HAM RADIO - Best Antennas ? What do you think........ 

"Whatever antenna you have up in the air" seems like the right answer to me as well. Other than that context of what it's used for is important as you said.

Roly, I am afraid I am particularly lazy and I roll up in the van, open up the hatch in the back, slide the FTDX-10 in position and screw a ham stick in mag mount on top. Works really well for POTA. Nice video as always.

Hi Roly. I like this discussion. I typically use what works best for the situation.

The DX Commander Expedition is my go to antenna. This weekend I made QSO's with Japan, Lithuania and the Czech Republic from SE Washington on 10 watts w/ G90

Boy you can really start some good arguments with that question haha! But since I’m here I’ll throw in my two cents. The DX Commander Expedition and an EFHW are my go to antennas. Gotta have a vertical and a wire.

Cheers from the Midwest U.S.

Our Monsoon season is starting here in Florida, rain plus thunder and lightning so if Ham related it is from RU-vid and here you are, another nugget of wisdom from the ole MASTER operator !!

Glad it's working out for you Roly. i had mine up doing an activation before field day this past weekend. 17M was very active, and I expect it will be handy to have all options as the sun continues to wake up.

Good morning Roly!♡♡♡ 🤜🏻👍🤛🏻

Another great video Roly! 73s DE ND4A Tim

Hi Roly. 17m tunes up maybe as just above third harmonic on 60m?

Hi im looking at going for my amateur radio licence but looking at the study guide it looks like i need to be technician and that put me off. Looks like a good hobby to get into. Great video

Great video Roly. I love my QRPGuys 20 /30/ 40 meter vertical. It fits in the palm of my hand and weights 3 ounces...easy to pack when portable and works amazingly well. Having a horizontal wire is useful at times, as you mentioned. I have the DX Commander Classic ABV that I will be installing once I move to my new QTH.... and I ordered the Rapide the day Callum made it available. I'm looking forward to trying it out if I ever find some free time. The best antenna is the one you have on the air...you can usually find somebody to have a QSO with. Cheers

Vry interesting & tnx...73 de WA4ELW in TN 🇺🇲 dit dit

I like a fast deployment option when /P so I usually go with a vertical on my telescopic pole. EFHW for the higher HF bands. Also used the Yaesu ATAS on my van with good results.

Hi Roly, Came in from mowing the lawn to get some water and saw you uploaded a video. 10 AM now and the temp is already 84°F with humidity above 70%. Sweating bullets. Have about another half hour to finish. Hope to get out for some POTA in a couple months. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

Very nice video Roly. Can't agree more. And any antenna is better than no antenna. 73 de Kevin, VK4KK

Nice........

I've used wires - both resonant and random, verticals, inverted vee, dipoles, and yagis. Mostly depends on space available, all work. I even used a nearby windmill and a fence as a counterpoise on field day once. Other club members were amazed I could make contacts on 40m and 80m with such a dodgy setup. As others have said whatever you have up is the best antenna.

Those blade connectors are fantastic for the links in antennas (why do people still use crocodile clips?). I don't even bother with the strain relief, I find there is enough friction in the connection to hold the male and female together even with a fair bit of tension. As long as I've got a good crimp on the wire in the connectors to stop it pulling out there is nothing else to worry about.

I'd say we plan our outings or qth's antennas, if we gonna go lite, its a verical or mini dipole tripod setup, we had such a competition one year in ZS... lets look at it this way:" In some form most antennas are dipoles>" with the knowledge we have of radiation patterns of antennas and freq/for hour of day, its a horses for causes scenario really. it does not hurt to take 20m twinlex along, rip the ends 10m apart and 40s done, 6m for 20 mhz,,, and so on.. oh 13 t coil does match anything vertical really... and a windom can bring in much as well. the old g5rv does a good job or the 6bkw, depending on your toolbox size id say any antenna for the moment that tunes and fits the purpose for the band *local/dx) is just fine, by hook or by crook! Get the fire in the wire or the wire up higher!

A few years back I was leaving an event at the The Tennessee State Capital entitled "The Tennessee Waltz" which is an annual event to support the Tennessee State Museum. While waiting for my car I found myself standing next to Steve Cropper (Formerly of Booker T and the MG's and also starring as Steve in the movie "The Blues Brothers"). Being a fan of his guitar work I asked him what was his favorite guitar. He replied "The one I'm playing." He then told me of an account when Chet Atkins was trying out a guitar in a shop in Nashville when a patron said to him how beautiful the guitar he was playing sounded. Chet responded by putting the guitar back on the rack and said "How does it sound now?" I'll leave it to y'all to draw the connection.

Hi Roly, would you be able to advise what battery pack your using there. Is it a lifepo4 type ?

Nice upload mate, yep any antenna that works is a good one.😂🍌🍌

I have an atas 120 if I’m with my car and can use a vertical. If I can’t use that I have a 41 eflw if I need steep takeoff

Ive got 5 hf aerials at home and they all do different things.