Why my SOTA antenna is a linked dipole

The linked dipole is a great antenna and many portable operators use it. Of course there are other good choices like the end-fed half-wave. In this video I explain why I use the linked dipole. It's a fun adventure, with the field test of a new portable paddle, scenery that was not what I expected, and a unique activation, as I have never been to the top of Wishbone Mountain before.
QU-7025 Morse Code Paddles:
Amazon: amzn.to/3iNuEMk
eBay: www.ebay.com/i...
Twitter: @NJ7V_
Instagram: RedSummitRF
Facebook: Red Summit RF
TikTok: RedSummitRF
Donate: / redsummitrf
Obtain a sticker redsummitrf.bl...
#THNHR #SOTA #POTA #PortableRadio #HamRadio baofeng uv-5r

[@Upnorthof48]

Working on a linked dipole during a tornado watch in MN. 73 Charlie…long time sub.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Trevor - I really appreciate your continued support. Good luck with that antenna and I hope for no tornadoes!

[@brucestarr4438]

Hey Chuck, your videos have made me decide to make another run at learning CW. The first time I watched this video, I didn't understand the abbreviations. After watching some other videos on CW, I had to watch this one again. This time they made sense to me. The "N" for 9 threw me the most. Now I understand. Learning CW has come a long way, in the last 15 years. Even more so with the online classes. 73

[@RedSummitRF]

That is great news! Rock on! 🤘 I hope you have great success. I agree that some of those online classes can be really helpful. I'm actually still learning the cut numbers like N for 9, along with some other things. I recently had somebody send their summit reference like this W7A-TT1. The T means zero. Thanks for the note. I'd like to hear about your journey. Check back in on occasion and let me know how it's going. BTW I am interviewing the Academy Manager for CW Ops CW Academy coming up in a few weeks. It should be a good interview with pointers on learning. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJqydqJprMZ3gck 73 my friend!

[@javi_k6tnt]

Charlie, that wire is good for a tow strap, hi hi. But I agree, my go-to antenna is my 20M/40M linked dipole, with a about a 18’ collapsable mast. I was getting ready to spend time with the Family for the holidays, but your video has me itching to go out & visit a summit, gonna make plans to activate one more before end of year. Take Care.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Javi - This comment just popped up for me. I see that it is 4 weeks old. I am sorry for the delayed response, but it wasn't in my inbox until just now. Thank you for the comment. I hope you were able to get out there and do some portable ops like you said you wanted to do.

[@javi_k6tnt]

@@RedSummitRF no worries buddy, i’ve been tinkering w/my junk car (68 bug) and tryin to plug all the leaks…….take care my friend and Enjoy the Holidays.

[@CdnRockiesRadio]

Another awesome video, I was sitting at the rig at home when you were activating but I couldn't hear you clear enough to make sure I could complete the contact. 73 Red

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks for turning the dial my way, and for popping over to the channel Jesse

[@willian.direction6740]

Thought I heard some QRM from a real wood pecker while you had ear buds in, not OHR. Great video and thanks for showing your trusty antenna.

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Ian - I had my ear buds in and thought I heard something stalking me. Was a bit nervous and took out the buds. What a relief to hear that wood packer rather than something bigger heading me way. LOL Thanks buddy.

[@M0RSF]

Good video Charlie and another SOTA Complete. I have tried many different antennas for HF when portable but nothing comes close to the linked dipole for performance. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@RedSummitRF]

Thank you Chris and I agree 100% with the linked dipole. EFHW, if constructed and deployed correctly, can be very comparable. But I just like the dipole much better.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

Another great video/activation Charlie !. love the linked antenna, makes a lot of sense to me. and the way and how you use it. very sensible The skunk smelly stuff we here in Western MA call it "Skunk Cabbage" kudos for adjusting your speed to the ops small changes but noticeable. thanks again for taking the time to do the activation and make the video and for sharing it with us. 72/73 gud dx de Ellis WA1RKS. .

[@RedSummitRF]

Cool! Thanks for dropping by again Ellis. Yeah, I am not quite sure if it was skink cabbage or something else but wow it was smelly haha. Appreciate the compliment on the CW. I am not great at it and always looking for ways to be a better operator. It's a nice compliment.

[@doghouse94087]

Can you tell me about the orange ties you used to attach the pole to the stump and where you got them? Thanks, I really like your videos. You have gotten me back to using my morserino and learning CW again. Thanks again. I just looked up "gear ties" on Amazon. How long are the ones you use?

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Joy! Thank you so much for visiting the channel. I'm thrilled to hear you or on the CW path. Good luck! You can get the gear ties from Amazon, but I prefer Home Depot and have purchased 3 sets from there over the years. They are a couple inches shy of 3 feet.

[@120dale]

Was up there with Chris N1CLC just after the fire, some of the big logs were still smoking. Will be a beautiful peak sometime in the distant future. Thanks for the great video! AA7OY

[@RedSummitRF]

haha yeah Dale, you and Chris were right behind the hotshot crew probably!

[@garylanders1470]

Very nice! Some day?

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Gary - thanks

[@brianve7jyd943]

thanks Charlie - was wondering how those type of antennas worked - and fyi that paddle is no longer available on ebay or amazon - thanks and take care 73 VE7JYD

[@brianve7jyd943]

ps i meant to also say thanks for the slowing down for those who dont send as fast as you do - what i noticed and appeciate is that you keep the characters fairly fast but increase the distance tween characters givin time to recognise it - and allowing you to still hear the rythym of the character -- sum slow down too much and you lose that rythym or sound of the character and have to go back to counting dits and dahs which isnt good - thanks again pard

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks for the compliment on the QRS. I do try to turn the speed knob down too if I can but the situation doesn't always allow for it. Good point about keeping the speed up and widening spacing.

[@RedSummitRF]

Thanks for letting me know about the paddle availability on Amazon and Ebay. Regarding the antenna, I am not sure what you are looking for in your question. I tune the antenna to 14.063, then add links to both ends, tune that entire length to 10.112, add another set of links to those ends, and tune to 7.033. So I can have a resonant antenna on 3 bands based on which links I unplug. Is this what you were wondering or something else?

[@DK5ONV]

Good morning Charlie. Thx for all you do for the HAM Radio Nation and all the Videos and Experiences that you share with us. I strongly recommend every HAM who is interested to portable but haven't done it yet and still needs some mental input to "LIKE & subscripe" this Channel right here. Happy tuesday into AZ-State. Yesterday I spotted K7JQ on 17m so there's the Prove that I am very close about to make the RF Trip across the Pacific Westcoast. Wohooo...that would be so it if I meet you on the Air. 73's de Your Friend Uncle Guenter

[@RedSummitRF]

Hi Guenter - This comment just popped up for me. I see that it is 4 weeks old. I am sorry for the delayed response, but it wasn't in my inbox until just now. Thank you so much for your endorsement of the channel to others! I'm still looking forward to meeting you on the air sometime. 73

[@DK5ONV]

@@RedSummitRF Good morning Charlie, no problem at all. I know you are super busy to keep your YT Channel going. I finally worked my 1st Station in AZ the Nov. 9th on 17m Band. It was Mark WQ7X down in Phoenix. Dude I was driven to tears and almost fell of my foldable camping stool...this Feelings I felt at this special moment Moment "priceless". There's a short video of it on my channel. That'll be so awsome to make the Contact with you and / or Sandy but I know you are more into banging on that CW Paddle than keying up a Mic. to work SSB Mode. And of course I am looking out to work KT1RUN Gaston the Tech Prepper. I am so excited for this day to come that already gives me sleepless nights. Can you believe that..? Happy tuesday buddy & keep up your fantastic work. 💯🎸👍 73's de your Friend Uncle Guenter

[@RedSummitRF]

@@DK5ONV I'll be doing a joint activation with The Tech Prepper Gaston on December 4th. Maybe you'll work us both that day.

[@DK5ONV]

@@RedSummitRF Sounds great Charlie, thx for the Info. If the WX allows it I'll be out in the Fields cuz I temporary have no antennas up @ where I live. 😍

[@JayN4GO]

That weed that smells like a skunk. We call it skunk weed. Cannibis 😂

[@axandio]

"It's just a weed...." uhm yeah, move along. :D

[@RedSummitRF]

😬😂

[@davecampbell9803]

This seems incredibly boring. I think I'll stay away from this

[@RedSummitRF]

Sorry to see you go