Great video as always Fraser, well done on the activation. 73

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I did enjoy using the efhw. I actually carried it again today but couldn't use it as I forgot my walking poles! 73, Fraser

Splendid ! Thanks very much. Interesting video and some good pointers. All the best. Nick M1DDD

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Nick, thanks! It was great fun using the efhw. I'm keeping an eye out for conditions improving as I'd like to try it again soon. 73, Fraser

Thanks for adding the maps at both the beginning and the end. They really help in understanding where you are.

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Every time I finish a video, I hear you nagging in my ear and then I add the maps! 🤣 Cheers, Fraser

Frazer, I'm so relieved that the EFHW worked for you 😜. Thanks for the great video! 73 Stephan

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it did the job. One day I may build a proper one like yours and then my life will be easy! 🤣 I have your document printed off in readiness.... 73, Fraser

@PortableRadio

2 жыл бұрын

@@theradiorover Good to hear 😆

I use Buffalo too and take Paramo to cover upper body on the summit. Works well.

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

It's good stuff! 🇬🇧 Paramo is great too. More folk need to hear about it!

The EFHW wire antenna is the best thing for a portable or a simple home antenna - 1) easy to deploy, 2) fed at the end near the radio means the coax run does not have to be long 3) multi band resonant with low SWR 4) cheap 5) easy to build 6) the current is negligible at the transformer, max in the centre, which means the feed point can be conveniently mounted close to the ground without affecting performance, and with a short wire to a ground rod to dissipate any static or ESD to ground. Simply a marvelous antenna. I have about 5 commercially built ones, and about 5 home brew ones

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

All true, however I can deploy a W3EDP quicker, feed it straight from the radio and it covers more bands. No feeder, no transformer, so less kit and less weight. Of course, you need a tuner, however the Elecraft KX2 has one. Sometimes speed is everything! Of course, for a home set up you wouldn't go far wrong with an EFHW.

However much I like my EFHW in an inverted V, it's so much easier setting up a pole near your shelter with the feeder coming down the pole. I never seem to get the end of my EFHW where I intended. Thanks for another great video.

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

You are spot on Kevin! Luckily that day I had plenty of room and decent weather. Didn't really matter if the coax snaked around a bit. Luckily it ended up near a tree. A chair! Bliss 🙂

EFHW needs empty space like you had, not suitable IMHO for a busy summit. I do like the the Sotlas website and ability to use GPS to see your location. I also have SOTA finder app on my phone and SOTA spotter app. Plus MMtracker and Apline quest on my tablet.

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

The EFWW 67' and my W3EDP is 84'. Also, as someone pointed out to me, an end fed half wave is the same length as a centre fed half wave, so it's actually the same length as my 40m inverted V! I just think it feels longer when you're sitting at one end of it. You have too many Apps John. 🤣😉

@excossack

2 жыл бұрын

@@theradiorover too many apps but all handy!

I have a couple end fed antennas but I think my link dipole will be the antenna I stick with for Activating. In vk5 we have a very large area to cover to find contacts and need even 80m for closer in chasers who have been on my list for the last few years in the downturn in propagation. I like jumping up to swap a link it give me a chance to stretch out my sore body from the hike.

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly that. Me too. I generally use a linked dipole or a W3EDP. I'm not against the efhw, I just think that in winter weather, there are quicker ways of getting on the air. 73, Fraser

I’ll confess now that EFHW are my antenna of choice when out and about. Link dipole I found to be more clumsy to set up and I never saw they were an appreciable improvement in an inverted V configuration. The UNUN too close to the ground has an impact. But at the end of the day it’s about you and what you are comfortable with and the enjoyment. 73 M0AZE

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Mike, At the weekend I ended up on a summit with a wooden post right beside the cairn. I was carrying the EFHW, W3EDP and linked dipole (40/20m). As I planned on operating on 20m and it was -3°C plus windchill, it made perfect sense to strap the mast to the post and throw up the inverted V. My other two aerials would have taken a good bit longer to set up. My next antenna will either be a vertical with gain or something for the WARC bands, especially with the solar cycle kicking in. Cheers, Fraser MM0EFI

brilliant video! I do think I caught a glompse of you in Glasgow? buchanan Galleries of I am not mistaken? keep them coming - amazin amazing work !

@theradiorover

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes, Mo and I were in Glasgow last week for a night. You should have said hello! Cheers, Fraser MM0EFI