Ultimate K8MRD 40-6 Meter DX Commander Expedition Mod!

[@michaelstora70]

Finished this video on the 2nd attempt. The key was to listen and not watch too closely Eye twitch is not so bad that way. Love your channel.

[@donausmus4281]

Got my Expedition in today! Will be looking to your channel for tips. Keep 'em comin'.

[@nickz9060]

Hi Mike. I have a Classic. I had problems with the loops pulling out of the shrink. My fix was to make the loop and put the shrink over it leaving about 1 inch of the tag end of the wire hanging out. I then folded this one inch tag up alongside the shrink and put a second piece of shrink over it again. This extra fold keeps the wire from pulling straight out of the shrink. Haven’t lost one in two years!

[@davenewmyer3735]

I assembled my DX C Expedition a couple of weeks before Field Day & used it on site. Am still fine tuning the elements and appreciate your tips and mods. Thanks! de n0km

[@davidwilcox9110]

Mike, You should be in Hollywood with your different voices, personalities, etc. Your intros are fantastic!

[@randymclain4195]

Let’s get Mike a jig saw.

[@lyfandeth]

Nah. A 7" angle grider!

[@hamradiotube]

For what?? 🤣

[@aa3konthego]

A chop saw!

[@anonymous_friend]

dremel

[@GH0ST369]

His set up is good for what he was making.

[@idostuff-nf9pc]

Love that technical terminology.. "doingy"

[@JudgeKW]

I use the tiny zip ties to make the end loops on my portable antennas. For the heat shrink, maybe try finding glue lined heat shrink that's a bright color or wrap the black stuff in a plain white heat shrink.

[@W5KY]

Nice Mike. Great job !

[@willian.direction6740]

If you are happy with the final cut of the wire for each element try taking abt an inch of outer case off the wire at the end tin it and wrap it tightly around the outer case then put heat shrink on.

[@don_n5skt]

30m FT8 has been a great band for me. I have had my DX Commander classic up for 4 years and have not had the issues with the heat shrink but I have several twists on the under the loop and the heat shrink on that. In some cases, I don't even use the glue lined and the loops have not slipped out so far.

[@hamradiotube]

Hmm. Good to know. But you northerners don't have it as bad lol!

[@HikinnHammin]

Mike, I wonder if lightweight plastic guyline tensioners (like you'd use on a tent) would work in place of the metal retention clips? Might have to put some heat shrink over them once in place.

[@hamradiotube]

Hmm, that’s something to think about.

[@BigJohnsHamShack]

4:1 adhesive lined marine heat shrink. That stuff sets up and you will play hell sometimes getting it back off. I have heard that there are somnethat used the heatshruing butt splicers that have the adhesive and low temp solder in them.

[@MotoMike805]

I just worked ya on FT8 15 meters. Thanks for the contact! Love the channel, BTW! 73 de W6OBB

[@randymclain4195]

Good tip on the loops. It gets hot in Texas

[@MikeB0001]

Just curious if you ever plan on taking the jump and learn CW?..its a whole new world for you to explore...

[@JPHaggertyBARI]

Ordered mine a couple of days ago, but haven't heard anything yet. I assume they're fairly busy. However, I'm going to go through your DX Commander Expedition series and see if I can't do the same. Great stuff so far, keep 'em coming! KN6QLC

[@randymclain4195]

Nice. Almost there $ wise Ready to order my DX Commander!

[@hamradiotube]

You're gonna love it!

[@MicroOutdoors]

I've been thinking thinking about the metal clips as well. But had the same thought about them reacting with the wire. So.... looking to abs print them. Just haven't learned how to scan or design something that "complex" but again, printed wire clamps.

[@hamradiotube]

I just designed a box in Tinkercad to 3d print! That's about the extent of my abilities lol.

[@MicroOutdoors]

Lol same experience level here! Lol. 73's man.

[@AlvinMcManus]

Where did you get the tape measure? I have been trying to find one, but none on amazon look promising.

[@kj7iaz]

Great video. I typically make a loop, then twist it on itself, then after fully tuned wrap some electrical tape over it. Just another idea.

[@johnlew5972]

Is there any limit to how many extra verticals you add?

[@btaylor1948]

Hi Mike, what type and gauge of wire are you using for the radials. I used speaker wire and it has too much memory when laid out. Thanks.

[@hamradiotube]

It's all the same wire supplied by DX Commander. I believe it's 18awg

[@btaylor1948]

@@hamradiotube Thanks.

[@dougdaniels]

Good idea on the cutting board. Where do you get those hooks/clips? Didn't see them on your Amazon page.

[@hamradiotube]

Cutting boards are a ham radio operator's best friend. As for the clips, they used to come with the DX Commander.

[@patriot9455]

Have you looked at Loc-Tite to help with the length in the Cold and Clammy environments of a Texas summer. This is just an outside the box idea. The oddest things work sometimes.

[@jerryKB2GCG]

Calum needs to start offering this configuration, of course you’d get a royalty.😊

[@727jetjumper]

The current Expedition comes with 10/12/15/17/20/30/40 and slotted guy plates.

[@GH0ST369]

Mike you can use led crimp with a tunston sleave to loop the wires without afecting the RFI... Otherwise nice mod on the DX!

[@Trent28888]

The Metal on the wire is acting like a capacitor but what I do is u use the bigger glue lined heatshrink for the loop and on the tail u put a smaller diameter glue lined heatshrink on it and that will stop it commin loose and usin cable ties and when they are too tight it crushes the wire and does the whole capacitor thing aswell

[@lonewolfe666]

All the sudden I cant get ft8 i reinstalled everything on pc. Im guessing it is an antenna issue. Anyone have this issue? Dx commander expedition worked great for 2 years. Now not getting much.

[@Stewart-HA5RV]

If you use regular heat shrink and then drip some super glue inside each end it won't be effected by heat like the other stuff. Obviously only good after you have it tuned!

[@hamradiotube]

Now that is a really good idea, thanks for the tip!

[@mikegianfrancesco9431]

Want install one on my roof my roof flat and 50 feet high what you think

[@hamradiotube]

I think I will come over and play radio at your house once it’s installed. That’d be awesome.

[@mikegianfrancesco9431]

@@hamradiotube You think it will work

[@mikegianfrancesco9431]

@@hamradiotube And you can come over anytime

[@hamradiotube]

@@mikegianfrancesco9431 I do

[@robcarnaroli269]

That's interesting. I use those on my EFHW without issue but that's just a single element so....

[@hamradiotube]

Yeah I have them on my EFHWs at home as well. No problems. I’m not going to give up on them quite yet but I’m not liking the results so far.

[@joeblow8593]

Surprised Callum hasn't comment yet here

[@lyfandeth]

You know, you don't have to use Imperial size drill bits. Metric and other types are easily found online if you have no local store.

[@patriot9455]

I bet even Harbor freight might have some!

[@hamradiotube]

I know, it's just what I had. But I need to get some, you're right.

[@charlesriley9426]

Hey Mike do you own stock in Walmart cutting boards 😂

[@jamess1787]

Bet you Mike will use this DX commander for his APRS. 🤣 (Trolling obv.)

[@hamradiotube]

I only beacon APRS from a DX Commander.

[@kevinmatthews2620]

yep i logged you on ft8 30m as well 73s de kevin g2ks