SparkPlug Gear 64:1 End Fed Half Wave Antenna Review

[@IrregularInterest]

Ended up finding these guys at Hamvention today and picked up their 50w version. Then I come home to find this review! Excited to get on the air with this thing.

[@billryland6199]

I use 49:1 transformers with my EFHW antennas. They have a good match in most cases. A counterpoise makes a big difference in getting the lowest SWR.

[@Carries338Lapua]

So does a 8' copper rod into the ground in place of a counterpoise. (Soil quality dependant)

[@K5QBF]

Adam (K6ARK) suggests adding a small loading coil to the EFHW to bring the harmonic bands down into resonance. He has the instructions to make it in his antenna build instructions. Great Video!

[@W9HJBill]

Great little antenna. I got the 100 watt version. I plan on cutting it for 10/20M and then using the remaining wire to link it to get 15/40M.

[@demorestautosport]

I picked up a 100w version today at Dayton Hamvention. I can't wait to try it out! (I'm also the guy who yelled "Hey Mike! Love your stuff" as you ran past the line to get in at the front gate this morning while filming. Love your stuff Mike! You are a big part of the reason I am now a POTA junkie 😎 Keep up the good work Brother! KE8QPI

[@mikemiles3068]

Great video Mike, I love ❤️ this little antenna I got it when it first came out. If you have a piece of coax that is exactly, very close. To 25 to 33 feet try it with this antenna, I thank you will see a difference. I did ❗️

[@harrybolognese1408]

Was just wondering about when this review would drop! Smoke dem rags boi!

[@markihde4381]

Thanks! I decided I've gotta have one for my MTR-3B clipboard station, so I ordered it. It looks like a fun little antenna to experiment around with.

[@W1SRR]

Go to menu and select the SWR function, this will make life easier on the multi-knob 😮

[@JayN4GO]

6 wraps on 1” pvc 7’ from the unun. Will help 10m. I drill 2 holes in the small pvc and use a zippy. 64:1’s show less heat and more efficient rf on the radiator.

[@Brendan8440]

If you really want resonance on all the harmonic bands you have to cut it for 7 MHz. If you cut it for 7.150, the next harmonic is 14.3 MHz and it gets worse on higher harmonics. I love your videos!!

[@kylefreemason]

Kevin, new guy here. If I want this to be resonant in the general portion of the bands should I cut it for 7.150 or 7.200?

[@Brendan8440]

@@kylefreemason Well, in theory, if you want to use the EFHW on the 40-meter General Class phone band only, then 7.200 theoretically would be better. But if you want to use the same antenna in the 40-, 20- and 15-meter General Class phone bands you actually should go lower to, say, 7.125. That will put the resonant frequencies at least inside all three bands. Most internal antenna tuners can match up to a 3:1 load but you want to avoid having to do that because the antenna system will remain 3:1 and that can get lossy depending on your coax mostly. So, on a EFHW for multiband use it's best to distribute the mismatch evenly among the bands you want to work, IMHO.

[@kylefreemason]

@@Brendan8440 Thanks for the reply. I will be using the antenna in the general portion phone only. I appreciate your knowledge and input.

[@hamradiotube]

I've built more than one EFHW in my day. This one is the only one I've had these results with. I suspect it's because of the 64:1 transformer vs. the 49:1.

[@gaptastic]

Shout out to Scott! I bought the 50W version, works great!

[@williamursery2554]

Thanks for the video. Very cool antenna! - W5WRU

[@N2YTA]

I just got the 100 watt version. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm optimistic that it will work well.

[@thequarantinecatholic]

Which multitool are you using there? I am watching Mike's Long Island CW presentation on the SparkPlug Gear and bam found your video!

[@ReedAB8AS]

nice video Mike. I am planning to purchase a 50w version soon. 73/Reed

[@hamradiotube]

Nice!

[@walteredwards544]

I'm thinking that adding a trap between the high bands and the low bands may yield better results

[@djsomers100]

3:21 wraps make it a 49:1 antenna don't they. Pretty sure that's what the website says too. Regardless, works great and great companion to my KX2 and soon to be KH1.

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Mike, Nice review and it looks like a nice little UNUN. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@milcommguy5927]

Nice, how long of a wire would you suggest to start with for 60m ? thanks

[@stevegriffin9552]

That’s an interesting antenna I’m just wondering how it will compare with the pack Tena WD5ENH Steve

[@aar5pj]

what length was your coax ?

[@kd5inm]

Another channel I watch (Coastal Waves) said the sparkplug balun is 49:1.

[@hamradiotube]

The owner of SparkPlug told me it's a 64:1. Also you can count the turns and know it is a 64:1.

[@kd5inm]

@@hamradiotube Is it three primary and 21 secondary turns. I've never seen one up close. I'm just going by what Walt said on his channel. He's been using one in Poland along with an LDG one. I think he also had a 1:1 unun inline with one of the antennas.

[@hamradiotube]

@@kd5inm I’m at Hamcation so I can’t tell you for sure but I’m 99% sure it is 3 primaries and 21 secondaries. I’ve built enough 49:1’s to know that it is not a 49:1. You can also go to their website.

[@rwayne3243]

Where did you hide the link for the little S-caribiners......?

[@hamradiotube]

amzn.to/3L1noKw

[@45auto]

Interesting. My radio doesn't have an internal tuner nor do I have an external tuner. So, this transformer will have to wait.

[@BenButler1]

Hey Mike can you test it with power for us 891 folks?

[@hamradiotube]

Oh I suppose I could get on the air with this antenna and the 891 for you. I’m gonna have to bring a tuner though.

[@forgetyourlife]

Time to sell all my Packtennas. :)

[@hamradiotube]

No way!

[@laszlokovacs8827]

Who makes that in-line choke? Looking for something portable like that.

[@hkmp5s]

You can get something similar from abr industries.

[@hamradiotube]

Chameleon

[@W9HJBill]

Odd question, who's choke are you using?

[@EdwardGriffin]

Looked like the one Chameleon Antenna sells to me.

[@hamradiotube]

It's a Chameleon.

[@rayslinky]

what was that choke?

[@Zach-K7FC]

It looked like the Chameleon.