It took me years to come up with a combination that allowed me to consistently contact my father. I'm in Columbus, Ohio and he is on Long Island in NY. My favorite antenna is a dipole cut for 20 meters strung under the eves of my home. I can reach up and touch it. What surprised me is that it works best on 40 meters. I don't use a tuner. I also found the coax feed line made a HUGE difference. After trying RG 58 and 59 for years, I switched to RG8 and it made all the difference. Yes it isn't super portable, but it works great. I got my General in 1963 while in Jr. HS. I still use vacuum tube rigs. I'm not on the air much as dad is now 94 and almost blind and off the air. Enjoy the hobby. Nobody can learn it all, but it is fun trying. Propagation is very fickle and can drive you nuts. Antennas are as much art as science with some voo doo thrown it. 73
Great to see you experimenting with antennas. Congrats on the PackTenna EFHW as well. Of all the antennas I own or have used, that is in my top 2 favorites. The DX Commander Expedition is the other.
I can’t agree with you more on communicating a couple hundred miles being more important to survival situations. Being able to communicate with family and friends is near the top of my list of must haves. Thank you for making this series.
Brother - 10m is almost always a daytime band only, if you’re shooting for DX. Also, NVIS is almost never obtainable at frequencies above 8MHz, so 20m is right out. Add to this the fact that the further from the equator you are, the lower the Maximum Useable Frequency (MUF), so a true NVIS signal path will almost never be above 40m in the middle of the day, 60m in the morning and early evening, and 80m at all other times. I’m generalizing, of course, but you’re going to be out there a LONG time if you’re hoping for NVIS on 20m in the Midwest. Don’t confuse your groundwave signal path for NVIS. Finally, an ideal height for your horizontal EFHW isn’t 1/4 wavelength for NVIS, it’s about .15. 73 DE N7REB.
Dave, u were always my favorite duel survival expert. U are just more down to earth, and real. I doubt I can afford to take one of your classes, but I watch as much of your content as I can. We all know what's coming, and these lost skills are absolutely essential. Stay strong, and thank u brother.
Thank you for all that you are teaching . I HAVE been studying to get my ham radio license all that you are doing is really helping me put things into a working prospective. I really do appreciate it.
Great job Dave. Glad to see you’ve caught the bug. RU-vid is full of really great teachers. Some are much better at explaining certain topics than others. Be sure to check them all out. I would tell anyone new getting into Ham that supply chains crazy right now. If you want something get it now, Hams are traditionally “hagglers” .. in the past climate that worked. Right now that mindset will leave you without equipment and waiting months for the next container.. if it even comes. I’d also encourage new Hams to buy new gear or buy used gear only from people they locally know. eBay is not the place for a new Ham to be buying used gear. Success to you my friend.
Crazy - when I’m not playing radio I’m watching Dave Canterbury play radio! You make amateur radio videos educational and fun to watch - even for hams 🙏😎 73
Dave, You never cease to amaze me. I'm a tough critic, but you are the real deal. I read your books, practice what you teach and love it. Thank you for what you do.
As a young kid (45 years ago) my grandfather had a ham radio at his house, in the backroom. He had been a missionary in the Amazon and would talk to people at that mission, from the states. We could also speak to him if he was back in the Amazon helping that mission. We also had relatives that moved to Tennessee that he would try to talk with weekly. I have been watching your RADIO series from beginning to end. I have been enjoying it. I know nothing about it and this is my first experience in this area as an adult. I feel like if I pick up long range radio it will because of the abundance of info you are sharing.
33yrs ago I worked as a summer student for the communications dept. of Ministry of Natural Resources Forest Fire Division. We used to work on duplexers, multiplexers, towers and hand helds (motorola MT1000). I used to make "toss up" antennas for the forest firefighters on the ground. They would just use them and leave them in the tree if they had to run. I made those for days!
Hi Dave! Have you heard about Meshtastic? No license required. It's a cheap long range, low power txt network for friends/family with point to point reported ranges of 150kms LOS. Repeaters are as simple as sticking an extra unit (or person) up a tree on a hill with a solar panel (if needed). Perfect for field use and emergency communications amongst groups. Could also be handy for Pathfinder school emergency situations.
Dave's about stuff that really works. He gets out from behind his desk. I use several different antennas based on length and flexibility. Good presentation.
I stumbled across this video scrolling through RU-vid while taking a dump. Now I found a hole in my preps that I definitely will be addressing. Thanks for the info and I subscribed to see more of your content. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing your experiments in a way everyone can understand. Really liked the experiment at 33:00 to disconnect the middle while configured for 40 to experiment with 20 without taking the antenna down.
I have been a ham since the mid 90’s and for years was only a technician because of the old requirement for Morse Code. Have lots of experience building VHF antennas and direction finding including contests called “Bunny Hunts or Fox Hunts”. Finally got an HF rig but haven’t got anything set up. I even have most of the equipment to do “Parks On The Air”. I love your teaching style and all the different subjects that you cover.
I’ve subbed for years now, I love that I have seen you go through so many topics, from bushcraft basics, to blacksmithing, to ham radio. In appreciate your content, Dave. Keep up the good work
| CONGRATULATIONS | License. In 1985 Art School would have students work on three different projects per class. It balanced the blocks and creative ideas into a controlled work habit.
I've been getting into prepping for a while, and I got into ham radio in September of last year. I got my Extra in April, but I haven't been able to do a lot with it yet because of the cost of equipment. But, I have been studying more and watching a lot of videos on the subject. I have to say that I am impressed with your video. I see a lot of videos that just say get a radio and don't really talk about the practice and experimentation necessary to become proficient with it. Well done. You also sold me on the Packtenna. Just what I have been looking for. Keep up the great videos! 73! KO4THA
My dad has been a HAM for 50+ years....I could never get into it....but now I really see the possible advantages of, and worth to, that they can bring.
Good job getting your general license, I just got my extra last year, and enjoying the experience. Great videos, I’m enjoying your channel. Cheers and 73, K1AMT
If you are looking for short during the day, 40 is where it's at. 0-400 miles is the norm, with the band going long at night. 80m with an NVIS does well at night 0-1k miles
40m and 80m are great for nvis. I have had success using a flexible whip antenna and bending it into a "u" shape. I have been watching your channel for many years. I work routinely in the bush of northern brittish Columbia Canada often miles from cellular service. You're videos and information have helped more than a few times while out there. I just wanted to say thank you! and I hope to hear you on the air!. VE7KFX
Just want to say thanks for this excellent video! I have usually found the higher bands, 20 to 10m, better during daylight or on the grey line, and the lower bands, 40 and 80, better at night. Here in Newfoundland, we have found signals on 60 m good in the afternoon, but dropping down in the noise as darkness approaches. It's a bit odd to see 60 m better in daylight while 40 and 80 are better at night, but that's how it works here. I have more experience with resonant wire dipoles, but the end fed wire antenna looks worth having a go too! Experimenting with antennas is endless fun, keep up the good work! 73, de VO1JA, Harry.
Dave, thank for these videos, awesome seeing the gear you are using, once i get my license I'm thinking about a handheld then a mobile. take care, stay healthy and God bless you and your Family always more.
God, I wish I could listen and tune radios like you guys, I was a soldier many years ago and loved radio coms. I suffered a head injury before leaving the army and now would love to scan and listen to what is going on, but I find it difficult to pick things up thank you for your video I just wish my brain would let me concentrate to do it. thank you Paul
Great to see you in HAM. I have been watching for so many years now. Aways impressed. I really like when you come to the Smokey Mountain Knife works so me and the better half can chat with you. 73's
Great video. I have been in radio since 1970, have a commerical and general license .just for your info you can make that long wire 130ft. With a 49 to 1 un un and not need a tuner or jumpers and be resonant on 80,40,20,15,10 meters or very close less than 2 to one. I use this set up on my house and a tree and have talked the world.
I have found that Julian OH8STN, Survival Tech Nord has worked for years to come up with one of the most compact digital and analogue emcomms system. Well worth ones time to watch all of his videos to find the best combination of gear that will work for you.
Outstanding video from a true patriot, be blessed. NVIS is used on 40 and 80 meter , I made a 40 M. dipole that I hang about 5.5 feet in middle with stick or whatever I can find and slope it on both sides about 3.5 feet, with sticks , to talk north and south to my tribe in Florida ,I orient it east and west, seems to give me the best phone service for north and south, thou I do get east and west contacts also. My shortest distance comms about 30 miles as the crow flies to Orange Park ,Fl, from Jacksonville Beach. Respectfully KN4JKZ
Thanks for the video. I got a lot of information out of it. Just hit like and subscribed to your channel. Wanting to get into ham radio myself. Have a good day.
40 and 80 meters are your best NVIS bands. That's because they reflect back down from the ionosphere at a 90 degree angle and come right back down on your head and a 3 state radius. It depends on the time of day, and other conditions of course, but those are the bands to use. 20, 15 and 10 shoot right through at a 90 degree angle and never bounce down.
I spent a lot of money on your waterbottle and the sucker leaks. I did not break or abuse it. I'm a formerly homeless person and I take good care of my gear. Thanks man
Hey Dave! Just a heads up NVIS only works on lower HF bands. People get some results on 40m but it's most popular on 80m. Depending on the propagation conditions you will get out on higher bands but the antenna will work less efficient due to it being close to the ground. Just thought I'd help improve your operating!
Another challenge you’re going to run into doing NVIS is that other stations will be able to receive you, but you may not be able to receive them unless they are also NVIS. You will end up being in their skip zone on a standard vertical antenna.
I'm still using Racal's open dipole for emergency ARES, which is equipped with a balun in the middle. can be used in HF depending on the frequency that will be used.
Talk about timely. With all that is going on in the world, if our power got nocked out how would I be able to locate family members, and check their status, and planning. I am going to school off you on this one Dave because I know NOTHING about ham radios but have been curious for a long time. I really enjoy your videos, thank you for what you do.
Dave go with 80m band for NVIS, can get some closer range stuff on 40m during the day. 160 is another good band for NVIS but not typically portable friendly if running a resonant antenna. I like your videos, good info. I also recommend FLDigi its the Swiss army knife of HF digital comms.
David Great video. As a Ham myself the study of antennas and propagation patterns from them is fascinating. As you have demonstrated the wire length calculation is close but the environment the antenna operates in is an important factor to consider. You are using a digital program FT8 or JS call to make your contacts which are great for low power testing of antennas and the results are amazing. I prefer CW in emcomm situations to have a human to human contact and exchange of traffic. 73
You ought to get into a little bit of 11 m radio too your regular CB frequencies 27 MHz which you don't need a license for. it's pretty fun to do that to talk to locals and sometimes when the conditions are right to talk to Skip. It's fun to build a radio setup to see how far you can reach. I live in Ohio also in Athens county Southeast Ohio. I go by Lawn Boss on the radio. Be pretty neat to hear you on the radio and make contact. 73s hope to hear you on the waves.
Lots of learning curve for sure. And forgetting to change frequency on analyzer when changing bands/antennas is a very common error.. even easier to get distracted when trying to make a video or explain... all part of the ham experience. :D 73
Have been doing this for a while. Depends a tad on where in the world you are located but NVIS works on 160 and 80m the best, generally speaking, the idea is to saturate an area from zero to 250 miles approx providing close in reliable comms with any station at any location. You don't what a skip dead zone. Many thanks.
Your voice and manner of speaking makes your videos worth watching, regardless of my interest in the subject matter. Probably why people love your cooking stuff, just my guess.
ARRL has some of the best books every written on Ham Radio Antennas. Radio propagation. Even the the cheapest radio will work great with a really good antennas. By the way 6 meters SSB with a simple 3 to 5 element beam will east do 300 plus air miles. At 60 feet your looking at much further on 6 meters ssb. Also 2m ssb at 60 feet with 9 to 12 dbd gain and 160 to 200 watts and preamp will do way better then most understand.
I would try the lowest freq possible (40m)about 8'or less off the ground horizontal. I have seen demonstations of NVIS using fence posts similar to the one you have. Great video!
Dave, when setting up the 40 meters, I see the 2.4 swr, how do you know it is long or short, can you see the curve on the stick? Or is experience telling you it is long? I think my favorite part of amateur radio is the experimenting Hope to hear you on the air This video is about a year old, now, what bag would you recommend now. Would love to see a video on your current bag setup, what bag, what you carry into the field. That is my next endeavor, is to get further afield. I am loving POTA.
How much power are you running with the 705 when doing FT8? When I've used my 705 on digital, I've used 10w on my EFHW and 5w with the AL-705 magnetic loop antenna. One thing I've learned by experimenting with the MFJ 1982MP EFHW I have, by raising the matching transformer off the ground, it'll lower the SWR on some bands making it usable without a tuner. If you ever have any trouble with with the Standing Wave with an EFHW, raise the matching transformer until it drops. It works on some bands, not all. I never figured out to get 10m to work without a tuner. 73, W4ISB Mike
Dave those screen shots are the problem with shortwave (along with the govt license!!) it can be tracked to is source and with what's coming we all need an untraceable comm system!!!
Hey Dave have a chat with DX Commander he has spent years and years on HAM radio he will give you any help you need. great guy based in the UK and a total Gent I'm sure you'll get on. Chatted to him myself a number of times be lucky... great video.
I think NVIS should be located from 1/4 to 1/10 wavelength above ground. Since your height is not changing, maybe antenna height is why your longer wavelengths frequencies (like 40 meter) are getting NVIS contacts, but your shorter wavelengths frequencies (10, 15, and 20 meters) are getting DX contacts. Dropping the height of your antennas might let your shorter wavelength frequencies get the NVIS distances you were looking for.
Check out the chameleon LEFS antenna. I run it in my backyard and talk to the world. Great SWR across several bands. I’m making FT8 contacts all over the US, Europe and Australia. I’m running it in sloper config with the balun on the elevated side. Coax acts as counterpoise.
