How I 'discovered' the DX Commander Concept

In 2013, the idea came to me. But let's talk about the discovery of the fan vertical, harmonics, 5/8th, Radials - and more! 73. Callum.
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[wwok]

Great discussion. Your ramblings are better than most “expert” presentations.

[MIKROWAVE]

Doing freehand diagrams in real time without getting Sharpie Marker all over the entirety of the bench and your hands is the real miracle of the DX Commander. That can't be real.

[mikeknight]

Barry Strickland - AB4QL had an article published in the 2015 ARRL book "Portable Antenna Classics" entitled Fishing for DX with a 5 band Portable Antenna. Same concept but slightly different configuration. However it was a diy project and no one was selling them commercially, it's great that these are now available through your retail outlet - One day I might be able to afford one :)

[samjones-oubn]

Sir This is proof of what i been saying

your so real and very straight up !!!

i am proud of you being a such a lighthouse for us Ham OPs


keep doing what you do brother !!!

[TheShadowCamo]

You didn't invent the vertical dipole!!! That's crazy Callum! LOL! But Seriously you've spent years fine tuning these antennas! Give yourself some credit! There's a lot of happy customers all over the world running your antenna. I think you did alright mate! Good job man.

[kevinshieldswkps]

Invented or not, it is shear perfection! You put it together and made it what it is! I say it’s all you!

[Davidm-MTPT]

Personally, my first antenna was the DX commander Cal will tell you purchased about 4 years ago; now when I was new to the hobby, the instructions and build taught me so much. And I'm still learning but it reinforced some of the basics about the relationship between length and frequency and cutting for the best SWR. We were all new to the hobby once upon a time :). you can't change physics but you can refine the learning, quality, deployment, and build quality/ease of use and this is what this antenna did for me. The G8AMC is an online radio club but if we were Brix and morter this would be on our syllabus for every new foundation operator to build and then operate :) thanks, Callum for being part of my radio journey :) regards David M0TPT

[nvrumi]

Callum, you are a gem! You would be an excellent teacher.

I've only been a ham about four years, but I am an engineer. I watched all of Cliff Batson's videos. He's also a very good teacher and a QRP guy. He did a video on the difference between 10w and 100w and that made it clear to me that the *only* time more power makes much difference (read significant difference) is if you're right at the noise level of the other station or you're trying to break a pile-up.

I think it'd be a hoot to build a flamethrower. What a great idea.

[donaldsmith]

Thank You! I don't always understand all you say but understand some of it. New to ham. But I almost always get something from your videos! I think as I learn more I will understand more of your videos.

[mewrongwayKOCXF]

Wow what a beautiful home and property! Awesome Antennas too!

[johnrees..GEIJ]

A superb video, Callum..Thank you for explaining so much in terms that we ‘ordinary’ folk can understand..Please keep doing it!..73..John..G4EIJ

[TRIPPLEJAY]

Callum you're a fantastic gentleman, self driven. I find your video's are like a biography. This is my favourite so far, especially the beginning on how the DX Commander was born. Bless you and thank you for giving me drive. Have a fantastic summer. 😀

[TheTimking]

I didn't invent sliced bread but I make a very decent living selling it!!!? Keep up your great work!!

[douglasvamateurradioandmore]

I like the way you say things and they way you explain them. I sometimes chuckle at the difference on how English and and Americans say things.

If we're ever in the others country, it would be great to meet you in person.

[GEJD]

On the 30M antenna you added a centre loading coil (not a trap) which electrically lengthens the antenna length by adding inductance to the equivalent circuit, therefore it resonates at both the physical length and electrical length being two different frequencies.
When you folded the top of the antenna back on itself, it creates a classic folded dipole that adds whats called a J-matching section, enabling an electrically too long an antenna to be matched at a lower frequency. The technique is a classic VHF technique seen on say the old slim-Jim antennas.
Also, I presume MMANA allows lumped constants (the coil) to be inserted at some point in the antenna element which would allow you to simulate and validate its positioning and effects. You could get even more interesting results by fitting a capacitor hat; well it would allow a long antenna to be shortened and drop its resonant frequency.

[davidc]

My elmer read an article in the 1980's about a 3 element vertical, and he built one. Wasn't called "fan vertical" at the time, but was multi-element. So, I'm not sure how old the concept really is, but is old.

[Patterss]

Callum, you being so humble and down to earth is what makes you so likeable.
I am really enjoying my DX Commander classic.
If you ever find yourself in Maine, it would be my pleasure to buy you a pint (or three).

[GordonHudson]

I did the same thing with a fishing pole in 1998. 20/15/10 but not ground mounted. I had it on the side of the house with two radials per band. Wasn't easy to tune as the wires were too close together and there were no antenna analysers back then! It really worked though. That pole came from a car boot sale and the thick end ended up under a slabbed pathway as a conduit for coax to pass through.

[ChaplainDaveSparks]

For your lesson in speaking _”American”, _ I believe the style of vehicle you were describing is called a *_”station wagon”_* here across the pond. (I have no idea why it’s called that …)

*73 de AF6AS in **_“DM13”_** land*

[timsvids]

Got mine put up. Found a used one in Colorado. It's working great. SWR on all bands in under 1.6/1 with most much lower. If I could find them in the USA I'd buy another.