END FED HALF-WAVE ANTENNAS - BEWARE! WHY?

We explode a few myths about this very popular Antenna.

[@nickmason279]

I have an 40m EFHW because it was the simplest antenna to get up and running and by far the most cost effective. As a courtesy I spoke to both my neighbours and told them what I was doing and that they were to let me know if there are any problems. Both have confirmed they haven't had any issues at all. I can also report that I've had contacts all over Europe and Scandinavia using it at 10W. I have also built a 20m EFHW for QRP use as soon as I can get out and about properly.

[@geoffbrown.rfcomms1107]

Yes it is a super antenna, get one FREE and have a play, been building them for over 15 years, when W&S were in business in Essex we built stacks of the resonant end antennas for them (under G Whip see eHam), Whilst they were single band L/C designed items it did not take long to produce the multiband units with the right cores. They are now produced for the commercial users around the World and using Hybrid designs of the cores so spot and multiband frequencies are useable on 3 to 30MHz. Anybody want to try one? FREE to collect from Southampton UK, see rfcomms.co.uk/gb1/ and rfcomms.co.uk/icom/ last October/November saw super openings on 28MHz, read the Icom page, IC-705 10w to FR5/ZS6/PY/FY etc or read the ebay feedback de G4ICD

[@nickmason279]

@@geoffbrown.rfcomms1107 I have two of the RFComms EFHW 49:1 units. Both the antennas I mentioned in my original comment above are based on your 49:1 units. I bought the larger one from you via eBay and got the smaller unit for free and consider I got a proper bargain. They both work brilliantly and I have the larger one set up at home and smaller unit for portable operation. While my first homemade 49:1 worked well yours are an order of magnitude better and I would suggest anyone with a radio would be lucky to get one of the your units free or otherwise.

[@bassangler73]

I use the same antenna and love it..can you not get your 40m to work on 20m or did you just want a proper 20m antenna? I was just saying this because mine works great on 10, 20, 40 and ok on 80m....of course i have to use a wide range external tuner

[@brandonlaragirl]

How high off the ground do you have it?

[@gregmay9097]

Ships use end fed wires that come directly into the radio room usually via copper tubing and were tuned using a very robust antenna matching unit. We used to hang neon bulbs on the copper feed lines to provide a visual indication of which antenna was active and that rf power was actually being put out by the PA.

[@TheArtofEngineering]

Yes...they did have a great ground counterpoise though.

[@mm7bvp]

Amazing!!

[@ntmdisco]

ive been using an end fed commerically made long wire for a couple of years on a yaesu 847 with an external tuner. It runs from my chimney at 28 feet to a tree 20 meters away at 15 feet. Tunes up on all bands from 80 to 10 meters. Never had any issues with it and works great getting contacts in the UK and abroad on voice and FT8. Its just as good as my hustler BTV4 multiband vertical, on my yaesu 920, and sometimes out performs it. Simple to install, doesnt require much maintenance and has been up there for years in all weathers. Would recomend using one of these if your just getting started. Thanks Mr Waters. Good video. Youve finally put the bad myths to rest with your expertise and reasurrance.

[@HakanKoseoglu]

Built a 49:1 unun and an end-fed using a 9m long collapsible pole, everything included cost me under £25, works a wonder for my QRP system. The simplest antenna you can ever build.

[@radoslew]

Can you give me any tips?

[@w4mps1964]

I’ve been licensed sice 1964, so I’m very familiar with the old tvi and rfi problems. I was also skeptical about trying an EFHW at my HOA restricted, small lot. But I went ahead and built the transformer and put up wire for 40 meters. I’ve been extremely happy with the results and am very pleased that I gave it a try. It works very well. Any rf floating around is easily handled by inserting toroids wherever needed. It’s a keeper !

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you and the results. 73 Peter

[@MrButterpantz]

Packtenna 20m EFHW sloper made with 26ga wire raised 20' in the air off a fiberglass SOTA mast. Connect with 50' coax and if going over QRP, throw on an inline choke. SWR is usually 1.2 and I don't even run a tuner. Sets up in a few minutes, they weigh ounces and easily get 1000+ mile contacts with zero fuss. Absolutely love them.

[@ky4tgtodd203]

You have an amazing story telling voice! I could listen to you talk for hours! I am fixing to try a 40 meter EFHW oriented at 90 degrees to my 80 meter OCF dipole

[@raytowler2286]

Your right Peter, I've hear it often "Oh I wouldn't use a vertical, they bring in more noise". Well I use a 33' smart tuned vertical, tuned against heavy wire radials, it is an excellent receiving aerial. Its all about how you set it up & location /proximity from buildings. Nice video Peter, best 73 GM0KET

[@Mark300win]

Do you have a schematic or any video or online article that explain your antenna build?

[@kevinconnolly6330]

Good video, I have just set up my shack at home and bought a 40-10 EFHW and I'm very happy with it. I wish I had bought the 80M

[@JOOLZNED]

Make a loading coil for it so you can get 80m

[@gregbrink45able]

Really enjoy your videos, very informative. I passed foundation about 6 months ago and use an End Fed Half Wave deployed in an inverted V configuration (Using a couterpoise) with a matching balun covering 80m to 10m through a MFJ 945E matching unit. I get excellent SWR and am able to work stations over 1500-2000km regularly with only 10 watts. I support this antenna with a good set of ground radials about a quarter wavelength and quite often utilise a ground loop antenna cut for 80m as my main RX antenna using my EFHW for TX.. I was aware of the warnings given regarding wire antenna of course, but I never believe anything without testing myself through modelling software and my Nanovns H. My advice to anyone starting out as a radio ham is to listen to everyone's opinion, then go out and prove it yourselves. Take care 73s G M7GHB

[@bassangler73]

Well said on the listen to others but go test it for yourself!

[@Isochest]

Sounds like you're doing great. My latest rig is a ubitx v6 which is a kit radio 80-10m which puts out only 5-10 watts. The antenna is a 30m wire 7m agl fed with twin feeder with a 9:1 unun at the base. I have only used it a few days the best dx being Lithuania 🇱🇹 on SSB on 18mhz. I have used it on 7Mhz and 5mhz SSB for inter G contacts. Just need to plug a key in and try on CW now. 73 Bob G0IMB

[@Bond2025]

Mine is cut for top band, works very well. It goes from the chimney and down the garden. Never had complaints because no one can see it.

[@FreeStuffGuy916]

Bill-N6EF-I use a homebrew EFHW for 40 meters in an inverted vee configuration for my POTA activations and love it. It works very well. Very little noise. I've made many contacts and have had many pile-ups. I use the DX Commander 10 meter fiberglass telescoping mast for the center support. It only takes a few minutes to setup and breakdown. I use 12 feet of coax as a counterpoise connected to a homebrew common mode choke (12 turns of RG-58 on a FT240-43 core) before the rig. No RF problems in my go-kit.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for the tip! 73 Peter

[@michelsinnott]

I use a EFHW 40m-10m no garden so up 20ft pole and rest sloping down side of house. Great results from my QTH on Mauritius to North+South America, Caribbean and regularly into Europe, all on low power. As mentioned in video I have a line isolator on roof 6ft from the matching unit + one in shack, no RFI. Antenna is good and practical for a home area with no garden space.

[@callejansson682]

We uses a 26 meter long endfed wire to 2-12 MHz, 3-6 meter over the ground horisontal. This is for NVIS 0-300 km without a skipzone. A fast autotuner when we scan, and transmit to other units. 20 watts or 10-100w depending on system. A good connection to ground, or "balance wires under the antenna") If very dry ground with no water close to surface, we place the antenna direct on the ground. The same montage with a TFD, TF2D, TF3D or that family of broadband antennas, when we dont have a tuner in the system. We dont want to transmit over long distances, just enough to reach the hole battalion and higher command, without to have the antennas on a high place. We transmit and receive the signal from E or F (1,2) in the ionosphere. Both talk and ALE and SwALE. We dont have bands in HF, we have frequencies in "packets" for the military. When we lisen from "strait up" we dont hear the thunder and flashes at the equator, its quiet in the background. ( And no Italians talking with a bounce or two to Sweden). 2Lt Jansson PS. We have a more advanced system in the viecle with a fast autotuner and a cool fat antenna on the roof, for driving and transmitting at the same time. DS.

[@johnjanoscrat8000]

As an EFHW user myself, I really appreciate the video for the great information presented. This "Yank" has gladly subscribed. Sincerely, "The JJ" KC3EWY.

[@BurrowsNE]

I built the 20m EFHW vertical after watching you explain it. Using 30watt portable I was told "I'd swear you were using a beam and amplifier"

[@quintinlourens2674]

Greetings from ZS6SSB I used a EFHW once. String it up vertically if you can, low take off angle...

[@TheCrunchbird]

I use an end fed half wave cut for 80 meters as an inverted L using a homemade 49:1 UNUN fed with RG8X. The UNUN provides a direct DC path to a 10 foot ground rod that is directly beneath it. The UNUN stops static voltages from building up on the antenna and it provides lightening protection as we get a lot of lightening here in Florida. The first fifty feet of wire runs vertically up a first pine tree and the rest runs horizontally to the top of a second pine tree. I have worked the UK and Europe on 75 meter SSB and VK's ZL's, ZS and all over Europe on 40 meter SSB. All these contacts were made using only 100 Watts. This antenna works great on all bands and it is not at all noisy. I do not use a counterpoise as the antenna uses the coax for that. If you put a choke in line make sure it is at the shack end and not the antenna end or the antenna won't work. The inverted L provides both very low angle and some high angle radiation so it is a highly effective antenna for both DX and local contacts. It is without any doubt the best all round antenna one can put up. N2SN

[@coltronex]

I am about to install my 40m EFHW antenna complete with 49:1 matching transformer and a CMC,it also has a coil loaded add-on for 80m,just waiting for warmer weather!!! Ham radio is all about experimentation!

[@watersstanton]

Good luvk. 73 Peter

[@davidcooke862]

Same as mine, works perfectly, very happy!

[@clambeaker17]

Hi , My "My Antennas" EFHW works great. I live on a wooded lot and feed the 49:1 transformer with 100 feet of coax. I don't use a counterpoise. The antenna's half wave length is for 160M. Works great on 160, 80, and 40M. I plan to build an EFHW mounted vertically for 20M. This should have a great low angle. Cheers from Pennsylvania! N3SWL

[@pd9rd]

I made a "short" vertical efhw for 20M. It has a total length of 7 meters and good SWR on all the band. You would need a 49:1 transformer, then 5 meter wire, a 8uH loading coil and then another 2 meter of wire. So far I made a couple of contacts into the US and Canada with it, all of Europe is no problem at all.

[@MAV8865]

Cracking video Peter, I have a 80m to 10m end-fed in a "L" shape about 8m from the ground and the SWR is around 1.1 to about 1.8 across the bands. Works far better then the vertical I started with when I got my licence.

[@watersstanton]

Great news. 73 Peter

[@ernietech-101]

I experienced common-mode problems that I solved with a quantity of 5 closely-spaced Mix-31 snap-on ferrites on the RG-8X where it connects to the 49:1 transformer. I don't have a counterpoise and the antenna is fairly effective on 20 with a barefoot FT-991A.

[@j3xk72r9]

Following your earlier videos, I built an EFHW with 20m wire and line isolator/choke balun where it enters the shack. However I had a lot of RF in the shack, proven by the use of an RF ammeter on the feed line. Adding counterpoises and earthing it to the metal conservatory frame got rid of most of it. It is an effective, simple and unobtrusive aerial, bit it does need earthing/counterpoises - the laws of physics still apply! May be those people that seem to get away without have a long length of feeder before the choke balun and this acts as the counterpoise. I only had about 2m and the RF was horrendous, lighting up LEDs on unconnected equipment.

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. Thanks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@garyz5786]

Earthing sound different than a ground level counterpoise. Can you clarify ? Where is the grounding done?

[@saltire546]

10800mls to Australia ft8 ic705 10watts best antenna I have owned.Never caused any interference.Mine is 40 ft in the air including the transformer box in horizontal config 80-10mtr my tuner can also give me a decent swr on top band.

[@americaswayout4489]

Thanks, I always enjoy and learn something from every video!!! Iam across the big pond from you but still appreciate your work !!!

[@TomG2NV]

I think it's important to emphasize the difference between EFHW= End-fed HALF WAVE (ie 49:1 transformer fed) and other End-fed 9:1 unun "Random wire" type antennas. they are two very different beasts. The paragraph you quote in the video is almost certainly referring to the 9:1 random wire design, not only is it often responsible for RF in the shack issues it is also far less efficient. Peter, perhaps it might be worth you doing a video to explicitly to describe the distinction between the two as it does seem to cause confusion? By the way I have on several occasions last year worked both VK & ZL from the UK using my homebrew 49:1 EFHW on 20m while out /portable. I can't wait to get back out portable again in the very near future 73, Tom

[@matthewweaver1123]

Will you still have RF in the shack with the efhw, just less? I'm looking into getting an HF rig, and probably will do a random wire, only because I'm in an apartment and proper antennas aren't an option. Unless the efhw is significantly better than the random wire, in that case I may employ 2 or 3 on 40,20, and 10 meter. W3MMW

[@bassangler73]

@@matthewweaver1123 the EFHW is a lot better...easier to tune and behaves the same every day...If your in a position as to where you have to use a random wire make sure and get a good beefy tuner that is wide range and you should be fine...but if you can, make your life easier and run a EFHW with a good tuner and a rfi choke either a commercial unit or just make one by coiling a few turns of your feed line...73

[@Marty48034]

Appreciated. Thank you. (very new and much to learn in the HF world. Awesome.)

[@watersstanton]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimrecord6505]

I have used a commercial 80-10m EFHW for the last year with my ICOM 7300. It helped me to get my DXCC and has been a joy to use. It even works well on 6m with the ATU.

[@brendanb1541]

May I ask which brand you went with for your antenna? Also what ATU are you using? Thanks

[@jimrecord6505]

It is a MyAntennas 80-10 EFHW.

[@brendanb1541]

@@jimrecord6505 i have that one too, just got it up a few days ago. I need my general license now! 73

[@steveparkes]

I passed my foundation less than a fortnight back. Got my first HR rig a couple of weeks earlier than I thought I would be able to on Saturday, put a multiband end fed of 21 meters into a cheap 9:1 balun I was able to amazon prime on Sunday. I didn't want to go to the end of the garden in my slippers so it slopes up to about 15m on to pole a weather station is on and back down a bit at about 70 degrees to an apple tree. I listened with it today with excellent results. The antenna matching unit in the radio seemed to have no issues but I've only keyed down to check SWR and haven't made any calls because I'm mic shy and didn't take up the hobby for phone modes. I didn't choose a half or quarter wave design after reading the advice you're talking about but still needed a quick and cheap multiband qrp wire antenna when everyone seems to be out of stock of ready made units in my price range.

[@watersstanton]

Nice to hear from you Stephen and welcome to the Hobby. 73 Peter

[@rickylittleton1456]

EXCELLENT video on a much maligned antenna option! Thank you so much for your efforts!!!!!

[@watersstanton]

You are welcome!

[@timg5tm941]

Efhw are far less prone to causing rf in the shack. The impedance is so high at the feedpoint that it helps to choke off most of the rf. it’s voltage fed after all.

[@G7VFY]

With counterpoise or choke....

[@timg5tm941]

@@G7VFY not in my experience

[@G7VFY]

@@timg5tm941 I thought you had an RF-in-the shack problem?

[@timg5tm941]

@@G7VFY that was with a centre fed doublet

[@loupgarou1261]

Yes and that high impedance, when driven with several hundred watts, creates such a high voltage across the tuner inductor, that it will arc and cause heavy damage. I see mention of QRP, 30 watts, 80 watts and the like, but how does it work with 900 watts?

[@nigelbrooks6756]

I completely agree with you the efhw 49 to 1 or 64to1 ratio transformer works fantastic I purchased one straight after getting my license even though like you say plenty of nonsense rumours which are completely not true , had people tell me RFI will be a big problem it won’t work on lots of bands , utter nonsense. I still use one now In a inverted U configuration I’ve worked Cape Town , faulklands on 17m and work states on 80 m using only 50w regularly late at night during winter months . For anyone just setting up this is one of the simplest methods 73 cheers

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks Nifel.It's a familiar tale, but very welcome one. You certainly are getting some good results. All the best for 2022. 73 Peter.

[@johndeluca230]

Thank you for this video! Yes, I've heard of this about EFHW. Much of my ham activity is from park benches. I have used my 100w FT-857D with a tuner, un/un, and 43' wire sloping to a 10m pole for years. I had an SSB QSO from Saratoga, NY to Namibia (12,000+km) using this very portable rig, twice. I regularly get good reports while operating on the Atlantic coast to Eastern Europe all the way to Qatar. I can't say that noise is an issue, but parks may naturally be low noise. I love my simple, portable EFHW. 73 de N1DEL

[@denp54z]

My WSPR setup is being picked up in by a German operator in Antarctica using an end-fed wire antenna about 35 long. Being heard on both 20-30 meter WSPR band.

[@denp54z]

Also my WSPR station is running 22 watts .

[@dxscotland5901]

Think the bad press for end fed wires were mainly back when we had Analog TVs phones which picked up interference,I’ve used a long wire here similar to the 1 you built and can report no problems and great that I can get on 160m for the 1st time in 35yrars! All the best Gm4zji Chris

[@davem0udb]

I’ve built the 40m efhw with the 80m loading coil, works a treat

[@sirhaugen1025]

Me too - 110uH coil right?

[@joeshmoe7899]

Ever try using it as a quarter wave on 160m?

[@sirhaugen1025]

@@joeshmoe7899 yes - works ok

[@davidcooke862]

@@sirhaugen1025 Yes, works a treat!

[@ralphwilmot6351]

@@joeshmoe7899 Yes I use a 12v relay to switch my 80m EFHW to become a QWave for 160m which works really well. This idea was taken from Steve Ellington Utube articles, he is well known for his EFHW designs and ideas.

[@derekthwaytes4689]

Thank You Peter, I am have made one of these, but not as many turn you have , so I think I will remake it up, I am goiung to put a end halve wave up which will fit into my garden so I am after watching this will connect it to a home made 49:1 with luck this will give me an additional option for my hf operation as I have a cobra doublet up fed with ladder line been tuned with a kw eze match., keep the videos coming.

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@donbernat2483]

I recently installed an end fed 1/2 wave and find it to be an excellent choice. It is compromised by being only 12 feet off the ground. I have purchased a 12 metre spider pole and will be setting things up in the next few days. This will place the antenna about 30 feet above the ground. Currently on do get some dx 3000-4000 miles. This'll improve with the increased hight. Thanks for your efforts and videos. VE3DBN

[@schoocg]

I have always used OCF antennas till a year ago. Friend told me to try MYAntenna EF. Ordered 75-10 resonate. Holy cow I have never used a better wire. I operate (500w) and it’s by far best wire antenna I have used. Not by a little but substantial. Ordered another one and setting up 90 degrees off the other one. All the rumors of EF problems, maybe yours but the MYAntenna has none of those issues. No counterpoise , zero common mode. But, depending on how the transformer is close to the ground it is recommended to ground the transformer. I also use a line isolator and too reduced 1.5 S Units. As you stated , the isolator , should be in your shack and close to your radio that is feasible.

[@criscross6591]

I just noticed your print of the Lancaster on your wall. My grandfather flew one during WWII. When in was back visiting my family last time I picked up that same print!

[@watersstanton]

Hi Chris. Not sure where you are located. We have one flying Lancaster here in the UK and another one being brought back to flying condition. Several years ago we had the Canadian Lancaster over here. I was lucky enough to get some photos of both of them in flight and on the greound. Take care. 73 Peter.

[@ExeCodger]

Thanks Peter for another useful video. I have an 40m long EFHW and was suffering from poor performance since erecting it three months ago. However, after checking the 49:1 balun that came with the pre-made antenna/balun kit using a NanoVNA last week I found the balun to be poorly constructed with a single non-descript ferrite core and over -7dB loss. I replaced it with a well designed balun using twin 240/43 mix cores and it now performs exceptionally well on 80m with a very low SWR and no need for an External ATU. Other bands SWR looking really good but yet to have contacts with the new device. I agree with Peter that an EFHW is a good multiband antenna if you can accommodate it within your garden and are using good quality wire and balun. My arrangement is a partial inverted 'L' configuration and does have a counterpoise and quantity four 'four foot' earth rods. I can't say I have noticed any real difference with the counterpoise also connected to the balun. 73. Steven (G3ZDG).

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Steve. I use the same ferrite material in my home-made matching unit. Glad you got it sorted. 73 Peter .

[@uns3cur3]

Excellent commentary and I like the Spitfire and the Lancaster in the background..

[@watersstanton]

Thank you kindly!

[@KK-pq6lu]

Ha! As a kid, learned “first hand” to be careful with an end fed!!!

[@trig6712]

I use and EFHW which has about one third of it vertical rest horizontal about 25 Feet I also have and use dipoles and Verticals for Most HF most bands all work excellently EFHW surprises me on a regular basis worked into China Japan Australia never use more than 75 Watts and mostly use 75 Watts of less and when portable 5 Watts thank you for Information and Exploding a few Myths

[@watersstanton]

Sounds good. 73 Peter

[@mumi009]

I use EFHW (resonant) antennas exclusively. A multi-band EFHW antenna for 10, 15, 20, 40 and 80 meters isconfigured as a sloper. A 20m and 11m wire are hung vertically from fiberglass telescoping poles. They are cheap, and they work very well. I do not nead a matching device aka ATU. My nearest neighbor is over 200 meters away, and I have heard no complaints. My wife has also not registered any complaints with EMI. Believe me. She would be the first to be pissed if that were the case.

[@richb.4374]

As long as one bothers to make a proper counterpoise or radial system for it, end feds work fine. The problems start when hams try to use them with no radials or counterpoise of any kind and then wonder why everything in their shack is hot with RF.

[@watersstanton]

Totally wrong I am afraid. Peter

[@brentjohnson6654]

Another good video. When I heard that person was making regular contact with New Zealand (assuming he was from the UK) I thought I need to get one so I can do the same. Haha. A minute later you cleared that up. I am considering a EFHW for portable use, but need to learn what I can do, what I have to tun with external tuners, etc. There is some confusion of half wave or random wire. But the half wave you describe is how I understand the science. thanks for your instruction in your videos (those of us new to the hobby appreciate it). All the best, 73 de KI5HXM

[@watersstanton]

Hi Brent. Go with the EFHW and you won’t look back. 73 Peter

[@brentjohnson6654]

@@watersstanton Thanks. just to confirm … you don’t need a tuner with the EFHW antenna do you? It is my understanding that if it is half wave on 80m, I can get most of the HF bands with the harmonics.

[@mikes6844]

When I was instructing the Foundation licence course I could never understand why the RSGB were so anti EFHW. I could not offer a reasonable reason for it other than what you say about TV interference. I’ve used them for many years and never had any issue. Come on RSGB you should correct this 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@adrianoragazzo1321]

@jpmacg1 there already is and it's the braid of the coax .

[@skypiratesrcclub6436]

Exactly! I'm gratified that someone else understands. And hence the concern regarding RF in the shack.

[@ronmikkenie73]

Beter late than never as it is never too late ;-) EFHW is just a dipole with the feeding point moved from the center to the end. So radiation is similar to dipole. When the EFHW brings noise, a dipole will do the same. OK, at fixed installation, you need a line isolator as there might be imbalance between inner and outer conductor current (as the return current from the secondary winding of the UNUN just cannot disappear and will flow into the outer conductor of the coax, this is was causes the interferention!). For portable stations the line isolator is not needed at all (the are no appliances nearby to interfere with). The advantages of the EFHW are ease of construction, no need for a centre support and thus no need for a long feeder, and the multiband possibility. Working 3000 kms on 20m is daily routine with 5 Watts from an IC-705 in the field. A lot of fun at very low cost (homebrew!)

[@indianna5649]

I use an end fed wire for mw An broadcasting. I've also had many reports of my music being heard several hundreds of miles away. 20 Watts actually achieved what I anted for coverage. Being a keen constructor now looking at improving the audio.

[@stevewheatstone1856]

I have the efhw 40-10m, very happy with it. I'm not particularly well placed with South Wales hills all around but was very pleased to work ZL last week with SSB on 40m. Not BBC quality, but perfectly readable report exchange. Great antenna.

[@Gw0wvl]

Where in South Wales are you Steve ?

[@ianmcdonald7884]

I've been using an EFHW for some years now. I live in Australia and my only radio is an FT817nd. I have talked to ZL before but mostly (my qth is south east Victoria) I have 5/5-9 to the surrounding states (VK 2,5 & 7). The EFHW I have is for 40 meters (of course also 20, 15 & 10 M). It's only about 7 meters off the ground stretched between two poles but has a sag in the middle. I swear by it.

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. Well done. Also remember that on 20m up, the radiation lobes tend to be clover leaf shape and not 90 degrees from the run of the antenna. 73 Peter

[@Macjohn1419]

I’ve used an end fed random wire antenna with fabulous results. I had a pipeline into EU, Africa, Caribbean and S. America. My configuration favored that direction. My only problem was RF spikes on certain frequencies within a band that allowed RF feedback into the shack. Eventually, I removed the antenna because of the interference I was getting, even when using an isolator.

[@philkennedy342]

Once again thanks for sharing I am a licenced amateur and used long wire for some time and easily worked Brazil and Argentina on 10m band at qrp levels I’ve even made one look like a washing line to hide it but only when conditions allow 👍👍

[@watersstanton]

Nice work! 73 Peter

[@donaldanderson3366]

I worked Australia on a light bulb on 10 meters

[@philkennedy342]

@@donaldanderson3366 it’s one of those bands that absolutely brilliant when conditions are right….

[@WB2GPU]

I only use an EFHW with 100W. Over the last nine months I worked 98 countries and all 50 states on 20 and 40 and almost all 50 on 10 and 15 and mostly on phone. With a tuner I run 12 and 17 and 80. I have the high end at 90ft and the low end at 35ft. I do not use a counterpoise and I feed it with 50 feet of LMR-400. Most of my noise problems were generated in my home. I was suffering with S9 noise on 40 and S5 to 6 on 20 until I eliminated all the noise sources and there were many!

[@RobB_VK6ES]

Perhaps they were worried it might come with a Zeppelin attached :)

[@TonyYarusso]

I do really want to try hoisting a VHF antenna by balloon and see what kind of range I can get… The weight of sufficient quality coax probably makes it unfeasible though.

[@granitebuilt5836]

Getting ready to put up an efhw and will see what the results are. Currently working with an antenna restricted area so for some, this may be one of the few options available to get on HF. The antenna problem has been the one component that has prevented me from experiencing HF. I'm hoping the efhw will change that. Thanks for the video.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. I hope you are able to get the antenna up in the air. 73 Peter.

[@MatthiasLenardt]

Thanks for the pro of an endfed hw antenna. Many greetings 👋

[@holowvan]

Thank you for an informative presentation, I am in the process of building a trapped 1/2wave end fed for both portable and home use hopping for success and lots of enjoyment building and using. Kind regards and thanks Martin de 2E0HVE

[@renejrgensen9865]

Thank you. Allways nice to hear your calming voice and getting a little more clever regarding antennas. I really hate antennas, My interest is building the electronics and improve it forever. But the antenna stuff is mandatory and I find it easy to learn it from your channel. Still, my favorit is the Doublet, which you have covered several times. 73 OZ1JPD René

[@richardcorfield9926]

They're great for lightweight portable systems such as SOTA. Power is low so matching circuitry can be lightweight. Feeder is short so less to carry. They can be run up a long fishing pole, or run as inverted V if the fishing pole is not that long in comparison with the wire. I do use a counter-poise, but I magnetically couple my antenna so current has to go somewhere. Also allows me to DC ground it for kite operation. Sounds like your use of a line isolator achieves the same but without the DC ground path except through the transceiver. I do remember the old Foundation Manual warning against end-fed wires. Though my inverted V EFHW is sort of a dipole in terms of current patterns in the wire, but is fed at the end.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Richard. The warning is on the RSGB web site 73 Peter

[@AudiophileTubes]

I've been using a 'PAR EndFedz' wire antenna for 20m, and I work tons of DX in many continents, running 100w barefoot. The antenna is low to the ground, but it GETS OUT! I've not noticed a higher noise level either.

[@G7VFY]

I think the RSGB thinks everyone is using Zepp antennas (and possibly Zeppelins too?).

[@kenausten1912]

I converted my multiband doublet to A EFHW. QRM was reduced immediately plus all the regular AM signals on 3.615 were a good 2 S points more. Far more successful for me as the multiband doublet was noisy and not fully balanced due to logistics. My EFHW lis cut fir 80m upwards and by far the best for me here in South wales. De gw4gja

[@watersstanton]

Ken, great to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@lyfandeth]

A line isolator? Is that what we call a common mode choke in the States?

[@ethzero]

I can say as someone that is currently training for the Foundation licence in 2024 (pre September syllabus change), for the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) we're still being taught that EFHW arw noisy. But then again we're also having to learn that Foundation licence holders are only allowed up to 10 W of transmitting power rather than the newly enacted 25 W. Having to learn two sets of information, one for the exam and one for post-exam is not ideal, the RSGB!

[@andy2E0JIU]

I use an 80-10m efhw in a 33ft garden vertical,horizontal and zig zagged down the garden.ive often worked stateside on 10w at 35ft :) swr for all bands well under 2.1:1

[@Roddy1965]

My end-fed, from eastern Ontario, has done Crimean Penn., Hawaii, Uruguay, Turkey, etc etc., though it seems to not like the Dakotas or Argentina! I live in a fairly dense suburban neighborhood, and knock on wood, after 1.5 yrs no complaints (10,15,20,40m). My beefs with end-feds is that my property doesn't allow me to move it around, and they're not very directional, so rejecting noise can be a problem (same as a vertical I suppose). But really, for the money, the good ones are darn tootin' good. For me, 20m and 40m are the workhorse bands. Either will work most of the time. 15m is fun and occasionally really surprising.

[@watersstanton]

15m should start to beome a serious band in a couple of years as we climb the sunspot ladder. 73 Petr.

[@charlesshearer3591]

As a 'sufferrer' of a small garden and 'unsympathetic' neighbours I'm pretty restricted on what I can use for an HF antenna. I've been using a 20m HWEFvertical for a while but have now made myself a 40m HWEF horizontal with 49:1 unun. However, not surprisingly, your greatly appreciated informations seems to conflict in some ways with others and I'd be greatly obliged if you would keep me right! 1) I'm told, somewhat emphatically, that counterpoises of a minimum of 66 feet in length, are absolutely vital or if this is not acheived I must have a coalxial feeder of at least this length plus a line isolator at the transceiver end. Now my intended feed point is very close to my 'shack' with a coax feed or no more than 4 metres if I put the unun close to ground level. Can I therefore simply add a few counterpoise wires and keep the unun low down with the feeder at a short length? 2) I'm told the unun should be at the high point of the antenna - this I cannot achieve and fit the wire in my garden space - why is it I can't I have the unun down low on the fibreglass mast? I'm quite local to you and since the 70's regularly visited the shop in Hockley, like a kid in a sweetie shop - sad when everything moved!

[@RajeshA]

As always thank you for this video. Little late to watch (late than never) :) .. I have been using EFHW antenna from 3-4 months now-Home brewed. I have tried many antennas and this is the last one I tried and I loved this because of many reasons. One of the main reason is it can tune to many bands without a tuner and almost 1:1 on all (80, 40, 20, 10, etc). I loved it and used it as portable and field day antenna as well. When I am going to my home town in village I used EFHW where I have a doublet with ladder line. Both performance well and the advantage of EFHW is no need to tuner and switching bands is easy. mine is on 240-43 for 100+ W and 140-43 for up to 100W. 73 VU3TBU.

[@mabs-O_o]

I like my EFHWs for QRP and portable work, unbeatable, I've laid them on rocks on tree-less summit and worked many, many of stations. Some things you didn't mention in the video, the EFHW is just a dipole antenna, fed from the end, so you can prop up the middle like an inverted V and just feed it from one end; great when camping. Vertical these things are amazing, I've worked SSB from Aus to France on 5W on 14MHz next to the ocean. Some of the issues you can actually have with a proper half wave dipole: high voltages, if you are running 100W plus (sometimes as low as 20W) you can get very high RF voltages, just think of a radio with an amp running at 12v or 60v, and then you are running that into a step up transformer maybe 10's of times higher voltage; noise is mostly because an EFHW lets you be lazy in your installation, carefully pick you coax runs, chokes (isolators), matches, and tuning unit placement to get rid of all of that; and choosing the right match, a 9:1 is not for a proper half wave, but some people do and have issues.

[@DrHWO]

An experiment looking at using 1m vs 4m of coax between the transformer and the choke (before the subsequent coax entered the house) on my EFHW (40m length) showed a better SWR and less noise with the longer option. More tellingly, a 6 hour block of WSPR beaconing with the 1m coax gave 120 hits whilst the 4m coax gave 655 hits at the same time of day (although 24 hours apart). I took this as reasonable evidence that coax length between transformer and choke makes a difference. Agreed, unwarranted bad press! The wire is stretched at the top of 3 X 12m spider beam telescopic poles. Only mention that because having it so high is not only a benefit from a propagation point of view but also good from an EMF risk assessment view point.

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Thanks for sharing this - interesting. I wonder which band or bands you tried the 1m vs. 4m test please?

[@DrHWO]

@@Steve-GM0HUU apologies, it was only done on 40 meters!

[@CharlesHuse]

Because of the geometry and area of the property my house is on, my only options are an NVIS, which would be a 60 foot long EFHW, a vertical, or a mag loop. I do not have the space for a dipole or a tower with a Yagi.

[@watersstanton]

Go for EFHW - even at very low heights it will work!

[@ethzero]

I completely agree with the point about older equipment having a poor RF immunity. In fact that did raise an eyebrow in my 2024 when an example of a hi-fi was given. I'm 46 and I hadn't heard of the term "hi-fi" for probably over 30 years! 😂 On the one hand a hi-fi made for a good example where multiple components of such a system could be susceptible, but that on the other hand, who has a hi-fi these days? 🤷 The far better example was digital TV (i.e. Freeview) and the result being a pixelated picture and corrupt audio.

[@ralphwilmot6351]

Totally agree with your EFHW video. I originally had a EFHW 80m aerial with a 110mH coil near the far end. As per your comment on bending. I removed the coil and increased the length to tune to the low end of 80m with the last 3 metres bent almost back on itself to fit into my garden, it tuned nicely with a big improvement and the line isolator also helps and concur that the SWR meter reads correctly. G4PEY

[@watersstanton]

Thabks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@sfrahm1]

I've got two main issues with EFHWs #1 What is the pattern of an end fed half wave close to the ground on various bands? Model it in MMANA & see for yourself. #2 EFHWs are very noisy on receive if anywhere near any interference sources at all. Might be great at the park or out in the woods, but not anywhere near home. Yes, by all means place a 1:1 balun at or near a current node in the feed line to help keep your RF in the antenna & away from you. One more thing, a 49:1 transformer as specified sure looks awful lossy. Thanks for the video. An EFHW is what it is.

[@watersstanton]

Thanjs for sharing. 73 Peter

[@jackK5FIT]

Was using a home built 40M inverted V but needed an NVIS antenna for 80M EMCOMM. I built a 49:1 transformer and 80M EFHW and installed along the top of my 6 ft wood fence in my back yard (garden). It's in a J configuration fed at the short end of the J with two 90 degree turns at the corners of the J. Tuned to the digital range on 80M and works great for that. Surprised to find it works better on phone bands than my inverted V so I am using the EFHW for everything now. Manual tuner gets 1:1 or close on every band so far. I made a Japan contact with 50W from MS. Built a 40M EFHW for portable work as soon as my Xiegu G90 arrives.

[@watersstanton]

. HI Jack. Many thanks for sharing.

[@Bond2025]

6:50 a correction. The ATU makes the radio see the antenna as 50ohms, it does not make the antenna resonant. If the aerial is not resonant, it will not be effective.

[@watersstanton]

I think you are misleading yourself. At no time did I suggest the ATU changes tge antenna resonance. Read your first sentence again!

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

I agree with what you said about the function of an ATU (although I did not interpret Peter as saying this). However, for an antenna to be effective, it does not have to be resonant. All it has to do is radiate (or receive) effectively. An HF doublet fed via a 1:4 BALUN with ladder line is a good example of an effective and efficient antenna which does not have to be resonant. Conversely, a short mobile whip with a big loading coil that is resonant and properly matched but will only radiate a small percentage of the power fed to it is not very effective.

[@RobR386]

I use an EFHW with a 9:1 matching transformer, I did have some problems, but worked through it and sorted it out, been the best antenna I've had.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. 73 Peter

[@n4lq]

No you do not. A 9:1 is for a random length, not an EFHW. EFHW stands for "End Fed HALF wave. This confusion never ends.

[@RobR386]

@@n4lq no Steve I do use an EFHW and this is why: 1. The antenna length is 33ft long, this is very specific, so not random. 2. The lowest band it's made for is 40m, at 33ft it's exactly a half wave. 3. It's end fed from the matching transformer which in my case happens to be a 9:1 UNUN. 4. I bought it as a complete kit, it's even specified as an EFHW. 5. There's no rules that say it can't be a 9:1, just use what works.

[@TXLorenzo]

My home base station uses an HYENDFED multi-band that is resonant and requires no tuner. I put it in a sloper configuration and work the world with no problem. I use a lighter version for QRP and it is best portable antenna I own. You can't get an easier antenna to deploy. Get yourself a fiberglass pole, and arborist throw line and connect to the nearest tree, too easy.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@davidlucas6837]

I use a EFHW bent around my very small garden, it works very well, plus has the added bonus of no heavy feeder in the middle as used by my previous dipole. I think the confusion lays in the description of the antenna, today an EFHW.In the 60's and 70's people were using a random length longwire, that they tuned with the output stage of Valve P.A.'s G8XDD.

[@a120068020]

I was going to say the same. The RSGB are likely referring to random length wire connected to say a 9:1 balun. EFHW antennas (which i am a fan of) are resonant and are conected by a 49:1 balun. 73 Mike M0SAZ.

[@imaflatpicker3066]

I made the EFHW from your video. It’s a GREAT antenna.

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

Great topic. It sure would be convenient. Especially if I set two up on different coaxes at facing perpendicular to one another and could switch between them for directionality. Would there be issues with their 'co-linearity' even though no conductive path and one at right angles to the other?

[@watersstanton]

There should be no problem with that.

[@RelentlessHomesteading]

@@watersstanton Thankyou very much for the response as lacking much spare time i have to limit amount of experimentation.

[@eddy4011]

Greetings could you tell me what gain have the EFHW antenna. Excellent your video W4EDY

[@Penn1969]

End fed antennas are very good. I've been using a HighEndFed Antenna from the Netherlands for a while now and it works great. However, I had to make some modifications to the installation because I was wiping out a digital set-top box. I turn the antenna around so it was fed from the bottom of the garden. Also, I'm using an RF choke along with two counterpoise and earthing. It appears to have stopped the interference. Having said that, just occasionally, my transmissions do still knock out the signal. But I am beginning to wonder whether there may be a problem with the cabling on the set-top box rather than a problem with my antenna installation

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@imnewtothistuff]

@2:55 "Television operates at 45mhz" In the US the lowest TV freq. is 54mhz. that would be channel 2. Way back in the day I bypassed the output resistor in my Midland CB transceiver. Needless to say even with only an end fed, unloaded, 1/4 wave whip I made a lot of people mad trying to watch the evening news! I wanted to get into ham but it cost too much back then, everything was tubes, I was 13.

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. 73 Perer

[@theroguetomato5362]

If by "line isolator" you mean an RF 1:1 Balun choke at the transceiver (good advice), that prevents your coax from acting as a counterpoise. So there's no need to fuss about whether or not a coax counterpoise helps.

[@watersstanton]

A line isolator (not always the same as 1:1 balun) placed at the tx end has NO effect of any counterpoise action. Think about a coax sheathed dipole and you will get the idea. 73 Peter.

[@theroguetomato5362]

@@watersstanton I sit corrected. Thank you.

[@richarde735]

Mr Waters, you mention using a line isolator on the EFHW but how about using two, 1:1 choke in the shack and another 1:1 choke outside just before the 49:1 matching transformer?

[@watersstanton]

The reason is that the coax feed, no matter how short, tends to act as an integral part of the antenna.

[@johnmoloney5296]

A video showing what you were just talking about would be great

[@simonsimpsonuk]

Great Video Thank you i Will Look at a Line Isolator Thanks again Simon

[@mattycunningham6825]

EFHW antennas are great - I think the issue with comments about end fed antennas and noise are folks thinking about 9:1 unun fed random length antennas - these are notorious for noise and common mode current issues and folks seem to confuse these with 49:1 EFHW antennas

[@pixotica]

Run a half wave endfed here, very good antenna, my second favorite omni vertical, diamond narrow quad 1/10 radio, being my fave.

[@stargazer7644]

My end fed half wave j-pole is one of the best antennas I own.

[@brian.7966]

I also use a half-wave 40 meter end-fed with an 80-meter coil, I am getting into the States on psk 31 and CW.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Aren't most verticals a form of an end fed ?

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"Aren't most verticals a form of an end fed?" Every last one of them! But there's a difference, mostly semantic, between an antenna that's fed at the end, and an end-fed antenna. Feeding an antenna at the end is commonplace; but an end-fed antenna is Pure Magic (tm).

[@MrRadiorobot]

My efhw is fed at the end of the garden, up a tree and then it comes part way back towards the house..an inverted L...its knocked 3 S points off the noise floor on 40 mtrs and you can audibly hear better ..I can work most of Europe.. Sometimes further.. .reverse beacon network shows me I'm being heard on the east coast of the USA..unfortunately the noise floor is still a bit too high for me to hear them..but that is true of any antenna I put up..modern urban living with loads of domestic rf.

[@uncledodge9396]

Steve Nichols not only designed my EFHW aerial but also tested it himself. It works.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. 63 Peter

[@ricksmith780]

I have had a myantennas 40/10 since 2019 with no problem was looking at your mod kit for 80 meters. I am finding we can’t order it from the US??

[@tonyturtle5805]

thanks for video watersstanton ,i was wondering if you would run a earth ground wire were the feed point meets the antenna ? thanks again !!

[@geoffbrown.rfcomms1107]

No need for an earth as the coax is part earth/counterpoise, read K1RF pdf

[@tonyturtle5805]

@@geoffbrown.rfcomms1107 thank you for info and reply

[@Pioneer936]

@@tonyturtle5805 check out Steve Ellington youtube test results on grounding he shows with a modest ground current on the radiator increases

[@tonyturtle5805]

@@Pioneer936 thanks for reply !! and info

[@dbailey3024]

built my own and tuned the balun using rigexpert analyzer and mine tunes up 80-10m under 2:1 every band,put the 1:1 2.5m on the coax behind the 49:1

[@BillSproul]

I've been using an 80-10m EFHW for 4 years, with outstanding results. Only 25 ft off the ground. 63 countries on FT8 in 11 days. Great on SSB as well. Can tune ALL bands with my radio below 30 MHz except 60m. Have RG-8X wrapped 5 turns around a couple of ferrite rings. Quiet, great antenna, and so easy to get up. Sad that dinosaurs are giving it a bad rep. Good video sir. Thank you.

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks. 73 Peter.