DX Commander gets Critical UPGRADE - Nylon Clamps
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- čas přidán 20. 09. 2022
- Major Upgrade announced for DX Commander. These replace all telescopic pole stay-up kits from immediate effect.
I have personally been testing these for the last 6-months. We are shipping all kits with these from NOW. That means if we have not yet dispatched your kit yet, these WILL be in the box when we ship.
Highly UV stable
Screw Type - 8mm Hex (or Wing)
Max Torque - 2.0Nm
Band Width - 12.7mm
Max Long term Temp 125°C (255°F)
Occasional Peak Temp 150°C (302°F)
PA66 (Nylon 6.6.) UV stabilized UL 94 V-2
Minimum Tensile Strength 359lbs/163kg/1600N
Continuous Load 20lbs/9.1kg/89N
Links to buy:
www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/product... - Hex Nut Version
www.m0mcx.co.uk/store/product... Wing Nut Version
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Worked perfectly on my Expedition during my trip - great with the wing-nut style for portable. A good upgrade and QI step mate.
Nice new option! Instead of trimming it straight across, cut it like this: \_/ It makes it less sharp, and will also make it easier to re-thread if it happens to come apart.
That is actually pretty dang cool, glad to see you still experimenting!
I love to see what your doing with your products. Always getting BETTER!! 👍
Love the progress and especially the caribeaner rapid deploy setup!
Those are some nice clamps Callum! No more crushed tubing!
Yes!
Great improvement Cal. As always making your product better for the consumers. 👍
I love this and I love to see the continual improvement! I use my classic as a mobile antenna and this will make life much easier!
I love your little dog.
Thanks for the upgrade.
Loved the presentation you did for us at ZS6MRK monthly meeting.
Excellent video Cal. Nice to see the development continues, also nice to see more of your in workshop / practical mode too. Loved all your antenna field videos and similar. Mark, 2E0MSR
Thats awesome Cal. I'm digging the made in 🇬🇧 .
Great product you have come across Cal, also makes your kit more portable friendly with ease of set-up and less weight. These could be handy in my line of work too.............Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Callum for the "constant improvement" I'm happy to see you're actively perusing this! - Cheers!
My pleasure!
Nice upgrade! Thanks.
A great upgrade Mr Commander.👍
Loving those, I’ve had a couple of small collapses and upgraded to jubilee clips but I love this idea.
Winter weatherproofing.🌧️🌨️👍
Lovely. I've not seen those before. I can think of many uses.
Yes Andy!
Spot on, nice up grade Cal.
Thanks 👍
Cal, great addition to this amazing antenna kit, I just bought a set of these clips me old mate thanks for all the work and effort in putting this together so that we can sit back and enjoy the hobby. My DX Commander has been up 3 years now in the West Virginia 90+F summers and -7F winters. And its easy to repair too.. Ive hit it with the weed whacker a few times and had to replace an element or two. Take care Cal 73s and good DX [Will] (W8BFO)
Haha, yeah me too!
Thanks Callum. Great to see you improving and evolving your product. I would repeat the advice give by another viewer. It might be best to try to smooth the cut edges with a soldering iron. The Dremel miniature torch appears to be a fine product but is a bit pricey and there are other brands that appear similar. Maybe you could try a cheap disposable lighter as well. Maybe the edges could be smoothed with a piece of sandpaper or a sanding block. It would be interesting to see you compare the smoothing methods in a short video. 73.
Just put these on my 12.4 and they are simply fantastic!! I just said bye to my old metal hose clamps and tubing!
I was able to order these from their Houston Texas location. Good timing as I am going to try to get my DXC assembled and running this week.
Great!
thank you cal
Welcome
Thanks for this video, the plastic tie straps you sent with my DX Commander Classic were not sufficient to hold the the pole from slipping down. I did a search and found these plastic worm drive clamps easily. Made in the UK and four inch diameter max and one inch min. I bought the hex head drive version. Yes they are expensive.
Just got my kit from DXE and all clamps are those hex head nylon jobbies. Very cool. I'll use my cordless screw driver to screw it in.
Great idea, Just ordered some for my /P poles...
Have fun!
@@DXCommanderHQ They've arrived. Thanks
Looks good
I bought a Dx secondhand andnot used it yet but will defo be doing this upgrade....
Using this clamps almost a year now on my portable. No problems with UV. Holds the elements in place, no collapsing.Antenna is in permanent use since 10 months without any problems.
73's de DB1PC
Perfect!
Very nice upgrade from the hose clamps. I see that HCL also has an office in Texas for those of us that want to upgrade.
Ah great!
Nice upgrade Lord C. 🙂
Thanks 👍
Great idea! On order. But damn, Callum, they shall now forever be known as the DXCOMMANDER scrotal harness!
MWAHAHAhahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
You're a smart guy!
Smart? Erm, maybe practical!
I’m completely distracted by the doggo in the background. 😍😁
Sorry!
Nice update Callum! Always improving ... awesome! Cheers, Tom - WA7FLY
Many thanks!
Great to see you're keeping up the developments and the 'Made in Britain' organisation. Standardisation across products lines is a great way to keep track of stock and save money on inventory. Any news on the Signature 9.6.
Signature.. Waiting on the poles.. 7-10 days.
Tried metal ones with the ears and tubing they work very well but they do rust as the worm gear removes the coating. Very nice find Cal 😉 yea I think the metal ones were 2-3.00 for a pair and I think I could not find the biggest size in metal either. Found sum thin ones for dryer vent line with colored ears but they were very delicate and couldn’t tension they without slipping 😳
So now we not only get an awesome antenna, but we also get to play with fire!!
HAHA!
Good day Callum..
For trimming the clips, have a look at a toenail cutter (the pliers type).. it will leave a naturally curved cut...
Yeah, it's not the edges that are sharp (although they can be), it's across the flat.
DX Commander has got to be one of the best engineered antennas on the market. Great improvement. Really like the hex head bolt cordless drill and a socket .... Done
Cool, thanks!
Just set a torque first lol.
i have knots in the elements just below the first plastic plate (that is pulled down by the guy lines). So the "hot" aluminium plate is not pulled up at all. I like the new hose clamps - better than always fresh cableties or electric tape.
Bemi, can you send me a picture of that? I don't understand. Thanks..
😊they use that term state side too.
This is great! Wish I had these for my 12.4 I hate the hose clamps!!
We are selling the kits. Not expensive. I would have launched earlier but 1. Didn't have any and 2. Not fully tested..
@@DXCommanderHQ ordered! this is great!
I like your assistant in the background. Learning as much as I can about the Nebula before I buy. Watching assembly videos. Wondering how low I need to make the Dx Commander when a storm with high winds come through again.
Well, for any piece of hardware outside, some storms rip roofs off and drop trees.. I am amazed at the number in Florida that were still standing!
I love it. Can't wait for my order to ship to retrofit my 12.4. As silly as this sounds, the best part I love is that now my DX Commander will be all black (aside from the spreader) so that it will practically vanish in the garden.
I imagine any non-conductive black stain that works on nylon would fix up the spreaders.
I still have no idea how to get a DX Commander in America.
@@williambarrett70 order one and they will ship it to you. That's how I got my DXC 12.4.
@@W9HJBill Exactly... International shipping and payment is a thing!
@@patrickbuick5459 My EzyClamp DX Commander Stay Up Kit Parts just came in. They are SOOOO much easier to use than the stainless steel and tubing methods and look incredible. Time to eat some dinner than swap things out. Excellent work finding and spec'ing these things out Cal !
Great upgrade for sure Cal. They should hack the PNG environment nicely....
Yep!
Always making improvements. Love it!! Jack K5FIT
Torque specs. I thought of this when I was assembling. I can cobble with the best of them but I was wondering if people were cracking their poles with the hose clamps. Especially since everybody has a cordless drill now.
If you really want to get fancy, since you have the material to test with, find out how much they can take with a torque wrench and throw that in the specs for the older models.
Neet nylon hose clamps I use cable ties and rubber tape same "idea" works great
Ah yes.. That's what we delivered for about 6m..!
What you need is the manufacturer of the claps to make a plastic wingnut spanner similar to a gas meter box key spanner with a 8mm head instead of the triangle to do up the hex nut version.
Love it! Please pay for the tooling and the Minimum Order QUantity of 20,000!
I thought I posted an answer with link... Something like the Murray Clamp Key? It is 5/16" or 7.94mm... might work.
Hi Callum,
These look great, nice find & great job on your continuing engineering improvements! 😀
Now, my 1 concern is that it is a plastic, and outdoors here in Arizona - our Sunlight with high UV & extreme temperatures (115°+ F.), Dust, etc. just kills most plastics. The death from the brittleness...
I may need to get a few just to test on an existing pole to see how they hold up.
Thanks as always Callum for a nice vid.
73 John N7GHZ
Nylon 66 is EXTREMELY UV proof.
@@DXCommanderHQ Ok then 😀. Thanks & 73 Callum
Came here to ask about UV. Living at 6000 MSL we watch black plastics turn brittle in a year or less.
Thanks for asking and thanks Callum for the answer.
We buy only UV stabilized tie wraps for anything outdoors. Everything else snaps off at the first tug or vibration after a few months outside.
@@NatesRandomVideo UV Stable, don't worry.
Excellent as always Cal .
One small suggestion with your product being a dark color and your coat being a dark color it was a bit hard to see. But I got the jest of it. Camera angle was great 👍.
This was a great find
de KN4CBS
Thanks for the tip!
I must buy one. Need to get rid of some junk 1st
In the States, I've never seen a Dremel minitorch. Bernzomatic, who make propane and MAP gas torches, make the butane minitorches and most desert chefs use them to caramelize the top of deserts, like a creme brulee. FWIW.
Ah! I always wondered what torch they used for restaurants!
Hi Callum for those concerned about UV resistance I can confirm that I have had 3/8” wide Nylon66 Ty-wraps out in my garden 24/365 holding various trees/bushes in place since around 1995. The colour has hardly faded at all and they still tighten up like new. I’m in the UK.
Sounds great!
Nice 👍
Thanks ✌
Oh and I hype my 12.4 every chance I get. Nothing like being resonant on bands of use.
Goodbye electrical tape!
(Clamps ordered 👍)
I will order 10 brother fantastic item
Great improvement to your antennas cal love to see the innovation prosess keep up the great work cal de Kd9dle
The clamp style used on drum rack mounts for cymbals (minus the cymbal part of the clamp) could be a great commercial type option for this level of antenna. The other benifit of a drum style clamp is that it could go right across the joints in the tubing making it hurricane proof. You would need different sizes but something like that is what I'd hope to see on an antenna such as this and not plastic screw tie things. I'd be concerned how plastic is in Canadian winters over time as well. Not UV concerns but -40C one day and +5 the next. Anyways, just a thought.
But if it works at -40...
Mine broke when trying to install at 45deg F. Don't try to install or adjust in cooler temps.
Awesome for portable ops. Question for my application is whether it'll survive for years in the sun in the back yard, er, gawhden.
UV Stable, don't worry.
The shipping from UK to Canada kills for small parts.
Slipping is one thing I have been dealing with due to the strange positioning of my antenna in a small space with less than ideal angles.
Ahh, I found the US/Canadian site... added to the list.
Good man!
PS - You might be able to get these locally, just search HCL Ezyclamp. You want 50mm PA66 for a Classic.
getting a handle on things 👍
will you be selling a retro-fit kit? never mind I should have waited until the end
If these are just strong nylon, (not metal in the middle), rather than the cut and blowtorch approach I'd suggest you use a large soldering iron with an old soldering bit in it, but still clean off the bit afterwards.
73 Ed DD5LP
Are they UV stable we have some high UV in ZL I am looking at the Expedition Kit, the hose clips are a pain, this looks the bees knees good work Cal
Black Nylon 66. Don't worry about it.
Be aware in using these clamps. I went to work on putting these on in 45deg F temps and the first one I went to install near the base broke, snapping off in length. At 45deg it's too brittle. I brought them indoors for a while and they've got good flexibility again. I'll use the broken one on a smaller diameter area to clamp, but be careful to only use these when they're warm. Once they're on they seem to hold ok so far, but do not attempt to put them on when it's or at least these clips are cold.
45 degrees.. I think you are in F. In "my money" that's 7 degrees C. OK, so fit them "warmed". Thanks for the tip.
For DXC, you mention adding these below the spreader plates. Do you still advise a couple of turns of self amalgamating tape, with a couple of turns of 3m temflex on top to waterproof joints? Love these new clamps, and have ordered a set to retrofit my DXC. 👍
No tape. Just these are fine.
@@DXCommanderHQ If you already have taped up the joints, do you recommend taking the tape off when installing these for a permanent installation?
I removed the tape on my 12.4 last week because the tape was allowing the clamps to slip.
A hot soldering iron bit might blunt the cut. Would a spray of PTFE make it easier to screw? And please introduce us to your cute dog.
Maybe! 2 x Dogs.. Junior and Django.. (Junior is actually the older one!)
Great idea! I note that this product is available locally. Is it the EZ75-S that is recommended for the Classic?
Gosh, I don't know model number. But for Classic, go with the 50mm PA66.
Looking at picking up an Expedition soon, and I'm thinking that reusable nylon zip ties would work for the upper couple of segments.
Yes, for the very top? Although on the expedition, the weight up there is SO small, I have never used anything up there other than a sharp tug!
@@DXCommanderHQ - I tend to be a belt and suspenders type.
Very nice indeed! May I ask what kind of wire/rope you´d recommend attaching the antenna to the ground?
I´d like to use two sets of 3x wires/ropes to be sure in windy areas (3 near the bottom & 3 abt. 5m up).
OK, so just use "real" 550 Paracord (make sure it says 550 - even if it's a copy). They normally have 7 strands inside an outer braided sheath. Don't buy stuff that just says "Paracord, make sure it's "550" and has those strands inside.
Nice clamps, what a good idea. Have you ever tried drilling a hole through the tube and fitting a pin or does this affect the strength of the pole? Just a thought.
Don't do it.. You will NEVER line them up again.
@@DXCommanderHQ I think he meant just the upper tube of each pair and using a push pin or similar.
@@DXCommanderHQ The voice of experience, thanks Cal
Typical got mine couple of days ago ! Can I purchase the set please , they look great 👍
Yes you can. These are also widely available across the world, just search HCL Ezyclamp. You want 50mm PA66 for a Classic.
That's a great system, but my Classic will be a permanent install so I am going to love those Nylon 66 clamps I got 8 clamps and no hose clamp in the Classic that came in last week. What torque spec would you recommend we tighten these to. Hey, I used to be a bolting inspector so torque is important! LOL
Nice. What is the min temperature rating on them and are they known to hold up well with high UV exposure?
Yes. See description:)
Like the concept, but will it work for the small diameter sections of the Rapide? Or do I need to source shorter version than you are stocking?
At the moment I plan using the Rapide as semi portable, as I will be putting it up and down quite often to keep it low profile and less likely to attract the HOA police.
I have not at the moment taped the joints, but since I had issues with collapsing under tension a couple of times while I was tuning the antenna, I have decided to go ahead and tape the joints as described anyway in your installation notes. I have enough room to store it full length on my patio, and the Rapide is very easy for one person to handle.
Couple of other "upgrades" I did:
- I found it much easier while tuning to use zip tie connections and only use the clips at the end of the shock cord (those clips are a real PITA to attach, and I have got close to hitting the ends with my hot air gun a few times, instead of tieing a knot). Zip cords are much easier to remove and more secure than just taping a loop. I'll be making this my permanant fix.
- For the 40m Rapide I ran out of shock cord so needed to cut and splice on a piece of paracord to reduce required length (if I remember correctly that was for the 20m and 17m bands on the Rapide).
- Finally I added 3x stainless carabiners to attach the guy ropes ... makes installation much faster and easier.
All-in-all a great antenna and have just one more bit of fine tuning to do to make it a great performer too.
We are about to dump the clips. Better solution. Top end of Rapide shouldn't collapse, so we will supply "enough". SHock cord.. I need to suggest in user guide how not to run out. There's a trick. Splicing Paracord works too (as you created). OK on carabiners.
PS - Thanks for feedback.
@@DXCommanderHQ Top end was fine... the middle section between the 2 spacers is where mine kept collapsing. Solved now by taping the joint. Tuned up and in operation on 20 and 40m... couple of minor tweaks needed to get lower SWR on other frequencies. I think I have finally mastered the nanoVNA!!
👍
I have a DX Commander Classic that I haven't set up yet, but soon, is there any advantage to these nylon hose clamps versus the ones that it came with before?
Everything we have ever supplied works just fine. I prefer these. If you want some, you can EITHER buy from us - or you might be able to get these locally, just search HCL Ezyclamp. You want 50mm PA66 for a Classic.
nice like them how will they last in continues setting up and taking down over a period of time being nylon
We shall see - but apparntly they are very long lasting.
Can you tell us where to get the straps Cal? I still haven't built mine yet.
See link(s) in description..
Great stuff Callum. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. You're an original Elmer! I'm just curious about why you made the change. Were the metal clamps impacting the RF? 73 K8YX
Too many customers were over-tightening the metal clamps.. On these, if you over tighten, the thread will "bump" down one but retain structural integrity.. It's a reminder to the customer they went too far :)
Cal! I would imagine these new clamps will reduce coupling between elements. Have you tested this? I like the new ones.
Does nothing. No difference.
Those look great clamps. Have they been tested in Wales? If you need to do some field testing in this country, I’d volunteer to do some on a classic if needed😬 MW7CZY
Looks like I just missed this with my DX Commander Classic :-( currently getting battered with the wind in GM land with only insulating tape holding the mast from collapsing. MM0ZFG
I can send you some. In UK, shipping isn't expensive.
Between hose clamps and this I was shipped plastic electrical ties. Really wish I got this or just hose clamps instead of plastic junk.
Hmmm. What we shipped isn't "junk", it's just different - and I was using that system for last 12-months on the prototype 9.5 which has been up since last October.. However, you might be able to get these locally, just search HCL Ezyclamp. You want 50mm PA66 for a Classic.
Hi Calum, can you let us know what the model of clamp it is that you use in the video? Looking at the HCL website and they do different sizes.
Thanks
OK Rich, if this is for a CLassic or any pole other than Signature 12.4 or 18m Nebula, then go 50mm in PA66.
I have never seen those clamps. It looks like they will work better than the metal hose clamps. I'm not familiar with Nylon 66, is it UV safe?
Yes, UV safe
Do we still want to add the self amalgamating tape on 'permanent' installations?
Erm.. It won't hurt and will keep moisture out of the joins.
Will these hold up to -28F? We usually get at least a couple of weeks of extreme cold every winter. Thanks, Chip W9OQI
Nylon 66 is fine in low temps. Not maybe while you install, but in use, fine.
Just received my Classic today, 23/09. How can I order a set of these Callum? Thanks Kevin.
Talk to Loki and/or see description. Alternatively, see if there is a local suppl;ier of HCL Ezyclamps in VK land..
Thinking and hoping my Classic will be up for years--do the new clamps UVA/UVB ok so they don't break like my rubberized bands do outside in the sun? You know, the cracks that come with sun exposure especially. Tnx de WO8USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
UV Stable, yes.
great product, however, are there any issues with UV, would they be UV stabilised.
Ditto
"excellent resistance to weathering & UV" one of the features listed on their website :)
Nylon 66 is highly UV resistant.
What about UV light resistance? Do they last as long as the jubilee clips?
Longer.
@@DXCommanderHQ How about the heat, humidity of Houston?
@@DominicMazoch PA66 is extremely stable. See description.
Any estimation when nebula will be available ?
About 10-days. We've paid the port fees, so they must be at Felixstowe.
How would these new clamps work in cold Alaskan weather?
PA66 is fine. You might want to warm them up before fitting, that's all.
They look the dbs
Mr Callum……how could I erect the antenna in a cement area
Use a heavy Patio Umbrella Stand.. Or core a hole and slip a pole into the concrete and put DXC over the top about 60cm/2 feet.
my order just went out the door have I missed the boat on it ?? :)
I don't know.. You might be able to get these locally, just search HCL Ezyclamp. You want 50mm PA66 for a Classic.
@@DXCommanderHQ I doubt it out here in Falklands 😁 thanks though will do some searching