It’s hard to keep up with all the new amateur radio gear you’ll find at DX Engineering! The latest products from leading manufacturers are being added weekly to the 30,000-plus ham radio items—from more than 175 top amateur radio providers—available at DXEngineering.com.
OnAllBands is dedicated to making sure you’re not missing out on that station addition that will improve your contesting scores, help you work more DX, upgrade your emergency preparedness, and enhance your 0verall enjoyment of the world’s greatest hobby.
DX Engineering has you covered with a bunch of new products you’ll want to add to your amateur radio must-have list, from premade coax assemblies to a new Icom handheld receiver. DX Engineering’s Michael Murphy, KI8R, highlights a few of the latest offerings in the video below.
Like what you see? Click on the links below for all the details.
Now that 13 Colonies is over, many hams will shift gears to go full throttle for an operating event that, in the words of songwriter Bobby Troup, will let you “get your kicks” on a bygone and beloved highway that still inspires worshippers of the open road.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, Route 66 on the Air is a nostalgic blast from the past for operators who will once again attempt to reach special stations along the historic highway, which covered 2,448 miles from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA. Opened in 1926 and fully paved in 1938, the route was known for its offbeat roadside attractions, thrilling landscapes, and legions of drivers who traveled its skid-marked path in search of America—or perhaps the perfect cheeseburger and milkshake.
Route 66 was removed from the U.S. Highway System in 1985.
Troup’s popular 1946 rhythm and blues song, recorded by the likes of Nat King Cole and the Rolling Stones, mentions a travelog of stops along the route, including Oklahoma City, OK; Amarillo, TX; Flagstaff, AZ; Kingman, AZ; Barstow, CA; and San Bernardino, CA—all cities that will be represented by local clubs during the Route 66 on the Air event, which runs from September 7-15, 2024.
Find the complete list of 23 special event stations and rules at the Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club (San Bernardino), W6JBT, website. Per the website, the event was started by the Northern Arizona DX Association and taken over a couple of years later by the Citrus Belt club.
Sound like fun?
Get your station ready for future events like Route 66 on the Air at DXEngineering.com, where you’ll find transceivers, antennas, and everything you need to reach stations from California to Illinois and beyond.
With many solid options available, choosing your first amateur radio handheld transceiver (HT) can be a challenge. DX Engineering’s Michael Murphy, KI8R, breaks down the questions you need to consider when searching for the handheld that’s right for you, from how much you’re willing to spend to how many bands you require. He also discusses HT accessories, radio programming software, and the importance of researching what others say about HTs on the market.
Watch the video and then click on the links below to begin your search for the perfect handheld transceiver at DXEngineering.com.
As of this posting, there’s still time to make contact with the CY9C DXpedition from St. Paul Island. The team is scheduled to operate continually until the evening of Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Don’t miss the opportunity to put this three-mile-long, rarely visited island off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada—the 50th Most Wanted DXCC Entity per Clublog—in your logbook before the operation from the Northeast Island site goes QRT.
CY9C has been on the air since August 25.
On Monday, September 2, the team’s website reported that CY9C had recorded more than 81,000 QSOs, noting that there will be more SSB activity moving forward.
DX Engineering is a major sponsor of CY9C, having provided equipment including:
Watch Tim Duffy, K3LR, DX Engineering CEO, interview members of the CY9C team (“a bunch of MacGyvers” who have been re-engineering equipment in the ham radio spirit, according to Craig, K9CT) from the wind-swept island.
The interview was held Friday, August 30, 2024.
OnAllBands will be posting a complete wrap-up of CY9C in the days ahead.
One of the great things about ham radio is the amazing variety of items that can be purchased to add more enjoyment to the world’s best hobby. Case in point: Today’s featured video on some of the latest products available at DXEngineering.com.
For more than two decades, the hams at DX Engineering have invested a great deal of time and brainpower toward enhancing the performance of Hustler BTV Series 4-, 5-, and 6-Band Vertical Antennas. This commitment has resulted in a slew of complementary DX Engineering-produced Hustler antenna products coupled with smart advice about installing ground radials for optimal results.
This combination of add-ons and operational wisdom continues to result in spectacular results for hams around the world. Here’s just one of many favorable opinions:
Five Stars (4BTV 4-Band HF Vertical Antenna): This antenna performs above and beyond what I expected! I hadn’t made any DX contacts in a very long time on the voice portion of the HF bands. After installing this per instructions and laying down 24 ground radials of various lengths due to confined space I easily made a contact into Germany through a pileup first try! Got a good 5-7 report with great audio! I also added the 17M add-on kit which performs flawlessly! Best antenna I have purchased!! Highly recommend this antenna if you are limited on space!
OnAllBands plans to cover all of the above in later posts, but first we’re checking out customer reviews of Hustler BTV Series add-on kits. In part one of this series, we explored the 17M add-on kit.
The 80M add-on is tunable for operating across a small segment of the 75/80m band with an SWR of 1.5:1 or less. Larger frequency excursions are easily made by lowering the antenna and adjusting the length of the top rod. A DX Engineering DXE-TB-3P Tilt Base Antenna Mounting System (sold separately) makes this a simple job. A good SWR meter or antenna analyzer will allow you to check the overall performance of the antenna while making final adjustments.
(Image/DX Engineering)
The DX Engineering 80M add-on kit requires no disassembly of your existing antenna. Simply add one of these kits to the top of the existing installation, make some minimal tuning adjustments, and enjoy getting on the air with an additional band. These kits come complete with Hustler RM75/80 resonator with large corona ball whip; Allen wrench for the two Allen set screws on the 80M resonator; and three-bladed spider assembly(above).
What Does the Customer Say About the 80M Add-On Kit?
Five Stars: Excellent! Simple to install and tune. Best reports ever with locals. Then worked Puerto Rico first night.
James, DX Engineering Customer
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Five Stars: Easy to install and tune. And nice to get all the needed parts in one kit with good instructions.
Aaron, DX Engineering Customer
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Five Stars: Easy to install, especially if you have the Omni-Tilt base on your 4BTV. Tuning was simple, took about three tries to get it centered on the frequency I wanted using the MFJ-223 analyzer. Performance with 32 radials is not bad. Expect about 45-50KHZ of usable 2:1 SWR bandwidth.
Samuel, DX Engineering Customer
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Arrived quickly, well packed. 80M resonator and whip in one box, three-leg spider in second box shipped separately. Easy to install on my 5+ year old 4BTV. Required a bit of retuning the vertical, mostly 40M (top section was shortened a bit). SWR about 1.5:1 80-40-20M and 1.2:1 15-10M with my 36 radials. Have had a few 80M QRP QSOs so far. Signal reports about one S unit weaker than my full length 80M dipole—not bad for a shortened radiator. QRO probably better.
Paul, DX Engineering Customer
This is the BTV installation from Paul’s review above. (Image/DX Engineering)
There is no shortage of thoughts on what’s the ideal rig for making more QSOs when operating away from the home station, especially with the soaring popularity of POTA, SOTA, IOTA, BOTA, and other opportunities to have fun away from the shack.
Truth is, with so many excellent transceiver options, there’s no right answer. And if someone suggests that their answer is definitive, we suggest the following all-encompassing rebuttal courtesy of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski: “Well, that’s like your opinion, man.”
If you’re new to ham radio or looking to upgrade your portable operating prowess, we’ve put together an informal, completely unscientific breakdown of what transceivers were used during Field Day 2024. The following is based on responses to a question posed on the DX Engineering Facebook page: “What radio did you use during Field Day?”
(Image/DX Engineering)
Like we’ve said many times before on OnAllBands, it never hurts to hear what others have to say about what works best for them. And keep in mind that the chosen radios were deployed to match a range of environments and goals—as well as price ranges.
Bottom line: Not everyone operates on Field Day the same way.
The rigs used on Field Day ranged from out-of-production radios to the latest SDR models from all popular manufacturers.
Based on more than 120 responses, the usual transceiver suspects led the pack of the most-used rigs for Field Day 2024: Icom IC-7300 HF Plus 50 MHz Transceiver
The above represents only a small portion of the diverse selection of radios put through their paces during Field Day 2024. Here some of the other Icom transceivers—many of which are no longer produced—that got a workout the weekend of June 22-23:
OnAllBands has been taking a close look at products that can help you get more out of your Hustler 4BTV, 5BTV, and 6BTV vertical antennas. We’ve got quite a bit of ground to cover, so we’re starting with the DX Engineering add-on kits that let you easily and effectively expand coverage. Check out this article on the Hustler BTV Series 17M Add-On Kit. Later this month we’ll be exploring what operators say about the 80M add-on kit.
Today, we turn our attention to the latest addition to DX Engineering’s lineup of devices that have turned the Hustler BTV verticals into an affordable and proven DXing juggernaut for hams around the globe, especially those dealing with limited space and HOA restrictions.
Users on eHam.net have called the DXE-AOKC-12M a “great product for the money,” “first-rate made,” “a superior product that performs, “very easy to assemble,” and “a straightforward way to add 12M to the Hustler without it looking like a Rube Goldberg contraption.” Check out all the reviews at eHam.net.
(Image/DX Engineering)
The RF power handling of the DXE-AOKC-12M 12 Meter Add-On Kit is conservatively rated for 1,500 watts PEP SSB, 1,000 watts CW, and 375 watts RTTY and Digital modes (including FT8) at an antenna SWR of 2:1 and below. This rating is for 12 meters only; it does not apply to BTV antenna trap or resonator frequencies where the use of less power is advised.
A Note About Installing Both the 17M & 12M Add-On Kits
The 17M and 12M kits work together because they do not interact with each other. Further, installing them on your BTV antenna will not drastically affect other bands. The 17M and 12M kits match each other, except for the coil on the 17M, and they add negligible wind loading to the antenna. The kits can mount on opposite sides of the Hustler BTV vertical and may be installed at the same time or at different times.
TIP: The use of the OMNI-TILT base is recommended for BTV ground mounting when both 17M and 12M kits are installed.
The 12M add-on kit includes:
Pre-assembled 12M element wire with soldered ring terminals
Four stainless steel band clamps with threaded studs
Upper insulated bracket
Two 14-inch tuning rods
Bottom aluminum stand-off bracket
Spring-loaded end insulator for the 12M element wire, which lets the antenna move naturally
Scotch-Brite® pad for cleaning the 12M element connections to the BTV antenna
Stainless steel hardware
Tuning the 12M Add-On
Installation of the DXE-AOKC-12M can have the effect of narrowing the SWR bandwidth of 20, 15, and 10M—a reasonable tradeoff for adding the extra band. After the 12M kit is installed and tuned, any required shift to the usable SWR frequency ranges on those bands can be accomplished by trap sleeve repositioning on the respective band trap. SWR may be optimized for CW and Digital or SSB segments by careful trap sleeve tuning adjustments.
For more about tuning, assembly instructions, and further details, read the DXE-AOKC-12M manual. Visit DXEngineering.com to order this impressive Hustler upgrade.
It has become apparent over the years that many folks who love everything about ham radio also love their cars, trucks, motorcycles, and ATVs. This is supported by the fact that there are plenty of DX Engineering customers who also do their shopping for suspension systems, exhaust tips, piston sets, and fuel injectors at Summit Racing Equipment. In fact, we’ve lost count of the number of letters we’ve received from those who relish both turning corners and turning knobs.
For those who don’t already know, Summit Racing has been the parent company of DX Engineering ever since the aftermarket automotive parts giant acquired the ham radio manufacturer in 2000. (Look for much more about DX Engineering’s 25th Anniversary celebration in the months ahead.)
DX Engineering shares headquarters with Summit Racing in Tallmadge, Ohio, near Akron. The updated DX Engineering Amateur Radio Showroom is housed inside the Summit Racing Retail Superstore at the same location. Ham radio gear can also be purchased at the Summit Racing retail store in Sparks, Nevada.
The Summit Racing Retail Superstore in Tallmadge, Ohio. (Image/DX Engineering)The DX Engineering Showroom is housed in the Summit Racing Retail Superstore, allowing shoppers to take care of their automotive and amateur operating needs in one place. (Image/DX Engineering)DX Engineering has held a hamfest and several sales events in the Summit Racing Retail Superstore. (Image/DX Engineering)
Need a transceiver and a transmission? A set of radials for your Hustler BTV vertical antenna and some radials for your 1972 Chevelle? A thrust bearing and a main rod bearing? A brake rotor and a heavy-duty rotator? You’ll uniquely find them all under the same roof.
How cool and convenient is that?
For those who can’t make it to the stores in Ohio and Nevada, both Summit Racing (SummitRacing.com) and DX Engineering (DXEngineering.com) make ordering incredibly fast and easy online. Both companies are widely recognized for providing fast shipping (more about speed below) and the most knowledgeable and responsive customer/technical support in their respective industries.
(Image/N5J Jarvis Island)
Check out the DX Engineering and Summit Racing decals on Jarvis Island in August 2024! In the photo, George Wallner, AA7JV, member of the offshore crew of the N5J Jarvis Island DXpedition, sets up a self-contained Rig in a Box station on one of the rarest DXCC entities on the planet. The DXpedition was sponsored by DX Engineering. Also notice the VP Racing jug, available at Summit Racing, along for the trip.
Hams & Gearheads
At first inspection, automotive enthusiasts and ham radio aficionados may seem to have little in common. But look closer. The hobbies and the people who are passionate about them share a lot more than you might think.
A Need for Speed
Summit Racing is appropriately known as “The World’s Speed Shop®,” the place where you can find millions of go-fast parts to soup up your ride for the street, dirt track, road course, or drag strip.
While transceivers don’t come equipped with a finish-line parachute, speed is still very much a part of the hobby for scores of amateur operators. Many hams were first intrigued by the idea that their transmissions could reach across the globe thanks to radio waves traveling at the speed of light—186,000 miles per second (a tad quicker than your average quarter-mile pass). Elite CW practitioners hone their skills to reach mind-boggling speeds up to 60 WPM. Like a road race, marathon radiosport contests, such as the 24-hour World Radiosport Team Championship, become a test of both operating speed and endurance. Other ham radio activities, such as direction-finding competitions, depend on quick wits and speed when searching for hidden transmitters.
Finally, we know gearheads and hams alike don’t like to wait around their garages and shacks for parts to arrive—so you can expect speedy delivery of what you need—when you need it.
A Need to Build…and Rebuild
Whether completely restoring a classic, modifying a late-model muscle car, or creating a one-of-a-kind rat rod, there is nothing that makes a gearhead happier than wrenching on their latest project—permanently oil-stained fingernails be darned! Hams are no different. While getting on the air may be the ultimate reward, the satisfaction of installing an antenna, adding a new rotator, or building a homebrew amplifier ranks high for the hands-on ham.
Ask a gearhead or a ham how they spent their early years and you’ll hear stories of disassembled vacuum cleaners and radios, spare parts strewn across living rooms, and angry parents (though secretly proud) admonishing them for not asking first. The obsession to find out what makes things tick runs deep in both hobbies.
Ask a certain type of gearhead “How many vehicles are enough?” or a similarly inclined ham “How many radios are enough?” and you’re likely to get a shrug. Why? Because there simply isn’t a way to quantify an answer for those whose thirst for rides and rigs have no boundaries.
As of January of 2024, it was reported that Jay Leno’s vehicle collection consisted of over 180 cars and 160 motorcycles. Jerry Seinfeld’s cache of cars exceeds 150, including more than 40 Porsches. For those less monetarily endowed, it’s still difficult to turn down a project vehicle regardless of condition or space limitations. Same goes for hams who can’t pass by a hamfest flea market without adding another vintage rig to their collections or peruse DXEngineering.com without adding the latest SDR model and companion gear to their shopping cart.
Attend a car show or a day at the track and you’ll discover that competitiveness and camaraderie go hand in hand. Trophies and trips to the winner’s circle are nice, but longtime gearheads will tell you it’s the friendships with other enthusiasts that count most at the end of the day. Need proof? Listen to a couple of strangers become fast friends as they ease into a “bench racing” give-and-take or share stories of the “cars that got away.” Hams have the added benefit of being able to make friends from all parts of the world simply by getting on the air and calling CQ. Goodwill is at the core of what it means to be an amateur operator, whether hanging out with your club on Field Day or rag-chewing with an operator thousands of miles away.
Some Quick Comparisons
Going mobile: The most obvious merging of the two pursuits is equipping your vehicle with a mobile transceiver for fun on the road as well as serious emergency communication.
Endless variety: Both hobbies offer so many avenues of interest that it’s impossible to do it all at once. As the bloggers at OnAllBands have recommended time and again, if you’re starting out in ham radio, it’s best to initially pick one aspect of the hobby rather than spreading yourself too thin.
Passing it on: Like fathers, mothers, grandparents, and uncles who share their passion for car culture with their sons, daughters, grandkids, and nephews, ham families can’t help but pass on their love of all things radio to the next generation of operators.
Grace, K8LG, with father Doug, K8DP, at K3LR operating during the 2023 RSGB IOTA Contest. (Image/DX Engineering)
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We’d love to hear from all the ham/gearheads out there! Tell us about what you think is the crossover appeal of getting on the air and putting power to the pavement.
Also Check Out a Handy Beacon for Home and Road Emergencies
Back in 2022, DX Engineering was excited to add a varied selection of highly respected Eton devices to its lineup of more than 175 manufacturers whose products are available at DXEngineering.com.
As fans of DX Engineering already know, the company carries many items that have applications that stretch outside of amateur radio, including coaxial cable prep tools, soldering equipment, coaxial cable assemblies, equipment cases, and even the DX Engineering ISO-PLUS Ethernet Filter, which has found a legion of enthusiasts in the audiophile community.
While Eton’s high-quality Elite Series shortwave radioscertainly fall under the amateur radio umbrella, the Palo Alto, California-based company also makes gear with a broader appeal to families who want to be ready for unexpected emergencies, or hams who want to be fully equipped at home or during their portable ops. Choose from:
The 7.125-inch-tall unit features durable aluminum construction, foldable reflective tripod legs, a bright one-watt LED spotlight, and three LED flashing beacons that can be easily activated during emergencies by turning its hand crank. Two minutes of cranking typically produces 15 minutes of usable power. With both input and output USB charging, you can even charge your smartphone to make an emergency call or text your family to let them know you are safe. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, carrying pouch, and car power adapter.
The latest addition to the Eton lineup, the Odyssey Multiband Bluetooth Emergency Radio makes a useful companion for outdoor adventures and emergency preparedness needs. It provides AM/FM/Shortwave/Weather band coverage, allowing you to stay connected to broadcasts from around the world and ensuring that you’re never out of touch with the latest news and weather updates. You receive NOAA Weather Alerts to keep you abreast of severe weather conditions in your area.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Multiple power options are available, including its 2000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery and high-efficiency solar panel charging that keeps the radio ready when you need it most. You can also use 3 AAA alkaline batteries as a backup power source (not included).
The Eton Odyssey offers versatility with a 5V 1.0A USB output for charging smartphones and other devices. Hand-crank charging yields 10 to 15 minutes of music, weather updates and news, along with one minute of talk time.
The radio features a digital tuner and display for precise station selection and tuning. It also includes Bluetooth connectivity, making it an all-in-one entertainment and communication device. The IPX4 weather-resistant design ensures durability in various conditions, while the bright LED flashlight, LED beacon, and siren provide essential visibility and signaling in emergencies.
Additional features include a DC power input via the included USB-C cable, an AUX-IN jack, headphone jack, alarm clock, and digital clock. The included carabiner allows you to conveniently clip it to your belt or go-bag. For added security, its SOS emergency beacon and siren are invaluable tools for getting help when needed.
When DX Engineering acquired Hi-Z Antennas’ lineup of HF receiving array products in 2022, the company’s research and development team went to work to make sure Hi-Z’s most popular devices would continue to be available to amateur operators worldwide.
The goal of this ongoing effort has been to roll out Hi-Z-inspired devices that retain the functionality of the original designs while making significant electronic and mechanical improvements. The evolution of these updated receive array devices includes efficient production, superior durability, and smoother operation.
DX Engineering is pleased to announce the release of Hi-Z Manual Directional Consoles—specialized BCD grounding switches that are specifically designed to operate Hi-Z Phasing Combiner relay units, also known as Phase Controllers.
Each HIZ-MDC console controls the phasing and direction selection of only Hi-Z Antennas Receive Vertical Antenna arrays and supplies power to the array element amplifiers. Consoles feature a large rotary switch knob and green LEDs arranged as receive array directional azimuth indicators with corresponding compass bearing degree markings on the front panel. The MDC-4 that controls the four-element Hi-Z Four Square Receive Array is below.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Selection of a specific model Manual Directional Control Console is required. Choose the model that corresponds to the desired version of Hi-Z Antennas Receive Array Phasing Combiner or legacy Phase Controller. Each console serves as a replacement for legacy, discontinued Hi-Z manual Shack Switches, and for the discontinued Hi-Z SS-2 and SS-2PLUS:
HIZ-MDC-4 works only with the multiband Four Square Arrays PC-4A and PC-4ELEMENT.
HIZ-MDC-6 works only with the multiband Three Element Six-Direction Triangular Arrays PC-3A and PC-3ELEMENT.
HIZ-MDC-8PRO works only with the 85/113 ft. diameter multiband 8 Circle Arrays PC-8PRO and PC4-8PROUP/PLUS.
HIZ-MDC-8 (below) works only with the 200 ft./100 ft. diameter monoband 8 Circle Arrays PC-8, PC-8A, and PC-8B.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Features include:
Rugged construction
Four large non-skid rubber feet
Stainless steel chassis with cold-rolled steel black powdercoated lid
Large, easy-grip rotary switch with end-of-rotation stops
The required multi-conductor array power and BCD control cable (purchased separately for the required number of conductors and length to the array) passes through a grommet on the rear panel and is connected internally
A rear panel 2.1mm +13.8VDC power connector accepts the included mating 2.1mm plug and unterminated DC power cable for connection to a user-provided +13.8VDC 1A fused, well-filtered power supply
An Important Note About Receive Antenna System Performance
The performance of a receive antenna system can be dramatically improved when the array elements are placed where RF noise is minimal. One of the most important aspects of the installation is to maximize the array’s distance from any structures, towers, transmitting antennas, metal buildings, large trees, and fences that induce RF noise or affect the antenna field.
Preserving the array directional pattern requires that we ignore the temptation to position the receiving antenna closer to the station, based on coaxial cable loss or control cable cost. RF loss is negligible on 160 and 80 meters with up to 1,000 feet of economical RG-6U feedline. Therefore, the control cable must be chosen for the conductor size necessary to deliver sufficient voltage at the current required by the phasing combiner and element amplifiers, despite the higher cost. The benefits of the investment in the appropriate control cable for a well-placed, far-away receive antenna array are the immeasurable profits of significantly improved reception.
A convenient chart in each model’s manual will help you choose a control cable conductor size based on the distance to the array and the resulting voltage drop with maximum current flow through the supply and ground return conductors.
Looking for a versatile transceiver that’s perfect for roving during VHF contests, drive-up SOTA operations, Super High Frequency activity, everyday use in your home station, and a whole lot more? You’ll find all this and loads of fun with the Icom IC-905 VHF/UHF/SHF All Mode Base/Portable Transceiver, says Michael Murphy, KI8R, who covers the features and benefits of this rig in the video below.
Key Features & Benefits of the Icom IC-905:
The IC-905 features a separate controller and RF module, allowing for the installation of the weatherproof RF module near the antennas. A LAN cable makes the connection between the controller and the RF module, significantly reducing power loss. PoE (Power over Ethernet) technology provides flexibility and simplifies the installation of the RF module.
Vibroplex, which first manufactured and sold its signature Morse code “bug” key back in 1904, is the longest continually operating ham radio equipment provider on the planet, but that doesn’t mean the venerable company doesn’t have more than a few new tricks up its well-worn, rolled-up sleeves.
DX Engineering’s Rod Ehrhart, K8RR, caught up with Scott Robbins, W4PA, Vibroplex’s owner since 2009, at Dayton Hamvention 2024 to discuss the mAT-TUNER line of automatic antenna tuners, which the Knoxville, Tennessee-based company has distributed in the U.S. since 2019. Watch the video below:
Scott, W4PA, highlights two new mAT-TUNER offerings—mAT-50 Automatic Antenna Tuner and Coupler Packages and the 1500PRO Automatic Antenna Tuner, both available along with the entire mAT-TUNER lineup at DXEngineering.com.
The multipurpose, 1.8-54 MHz mAT-50 Automatic Antenna Tuner comes with either an Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood coupler and corresponding control cable. This remote tuner has the capability of matching a variety of impedances and antennas including long-wires, dipoles, verticals, Yagis, whips, and virtually any coax-fed antenna. It features a maximum input power of 120W SSB/60W Digital.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Install the sturdy, weather-resistant tuner outside near the antenna. Then install the coupler inside near the transceiver to provide power for the tuner and control its operation. The tuner does not require a control cable between the remote tuner and coupler, making installation simple. The only required connection between the antenna tuner and coupler is one 50-ohm coaxial cable. Advanced technology employed in the tuner delivers stable performance and excellent anti-interference capabilities for convenient one-key tuning.
The mAT-50 can also be used as a universal tuner for all transceivers if a mAT-50-Y or mAT-50-M coupler is connected to an external DC power supply (not included) and a control cable is not installed. You can then operate the tuner manually.
The mAT-1500PRO Automatic Antenna Tuner is an upgraded version of the original mAT-1500 tuner. Improvements include reduced weight, high- quality housing, and additional interfaces for Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood transceivers and their corresponding operating modes. This allows the tuner to be controlled directly from the transceiver, reducing the need for manual operation.
(Image/DX Engineering)
In addition, two antennas can be connected simultaneously, and the corresponding buttons for switching (in receive mode) are placed on the front panel for easy access. Other features include:
Designed for modern transceivers with a frequency range of 1.8-54 MHz
Rated for up to 1,500W SSB/800W Digital
16,000 memory locations
Fast tuning—found values for a frequency are stored in the memory, enabling adjustments as quick as 100ms
Loop-through of the PTT line makes it possible to loop in the power amplifier behind the tuner. The tuner interrupts the PTT line to the power amplifier during the tuning process. This avoids tuning with high power, greatly reducing the possibility of damaging the tuner relays.
6 to 1,000 ohms tuning range, which corresponds to an SWR range maximum of 10:1. This allows it to match all coax-fed antennas such as a G5RV with a balun at the transition between two-wire ladder line and coax cable, but also a wideband vertical antenna designed for the rated power.
DX Engineering was excited to catch up with VE2DX Electronics founder and longtime amateur radio operator Richard Desaulniers, Sr., VE2DX, at Dayton Hamvention 2024. Watch VE2DX run down the Quebec-based company’s lineup of TrueCIV Icom Transceiver Data Hubs, Remote Antenna Switches, Portable Two-Inch Meter Displays, and the Icom Digital Meter HDMI Display TrueCIV Interface available at DXEngineering.com.
Richard also highlights new VE2DX products that will be coming to DX Engineering in the weeks ahead, including band decoders, Bluetooth CAT interfaces, and EMI filters.
Here’s a quick look at what’s available now from VE2DX at DXEngineering.com.
This small electronic device (IM1-HDMI V2) connects Icom transceivers to any size HDMI flat panel monitor or TV for an amazing multi-function meter display. It simultaneously interfaces to a PC and multiple accessories via USB, Bluetooth, and CI-V.
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VE2DX TrueCIV 5-Port Icom Interface Data Hubs
These data hubs connect the interfaced transceiver’s CI-V data stream to multiple accessories simultaneously. VE2DX’s TrueCIV creates a new CI-V TTL standard that is unmatched for CI-V signal performance, signal integrity, maximum link length, and RFI prevention. These hubs deliver perfect CI-V data to many types of tuners, band pass filters, and more.
The hubs below feature CI-V over Bluetooth and a 5-port hub that connects the interfaced transceiver’s CI-V data stream to multiple accessories simultaneously.
VE2DX’s IM1-4BTPLUS V2 Icom Digital Meter and TrueCIV Interface is a high-quality two-inch meter display and TrueCIV version 2 data hub for most Icom transceivers. This unique mini-screen device can show two bar graph meters or two needle meter displays, as selected with two front panel buttons, as well as other transceiver status indicators. This specially programmed VE2DX device ingeniously samples Icom transceiver CI-V data to display available information in multiple formats, depending upon radio model. The meter includes CT17B-MICRO v2 internal 3-port hub with TrueCIV. The IM1-4BTTUFF V2 TUFF METER model is waterproof for outdoor operation.
VE2DX SO2R 2X6 Remote Antenna Switches provide selection of any six antennas for connection to two radios, covering the frequency range of 1.8 to 54 MHz. All control signals are RFI filtered as are all VE2DX printed circuit boards with shielding on both sides. Each SO-239 antenna port features five relays to achieve a design with over 80db port isolation and full legal-limit power handling. Switches are available in 24VDC or 12VDC relay versions.
When cool weather approaches, you may begin to ponder the most efficient way to upgrade your existing antennas or add to your current capabilities.
And when it comes to amateur radio antennas, you won’t find a better place to start your search than DX Engineering.com, where you’ll discover a huge selection of top amateur radio antenna brands and accessories, including today’s spotlight innovators: InnovAntennas.
Exclusively Sold in North America by DX Engineering
Back in the summer of 2021, WiMo of Herxeim, Germany, on behalf of InnovAntennas Limited UK, selected DX Engineering as the sole North American distributor of the range of antenna products by InnovAntennas. WiMo, one of Europe’s leading ham radio manufacturers and retailers, has been producing InnovAntennas as an OEM for more than five years.
This partnership has benefited discerning ham radio operators who have seen extraordinary results from InnovAntennas’ finely engineered, extensively tested, and robustly constructed products. These include the DXR Series Multiband HF Beams, featuring short booms (10.2 to 12 feet) with full-size elements or capacity-loaded shortened elements; High HF Band Optimized Log Periodic Arrays; Heavy-Duty HF+6M Yagi; 10M and 6M Yagis; and other options.
Today, OnAllBands is excited to highlight some of the latest additions to InnovAntennas’ already impressive lineup.
Here’s a great opportunity to be ready for the 6M “Magic Band” bonanza whenever it rolls around.
Specifically designed for noisy city environments, this loop-fed, low-profile antenna is optimized for front-to-back performance on a relatively short boom of 11.15 feet. The results: rejection of as much local noise as possible and more signals heard. The 50-LFA-4-LN offers excellent forward gain of 9.4 dBi (14.9 dBi at 10M above ground), an exceptional 32 dB front-to-back rating, and SWR less than 1.4:1 across 50-50.5 MHz.
The antenna includes a center mount boom that accommodates mast clamps for up to two-inch masts. It provides a sleek 1.77-square-foot wind load, making this beam ideal for typical 6M stations.
This antenna was specially designed by G3WOS for hams who are looking for the perfect 6M antenna for use with a freestanding mast.
Boasting good gain characteristics and a particularly long boom for excellent front-to-back ratio, the mid-sized LFA-WOS is a great choice for EME and weak-signal DXing. Featuring an average gain of 12.9 dBi, it delivers suppressed lobes in both azimuth and elevation plots, making it ideal for noisy city installations. Its maximum transmit power is 5 kW with SWR less than 1.1:1 in the 50-50.45 MHz range.
For enhanced performance, both the last third of both the reflector and first director elements are bent toward the driver loop. The antenna comes with marine-grade stainless steel fittings, original Stauff insulation clamps, and mill-finished boom and elements for high accuracy.
OP-DES stands for Opposing Phase Driven Element System. This means the ends of the dipole radiator of these antennas is angled backwards toward the reflector, parallel to the boom. This results in opposing phase relationships in the ends of the driven element, providing a clean directional pattern with few side lobes. Users can expect optimized gain over a wide frequency range, while retaining a good front-to-back ratio.
The driven element dipole of an OP-DES antenna has a low impedance of 50 ohms. This eliminates the need for matching elements or a transformer balun. For this reason, the antenna is offered without a balun, but an RF choke balun made of ferrites on coax should be used at the feedpoint terminal studs. With the coaxial cable directly connected to the driven element dipole, well over full legal limit power levels are possible.
The InnovAntennas OP-DES 50 MHz Yagis are designed through careful numerical optimizations to provide excellent gain with good bandwidth. As a result, a low SWR of 1.1:1 is achieved in the frequency range of 50-50.6 MHz for the OP-DES 50 MHz Yagi six-element model (below) or 50-51.35 MHz for the five-element model.
This model was designed to deliver the best gain on a relatively short boom. It offers forward gain of 10.7 dBi (16.2 dBi at 10M above ground) and an exceptional 31 dB front-to-back rating with SWR less than 1.4:1 in the 50-50.4 MHz range. The low-profile LFA3 achieves a significant reduction of noise, allowing clear reception of much weaker signals. The introduction of the loop-shaped and phase-fed dipole delivers considerably fewer side lobes in the Yagi directional pattern.
With less energy absorbed from the sides and from behind, the antenna becomes quieter and achieves a higher forward gain.
Last year, DX Engineering began carrying three models of InnovAntennas VertiGO HF Vertical Antennas. They come with a base-mounted remote tuner for DX and domestic operation:
If you’re thinking about enhancing your amateur radio performance, get a closer look at the features and benefits of the ACOM 500S Solid State Linear Amplifier, covering 160-4M (1.8 through 70.5 MHz*) with a power output of 500W (PEP or digital). Its compact (11.45″ W x 6.18″ H x 10.62″ D) and lightweight (17.2 pounds) construction makes it a great choice for DXpeditions and operations in the field.
(Image/DX Engineering)(Image/DX Engineering)
Here are just a few of its many features:
Operating information is shown on a multi-function, high-resolution five-inch 24-bit color display
Unit can be controlled by either the six front-panel buttons or remotely
Intuitive screen menus for easy operation—no special skills required from the operator when changing frequency
Compatible with all transceiver models available on the market. Does not need any special signals; “ground on transmit” and less than 25W of RF drive power is sufficient.
With the help of DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist Michael Murphy, KI8R, watch firsthand how this compact amateur radio amplifier is loaded with ham-friendly capabilities. Anchor your shack with the rugged reliability of a solid-state RF amplifier—check out this review and see how the 500S is a versatile addition to the ACOM lineup.
* Operation on the 4M band, 70-70.5 MHz is only legal in certain countries in IARU Region 1, many in Europe, plus Greenland. Operation is not authorized on this band in most of IARU Region 2 including North, Central and South America. This amplifier may be sold for use in any part of the world. Legal operation is the responsibility of the user.
Today’s OnAllBands video shines a bright spotlight on a company that has been helping amateur operators enjoy brighter, more intelligible, and fully customized audio since its founding in 2002.
DX Engineering is proud to carry bhi Limited’s real-world-proven, audio-improving amateur radio products available at DXEngineering.com. The lineup includes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) noise-canceling modules, speakers, and headphones; parametric equalizers; audio isolation devices; adapter cables; and audio accessories all designed to help hams enjoy clearer sound that leads to higher contest scores, better emergency communication, more weak-signal DXing QSOs, and stress-free rag-chewing.
In the video below, DX Engineering’s Paul, KJ8EEP, interviews Graham Somerville, M3ZGS, owner and managing director of the Burgess Hill, England-based company known for its innovative devices that remove unwanted background noise and interference for vastly improved speech quality.
In the video, Graham demonstrates the capabilities of the bhi DUAL-IN-LINE DSP noise-canceling module (below), which features an improved algorithm that produces exceptional audio quality in noisy conditions, eight filters for noise cancelation from 8 to 40 dB, and compatibility with both high and medium mono and stereo audio input signals.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Graham also displays the bhi ParaPro EQ20-DSP Parametric Equalizer, which lets you customize the sound of your received audio and boost the audio power to your speakers. The unit, as well as parametric equalizers with Bluetooth, enable you to adjust any specific part of the frequency range, providing greater flexibility and accuracy to set the audio to suit your own hearing.
(Image/DX Engineering)
Read more about the following bhi Limited products in these links from OnAllBands:
Were you able to make contact with the K3Y team of youth operators on the air July 27 during the 2024 RSGB IOTA Contest? We hope so. Your QSO made a difference in the life of a young amateur!
For the second straight year operating from the K3LR superstation in western Pennsylvania, a group of talented young hams got a taste of what it’s like making QSOs from a powerful amateur radio station, while chasers from every corner of the globe got to experience the bright future of our beloved hobby in action.
The four operators making up the team—Ian Alkema, KI8AN; Lilly Colón, W8LIL; Katie Campbell, KE8LQR; and Grace Papay, K8LG—were participating in the Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX Adventure (YDXA), a program that has sent amateurs ages 12-17 to stations around the world since its founding in 2010. You can read bios of the YDXA participants and parents here.
(Image/DX Engineering)(Image/YDXA)
When this year’s international excursion fell through, Tim Duffy, K3LR, CEO of DX Engineering, once again offered his station as the site for the adventure.
Operating on 40, 20, 15, and 10 meters in SSB and CW, the team logged close t0 2,000 QSOs. All contacts were made by the youth operators, with mentoring provided by parents and other experienced amateurs, including Tim, K3LR.
“It was a great day for these amazing young operators, as well as an important day for ham radio,” Tim said. “The K3Y team operated with impressive poise, skill, and teamwork, and they were an absolute pleasure to have at K3LR, representing the youth of our hobby in such a positive manner. A great deal of thanks goes to the Dayton Amateur Radio Association, other contributors for their sponsorship, and the many hams who sought them out on the air. Most importantly, I’d like to salute all the parents for doing such a wonderful job with these youngsters. The future of ham radio is in good hands.”
The K3Y team working the world at K3LR. (Image/DX Engineering)
Edward Engleman, KG8CX, 2024 Hamvention Amateur of the Year and co-founder of the Young Amateurs Communications Ham Team (YACHT), wrote:
“Outstanding operation from all of you. Kudos. Thanks to Tim, K3LR, for believing in these youth and giving them an opportunity to long remember.”
Grace, K8LG, was part of the YDXA team at K3LR in 2023. She returned this year to serve as a graduate assistant to first-time participants. (Image/DX Engineering)“Great young operator. Worked on 20,” wrote Richard VK2IZ from New South Wales, about his QSO above with K3Y. (Image/QRZ.com)K3Y also made it into PU2TYL’s logbook from Brazil. (Image/QRZ.com)Lilly Colón, W8LIL, makes voice contacts during the operation with her father Karl Colón, KC2GTR, seated by her side. (Image/DX Engineering)For Katie, KE8LQR, this was also her second year at K3LR. She spent her time making CW QSOs—her favorite mode—and serving as a graduate assistant for this year’s adventure. She teaches young operators CW as a member of the Long Island CW Club. (Image/DX Engineering)
“Well done, Katie, super contest operation,” wrote David Ayers, from England, on the DX Engineering Facebook page. “It’s going to take a lot more practice to get my CW back up to that standard.”
You can watch the K3Y team in action in this video from DX Engineering’s YouTube channel:
Youth Make a Stop at DX Engineering
Before traveling to K3LR, the K3Y team and parents stopped by DX Engineering in Tallmadge, Ohio, for lunch on July 26. Each participant gave a presentation on the impact ham radio has had on their life and their goals for the future.
Ian Alkema, KI8AN, a passionate fan of POTA, fills his logbook with SSB contacts. (Image/DX Engineering)
“Amateur radio has and is continuing to be an incredible experience for me,” Ian said during his presentation at DX Engineering. “I have made so many new friends, received awesome awards, and was even able to take amateur radio to the outdoors.”
The presentations were broadcast live on DX Engineering’s Facebook page. You can watch the inspiring video below from DX Engineering’s YouTube channel:
If you’re looking for a practical solution to overcome limited space or HOA restrictions, Carlson Communications offers four sturdy aluminum roof tower options that provide a range of choices for mounting ham radio antennas, including Hex Beams, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite antennas, and others—both fixed or with a mounted rotator (Hy-Gain or Yaesu).
All towers are built to accept the Yaesu GS-065 thrust bearing, as well as mast diameters up to 2.5 inches and those extended up to seven feet. The towers’ legs, foot, and rotator shelf are constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum; X-braces are made from 5052-H32 aluminum; and hardware is stainless steel. Made in the USA, the towers are climbable with appropriate safety equipment.
IO-45HD: 4.2 feet tall; 25-inch base width; maximum antenna wind area at tower top: 13 square feet at 80 MPH; maximum antenna, rotator, and mast weight: 200 pounds.
IO-610HD: 6 feet tall; 27-inch base width; maximum antenna wind area at tower top: 12 square feet at 80 MPH; maximum antenna, rotator, and mast weight: 200 pounds.
Per Carlson, the IO-610HD is perfect for moderate-sized HF beam antennas such as the Hy-Gain HF Explorer-14, Hy-Gain TH-3MK4, the DX Engineering XB-5 Hexx Beam, and others, including Mosely, KIO, and Traffie Tech models.
IO-810HD: 8 feet tall; 32-inch base width; maximum antenna wind area at tower top: 12 square feet at 80 MPH; maximum antenna, rotator, and mast weight: 200 pounds.
Per Carlson, the IO-810HD is a good choice for small and moderate-sized HF beam antennas such as the Hy-Gain HF Explorer-14, Hy-Gain TH-3MK4, the DX Engineering XB-5 Hexx Beam, and others, including Mosely, KIO, and Traffie Tech models.
IO-815HD: 8 feet tall; 32-inch base width; maximum antenna wind area at tower top: 15 square feet at 80 MPH, 90% within one foot of tower top; maximum antenna, rotator, and mast weight: 250 pounds.
Per Carlson, the IO-815HD is perfect for small and moderate-sized HF beam antennas and an excellent choice for stacking a VHF beam along with a small HF beam.
Watch this Dayton Hamvention® 2024 video of DX Engineering’s Paul, KJ8EEP, interviewing Carlson Communications CEO, James Carlson, KE8ULJ, about his company’s roof towers.
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