X-Tenna Switchable EFHW Antenna for Ham Radio

X-Tenna Switchable EFHW Antenna for Ham Radio - $65.00 ASSEMBLED?! Xtenna

Рет қаралды 11,910

Жыл бұрын

KC8YBC sent me an X-tenna antenna for review. I took 20 minutes to record my random thoughts about this antenna, while giving you an opportunity to get more intimate with this antenna.
If you purchase this antenna / EFHW Autotransformer, please make a note that you purchased this after watching my video. I DO NOT get commission or anything, but I believe it is nice to allow the owner of a company to see who is brining them sales.. And if not, thanks anyway.
#efhw #hamradio #parksontheair
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A few points BEFORE Watching:
the description below states that at 67 feet of wire, this will get you 40m, 20m, 10m and 17/15m with a tuner. I was able to achieve a under 2 SWR on 15m, but these results may vary (you'll have to test your own).
Speaking of wire, I describe the wire as Polystealth like, this may be confusing. I was referring to the wire (at least I think) as having a memory, unlike silicone wire. So, it is poly stealth like in that aspect.
switching the antenna while in use (transmitting) is probably not recommended and may potentially cause damage to your radio, in some freak situation. I don't recommend it.
While using this on my flex radio, I did use the tuner and was able to tune other bands, like 17, without issue.
I made ft8 contacts with 38 watts into South Africa on 10m, no worries there.
There is so much I COULD talk about with this efhw, but I have to leave it somewhere.
Watch this prior to purchasing another antenna.
www.etsy.com/listing/14381354...
DESCRIPTION:
Complete End Fed Half Wave HF Portable 'Switch' Antenna Package Incl. Wire
FREE SHIPPING TO CONUS
As reviewed on ‪@COASTALWAVESWIRES‬ - • X-Tenna Variable Ratio...
Fully Assembled Variable Ratio End Fed Halfwave HF Portable antenna. Unique design. No other company is making this design antenna. The ultimate in flexibility for remote operations.
Custom made PCB
Female BNC feed point connector
Inductance ratio selectable from 49:1 / 56:1 / 64:1
140-43 Toroid
60w SSB
SWR ~1.1 - 1.7
Resonant on 40m - 20m - 10m with 67' antenna wire (70ft INCLUDED)
*Tunable on 17/15m
(3) Gold bullet connections for optional counterpoise wires
70ft of 26ga Antenna wire
Custom wire winder
Attachment carabiner
FULLY ASSEMBLED NOT A KIT
Includes;
40m - 20 - 10m fully assembled and tested antenna
(3) 2.0mm gold plated male bullet connectors (for optional counterpoise)
(70ft) 26ga Antenna wire
Custom antenna wire winder
Wire attachment carabiner
This is an efficient, low cost, lightweight antenna for any aspiring or seasoned Amateur Radio Enthusiast to use in a portable setting such as Parks on the Air (POTA), Summits on the Air (SOTA) or out camping/backpacking.
This product is proudly designed, assembled and tested in the USA. FREE SHIPPING for orders over $35
Compare to other EFHW designs that do not offer the flexibility of the XTenna Switch
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**** I have checked the Paid Promotion box because this antenna was sent to me for free in exchange for a review. I have not received money and no one can tell me what to review, put on my channel, or not put on my channel. ****
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Be kind.

Пікірлер: 61

@n3jw34 Жыл бұрын

Terrific and thank you, tons and tons! The X-Tenna will be put to good use. Also, looking forward to receiving the two masts that were pre-ordered. Keep those great Ham Radio Dude vids coming! 73, Mike, N3JW

@deerslayer767 6 ай бұрын

Dude great video. Always learning from you.

@jamesmoore6424 Жыл бұрын

In a past life, I used to design and install antenna systems! All commercially made stuff in most cases. I fully understand the wire and winder, and this is designed for portability. My concern would be the robustness of the switch! I have been (years ago) in the Amateur Radio Emergency Corp (AREC) in New Zealand. I am not involved anymore due to poor health and family reasons. Any I would be using some type of weather proofing on that switch! Any water (rain) would quickly ruin that (if it is the type I used to use in order stuff). I love the design though!

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

Good point and useful observation. I appreciate the input as it gives me more to consider in the future! Thanks!

@maurasmith-mitsky762 11 ай бұрын

I didn’t know about APRS beacon thing. Thanks for the video. Now I must learn.

@ryankc9oza118 Жыл бұрын

Great review. Can't wait to use mine

@LeopardAppaloosa755 Жыл бұрын

Just bought the last two on the website! Can't wait...

@polymath5119 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the review. KC8YBC I bought the last one before the storefront was updated with the next batch. I might rewind it to 3:21, 3:24, and 3:27, for 80-20M.

@a_ham_like_me Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the review. Looks like it would work nicely with a fiberglass mast for portable work.

@michaeledmonds3027 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great, super detailed, review. At half the PackTenna cost, decent quality and feature set, I ordered one. KZ5MSE, 73

@royurick Ай бұрын

Speaking of broken wires and extra feed points. I keep a small bolt and nut attached to both of the alternate antenna points. Exactly for the broken wire situation you found yourself in.

@HAMRADIODUDE Ай бұрын

Great idea!

@Scout75PortableRadio Жыл бұрын

Great video as always, Dude! Very cool antenna. I like how versatile it is. IMHO, that antenna $65 assembled is a STEAL!

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

I'm digging it and I have an interesting idea

@ramonbennett8416 Жыл бұрын

Awesome dude 👍👍👍

@DK5ONV Жыл бұрын

AWSOME...love that swichtable Thing. May be they got one of those that can handle max. 200W that a be the Right One for me. Nicely explained, Dude. You ROCK. Happy Tuesday Bro 💯👍🙋‍♂️

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

Happy Tuesday UG

@patriot9455 Жыл бұрын

This would work nicely in a 20Watt and QRP wattage range. I am just getting back to HF. My experiences with Baofeng ( the most advanced VHF/UHF radio on the planet) are leaving me to want to explore areas past my line of sight. This looks like a good economical way to go.

@johnwest7993 Жыл бұрын

I'm building a couple of them with banana plug taps for various different antenna impedances from 4 to 1 to 64 to 1. It's fun, and costs less than $10 for both, (just the toroids,) as opposed to $130. I don't run more than 50W anyway. I'm one of those hams who figures the fun of ham radio is really in the building and the learning, not in the yacking. I got the license because the FCC then authorizes me to design, build, test, and use my own gear.

@AlanElBee Жыл бұрын

I'm right with you John. I love playing with antennas but #notaragchewer LOL K7KS

@the_mad_swimbaiter455 Жыл бұрын

Great informative video dude!

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

Thank you thank you

@johnb6084 Жыл бұрын

I have one of these, fantastic antenna.

@ronjohnson2155 5 ай бұрын

We used the xtenna for winter field day..fantastic performance!.

@HAMRADIODUDE 4 ай бұрын

That's great! Glad you had success and hopefully a fun time!

@cliffuyeda2887 Жыл бұрын

I was thinking a Packtenna. This will be interesting.

@donaldsmith3048 Жыл бұрын

How much power will it take? The hight over the ground and sometimes the type of ground can change the impedance.

@jasonjenkins-ferris 7 ай бұрын

people that think there's no place for prebuilt antennas like this should spend a day or two as a disabled person.

@HAMRADIODUDE 7 ай бұрын

Nice point, for sure. It's the same about living in an HOA. People who criticize living in an HOA and try to be little others for doing so, sometimes they don't realize that some people are in HOAs for a reason like external lawn and housing maintenance. Great point, cheers and best wishes

@revbikerbigd8664 Жыл бұрын

Really like to be able to switch instead of buying 3 different kits. Would like to see one that can more than just 3 in the future in one unit . AA2BD

@ae4xo Жыл бұрын

Packtenna got some competition

@W8MJL Жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly. I've been wanting a packtenna for a long time but never seem to find them in stock, this one will be in my arsenal soon.

@ae4xo Жыл бұрын

@@W8MJL my packtenna has been to 99 activations and it’s showing it’s age. So this will be my backup

@Zapruderfilm1963 Жыл бұрын

I’m going to be using a Three mosquito’s EFHW for POTA. Excellent antenna! Thanks for the review of this one! 73 de N1XV

@W4TRI Жыл бұрын

You got me! Bought the all red one. K4RJJ

@glenw810 9 ай бұрын

Did you have to trim the wire to tune.

@johnpawlicki1184 Жыл бұрын

The switch is on the high voltage side of the unun. Probably RF will be a problem. IMO 73

@SFJF26 Жыл бұрын

I picked one up. I said Ham Radio Dude sent me. 73 W2FLA

@Caniculus100 Жыл бұрын

This should be a EFHW antenna, right? So the lenghts mentioned in the package is definitely not endfed half wave lenghts. They maybe for random wave lenghts.

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

Yeah it's an end Fed halfwave kit. You get 70 ft and cut it down to your desired length. They wouldn't want to give you less than a half wavelength, right?

@dannybryant4440 Жыл бұрын

I just received my X-Tenna, what bands will it work on with the 70 ft of wire. 40,20 and 10??

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

40 20 10 as listed in the description. I was able to get 15 also In the sloper on 49:1. Will have a video on that soon. As far as feet, I recommend cutting it around 68 feet and slowly cutting down until you have a good match.

@dannybryant4440 Жыл бұрын

@@HAMRADIODUDE thank you so much, that is what I thought and was hoping for. W5CI

@Philip-KA4KOE Жыл бұрын

Have you tried any of N9SAB's antennas?

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

I haven't but I'd like to meet the guy as I think he's local and I hear a lot of good about them. I'll see what I can do about grabbing one

@Philip-KA4KOE Жыл бұрын

Tim is a great guy and builder. His aerials are selling like hotcakes.

@truckinguy92 Жыл бұрын

Why not wind the wire right onto the antenna? It looks like a wire winder after all.

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

I did, myself. That's no issue. In fact with the wire they gave, I can easily ft 71 feet on one side.

@pieterdutoit9642 Жыл бұрын

Hi nice but is always sold out and does get expensive in ZL freight and sales tax, freight tax tax ,taxes, ZL1PDT

@marinedad1775 27 күн бұрын

WILL IT WORK OM 80 WITH MORE WIRE?

@HAMRADIODUDE 27 күн бұрын

I don't have it to test, but if you had 80m length and a loading coil about 6.5 feet off the toroid, it should work

@super66craig Жыл бұрын

I need super cheap 2m and 10m antennas

@HAMRADIODUDE Жыл бұрын

2m is probably easy. 10, I don't have any resources for that.

@ronrico2620 10 ай бұрын

Skip the petg and print in asa or another uv resistant plastic

@HAMRADIODUDE 10 ай бұрын

Yeah I recently started printing with ASA. Of course the main reason not to is that it requires a heat chamber and is toxic if you don't have proper ventilation. However, once I was able to expand my operations to incorporate a heat chamber and ventilation, I'm extremely happy with ASA

@ronrico2620 10 ай бұрын

@@HAMRADIODUDE a cardboard box will work. Abs is toxic that is part of the reason asa got popular. Now we have crazy options for plastic. Don't sleep on hips great for living hinges

@HAMRADIODUDE 10 ай бұрын

I'm kind of curious if you don't mind Where do you get your information from? I'm under the impression that the styrene utilized an ASA is more toxic than what's found in ABS?

@ronrico2620 10 ай бұрын

@@HAMRADIODUDE I'm not getting dragged into this debate. Everything on Google about asa toxicity is 4-5 years old. I got a 3d printer earlier this year and started learning. Many videos pn KZfaq said it was less toxic. If you really worried put 2 condoms on and keep mommy on speed dial. You got plastic in your food, most of the beef in usa is cloned and poison stickers on fruit. How much do you want to worry about?