Save Money: Build GREAT Wire Antennas for Ham Radio

[@jameski5oeb668]

How did I miss this livestream?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I was afraid we broke up!

[@MikeN2MAK]

Great stream! I've learned so much from your videos and the CaHR antennas. You're so right about the role of kits too. While building antennas can get me out of my comfort zone, they've helped me build skills and confidence. And before I know it, I've got more ideas and questions (in a good way). #TeamReplay

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Mike, thanks for stopping by 👍

[@stevet7522]

How much counter poise do you use on an efhw?

[@TheSmokinApe]

The official recommendation is .05 of the wavelength for the lowest frequency you will operate. I typically use about 17’ of wire and adjust from there 👍

[@stevet7522]

​@@TheSmokinApewould that be .05 of 7mhz? Or .05 of 7.150mhz for center of band?

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@stevet7522 I do 7.074 because I mostly use ft8

[@Bob-cx4ze]

Juggin' and zip ties. You're speaking my language.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha 👍

[@jojotiongco1639]

Is a multi-wire end fed possible?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’m sure it is but I would worry about the elements reacting to each other

[@josephrogers9796]

I recently built a EFHW antenna . I used two FT240 -43 toroids wound with 18 gauge enameled wire and mounted in a 5x7 inch plastic box. I wounded it for a 49:1 impedance matching transformer. I wound the toroids not using twisted primary and coil tapped at the third winding . The antenna wire is 18 gauge insulated twisted copper wire at a length of 66 feet. I also used a counterpose ground wire at 17 feet. The antenna was mounted between two palm trees at 17 feet above ground at an inverted “L” at 58 ft. We used small pulleys to hoist into palm trees temporarily. Also used RG 8X coax cable . The reception is really great at 40 meters. AK6GJ Amateur Extra.

[@josephrogers9796]

I also put together an RF. choke wrapped around with RG58 1 inch PVC using a meter long coax in line at transmitter.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sounds awesome, glad to hear it’s working out for you 👍

[@quentinrawlins4876]

Hear we go😊

[@TheSmokinApe]

Right

[@sega5152]

Nice to see you

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice to be seen!

[@Tokyo1991.JL1AJE]

Nice relaxed video. Enjoyed the counter poise rant 🫡 Yes, always choke both ends 👍🏻 NanoVNA taught me that. I’ll add I love me an isolated EFHW transformer, primary wound over the top of the secondary, in the middle. Which video caused the toeroid mutiny? I’m intrigued 🤣

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad you liked the video Tokyo, the mutiny was when we were testing the core for Poseidon 4:1 👍

[@3dhavok]

Is it best if the dipole is parallel to the ground? I’m on a steep slope and wondering if it’s better level or parallel to the slope of ground. Thanks!

[@TheSmokinApe]

People argue about this all the time, I’d just mount it in the most convenient and stable way. Then only make changes if I wasn’t satisfied with performance 👍

[@zero_G.0]

There is a slightly more flexible version of RG-400 by Thermax RGU-400 with a stranded centre conductor dual braid that I use in high temp/high power RF conditions as a patch lead, the loss is good in short lengths up to UHF👍🏼

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Zero 👍

[@fm71450]

Dear Mr.Ape - this video is SO VERY ON POINT! It seems that radios get discussed so much - but - antennas get much less coverage - despite that a good antenna can make a fair radio do well - where a sorry antenna can make a good radio seem crappy. Homemade has challenged me - and I am glad of it. Keep it up, you are appreciated. KQ4IXD

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@fm71450 thanks FM, glad you liked it 👍

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

Hi ape in this video. Chuck. Mentions. The. Half square for 40m. This is a very big anntenna. I made mine with a 49-1 unun. Saved lots of space. Also I use the 20m version. Could you explain. Why it is only 50 ohms please. Is it because it’s a full wave on 20. Do monster antenna. Thanks. Mark

[@TheSmokinApe]

The 49:1 is designed to present a 50 Ω impedance if the antenna feedpoint is about 2450 Ω which fit would be tuned on 40m. There is a harmonic relationship between 40 and 20 meters which is why the feedpoint impedance is about 2450 Ω at 20m 👍

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

@@TheSmokinApe yes I was meaning the 20m band. Half square fed in the top corner. 50ohm banana conecter. Still 16.5 ft counter poise leg. Half wave horizontal turned down for a second quarter waver 16-5 ft vertical. 66ft overall length. I also use the 49-1 unun for multi bands. Ie 40 to 10. Thanks Mark

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

Same wire but split with corner feed. 50ohm. With 49-1 2400 ohms

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

The 20m half square is my fav. For pure dx mono band

[@morecambeanglersandtrawler1074]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[@stevet7522]

Walmart on the air? Wota. This should be a thing.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It is, but more popular in the south 😮

[@stevet7522]

​@@TheSmokinApelol, damn.

[@HamRadioN0CKL]

APE OR CHUCK: I'm looking at ordering some chokes from ABR industries. Do I want "current"(beads) or "voltage" (wrapped torroid) at the feedpoint of my efhw and at feedpoint of I'm IC-7300? Thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’m not sure why the call them current and voltage in this case. The one with the toroid likely has higher CMC suppression but I’m sure both work about the same.