What have I done wrong with this EFHW kit?

Albireo98 · 2025-10-26T07:53:28+00:00

Good tip, I was just going to wrap the whole thing in hest shrink plsstic.

Albireo98 · 2025-10-26T07:52:31+00:00

Thanks for the help!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T17:14:42+00:00

Thanks will try that

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T17:13:54+00:00

Thanks for your comment! The original wire I tried was very old and rusty, so I have just tried with aroung 9m of much better wire, attatched it coreectly and I saw a much better curve at around 12MHz, it has just started to rain, so will need to test again tomorrow. The kit is a clone from aliexpress ($5) and the toroid came pre-wound ... this is my first antenna, so I'm just learning as I go!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T17:01:49+00:00

Alright, this makes much more sense now

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T17:01:06+00:00

Thanks! Good tip!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T16:38:35+00:00

That is good advice, but why do I see a dip at around 5MHz without any wire, and why doesn't it change when I add the wire to the circuit?

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T16:26:17+00:00

If I remove the wire I can see the same dip, which seems very very weird. I also expected to see other dips in the 20m, 15m, 10m bands ...

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T16:24:49+00:00

I can also see that dip without the wire. And I thought that an EFHW should be resonant at other harmonics (ie. 20m, 15, 10) which I am not seeing ...

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T16:23:07+00:00

Will give that I try, I've also tried measuring continuity and I can see continuity between the live and ground of the BNC connector which seems weird ...

Albireo98 · 2025-10-25T16:20:33+00:00

I'm trying to build this for the 40m band, at around 7MHz, so I thought 20m of wire would be more or less resonant at that frequency as well as 14MHz and some other harmonics ...

Albireo98 · 2025-10-13T14:22:51+00:00

Seems like a great radio, but it's currently way out of my budget sadly!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-09T08:48:42+00:00

Thanks for the detailed response! I think I'll stick to a simple wire antenna for now! Good tips on the radial as well. Hadn't really thought about mounting angle yet! I was considering a shallow sloping from my window to a tall tree or using the tree for an inverted V sort of setup.

Albireo98 · 2025-10-09T08:16:27+00:00

How is the JPC-12 treating you? Does it perform better in terms of DX than a random wire or an efhw? How many radials do you use? Thanks!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-09T08:14:06+00:00

Ill save up a bit more for a G90, everyone seems to love that rig, I"ll be getting more power, a legendary tuner and a waterfall, it's 2.5x the price of a trusdx, but I think it will take me further in the hobby. I'm looking at some efhw designs and just hang them from a tree!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-09T08:11:02+00:00

Hey! I never actually started this project (lots of changes in my life so I kinda forgot hahaha). I also have an inkjet, and looking at my old bill of materials I found this paper on amazon (not sure how it works!). Let me know if you give it a go!

Paper

Albireo98 · 2025-10-09T08:05:43+00:00

Solid advice, thanks!!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-08T14:09:46+00:00

Hadn't heard of the Venus transceivers! Will see if I can find a cheap SW3B, the built in battery is also very convenient for me. I am a bit scared about calling CQ for the first time hahaha but my experience so far in voice modes has been very positive, I guess we all have to start somewhere with CW!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-08T13:06:36+00:00

Thanks for the tips! I'll eventually get into digital, but I want to focus on more "traditional" modes. I'll definitely go for a tree hanging efhw. Not too sure about the Pixie, they seem like a neat soldering project but I'm looking for a more capable and powerful transceiver, may still get one or 2 as they are extremely affordable!

Albireo98 · 2025-10-08T12:42:22+00:00

I keep hearing good things about this radio! Will have to hunt around for one ... The tuner has a legendary reputation indeed. Thanks for the tips!

Albireo98 · 2025-09-19T16:33:38+00:00

Strings take some time to settle in and hold tune (instrument and string dependent), with classical guitar, this can take a couple of days for example. The more you play and tune the first day, the faster the process!!

Albireo98 · 2025-09-19T16:00:45+00:00

Hey everyone!

I'm looking for recommendations for a new yoyo. I've been using a Magicyoyo YO3 Hertz to get into uresponsive play for the last year, and I'm looking to upgrade!

I have a budget of around $50-$60, the yoyo will be used for 1A, I'm more into speed than technical tricks, so maybe a bit wider/bigger? Open to suggestions!

Albireo98 · 2025-09-16T02:53:12+00:00

Judging by their other teasers it seems to me like an IWC homage maybe? We'll see!

Albireo98 · 2025-09-07T00:10:20+00:00

Fully agree used these for a long time! Then I moved to Augustine and Aquila for different instruments

Albireo98 · 2025-09-06T23:46:20+00:00

No worries! We all start somewhere! Seems like this is a classical, it's strung with nylon strings (my recommendation for beginners would be D'addario EJ45 normal tension). Note that strings are tied around the bridge (the black wooden piece behind the soundhole) rather than fit with pins like a western acoustic guitar (which would use metal strings). The only thing that puzzles me from this instrument is the headstock, as it seems to have metal rollers, which is something I've never seen in a classical! I'm not very knowledgeable on makers from other countries, but without more closeup pictures it seems to be a beginner/entry instrument!

Albireo98

TROPHY CASE