Easy Antenna! 9:1 Un-Un Random Wire Full Build QRP #hamRadio #antenna #toroid
Channel: W1RCP - Amateur Radio, POTA, and Projects
Date: 30/03/2024

Please consider becoming a member of the channel - https://youtube.com/@w1rcp/join

- K6ARK is out of stock right now. Oh, no! If you're adventurous, you can build an antenna easily. If you don't have the time to source some parts, I recommend K6ARK antenna kits. I'm not sponsored by Adam, but I love his products.

When winding your toroid, make note of where ground and out go. The input is twisted and hard to miss, but I made the mistake in the video of flipping my toroid upside down. See the moment that I messed it up here: https://youtube.com/shorts/I8Tw9UJ_tkw?si=vqRsYzgW8kCY15LP

Follow the animation for making it the right way the first time. The timeline of the build is down below.

In this video, I use a leftover toroid that came from a K6ARK kit, but you can purchase a similar toroid from Mouser (not a sponsor).

Tiny little toroid: https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Fair-Rite/5943000501?qs=Ca1fAiqt1arVdMk7WEySTw%3D%3D  (Mouser #:623-5943000501 )

"This video contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them and purchase that item, I will receive a commission."

20 AWG enameled wire: https://amzn.to/4foMot8
24AWG Silicon wire: https://amzn.to/4fu3QMH
BNC Female PCB mount: https://amzn.to/4dnkdsO
1in heat shrink 3:1 ratio: https://amzn.to/3yjWFWN
22awg bullet connectors similar to these: https://amzn.to/4frFzXF
Single sided copper clad PCB (ask around for a scrap piece...you don't need much!): https://amzn.to/4d16wA0


00:00 - Intro and HELLLOOOOOO!
02:05 - Circuit board ideas
03:20 - Where is the heat shrink?
04:10 - Toroid specs
06:15 - I begin winding the toroid here...the first seven winds are easy
11:20 - Round one of winding complete... Twist and then second round of seven winds
16:30 - Round two of winding complete... Start the last seven winds
22:00 - Round three FIGHT... Winding is complete
23:30 - Sand or burn or sand and burn the enamel off the ends
25:54 - Sanding the enamel song... Fast forwarding through all that
26:39 - Use a multimeter to make sure the enamel is worn off
29:10 - Solder the RF connector FIRST
32:00 - RF connector in, Time to add the counterpoise and antenna jumpers and bullet connectors
35:30 - Crimping the bullet connectors
36:30 - Check continuity of the bullet connectors ( OCD )
37:00 - Soldering the jumpers to the PCB
40:40 - Jumpers attached and checking continuity ( AGAIN )
41:55 - The moment I realized that I did it wrong...Fixing my mistake at 1:30 in the morning. Follow the animation and orientation...Twisted side down.
42:15 - Fixing my mistake. Please do it right the first time. I broke a trace and had to make more jumpers https://youtube.com/shorts/I8Tw9UJ_tkw?si=vqRsYzgW8kCY15LP
42:50 - Testing the circuit with the RigExpert AA-170 - If you do it right, the results will be better
44:05 - Heat shrink the toroid and PCB
48:03 - 9:1 unun is complete. Now some boating footage and measuring 41 feet and 17 feet of wire.
53:10 - Winding and storing the antenna
56:12 - Testing the antenna in the living room using my Xiegu X6100 SWR app
58:38 - The test zone setup in the living room
59:56 - Parting thoughts - Please like and subscribe!