DX Commander Signature 12.4 HF Multi-Band Vertical Antennas

DX Commander Signature 12.4 HF Multi-Band Vertical Antennas are an excellent choice for DX performance and general operations. Efficiently resonant on every HF band of operation, featuring wide SWR bandwidth and low take-off angle, the Signature 12.4 covers the Amateur bands 80 to 6 meters. DX Commander vertical antennas are based on the same principles as a fan dipole, with several vertical wire elements of various resonant lengths connected to a common feedpoint. The wire elements and support ropes are arranged with spacer plates around the non-conductive fiberglass mast. When installed with an appropriate radial system, the Signature 12.4 achieves efficient quarter-wave vertical performance with natural resonance and low SWR on every band, without the need for traps, coils or antenna tuners. Band-hopping DXing and simultaneous multi-band multiplexed operations are supported. The Signature 12.4 antenna is rated at 1500W SSB/CW, 400W FT8 and other digital modes.

On the Signature 12.4 elements, the 80m band is a loaded quarter-wave, 30m as a colinear and a full quarter-wave on 40, 20 and 17m. The 12m and 10m bands tune on a top loaded three quarter wavelength element, giving us close to 5/8 pattern. A tilt base is not necessary as the Signature 12.4 antenna is able sit directly on the ground and it tunes best with the base close to the radials. Under normal conditions rope guying this antenna at the third spreader will provide ample support. For long term and high wind locations it is recommended to instead install two levels of guy ropes attached to the second and fourth spreader plates.

Order your Signature 12.4 HF Multi-Band Vertical Antennas from DX Engineering and get on the air!

DX Commander Signature 12.4 Features and Specifications:

Alloy Plates: Aircraft-quality 5251 alloy, laser cut in England before deburring to give that “hammered” look, which eliminates sharp edges and provides a nice finish.

Spreader Plates: Marine-grade high-density polyethylene sheet material from USA, charcoal-gray, UV and environmentally stabilized to withstand the harshest of marine and high RF conditions. Spreader Plates are machine cut in England to DX Commander specifications.

Stay-Up Kit: Band style clamps, that keep the antenna mast sections extended, are molded in England in a black PA66 Nylon. Supplied in Hex or Wing Nut version depending on antenna model.

Shock-Cord: Marine grade shock-cord, with a UV and RF stable Dyneema woven exterior.

Spade Connectors: Kits include large spade connectors for best performance under tension.

Hardware: All nuts, bolts and washers are stainless steel.

Coaxial Connector: UHF female SO-239 coaxial connector, nickel plated brass with PTFE dielectric.

Fiberglass Poles: Made to DX Commander specifications in a spiral wound fiber, high-quality epoxy and paint finish.

DX10 Wire: Made in England for DX Commander, DX10 wire has an outstanding reputation for both strength and in particular, extreme flexibility. The insulation is “arctic grade” and still flexible down to -40° F. Originally designed for military use, this insulation is particularly strong but highly flexible and the stranded annealed copper wire is approximately 19 AWG and is made from 24 strands of 0.008 in. (0.2mm) wire.

SWR: The Signature 12.4 can deliver a curve with the 1.5:1 SWR points beyond most band edges, except 80 and 10m which has a 2:1 bandwidth of around 300kHz. On 40m, 30m, 20m, 17m, 15m and 12m, band edges are better than 1.5:1, with the best SWR typically at 1.1:1. Each band is adjustable to achieve the lowest SWR at either CW, FT8 or SSB frequencies.

NOTE: DX Commander antenna kits now include improved HCL EZ-Clamps and Dyneema Shock Cord instead of Carabiners.

* User assembly is required.

All DX Commander Signature 12.4 Antenna kits come with everything you need (except for guying stakes)

• Telescopic Mast – 40 ft. 8 in. (12.4m) Ext. Height - Base ID - 2.00 inches (50.8mm)

• Aluminum Ground and Driven Elements Plates

• Spreader Plates

• Antenna Wire to cut for elements first, the rest for at least 8 radials

• SO-239 Coaxial Connector Assembly

• Spade Connectors, shock cord, nuts, bolts, washers and nylon clamps

• Guying and Shock-Cord

• Other components specific to the model