END FED HALF-WAVE ANTENNAS - BEWARE! WHY?

Ships use end fed wires that come directly into the radio room usually via copper tubing and were tuned using a very robust antenna matching unit. We used to hang neon bulbs on the copper feed lines to provide a visual indication of which antenna was active and that rf power was actually being put out by the PA.

You have an amazing story telling voice! I could listen to you talk for hours! I am fixing to try a 40 meter EFHW oriented at 90 degrees to my 80 meter OCF dipole

Thanks, I always enjoy and learn something from every video!!! Iam across the big pond from you but still appreciate your work !!!

ive been using an end fed commerically made long wire for a couple of years on a yaesu 847 with an external tuner. It runs from my chimney at 28 feet to a tree 20 meters away at 15 feet. Tunes up on all bands from 80 to 10 meters. Never had any issues with it and works great getting contacts in the UK and abroad on voice and FT8. Its just as good as my hustler BTV4 multiband vertical, on my yaesu 920, and sometimes out performs it. Simple to install, doesnt require much maintenance and has been up there for years in all weathers. Would recomend using one of these if your just getting started. Thanks Mr Waters. Good video. Youve finally put the bad myths to rest with your expertise and reasurrance.

Built a 49:1 unun and an end-fed using a 9m long collapsible pole, everything included cost me under £25, works a wonder for my QRP system. The simplest antenna you can ever build.

I have an 40m EFHW because it was the simplest antenna to get up and running and by far the most cost effective. As a courtesy I spoke to both my neighbours and told them what I was doing and that they were to let me know if there are any problems. Both have confirmed they haven't had any issues at all. I can also report that I've had contacts all over Europe and Scandinavia using it at 10W. I have also built a 20m EFHW for QRP use as soon as I can get out and about properly.

As an EFHW user myself, I really appreciate the video for the great information presented. This "Yank" has gladly subscribed. Sincerely, "The JJ" KC3EWY.

Your right Peter, I've hear it often "Oh I wouldn't use a vertical, they bring in more noise". Well I use a 33' smart tuned vertical, tuned against heavy wire radials, it is an excellent receiving aerial. Its all about how you set it up & location /proximity from buildings. Nice video Peter, best 73 GM0KET

EXCELLENT video on a much maligned antenna option! Thank you so much for your efforts!!!!!

Thank you for an informative presentation, I am in the process of building a trapped 1/2wave end fed for both portable and home use hopping for success and lots of enjoyment building and using. Kind regards and thanks Martin de 2E0HVE

Thank you. Allways nice to hear your calming voice and getting a little more clever regarding antennas. I really hate antennas, My interest is building the electronics and improve it forever. But the antenna stuff is mandatory and I find it easy to learn it from your channel. Still, my favorit is the Doublet, which you have covered several times. 73 OZ1JPD René

I built the 20m EFHW vertical after watching you explain it. Using 30watt portable I was told "I'd swear you were using a beam and amplifier"

Greetings from ZS6SSB I used a EFHW once. String it up vertically if you can, low take off angle...

Good video, I have just set up my shack at home and bought a 40-10 EFHW and I'm very happy with it. I wish I had bought the 80M

Packtenna 20m EFHW sloper made with 26ga wire raised 20' in the air off a fiberglass SOTA mast. Connect with 50' coax and if going over QRP, throw on an inline choke. SWR is usually 1.2 and I don't even run a tuner. Sets up in a few minutes, they weigh ounces and easily get 1000+ mile contacts with zero fuss. Absolutely love them.

I use a EFHW 40m-10m no garden so up 20ft pole and rest sloping down side of house. Great results from my QTH on Mauritius to North+South America, Caribbean and regularly into Europe, all on low power. As mentioned in video I have a line isolator on roof 6ft from the matching unit + one in shack, no RFI. Antenna is good and practical for a home area with no garden space.

Great Video Thank you i Will Look at a Line Isolator Thanks again Simon

Really enjoy your videos, very informative. I passed foundation about 6 months ago and use an End Fed Half Wave deployed in an inverted V configuration (Using a couterpoise) with a matching balun covering 80m to 10m through a MFJ 945E matching unit. I get excellent SWR and am able to work stations over 1500-2000km regularly with only 10 watts. I support this antenna with a good set of ground radials about a quarter wavelength and quite often utilise a ground loop antenna cut for 80m as my main RX antenna using my EFHW for TX.. I was aware of the warnings given regarding wire antenna of course, but I never believe anything without testing myself through modelling software and my Nanovns H. My advice to anyone starting out as a radio ham is to listen to everyone's opinion, then go out and prove it yourselves. Take care 73s G M7GHB

Another great video thank you...

I completely agree with the point about older equipment having a poor RF immunity. In fact that did raise an eyebrow in my 2024 when an example of a hi-fi was given. I'm 46 and I hadn't heard of the term "hi-fi" for probably over 30 years! 😂 On the one hand a hi-fi made for a good example where multiple components of such a system could be susceptible, but that on the other hand, who has a hi-fi these days? 🤷 The far better example was digital TV (i.e. Freeview) and the result being a pixelated picture and corrupt audio.