Fastest No Tune 80 10 EFHW NVIS Antenna? Chalk Line based Ham Radio Antenna.

NanoVNA SWR Tested Amateur Radio antenna based on a chalk line reel and copper wire. This may be the least hassle way to set up an HF / Shortwave antenna without a tuner in the field, without adding extra weight. QRP only unless you use a larger 49:1 or 64:1 transformer. Comment your thoughts or observations, and subscribe if you would like to see more!

[randalltom]

I loved the practical deployment, and the antenna is sure to perform. I may just adopt an NVIS strategy afield... but for now, I just started to play with a new Gabil 7350... My antenna collection grows... and your video here may prompt an addition. Thanks.

[shadowlab]

really cool little setup !!
awhile back i built a couple metal irwin chalk lines for tree climbing, replacing the chalk line with throw line. one thing that i did was add a para cord loop to the back of the box. i just drilled a hole, took the box apart then put a loop around where the screw goes and put back together.

[bevo]

Hams impress me with this kind of thing. Excellent video.

[mauriceaustin]

That is absolutely amazing. Best quick setup/teardown setup I have seen. Hate to say it. But I am gonna copy it and build one tomorrow. I am going to send a link to this video to my buddy so he can build one. Thank you for taking the time to make this video and showing us. New subscriber. Maurice N7NHS

[learnhamradio]

Pretty cool stuff! I just eliminated several antennas from my go bag as a result. I bought one and just got 135' of sotabeams pvc-coated wire measured and added. I drilled a small hole in the spool to feed the wire through and knot it. Winding it up starts get a little snug as I wind the last 10' or so but it's fine. I am considering adding a banana socket to the center of the spool, opposite the handle. I often use Jackite poles and the weight of the winder would be too much on the far end, so I would merely reverse it. Not sure if the coil of unused wire will impact resonance and performance if it's on the feedpoint end of the spool though.

Winding it up after deployment would work best with some tension, so I will secure the far end to something and walk as I wind.

[thebudgetprepper]

Dude, this is GREAT!!! I love 40m because of the NVIS... my setup is a pain in the butt. I will switch to this.

[alanfielder]

Bought the QRP Guys 80-10 kit and with the spade lugs, it was too tight of a fit at the connection where the BNC Connector and the spade lug were all tied together using their dimensions for hole locations so... just ordered the next sized up box from Digi-Key (Hammond 1551TBK). That will provide enough space to get everything installed, use a hot glue gun to secure the parts so they don't rattle around and should be set.

[JR-jnjp]

Yep i use the same copper line and Irwin speed reels (might change to your reels) for my setup. Nice, compact and easy to adjust. Instead of knots i added small heat shrink tubes to mark my bands. Instead of hanging my reel by the copper line, I tied a kevlar kite line into a loop and fed it into the case opposite to the line side. Keeps it insulated and has 500lb test strength.

[donaldsmith]

Thank You for the good information. I will see if I can make one of them but want it to handel full power for my IC7300. But that is only making a bigger transformer. I have make one already for my home use. 73 W4DES

[LobanzTheGreat]

Great work on the velcro box. I use 15' of LMR100 but thinking of making that coax 20-25' now. I use a TennTennas 25W EFHW transformer since I use it with G90 too. QRPGuys 10W is smaller tho. You reckon ~150 ft PolyStealth 22 wire would wind on that winder? .052" OD, 70lbs breaking strength. Inspiring videos!

[travistexian]

Awesome idea with chaulk line. Thank you. KJ5CMW, Brenham, Texas...

[tangobayus]

You could also use a fishing reel for this- distribute the wire more evenly.

[revbikerbigd]

I like how simple you made this setup, but do you know how many feet/inches your knots are from the end? Are you willing to share that information with us? Also is it a 49:1 ? Thanks for this video, 🙏👍👍👍👍

[rizzorizz]

Is there a significant advantage to getting the end of the antenna higher?

[BobBob-ilku]

Looks great can you add links to the chalk line you used 🙏

[justawfulgamer]

Post some links. Where can I get the chalk line?

[johnlinebarger]

Absolutely a very well thought out and efficient antenna. Would you happen to have a material sheet listed online somewhere?

[nealzebub]

I use something very similar with a locking scuba finger reel. Is there any penalty(that a dedicated antenna analyzer would show) when having the extra line wound up beyond the endpoint? Windcamp has a dipole with winders and tiny ferrules marking the bands. There's gotta be a reason convention calls for trimmed line, no?

[hosmokey]

What's your estimate of max power and radiation pattern?

[judodadeo]

Is this setup for general licensed hams and above only?