Fan Vertical Antenna (DX Commander style) 12m-40m

2 June Update - 

Below is an image of the deformed base as well as the new design to address it.  The new design hasn't been tested yet.  This revision will be in PETG to see if the structure addresses the problem.  However, I expect ASA may be better for a print.

The old base has been removed from the 3mf file.  A new print profile has been uploaded for the updated base.

31 May Update - While I intended this for temporary day use, I've had it up longer.  It went about 3 weeks with no problem in the colder weather.  I've put it up again with the day time high > 80F.  Within a couple days the bottom warped at the antenna wire terminals.  I believe it's from a combination of upward tension from the wires and the warmer weather.  The plate that has the guy ropes did not warp.

I did this in PETG.  Before going to ASA, I'd like to see if I can reinforce it to work with PETG.

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Note: This is version 1 and will likely be a work in progress.  Feedback is welcome!

I decided to build a fan vertical antenna styled after the DX Commander.  This modle is for a 6-element vertical wire antenna.  My intent was to make this easily portable for POTA or camping trips.  Assembly is about 30-45 minutes minutes once you've practiced.  This wasn't designed with the intent of being permanent - I just can't say what the durability will be.

All parts are sized for the 12m Spider Pole.  (However, I did not use the top two elements of the pole.)  This will likely not work with any other pole as the center holes are set to sit at the joints and hold them snuggly (to help prevent collapse).

While the antenna design supports 10m, 12m, 15m, 17m, 20m, 30m and 40m - a common problem is not being able to get 10m to tune.  I have not been able to overcome this either.  However, it will easily tune on12m, 17m, 20m, 30m and 40m (SWR < 1.5:1).  15m is provided as a harmonic of the 40m element, so it is not tunable, but is usable with a tuner.

I used Bntechgo 18AWG silicone wire for the driven elements and the ground wires.  The hardware is all ¼" stainless steel.  Bolts can be ¾" or 1".  Wingnuts are to make it easy to attach and remove the elements and radials.  (Stainless steel terminal connectors are recommended.)

The through-holes in the plates are large enough to allow the use of small zip ties for securing the cable.  With the bigger hole, wind can cause the wires to vibrate effecting SWR.  As a result, wire plugs are provided to center the wire in the hole.

This uses 4mm UV-resistant bungee cord to hold the driven elements taught.  There are also slanted top bungee retainers so you don't have to manually tie each bungee (just put a knot at the right place and use the insert to hold it in place).

The base of the antenna is a plate.  I will post a different design that is a retaining plate that can be staked down and holds the antenna base plate - however, it is so large that it must be printed on an H2-series printer.

I'm not providing detailed instructions on setting up the antenna.  You can find a number of tutorials on it on YouTube.

There is also a semicircular plastic ring.  It is used with a hose clamp to hold the pole up at the first joint.  Put the hose clamp on the ring and use heat shrink to hold it together.

Remember, amateur radio is about experimentation and discovery and this model is free.  If you want a guaranteed, easy solution - buy a DX Commander :)