DX Commander Expedition 2024 Model - Definitive Build & Tuning Guide

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A step-by-step build of the latest 2024 model of the DX Commander Expedition Multi-Band HF Vertical Antenna. This video contains all the details needed to successfully make your own Expedition, with walkthroughs, techniques, close-up shots, together with useful hints & tips.
If you are building your own Expedition, this video is to be used in conjunction with the user guides which can be obtained from the DX Commander website: dxcommander.com/
This is one of many amateur/ham radio related videos on my channel. Please feel free to browse 👀, like 👍🏻 and subscribe (it's free!), remembering to hit the bell 🔔 so you’re notified of new videos as soon as they're published and you don't miss out.
0:00 Introduction
0:26 Kit Contents
1:49 Base Plates
11:03 Section Clamps
16:52 Cutting Elements
21:03 Antenna Walkthrough #1
23:35 Fitting Elements
24:49 Shock Cord Fitting
26:18 Stopper Knot
29:33 Bottom Spreader Review
31:15 Middle Spreader Review
34:45 Adding 40m Element
39:26 Antenna Walkthrough #2
41:36 Making Radials
46:01 Initial Tests
50:57 Tuning 15m & 40m
52:44 Tuning 20m
54:52 Tuning 17m
57:10 Tuning 10m
59:04 All Band Final Checks
1:00:41 Final Tips
1:00:59 Close

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25 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 109

@billjobes1851 4 месяца назад

Thanks very much for a most excellent build video. Your detailed and careful presentation makes every step abundantly clear. Much appreciated !

@ianxfs 4 месяца назад

Great! Glad it helped 👍🏻

@DXCommanderHQ 9 месяцев назад

Ian, you also sent me some feedback, thanks. You have reminded me to make a video about tuning.. The "foldback" system is easy to comprehend but some folks who have never done that, might need a tutorial.. Happy to add that to the list..! Good work :)

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Yes, no probs Callum 👍🏻

@pcfreak1992 7 месяцев назад

That’s where I messed up with 40m. I didn’t know what to do with the extra wire at first 😅

@warrencaldwell8753 15 дней назад

Nice job done in showing the detail. I wish I could have seen this before building my Expedition a year plus ago. Some of us need the details!

@ianxfs 14 дней назад

Thanks Warren. At least you know where to come for your next one! 😁

@WG5Xradio 4 месяца назад

Very nicely done video. Many other people skip a lot in the interest of time, but I would rather see a complete build, like this one.

@ianxfs 4 месяца назад

Thanks! Yes, all in there so hopefully helps others 👍🏻

@johnratcliffe6438 9 месяцев назад

I'm convinced we were separated at birth. I've just had one arrive. Taking it to Cornwall to build on Saturday. Have a cottage for a week. Taking the FT891. Thanks for the upload, John 2E0SVB

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Sounds good John, antenna building while on your jollies 🍷 👍🏻😁

@ae1tpa92gwtom2 2 месяца назад

That was outstanding, cheers n 73

@ianxfs 2 месяца назад

Thanks!

@justin9605 5 дней назад

Thank you.

@ianxfs 5 дней назад

No problem 👍🏻

@davidbowering9820 9 месяцев назад

Excellent. DX Commander should contract you to produce assembly videos for all their products.

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Ha ha yes. But could he afford me 🤔

@sean-sk 4 месяца назад

I’m going to redo some of my work on mine after watching this.. thank you for your time.

@ianxfs 4 месяца назад

Glad it was of help 👍🏻

@pcfreak1992 7 месяцев назад

Thank you for this video! I wish this existed half a year ago when I built the previous model of the Expedition. This will help me fix my work on my build. 🎉

@ianxfs 7 месяцев назад

Great! I also have a mk1 video 👍🏻

@patrickmolloy6994 8 месяцев назад

I was going to build my new Classic a couple of days ago, but its to darn cold! good news is that I just found this video of yours, and it's really really REALLY useful. Thank you. Not only is it a great visual guide to the build, but showing your SWR metering and adjustments was so valuable. Brilliant! 73 de M5PM 🇬🇧 Patrick

@ianxfs 8 месяцев назад

Great stuff Patrick! Have fun building your classic 👍🏻(I’ve got a classic build on the channel, but it’s the mk1 version, so may be subtle changes from the current model? Worth a look though) 😀

@TheREALJosephTurner 7 месяцев назад

This was an excellent tutorial. I'll definitely be sharing this with my friends. Outstanding!

@ianxfs 7 месяцев назад

Great. Thanks Joseph. The more it helps the better 👍🏻

@richzubko2667 6 месяцев назад

Good job Ian! Very clear, precise and well illustrated! Long time viewer, Rich. NO9I. Illinois

@ianxfs 6 месяцев назад

Thank you Rich! Happy New Year 🥳

@petergeorgew6208 5 месяцев назад

A truly excellent vlog. Well presented and great narrative. Thank you Ian… I thought long and hard before purchasing my new antenna. In the end, went for a 33’ non resonant antenna, but that is presenting me with its own learning curve. Hasten to add that i have not installed it yet, awaiting better WX conditions. Peter (M0PGW)…😊

@ianxfs 5 месяцев назад

Thanks and good luck Peter 👍🏻

@donausmus4281 4 месяца назад

Just starting mine. Thanks for the video.

@ianxfs 4 месяца назад

Have fun!

@JA-fy1bn 5 месяцев назад

Very detailed and excellent video presentation. Thanks!

@ianxfs 5 месяцев назад

Great. Thanks for the comment 👍🏻

@mccooperman 9 месяцев назад

Really good watch 👌… thank you for sharing Ian … I’ve still not gone with the classic after your build and storage of that which is also excellent… one day I’ll get one not sure which as yet 👏👍

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

No problem and thanks for commenting 😀

@gtretroworld 9 месяцев назад

When i first seen the expedition a few weeks ago i was slightly concerned about the top sections but that looks very straight.I really enjoyed that Ian, especially the very understandable Teesside accent 😁….Thanks M3VWN

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Thanks Neil. Yes, top seems the same spec as previous model(s), so no probs, just don’t pull last two mega-tight 👍🏻 Up the Boro 😁

@gtretroworld 9 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs Thanks Ian, I definitely intend on trying one shortly, I’m just undecided on this or the classic.

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

@@gtretroworld If staying at home and up for more than short stints then the Classic. If out and about and shorter stints, then the Expedition 👍🏻

@355k13 9 месяцев назад

Thanks Ian, great video as usual from you. I've been contemplating a DX Commander for a wee while but haven't taken the plunge yet. I keep seeing reports of the pole breaking This, in my mind is the one thing that lets them down as, performance wise, they work really well! Thanks again Ian & pse keep em coming 👍

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Thanks for the feedback 👍🏻 Ah ok, I’ve not come across reports. Check with Callum as he’ll give honest reports. He also has an “at cost” replacement service I believe if there’s an accident. Check this short clip out from years back…. I wished I’d recorded more at the time 😮 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Lo4XNzZBRzI.htmlsi=RIXWINV0RthzeQBy

@M0RMY 9 месяцев назад

Occasionally of the now thousands he’s sold one will break. That’s life. My classic has been permanently installed for now over 5 years in all weather. It’s still perfectly fine. My expedition DXC survived over 50 mph gales on my trip to Scotland and the new one shown here has an even more robust pole. Obviously I’m biased as Callum is my mate - but the new expedition is awesome.

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

@@M0RMY Thanks for the extra info Tom 👍🏻

@DXCommanderHQ 9 месяцев назад

With over 6,000 of these out in the whild, folks do break them once in a while!

@mark2w0jmk7 9 месяцев назад

A great video again Ian. Nice to chat with you on 40m.

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Brilliant Mark! Thanks 👍🏻

@andyM7XTT 5 месяцев назад

Great Job Ian 👍👍

@ianxfs 5 месяцев назад

Thanks Andy!

@jodyspencer433 8 месяцев назад

Great video sir. Outstanding job! I'm in process putting one together. Been an industrial electrician my whole career (30yrs). Wired just about anything you can think of, hundreds and hundreds of PLC points, to 3 wire house circuits, but this is my first HF antenna. Wish me luck 😆

@ianxfs 8 месяцев назад

Yes, good luck Jody 👍🏻

@m7trsradio 9 месяцев назад

Wow fantastic build Ian.. i would love love one of these antenna but a little too rich for me. Fingers crossed i will get one to go with my 817. Great build. Can't wait for the field test. 73

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Thanks Lee. You’ll have to be nice and ask the big man 🎅🏻 Have fun!

@m7trsradio 9 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs Morning Ian, never mind the big mad, would have to get it authorised by the station master 😂 not long got a mag loop for the attic as have a small garden and the neighbour gets wobbly cheeks when I throw up a mast and snake a efhw around the garden. Not sure if I am happy with the loop. I did enter Callums sticker comp to win one. 73

@hamradiomobile 4 месяца назад

Cracking video that, very informative 👍😎

@ianxfs 4 месяца назад

Thanks Duncan 😀👍🏻

@mickeyred 8 месяцев назад

I was talking myself into a Classic but I think you have just sold me this for portable use.

@ianxfs 8 месяцев назад

Both good 👍🏻 Have fun 😀

@mickeyred 8 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs ordered expedition. Callum owes you :)

@DavidWood2 5 месяцев назад

56:31 Ian realised he cut his 17m element a bit short because he used an older cut chart for 17m that didn't allow for the shock cord loops (which electrically shortens the element). Fortunately, he got away with a 1cm fold back.

@ianxfs 5 месяцев назад

Indeed!

@paulsanders1 9 месяцев назад

Thank you so much. I now think I could buy this sntenna and tune it myself! It will be a gift to myself when I pass my General exam so as to legally transmit on HF. 73 Paul Sanders KK6RXU

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Great Paul. Good luck 👍🏻

@markw365 9 месяцев назад

Solder travels towards the heat source, if you heat it at the fork side of the crimp, you should apply the solder at the wire side of the crimp where the wire comes in and it will fill the crimp. Also don't use a metal base to solder against as that becomes a heat sink.

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Thanks for the tip Mark.

@larschristensen4677 9 месяцев назад

Excellent Video Ian de oz2lc

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Thanks Lars 👍🏻

@2e1paw 7 месяцев назад

My OCD would not able me to build that! .. that long twist on the 40m would eat me alive lol 😮

@ianxfs 7 месяцев назад

Ha ha. No need to twist! Haven’t previously 😁

@patrickbuick5459 6 месяцев назад

Nice video. I keep trying to figure out how to make my Signature 12.4 into field-deployable like the Expedition since my new apartment building isn't keen on antennas, or so I am told.

@ianxfs 6 месяцев назад

That’s a bit of a beast for /P Patrick. Perhaps sell and then buy the Expedition? Or at least have a go /P and if it’s too tricky then have a think? Good luck!

@patrickmolloy6994 Месяц назад

comment @ 19:38 you attach the and solder on the fork connectors before cutting the elements. Callum's guide says cut first, then trim off 1/2" insulation to expose the wire that goes into the barrel of the fork connector. so essentially your cur elements will all be a bit longer. Did you feel it makes a difference?

@ianxfs Месяц назад

Hi Patrick. No, no noticeable difference. In the end the environment the antenna is placed in is more likely to affect how the elements are tuned I’d say. Good luck with yours 👍🏻ps. I can’t recall where I measured from, so may have taken account of the bared off wire? 🤔

@OZ5ZX 8 месяцев назад

Looks soo nice, sadly i can't get it to Denmark with out paying like 2 times the price. Id love to try one out. Really well mad video to, nice and easy to understand. Thanks.

@ianxfs 8 месяцев назад

Shame about the import taxes. Thanks for the feedback 👍🏻

@patrickbuick5459 6 месяцев назад

Is it really that bad? I thought getting stuff to Canada was bad, but we exempt Ham Radio equipment from customs duty... but not sales tax and we are at 15% where I live, the highest in the country. Do you know anyone making a trip? It's so small when collapsed..

@ianxfs 5 месяцев назад

See DX Commander announcement (Feb 24) about EU shipping from ML&S 👍🏻

@danamarcy5414 9 месяцев назад

I thoroughly enjoyed your instructions for this topic. Dana Marcy VE6KBI

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Great Dana. Thanks 😀

@johnratcliffe6438 9 месяцев назад

Little bit confused about the 40m element Ian. I have it through all 3 spreader plates with elastication per your instructions. I've marked 9.36m from the driven plate, but in the video your element from the top spreader to the 9.36m line is already wrapped around the pole. Surely it should be straight to that point, otherwise the element length before the foldback will be out? Then loosely spiralled after 9.36m has been measured? Apologies if I have the wrong end of the stick here.

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

You’re right John. Not sure what the difference in length is (not much?), but lots of foldback to play with and I just needed a 10cm cut off the end I recall? Either way I reckon, but I did measure from the base plate and then measured the top of the 40 wire with the twist in place 😀

@user-cg7uw9uh6n 9 месяцев назад

Hi Ian, sm I correct in saying that you are wearing an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean ?

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Hi, yes I will have been. The orange one 😀

@user-cg7uw9uh6n 9 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs very nice time piece Ian. As mutch as I like the ham videos I'd like to see a review of your Range Rover and maybe the Omega...

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

@@user-cg7uw9uh6n yes 😁, I’d have to set up another channel or two…cars & watches 😮… and then maybe fishing 🎣

@johnratcliffe6438 9 месяцев назад

Ian, I have been making the elements up for my Expedition tonight. I haven't been able to crimp the forks up tightly enough to secure the bare wire of the elements; the holes are just too big. I've looked through the packet and all the forks are the same size. Did you have any problems with yours? Fortunately, I had some forks left over from an old DXC Classic build. They came with yellow casing for the radials and blue for the elements; blue being a smaller diameter for a bare single wire. I had 3 blue ones left, so I've crimped those on instead. They fit the bolts without issue. Not sure why all of the current supplied forks are the same size. Thoughts?

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

Hi John. Yes they are all the same size and with my crimping pliers they were fine. I too have spare yellow/blue ones. Guessing it’s a way of simplifying the packaging plus a cost saving on parts perhaps, to keep the overall price down? Good luck 👍🏻

@johnratcliffe6438 9 месяцев назад

@ianxfs try as I might, I can't get my pliers to compress them properly. They're fine with four radials inside, but the single elements just fall out (yellow slot). Using the blue slot works to a degree, but also deforms the fork. Perhaps I need to go back to the gym! 73, John

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

@@johnratcliffe6438 Just hold it with solder? Should be ok.

@johnratcliffe6438 9 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs All done Ian. Thanks for your time 🍻

@ianxfs 9 месяцев назад

@@johnratcliffe6438 catch you on John….

@johnlew5972 2 месяца назад

Can I but the SO239 assembly from you as a part?

@ianxfs 2 месяца назад

Sorry, no John. You need to contact DX Commander, the supplier 👍🏻

@rayhowell400 4 месяца назад

How do you put it up and take it down alone?

@ianxfs 4 месяца назад

Very easy Ray. No issues at all. My three guys are all short enough to be reached and pegged while still holding the pole 👍🏻

@tonyoutdoors9369 5 месяцев назад

im using an ats 25x2 i have a back yard approx 5m x 4m i have tried a mini whip and too much noise i do better with a wire tbh any tips its for receive only thanks

@ianxfs 5 месяцев назад

Hi Tony. If you look on the channel there’s a loop on the ground series (x4). It works on the lower bands for RX (160/80/40m). This should help with your receive and fit in the space. I continue to use mine in tandem with the main antenna on these lower bands. Good luck 👍🏻

@tonyoutdoors9369 5 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs cheers bud

@mickeyred 2 месяца назад

Where does the 9.36m foldabck distance come from? I cannot see it in the user guide.

@ianxfs 2 месяца назад

Sorry Mickey, can you let me know which part of the video this is at and I can clarify? Thanks.

@mickeyred 2 месяца назад

Yes sorry at about the 35 minute mark for the 40m element

@mickeyred 2 месяца назад

@@ianxfs Its the 40m element about 36 minutes in

@ianxfs 2 месяца назад

@@mickeyred it’s at the bottom of page 4 of v1.1 of the 2024 expedition user guide. It’s on the right-hand side of the user guide screen on DX Commander website. The new May 2024 unified guide presumably references this too, but I haven’t checked. 👍🏻

@mickeyred 2 месяца назад

@@ianxfs Ah I am building 6 element so didnt cross reference with this, but the overll length varies between 6 and 3 element. No worries

@martinsmith2984 7 месяцев назад

How much.. What a joke, All that money for a bit of wire a pole a few clips, your having a laugh..

@ianxfs 7 месяцев назад

This is a build video, not a sales pitch. Don’t buy one then. Mine’s great 👍🏻

@cthoadmin7458 7 месяцев назад

You don't have to buy the whole thing. Just buy the pole if you want. I just have a 9m pole and run an end fed half wave antenna up it. Quick to deploy portable.

@martinsmith2984 7 месяцев назад

@@ianxfs Can make 3 for that price..😂

@gsahookah599 2 месяца назад

We all look forward to your video of the extremely cheap/junk hot-glued mess of an antenna you've made. I imagine your quality cheap junk antenna would surpass the sales of the DX Commander in no time. When can we expect to purchase them in mass quantity from you?

@martinsmith2984 2 месяца назад

@@gsahookah599 But it will work just as good and only cost a quarter of the price, who is the fool, YOU...