Best Roll Up J-Pole, Slim Jim VHF/UHF Antenna? Ed Fong Vs. RadioWavz Tested

Antenna battle between two popular roll-up Jpole ham radio antennas. Which will win?

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[firewaterforgeofarizona]

I had one made by n9tax. It literally saved my life, twice! That antenna combined with a ft60 was able to get into repeaters out in a Wilderness Area for a medical extraction. There's no way I could have made it into the repeaters without it. Right now, I have one on the top of my radio antenna mast, about 33 ft up in the air. It's in a section of PVC painted gray to blend in with the sky. Works just as good as any antenna I could possibly get.

[fepatton]

Thanks for the tip! I've been wanting a roll-up for camping. I contacted Ed Fong and since he lives close by, he invited me to come by and pick it up to save postage, which I did this morning. We had a nice chat about the antenna and his choices of materials, which persuaded me all the more that this is a great choice. (I downloaded his QST article on it, and I remember reading it back in the day.) I can't wait to try it out!

[Cephalon_Shade]

Personally, I have the N9TAX labs 2m/70cm roll up antenna. And It'd be one antenna I would like to see be compared against the Ed-Fong antenna.

[udzmrey]

I use a N9TAX as my primary 2m antenna on my property. Hoisted about 60 feet up a hickory tree and I can hit all the local repeaters, always been happy with it. I bought a backup a few months ago in case it fails from being out in the elements but it's been outside for nearly 2 years now and still truckin'.

[TimRedman]

I have both of them. The DBJ-2 rollup version stays in my go bag with my HT, and the DBJ-1 base version is my semi-permanent home antenna for my IC-2730A. Love them both.

[HRNT]

I have to agree, I think the Ed Fong is the way to go. Great video Josh! 73

[bassmanjr]

When I was a brand new ham I purchased the Ed Fong rollup to give my Boofwang :) a bit more kick to a distant repeater. I had some trouble with it (totally my fault not the antenna). I sent Ed an email and he responded immediately and said call him and he helped me out. Don't know anything about the other antenna but Ed was very helpful on the customer service side as well. Good antenna, good guy.

[apollyon]

I get pretty good results from the N9TAX dual band roll up jpole. Want to try the Ed Fong also.

[trueblueblooded]

The performance of the N9TAX dual band roll up J pole is on par with the Ed Fong in my experience.

[chuckk]

I've had the Ed Fong (w/ pvc pipe option) and use it with my Yaesu mobile for local club and ARES nets for about 3 years now. It's idiot proof simple and works great. I've been very happy with it ☺️.

[howardkarse]

I have had/used the Ed Fong and found it performed well, was light and easy to deploy on a 15' crappie pole. Passed that to a club member who needed more than a rubber duck to participate in the club net. Now a regular participant who can be copied via both repeater and simplex. Plus, it is very easy for her to use as a septuagenarian.

[Sean-AIEQ]

My favorite roll-up 2m antennas are the ones I build for fun. Doing a build with a group of hams tonight too.

[ahowardkable]

I have neither. I use a n9tax rollup. I'd like to try an ed fong

[bobkonkel]

I do like my N9TAX wire ladder j-pole. Really reaches out….

[MattCoversTech]

I hope you revisit this and test the popular N9TAX labs dual band J Pole. I got one, and was so pleased with the performance I bought a second. I'm able to get approx. 45 miles away on a 5 watt HT.

[waynecavanaugh]

Great video and as others have said I also have two of the N9TAX roll up slim jim antennas for 2 meters and 70 cm and really appreciate the quality build of these. They are custom maid from 450 ohm ladder line and he will make them for any band you need. As I have seen in comments from others I would like to see the N9TAX in a comparison test as well. I am especially interested in its 440 Mhz performance.

Thanks again for another great video!

[Pigeon__Man]

Ah could have got the N9TAX in there too. Although it also uses ladder line but the wider stuff

[berjo]

Hi Josh, saw your work at the Hamfest yesterday, great job!

I’ve just purchased my first j-pole and watched intently to learn how to best get mine up!

[dovetomarc]

I have the N9TAX. Fantastic Antenna. ! Would like to see Josh test it.

[proudtex]

I've been using a roll-up j-pole from a maker on ebay, bacause it's simply smaller / more packable. I may need to try the Ed Fong... Also, I love running the same VX-6 and Diamond SRH320A antenna. That's my Outdoor radio.