleon MPAS 2.0

PAC-12 antenna (Pac12 antenna) setup guide, shown in action over 3 hours QRP (10 W) and over a dozen contacts. I brought the PAC12 for portable use , backpacking etc. This is the first video in a new playlist based on Amateur Radio. I passed my Foundations exam in June 2022, I was issued M7FET as a call sign and this will cronical my journey as a radio ham. The videos will mostly be focused on portable use, as I want to take the portable system with me when I go hiking and camping.
Stay Tuned for more reviews and uses of equipment. I hope you enjoy the first in the series.
For those who find me via searching for ham antenna etc, I am David, I love wild camping, hammock camping and camp cooking - I shall be bringing the radio equipment with me while camping. Please feel free to check out some of my other camping videos.

[@alastaircoombs]

Just looking at a PAC12 myself, very good performance from it in your video.

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

I love it, it works really well, very pleased with it

[@_0815_]

Hah, I worked you on 20m on the 23.10.2022 at 14:42 Z 😃 Nice video

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

thats great, thanks for the QSO - 73's

[@m0aze611]

Great vid, you show the things I love about the hobby, out and about QRP and enjoying the scenery. As long as the RF gets out your doing great. Please continue to enjoy. 73 Mike

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Many thanks Mike, I do love it, hoping to get out tomorrow for more fun.

[@OH8STN]

Excellent video. I've just recently started testing the same antenna. Absolutely incredible performance. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Glad you like it, I think its an amazing antenna

[@johnsheedy5772]

Excellent video just getting interested in ham been watching lots of videos on it this is the best one fantastic for someone how is just going to start well done

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Glad I could help, love to know how your getting on

[@KarlHobson]

Hi Thanks for the interesting video, after watching I immediately went out and purchased the same battery and antenna for my upcoming motorhome trip to Western Scotland, tested the battery and it's absolutely awesome, not tested antenna yet but I'm expecting same results as you....Happy Days and Thanks Again G1YPQ

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Glad it helped, let me know what you think of it and the battery Enjoy !! 73's

[@Sky1]

you got a room with a view!

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

yep pretty good views from up there

[@jasonvictor9542]

Good video, i have the same antenna and i love it!

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Thanks Jason, I relly do like it on the 2 times I have taken it out - it works great.

[@cam8754]

After watching this video I’ve ordered the antenna, I have a similar one the slidwinder coil antenna which is extremely good but I do like the look of this one 73 M7XIX

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Hi, I would be curious as would others to get your thoughts also on the antenna

[@alvarogaitan2529]

Great video my friend terrific job 73 from kb2uew

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Glad you enjoyed it, many thanks 73's

[@williambrooks6629]

Thank you for giving a review of the Pac 12 antenna. I am interested in getting one for portable use and that was a nice review. I intend experimenting with 16 radials, ( u can use multi core wire,) of 2.5 metres length. More than 21 radials gives no great improvements. Also to make up a custom base and elevate the antenna and radials .5 to 1.0m of the ground. Your choice of operating position certainly paid off. 73 VK5WB

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Now that you have owned the aerial a while is it worth the money. I am in the process of perfecting my DIY Loading coils for my homebrew aerial. Cheers from old George "Mick" G1BKI

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

110 % its worth the money, really enjoying it. It takes minutes to set up and seems to work really really well

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

@@Daveyboygoeswild Thanks matey . I have been trying to get one but funds not available at present time. Hoping an adsense payment soon. George

[@Tom_2E1FUE]

I'm going to get this antenna for sure at some point :) going to try it in the garden at home my ASL is 1325ft De 2E1FUE good video 73's

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Sounds great! I am pretty sure you will love it

[@chevyguy1128]

I'm going to order this antenna thanks for the nice review kc9cjc

[@tonym7cvk430]

Well done on the foundation licence chap M7CVK run an MP1 Super Antenna portable dose the job but I needed to add more radials to get a better SWR. regards Tony

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Thanks Tony, I am adding more radials to the antenna, I love it, works so well

[@Terribleguitarist89]

Ran an MP1 as my main antenna for a while. What worked well for me was buying a 64 way 5M long Ribbon Cable, split them to 3 cables each for 21 radials (split to 3 gives you 16 radials which is arguably the point of diminishing returns) and soldered the ends to a terminal. That setup served me quite well.

[@ClaudioPrezzi]

Didn't anybody realize that the lowest element was mounted upside down (minute 2.31)? The metal part with the SO-239 connector needs to be on the ground side and the fiber tube on top, as this is the isolator for the radiating core wire!

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

I didnt notice to be fair, and it didnt seem to make much of a difference ? will watch out for it tomorrow when I am out again

[@alanyaesu2189]

yes i did notice that but if he has been using it the other way up i don`t think it would make much difference ? i don`t know having just bought one i will have to try.

[@RobBob555]

Put this symbol : In timecode it will link the timestamp. Ie 2:31

[@SteveAllison-do9os]

Waiting for delivery of mine, but notice you have the bottom element (with the feed connector) upside down. Also being Chinese build is is all metric thread so 3/8th parts from other kits wont fit. I have been using EFHW and linked dipole wires on fibreglass tele poles but was looking for something with a smaller footprint (for on the beach and other areas with danger of people tangling in the Guys and lines) and a quick setup for use portable with the Xiegu X6100. Maybe one day our QSO's will meet...73 S7SWA

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

oooooh, never noticed that but thanks, will watch and switch it next time. it does seem to work really well that way so wonder if it will make a difference.

[@TheFretman2]

Got one of these antennas on order…

[@PhotoYo]

Cool video :) 73’s 2E0HYJ

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Many thanks 🙏

[@r111k]

Great review. Thanks for posting. I was trying the antenna today and just threw the ribbon wire on the ground. I didn’t separate the ribbons or add anything else. The SWR was about 1.4 and I made lots of contacts. What is the advantage of more radials or splitting the included ribbon wire? It’s sure easier to only use one so unless there’s a really big difference I’m not sure if there’s a lot to gain by using several. I’m probably wrong. Anyway, looking forward to more testing.

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

I will be honest, I dont kow but having seen the DX Explorer video with all this radials I decided to do it, the SWR did come down a bit - I think it gives a more even radiation Patten and more of a grounding.

[@umarkhottob4369]

Hello Dav, nice video, greetings from Indonesia. How long is the cable running over the ground/Counterpoise? thank you for your answers

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

They were the one that came standard, dont knoe the exact length but think somewhere between 12 and 15 feet

[@valdyjosedegodoyjunior]

Hello. Can it be useful for shortwave listeners?

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Yes, absolutely, it covers all HF bands, and works well for both TX and RX

[@valdyjosedegodoyjunior]

@@Daveyboygoeswild Thank you!

[@johanrosman11]

Exciting video, thanks ! How do you think it would work on the beach with the salt water as grounding ? I soon live around 50 metre from the beach and intend to sit there with a portable antenna. This PAC-12 is quite affordable, compared to the Buddipole I looked at for 800 $. I think I will use my G 90 with 20 Watt as it is as small as your Yeasu. What do you think ? Would the sea wind, that can be quite significant, make it impossible to put it on the beach without guying ?

[@OH8STN]

It works amazingly well. I just did a test set up on salt water Wild portable. Finland to Australia on 10 watts.

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

I have never used by salt water but going on what OH8STN say's it works well - I have seen youtube videos with grounding to the salt water of other antenna's and it always seems to work really well

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

thats a nice QSO - well done. next time I am by a beech I will try this myself

[@darylcheshire1618]

what’s the difference with the JPC-12? I have ordered it last week.

[@josemoharraui3837]

BUENOS DIAS COLEGA SOY LU5MDT TENGO UNA PAC12 O JPC12 , SEGUN EL PROSPECTO QUE TRAE LA ANTENA LA TOMA DEL COAXIL VA POR LA PARTE DE ABAJO DEL TUBO, LA MALLA DEL COAXIL VA A TIERRA, PERO VEO TU VIDEO QUE EL INTERIOR DEL COAXIL TU LO MANDAS A TIERRA Y TRASMITE CON LA MALLA,,,,, ME PUEDES EXPLICAR ESTA INVERCION DE POLARIDAD,...???? DE YA TE AGRADEZCO LA TENCION Y VAN CORDIALES SALUDOS 73s....!!!!!

[@darrenrogers5174]

Nice video. However, am I seeing correctly about a constant flashing/flicker problem with the digital display on that radio? Or was it just the effect of the camera you were filming it with?

[@OH8STN]

Camera affect caused by differences in radio display and camera frame rates

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

yep, its the camera effect, will keep working on it

[@michaeledmonds3027]

Excellent video, thanks for all your work. I'm considering this antenna, but think it uses 10mm threads. In the US we use 3/8" threads for our antenna, tripods, etc. Guess Amazon would have an adapter. Any thoughts.....? Thanks, Michael KZ5MSE

[@conorturton]

Hi Michael. Whilst we do use 3/8 threads for antennas like CB antennas I thought I'd check for you. I've just tried to screw a section of my PAC-12 antenna into my Diamond K400 3/8 mount and didn't even get a full turn before it started binding so it looks like it is indeed 10mm.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

@@conorturton Thanks so much for checking for me. I'll look for an adapter after my PAC-12 arrives in September. I'm considering adding an MFJ 17' wip and a speaker stand tripod for elevated radials.

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

Hi Conor, many thanks for doing that I just saw the comment, have been away working. again, thanks for checking

[@iowamv]

@@Daveyboygoeswild Has anyone had any luck finding an adapter? I have one of these antennas, and it doesn't fit the mounts typically used with antennas of this type

[@TheFingersD]

@@michaeledmonds3027 Hi. The antenna speaks metric, aliexpress has 17 footers (calls them 5 meters) that fit. Sauce: mine fits ;)

[@farm2462]

Where can I get this antenna?

[@dkadayinthailand3082]

Which receives and transmits better? Something like this or a magnetic loop antenna? i an new to this.

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

I am also new to this but the vertical will or should always beat a mag loop I have been told many times by those with much more experience.

[@harriflen8652]

Ty for the QSO! de OH6GFG Harri :)

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

My pleasure Harri, was great working you, QRP to QRP and you with only 5W - great contact - talk again soon I hope

[@PopeyeKF4LBG]

Congratulations. 73 de KF4LBG

[@RobBob555]

It always makes me cringe when I see grown men trying to impress people on KZbin by drinking beer 🙄..what a saddo 🤦

[@Daveyboygoeswild]

well the important thing is your saw it, thanks for taking the time to comment