For those upset. The fact that the Ed Fong is 2 SNR stronger than the N9TAX doesn't make the N9TAX antenna bad. I really like it. Further, 2 SNR isn't even half an S-Unit. There should be no golden calves in ham radio. If you have issues with my test methods, spell it out and I'll either incorporate your comments or explain why I disagree. Thanks!

@darrellcollins877

Жыл бұрын

you did great sir ! just alot of sad hams that dont like the idea of N9TAX being the best portable J-pole antenna there is at the moment. I dont understand the hate, but we see it.

@mikew5skk137

Жыл бұрын

@@darrellcollins877 What is the issue with other hams and the N9TAX? Quite a few hams went "sad ham" on me, when mentioning a comparison test. I own a N9TAX, I'm impressed with it, I do want an Ed Fong but I haven't had the extra pocket change. All in all, I think both are great roll up antennae.

@darrellcollins877

Жыл бұрын

@@mikew5skk137 i dont see anyone commenting towards you. Your comment was genuine. If you read thru the comments on this video, and the previous j-pole comparison video, you will see many haters spreading lies about the N9TAX antenna. WHy ? i dunno, it is a fine antenna, for the money, best value around by far in MY opinion. Haters are goin to hate, those are called "sad hams". Which is a spin off of the GMRS guy that makes youtube videos, lol. he calls the hating hams, sad hams, its very funny. You sir, from the comment i saw you make, are NOT a sad ham. Enjoy your antenna, it will serve you well for years to come.

@mikew5skk137

Жыл бұрын

@@darrellcollins877 I should have been more specific in my comment, I wasn't referring to any comment here. I had previously commented on the N9TAX on a few Facebook groups and a couple comments on videos of some other KZread channels, sorry for the confusion. Yeah, Randy keeps me laughing with all the sad ham comments that get left on his videos.

Thank You for testing the N9TAX. I can almost buy two N9TAX antennas for the price of one Ed Fong. Huge plus there. You didn't mention price. The N9TAX can be had with just about any fitting with 18" of coax for $30.00 (a steal for the price). The N9TAX also has a ferrite built in. The Ferrite that the N9TAX includes might be a big bonus when running higher power. A choke is something you want on a J Pole design antenna. Both are great antennas. The N9TAX is slightly larger. Not a problem for me, it might be for some. I have no experience with the Ed Fong, but have had a N9TAX 2m/70 cm antenna up for 2 years that I use when running net control for bike races as a second antenna for my 2nd radio. It has held up in the rough weather and performs fantastic on both 2 meters and 70 cm. The build quality is excellent. The price savings and the toughness of the N9TAX has made it my choice. Also, N9TAX will cut an antenna for an exact frequency if you want them to. I also ordered two for GMRS. One at 462.550 MHz and one at 467.600 MHz. Both are spot on when it comes to to SWR and perform very well. These 70 cm antennas are great for use in CERT comms. Short, sweet, tough and they really increase your range. Add one to your CERT kit.

@ToppKatt7

Жыл бұрын

If the antenna is resonant you don’t need the ferrite.

Thanks for the test outstanding!! I have two N9TAX antennas one for GMRS/MURS and one for 2m/7cm they both work great.

Thank you for sharing and educating me. Your time is appreciated.

Josh thank you so much for doing this comparison ! Each antenna has it pluses and minuses. They are both fairly easy to deploy. I do like the choke on the N9TAX. Already have a Ed Fong and just ordered a N9TAX.

Glad you tested out the N9TAX antenna. I’ve been very happy with mine. It was the first antenna I bought for 2M use as an antenna in my attic and I’ve been happy with it - I tried “upgrading” to a Diamond X30A, only to find the N9TAX clearly outperforms it!

@darrellcollins877

Жыл бұрын

I ran a N9TAX for 5 years as my base. I just replaced it with a diamond X200. This one does out perform the N9TAX by about 20% based on the extra distance of contacts I can now communicate with. Saying this only proves to me the quality and ability of a $30 antenna , which is the N9TAX, a SOLID performer for a Great price !

@mdc21787

Жыл бұрын

I’m looking to set up an attic antenna as well, how did you set yours up??

@merggarvey

Жыл бұрын

@@mdc21787 nothing fancy - just hung it off of a rafter. My attic is tall enough it can hang vertically with no issues.

Great review, thank you Josh! The ending was unexpected indeed! lol

Another use for my Tenkara pole!!! Great videos, you've been helping me a ton!

Great video Josh, as always, expected nothing less. Thanks for taking the time to do the comparison, I've been curious ever since buying a N9TAX how it compares to an Ed Fong.

Josh, thank you for your his video ! I purchased the Ed Fong antenna, I’m excited to try it out !

I'm excited to see this as I have an N9TAX antenna!

I have a N9TAX antenna and it works great. No problems with it. I’ve used it on 2 meters and am getting excellent results with just 5 watts. It was well worth it. I would highly recommend the antenna anytime.

Thanks for the great comparison! Vey informative. I've been using the N9TAX and have been very pleased with it. Very solidly built antenna that holds up well. While I've been very happy with it, I may have to look at getting an Ed Fong for my pack and dedicate the N9TAX for a residency in my Jeep. I might make the change not because the Ed Fong performed slightly better in your tests, but because it is noticeably more compact (and presumably) lighter.

Nice test.. I have the N9TAX and it preforms great. Made a contact from the Bronx NYC to Atlantic City, NJ (Confirmed) on 146.520 simplex with mine on 50w using a Anytone 578. It is one of my travel antennas when I go out of town.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

It seems like a very well made antenna and performs well.

Josh, thanks for all you do here. My thoughts on test methodology: I would have liked to see a SWR sweep for each antenna for both bands with your RigExpert analyzer, then superimpose them using the AntScope2 desktop SW for comparison. The RF choke on the antenna may play a role in improving SWR. Next is getting the variation out of the test by using a tone generator of constant tone and volume instead of your voice to do the actual SNR measurement. Not sure how much it matters for FM, but SSB would matter. John

I enjoy the Ed Fong model best as it’s more easy to store and travel with as well as deploy. Also helps some UC Santa Cruz students. I met Ed at his home and can state the man has a very educated background when it comes to the subject of antennas

@fepatton

Жыл бұрын

I picked up my antenna from Ed a couple of weeks ago after HRCC's first video. Agree, he's a wealth of knowledge! Haven't had a chance to try it yet, but these videos give me a lot of confidence.

@NYCMNYBY

10 ай бұрын

I have had the opportunity to speak with Ed Fong via telephone on a couple of occasion, and I have found him a most helpful and knowledgeable individual. My most recent interaction with Ed was in connection with a custom VHF only J-Pole antenna cut to a commercial Rail Road frequency for the purpose of replacing 50 Ohm termination resistors found on at the end of two radiating antenna (Radiac) cables on the Manhattan Bridge in New York City. The J-Pole VHF antennas were engineered to bridge the physical gap between the ends of two Radiac Cables mounted on the Manhattan Bridge to improve VHF radio communications between trains and the Rail Control Center as trains crossed over the East River. Ed was most cooperative at meeting our specific non-Amateur radio requirements that helps to insure public safety.

thanks, Joshua fantastic job

N9TAX roll up is all I use for field APRS and Winlink. LOVE IT. Can't complain.

I've had one of the Ed Fong's for years and love it. I'll put it up a telescoping fishing pole while camping to get batter range.

Love my N9TAX but the Ed Fong does look like it'd be a nicer for the size it is. Great video Josh.

I have both the Ed Fong, and the Dual Band version of the N9TAX. In my own testing, they performed so similarly in practical use on both 2m and 70cm, It completely came down to form factor to me. My primary use for roll up are portable/emergency use antennas. I have a Condor "Side Kick" pouch for each of my portable radios. These contain APP 12V power leads, programming cable, Microphone, Signal Stick, BNC adapter, extra battery, etc. The Ed Fong rolls up and fits in one of these along with an extension cable. The N9TAX does not. So, the N9TAX is instead used as a backup antenna for at home, field day, etc where having a bulky antenna is not a problem.

The N9TAX was my first base antenna , still have 2 to play with , thanks Josh , K5MCK

Thank you Josh! 🏆

Have my N9 up in my attic and love it

Love the know the SKU for the Orange Cut to size wire you are using! N7MKY!

I've talked on a 2m repeater 29 miles from my house with an ht and my N9TAX antenna more than once. I just toss a line up in a tree and pull it up maybe 10-15 feet or so. Works quite well.

J Pole would make a good aerial for portable APRS i-gate, keep up the good work 👍

My three favorite parts of this video: 1. The timing; 2. The fishing pole/j-pole mast; 3. The gear ties. THE TIMING-- For me, sitting on my urban back porch/fire escape with my favorite HT, a beer, a cigar, and my favorite net is ham radio at its best. Unfortunately, my HT can barely reach the repeater, so I end up going inside to use my base when it is my turn to transmit. I watched this video right after that net two weeks ago, and decided I want to try a roll-up j-pole before giving-in and rigging my base and its antenna to some ultra-portable configuration. Not an Ed Fong roll-up J-Pole to be found anywhere, as I write. So found his plans, and will build my own. THE FISHING POLE and the GEAR-TIES-- These provided the quick and easy set-up and tear-down I need for the antenna, and with any luck at all, will give me the ability to continue the porch-life with just my HT. If so, the whole rig can be slung over my shoulder in a small bag-- greatly expanding my out-door hamming options. Fishing-pole/mast just arrived and I am pleased with it. Had everything else for the roll-up j-pole. I have soldering to do this weekend. Wish me luck. KI5KWG

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the great comment!

Love my N9TAX I have had it for a few years. I use it when hiking in case I need more range out of my HT. I do like the idea of the smaller form factor of the Ed Fong. The only reason I would switch is if my N9TAX broke or I really needed the smaller size/weight which I don’t

Good review. I like the smaller 300 Ohm twin lead. I have many Ed Fongs including the one for 220. It works really well on 220. That's what we need, a 1.25 cm antenna comparison ;)

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I can do that too :D

@amtrak1007

Жыл бұрын

Copy we do! Need to get HRCC on the Making 220 Great Again camp!

@JosephVE3GKT

Жыл бұрын

1.25cm? 24 GHz J-pole? Works for me 😉

Great T-Shirt idea from the end of the vijeo "Wow...I didn't expect that." ;)

Love to see the Ed Fong specifically cut for 2m vs. the combo.

fantastic job Joshua terrific thanks 73 from kb2uew

I have a N9TAX and feel it is a good antenna, been using it for a year now and no issues.

Good Review! You mentioned the ferrite on the N9TAX - I assume the concern is prevention of common mode current. I think I remember in an interview with Ed Fong that he mentioned he uses a coax sleeve choke to prevent common mode current in his design, but I may be wrong.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

It's just a different way to choke common mode. If you do the sleeve, that is just a bunch of beads with the coax going through. My preferred method is use a bigger ferrite with larger inner diameter and wrap the feedline to give it multiple passes.

I like practical tests. I have both antennas, have used both and will use probably my Ed Fong for a public service event this weekend. I will have the N9TAX as backup though. I have not noticed a difference in performance one over the other. Thanks for the test. Jack K5FIT

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I agree, in use, there is no different in performance. Really only when looking at the SNR on the meters.

LOL collapsible fishing pole. I'm just getting started in ham and because of my duck hunting habit of years back I have 3 different flying decoy poles aka fishing poles so I don't have to buy any poles! Getting the Ed Fong J-Pole for my FT-60. Thanks for an easy to understand test video.

I have the N9TAX with the short piece of coax, and its been a great antenna for a year or so that I have owned it. Last night I was working portable in the back yard, and incoming repeater signals were much lower than usual. I could not reach most of the Winlink gateways in the area, so I checked the SWR and it was above 5:1. Today I was going to perform a continuity test when all of a sudden the SO-230 connector fell off of the antenna. I suspect that was what caused the bad performance, but I'm not sure how it happened. I don't blame the antenna build because its a solidly made antenna. I've been using it quite often in various portable setups, so it must have something on my part.

THANK YOU.. DES IN BELFAST, IRELAND

I'm not surprised by the 70cm results. Ed Fong explains in a KZread video that he uses 1/4 wave stubs to make his antenna a true half wave radiator on both 2m and 70cm. My understanding of the N9TAX is that it works harmonically on 70cm and is not a true half wave radiator. Ed Fong explains in the aforementioned video that j-poles harmonically operating on 70cm are very lossy and his analysis shows they don't work much better than a duck antenna. That and size are why I bought the Ed Fong.

@cbbyers

Жыл бұрын

Here's the video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/d5N9pNCiZtncfcY.html

@ronbotex

Жыл бұрын

I was going to add that. I remember reading that in Ed Fongs article. Most roll-up J-Poles/Slim Jims have that same issue on 70cm. SWR might look OK. Unless you have test equipment, its not directly noticeable. So N9TAX is working as designed. No anomaly. It is fine on 2m.

@cbbyers

Жыл бұрын

I said "very lossy" in my previous comment, but I meant the 70cm harmonic is less efficient due to the radiation pattern.

@johnkreno2488

Жыл бұрын

I do not believe that to be correct, the N9TAX has coax traps for the 70cm section. It is not just a monoband jpole, although N9TAX does make monoband jpoles also

There are several presentations on the Ed Fong antenna available on KZread by Dr Fong himself, and he goes into why there are no ferrite chokes on his antenna.

I have the Edison Fong Tri-Band that's in PVC. Great antenna. For portable use, I also built a 2M - 440 from Ed's plans using 300 Ohm twin lead. Also a superb antenna. iPad still looks pink:)

After owning 2 N9TAX, that both broke in the same place, I'm glad I found the Ed Fong. I'm almost certain it could be rolled up an unrolled indefinitely without the same issue.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Ohhh? Where did it fail?

@VE9ASN

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I call it a "joint" , I'm not certain the proper terminology, but basically where it transitions from twin lead to a slightly larger area that's covered in what looks like heat shrink.

I use the same Ed Fong jpole with an HT from my hotel room when traveling on biz. I figure out which way my window is facing and then use the RepeaterBook app on my phone to find repeaters in that direction. I also ask for rooms that are on higher floors. I also call out on 2m simplex, which is hit or miss, but often there's a highway in view and I can have short qso's with travelers also monitoring simplex. All I do is use a binder clip to hold the tip of the antenna to the curtain rod or a push pin that I stick in the wall above the window to dangle the antenna from. The antenna has exceeded all my expectations. I frequently talk to hams that are stunned at how well my signal is being received when they find out I'm using an HT and my location which, at times has been 20 miles to the repeater. I do try to mount it in the middle of the window, away from the metal frame around the window.

I am very happy with my N9TAX dual band (2M/70cm) J-Pole. I used it recently for the first time on the Marine Corps Marathon (in Washington, DC), attached to an MFJ extending pole, 20. feet up in the air and it gave me great coverage on 2 meters to Net Control using only five watts, while I was in a low lying area (where HTs are not able to get out a signal). I also bought one for my cousin, a new ham. Well made and should last a long time.

I am a N9TAX fan, I have 3 of them. I knew it would be a good performer. You did not discuss price/value, to me this is where the TAX shines, it is very affordable and very good quality and works very good, a rare combination for any piece of equipment.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

IDK that I need to talk about it on a comparison video. The links are all in the description.

@darrellcollins877

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse no worries, make your videos just as you wish sir

On FM, a 1-2dB signal difference can make a huge difference in signal quality unlike SSB or CW.

what after-market tri-band antenna do you have on that VX-6r? Thx, W1SLC

Anything special on that S-biner? Can't find one with the hole like that.

I love my Ed Fong roll up j-pole. Josh I have to ask, where do I get that Icom QRP Crew shirt?

👍🏻 Thank you for the excellent comparison. Quick question for Josh and anyone else out there… I need a roll up style antenna for ONLY UHF (no VHF) . The frequency range is 462.xxxx through 469.xxxx and perhaps 453.xxxx/458.xxx, if it doesn’t affect the performance on the higher UHF freqs. These are for me to include in family member “EMComm” bags as external antennas for Motorola XPR7550e portables. If you’re familiar with that transceiver, you’ll wonder how the radio will connect to antenna. So, If I can’t manage to “hack”the antenna issue, I’ll be using Hytera PD982G. The FPP, encryption and other things actually make a much better pick. Thanks !

Thanks for this test. It helped me decide to get an Ed Fong antenna. Not sure why my previous comment was deleted. :/

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I'm glad it helped. I didn't delete your comment.

The ED Fong has a good name but I didn't know about the N9TAX till now. I'm definitely curious to see how it performs on 70cm. I'm wanting to buy one soon... as soon as you retest them on 70cm. 😀 👍

@darrellcollins877

Жыл бұрын

it performs great on 70 cm in my 5 years of experience with it.

@DonzLockz

Жыл бұрын

@@darrellcollins877 thank you Darrell.👍

I have the N9TAX in 2m, 2m/70cm, and MURS/GMRS and all 3 plus 220 from Nelson Antennas. The N9TAX are better for base and the Nelson for the pack.

Are you worried that since carbon fiber is conductive, it is not RF transparent, thus effecting the radiating pattern of these antennas? I was going to purchase one of the collapsible fishing poles, and realized that most are CF and not FG.

I'm on the fence between the two antennas. Did you ever do the re-test on the N9TAX SNR (dB) for the VFO 446550000? I'd like to know what it came out to be. Thanks

I wish I had seen (you did) this video a couple of months ago before I bought the k9tax one. It does a little better on 2m receive then transmit. On 70cm it doesn't do any good at all. according to the simple test I have done ,if you consider what I did as a test . I am thinking of using it as a scanner antenna for the Air band .

I think you should do that test again and use the bow set up that is recommended by n9TAX, and due to the design of the dual band antenna the folded dipole side will be affected , if either radiating side is damaged it will affect the others performance. If there is damage to 1 of the coaxial shunts which change the signal velocity and determine the shift in radiation points, you will get a result like you had in that test. And check out the mono band 220 from n9tax , tuned to 223.500,...the harmonics make it work with a low SWR on 2 m as well. And it's about half the size of that dual band.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Hmmmm, interesting. Let me think about this.

Quick question about ham sticks could you mount them on edge so to speak about 4 foot apart with 4 ham sticks on each ?

Regarding the low SNR on UHF, I don't think that it's fair to blame the antennas ("it takes quite a dive"). The whole system as a whole is poor on UHF, not necessarily the antenna. It could simply be your HT that is not very good on UHF or your home receiving antenna for that matter. Ed Fong compared his antenna in UHF to a reference 1/4 mobile antenna, and its performance is virtually identical. I'd suggest to always use a "reference" antenna to compare to in further antenna tests. These quantitative tests are super great, keep them coming!

@HamRadioCrashCourse

9 ай бұрын

Fair point! Kudos!

Why the antennas I had. got pinched. So I have ordered more. It's never a mistake buying these rigs. Crafts man ship is top drawer. Tks

Nice! but I'm very curious what lead to the statement at the end lol

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

That was the input on a certain outlaw repeater

N9TAX has a model for 70cm and 2m, and another model just for 2m. Did you get the dual-band model?

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Keep watching.

A couple of missing data points from the review are (my opinion) 1) Cost difference. 2) power handling rating from the manufacturer. If one is considering a qty acquisition for a club, that might be of interest.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I could make all the videos 45 minutes, buts that not reasonable. But I hear you. Maybe I’ll come back around and test that too.

Good material. Thank you for putting this together. One tiny note (totally miniscule): Plural for antenna is "antennae" as opposed to "antennas". Few people know this one. ;)

Did you have a stable path between the two locations, your home and the park? Normally for this kind of evaluation you would make a large number of measurements over different paths and average the results. Why should one of those antennas be better than the other unless there was some significant loss somewhere? Use of the sdr with actual power received in dbm is A+++. 73 de K2XT

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Dbm is also on the table…. They scale to snr Yes. It’s a good path.

Will carbon fiber extension poles effect anything with these roll-up antennas? Would fiberglass be better?

The Abbree 47" had a stronger signal (38.5) than both J-pole antennas.

@324atleD

Жыл бұрын

and a lot cheaper and easier to deploy

What triband antenna was on the vx-6r at the beginning?

Would love to see the Ed Fong cut for 2m vs. the Combo

@I..cast..fireball

Жыл бұрын

Watch one of eds vids to understand how the combo works.

@Qwiv

Жыл бұрын

@@I..cast..fireball don’t remember any of his videos having a test. Theory only.

I was asking Ed about hanging his antenna from a fiberglass pole and he recommended that I hang it at a 45deg angle as the fiberglass does attenuate the signal if the antenna is hanging along the pole itself. I don't know if that would affect your test but attenuation is attenuation.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Fiberglass or carbon fiber?

@AlvinMcManus

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I was asking Ed about using those extendable fiberglass fishing poles just like the one you used, I have two from activities years ago and he was very clear about the effect on the antenna hanging alongside of the pole. I even sent him a link to this video. BTW I really enjoy your videos 💜

What type of remote control do you use to control the transceiver at your house?

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Video coming in the future!

What antenna did you have on your HT before you started the test?

I would love more details on how you measure SNR on SDR#. No criticism here, but you just present the numbers. If this is in one of your previous vids, just let me know.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I’m not using sdr# I’m using SDRUno. There is a button to record SNR

Have the Ed Fong antennas went up in price? I don't remember them being $60.

@bradhollis1005

Жыл бұрын

"Have the Ed Fong antennas GONE up in price?" "Have went" is way too 'failed-third-grade' for a licensed ham. Let's not butcher The King's English, now, shall we? (I hate having to be the grammar cop on these comments)

@jmr

Жыл бұрын

@@bradhollis1005 Soryy yall. well trie too due greater wordz. i sti'et make lerns grandmer.

@marcinmichigan2772

Жыл бұрын

@@bradhollis1005 then dont lol

The N9TAX appears to be made of window line, not twinlead. Unless the antennas are mounted up and in the clear, (away from that huge tree-trunk,) and not hanging parallel to an antenna mast of uncharacterized composition, the SNR on a given band as opposed to on a different band cannot be adequately compared. All you can reasonably do is A-B comparisons of different antennas on the same band.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Which is what I did.. An A-B comparison. Thanks for agreeing with me.

My N9TAX always seems to fare worse than my quarter wave whips. Why might that be?

Are the testing criteria changing here? I ask as the MFJ Long Ranger antenna you tested from the same bench did 46.8db SNR In fact all the stick antennas beat out these j-poles. Different test conditions or same?

@MrThisIsMeToo

Жыл бұрын

Good question. If you look the JPOLEs here do not do much better than the stock antennas from the previous test from the same location. Curious as the the test params as well.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

No change. But we can expect environmental difference. I am planning an “All Stars” re-test for the best antennas.

@324atleD

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks Josh. I was thinking about a j-pole for the Anytone 878 but to be honest your results show them not much better than stock and surely not worth the hassle as compared to the Long Ranger and it's better performance. Not sure what all the fan fair is for these j-poles are for a handy when the other standard stick antennas can outperform at a lower price. Agree though, a round-up comparison of all would be a great idea. Surely you would need your flame suit on for such.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

They’re dual band and better than most verticals.

I’ve purchased two of the N9TAX antennas. Let’s just say neither one works well and I won’t be chancing a third purchase.

Any update on 70cm for N9TAX?

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Not yet. Odd for me to say, weather in *Southern California* hasn’t been conducive to testing lol.

I got a couple N9TAX dual band antennas. The SWR is pretty low and gets out. On a side note, if mounting it inside, keep the feed point of the antenna free hanging. That will increase the SWR to above 3:1, which can damage the radio.

@mj-dd2fb

Жыл бұрын

"On a side note, if mounting it inside, keep the feed point of the antenna free hanging. That will increase the SWR to above 3:1, which can damage the radio." Did you mean to say .. keeping the feed point free hanging will avoid increasing the SWR?

@pale_2111

Жыл бұрын

I did. I set up one for a ham in a nursing home. The feed point of the antenna where the coax connects to the window line needs to free hang. Having the feed point secured to a wall will increase the SWR. Some body put some tape around that area of the antenna to secure it to the wall. I checked the SWR on the antenna with my IC-705. Sure enough the SWR was higher than 3:1. I removed the tape and rechecked the SWR. It fell below a 1.5:1. Not sure there was a nail in that specific spot or what, but after the tape was removed and the feed point was free hanging, the SWR on the antenna dropped significantly. If he had used a FT70D I got him any longer, he would've burned up the finals in that radio.

@mj-dd2fb

Жыл бұрын

@@pale_2111 Thanks for the clarification and example.

@pale_2111

Жыл бұрын

Not a problem. After I reread my original comment, it did sound a bit vague. Just thought I try to make it make more sense.

Carbon fiber pole? That can significantly affect signal if the antenna is too close to it.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

All antenna under test are subjected to the same environment. Also, please send me the link to evidence on "significant" affect and I'll take a look.

@davistroy

Жыл бұрын

Josh, I’ve tried responding with a link, but it never shows up here … or it gets deleted somehow. George Z has commented on it in his podcast and in his groups dot io forum based on testing he did with both fiberglass and cf masts. I’ve experienced the same. The closer the wire is to the cf, the more it detunes. I wonder if the wider twinlead of the n9tax did something different, or one of the antennas laid against the cf slightly differently?

@chuckpiercy

Жыл бұрын

@@davistroy Yeah isn't fg non-conductive while cf is very conductive?

Jeesh, what did you say that person at the end to warrant such a response?

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

It wasn't at me. Turns out I was on a repeater input when moving around and caught that.

The constant switches between cameras is distracting. Might want to dial that back a bit 😀

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I'll just do my thing, thanks.

That chain is actually so no one steals the Tree! not the picnic table... no one is stealing a picnic table.

The Best J-Pole antenna is from "Nelson Antennas".

@VE9ASN

Жыл бұрын

Have you actually compared all 3? I'd love to hear your results.

@JohnUsp

Жыл бұрын

@@VE9ASN I have N9TAX and Nelson J-Pole, both are very good, but I didn't check the gain in dBs, I'll do.

@VE9ASN

Жыл бұрын

@@JohnUsp the nelson appears very similar to the Ed Fong. I have a nelson efhw that is well made and works well too!

so what does this mean will it go 20 miles with this set up

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

That is mainly dependent on the terrain you are in. But if its conducive to your contact, very likely, yes.

@matsherwood6277

Жыл бұрын

I have made contact with a repeater 29 miles away on a yaesu vx6r and a baofeng uv-82 with my N9TAX up about 15ish feet in a tree. I'm from Michigan so not huge elevation changes here. 🤷‍♂️

I don't get what you're talking about at 9:00. The Ed Fong has better performance results, for 70cm where the N9TAX is lacking them, but you say that the N9TAX antenna is more of a 70cm antenna? Also, from what it looks like, different matching is done to dual band these antennas so they could perform differently. I don't know what the 70cm gain should be for the N9TAX, but it's supposed to be around 2dbi for the Ed Fong, so quite similar to 2m. The reduced signal is going to be at least somewhat attributed to transmission line loss, and possibility due to reduced gain over 2m. In any case, you can't compare these antennas at 70cm with the current data.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I didn’t say the N9TAX was better on 70cm I said it’s possible is performs better on 70cm. I will do another test specifically on 70cm to provide the details. At no point was I testing 70cm since we only had the Ed Fong data point (something I already had)

@Datzfunk

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I guess It's just confusing at that point because you say the N9TAX is cut a little bit more effectively for 70cm, and the Ed Fong takes a dive there, but we don't know the N9TAX numbers. It sounds like you're comparing the two and giving the upper hand to the N9TAX with no data. Anyway, I appreciate the test. I have an Ed Fong which seems to perform quite well, so it's interesting to see the 450ohm twin lead version with what appears to be different matching for dual banding. Thanks!

@Ham Radio Crash Course - do you have an opinion on which one might best take the physical abuse of being rolled, unrolled, repeat 100 times and thrown in backpacks or are they pretty much the same?

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

They are similar, but in that use case I’d go N9TAX.

Where is the band width test? This is import to many operators.

was that a sad ham at the end? haha

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

Very likely.

I love your videos, but when it comes to something like a J pole, why not just make your own? That’s a serious question. I made my own and it works fine, but I’ve honestly never tested it against another J pole.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I didn't encourage people not to make a J-Pole.

@RobinP556

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I didn’t mean it as an insult, hopefully you didn’t take it that way. By chance have you ever done a video comparing a homemade J pole to another one that’s made commercially? I’ve taken your advice a lot and even put together my own EMP trash can to include the G-90 and the tiny laptop.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

No offense taken. I only started these testing videos a few months ago. So I’d need to make said antenna to review it.

@RobinP556

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks, I’m not a very subtle person at times and sometimes I say things in a way that offends someone. BTW, I had hoped to see you in Huntsville since it’s only a few hours drive. Maybe next year.

Next time also use a basic stock antenna to use it as a reference.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

I've already done that in past videos, please see those. The SNR values back then would be the same as today.

@JohnUsp

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks

N9TAX 1/2 wave at 1/2 cost of Ed Fong. 🤔

Im always surprised that 440 is so poor for these Jpole. My use is typically better

N9tax is my jam

Hi 73

Califonia: so nice, they need to chain picnic tables to trees to prevent them from being stolen.

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

It's maybe that, but it's mostly so people don't move them to other areas to make bigger party setups. They want to keep the tables distributed under the larger trees.

@jakep5121

Жыл бұрын

@@HamRadioCrashCourse your both wrong... It's California. They are trying to save the trees! (Sarcasm)

@johnkaelberer237

Жыл бұрын

When the SHTF, you will be sorry you didn't leave Kali a long time ago. You will be able to use your radio to call for help right before they eat you. Not trying to be an idiot, just telling you the sad truth. Retired LEO who escaped Kali in the 1990's.@@HamRadioCrashCourse

When the antenna is resonant you don’t need the ferrite. That comes from ed fong himself

@HamRadioCrashCourse

Жыл бұрын

For a j pole that might be true, but ferrites are still needed on many resonant antenna types.

ROFL 🤣 The End

@davidkbailey

Жыл бұрын

Yeah - there’s a story there I’d be curious to hear about.

@lr7974

Жыл бұрын

Lol I’m still laughing I’m glad he left that in there. True to life as a ham operator for sure