The YouTubers Bunch

See https://youtu.be/PV5GdAZ1nfo

This is my biggest antenna build yet! A full 160m / 80m fan dipole — from scratch, all the way through to WSPR testing.

In this video you’ll see:
✅ Preparing and painting the poles
✅ Building the dipole centre and elements
✅ Coax, balun and choke setup
✅ Raising the mast (the epic lift 🙂
✅ Tuning and first SWR tests

It’s rare to see a compact 160m solution paired with a full-sized 80m dipole, so I wanted to document the entire process in detail.

If you’re into low-band antennas, DIY builds, or just enjoy big projects coming to life, you’ll love this one.

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💬 Drop a comment if you’ve ever tried 160m — I’d love to hear what worked (or didn’t!) for you.

0:00 – Teaser – The big lift (hook)
0:12 – Preparing the Poles – Painting, fitting, grinding, ramming sections together
6:31 – Planning the Dipole – Measurements, wire lengths, horseshoe layout
9:38 – Cutting & Prepping Wire – Kevlar cord, foldbacks, dipole centre
15:33 – Coax & Balun Setup – Patch leads, choke discussion, memories of Barry
21:00 – Coax Assembly – Measuring, cutting, connectors, testing continuity
31:20 – Adding 80m Legs – Fan dipole build begins
34:00 – Matching & Impedance Talk – 75Ω quarter-wave match explanation
36:05 – Mounting & Bolting Mast – Drilling, washers, test-fit
42:50 – Securing Mast – Bolts, levelling, wide shot
48:40 – Next Day Setup – Tensioning, knots, wind test
51:00 – 160m & 80m Alignment – Galvanised fixings, lifting elements
56:13 – 80m Wire Install – Cleats, pilot holes, tensioning
1:00:00 – Coax & Final Tension – Routing, connectors, self-amalg tape
1:03:30 – Testing & SWR – Adjustments, bandwidth discussion
1:05:30 – Wrap Up – Sign-off and next project
1:06:27 – Easter Egg – Intentional error / correction

Logging with my Captain’s Log Net Control Software – should be a fun demo – assuming it works!

Today’s job: holes, concrete, steel, and planning for two towers!

I unpack a new 12V winch, sort out the scaffold-pole mount at 45°, and dig in proper foundations with concrete and a dead-man anchor. This winch will let me safely lower the big tower and salvage one of the alloy poles.

At the same time, I’m sketching out a second, lightweight tower project — two poles, simple guying, base rotator, and even a budget bearing solution using UHMW washers and split bearings. The aim is to show how you can build a low-cost demonstrator mast that anyone could replicate.

Along the way:

Unboxing and testing the winch (Kevlar rope + remote)

Digging, cutting, concreting, and anchoring

The “dead-man” anchor trick explained

Planning the mini-tower with simple bearings and rotator setup

Updates on the ACOM 2020S amplifier and station progress

This is a proper “hands-on” day in the field — concrete dust, angle-iron, scaffold poles, and all!

👉 Have you ever pushed up your own mini-mast on three guys? Drop your stories in the comments — I’d love to hear how you tackled it.

Enjoy your radio, see you next time. 73,
Callum, M0XXT

0:00 – Winch unboxing & first look
0:28 – Scaffold pole mount idea (45°)
1:26 – Plan to recover alloy pole & use CB/10m Yagi
2:44 – Positioning the winch & anchor point
3:21 – Call to steel stockholder (angle iron sorted)
4:00 – Thinking ahead: lightweight tower plan
6:10 – Measuring guy triangle layout
6:43 – Digging the first foundation hole
7:28 – Cutting scaffold pole & mixing concrete
8:50 – Setting the winch mount pole
10:25 – Concrete mix going in
11:00 – Load calculations & safety margin
12:00 – Dead-man anchor explanation
13:05 – Laying out tower two with guy points
14:20 – Side quest: lawn mower service (spider included!)
14:25 – ACOM 2020S update
16:22 – Using scaffold elbow for base hinge
17:14 – Cheap & cheerful mini-tower design philosophy
18:00 – Rotator bearing plan with UHMW washers
19:30 – Bargain split-shaft bearings (£9 for two)
20:06 – Second hole and concrete base for mini-mast
22:50 – Checking alignment & straightness
24:09 – Cabinet and battery mount thoughts
25:30 – Big tower plans (20m Yagi coming soon)
26:30 – Spray painting poles (yellow → black & white)
27:26 – Wrap up & call for viewer experiences