The QRPer Board

Yep, the shallow dip around 16.5MHz is the untrapped 20m dip.

So I decided to build a trapped EFHW to find out... My design was a 4-band EFHW - 17/20/30/40. I used three traps from SOTABeams.co.uk (17, 20 and 30m traps). My first design used wire cut for a half wavelength for each band: 17m - 26 feet 17m trap 20m - 7 additional feet 20m trap 30m - 9.5 addition...

That sounds good, but this shovel would be even better: https://www.amazon.com/Mil-Tec-German-Style-Folding-Shovel/dp/B00PUMDV4K/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3L1FDAK9B1X11&keywords=entrenching+tool&qid=1688753185&s=lawn-garden&sprefix=entrenching+tool%2Clawngarden%2C114&sr=1-4 The long handle...

That's exactly what I'm looking for. My goal is that I can band switch at my rig without having to drop the antenna. I've been trying a 35/17 random wire with an antenna tuner, but my FT817 goes crazy (switches bands/frequencies and refuses to transmit for more than a second or so) on 15m and 17m, s...

My primary antenna is a 66-ish foot long EFHW. It covers 10, 15, 20 and 40 meters. I would like to add the ability to operate on 17m and 30m without a tuner. I've looked at several 20/30/40 trapped EFHW designs, and they are all roughly 66 feet long and all have a 20m trap as well as a 30m trap. I w...

I'll try the choke, but since the QCX mini is a single bander, I just want a simple resonant antenna (so I won't need to carry a tuner with me).

Thanks for the links! I'm working on an EFHW for the QCX mini - if the rgi doesn't like that one either I'll be making a CMC sooner rather than later.

73,
Mike, KL7MJ

I made a 35/17 EFRW last week, and used it this weekend for Field Day. From my backyard in VA, I made contacts up and down the east coast, and west as far as TX. I even had a QSO with a Venezuelan station - all on FT8 running 5 watts into the EFRW. The only issue I had was RFI getting into my comput...

Thanks, it sounds like a good investment. I'm going to add it to my shopping list!

Mike, KL7MJ

I usually cut one off anyway. That way I still have some awareness of what's going on around me. I prefer to use earbuds that don't block external noise - Apple earbuds (and cheap copies) are like that. They allow in external sounds, and allow airflow which makes them more comfortable for long peri...