The King of Verticals - The 5/8th Wave Ham Radio Antenna

This is my 5/8 vertical antenna for 18mhz complete with L/C matching.

Here is the link to SimNEC -

[beemcbike]

You got me with this one❗️
In the 80s I had 5/8 on CB and I was the King. As soon as the band was open I had stations piling up from all over the world and giving me phenomenal reports.
Got my license 6 months ago and now I’m going to make one for 10 and one for 15.
Thanks for helping me to do it😃
73 de HB3XBL 👍🇨🇭

[MXOM]

Made this antenna today, following your design closely. Worked wonderfully! I found the angle of the radials and height of the LC box moved the SWR around a bit. First contact was NL7V - Alaska, using 25W! I have the 12M Spiderbeams pole and am going to attempt 20M band by wrapping the wire around the pole, widely spaced to avoid inductance and just enough turns to still have a metre or two above the ground. By the way, I have also made your Moxon for 10M, it’s my favourite antenna. Thanks for all you do to help novice amateur radio operators like me. Best regards, Kevin M7XOM.

[GLJL-Steve_Murton]

Well Colin you have convinced me to have a go at the 5/8th . The videos are very informative without a lot of hype. Just enough detail to allow all skills types (old hand to newbie’s) to understand and follow. Thanks again .

[hamradiofun]

I'm so relieved to see it's not another endfed short at DC. L match is probably the lowest loss way.
The coax as capacitance... Genius

[MrFreddarama]

Beautiful antenna and beautiful build. I have always loved 5/8 wave vertical antennas.

[dwyn]

Another genius antenna build! More math is always good!!!

[theradiorover]

Nice one Colin. That's a nice job. I like 17 m as well, especially on contest weekends!

[GMDDX]

Top video Colin and an excellent explanation. I hope to see more soon. Alan 73

[WOY-RAY]

I use a 40 meter end fed half wave dipole as a vertical here at my house and it works fantastic. Managed to even get Bouvet on 30m CW with it and 100 watts. I like the simplicity of this and an gonna give it a go for 10 where my EFHW is a little lobey. 73 de W3OY Ray

[KKUSYHamRadioAdventures]

That is Awesome Colin! I remember the 5/8's wave for 11 meters but like you said hardly anything about it in the Ham world. I will have to make one and maybe you and I can make it work for a contact!

[TRTelos]

In the 80s I had a 5/8 electronica special and all 3 that I had blew down, but it was brilliant while it lasted!

[madeinfoxtrap]

I agree. The 5/8 wave antenna is a good vertical antenna.
It offers gain over 1/4 and 1/2 wave antennas
5/8 wave can be tricky to tune in comparison sometimes.
Adjustability built in the system will help immensely
Keep up the good work !
73 de VO1DV

[willian.direction]

Thanks for that I will give it a go, and try my small LC manual tuner.

[Olly_F]

Thanks for another informative video. Looking forward to trying this one out!

[MisterBigDave]

5/8 yes! Had a great VHF one years ago.

[LuisPerez-xenu]

Colin, thanks for sharing. Very interesting software.

[timmotel]

Very interesting and educational. Thank You

[kevsmith]

best way most effiecent way to feed an antenna at the end much better than any ferrite core and high power handling also buy wonder why you didnt fit a common mode choke as i would expect rf on the coax any reason ?

[ifell]

So i've seen the Gainmaster homebrews and they don't use GP's/radials, I'm certain it's almost built like a dipole in two halves, which you could argue is its radial as it is then terminated at the bottom with an air choke. They also add another section of wire, not to sure if it's classed as a matching stub or counterpoise.
I've seen modelling where at ground level it beats every other antenna in it's class, but as soon as an EFHW is mounted the same height as the 5/8's at half a wavelength high they become almost very similar.
I like the simplicity of your build, got me subbed!

[RicksCents]

Does anyone know where online I can find Laws in regards to Max Height for Ham Radio Antennas?
Or Know what the Max Height Legally is?