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Reviews For: DX Commander Antennas

Category: Antennas: HF: Verticals; Wire; Loop

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Review Summary For : DX Commander Antennas
Reviews: 27MSRP: 45
Description:
10m Telescopic Vertical antenna supports and complete
multi-band antennas
Product is in production
More Info: https://dxcommander.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
35274.7
KC4LZN Rating: 2024-12-10
DX Commander Classic Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I bought the classic antenna but didn't build it until a month later. Pretty seamless build, took my time and made my adjustments with a nanovna. I was just stunned with the simple process to get an effective antenna on the air. While Callum claims it will handle 1500 watts, I'd be Leary to pump that much and don't feel like melting wires proving it. I did add more elements to get the SWR tamed. Ultimately putting 24 on the ground about 30' each from the plate providing 6 points to secure them to and that did require me to purchase more wire. But the RBN report from where I tested was just astonishing and for such a simple "fan" vertical. As of this this writing, my latest QSO was VU4A on FT8 via 30 MHz.

Where the telescoping mast extends, option to tape the sections to keep from collapsing, I did tape but what some may not know is, when electrical tape was first introduced, it wasn't intended to put sticky side down, but sticky side up and as you wrap, you stretch. It sticks to itself and works effectively, especially on this application because when you remove the tape, there is no sticky residue to clean up and the mast collapses as it should with no binding.

If you're looking for an effective, well built (by you of course ) quality made products for this antenna that covers quite a few bands (haven't tried 80m but 40-10) and has performed well, this is the ticket. Great product Callum.

73 John
N8CF Rating: 2024-08-26
Multiband Greatness Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Simple and affordable with quality parts. This was my first antenna build. Wonderful online resources like videos for instructions make this a fun project.
GE0FFL Rating: 2024-08-17
Signature 9 just worked first time, next to no tuning required Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
DX Commander "Signature 9 plus" all HF bands 40m to 10m with 6m as a bonus.
The instructions to assemble the antenna and the element cut list are very clear and concise, Calum has done an excellent job with these. The assembly is simple enough only requiring basic tools that Hams will already have.
Once assembled the antenna work first time with an SWR less 1.5:1 the tuning relationship between 40m and 15m is well documented in the instructions
Calum is continually improving his products and in my view represent great value for money
W7ASA Rating: 2024-05-12
Works VERY Well Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
DX Classic ( 40 - 6 )

Easy to assemble using online instructions and there are also plenty of YouTube videos. My normal antenna is an Off Center Fed dipole ( 80 m upward ) and this works very well for regional and mid-continental comms here in North America. I specifically wanted more DX, especially Europe, just across the Atlantic, so a vertical antenna seemd the right choice for my budget.

Installation was easy, three ground stakes using the supplied cordage to guy the pole, I splayed out the ground radials as per instructions and hooked-up the coax. I am primarily a CW operator and the wire lengths the instructions called for brought this antenna right into the CW portions of each band, as advertised! SWR dipped in the band portions I needed it and was quite usable across the entire set of bands.

Performance on DX was immediately noticed: European and Russian stations were quite loud, they heard me well, even QRPp beacons like 10131 CW (half Watt) from Sweden are routinely readable in my very low noise location. Reverse beacon net shows that I have a very good foot print from Arctic Norway down into Italy and North Africa. A huge improvement in low angle DX.

In short: I am VERY PLEASED with Callum's work, the antenna performs as advertised and was easy to assemble and to install.

DX Commander is Highly Recommended.

73 de Ray ..._ ._
K5FIT Rating: 2024-05-12
DX Commander Classic w/80M Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had a DX Commander Classic w/80 meters up for two years with no issues doing regular maintenance. We recently had a severe storm in our area with straight line winds over 100mph at my location. The DX Commander is still standing and working like always. The one difference from a normal install is that I guyed it at the second spreader to my wood fence to keep the guy ropes above head level. Callum makes a quality product!!
KN4MYN Rating: 2023-06-18
Not a portable antenna, Lot of tape and hose clamps needed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought the Classic 80 meter antenna. This is a collapsible mast type vertical antenna. If you want to set this antenna up with the wires being taut using it in the field, it is next to impossible to keep the mast sections from collapsing. Tighten each section, run the wires, tightened bungee stretch to Callum's recommended 75% . Put it up vertically and watch the sections fall like dominos. Really frustrating, especially when the bugs are biting....When the pole sections fall down the wires get all tangled up. From viewing Callum's videos, he tries his best to communicate how to secure each section for permanent use, using hose clamps with thermoplastic tape and electrical tape, but this antenna was originally meant for portable use. He is responsive to emails. It's too large to assemble inside and get it out the door in my home. Also, he recommends heat shrink on each wire fold for each frequency before the final tune opposite from the video. Save extra heat shrink if you need to adjust the length of the wires!
2E0EIC Rating: 2023-04-16
Two failures in wind Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
As a antenna it works very well, but had the pole snap in half twice the wind speeds were around 45 mph. To be fair to calum he did replace the first pole. Maybe ok in a sheltered location , but not at my stations location. Maybe now i will try a spiderpole which seems to be much stronger.
VE4GV Rating: 2023-03-23
DX Commander Dxpedition is a terrific product Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased a DX commander expedition antenna for use during my recent trip to Jamaica. I had been to Jamaica over three dozen times before and had used various different antennas such as a Cushcraft R5 and fan dipoles with my 100 w transceiver. I know many amateurs have had excellent experiences with vertical antennas when they are placed close to salt water and I looked forward to seeing how this antenna performed.

The DX commander support pole is extremely compact and fits easily inside your baggage. This is a big advantage over a lot of different antennas which have to be shipped in large cases, such as a fishing pole case. I attempted assembly at home first to familiarize myself with the parts and construction. Another big advantage are the many YouTube videos put out by Callum, the creator of the DX Commander, and other amateurs, who show you how they assembled the antenna. Instructions included with the antenna and detailed and easy to understand. I pre-cut the element lengths and radials, which made it easy to pack and use at my destination.
Once I reached Jamaica, it was a simple matter to mount the radial plate and element plate and extend the pole to full length. I did not anchor the pole at the base, as the 3 guys easily kept it erect. The pole itself is incredibly lightweight (2 lbs?) which easily allows one person to assemble and erect the antenna. I selected 10, 15, 20 and 40 meters as my bands of choice, because I was going to enter the ARRL DX CW contest.
I was astonished at how well the antenna performed. Only a minor amount of tuning was required to optimize SWR at the low end of The CW bands. All parts fit well and the support from DX commander and Callum was absolutely first rate. I must echo the sentiments of those who rave about this antenna. I had some initial skepticism as to how well it would work but that disappeared with the 1660 contacts I made during my weekend of operating the CW contest with 100 w and several hundred others QSOs, (including some fairly rare DX from all around the world) during my casual time away from the beach.
As a ham of over 50 years experience, it is rare that you find the combination of (1) ease of use and assembly, (2) high quality and (3) superb performance (4) at a reasonable price. This is such an antenna. There is no question I will be taking it with me again next year during my trip and looking forward to possibly adding an 80 meter inverted L to the configuration. Special thanks to Callum, who is not only a great guy, but is very entertaining to watch in his many You Tube videos. It gets my highest recommendation.
AJ4MY Rating: 2023-03-12
Fantastically designed antenna! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I've recently purchased and tested a DX Commander antenna. I straightaway decided to use it for Parks on the Air this past weekend and will use it into next week on some work trips as well.

The build quality was fantastic...just be sure not to over clamp the antenna while putting the plates on and crack it. The wire provided was nice and flexible and easy to work with. The customer service is top notch. I had a slight mix up with what model I received vs what plate set it arrived with. Cal had it shipped out the next Monday and it arrived in 3 days from the UK just like the original antenna order did. Whatever shipping he uses must be magic.

I received loads of fantastic signal reports from all around the US, Europe, and Mexico on my first go using just 40 watts! Already having used many verticals and understanding they can be noisier for receive sometimes, I took along an LDG 4:1 balun a random 20ft piece of wire and hooked that to my receive port on my trusty Icom 756 Pro II.

I would recommend this dual antenna setup to anyone looking to dx in all directions at once. Absolutely fantastic transmit reports and although it receives just fine for a vertical, the tiny loop on the ground was just what the Dr. ordered to complete this package with some dead quiet receiving as well.
W9OQI Rating: 2022-05-16
Love the new Signature 12.4 antenna Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had a DX Commander Classic and recently upgraded to the Signature because I wanted better 80 meter reception and wanted a pole that could stand up to wind. This antenna has surpassed my expectations. I have only had it running for two weeks but I have made calls in excess of 10,000 miles away with it. Absolutely would recommend!