Category: DX Commander

Callum’s Videos

Simplifying the 2-Element Vertical Christan Method Phased Array with John NJ4Z

Post author By admin
Post date January 20, 2024

We discuss the simple 2-element phased array, the Christman Method and why 71 and 84 degrees are so important for the phase lines. What pitfalls you are likely to encounter. Is the gain worth it? What is the front-to-back? Basically.. is it worth it..? This follows on from this video: https://youtu.be/sNegMnryalY
John’s files are here:
https://mega.nz/folder/hq4mGY7Z#fSPzKPMhLIGmTnxUewZl1w
Callum (& John).

DX Commander Youtube

Did we make an error with the Triangular Array?

Post author By admin
Post date January 18, 2024

We discuss my triangular box of tricks that John made for us a couple of years ago and go into detail regarding the phasing lines, the delay line and the dimensions. Join us for a chat. Callum.

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Perfect Antenna Strategy for Small Plots

Post author By admin
Post date January 12, 2024

The ultimate antenna design for the new Ham Radio operator with a small back yard / garden. Callum suggests going with a multi-band vertical, a Loop on Ground (dedicated receive antenna) and also a low-to-ground dipole for 40m. John suggests similar but with options for half-wave-end-far or maybe off-centre-fed dipole. What would you do..? Callum.

Loop on Ground
▶️ https://youtu.be/jDcaltDUKnI

More videos:
▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcC64tNkZB7zFt6NV9fnnde2lP11fUTQ8 Antenna Modelling
▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcC64tNkZB7xtKohJRipVLQ6rxYzRP8eq Tips and Tricks
▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcC64tNkZB7xwhA0Msm_bNT4CQ_Bj5D4c Antennas
▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcC64tNkZB7wc6svNLY7IDthw1YCFNq9W Live Streams
▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcC64tNkZB7w9dp9Eqg_UhamrY5Ck3dyX My Stuff
▶️ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcC64tNkZB7xvc3rHlpqqCkiBdAzYe8cf Ham Radio Training

DX Commander Youtube

CRAZY 40m SSB Pileup England-USA #hamradio

Post author By admin
Post date January 10, 2024

The most bizarre and fantastic conditions for 30 minutes at around 23:00 UTC between North America and England (January 2024).

DX Commander Youtube

Fantastic 40m Demo Vertical Array Antenna vs NVIS Dipole – Stereo

Post author By admin
Post date January 9, 2024

Crazy 40m pileup last Thursday evening (4th Jan 24) here in England. Left VFO is the Vertical Array and Right VFO is a low-to-ground dipole. The Preamp switched on for the dipole because it can’t receive DX that well. Left VFO does not have preamp. Headphones recommended. Callum.

https://youtu.be/Sy1-qW0jP2Q

Link to the modelling is here:

▶️ https://youtu.be/CM40ONno17Y

DX Commander Youtube

Excellent 40m DX Conditions – Crossing Atlantic – SSB Evening Session

Post author By admin
Post date January 7, 2024

You can do this too. John made it through on 35W 🙂 This is a quick summary of the calls I made a few days ago whilst remote from Cornwall. Just amazing. It was so much fun to blast all those calls in the log. And 2 nights later, it was even more crazy! Time stamp on this video: https://www.youtube.com/live/BOX2sPAZaOk?si=KDnDyAQkCWaxYrNa&t=850

DX Commander Youtube

The Wrong Answer

Post author By admin
Post date January 6, 2024

Warning ADULT HUMOUR. Edited FAST version of the Christmas stream with Mike M0MSN, Jonathan M0JSX and Callum M0MCX delivering the "Wrong Answer" quiz just befor Christmas. All the questions are below:

1. Before you can are allowed to RX on 160m, what exam do you need to pass
2. Minimum requirement before you can TX on 160m
3. Like checking a car before you drive away, what must a ham radio operator do before he/she settles down for a DX session
4. What is the most ideal amplifier for a recent keen DX Foundation licensee
5. Traditionally, what is the most difficult question in the Band Police exam
6. When would you use RG58
7. On the weekend nets on 80m, what is the most least common subject discussed
8. If you hear a new operator make a mistake, what do you do
9. If you live in Italy and the DX operator asks only for South America, what do you do
10. What is a compressor used for
11. The acronym RIT, what does it stand for
12. If an operator is running SPLIT, what does it mean
13. You are not sure if the genuine 2024 North Korean DXpedition has put you in the log, what do you do?
14. If you having a fun conversation on 2m band repeater and you notice your mother in law calling on the phone, what do you do?
15. On CB, why is it important to have a specific length of coax
16. Talking about RG58, what does the RG stand for
17. Ladder line. What is it?
18. If you are suffering from QRM, what is happening to you?
19. What is magic smoke
20. Why are some mic leads curly
21. Back to 160m, how many years experience do you have to have before you can join a net
22. Bonus: What subject are you NOT allowed to discuss on 160m net
23. What would happen if you are heard saying the expression “10.4” on 80m
24. If you heard someone talking about the bottom of the band, what are they referring to?
25. When is a 4 square useful
26. What is the next best thing from an Antron 99
27. When are you allowed to use coax on 160m
28. If you live in Italy, what is most important, Shouting 2 letters of you callsign, Buying a larger amplifier, Turning the mic gain up to 11, using extra compression, all of the above
29. If you can’t hear the DX station, but it appears everyone else can, why is it important to shout your callsign too?
30. If you are referring to Velocity Factor, what is happening?
31. Ohms Law. What is it?
32. What is an insulator?
33. On the way to the disposal yard, your car catches fire, in the trunk you have a reel of RG58 and a black bin liner full of old rubbish. Which one do you save first?
34. Before using, what is the first thing you might do after buying a new microphone?
35. What is Health and Safety?
36. How should you dress when attending a radio club meeting
37. Some ham radio operators enjoy wearing stained clothing to radio meet ups. What are the best stains to show off?
38. What lower power limits are imposed on Italian operators?
39. What is a dummy load
40. Primary use for an antenna is what?
41. You are suffering from interference. Who is Mary?
42. What is the quickest method of checking your mains electricity outlet?
43. Are you allowed to refer to CB on ham radio bands?
44. ICNIRP is an organization that is famous for what?
45. Back RG58
46. What is a second harmonic?
47. You are an expert in Lithium Ion batteries, what is your favorite hobby?
48. What is a device with two conducting plates separated by an insulating material called?
49. Who cares about the dimensions of your 160m doublet?
50. What is a local oscillator?
51. You hear someone talking about ALC, what are they referring to?
52. What is a ferrite ring?
53. What is the Skip Zone
54. What happens to the F1 and F2 layers at night?
55. What might provide a good earth for a transmitter?
56. Who cares about the fuse rating of your mains equipment
57. Flux is primarily used when?
58. List 3 types of people that love rules
59. You have woken up to the apocalypse and someone wants to use your radio, what do you do?
60. When is it best to lock up a licensed ham radio operator?
61. If you operate in a foreign country, what should you do before transmitting?
62. What is the least tolerant organic compound near a ham radio station?
63. If you reverse the flux capacitor sign wave, what might happen?
64. What is a loud speaker
65. My signal is Hot. How do I know?
66. You discover that your transmissions are causing a baby monitor to make weird noises, what do you do?
67. Who cares about the Italian callsign prefix history?
68. What are the rules about installing a mobile radio in a vehicle?
69. What actually is the purpose of ham radio?
70. MM0ABC moves permanently to Bulgaria. What must he do first?

DX Commander Youtube

Last Holiday Stream on SHortwave – remote control from Cornwall

Post author By admin
Post date January 4, 2024

Wake up USA! More playing Ham Radio on 80m and 40m from SW England. Cheers! Callum.

DX Commander Youtube

Mucking about on Shortware with my Ham Radio

Post author By admin
Post date January 3, 2024

I am remote controlling my ham radio station because I am on holiday, 200 miles from home. Just having some fun. Join me for a laugh!

DX Commander Youtube

SEVEN (7) Tips for Newbie Ham Radio Operators

Post author By admin
Post date January 1, 2024

These are the main tips we believe you need to know; who to trust, antennas, coax, radios, mistakes, mic-fright and attitude. Don’t be bullied. Enjoy. 73, John and Callum.