Mid week chat #1 Review of the DX Commander HF portable antenna

First of my mid week chats from the radio room.

This week I discuss my experience of using the HF Portable antenna the DX Commander. I've used the antenna as a base antenna at this new location and it has performed very well through the winter. I have yet to test one out portable however I have confidence in the quality of the components.

From the DX Commander website:

Building on the success of the DX Commander All-Band-Vertical (Classic), this super economical lightweight system delivers multi-band performance from 30m and upwards.

Choose any three bands, trim elements (in user guide) and you’re away.

[bobhorton]

KC3HHH here from the states. Callum steered me to your channel and I’m looking forward to listening in on occasion, 73’s. Bob

[KYIC]

Great Review,   I came your way via Callum I purchased one of these for use on the west coast USA.  Looking forward to getting it up sometime in the next week.

[markthomasnxrx]

I'm another from Callum's channel, good stuff here Carl, just subscribed.

[myleswilliamson]

Hi Carl. Enjoyed your video on this type of antenna.

[problemwithauthority]

Carl, a very nice honest review of a good antenna. I have built a copy of the DX Commander from Callum's design, using materials I either had or purchased local. I kept the antenna set up for a few months until we had an ice storm, the mast and elements picking up ice and pulling the antenna down...I did rush out and lay the antenna down to prevent breakage. To add a few things, I think the antenna works very well as an antenna, I have made contacts around the world when the bands are open. It is a very good antenna for travel, but the time to deploy and later bundle up for travel makes me want to leave it up for a few days to maximize the time spent...being able to set it up again efficiently requires a tidy packaging during tear down, with wires labeled and rolled and secured. Since I cannot depend on the wind to not blow, I use a second set of guy ropes between 5 and 7 meters.

[therealkerberos]

73 from the sticks of Michigan and glad Callum pointed me over here.

[morphshag]

The DX commander looks like a great piece of kit but my concern would be leaving it set up here in VK. The sun is so harsh I’d be curious hold the pole would hold up.

[phredyh]

Carl Hi from Colorado! I’m a fan of Cals and now a fan of yours😬 I too have a DX Commander ABV and am in the process of making it a permanent installation. it’s not yet featured on my QRZ page as I still have some other improvements to make. Please keep up the good work on your channel. Happy Holidays.... Fred KE0EF

[zootnanny]

Hi
got the link from DX Commander's site, wish you luck with your venture, maybe popping in now and then, for now 73

[QQQQSteve]

Hi Carl, well wishes from New Jersey USA....Cal gave you a great recommendation
. 73. From KD2KVN.

[MRMY]

Hi Carl

Fantastic to be here and to see your work.
Good luck with the channel. I see Cal has boosted your numbers - well deserved.
73
Tom
M0RMY

[jordesclark]

Callum sent me here, looking forward to seeing your content buddy!

[edwymer]

I’m studying for my Extra class here in the U.S. I believe is the same as your Foundation lic.
I learned of your site from Callum
And I subscribed.

[trevorhardisty]

Hi Carl, Callum recommended your channel and i am pleased he did, I've just clicked you up to 600 subscribers, looking forward to your videos, keep up the good work. Trevor ZL1UTH

[markramsay]

Great video. My DX Commander is now up (as of end of August 2021). Tuned perfectly now (took a bit of time to get where I wanted it to be). First impressions... hmmmm not sure what I was expecting - to hear Mars perhaps (ha!?). Seriously, been using an EFHW multi-band, 20m with trap extension (2.5m for 80m) at 9m high across the garden (so 80m-6m_. As an M7MSR with 10W still been getting good QSO into EU and further east. Only played with DX Commander for a few hours so far and it kinda breaks all the rules I have read about. Sometimes it has more noise than the EFHW, it is a vertical after all! But wait a while, change the band, change the hour of the day, and then it has less noise. I have an antenna switch so was switching the DX and EFHW in and out and comparing. So far in my little tests there was not a lot between them to be honest. I guess I would say at this moment there was more gain (oooomph) in the EFHW on receiving, not so sure about TX at the moment. Then just before bed a North American station was heard on the EFHW, quickly switched to the DX and certainly appeared a stronger signal for sure (did not have a chance to TX). So I think it is early days - which is why I came across your review as I was looking for other findings. Perhaps the clue is in the name "DX". For a small low power station like mine we are not exactly at the DX maximum at the moment (as few years yet...).... Anyway, I will keep at it and fine review Sir ! Mark M7MSR.

[RianGalway]

Great honest review.. You came with Callum's recommendation on the day I'm taking delivery of my DX Commander lite! Hope to work you one day. Ray 2E0IJJ.. Cadishead, near Warrington/Manchester

[dxscotland]

Great video👍good luck with the experiments, for me ant building is the best part of the hobby!

[bud]

DX Commander sent me, love your videos. de KC1KCI 73's from New Hampshire, USA

[MrBanzoid]

Hi Carl... I came here from Cal's channel and subbed straight away.
73 de Malc 2E0EZP

[markramsay]

PS - your comment about adding more radials was very interesting in terms of the effect you had.... I was already thinking about adding a few more, and I will hold back a while. Callum explains the laws of diminishing returns, and I have 21 at 3.33m (as the his spec). But I was thinking I might put more down as I spare wire. So will be a little more cautions, I did not expect you to see a performance decline in that, as I understand it, the total amount of copper is important rather than a specific length or number. Anyway, will leave "as is" for a while and do some more testing. Mark, M7MSR