Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

On Sun,4/3/2016 8:33 AM, Don Butler wrote: Barry . I just tested my 20 meter and 17 meter whips by fully extending them and connecting them directly to a Rig Expert AA-230 Pro outside in the open yard ... With NO Counterpoise wire ... this is the first time I've tried this .. Good that you've

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

N1EU Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2016 4:38 AM To: Elecraft Reflector; k...@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc. Thanks for all the responses. Don, your comments are much appreciated and I planned on building a bracket just

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Thanks for all the responses. Don, your comments are much appreciated and I planned on building a bracket just as you describe and mounting my whip/counterpoise to the top of a trekking pole.. Again, I'm not asking about antenna performance. I will add the counterpoise in actual operation. I'm

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Did you have a counterpoise when you swept the antenna? If not, you're only looking at half your antenna, especially as the RigExpert is almost all plastic. On Sun, Apr 3, 2016, 01:15 Barry N1EU wrote: > If anyone else out there has an MFJ-1820T and also an antenna

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

the shack... Don, N5LZ -Original Message- From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Barry N1EU Sent: Saturday, April 02, 2016 6:15 PM To: Elecraft Reflector; k...@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whi

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

If anyone else out there has an MFJ-1820T and also an antenna analyzer, I wonder if you could please do me a favor. Please just connect the whip directly to the analyzer and tell me what the SWR looks like across the 20M and the 17M bands. I swept my MFJ-1820T with my Rig Expert AA-30 and my

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

I think some people mount them under one of the thumb screws — but it seems to me a lot simpler to just use a large enough alligator (or blunt nosed) style clip on the end of the radial wire. Clip it right to the metal shell of the male BNC. Grant NQ5T K3 #2091, KX3 #8342 > On Mar 29,

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Probably a dumb question, but any suggestions on how to connect counterpoise wires using the MFJ-1820T? The loaded whip terminates in a male BNC, which I assume is intended to connect directly to the KX3 antenna jack. It's not obvious to me how to add counterpoise wires??? Thanks & 73, Barry

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc

I might argue semantics with you, Charlie but get that most folks think a "base loading coil" is for use with shortened antennas (showing capacitive reactance). The 5/8 WL Larson VHF whip (cut for 2m) does load nice on low end of 6m. In fact my antenna is a Larson with NMO base mounting

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

I had this problem in spades finding an antenna to use on my Miata with a Yeasu FTM-10R, which does 2M and 70Ccm along with AM and FM broadcast. The FTM-10R manual says, “NOTE: An antenna designed with a matching device that forms a low DC resistance to ground may have poor recep on on the AM

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

OR buy a 5/8 wave base-loaded 2m mobile whip - loads on 50-MHz very nicely. That's an old trick for dual-band 6m/2m use. Try brands like Larsen or Maxrad. 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: dubus...@gmail.com This only works for a 5/8

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Since folks are talking adding a top hat or base loading coil, why not just extend the length of the vertical to a full 1/4 wavelength? 1/4WL = 248/50.1 MHz = 4.95 feet (59, 3/8-inch). Connect a small alligator clip to a 11-inch piece of hookup wire and suspend the wire with a piece of cord

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

> But I can testify that from my experience working QRP in major DX contests, a > few dB can be the difference between making a QSO or not, mostly based on the > noise level at the other end. And 7+ dB is a LOT. That's true. But when I'm out hiking, doing quick deployments, I'm willing to

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

On Fri,3/25/2016 9:31 AM, Wayne Burdick wrote: Jim Brown wrote: >A #22 wire taped to a telescoping fiberglass pole can easily be wedged between the seat and the top of a typical picnic table... True enough, but the whip, when collapsed, is a lot shorter. No

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Jim Brown wrote: > A #22 wire taped to a telescoping fiberglass pole can easily be wedged > between the seat and the top of a typical picnic table... True enough, but the whip, when collapsed, is a lot shorter. Wayne N6KR

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

I'm quoting your entire message because it's exactly right on all counts. 73, Jim K9YC On Fri,3/25/2016 8:44 AM, GRANT YOUNGMAN wrote: Raising the counterpoise a foot or more above ground rather than just throwing it on the ground will have the effect of reducing ground losses and getting

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Yes, any antenna that's deployed beats one that isn't. :) But a #22 wire taped to a telescoping fiberglass pole can easily be wedged between the seat and the top of a typical picnic table, and another #22 laid on the ground. There's a photo on my qrz.com page of me doing exactly that from a

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Just a minor point. Raising the counterpoise a foot or more above ground rather than just throwing it on the ground will have the effect of reducing ground losses and getting more signal radiated. So rather than just toss the counterpoise wire on the ground, it’s a good thing to keep it

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc. Jim, Like I implied in my posting, portable operation is often more about convenience than signal strength. Your estimate of around 7 dB sounds reasonable. That's about 1.5 S-units, to use the vernacular

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Jim, Like I implied in my posting, portable operation is often more about convenience than signal strength. Your estimate of around 7 dB sounds reasonable. That's about 1.5 S-units, to use the vernacular. When a band is open, this loss still allows a lot of contacts to be made. Example: A

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Thanks for the Mac pointer and advice. Now to see if I can find enough time to do some modeling. I do software stuff and spend a lot of time in the "Console" -- Windows version of that is just so clunky... shudder -- At least the mac is Unix like so matches all the servers with run Linux. Don't

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

The place to look for Mac ham radio stuff is . I have used Koc Chen's cocoaNEC for antenna modelling. It is quite usable. [Unlike Jim, I haven't been able to recover from developing software for Windows

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Don't know. I have never been able to get my feeble brain around Apple's "super logical" UI. 73, Jim On Thu,3/24/2016 10:01 PM, Brendon Whateley wrote: Jim, Is there a suitable modeling software for the Mac? I've not had a Windows machine in the house since XP was shiny and new.

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Jim, Is there a suitable modeling software for the Mac? I've not had a Windows machine in the house since XP was shiny and new... - Brendon On Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 6:11 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > On Thu,3/24/2016 3:15 PM, Brendon Whateley wrote: > >> Jim, >> >> Can you

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Not all 4ft radiators are equal! Top loading vs bottom loading changes the current distribution and raises radiation resistance of the vertical radiator. Top loading can substantially improve efficiency. 73 Josh W6XU Sent from my mobile device > > ...A 4 foot radiator is still a 4 foot

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Brendon, A capacity hat can work on bringing the frequency downward, but how much depends on the size of the capacity hat and the inductance of the loading coil. If you are not comfortable with modeling software, but have an antenna analyzer, you can still experiment. Try a capacity hat

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

On Thu,3/24/2016 3:15 PM, Brendon Whateley wrote: Jim, Can you toss a capacitive hat on the top of the shorter vertical and see what difference that makes? I've not figured out how to use the modeling software yet! Now's a good time to learn. :) Modeling software like NEC is a great way

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Jim, Can you toss a capacitive hat on the top of the shorter vertical and see what difference that makes? I've not figured out how to use the modeling software yet! - Brendon KK6AYI On Thu, Mar 24, 2016 at 11:14 AM, Jim Brown wrote: > On Wed,3/23/2016 7:12 PM,

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

On Wed,3/23/2016 7:12 PM, Wayne Burdick wrote: I've been using an MFJ-1820T telescoping 20-meter whip for a few months. Considering its length (48"), results have been excellent. I typically use it with the KX3 on a picnic table at 15 W (with an external battery), or hand-held at 3 to 5 W

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

I got the whip for 17m. I figure there is not much difference between a coil at the base of the whip and a coil inside the ATU. Neither one will radiate. So get a whip for the highest band you want to use and let the ATU provide loading for lower bands. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj

Re: [Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Wayne, Funny you should bring this up, I just received an MFJ-1899T today. Slapped a counterpoise on it and at 6 watts running JT9 (in New Jersey) was able to be heard (watching PSK Reporter) all the way in CA and Alberta. Just worked a station in MN. I'm not even giving the whip a fair

[Elecraft] Strong recommendation: MFJ 18xx-series single-band whips for KX3, etc.

Hi all, I've been using an MFJ-1820T telescoping 20-meter whip for a few months. Considering its length (48"), results have been excellent. I typically use it with the KX3 on a picnic table at 15 W (with an external battery), or hand-held at 3 to 5 W (internal battery). During the ARRL DX