Testing My Mini 64:1 Half-Wave End-Fed Antenna Transformer.

Field test of the Mini 64:1 HWEF transformer on 40m and 20m, with a surprising contact at the end! Who says you can't use an FT-82-43? You don't need three 240-size toroids stacked together to make contact, nor do you need hundreds of Watts. Save your money and build something that works well without breaking the bank and is light to carry in a backpack.
www.buymeacoffee.com/gilg
Version Française: En traitement.
Build video: • A Super-Duper Tiny 3D-...
Shirts and mugs: teespring.com/stores/radio-pr...
Help this channel: / radioprepper
Twitter: I left Twitter because of censorship issues.
Facebook: / radiopreppers
Radio Preppers Forum: radiopreppers.com
DISCLAIMER: The Radio Prepper logo (depicting a microphone) is indeed inspired from a famous flag created in 1775. It is NOTHING BUT a symbol of freedom and independence. It does NOT imply support to any political group. It does NOT imply, represent nor support any ideology with an intent on harming anyone. Freedom means freedom from persecution based on any human trait or belief such as, non exhaustively, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or nationality. The Radio Prepper channel is a technology and science channel with a focus on preparedness and use of radio technology for disaster relief and small group communications in times of need. It is apolitical and open to anyone sharing the same interests. .
Subscribe to my alternate platforms:
ugetube.com/@RadioPrepper
odysee.com/@RadioPrepper:d .
Send Bitcoins to: bc1qc5jq4dxt7359sh80lkv9v8rlsgnh322hmn6xyc Send Ethereum : 0xe7cC2e415E0D2d1De91604B2b693f124dfBCf9B8
Send Litecoin : LYwDy55mZSeb1Czx6JUiTS5YkqjfmWKK5H

[@steveh1130]

Always glad to see the PRC-320 get some camera time. Enjoyed Gil. 73

[@radioactive8772]

You never know when your going to make that DX contact, but when you do it sure makes your day!. Thanks for taking us along with you. K7WHN Joe

[@gbamck]

Great to see you back, Gil and well done on the contact to the US! Cheers, Mick 73

[@freddiaz3949]

Encore merci pour vos vidéos ! Radio, 4x4, QSO sur le terrain, des vues d'Antibes, de la côte d'azur et de l'arrière pays niçois. Vous nous gâtez.

[@stridermt2k]

I'm sorry about the theft. That sucks. Congrats on the balun! Love those radios of yours. 73 de N2NLQ

[@johnk8091]

Oh...you also lived in Sarasota !! After school and 2 year compulsory military service, I needed a break and I left Africa and lived in Sarasota for one year, in 1986. I loved Sarasota, spent a lot of my time in Siesta Key and Longboat Key. I was ZS5ABY in those years, then became ZS5J and I am now 5Z4J

[@RadioPrepper]

Awesome, great city, I lived there for 22 years.

[@stevecook7279]

Gil, good to see you back! Nice video, I need to build one of those mini 64:1. Just built a 49:1 and waiting for better weather to try it out

[@robertlundstrom8061]

Wow, great! Gives me hope for my micro 64:1 unun which you inspired me to make. Can't wait for spring.

[@brianogram5194]

Glad you're doing well Gil. I've been wondering about you. That poor little one bumping her head @3:48, as a dad my reflexes kicked in.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Yes, that was heartbreaking. Maybe she will now have some ingrained fear of radio after that!

[@TEGEscalator]

73 Gil, glad to see you again and indeed no need for three FT240s to make contacts. I prefer in my tests or even in the shack of used 50 watts max. Outdoors I use max 20 Watts and often well below. In any case thank you for your very nice video.

[@ManOfParts74]

Love the content Gil. Great work on the mini transformer and love the old school military setup's you use. Makes me want to get one myself. 73

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Good to see you out and about Gil, thanks for video. Well done on the US contact with the Clansman. EFHWs are brilliant.

[@RadioPrepper]

Yes they are!

[@ToppKatt7]

Hi Gil. I really enjoy your videos and I’m learning a lot about antenna transformers ununs etc. congrats on your USA contact. 73 from Pennsylvania. Keep up the good videos.

[@Orvulum]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your little expedition. :-)

[@andyM7XTT]

Great contact n nice to see you out and about again

[@NexxuSix]

Your weather looks like ours. Sorry for your loss... well, it least it was a low cost item. Seeing your PRC-320 and transmitting to Maine put a smile on my face =) Well done!

[@RadioPrepper]

But it's my ass on the line ;-)

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

Gil! Great contact to the USA! That's awesome! Great video my friend

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks Mark :-)

[@jbbosselut]

Best wish for 2021 and good job , have a good one !!!!

[@jconnwilson]

Glad to see you back, Gil! I love your Land Cruiser! Wish they were more common here in the states.

[@mostlypostie1]

"You don't need three 240-size toroids stacked together to make contact, nor do you need hundreds of Watts"... Someone we both know just had a heart attack! hihi :) Great video Gil - and that TRC372 is cool - I had not seen one before.

[@RadioPrepper]

LOL, the proof is in the pudding ;-)

[@ShipWreck54]

Love your videos, I’ve learned a lot from you regarding the 49:1 transformer and EFHW antennas. Thank you so much and keep up the good work! F4WBY de N4FAE

[@CapMC47]

Native Floridaian here. Hope to make contact when I get my license

[@larry7463]

Hey Gil, nice to see you on KZbin again. The 64:1 seems to be doing a great job. I use an EFHW with, I think, a 9:1. Mmm. I seem to do well with mine as well and low SWR. Anyway 73’s my friend. Thanks for all the great videos! Larry W7YDA.

[@RadioPrepper]

Hi, a 9:1 is for a random wire, not a HWEF. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqupaJV6pNaefZY

[@larry7463]

I think I was wrong - maybe I’m using a 49:1. My matching unit is from QRP guys. 80-10 meter EFHW.😙

[@brunocdt2765]

Great job Gil !! I like the Thomson CSF !! HNY 2021 and 73 de F4DNP.

[@RadioPrepper]

Merci!

[@svtelos4726]

Wow, doctorate in fluid mechanics! V^2/2g !

[@rjinnh3933]

Gil, as always it's enlightening and a pleasure to watch one of your vids especially those that include EFHW Aerials. You and Steve Ellington convinced me of the value of that antenna. DX-Commander also had a hand in it and some day, on a Portable Outing, I'll switch from an EFHW config to Qrtr-Wave with Radials and back and record the sig reports. I have a 12M SpiderBeam Mast that provides many options. Thanks to you and Callum's vids for that enlightenment. The big value of this vid is to demonstrate how easy it is to spend just a few hours making Local/Regional/DX contacts from the comfort of a Park Bench, even if in Mid-Winter. Haha.... Relative to Vehicular Security when parked OverNight. Have you ever concidered a Pet Viper or two? They like to Snuggle/Coil up under seats and Strike at Ankles when didturbed and you could make a Domicile for one in your Glove Box. Actually, a Remote Controlled CX-Laced FlashBang Grenade might be a better solution than the Vipers. Film at Eleven! HaHa...... 73 OM from FN42hx . .

[@RadioPrepper]

Well, I'll look for a viper thanks! ;-)

[@antennafarmer7380]

I tried making a transformer with a FT37 core but it's not large enough to get enough primary inductance without using more turns that the core will easily hold. According to various sources, the smallest core they recommend is in fact FT82.

[@stuffnthings247]

I was born and raised in Sarasota Gil! I’ve heard you talk about living in Florida but didn’t realize it was my home town. Thanks for another good video. 73

[@RadioPrepper]

Yes, 22 years of my life, best ones! I used to listen to the Verna repeater from September 2012 to December 2015. I went t o flight school at the airport on 41 and Manatee Community College in Bradenton. I even worked one year for the Sarasota Tax Collector's Office!

[@stuffnthings247]

I moved north near Ocala in 2005 and I didn’t have my radio license until last year. Glad you enjoyed your time there, it is a lovely place!! If this pandemic situation ever calms down I’ll try to say hello next time I am in France. I work in the live music touring industry and normally make it to Europe twice a year. I dearly hope that opportunity returns!!!

[@RadioPrepper]

Sure thing!

[@horstjaeger2569]

I was only 3 weeks in Florida for holiday in 1999. If i had a job and a green card i would have stayed there too for a part of my life.

[@krikka1]

Great test Gil!

[@2e0ggjrobin31]

Good to see you back Gil 73

[@davidportch8837]

excellent contact with the US Gil...

[@lrrpdude8694]

Used to work in downtown Sarasota, my favorite lunch spot was C'Est La Vie.

[@RadioPrepper]

Great, I used to go there quite often :-) when was that?

[@lrrpdude8694]

@@RadioPrepper 2001 - 2003, the time flies

[@RadioPrepper]

Sure does. We could have met there, maybe did...

[@mikesey1]

Think of Pate when seeing ducks? 😀😀 Sorry to hear of the break in.

[@RadioPrepper]

My grandmoter used to make awesome rabbit and duck pâté!

[@Mottersmotters]

Hello Gil great work you are out using the radio that's the main thing. I thought of you tonight. I was watching a episode of Ozark and saw a poster on the wall which was like your logo but this one was a snake 🐍. I hope to get a NanoVNA and build a slim Jim which I've seen your video Motters M7TRS 73's

[@RadioPrepper]

Great thanks!

[@W4TRI]

Print for this came out great! PETG 4 walls 30% fill. Parts are ordered tonight!

[@RadioPrepper]

Awesome!

[@cadetliliangerard1348]

Merci Gilles p

[@SubterranBayern]

The transformer works well and i like the printed case. Don´t mind the chair, there is a Decathlon in Antibes. :)

[@RadioPrepper]

Yes, 16 Euros... No problem!

[@scottraschke2788]

Nice post!

[@dansloss2566]

"a nice paté..." haha

[@eddy2561]

Ah, je peux pratiquer mon français sur votre chaîne! Merci beaucoup /k6sdw ~ 73

[@RadioPrepper]

Dual purpose!

[@freddiaz3949]

And me, my english !

[@Martin_PA0KGB]

Your back, Great.

[@warplanner8852]

..what about his back?

[@cadetliliangerard1348]

Meilleur voeux 2021.

[@W4TRI]

Going back to look at this one. Just got a G1M. If I can get up on one of the Smoky mtns this summer I may get out your way. 73/72 K4RJJ Sevierville TN

[@RadioPrepper]

Great :-)

[@agalpar]

Hi from Mexico, I saw that in the video for the CB antenna and you don't use the ground lug to the cb antenna, but for this ones you are using it. What will be your recommendation? Does this ground lug need to be connected to a rod into the ground, or this piece of metal basically do the job. Thanks!

[@RadioPrepper]

I only plan on using it to bleed static electricity when using a long wire on a kite or balloon. Otherwise no.

[@andrzejpl9897]

👍

[@DavidBamford]

Hi Gil, did you use a ground wire on the banana plug on 20 meters or just the coax, if just the coax how long? Thanks and 73 from NYC

[@RadioPrepper]

Not needed. I use all kinds of cables. A half-wave wire will produce very little common-mode currents if any. Only random wires on 9:1 UNUNs cause trouble.

[@MK-wt8sx]

Congrats on USA contact, and thanks for new video. It has been a while, we got worried a little. 73 de KB9ZRP

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks, I was feeling a bit down.

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

@@RadioPrepper I get like that, in particularly this time of year.. Watching your adventures is very inspiring though and enjoyable. Thank you sir

[@RadioPrepper]

Thanks. It was the lockdowns..

[@ronlewis6394]

Tell me more about the antenna and the transformer. I want to build one

[@RadioPrepper]

Link in the description...

[@markg6jvy135]

👍👏👏

[@M7XCB]

I have made 49-1 antenna 3 weeks ago works very well from your video how do you find what the difference between and what is the best out of 64-1 49-1.

[@RadioPrepper]

64:1:below 30m. 49:1:above. 3 turns primary below 20m, two turns at and above.

[@M7XCB]

@@RadioPrepper I will give it a try next few days when the weather picks up as it below freezing at the moment don't fancy a blue fingers lol cheers for the input

[@JimAnderson-SWEDISHIRONWORX]

Will you be releasing a video on the end-fed transformer build? thank you!

[@RadioPrepper]

Read the description ;-)

[@JimAnderson-SWEDISHIRONWORX]

@@RadioPrepper found it...

[@dennisbauer3315]

Your very diplomatic Gill, lol.

[@RadioPrepper]

I should have been in politics, LOL, not!

[@horstjaeger2569]

Hi Gil! I realy like your videos! They are great!! Cool dx with this simple but good rig. Why did you come back from us? Sounds for me you love living there. 73 de OE3SZE Nik

[@RadioPrepper]

Life takes unexpected turns sometimes...

[@pascalf5pnp310]

salut GIL...avec le recul maintenant, que vaut il mieux construire ?? 64/1 ou 49/1 ?? quelles sont les différences remarquées ?? j ai 2 FT140-43 et j attends du fil cuivre émaillé de diam 1 mm.....merci pour les infos.. 73 s Pascal

[@RadioPrepper]

Un 64:1 avec 3 tours primaire (24 total) pour les bandes basses, 10MHz et dessous, et un 49:1 (2/14) pour 14MHz jusque 50MHz.

[@pascalf5pnp310]

@@RadioPrepper ok Gil.. j avais trouvé la réponse dans une autre de tes videos hi hi hi!! merci...73 s pascal

[@TheShawna1]

Nice setup i’ld love to make a TRC372 to PRC74 contact with you some time were on 40 do you hang out on upper sideband?73’ jim KB1PFL

[@RadioPrepper]

Jim we can arrange a sked some time. A week-end.. Or evening, I can use my magnetic loop.. [e-mail]

[@RadioPrepper]

The usual USB frequency on 40m is 7185.5.

[@mank_legend5584]

Have you considered selling these? I know I sure could use one in my go pack.

[@RadioPrepper]

I tried once, everyone said they wanted one, nobody bought one.

[@mank_legend5584]

@@RadioPrepper I'll message you on patreon. Perhaps you could sell me one.

[@RadioPrepper]

Sure...

[@JohnTarbox]

Fine Business on your comments about the USA. You are in fine company with your copatriots the Marquis de La Fayette and Alexis de Tocqueville. DE WA1KLI :-)

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you!

[@eduardopower5254]

Come back to Sarasota Gil!

[@RadioPrepper]

Don't discount it just yet;-)

[@rudiwiedemann8173]

Evaluating performance from contacts alone is NOT a valid way to test an UnUn. First you need to use a NanoVNA in thru mode to test the insertion loss using an identical pair of UnUns, wired together back to back at the high impedance ends. You want to see no more than -1dB per unit. You also need to measure the temperature rise and fall of the above pair under 30 seconds of CW at ever-rising power levels into a dummy load while monitoring the ever-rising SWR. You don’t want to go over 100C or SWR of 3.0. K7RAW-The Antenna Whisperer.

[@RadioPrepper]

Though comparing with the same contact is a pretty good indication when there is a big difference in signal report.

[@Paul_VK3HN]

The American guy did not want to chat!

[@thecarys563]

Yes, my thought too. I was not pleased, but there could be reasons that aren't unfriendly.

[@RadioPrepper]

Indeed, but he did with others... Maybe he did not like the fact that I was using a super-simple setup and he spent so much on his installation...

[@RadioPrepper]

True, it could be a good reason...

[@1958johndeere620]

As an American, I would be honored if you would come back. I like immigration of people that want the american dream, and work hard as a contributing part. You obviously love our country. That's as political as I will get.

[@RadioPrepper]

Thank you, much appreciated.

[@DocShickley]

Trade for you on our team anytime .Not the best of show here in US, but it's looking better , next week. Hope to have more peace and less morons. 73, KB3VLW

[@RadioPrepper]

Still much better than Europe!

[@winterburan]

I'm sorry about the theft

[@RadioPrepper]

Quoi?

[@winterburan]

@@RadioPrepper I'm sorry about the theft

[@RadioPrepper]

Just a chair... Thanks.

[@richardfryer8646]

"... ducks always make me think of a nice pate". ......hmmmm ...the kids might think a bit differently about that; much preferring the quackers stay swimming in the pool...lol ...anyhoo, after just receiving my new G90 toy complete with it's blistering 20 watts of power output, I too am putting together a 1/2 wave long wire antenna to (hopefully) radiate said watts. Since we don't have a lot to start with... radiation efficiency is the name of the game. Sooo...Decisions...decisions... shall it be 49:1 or 64:1... or does it make a helluva lot of difference? 49:1 should transform 2500-3000 ohms, the 1/2 wave end impedance as I understand it, down to 50 ohms...more or less... so the 64:1 assumption then is that the end impedance of your long wire is up around 5000?? I am using a 132' antenna but the primary frequency is 14mhz suggesting 35' AGL would give the best low angle (for DX) pattern assuming the antenna is not sloping much or folded like a pretzel in any direction. Too bad about the break-in... a hungry Rottie turning the perp into hamburger comes to mind.

[@RadioPrepper]

64:1 for 40m and lower, 49:1 for 30m and above. Also very thin wires have a higher impedance, so 64:1 if using a super thin wire, unless it's above 20m. I hope that makes sense, LOL. That G90 is tempting...

[@richardfryer8646]

@@RadioPrepper ...if your into hiking and back country camping you might find the the G90 and battery a tad heavy for the pack-sack, I wouldn't buy it for that... the Xeigu X5105 would be more suited for that job. But the G90 would be great for tossing on a campsite picnic table or at a rest stop when traveling. Much if not most of the weight of the radio comes from the casing... the radio is made of solid metal, no plastic here.... that radio would probably fit nicely into an army tank. I got a QRP Guy's unun antenna with the radio, tossed it up onto and over the fence and worked a couple of hi n bye contesters so I do know it works. The 132' antenna up 35'-40' AGL should work better. I am using #18 wire on the balun so it's not super thin and have fit the whole works into an old W2AU dipole center feed.. there was no 1:1 balun in it. I will try 49:1 first and see what happens...

[@RadioPrepper]

Interesting, thank you.. I have plenty of other radios for hiking so...

[@farmerwayne1404]

Stole your chair ? What the......

[@RadioPrepper]

Go figure...

[@BoB4jjjjs]

I wouldn't tell them how much the equipment is worth, they will come back for it! Sorry to hear you are a victim of scumbags! However, If you leave to door open the insurance will not pay out. Even if it is a broken window, plus they have to repair it.

[@RadioPrepper]

True about the insurance but I am sure the thief doesn't watch my videos .

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@RadioPrepper It might surprise you!

[@vne2328]

Why did you leave the USA? You might be shocked at what it has become, so it's fair to say that you can never go back. Cheers~

[@RadioPrepper]

www.cruisersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158283

[@vne2328]

@@RadioPrepper What a fantastic story. As some wise man alluded to in the thread, it is much better to spend one's time prepping for an adventure, and to taste a bit of the adventure, than to sit about watching TV or surfing the net. Everything is "progressively" becoming taxed, regulated and prohibited in the USA now, but I'm not sure how it compares to France, having never been there. Keep enjoying your beautiful life.

[@RadioPrepper]

Definitely. France is way ahead of the U.S., in a bad way... So I'm doing it again!