The Fara-J 2 Meter Faraday Cloth J-Pole Antenna By VE6SFX

Resonant, Light Weight, Super Ultra Mega Portable. This New Fara-J Antenna Just Revolutionized The J-Pole Antenna As We Know It!
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#hamradio #Fara-J #2meterantenna

[@garyh8315]

I have watched him work his way through the prototypes to this. Blooming fantastic.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Thank you!

[@garyh8315]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Credit where it is due. I hope that this little things takes off for you. From watching your vids testing ideas whilst on the hill or outside your house. Well done.

[@gowheelin1]

Dude is a genius. This is going to be a trend.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I hope so :)

[@gowheelin1]

It will, I’m a lurker, don’t speak up much, always keep my eye out for things that make good sense. Put in some elbow grease to get word out, it will market itself.

[@cchalfantusa]

Sold out!

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Appreciate you. Words like this really help me keep momentum up.

[@markharrison1160]

I wouldn't go that far. I've seen other metallic tape antenna's before this. In fact I was making my own and on revision two was going to the webbing myself. A Jpole is a Jpole.

[@DellFargus]

I don't know if I'm more amazed by how awesome that antenna is, or that people actually talk on the repeaters by you.

[@hamradiotube]

Surprisingly for the number of repeaters that are linked on the one I was talking on, there really isn't that much activity. I think there's 9 repeaters all linked up in total going from College Station all the way down to Galveston. My local repeater in Huntsville hardly has any activity at all.

[@alexjh47]

I just built one based on his conversation with Jim W6LG - it works great! Made a 220MHz one as well. Such a cool idea and I'll be taking it with my for POTA / SOTA

[@blueboy1183]

Awesome!! I hope this video goes viral!! I will order this antenna exactly what I’m looking for so portable and easy for quick setups afield thanks for sharing!!!!

[@rickbaish7199]

I must get one for my go bag! Thanks Mike for bringing it to our attention.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I want to get one in your go bag.

[@chrismorgan1366]

Awesome I’ve been into radio for about a year now and have so much to learn probably moving up their or to Cleveland soon and will definitely have a big tower can’t wait to get into the community

[@simontemplar0468]

Hey Mike! Hello from Portland, OR! Great video as always. Thanks for the info. You are a valuable asset to this hobby. Keep up the great work. 73

[@truhartwood3170]

Just got mine! Excellent build quality! Awesome idea!

[@dlweeksjr]

Very nice review. Thanks Mike

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

THANK YOU!!!

[@CoaxAndCampstools]

You really yeeted that throw line up there. Nice toss, Mike, that really got up there.

[@hamradiotube]

It was definitely the first try too lol!

[@DreadMakerRoberts]

Ya I generally throw it back behind me the first time and after about 6 tries get it to where I want it. Well done!

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

After seeing it on the Clubhouse last night, I ordered one this morning. Now after seeing your video, I'm thinking I might be ordering another! Thanks for the great demo, Mike.

[@hamradiotube]

I already want another one

[@Scout75PortableRadio]

@@hamradiotube No of us have an addiction to this hobby. We only want... just one more. 🤘

[@AnDy_ToM22]

Great video! New sub, just got my Gmrs call sign to start, I want to get into ham but I’ve still got A LOT to learn. Bought some uv-5g plus’s and was looking for antennas that would help strengthen my signal.

[@ryank5tar]

OUTSTANDING

[@Toner-N1SWT]

Great antenna idea. I have a roll up ladder line j-pole that I carry with me for emergencies.

[@robertmeyer4744]

that a great antenna. easy to get it high. love the tune on it. That Pota flex 7 is great at VHF and UHF . I got the 50 foot reel kit with case ! I put the GMRS J-pole in PVC on it and up a tree . with 5 watt gets repeater 35 mile from my park. maybe he will make a 2 band roll up J-pole. great antenna for SOTA . I do POTA and may get one for my backpack . 73's

[@SIGINT007]

Never made one 😂 Honestly never saw the fascination with them, but this concept is intriguing.

[@W3DRE]

The review was so good, Mike deployed the kazoo music!

[@aa3konthego]

Fascinating idea.

[@dantheman20127667]

4:00 Perfect. If i don't have a heavy weight to tie to a string, i can just use the handy dandy fiberglass telescoping pole lol

[@ChrisBeiting]

I swear, in the last 2 months Mike has costing me a small fortune. From the M&P POTA Flex 7 (I love this cable) to the Explorer mast, and countless s-biners... I need to stop subscribing. :) Just kidding. This channel has increased my love for the hobby after finally getting my General back in April.

[@dougdaniels]

Looking forward to this being available.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

It is available but short supply as I spool up.

[@dougdaniels]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie Great, just sent a message through your web site.

[@cchalfantusa]

Sold out! I signed up for an alert when back in stock.

[@domlecompte2415]

That's amazing

[@SmokeSignalsRF]

Another great, realistic field report. 🎙 73s Don

[@erwinancer6138]

Definitely interested in this

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I’m definitely interested in you being interested in this. 73

[@user-kh5ng5tq3n]

Sweet!

[@kchaney56]

Love that rigexpert stick pro

[@Philip-KA4KOE]

Like your radio box.

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Hey Mike I need that Ant great video Love it . Mike your the Best 👍🤝🤝🤝✨👍

[@JediKnife]

Impressive antenna design. Looks like way easier to roll up and no tangle worry like wire. So what kind of coax lead wire did you use in this video?

[@chrissewell1608]

This may be the Ed Fong J-Pole, killer? A nylon strap is extremely tough stuff, and super flexible. If this stuff is half as durable as that, and rolls up nicely! It will be a winner! You can put it in your pocket, versus coiled up in a larger loop! (To avoid crimping and bending the wires to much!)

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I would not say a killer. Ed’s antennas have their place. It’s just a new whizzy piece of kit 😊

[@yowsa52]

Cool you can do that with faraday cloth. Wow

[@ChrisKD9YSW]

I want one. Ben rocks

[@mra-raycom6982]

It would be good to see an actual signal measurement. I recently did a test where a J-pole did 2-3dB lower than a quarter wave. In this video the primary advantage is the height of the antenna, not the performance of the antenna itself.

[@stephanhersey1186]

Even being M & P that's a lot of cable to use with a 5 watt HT. I'd say the antenna is a success. Steve, k7ofg.

[@hamradiotube]

Only 1.1dB of loss in the cable. That's why I flashed the M&P specs on the screen.

[@LifeAtTerminalVelocity]

This antenna kicks ass.

[@hamradiotube]

Damn right!

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Thank you!

[@IndependentNewsMedia]

Nice video.

[@PendejoRyan]

ITS A GOOD MACHINE!

[@hamradiotube]

Thought you'd like that lol!

[@Ristolemius]

Can you try this? Put a end fed long wire antenna up to tree, with or without balun install it to youre icom vhf radio and test the distance?

[@markharrison1160]

I'd seen another video on the tape antenna and I made my own. I am working on the revisions as the tape can only take so much heat and why he went with fasteners.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I Have jammed 50w through mine continuous for 2 min and it does not heat up at all. The fabric, because so much surface area is exposed to air, cools itself quite nicely. I went with fasteners (and glue) because that gives a mechanical connection that one can remove and clean if needed. What thoughts do you have on the connection I should have used? I am open to any and all ideas to make a better product.

[@jaydennis2732]

With it using faraday cloth that makes me wonder if that makes it more directional... ie the flat sides of the cloth being more radiant and receptive than the lateral edges of the cloth? Just curious since my recollection is that RF radiates more off the surface of the antenna and using faraday cloth provides more surface on the flat sides of the cloth. Very interesting approach and idea.

[@alexjh47]

I tried rotating mine while listening to the local repeater and didn't see any change in reception.

[@zvjezdaniput6121]

Hello there, would you tell me exactly what is this handheld radio transciver you use

[@jeffgallaway1557]

I need a triband one in 2m, 70cm & 1.25m. I wonder if 10m or 6m would be possible to make out of that material for the Q series Wouxun HT?

[@jebthereb2]

Thats just down the road from me. That's Mike. ha.

[@nitekry]

Ohh Thanks, after I just bought a slim Jim.

[@hamradiotube]

Look on the bright side, now you get to buy another antenna!

[@iamsemjaza]

Also, very cool video :)

[@CoolStuff..]

cool

[@emaxxx13]

That cable is a monster. Any recommendations for something a little more portable?

[@hamradiotube]

Well that depends on how long of a run you're going to use and how much loss you're willing to accept. I use RG-316 quite often when portable. That's the coax type in the thumbnail of this video. Really thin, light weight portable etc, but on VHF it gets a bit lossy. 20' would still be acceptable but any longer and you're going to want to use something bigger like the POTAFlex I'm using in the video. Check out ABR industries. I have a 10% off code with them. Just use code K8MRD10 at checkout. Or give them a call and tell them what you're trying to do and they will recommend the best cable for your needs.

[@GraymanPOTA]

Just ordered mine...

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

AWESOME!

[@hamradiotube]

Nooice!

[@avrumo]

tried to get one , 6hr after this aired , out of stock , will try again , 73

[@hamradiotube]

He’s got an email sign up thing to get notified when they are available again. Hopefully soon!

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Unfortunately they sell out in minutes when I get stock. I need to spend less time commenting on KZbin videos and more time sewing 😅

[@rohnkd4hct260]

They sell for $75. Little pricey to me. But a good idea.

[@billmcilwee566]

Awesome antenna. A repeater on 146.520? Or, was that just the B channel freq? KF0NNQ.

[@hamradiotube]

That's just the B channel

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

Would have been interesting to hang the SIgnalStick in the tree as well to compare at the same height. Neat antenna though.

[@hamradiotube]

That wouldn't work. It would need a ground.

[@klinquist]

Out of stock already!

[@yowsa52]

I wonder if it gets better bandwidth than a wire antenna.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Yes absolutely it does.

[@Aloysius-73]

I travel for work and I always bring my roll up j-pole to put in the hotel window. I will be ordering one of these. Thanks for the video. KI5UTS

[@hamradiotube]

I do the same thing!

[@W8MJL]

ok Mike how many throws did it REALLY take you to get in the tree...lol! 73 de W8MJL

[@hamradiotube]

More than one😂

[@tilghmansmith5705]

Sold out already lol

[@DrivinwithJoe]

Out of stock! I blame you Mike. 😂

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Ya it took minutes for me to sell out via this video. More are being made as you read this.

[@DrivinwithJoe]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie love your videos. I’ve watched them all since watching Mike’s. I’m on your email list now as well. I will be patiently waiting.

[@ronbennett3998]

Can you provide a link to get this?

[@hamradiotube]

Links can always be found in the description of my videos but its vfcomms.com

[@joecormier6720]

$75.00 is way to much money for a 2m wire and a little bit of cloth. That is insane.

[@hamradiotube]

I knew this comment would eventually come up. Think about all the materials and tools you need to even make one. It would be way more than $75.

[@joecormier6720]

@@hamradiotube I really like the idea of His antenna. It just seems a bit Too much in price from my pocket. Though I would really like to have one.. I'm not trying to be critical, It is a great idea.

[@dennisboesiger1033]

Okay, Yogi.

[@hamradiotube]

Haha you caught that!

[@iamsemjaza]

Okay, next eperiment with "backpackable" lengths of lighter coax?

[@hamradiotube]

Been there, done that. The backpacking part, not the experiment part, but RG-316 is the way to go for light weight coax. It's what is in the thumbnail for this video. Really wouldn't do more than about 20' for VHF/UHF as it's really lossy on higher frequencies, but as we all know in ham radio, everything is a compromise. For HF portable it's great. I have several lengths of RG-316 and primarily will use either a 20' or 50' run for HF QRP with my 705 or 818. It works great!

[@iamsemjaza]

@@hamradiotubeThank you so much for the detailed reply! :) Now I have a cable number to look into and some measurements based on someone's real-world experience :) Always more useful than guestimating :) I bet you'd get some more views on some "Hiker On The Air" themed videos as well :)

[@HAMFunko4pdi]

excellent sota antenna.

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah. Now all I need are the mountains!

[@Aloysius-73]

🤣🤣🤣🤣@@hamradiotube

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

@hamradiotube You can come visit mine :) I’ll loan you an antenna when you get here.

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Ladder line better ?

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Great question and it is equivalent and has a better SWR curve

[@alexjh47]

I've built both and I've found the VE6SFX version had a wider SWR curve. It's lighter and more compact as well.

[@castlespieker6480]

How far does this antenna reach?

[@hamradiotube]

If only a large portion of this video were based on that question...

[@Bob814u]

I am thinking of HF roll-up (20 meters). Hmmmm

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Already working on it

[@MopH3ad]

Made one about 12 years ago It's nothing new. It is a tidy design I must say.

[@chrisazure1624]

It should embiggen the signal.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I think I need to use this in promotional content. :)

[@alexjh47]

A perfectly cromulent antenna.

[@mmyr123]

Says sold out....

[@Inkling777]

I just checked. It's $75 plus $15 shipping so $90. Rugged and flexible, so it should last almost forever.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

So far 3 months in my pants pocket, using durning this time and 2 times through the wash and its still working :)

[@hamradiotube]

Oh good you can wash it too!

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

@@hamradiotube i don’t recommended it . Washing was by accident. That being said it works just as good wet as it does dry

[@RLKD8DNS]

Don’t need it. But that’s not gonna stop me from buying it 😂😂

[@hamradiotube]

Lol that's the spirit!

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

LOL

[@Andyswolftraxx]

No vf comms webpage.

[@hamradiotube]

vfcomms.com

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I have been struggling with the site getting too much traffic and sometimes it breaks. You can thank @hamradiotube for this :)

[@yowsa52]

My used underwear is rf reactive

[@hamradiotube]

You might want to get that checked out 😂

[@ronross4288]

OK, who are you. This Ron KF5MCJ in Tulsa Okal. I just retired and have much more time to put in Ham Radio. I have been a designer in the electrical power and distribution industry for over 30 years. I am building an Emergency Radio Go Box I am designing around a Harbor Freight 2800 enclosure. I need an antenna that will fit inside the box with major potential. It will have 25 watt 144 and 440 mhz transceiver in the box with a 20ah Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery. I will see if I can afford to purchase these for the two boxes I am building. Thank you for sharing.

[@hamradiotube]

Umm, well to start, my name is Mike, K8MRD, I'm a Sagittarius. No Code Extra class amateur radio operator and happy as hell to have you here. Oh, and I'm in Huntsville TX. A big welcome to the hobby, Ron. You're going to have a lot of fun! Especially with your background! I'll tell you that while I have gone down the rabbit hole you are about to endeavor (and a lot of us have) with go boxes and harbor freight cases, 25 watt radios, etc...They're just not that practical in my experience. I feel I want to touch on this on one of my MailBag Monday videos because I feel so strongly about what you are about to do. I'm not saying don't do it, but there's probably a better solution. Anyway, I'm going down a rabbit hole myself. To answer your question about an antenna with a "major" potential, everything is a compromise. The short is yes, this antenna, given proper height and fed with a coax that has acceptable losses per the frequency of operation, should do you just fine. Are there better antennas? Of course. Look at the Ed Fong Dual Band Roll Up J-Pole for example grapevineamateurradio.com/collections/radio-gear/products/ed-fong-j-pole-antennas-dual-band-220-and-roll-up?variant=32440756568243 (sold out now, but check back) This is a little bit better antenna, and still packs down very small, but not quite as small as the Fara-J. Josh from Ham Radio Crash Course did a video comparing them in a much better way than I'll ever be able to do. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2PCoZZ7i9qbepo I can go on and on, but hopefully this is enough of an answer.

[@John-ti3pn]

The next antenna you want but will not be able to get

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

I’m already looking at mass manufacturing. Next batch I’m hoping to get 500-1000 made. I want you to get one. I’ll do my best to make that happen

[@kchaney56]

You posted this 16hours ago and he is already sold out.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

LOL I sold out in minutes. Looking into mass manufacturing now.

[@johnwest7993]

Or you can just use a piece of wire and make an EFHW for the price of a small toroid, and save $75.

[@hamradiotube]

An end fed half wave for 2 meters??? Let me know how that works 🤣

[@donausmus4281]

Already sold out.

[@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie]

Yup. It is crazy how fast. I am working on a batch of 500 in hopes to get one out to eveyone that wants one.

[@donausmus4281]

@@VE6SFX_HamRadioRookie thanks!

[@jamespowers8826]

$90 is a little too rich for me.

[@wildlandoutdoors51]

@hamradiotube id love to see a side by side with the ed fong