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The Ultimax DXtreme
27 February 2020 | by  |
| The retired W1SFR |
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| Ultimax size difference |
The Ultimax antenna is rated at 2KW SSB with 14 gauge wire along with a hefty insulator. Since my max output will be 100 watts CW and tops 80 watts DATA the insulator and wire on the Ultimax is a bit too heavy duty. Plus my support at the wire end is a wooden pole that is not meant for heavy-duty support.
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| Ultimax is up. |
Results without a counterpoise:
Band Freq SWR
80. 4.000. 7.0
80. 3.500. 8.1
40. 7.001. 1.8
40. 7.070. 1.8
30. 10.100. 3.3
30. 10.150. 3.3
20. 14.001. 4.6
20. 14.070. 4.6
17. 18.068. 2.5
17. 18.168. 2.5
21. 21.001. 1.5
21. 21.070. 1.5
40. 7.070. 1.8
30. 10.100. 3.3
30. 10.150. 3.3
20. 14.001. 4.6
20. 14.070. 4.6
17. 18.068. 2.5
17. 18.168. 2.5
21. 21.001. 1.5
21. 21.070. 1.5
Band Freq SWR
80. 4.000. 6.5
80. 3.500. 9.1
40. 7.001. 5.2
40. 7.070. 5.2
30. 10.100. 2.2
30. 10.150. 2.2
20. 14.001. 4.9
20. 14.070. 4.9
17. 18.068. 2.7
17. 18.168. 2.6
21. 21.001. 1.6
21. 21.070. 1.5
40. 7.070. 5.2
30. 10.100. 2.2
30. 10.150. 2.2
20. 14.001. 4.9
20. 14.070. 4.9
17. 18.068. 2.7
17. 18.168. 2.6
21. 21.001. 1.6
21. 21.070. 1.5
Band Freq SWR
40. 7.001. 1.9
40. 7.070. 2.5
30. 10.100. 4.4
30. 10.150. 4.5
20. 14.001. 4.5
20. 14.070. 4.3
17. 18.068. 1.5
17. 18.168. 1.5
21. 21.001. 1.8
21. 21.070. 1.8
40. 7.070. 2.5
30. 10.100. 4.4
30. 10.150. 4.5
20. 14.001. 4.5
20. 14.070. 4.3
17. 18.068. 1.5
17. 18.168. 1.5
21. 21.001. 1.8
21. 21.070. 1.8
13 Responses to “The Ultimax DXtreme”
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Hi Mike,
I’m surprised about these SWR values, I have several end-fed antennas and they all have SWR values of about 1.2-1.3/1 in the traditional bands, The SWR on the WARC bands is a bit higher but not the values you measured. For that matter I also have WARC band end feds which SWR is about 1.2-1.3/1. They are all home brew …. ..
fyi, they are 49/1 baluns. No hassle.
Good morning Frank and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, my situation for the EndFed is less than ideal and with my LDG AT200pro2 tuner I am able to get a very decent match on the bands that have high SWR. The Endfed I used before this one was the same and no matter what I did things did not really change. The owner of Ultimax antenna is very open to emails and giving assistance so maybe this weekend I will reach out to him and see that input he has.
Do you find the 49:1 baluns work the best with regard to Endfed configurations?
Frank have a great weekend.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Hi Mike,
Something is not right.. Are you 100% sure this is a true 49:1 unun or maybe someone shipped a 9:1 unun.. Or maybe the matching transformer in the box is missing the cap that usually goes across the coil.. As I said..Something is not right.
Good luck
73 to you and yours
Harry K7ZOV
Good evening Harry very nice to hear from you as always, Frank ON6UU in the previous comment was mentioning his EndFed antenna is using a 49:1. The Ultimax Endfed that I have has a 9:1 in it. I emailed the company today and I must say they got back to me in no time with several emails. They informed me that the preferred method of installation is to have the balun end at around 6 feet above ground with the counterpoise. I have the opposite with the balun end in the air at about 25 feet. In the spring when the snow is gone I will try it the opposite way and see how that works. At this time with how it is I am not complaining at all. The LDG tuner is able to get great SWR on all bands including 80m which I did not have with the other antenna. Also, I was having issues on 40m with the other antenna it would affect the washer and some capacitive touch lights in the house. With this antenna I have had not issues. So overall I am a very happy camper with the antenna and in the spring I will try it mounted the other way and see how that works out.
Thanks for the comment Harry and have a great weekend.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Mike, The units that use the 49:1 work totally different for the units that use a 9:1 design. The 9:1 is a random wire matching transformer that you MUST always use a tuner with. The KX3/KX2/K3 internal tuners will load this up from 40-10 meter with as little as 33 ft of wire and if you go 50-75 ft of wire you can add 80 meters. As I understand it the 49:1 will take a resonate wire for say 80 meters and give you low SWR’s are 40, 20, 15 (in most cases) and 10 meters and so-so on 17 and 30 or not at all without a tuner. Generally you won’t need a ATU for the 49:1 as long as you have a 1/2 resonate wire to start with… Hope that makes sense. Tired tonight.
I sent you a bunch of PDF files dealing with the 9:1 unun and how to make one. They are dirt cheap to make, esp for QRP or 100 watts. I think I also sent information on the 49:1 design.. Looks like it might be time to look them up
BTW when I have used the 9:1 matchbox with a random wire and 25 ft of coax, I have never used any counterpoise. I used the shield of he coax. Over 25 ft I had issues and would add about 15 to 20 ft of wire. Thinking about it more.. I kept the matchbox on something that was none conductive and 6 ft or more off the ground.
Hope this info helps. Contact me if you have any other question and check out the pdf files I sent you.
Good night and have a great week-end. I am still playing with the new Log4OM version 2..It is awesome.. Also still learning theIC-9700 and figuring out how to get it to make nice with my two eggbeater satellite antennas, SATPC32 software and all that new “stuff” and terminology..
73 to you and yours
Harry K7ZOV
I’d stick with the W1SFR EndFed until the WX improves so you can get back to the experimentation. Good luck and very 72/73!
Good morning Harry, thanks for the reply and I did get your PDF’s on the baluns they were read over tea during the evenings. I will say I think I just did a fast skim over of the 49:1 info as I was more concerned about learning more of the 9:1. Having said that I should have paid as much attention to the 49:1 documents as well. With this new antenna I do get a decent match using the LDG AT200proo2 tuner and it will even tune up on 80m for me and I have made some decent FT8 contacts there.
Do keep me posted regarding the Icom 9700 it looks like a great rig and it would be a whole new open door to ham radio for me if I was to eventually go down the VHF/UHF all mode road.
I will head into my PDF folder and dig out the 49:1 info and even refresh my memory on the other baluns as well.
73 and have a great what is left of the weekend.
Mike
VE9KK
Good morning Cliff, well the Ultimax is the antenna of choice that is up and running at the moment. Once the weather improves here in a month or, so I will be out and about with the antenna play!
73 and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Mike
VE9KK
I am currently running a modified Ultimax 100 with a 9:1 and a 84 ft replacement wire. I added a 40′ counterpoise as well.
The Box end is 25′ in the air with a heavy ferrite RF choke at the feed point, the wire end is around 20′ SUper quiet, and I have gotten great reports and reception, with the exception of 80 meters. (CRAZY high SWR) but I never use 80 M.
Good morning Brian and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, yes the antenna is just not out the box and operate as is type of antenna. It’s great one can play around with it but unfortunately I just don’t have the room to try a configuration as the one you described. Have fun with the antenna!
73,
Mike
VE9KK
I’VE HAD MY ULTIMAX UP FOR 4+ YEARS RUNNING ALONG MYROOF PEAK AND HAVE MADE CONTACTS ALL OVER THE WORLD. I HAVE TO REPLACE IT NOW BECAUSE OF HURICANE DAMMAGE TO ROOF. I ALSO USE A 9 TO 1 5000W BALUN FROM BALUN DESIGNS WORKED GREAT. BUT I THINK IT’S TIME TO REPLACE IT ALL.
73 K1BBZ
VENICE, FL
Good morning Vince and thanks for taking the time to read the post and leave a comment. I still have my Ultimax (not up at this time) and its a great antenna. I have the Hustler 4BTV now but the Ultimax is still in place and the wire just has to be put back up.
73,
Mike
VE9KK