I recently discovered the effectiveness of this type antenna. I sort of swerved into it when trying to build an ‘ideal’ multiband 40-10m EFHW. I got close, but am not sure ones exists, even though they work pretty well. I tried 49:1, 56:1, 64:1, and even 81:1 winds on the Fair-Rite xxxxxx-1002 toroid that MM0OPX has gotten lots of people to start using. After not being too happy with any of them, I ended up building several monoband EFHW antennas for 20m, 17m, 15m, and 12m using the 64:1 autotransformer winding technique. They performed spectacularly. Not having seen anyone do it that way before, I happen to check your channel as I enjoy your trying different antennas. Well, wouldn’t you know it you had already tried it. Seeing your results verified my findings. Keep up the good work … and try that 64:1 on any band from 20-12m and it’ll work great. I had to carefully tune the counterpoise on 12, but the other bands were less sensitive.

Walt: The 49:1 will also work just as well. I made a 49:1 in a plastic wall utility box, and swapping my half-wave wires out, can run it on 40 meters to 6 meters. For 30 & 40 meters, the wire needs to be hung from a tree, but with the 10 meter MFJ mast, it becomes free-standing. Outstanding job & keep running portable! De WB2VUO

This video inspired me to get a 15 m dipole and try it out my ICOM 7300 I will know the results shortly. Thank you for the great video. VE3VVW

I use a EFHW on 160m. It works on all the other bands too! Amazing design. I tried one going on a slope to the top of a tree, but found between a pole on the chimney to a tree works best as it's fairly long. Tried various aerials including verticals, 3 element beams and loops. The EFHW is the best. You don't need loads of power and massive aerials either. If you do then your using the wrong aerial or wrong band for the time of day and desired coverage.

It's chilly, windy and raining here in Poland so it's really warming to see you in tshirt with such nice view behind you 👍👍👍

The antenna whisperer strikes again. 👍

For me the half wave for 15m didn’t work that well. In the past mornings I could hear Japan, but never reached it. I made these contacts with ease, using a 40m vertical Delta Loop . I’m a mountain man, so, different situation . Great video Walt 73 HB3XBL 👍🇨🇭

Well done Walt. Another great and simple antenna. Ham radio hobby doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. M7LDK

I made one a couple of weeks ago for 20 meters FT8 on a 12-meter Spiderpole and 49:1 unun and no counterpoise or tuner. Yep. Works wonderfully. I'll certainly give 15 a try this week.

Whoaaaa...what a beautiful sunny Day there. Love the Panorama 💯💥👊👌

Thanks for sharing walt. My 40m vert works on 15m, but dont use the higher bands, especially as 20m is so good just now, with long haul dx coming in all over, i even tried using my mic last night, after i found it hi. 73.

This is a winning combo Walt. Maximum output and very easy to deploy. 👍 Perfect day for it too! 73

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

That was about a 2 minute up and go antenna. So easy! 73, Walt

Thank you Walt! 15 meters has been pretty good the last couple months!!

Another great video Walt. Yes 15m can be really good in the afternoons. Isn't it a shame that the vast majority of these stations are only interested in a report then they are gone. I wish more would ask you about your set up, rig, power, antenna etc.....they might learn something ! Well done Walt. 73 Sid MI5UTC

@Zapruderfilm1963

2 ай бұрын

MI5UTC has to be one of the best call signs I have ever seen.👍 73 de N1XV

@Sidmi5utc

2 ай бұрын

@@Zapruderfilm1963 Hey thanks ! 🙂

@bobr6555

2 ай бұрын

I think many of them have only enough English for a basic QSO. When I've tried to have a longer conversation they tell me their English is not good and they don't understand. That's life. VK4BOB

15 meters was great this past weekend in late afternoon. worked scotland, malta, france and a few others with my DX commander from fl.

Might try and wrap it on my shorter 16 and a half foot pole. Great video!! Hope to catch you on the bands someday.

Great experiment, Walt! You’re the man! 15 meters was amazing this past Saturday.

My one so far experience with this UnUn is the 25.5ish wire no counterpoise 50ft coax i tried. Since I had only a 3 section painters pole i had to coil the wire but that seems to help the match as well. 14.260 was a match to work Israel from central FL. My first DX!

@OH2023-cj9if

2 ай бұрын

You don't need a counterpoise.

@W4TRI

2 ай бұрын

@@OH2023-cj9if Good thing cuz I didn't use one

keep the good work up, dont work to hard mate take a rest, walt be safe mate, This is the way of the ham

Walt: I felt compelled to drop you a note to say thank you for your videos, patience, and inspiration. I haven’t been active in HF that long. I just got a Yaesu FT 710, which is A huge jump up from my Kenwood 480. This weekend, I started to build a 33.6’ vertical on my DX Commander pole out in the field beside my shop here in Central Kansas. I taped the speaker wire to the pole, and attached it and the 5-17ft radials to my banana clip. It tested out about 1:2 to 1 on 40, and under 2 on 20 after the Yaesu tuned it. So does it work? I just worked a guy in Ontario Canada. One of my personal best! Thanks again, and keep it up! 73!! KE0LNC

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

Ай бұрын

Thank you!! 73, Walt

GM Walt GREAT video as usual! I have been doing similar things here in PA. I added a 16 foot counterpoise (off of the ground) to fine tune mine and the multi band results are great! I use 1:36, 1:49 and 1:64 Thanks again de W3DD Mike

15 meters is really fun Especially if your in the sun This is a band I so desire With help from Coastal Waves and Wires!

Thanks, Walt...having fun....

Nice one Walt. Next, you'll have to do what Tim, G5TM has done and put some traps in so you can get a half wave on 10m, 12m and 15m. Due to the inductance of the traps you might be able to get away with getting 17m on the 7m pole as well (with another trap!).

I have one of those UnUn arriving tomorrow... Cant wait to experiment. Your video was great timing

Great stuff as always

Hi Walt I discovered 15m a few years ago when, late one Sunday night, I had QSOs with the only two signals on the band - both in Brazil to me in the UK on 100W. First contacts for me that were transequatorial as well as transatlantic. Very exciting for a comparative newcomer! I like it in DX contests when it is usually a little less frenetic and "shouty" than 20m. 73 de M1GWZ.

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Absolutely! 73 my friend!

I haven't done much with 15m, but I'll have to give this a try--especially with my 7m SOTABEAMS mast.

Belo trabalho 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I worked Vlad Rw1A today on 20 meters!

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

29 күн бұрын

awesome!! 73, Walt

Great stuff I appreciate the videos! Also we’ve had some great weather in the 757 to get outside

@paulsengupta971

2 ай бұрын

Boeing 757 or Yaesu 757?

@bduff5004

2 ай бұрын

@@paulsengupta971 😂

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

757 is the Norfolk area code

I wouldn't sweat going over the build of every antenna you make. Maybe I am different, but once you have seen one antenna build for a type of antenna you pretty much have seen them all. The only things that change are the lengths and possibly the matching device to get the impedance to the 50 ohms the radio wants. I need to play around on some of the other bands as I typically play around on the usual bands for POTA chasing.

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Thanks! I’ve actually had some hateful comments on this topic. I tend to think like you that once you’ve seen one build you understand how it’s done. I mean how hard is it to tape a wire to a pole lol

@DarkShadowCustoms

2 ай бұрын

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES some people want everything handed to them and don't want to look up additional videos or instructions. It isn't hard to cut wires and attach them to transformer or matching network. Unfortunately society today wants instant gratification.

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

@@DarkShadowCustoms exactly, that’s why I said “go look for it on Amazon” in the video. I’m tired of people asking of a link to everything. I’m not a salesman. Occasionally I’ll put a link if it’s a distinct item I’m using. I think I’m going to start replying to the “Link?” comments with www dot google dot com 😂

@DarkShadowCustoms

2 ай бұрын

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES not hard to find on Amazon, eBay, or any of the major ham radio supply stores.

Spent an hour yesterday trying to use the radio in my shack but the signal to noise ratio was so poor that I gave up. As the sun gets brighter the noise gets worse - even my power supplies are getting hit by stray signals from next door solar ! - so I maybe going to rethink my antennas and also get a G90 when funds allow and go portable. Modern urban living and ham are not playing well at the moment (too much cheap junk electroncs ?). 73 M7BLC

@brianfields4479

2 ай бұрын

Rx only ant required.

I actually made one for 40m. It does very well

@ronbennett3998

2 ай бұрын

Did you use the same unun?

@JayN4GO

2 ай бұрын

@@ronbennett3998 I make my own 49:1 ununs

Great Video Walt! Wondering if you ever made a skyloop antenna?

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Thanks! no but it's on my list

(Thanks to you) I keep the whole LDG transformer box collection around for instant experimentation. BTW…Is that Holiday Harbor ?

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Haha! Yes, wow that’s a blast from the past. No one calls it Holiday Harbor anymore. It’s also called Craford Bay but that too is rarely used. The area directly behind where I was operating is generally called “Swimming Point” these days.

My never ending question is how to determine whether you need an unun or a balun and which one to use? 4:1 or 9:1 or 64:1? Balun or unun? And you decided no counterpoise? And we've introduced a choke at the radio end. I have much to learn.

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

I’ll do an in-depth video on feedpoint impedance soon

@paulsengupta971

2 ай бұрын

Gil, Radio Prepper, has a pretty good video on it. Do a search for "Clearing Up Some Confusion About End-Fed Wire Antennas" Fast forward to about 4:50.

Great video Walt, just wondering why for this particular antenna you didn’t use a counterpoise like with other antennas? Thanks so much for making these videos. 73 Dan VK3NDG

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Thanks! With it being a true halfwave I figured I wouldn’t need a counterpoise as I was using a very long coax. That’s why I used the choke at the radio end.

I think the salt water right next to your antennas is crucial for the distances and the good signals

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Absolutely, that’s why the channel is called “Coastal Waves & Wires” and why I’m using a vertical. 73, Walt K4OGO

@rolfstegemann3898

2 ай бұрын

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Yes, kind of enviable ;-) I also have LDG 9:1, 49:1 etc. in portable use, the results here at home (Germany) are rather modest. However, like your clips and your location. 73 Rolf, DC1ZZ

Can’t beat a full half wave antenna! Even close to a half wave is good. Would like to know what the Nano VNA says your resonant frequency is vs the calculated resonant frequency from formula. I noticed that you did an end feed and not like the Coastal 20 where you fed it 3 feet from the end. What were your thoughts on that vs the coastal 20 shortened to be resonant on 15?

Great Video! I have what might be a stupid question for you Walt! With running the wire up the pole, do you find that your signals in the direction that the wire is against the pole are affected??? If that makes any sense.

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

That’s actually a great question. I have not found any directional issues at all to be honest.

I'm having great DX everyday on 15 m

I enjoy your videos. I think this is the first time I have seen you use a 64:1 unun. How did you decide that a 64:1 unun was the right one to use vs a 49:1 for this 15 Meter Band? Would the 49:1 or 4:1 ununs have worked as well for a 15M EFHW? Is there a table or something that you referenced and said for this 15M length of EFHW I should use a 64:1 unun?

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Hi, it’s all about feedpoint impedance. I explain it in this video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kZeAlsuBmbnVd7w.htmlsi=6EEaj_WlexOfMdV0

Hi Walt, on the 20th April in the UK DX Commander is having a live stream working 10 meter FM. It starts at 1 pm UK time. If conditions are right you might be able to make a contact. David M0DUU

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

I saw that! I’m going to give it a try

@David-km8in

2 ай бұрын

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES ok Walt, I will only be listening. Four hams are doing a mega stream on KZread. Should be fun and Cal is a gentleman to. I do a lot of FT8 on the 15 meter band. It's generally open to me in the early afternoons.

Walt I have a question concerning the coax route from antenna to your transceiver. It is over the concrete wall and then back up to the radio. Is this so it is closer to the salt water for better signal propagation or to keep it out of the way of any pedestrians? Another great video. Thanks.

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Thanks! I actually hung it over the side to be closer to the saltwater. Not sure if being that close anyway made any difference but I thought it couldn’t hurt.

@stephenkramme7063

2 ай бұрын

@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thank you Walt. I'm not trying to overthink your set up as it obviously works and that is the point!

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

@@stephenkramme7063 no worries, it’s actually a great question

So, the coax is the counterpoise? No pool noodle ground plane? In your experience, how does this type of wire antenna compare to a tuned coil antenna like the Slidewinder DX, etc?

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Correct, the coax is the counterpoise because it is a halfwave. I’ve found that halfwave verticals are one of the best for DX, better than a coil.

"Good math" - I thought the US used "freedom units" given to them by the British. That's the MAGA crew upset......lol. Metric just makes a lot more sense. I have had quite a lot of success with 15m over the last couple of years when portable. Managed to work JA from the UK on SSB and had a 10m in QSO which was my first contact into Japan. Thanks for the video, Walt!

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I joke a little bit but definitely keep my political thoughts out of my ham radio fun LOL. All the best and 73, Walt

@paulsengupta971

2 ай бұрын

Metric makes sense when talking antenna lengths on the different bands...you see some US people fretting about how long antennas are on certain bands using a formula and so on....whereas in metric..."What's a half wave on 40m?" "About 20m-ish". "Quarter wave?" "10m-ish"....

where did you get that antenna tool you showed a screen shot of?

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

It’s an iPhone app I used called Antenna Tool, I think it’s available for Android as well

Before I watch the vid, it will surprise you

nice build. I have to try 15 meter veritable now. as half wave. mono band. I have a 49:1 and 64:1 I made on FT 240-43 ferrite core. my outher ones are 49:1 with type 61 ferrite and works better on 6/10/11/12 meters. I do have a end fed cut for 40/20/15/10 multi band. and 20 meters mono band. I run a slope. I have 7 and 10 meter poles. may get 17 meters on the 10 meter pole. but may go slope . I have extra Walmart speaker wire to try. one I get it I copy to good wire like DX 10 or DX 50 DX commander wire. I do have the DX commander expedition 2024 green antenna multi band . that great on 15 meters. I cut wires for 17 and 30 meters. did not do 60 meters. just do not use that band. normally I use the 64:1 on 40/80 meters . I get better bandwidth with that to a 49:1 . once I get SWR under 1.5 I call that good. if 2:1 in edge of band I just hit the ATU on my 7300 . their is times in some parks my tune a bit off do to soil. just hit the ATU . if I tune I use it. still make contacts. 73's

@paulsengupta971

2 ай бұрын

You should just about be able to get a half wave on 20m on a 10m pole, given the slight shortening effect of the transformer.

@robertmeyer4744

2 ай бұрын

@@paulsengupta971 I just cut speaker wire for 15 and 17 meters today. did not tune yet. if 20 meters a tad long for pole I will bring it back the outher side down like DX commander does for the 40 meters on a 10 meter pole . works great. I get good tune 40 and 15 meters like that. after that I try 20 meters. thank you. 73's

Where did you find the Unun?

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

End Fed Antenna 4 Band 8 Band... www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHMX6GP4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

@RonBennett-lg8po

2 ай бұрын

That link takes you a a balun, not a unun. What I’m wanting to do is cut wires for 20, 40, 15, &17. Separately. BTW, I really envy your videos. Learning a lot. 73 friend, keep it up!

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

@@RonBennett-lg8po thanks! that’s mislabeled, it’s an unun. If you’re going to cut wires for each band you don’t need an unun

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

@@RonBennett-lg8po for a resonant mono and wire for each band just use a 1:1

We need an hour of slow motion antenna assembly before you get on the air or it just isn't quite right /s

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Blahahaha

Listening and learning thanks.KC3YUN

First! Woooooo Who! :)

@chrisnmichelle0218

2 ай бұрын

You were second actually... sorry...

If a guy cant figure out how to build this from specs alone, you probably should find a different hobby....this ain't a nuclear reactor...THANKS as always Walt!

@COASTALWAVESWIRES

2 ай бұрын

Hahahahaha exactly

Why would you base your measurements off of an actual unit of measure that can be an actual mathematical equation. As opposed to a kernel of corn😂😂😂😂😂😂. Great work man.

People asking you how to build it? All they need to do is pay attention, & it is obvious.