Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Welcome to the Charlie Tango DX Group. The home of ALL things Radio - CB, 11m DX, Amateur, PMR446, PLD, Network and Data. We welcome all radio enthusiasts of all knowledge levels. Join today and claim your own unique World Famous CT Call-sign
Call Sign : 26-CT-3433 Posts : 160 Times Thanked : 6 Join date : 2020-04-06 QTH or Location : Hull Equipment Used : Midland Alan 88s + crt 9900+5/8 gain master Age : 56
Subject: newly licenced Sun Dec 13, 2020 11:43 am
Hi all, hope you are all well after recently passing my foundation, and getting a m7 call sign,i realised this was the easy part. I already have a yeasu ft450d,but which antenna to choose,wire.endfed or dipole, multiband vertical, use an eternal atu or just internal atu. Would really like to hear from newly passed foundation licence holders about their choice of antennas and the pros and cons of their choices. Just a bit more info on my QTH,i have a small garden and at a push fit a 20m 1/2 wave (10m) wire,horizontal,any thing longer and inverted V ? Also have seen a thunderpole all band vertical,5.5m tall, is this not a 11m 1/2 wave with a balun or am i barking up the wrong tree, it cant be that simple can it? thank you for taking the time to read this post Merry Christmas to you all regards mark 26ct3433
Victor and Alan - Mirror Man like this post
Alan Pilot Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-220... Posts : 2625 Times Thanked : 70 Join date : 2019-11-19 QTH or Location : Anglesey North Wales Equipment Used : Yaesu FT-991A,,Yaesu FTDX-10,,Icom ic-7610,,Anytone AT-D878UV PLUS",,LINCOLN II+. Age : 16
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 13, 2020 12:05 pm
Congratulations on the pass. Not long done mine (17-11-20)and had the same problem. I had the ft450d as well and i had a endfed long wire with a 9.1 unun but never had much luck with it. So i bought the Sigma SE-HF360 and put it up and it worked. I then decided to test the 9.1 unun so i took it down but on opening it to me it didn't look right so i cut all the wire off and re-made it. Put it up and what a surprise i got. Only have a small garden so the wire is only 10 meters long going from around 3mtr to around 4.5mtr and surrounded by other houses. Well Friday just gone i got into both North and South America on it. I run it through a MFJ-993B tuner job done just thinking of extending the wire now.
Edit,,, Don't get me wrong the HF360 works but not used it for any local yet but i think it might be better for that.
Last edited by Alan Pilot on Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:22 am; edited 2 times in total
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
Alan Pilot Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-220... Posts : 2625 Times Thanked : 70 Join date : 2019-11-19 QTH or Location : Anglesey North Wales Equipment Used : Yaesu FT-991A,,Yaesu FTDX-10,,Icom ic-7610,,Anytone AT-D878UV PLUS",,LINCOLN II+. Age : 16
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 13, 2020 12:10 pm
This unun looks ok well made but the moonraker one i had (a gift last xmas) didn't look right so i remade like this one. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ham-Radio-Special-Offer-Compact-Sota-unun-9-1-300-watts-type-61-core-Longwire/133603613829?hash=item1f1b655c85:g:bmEAAOSwpqJfzgBP
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 13, 2020 3:53 pm
This can be a can of worms Mark.. First question you should answer what band do you want to work and how much antenna room do you have? Once you have answered people maybe able to offer advice. 73 Mark.
Markone Senior contributor
Call Sign : 26-CT-3433 Posts : 160 Times Thanked : 6 Join date : 2020-04-06 QTH or Location : Hull Equipment Used : Midland Alan 88s + crt 9900+5/8 gain master Age : 56
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 13, 2020 7:42 pm
hi Alan thanks for taking time to read my post.it seems like your 10m wire is doing a good job, do you only use it on 20m or will it tune to other bands? hi mark only have a small garden as stated in my post,i really started this post out of interest to how newly licence amateurs have tackled the can of worms and there experience's regards mark
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
Alan Pilot Major contributor
Call Sign : 163-CT-220... Posts : 2625 Times Thanked : 70 Join date : 2019-11-19 QTH or Location : Anglesey North Wales Equipment Used : Yaesu FT-991A,,Yaesu FTDX-10,,Icom ic-7610,,Anytone AT-D878UV PLUS",,LINCOLN II+. Age : 16
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 13, 2020 7:50 pm
Yes it tunes on other bands it's just 20m has been busy and a bit on 40m. I started a post asking for ideas on changing the length to 20 meters of wire but not having much luck. Think the 20 meter length might work better on 80m as don't hear much on there. Been around radio on and off since the late 70s but this 9.1 unun and a 10 meter length of wire was a big surprise to me.(well after i re-made the unun)...
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
John123 CT Directors
Call Sign : 26CT763 Posts : 4570 Times Thanked : 162 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : Manchester Equipment Used : Optima, Superstar 360fm, Stalker 9fdx, President Jack Age : 50
Subject: Re: newly licenced Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:12 pm
Congratulations on passing your foundation, Mark.
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
walt New Member
Call Sign : CT2934 / M6WDV Posts : 13 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2019-06-28 QTH or Location : West Sussex Equipment Used : Yaesu / LCL / Midland / ICOM
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:10 am
Congrats Mark. Like so many others here, I love CB and I am also a HAM (Foundation ~ 2 yrs) I had the same issue re antennas - also, I live in a listed rented house and am not allowed to stick up any large antennas - even a long wire would be bloody tricky.
So I started reading about 'stealth antennas', and specifically the performance of compact 'Magnetic loops'.
I bought one, and still use it today - plus it's still working away on the bloody upstairs landing - I haven’t got around to putting it on a small rotator and putting it in the loft yet.
That said, it's pretty impressive. It's about 1.5m diameter and will tune to 20m (~14Mhz) and even down to 40m (~7Mhz). It takes a few minutes to tune, they have a very high Q, so tuning must be done carefully - but you don't need a costly loop tuner - just a good ear, and a decent SWR meter. (If you take out 2 of it's short aluminium sections you can just about use it as a 27Mhz / 28Mhz (11/10m) Mag loop!
Importantly, the model I bought has a remote tuning motor installed, with a flying lead and a simple control box. Get the remote tune version!! In my view it's a god send - saves so much hassle and you can mount the loop away from the shack, and tune it up from the comfort of your chair. (Mag Loops also generate very high voltages, so you really don't want to be too near it when you’re transmitting!!
I hugely recommend this loop, it got me on the air so quickly with minimal fuss and expense. I am going to experiment with other antenna types, but this has already got me contacts all across Europe, down to the Turkish border, the African coast, and even one contact in the Caribbean. Not bad for a hoolahoop of aluminium on the landing!
Here's the link (see what you think): https://www.g4tph.com/onlineshop/prod_2668463-ML40HP-MK11-Remote-Tune-Magloop.html
There's a pic of it on my QRZ page too (I really must get it in the loft!): https://www.qrz.com/db/M6WDV
Good luck! - catch you on the air. 73's Al CT2934 / M6WDV
Sydthecat and Alan - Mirror Man like this post
Alan - Mirror Man Major contributor
Call Sign : 108CT233 Posts : 201 Times Thanked : 14 Join date : 2019-12-01 QTH or Location : Central Scotland Equipment Used : CRT SS9900 Beofeng UV5R Yaesu FTDX1200 CRT Micron CRT FP00 Sattelite 2000 antenna ZS6BKW X30 co-linear
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sat Dec 19, 2020 7:38 pm
Hello Mark
Well done on your pass many of us are biting the bullet and giving it a go and with good results I am pleased to say. I looked into stealth antennas myself after a neighbour moaning about my half wave vertical for 11m but I am glad they did or I may not have perused the stealth option.
I chose a wire doublet (dipole with ladder line feeder) the ZX6BKW and after making up a batch of plastic insulators from a broken bucket I fitted it in the loft in as well balanced a fashion as I could. After a bit of trimming the SWR came down and it resonates on several bands 6m though 40m and I can tune it up for 80m and it seems fairly good performance there even but it is it's recent DX performance I am especially pleased with.
I knew this option would be a compromise or felt it would at least but working 20m and 40m which have become my main haunts, for now at least, I have been making some surprisingly good contacts with Brazil being added to my list just a couple of days ago at over 5000 miles, prior to that I had StateSide, Canada and Russia all under my belt.
I am so pleased with the performance in the loft I am going to add another antenna a OCFD FD4 (Fritzel) this resonates on 40m and 80m but I can modify it replacing the shorter 12.5 m leg with a 57.5m one, losing the lower bands covered by the doublet and getting it to resonate on 80m and 160m. That's my next project anyway, I just need another roll of wire for the extended leg and it's full steam ahead although I am going to set it up and get it working as standard before modifying it.
Anyway, good luck with whatever option you go with and please keep us updated as I for one love to hear about these projects as I am sure others do to!
73's
Alan
walt likes this post
walt New Member
Call Sign : CT2934 / M6WDV Posts : 13 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2019-06-28 QTH or Location : West Sussex Equipment Used : Yaesu / LCL / Midland / ICOM
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 20, 2020 12:03 am
Quick query Alan. Your mention of the ZX6BKW doublet has got me thinking. It's overall length is ~93 odd feet. How do you fit it in / arrange it in your loft space? Or do you have a massive loft? Cheers Walt
Northern Crusader Major contributor
Call Sign : M0GVZ / 26CT1760 Posts : 536 Times Thanked : 35 Join date : 2019-11-13 QTH or Location : IO94SA Equipment Used : Icom 7300, TS480, President McKinley, Albrecht AE6110, CRT Mike Age : 54
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:06 am
Not newly passed but I can remember what I did when I first passed.
I built a 20m dipole and put it up as an inverted V. Dead easy to do, it's not massive and you'll get to both hear and work plenty of countries.
Also having a small garden I then moved on to an inverted L, again home made. With this I used a SGC230 antenna coupler to connect the base of it to my radio. That allowed me to use it on every band from 160m to 10m. Whilst the SGC230 is a bit pricey there's a cheaper SGC237 (1ooW maximum, can be powered by a battery) and there's the CG3000 and Icom AH4 which work similarly.
With an antenna coupler you can just throw up as long a wire as you can get, chuck another few across the floor for a RF ground and you're good to go on all bands.
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
Alan - Mirror Man Major contributor
Call Sign : 108CT233 Posts : 201 Times Thanked : 14 Join date : 2019-12-01 QTH or Location : Central Scotland Equipment Used : CRT SS9900 Beofeng UV5R Yaesu FTDX1200 CRT Micron CRT FP00 Sattelite 2000 antenna ZS6BKW X30 co-linear
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 20, 2020 12:17 pm
walt wrote:
Quick query Alan. Your mention of the ZX6BKW doublet has got me thinking. It's overall length is ~93 odd feet. How do you fit it in / arrange it in your loft space? Or do you have a massive loft? Cheers Walt
I have included an image from another page on the same topic, it is, in part at least, where I took my inspiration from. When the two legs run out of room at the end of the loft, I have run the wire up around just over a metre and brought it back on itself, and from the information, I have been able to gather from others there is little or no loss in performance by doing so.
The plastic insulators keep the wire away from the roof joists I have tuned it without any difficulty I am pleased to say and its performance exceeds what I was expecting that is why I am going to do something similar with the off-centre fed dipole which would probably run around the loft three times once modified for 160m but once again as in the diagram I will keep the two legs apart dedicating a side of the loft to each running it neatly back and forth to take up the length.
Fingers crossed I will repeat the success I have had with the doublet as nobody is more surprised than I am by the results I have been getting, it just goes to show a well-tuned antenna on the band you are working makes all the difference I feel. I looked at the magnetic loop mentioned in the thread and would definitely like to give one a try in the future as I am hearing some very good reports about them too but for now I have enough to be tinkering with over the next few weeks.
Last edited by Alan - Mirror Man on Sun Dec 20, 2020 12:20 pm; edited 2 times in total
walt and Victor like this post
walt New Member
Call Sign : CT2934 / M6WDV Posts : 13 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2019-06-28 QTH or Location : West Sussex Equipment Used : Yaesu / LCL / Midland / ICOM
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sun Dec 20, 2020 12:19 pm
This is really helpful info - thanks Alan. Long wire in the loft or tuned doublet - decisions decisions. I do take your point however about one good resonant antenna for one job as is were. Many thanks.
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
Markone Senior contributor
Call Sign : 26-CT-3433 Posts : 160 Times Thanked : 6 Join date : 2020-04-06 QTH or Location : Hull Equipment Used : Midland Alan 88s + crt 9900+5/8 gain master Age : 56
Subject: Re: newly licenced Tue Dec 22, 2020 12:17 pm
hi to you all. thanks for the nice words of encouragement and everybody who as made a post. After reading internet reviews on antennas until the words just blending in to one, I have made a decision. after taking everything into consideration: already have 5/8 gainmaster small garden cost a house with a gable end and a tree at bottom of garden my choice is the gwhip 421 triband endfed wire,looks a quality product and really could not find a negative review anywhere.so the order is in and hopefully my January project(IN LOCKDOWN)? I will keep you informed and give an honest review on the install and quality and of course any contacts please stay safe and have a good Christmas mark 26ct3433
walt, Alan - Mirror Man and Chefsdead like this post
walt New Member
Call Sign : CT2934 / M6WDV Posts : 13 Times Thanked : 0 Join date : 2019-06-28 QTH or Location : West Sussex Equipment Used : Yaesu / LCL / Midland / ICOM
Subject: Re: newly licenced Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:44 am
Looks good - let us know how it goes, and how it performs Mark. All best & have a good crimble. Walt
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
The Doctor Contributor
Posts : 61 Times Thanked : 4 Join date : 2020-05-03 QTH or Location : Hertfordshire Equipment Used : Uniden
Subject: Re: newly licenced Mon Dec 28, 2020 8:46 pm
For small gardens. A solution for your favourite bands: Spiral loop antennas: https://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/frank_radio_antenna_SM0VPO.htm
Also, if you enjoy 20m DX, build yourself a compact beam such as a Moxon, which will offer up to 5db gain (over double effective power in the radiated direction). Your 10W will go further.
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
The Doctor Contributor
Posts : 61 Times Thanked : 4 Join date : 2020-05-03 QTH or Location : Hertfordshire Equipment Used : Uniden
Subject: Re: newly licenced Mon Dec 28, 2020 9:26 pm
Ah, also; Regarding long wires and inverted L types, if you are using an UnUn (9:1 etc) you will achieve a far better pattern if you run several wire radials from the ground of the UnUn and fan these out under or ontop of your lawn (a few inches under is fine if you wish to bury them. I do). Radials are preferable to a single earth spike as you create a better “mirror” for your signal, rather than relying on the ground itself, which is very lossy and varies with soil type and saturation. I run mine along the same path as the overhead horizontal section, ~4” under the lawn in a fan pattern. I have six. Do as many as is practical for you. I recommend at least 4, and you can vary the length if needed. Don’t worry if you can’t get a symmetrical shape or be directly under the horizontal; I find it makes no difference. Another option is to run a single one above ground following (and the same length as) the overhead section. (This is often referred to as a “single wire counterpoise”). I have a 20m long L, fed 1m from the ground, rising up 5 1/2 m, then horizontal for the rest. The coax travels from the house to the end of the garden 6” under the lawn, up to a 1:1 choke, then to the UnUn. If you can angle the long sides of the horizontal to face SE / NW ish you will hit Europe and USA on 20m daytime during good propagation days, no problem. Clear sunny days are fantastic from 10:00 until 15:00 at time of writing. For new M7’s, who want some worldwide contacts, then daytime 20m is for you. (You won’t hear each other, but will hear the overseas, such is the nature of 20m.....) A mix of afternoon EU and local chat, 40m. Local evening chit-chats, 80m. Late evening “Down-the-pub” get together nets, 160m.
Alan - Mirror Man likes this post
Markone Senior contributor
Call Sign : 26-CT-3433 Posts : 160 Times Thanked : 6 Join date : 2020-04-06 QTH or Location : Hull Equipment Used : Midland Alan 88s + crt 9900+5/8 gain master Age : 56
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:44 pm
hi all. just an update on how I got on with being newly licenced and the choice of antenna, I already had the yeasu ft450d. the gwhip 421 efhw about 8m off the ground was my weapon of choice,realy good reviews and delivered for the sum of £101.Putting it up was a piece of cake, one end connected to the house the other to a tree with para cord. Swr was great and resonant on 40 20 15 10m. So to my experience's on the bands: I found some station could not hear my calls(unless on a contest then heard me fine ).one English guy in east Europe didn't really have the time of day for a m7.all other stations where fine. Most station i worked seamed to be eastern block, with good reports 5/5 5/7 in Moscow on 10 watts,14 countries in all. A special mention must go to Chris VO1CH in Canada who spent a Sunday afternoon only working foundation licence holders, what a guy with the best attitude to the hobby. all in all a positive start to this venture, will I go for an intermediate licence,dont know.it seems like a lot of stress for 40 watts more. If 11m band was open all year round,no,but its not. So you need your radio fix some how. If you are thinking of taking the first test DO it, I have learnt so much and still realize how little i know. I truly believe hobbies find you, you don't find them and that is why so many people are coming back to radio, just look at call sign requests. Will I buy more radios and mess with antennas, all I can say ,if it gets under your skin don't fight it DX. To you all, you are a special bunch always their when some on needs advice. please take care stay safe, stay sane. regards mark 26ct3434 m7rks
Sydthecat, John123, GaryWilson, walt and Victor like this post
Sydthecat CT Directors
Call Sign : 2E0VRX Posts : 776 Times Thanked : 47 Join date : 2019-06-26 QTH or Location : Yorkshire dales Equipment Used : Yaesu FTdx 101d, MD200 mic ,Mosley 3ele Yagi Age : 59
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sat Jan 30, 2021 5:53 pm
Great post Mark and your findings sound very familiar , 10w on 20m makes life hard, not called kilowatt alley for nothing lol but 10w on 40m is a different matter, you should do ok, also 15m is a very nice band when open and again 10w should still get a few ITL
G whip make really good antennas so it should serve you well
Craig
GaryWilson and Victor like this post
Victor CT Directors
Call Sign : 26-CT-3228 / M7VIC Posts : 6260 Times Thanked : 389 Join date : 2019-11-10 QTH or Location : Bedford Equipment Used : Various
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sat Jan 30, 2021 7:48 pm
Nice update on your Ham experience Mark.
Really good to hear you enjoying the whole radio experience despite the odd character. There always is and always will be the odd detrimental experience unfortunately and I've heard them all over the years of SWLing. From old timers moaning about dropping Morse, to expansion of HF bands to part B and new Hams plus everything inbetween! I don't profess to understand the attitude and was nearly put off when I experienced it first hand as a newly licenced M7, but like you I stuck with it despite the slight 'knock back'.
As you mention, our friends on the Continent are more than happy to answer calls and thrills you enough to continue your experience. There are a myriad of options available to you in Amateur Radio that would take a lifetime to fully explore and that's what excites me....always something to challenge you!
I love your whole attitude to the wonder and excitement of radio and agree wholeheartedly with you that anyone contemplating doing their Ham test should just do it. As seen here on Charlie Tango people are more than willing to help and encourage others with their radio adventures and experiences. In fact, a lot more positive people than the odd stuck-in-the-mud whinger
Like you, I am more than happy with my 10W at the moment. It's surprising what you can really do with a so called 'limited' station.
It's been a joy to read your posting Mark and I hope to catch you on the bands one day.
All the very best, Victor
John123 CT Directors
Call Sign : 26CT763 Posts : 4570 Times Thanked : 162 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : Manchester Equipment Used : Optima, Superstar 360fm, Stalker 9fdx, President Jack Age : 50
Subject: Re: newly licenced Sat Jan 30, 2021 10:05 pm