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If at first you don’t succeed try try again!
14 June 2016 | by Well, here we are once again trying to get the portable ham radio setup going.
My first attempt was to place one of my mono band whips on my bike and set out a counter poise. It was with mixed results, the SWR was sometimes all over, there was a TX error message now and again on my KX3 and basically frustration trying to get it to work. So if at first you don’t succeed try try again.
Last week I was online searching again for another way to get my portable op’s on the air. I was looking for something that was easy to deploy, was portable and worked!
My interest has gone toward the Endfed antennas. I was looking at LNR’s antennas and then I came across the Endfed 40-6m antenna by Steve W1SFR. I shot him some questions regarding the antenna and he got back to me right away with the answers. His Endfed seems to be very well built using Wireman “silky” 18 gauge wire which I have used in the past and been very happy with. There was a nice noticeable quality in both the wire connections and the 9:1 unUn.
The antenna is only 35 feet but you do need about 25 feet of coax to act as a counter poise. Also your rig needs to have an antenna tuner (mine does) to get the benefit of 6m-40m with only a 35′ antenna and no traps. Also it was nice to see on his web site a link to purchase his antenna including shipping to VE3 land.
The shipping was super reasonable the total came to 67.00 U.S. Steve also mentions that his price includes handling as well. Other sites I had gone to being very interested in their antenna to only find out the shipping at times was either 1/2 or more of the price of the antenna.
There was lots of positive reviews on Eham about Steve’s antenna as well. I put some items I am not using in the shack sold them very fast and the funds were in place so I have placed my order and waiting for it to arrive.
I have the 25′ of coax on hand but I do have to head out to the hardware store for some rope 1/8″ nylon rope. Then I’m thinking of placing a water bottle with some sand it it as a weight to get the rope up and over a tree branch…..that is going to take some practice!
3 Responses to “If at first you don’t succeed try try again!”
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wayne burdick, the designer, has published many articles on this exact subject. you shouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel but rather hunt down his wisdom and apply it. I use a random wire and it works great.
Good evening Jeff (WW6L) thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. It’s so true that most if not all we use for our hobby is out there for the making. For me time for radio is very hard to come by and there will come a time when I can make an antenna but for now it’s the lazy way and purchase one.
Have a great week Jeff.
73, Mike
but wait, there is nothing to make! just a length of wire