Yaesu FT817ND & Miracle Whip antenna

[@segisdonatevaquero5318]

Me encanta tu vídeo y esta antena. Llevo tiempo usándola y he realizado contactos en exterior y en interior de mi vivienda. Vivo en Madrid España, y te puedo decir que hice un contacto con el FT-817 y esta antena con las islas Svalbard, rompiendo un pile-up. Aún conservo esta antena y es la que llevo en salidas al campo con el IC-705 . En ocasiones lo sencillo funciona !!! 73,s. EA4CS Segis.

[@chrisb012]

I’ve got the mk2 version with my 705, and had contacts in Denmark, Portugal, and Germany in the couple of weeks I’ve had it. Amazing bit of kit.

[@alannorthdevonuk763]

Thank you. Just picked one of these up from a friend who never got around to using it and it completes my QRP kit. Also just returned to Ham radio after a few years' break and getting the 817 ready for action again, I'm also learning morse. I should have everything up and running tomorrow (except me and I need some serious practice morsing before getting on air) so looking forward to seeing how it performs on reception. By the way, I like thick custard with almost everything. Cheers.

[@M0RSF]

Hello Alan, you did well getting a Miracle Whip as they're quite sought after nowadays. Welcome back to the hobby. I have several QRP radios but my 817 is by far my favourite. Good luck with the CW and hopefully work you on our bands one day. Thanks for watching and check back in soon to let me know how your doing. All the best. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

That’s a great little setup. I bought the 857 at the same time as my friend bought the 817, in hindsight I wish I had bought the 817 as it’s just there and easily setup with no faffing with a psu and antenna.

[@M0RSF]

Both are good transceivers and I've used an 857 for a Special Event Station some time ago. Impressive bit of kit. When I get time I have more 817 and Miracle Whip videos to make. Thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@petedulany7216]

Chris, thank you. I have a miracle whip on my FT817 but have never tried the counter poise. Still somewhat new to all this and never considered that. Getting ready for a portable setup and will try that.

[@M0RSF]

Hello Pete, you may find that adding a counterpoise means that you have to tune the Miracle Whip a couple of clicks either way. Let me know how you go on and good luck with your portable operating, it’s quite addictive. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@lastseenoutdoors]

These are perfect for a quick QRP setup and seem to be more fun

[@M0RSF]

Exactly, they get you on the air quickly and although they are a compromise antenna they do work. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@M6JKW]

Excellent demo Chris thanks for sharing 👍

[@M0RSF]

I have more videos planned using this antenna when I get chance. Thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@robinarnold7035]

Great video, Chris! I have an original Miracle Whip that I will be getting out as soon as the weather warms up.

[@M0RSF]

Thanks for watching Robin. The Miracle Whip was quite popular when it was introduced mainly for it been ideal for use with the Yaesu FT-817 and some other QRP transceivers. Good luck getting out with your Miracle Whip, I'm sure that you'll have some fun. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@robinarnold7035]

@@M0RSF Warming up this weekend! I also have the 817….perfect combo. 73, Robin NG8S

[@steveroderick139]

Great demo, I wonder if you would get the contacts running on internal battery (2.5w?)

[@M0RSF]

You've given me an excellent idea for a future video. Watch this space! 73 Chris M0RSF

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Great views on the Miracle Whip there Chris, I love your last comment as it sums up social media to a tee.

[@M0RSF]

Thanks for watching. My last comment was a little tongue in cheek but you're correct, I call it anti-social media. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

Great video Chris. Does it tuneup on VHF and UHF with the supplied antenna. Thx

[@M0RSF]

Mine as seen in this video is the original Miracle Whip and has a setting for VHF which works quite well on 2m. I don't believe it works on 70cm though to be fair I have never tried it. Thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@KevTatlow]

Fab video Chris, ill be getting one of these next - im currently using the Whizz Loop so some degree of success out /P on Dartmoor, QRP operations are really addictive

[@AmateurRadioUK]

Really good demo Chris. I've often looked at these but never actually bought one. I've heard a lot of people complain about these "dummy loads" but I think a lot of people try to use them without the counterpoise & wonder why it doesn't work. Yes it is obviously very much a compromise antenna but as you demonstrated, it does work! Good for quick lightweight portable operation. Would love to see you do a SOTA activation (or maybe a WWFF) with it.........could be an interesting experiment/video?

[@M0RSF]

Thanks James, hope all is well. This antenna used to get lots of negative comments though people were expecting too much from it. It definitely is a compromise antenna but it does have its uses and gets you on the air quickly. It’s the perfect companion for the 817. I used it on the beach and had a blast on 10m SSB logging plenty of QSO’s doing a test as a vertical close to the sea works well. It also works surprisingly well on 2m and I plan to do a SOTA activation on HF & VHF with my 817 on top of the trig point with the Miracle Whip. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@fabd4103]

Thats Great 👍but waiting tests in Sota HF and VHF too🌝. CUAGN. 73.

[@M0RSF]

@@fabd4103 I wouldn't rely solely on this antenna to qualify a summit as its never going to work as well as a half wave dipole or end fed half wave antenna. It can be done but it would be a shame to have climbed a mountain and not get the required 4 contacts. Though in an area where there is 2m activity it shouldn't be a problem. I will do a SOTA activation on HF and VHF with this antenna when I get chance and make a video. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@8vRocco]

I just stumbled upon this video since I was looking for information on other types of QRP antennas. I own the Moonraker Whizz Loop for 20-6M and have had good success on WSPR and a few FT8 on a Yeast FT-818. I have not tried SSB since I lost the microphone and a replacement is on its way. I now want to try a miracle whip antenna! How many meters of counterpoise did you use? 73! WX7UTE

[@M0RSF]

I knew a friend who owned a Whizz Loop and he was quite impressed with it. For the quarter wave counterpoise I used 234 divided by frequency. So for 20m it was 234 divided by 14.200 which gave me a counterpoise length of 16' 4". Hope that helps and thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@SeanWalberg]

I have both this antenna and a FT-817 but due to the lack of an internal tuner on the FT-817, was hesitant to try. How do you tune the Miracle Antenna since you can't measure the SWR? Just tune to an audio peak and hope for the best?

[@M0RSF]

Hello Sean, if you tune for maximum noise you should be ok but what I do is lower the power to 1W, change to FM and use the internal SWR meter in the 817 to fine tune which is usually one click either way. Then change back to whatever mode you want to use and up the power and your good to go. You make a good point so I will make a video on how to do this. Thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@SeanWalberg]

@@M0RSF Would love to see a video of that! I just took it outside and tried it out, keying CW instead of FM for the tuning. Worked a treat, I made a CW and SSB POTA contact on 20M from my deck. This is very cool, thank you!

[@M0RSF]

@@SeanWalberg Excellent news on your 20m QSO's on CW & SSB. It's always good to hear stories of peoples success with QRP. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@TheOutdoorFun]

Good video. I have one too. I had a QSO with a station in Slovenia without the counterpoise. Have you tried without a counterpoise? I should try it with counterpoise

[@M0RSF]

I used my Miracle Whip without a counterpoise for years and had some good results. It's a great little antenna though some people expect too much of it.

[@paulwatson5030]

Useful video, Chris. Thanks. Might just get this set up for use in the motorhome (IF I can find one!)

[@M0RSF]

Hello Paul, hope all is well. I'm sure that you will find a decent setup for your motorhome with the equipment that is available these days. thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@paulwatson5030]

@@M0RSF All good, thanks. I trust you are too. Yep, I'll experiment and see what works. May even do a video when I get it set up 😁

[@M0RSF]

@@paulwatson5030 Natalie and I recently got back from out third holiday in Anglesey. If you’ve not been it’s ideal for motor homes with some stunning locations. All the best Paul, 73

[@paulwatson5030]

@@M0RSF Nice! I used to go there every year as a kid, but only been back once since. Will bear that in mind. Thanks.

[@amateurspotter2656]

Hi Chris, I’ve looked all over for one of these VA3ERY antenna but can’t find one! Any suggestions please? Eamonn G4TZV. THANKS

[@M0RSF]

Hi Eamonn, the original Miracle Whip is as rare as hens teeth now. Sadly Robert VA3ERY passed away some years ago so production of this antenna stopped. There are some similar antennas like the Whizz Loop, Wonder Wand etc though I’m not sure how good they are. Hopefully people will share their experiences here. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@digidave3456]

I've got one. Bought it when I got my 817nd. Have made some contacts with it off our porch

[@kevtheskin]

Hi good wee video. What size is your counterpois ?

[@M0RSF]

Thanks for watching. I use a quarter wave counterpoise using simple maths. So 234 divided by 14.200 (as in 20m band) gives a counterpoise length of approximately 16’ 4”. This covers the whole of the 20m band from the bottom end where CW is used right to the top of the band where SSB is used. Hope that helps, any problems just ask. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@DanusMyName]

Good demo, and a great video!!

[@M0RSF]

Thanks for watching. I never expected this video to be so popular. More Miracle Whip videos soon. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@glenhoff1443]

Hi Chris, just a question. How long do you get on average with time using the internal battery on 5W? Thanks.

[@M0RSF]

Hiya, the supplied internal battery with the 817 is 1400 mAh and I've done two SOTA activation in the same day using it. I would say more than an hour depending on how long you transmit. The internal battery for the 818 is 1900 mAh (and works fine with the 817) and can be bought separately so would last longer. Hope that helps. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@theradiorover]

Well done Chris! Never used one, but if you're doing pie and custard, I'll be round for some. 73, Fraser MM0EFI

[@M0RSF]

Thanks Fraser, the HF bands have been in good shape recently. Sweet things don’t last very long at this QTH. Hope all is well. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@vincecox8376]

Have had one for five years, LOVE IT!! Wb6hun

[@M0RSF]

They certainly have their uses. I would never part with mine. It's a great companion for my 817. All the best Vince. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@redeyegooner]

Would this work with a 17ft telescopic antenna?

[@McRocking]

Not if it's made out of wood.

[@redeyegooner]

@@McRocking ahh damn, ok.

[@benshanealroberts4140]

will it work indoors?

[@M0RSF]

I have made contacts on HF & VHF using this antenna indoors.

[@terryjackson4075]

Sounds like this little antenna works about as good as my 1899t or my wheels V2 loop

[@terryjackson4075]

Whizz V2 loop

[@vetham100]

I have gone through 3 of the 1899t antennas and i hope that you are doing better than i am LOL.

[@_MisterG]

I have the loop, but had no success yet. Then again, I've only tried it from indoors and surrounded by metal shelves!

[@M0RSF]

I have never tried a Loop antenna but they do interest me. Technically should they really work? I see it like folding a G5RV into a loop and shorting the ends together. I know that they are quiet on RX and are popular. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@_MisterG]

@@M0RSF I have wondered about trying to set it as a dipole but don’t want to break anything:).

[@ianxfs]

Ooo did someone mention pie 🥧😁

[@va3hry]

Wow fantastic Chris. I've got one that's only been used for receiving and now collecting dust. Now definitely going to try it on my FT891 with 5 watts and a counterpoise. 73 Chris de VA3HRY (Henry)

[@M0RSF]

Hello Henry, I've owned the original Miracle Whip for years and I have the box and instructions. Great antenna for RX and I have had some success on TX with it from various locations including the beach, my static caravan, a friends garden and quite a few more. A quarter wave counterpoise definitely improves performance. Let me know how you go with your FT891 and antenna. Thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF

[@MrBracey1970]

Brilliant,going to buy my FT818 this Friday,I’ll have a look at getting a “miracle whip” type antenna as well,,have a subscribe,73,2E0HFO

[@M0RSF]

Good choice of transceiver. I've owned an 817 since 2006. Let me know how you get on with the 818. Thanks for watching. 73 Chris M0RSF