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This looks like a game changer for those deployable assets. Thanks for the informative video Brett

I am curious how you align if you have it is passthrough mode

The data plan needs to change (50 GB is too small for todays needs and use) and needs to be a separate buy vs having to piggy bank onto the residential plan. Along with the release of the "approved" 5521 to USB -C adapter. Then we can talk game changer...

I got mine.. I got it running on usbc

I was really thinking about getting into ham radio but after listening to the 40 meter band at my friends house and how rude everyone was on that band I don't think I am going to take the general test anymore I mean come on man just a bunch of men carrying on and on about nothing and wont let any one else break in or talk guess not

That sure beats a trailer full of equipment to basically accomplish the same task!

Thanks for the info. I'm currently running the Mini on the 50' power cable with 5521 to USB-C connector into a USB-C PD port on my small portable power bank. Performance has been exceptional. I'd like to experiment with direct to 12V, as I'm guessing that is going to be the most efficient in terms of power consumption while out in the field.

What fuse you used? 5 amps? 3 amps?

🤙🐑🤙

My Starlink Dishy has been hitting 350Mb/s down and 80 up! It's not just important that its a stable connection. It's just as important that the connection is low latency especially when using it with a phone. I don't know the last time you used an geo-sat based ISP but besides the slow speeds, the delay makes things like VoIP and video calls un-useable. Thats why people still pay big bucks for inmarsat phones. I think Starlink will dominate that market shortly though.

Big thing for people to remember is Starlink relies on a lot of ground stations (and their associated fiber) to help keep that speed up and latency down. So depending on the scale of disaster, Starlink might not be fully operational. I know some of the newer satellites they are launching support more bird to bird meshing to provide some diversity in case of ground station failure - but I don’t think it’s the full constellation yet. But overall, 110% worth it.

Got my mini today, can't wait to get out in the field with it. Did some test runs with my battery bank using a small inverter, my 200w worth of panels will keep me in plenty of internet. Have a great one, threw a sub. 73

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Glad to see this. I've been wondering about this system, or more specifically, the mobile version.

I have Starlink out here in Maine. Had it over a year and I use it for redundancy for my spectrum which I use for primary data source. I’m a merchant mariner and when I go to work I want to make sure my wife is connected it here because we lose power a lot in central maine it gives Mr a piece of mind when I’m out on the ocean knowing she is connected regardless. Starlink is a game changer we do use it on the USNS ships I sail on now.

Starlink SCUD….Self Contained Uplink Device

Last I checked this service was $600 a month...a complete non starter for most people.

They still make analog phones???

Starlink = ushering in the worlwide tracking system/electronic prison. Be careful what you wish for.

Nice Killdozer shirt!

It's a game changer.. I'm actually watching your video at a incident & commenting with a trial Starlink setup for a wildland fire ICP. Easy peasy setup compared to some comtraptions I've seen roll into camp.

Man I’d pay to get this done to my unit 😅 great vid 👍🏽 thanks

Can the FT-857 models sold from Japan be modified for U.S. frequencies or MAR/CAP mod?

These are super cheap but great quality. They also narrowband (most of them) and just work. I remember having several of these. The /XTS1500XTS2500 M1 has kinda replaced them and can easily be had for about $100. HT1000 will always be a great radio.

The jumper that's way out of focus, right LOL 😜

I think that perhaps one advantage of the groundclothe over radials in well trafficked areas is a smaller footprint with higher visibility. This I believe could translate into potentially less liability from potential tripping hazards. I have been in the habit of using two sets of the SuperAntenna 17m-10m ground radials with my EFHW 80m-10m antenna. Normally I choke and ground at the feedpoint as suggested by Steve Ellington's RF ammeter and field strength meter testing. I haven't done any real testing, but the addition of radials doesn't seem to hurt, and when I cannot ground they seem to offer some improvement.

Thanks for the video. I have a problem with the battery. Its useful life is at the end. I looked for a new replacement battery on the Digikey website but it seems that Glob Tek no longer manufactures them. Is there a compatible third-party battery for the Flir Scout TK camera? So far I haven't found another battery.

Hey! Is that something that is possible to do with all XTS5000 M3? Even if theyre the "civilian" models?

I love these radios. When all the public safety agencies around me went "encrypted", I decided to basically do the same thing. While not actual "encryption" when programmed to private groups, these are nearly as secure. If I can't listen to them, then I won't make it easy for them to listen to me.

This is the best presentation I’ve seen .Not only theoretical but also practical demo’s with real life results. Thanks Brett. 73 VK2SS

Very clever for use as an antenna for a fixed field location.

Interesting tests. Sorry, but I have to add a however ... As I think you mentioned, as an important function that I rarely hear any credence given to is that the human body is a factor in the design of portable radios, i.e., the body is part of the antenna system, providing the “other half” of the 1/4-wave antenna. At about 12:35, you discuss the data on your chart. I question the real world application of this data as for each measurement - including using your Nano VNA chassis simulator - the in-circuit human body element is missing. I would expect an objective measurements to be made with a human holding the min-spectrum analyzer. To me, using anything else to collect data yields results of limited value. Also, a critical piece missing: I would like to see your test range. I see potential interference/influence from the wire fencing and vegetation behind you. You probably know that in the electronics world where antennas are manufactured, testing is done with signal source and receiver in either RF anechoic chambers or free space. In your situation, an open field with a helper holding the signal source under test would have served the purpose.

Detector, RFI - 1 each Cool!

I acqired a couple of these 10-12 years ago. I paid $25 for the first one, the first I'd ever seen in person since being at HamFests since 1971. I may have paidc$15-20 for the second one. CB is many decades behind me. I am a QRP Ham Operator and have one on each QRP Bench. Pretty much this and a VOM do everything I need. The Watt Meters were both Soot On. My 30 meter Ten Rec Dial is 1-100, so the Crystal Oscillator is handy to Zero on our Net Freq. I'll buy any I see (reasonable price) and gave my eye open for a couple other Makes, also.

Wow - ONLY 2 'S' units. OK. Wait, what? That's 12 dB. Damn!

Hello. Very nice build job. Would it be to much trouble to ask if you could check the SWR on 4724, 8992, 11175 and 15016. I want to find an antenna that is good on these milcom air frequencies as well as wire antenna for the ham bands. Thank you, Scott W3CV

Gathered everything up and built it (the DYI choke) tonight, going to give it a go tomorrow evening. 73 N9SIR

Great video, however given all the heat is around the windings then I expect that the loss is copper loss. If it was core losses then I would expect the entire core to be just as hot as the flux goes through the entire core equally. Try doubling the copper wire size to cut your losses.

Incredible video. Thanks for taking the time to make this. I found it super interesting

FB OM

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Man, the build quality of the B&W certainly is impressive. I have always wondered about how they were constructed and how well they performed. Now I know. Great job on the rebuild! I think your version is better than the original!

Bravo my dear friend, great vid. This is the ultimate broadband NVIS antenna, higher up will do medium and long haul especially with digital modes. I have been building them 30 yrs now. I have come to make portable lightweight versions to mil spec quality. And is my go to ant for portable manpack use. also, 9:1 version might work better in the NVIS spectrum range (2-10mhz) but do not forget that unless we are speaking of a fix position and height you will always get a deviation due to the sub ground composition especially in NVIS config. where the loss is insignificant factor in the lower NVIS freq. range. antenna length and position is very forgiving in this ant. system- forest green and brown color wire is very stealthy. I have come to like the 27m version due to portability and field deployment mostly deployed in inverted vee and low hung flat top where ironically, I also get great dx with digital modes (they are king) inside of gorges and low in the valleys with high mountains! sometimes I use the ATU for 160m but its all about freq. and time of day - this monster of a antenna has been kept a secret in the military. now a days its king with digital modes and ALE, in which with its superior reception for digi modes have made this ant a resurrection masterpiece! 73 from SV1___ land !

Good example of just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's not fucking garbage

Great video! So few cover this antenna.

Excellent video. I'm personally a big dipole fan!

Your information is invaluable and your testing is unapologetic. I hope to see more antennas tested like this in the future. Smiley makes a good product.

Very interesting. So this is basically a portable version of the much reviled Comet CHA250B.

Mine, when you open it up say's to oil the holes on the back of the shafts so I just pull the pincher on the one side and then put a few drops of 3 in 1 oil into those shafts. Works flawlessly. I did get tired of holding it down, while simultaneously pinching and pulling and inserting a pencil though so I drilled out the little rivets holding the base on, enlarged the holes slightly and screw mounted it to my workbench.

I know this is an older video but I found it very informative and saved me some money on buying the MPAS 2.0. I would like to play more with vertical antennas, however. Can you send me a link on how you wound the 5:1 unun? I am a new ham. I have been googling ununs and I have been unable to find a good reference for it. Or even just a a diagram on how it is wound. Thanks George NG1W