Eight Tips For successful Low Power Radio Contacts.

[@ksb2112]

LOL "no water... you know what to do."

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

did da da dit

[@lon3don]

At school, I was on the ACF/CCF (army cadet) net, mainly using what is now 60 mtrs. The Earth spike was discretely placed and kept well "watered". I haven't used this system at home.

[@USXPOP]

All good advice. It should be common knowledge for Hams, but many don't know some or any of this. Your videos are much appreciated. Keep them coming.

[@twohandsandaradio]

Yep...common sense isn't so common.

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Another excellent QRP video. Thank you Gil. 👏👏👏👏👏 73 de W5SWX.

[@daveN2MXX]

This video is brilliant! This is also a great summary for those operating QRO...operators combine a low-efficiency compromise antenna with 100W and end up with a radiated power of 20W or less... thanks for the video!

[@donniel.5902]

Being a ham for a long time does not mean that you know everything. Every time I listen to one of your videos I always learn something. Even though I may have heard something many years ago, it is still very refreshing to be reminded of it once again. You are a great communicator, both on the radio and in the classroom. I hope you will consider continuing on with these very informative videos. People like yourself are the reason why I have been able to experience the level of enjoyment and success in ham radio. Thank you again for your contribution to this hobby. wa4spj

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you I will, and I sure don't know everything either!

[@JoeGilson1]

This is one of the most informative videos that I have seen. TNX!!

[@tonypoloney8721]

Excellent presentation as always. Many thanks.

[@eddy2561]

Bien joué monsieur! ~ k6sdw

[@n8nkqrp595]

Second comment 'cuz I suck apparently. lol. That's what my thing has been lately in antennas Gil: absolute minimal, always wire, sometimes laying on my deck less than 1' high, one set of tests at 2' high, my current one at 6' high. All resonant efhw. Next one will be 80m at 4 to 6', then 160m at same height. My thing is this: What does a 'real world, shtf, 'chrisis' or 'desperation' antenna look like.. what does it act like.. who does it work?' My results have shocked me. For example, my first call on the 2' high antenna was to OL725PLZ in the Czech Republic using 5w. lol. And yep.. I've worked DX using the wire laying on my wooden deck less than 1' above the grass. I'ts all on here if you wanna see. Gil, its crazy. Any and all of the above can work DX. I did. Easily, using QRP, often with one call. But NVIS? Oh man, you're going to work all kinds of anyting you want, no matter what, is what I'm finding out. 73 OM.. Peace from Michigan

[@RadioPrepper]

Yep, I totally agree. A full size wire seems to work no matter what. I was floored once by having great reception from a 20m half-wave wire laying on the ground in a bundle! Or wires laying on the ground straight, for transmitting. I should make another video about that..

[@johnwest7993]

The very thought of using RG-174 for QRP work makes me shudder. It's so lossy I figure it's only useful inside of a chassis for 6 inch runs. I have 500 feet of it on a spool that I haven't used for 10 years just because it's so lossy that almost anything else is better. For portable QRP work I use RG-8X for HF, and I try not to run more than about 20 feet of it. It's a good compromise between losses and price and convenience. I'd use something bigger and lower loss if it wasn't so awkward. You might want to read up on what is known as the Fresnel Zone. It teaches one a lot about antenna height and elevation so you can better pick a site for your antenna.

[@RadioPrepper]

Yes, only for very short runs, but I use either RG-316 now most often LMR240-UF which is vastly superior.

[@rttakezo2000]

When I was in the service, we always used 2-4mHz for night and 6-8mHz for day NVIS operations

[@RadioPrepper]

Sounds about right..

[@Inkling777]

A good point. I'd love to hear what type antennas the military uses to get good NVIS coverage, particularly for mobile/portable operation.

[@morganlindstrom9860]

I learned so many things from this video! Thank you so much!

[@stevecook7279]

Thanks Gil, good video, I'm always looking for tips to squeeze a few more milliwatts on my QRP excursions.

[@driverfilmsshortwavechannel]

Was on 6 Meters FM today, absolutely nobody around, a few on SSB though. Great video and great tips! 73, stay safe de M6KIO

[@rolnas21]

What is more efficient for EFHW antenna: transformer (eg. 1:49) or L tuner (with air core inductor and capacitor) ? Because transformer have ferrite core and also can loose some power in it. Also how it compares to dipole ? Yes, EFHW is easier in portable, but dipole is probably most efficient.

[@RadioPrepper]

I will say the transformer has less losses, as it transforms the impedance, not "mask" it. The dipole is slightly more efficient but in practice, not enough to notice. Also, often, dipoles, especially on lower bands, are not mounted high enough (ground losses). The end-fed is easier to mount vertical or sloped, with a better angle of radiation if vertical and less ground losses. They can be noisier though in urban environments.

[@NexxuSix]

Thank you for the update and video! Good to hear from you again =)

[@RadioPrepper]

You bet!

[@TridentMissileTech]

I made 49-1 240-43 unun and a 1/2 wave end fed about 67 ft. I have 100 ft rg8x coax spread out perpendicular. I put the antenna up 43 ft sloper down to 5 to 8ft. It works on Hf bands. No tunner needed for 40 and 20. I used 14 gauge enameled wire to make unun. I wonder if plastic insulated stranded wire would work just as good? I am going to try it.

[@TennesseeArborist]

its worth noting that urine is a much better conductor than plain water :)

[@RadioPrepper]

Interesting!

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

@@RadioPrepper to say the least

[@kq6up]

Lots of good tips. The ground (without a radial system) is a horrible counterpoise unless you live in a salt marsh. Much better to get the counterpoise either up in the air or have many 1/4th lambda radials on the ground to reduce loss in poorer conducting soils.

[@bill-2018]

Some good advice. I want to get out portable this year. I've done several QRP special event station in fields at agricultural shows. The higher frequencies are good now. FT817ND, perhaps a vertical on the moorland as not always trees around, tuned with an MFJ 16010 tuner I was given, resistive SWR meter so no worries tuning up as the SWR never goes above 2:1 but it needs removing after, earth wire is good, CW for sure. All BNC and RG58 here, attic dipoles and outside inverted vee for 60m. G4GHB

[@RadioPrepper]

Great, sure beats watching TV!

[@bill-2018]

@@RadioPrepper Not had a t.v. since the year 2000. Far better things to do.

[@RadioPrepper]

Me neither!

[@mumi009]

I use some auto tuners from mfj, when I need a tuner at all. They are located at the base of the antenna. 12v power supplied by a "Bias T" box in the shack that puts 12v into the coax. Tuners are rated at 100w and 300w respectively. I prefer resonant end fed half wave antennas. Easy to transport, set up and take down.

[@ynot6473]

one thing you left out in item 6 is the electrical efficiency of CW. a CW only transmitter can be class E, much more efficient than a linear which is needed for other the modes.

[@nr3rful]

Always interesting ! Thanks

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Very useful information and I like the little bits of humour which provide some light relief.

[@AlGordon]

Hi, Gil. Great video (as usual). Thanks especially for the tip at ~15:40 on how to prevent getting nasty little pricks in your fingers. I try to avoid that situation at all times. 72 de K7AJG . .

[@claudem.p.7969]

Excellent vidéo. Claude VA2SOB

[@q07906]

I like the fact that you mention small things like making sure to wet the ground spike :)

[@survivalcomms]

Excellent video ! The use of a laser compared to a flashlight is a great way to put spectral efficiency into context. Thanks for sharing !

[@joelaut12]

QRP

[@Liberty4Ever]

Great video. Lots of very useful info, especially for those newer to the topic. See? You don't need to go outside and play radio to make a great video. :-) Although I know you want to.

[@RadioPrepper]

Cabin fever!

[@Ploggy.]

Great video very informative thanks for posting 73👍

[@joelaut12]

Thanks for some great wrap tips! Stay home, stay safe until we get out again.

[@RadioPrepper]

Yep, such a pain though..

[@mktwatcher]

Excellent video for improving QRP signals

[@palomarley7074]

Nice videos. Well done and clear ! Keep in touch ans stay safe ! 73

[@MASCATE12]

Good channel

[@q07906]

Very informative video! Thank you

[@on6uufrank]

Great info Gil, will be helpfull for many. 73

[@on4mgy_radioamateur]

Great video Gil, 73 de ON4MGY nicolas

[@philbrzezinski6]

GREAT information!!! Do you have a You Tube channel?

[@philbrzezinski6]

Just saw the answer.... carry on....

[@grzelkapatrice7594]

Hello Gil , thank for all vidéo, But please more in french.....73 from F4iWJ

[@RadioPrepper]

Oui!

[@craigpalmer9196]

good video !

[@q07906]

Could you make a video explaining why some recommend jt65 over cw to get better signal and achieve longer distances ? My goal is to achieve the longest distance with the low power and cheapest parts. Thanks

[@RadioPrepper]

It's just more efficient, but it requires a computer. CW does not...

[@АндрейДенисюк-ш7п]

9:15 “pretty lossy” how much? Only 1db for 10 meters at 15MHz 11:55 should be inserted near the antenna. Otherwise you coax would become the part of antenna and spoil its radiation pattern.

[@RadioPrepper]

For an end-fed random wire the pattern is already messed-up...

[@АндрейДенисюк-ш7п]

Radio Prepper You are right, for random wire it’s hard to make it worse than it is ))

[@mabo4848]

Great Video . Many tnx !! 73

[@davidgray2969]

Would you tell us what kind of sailboat you had. The one that got away...

[@RadioPrepper]

It was a Morris Frances 26.

[@davem7847]

Do you know of companies that make very small unun's, baluns, etc. that are already assembled and tested. Some midsized are LDG, etc.. Looking for more the size you have.

[@RadioPrepper]

That small, check qrpguys.com

[@davem7847]

@@RadioPrepper Thanks

[@philbrzezinski6]

Trying to learn Morse code on my "not so smart" phone... :/

[@RadioPrepper]

Excellent, keep at it!

[@danielroossa6ros844]

I have "morse mania" love it. I begin cw training in januari, and now i have qso 👍👍👍 its a lot of fun! I can also recomend the 30meter band. There you can find lown speed operators.

[@xxdarkehammerxx6121]

Daniel Roos SA6ROS i started morse mania in end of March ...I’m at lvl 20 and beginning to pick up a bit of speed..no Qso yet,..but will try when good at sending..73s

[@n8nkqrp595]

Awesome vid Gil. Agreed on all.. with one caveat: if you're winding your own unun, you would be more than wise to build a multi-tap one. I use an 80m efhw wire that ends within an arm's length of where I sit. Using the multi-tap unun, I can work any band, no tuner ever, almost flat SWR, minimized loss due to no feedline and no secondary tuner use. I've had shocking results on resonant freq's (160, 80, 40, 20, 10). When I want to work 160 (3 counterpoise wires ontop of ground), I unclip the alligator clip from the 81:1 tap and clip it to the unun input. I've worked all kinds of DX on 160 as a 1/4 wave, and almost all states and now over 25 countries on 80. My RBN hits are crazy, lol. All using 5 watts of course. And lately Gil I've been experimenting with a real world catastrophy antenna at 6' high. I call it the '6' high 40m efhw shtf desperation antenna...' if you wanna see it go. lol. Glad you are well OM! AWESOME VIDEO!!!!! 72

[@RadioPrepper]

Hello, that is certainly a good idea.. I usually use one band, but for those jumping around, or for a home installation, very good!

[@patrickalain1639]

Très intéressant, précis et complet. Merci!

[@brianpdaniels]

I once asked for a WX report on 14.300mhz. The netop told me that he didn't know how to use the internet, so he couldn't find me a WX report for my area. Ever since then, I don't consider my radio as a piece of emergency gear. I carry an inreach now because of that episode. A ham radio is only as good as the person on the other end, and there's a lot of chowder heads out there. AB1MI

[@RadioPrepper]

Waoh, but there are other people...

[@brianpdaniels]

@@RadioPrepper Yes, and they are all contesters. We both despise them. I sure you could broadcast a mayday or pan message on any Amateur HF frequency and only receive back a response like, "5-9 signal, 73".

[@w4mps1964]

Well done Gil !

[@Orvulum]

Awesome!

[@stevejones8665]

Hi Gil at 11:07 when you was talking about the Coax the English word you where looking for was Skrimp On, don't be Skrimping on the quality of your Coax. I wish my French was even a 100th as good as your English. Great Video keep safe buddy.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks, I had a momentary lapse! It happens now after being back for four yers...

[@rossbassette7518]

Gil, With your 9:1 UNUN, Have you had any success with it on any bands using it WITHOUT a external tuner?

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, I never tried without a tuner.. In theory it should work here and there... Hard to predict though...

[@kw4jm699]

Thanks Gil. Another fun and helpful video. Question please: Do you ground the antenna or the radio? And where on the antenna or radio do you attach the ground wire? Thanks, Scott kw4jm

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, usually not, so I don't always follow my own advise, LOL. I use a clip on the outer BNC connector, at the antenna.

[@MASCATE12]

Hi

[@esclavosoy1]

Do I kneed a choke with a KX3?

[@rossbassette7518]

Yes...If your antenna setup is subject to common mode current

[@RadioPrepper]

Correct, the radio does't matter, it's the antenna... Put your finger on the BNC connector while transmitting; if you don't feel needle pricks you should be good..

[@maxs489]

Merci, Gil. I use my T1 at the base of the antenna, and remotely activate it via the jack on the side. Works great.

[@RadioPrepper]

I didn't know you could do that! Thanks! Which pins?

[@joewilson2258]

You want a 1to1 balun for your antenna because it will block the reflected energy back to your radio . Depending on the toroid you use take two pairs of 18 to 16 gauge wire and wind the toroid nine turns on opposite sides of the toroid . You want to wind the left side starting from the top and the other side you start from the bottom . If you use two colors of wire you want to take the starting point with the same color wire and join them and with the other color wire you do the same , with other end of the coil you want to do the same as you did with the start of the windings .

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks, I plan on making a new one. Would you suggest parallel wires or coax and why?

[@josephhager1933]

I love your videos Gil I hear operators from France sometimes on my sw reciever thank you

[@RadioPrepper]

Glad you like them!

[@k2cjbradio]

Great pointers Gil!! I’m getting things together to do Field Day from home this year and will definitely be adding a ground to the backyard tent shack! 73 de Chris K2CJB

[@RadioPrepper]

Home day ;-)

[@paulsengupta971]

Garden day.

[@mark-zt8dp]

Bonjour, Pourrez vous faire une vidéo un jour, si vous le souhaitez bien sûr, sur votre InReach et plus généralement sur la place d'un téléphone satellite dans un préparation et les compléments qu'il peut apporter à une radio. Je penses que cela pourrais être un sujet intéressant. 73

[@RadioPrepper]

Oui, peut être dans ma nouvelle chaîne sur la voile, à créer...

[@angelscomputers]

that is the problem with digital = radios. My dream radio for QRP will be like the little radio you have in your hand (small and lightweight) that can do Digital. i being looking for years and the smallest i have found are the Xiegu's and thats too heavy. When someone make or find a way to do digital with the radio you have in your hand in 5 watts at least and an audio input from the iPad or Android tablet (even better by Bluetooth) and I can do PSK I'll be the first in line to buy it.

[@RadioPrepper]

Stay tuned...

[@FunInSC]

The x5105 has PSK and RTTY built in and fits in your hand.

[@danielroossa6ros844]

Great video! Can u link to the 3-band qrp radio?

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, it's sold by LNR-Precision.

[@user-mt2qn4yp8w]

Great stuff. Love your videos. It is like Christmas everytime I see you. Stay safe.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks, you too!

[@optimisticpessimist.]

If you are using a resonant antenna would it be better to have the choke near the antenna feedpoint so the coax isn't radiating?

[@RadioPrepper]

In that case yes.

[@optimisticpessimist.]

@@RadioPrepper great. Thanks.

[@MyTube4Utoo]

Not something you can, 'Skimp' on. *lol* Thanks for the very informative video, Gil.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks, I had a momentary laspse!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

@@RadioPrepper haha Yeah, I could almost see it on the tip of your tongue. :-) It happens to me often, and I only speak one language. :-)

[@laurentboussuge7368]

Bonjour Plus de vidéo en France ?

[@RadioPrepper]

Oui bientôt!

[@doffpv1854]

Merci pour cette vidéo très intéressante. Pour pouvoir émettre sur les bandes 20, 40m en ssb ou cw il faut obligatoirement passer sa licence. As tu un lien pour apprendre et passer sa licence ? Il n'y a plus plusieurs niveaux comme au US il me semble ? 73

[@RadioPrepper]

Oui absolument, et une seule license maintenant. Désolé, he n'ai pas de lien mais il y a des resources sur le web..

[@doffpv1854]

@@RadioPrepper merci. Dommage car j'ai pas envi de me taper tous les cours juste pour faire de la HF... C'est bien dommage. Je comprends pourquoi le nombre de radio amateur en France est en déclin...

[@14KiloWhisky]

@@doffpv1854 c'est un peu dommage pour vous si l'activité radio se résume à parler dans le micro. Il y a un peu de technique et de la réglementation, ce n'est pas insurmontable et ça ouvre un peu sa culture perso sur l'électronique

[@OH8STN]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks Julian! I hope you are doing well up there :-)

[@sirhaugen1025]

3:41 64:1 ?

[@RadioPrepper]

Yes, 3 turns primary, 24 total. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqupaJV6pNaefZY

[@jeffreypetchharrison4363]

do no like those tuners i have a loft antenna and i have, 7mhz -10mhz - 14mhz - 18mhz at under 1.5 swr and 21 mhz under 2.0swr . a tuner s no an answer o all antenna ills and most are an expinsive pile of excrament i.e crap .. jeff m0prf..

[@vampolascott36]

I'm sorry but prepper turns me off right away. No matter how much ammo or freeze dried food you accumulate, if things really go south, you'll be in the same boat with the rest of us, and we'll have to rely on each other to survive. This isn't a movie. If you want to make low power QSO's, digital and CW are your best bet.

[@bobsullivan5714]

Am I going to talk with anyone with useful and verifiable information? I am not seeing any such thing. Amateur radio is not proving relevant.....Check out the ARRL website. There is nothing there but cobwebs it's been so long since they updated......And the ARRL claims to be the essential source for ham radio goodness......... The idiot contesters and FT8 operators have shown us just how popular a pointless preoccupation can be.....Want to play radio? Go for it...It's a fun toy but that is the extent of it. Anyone with a dissenting opinion should be prepared to provide useful source information. bob/KF7ZSA

[@charlieb.4273]

Bob Sullivan although you have a point, verifiable information is hard to come buy, even in a grid up situation. It is sometimes hard to trust network news let alone some guy on the radio you have never met. However, in certain situations amateur radio can be very helpful. I don’t prep for global disasters, in that case we are all screwed. But a hurricane impacting the network on the east coast is a real possibility. A large earthquake in LA is also an example of a regional disaster that my knowledge and equipment will help me contact family outside the zone of destruction. Winlink is perfect for this application. A QRP cw radio may not be very useful in a disaster but better than two cups and a string. Charlie KM4ZZ

[@bobsullivan5714]

@@charlieb.4273 The major point here is that you have people to contact with whom you share personal connections. Under those conditions I will concede the argument entirely. However, the popular scenario of a Prepper broadcasting to the world in a desperate search for useful information is mere fantasy. Those with resources are unlikely to talk about it and the others in need will consider that Prepper to be a resource........ I will suggest that the most valuable resource to a Prepper would be those personal connections, without which, the radio gear is pointless. However, I have a Yaesu 897d for my base station and a Xiegu x5105 for my bugout bag.........Just in case.

[@RadioPrepper]

I might reply to this in a video...

[@bobsullivan5714]

@@RadioPrepper Go for it....Your opinions carry some weight. I know that even though you are living in France, You have lived in Florida. I believe we would very much like to have your thinking on this....

[@FragFragify]

Do you think you can add subtitles or text on screen with metric system when you mention feet size? Thanks :)

[@RadioPrepper]

Usually I do but sometimes I forget...