ey Aaron, I don't know how I missed it but I did not know yo are a Mag Loop operator. I have had an 80 - 10 Alpha Mag Loop for almost 16 years. Since I live in an apartment it is my QTH antenna. Man, I have worked the world with it on SSB, FT8, CW, and packet, both QRP & QRO. If not for it my QRO Ten Tec rigs would be useless. Hope to catch on the bands in the coming days when the rain and thunderstorms lets up here in my area, 73 Jim
That’s right! I forgot you use mag loops too! I got the alex loop used on ebay a few months ago, and have been using it a lot since then. That’s awesome to hear your experience with an Alpha one. I think mag loops are quite underrated, hence the video to share the word :) I look forward to hearing you on the air again soon! 73 my friend
Nice video. Enjoying your channel. Hoping to start hunting CW POTA soon. When using your loop during an activation, how often do you change the direction of the loop, given the high Q, directionally of a loop. Keep up the good work. 73
Great question! I typically start with it facing East/West, then when the QSOs slow down, I turn it North/South. I don’t really think too hard about it, sometimes I don’t turn it at all if the QSOs keep flowing. TU & 73!
Not in the rain, of course, but I sure wish for a motorized version to work off a truck hitch, tuned from a remote control in the truck. It could sit on a 5 ft mast from that hitch. Also, a favorite picnic table of mine in Colorado has a metal roof on its tiny shelter, so the antenna would be a few feet away just like I also do with my EFHW antennas to get them away from the roof metal that detunes them slightly. Even QRP requires carefully thought out antenna setups, lol. Alex, I want to create a Lay-away plan so I can order the HamPack from DX Engineering, I am retired so my Pension makes me order a little more carefully than when I worked in aerospace & didn't have a budget, lol..cheers, Davey --KU9L
I think the newer model has a bigger ratio of reduction gear if I’m not mistaken. But once you get used to the feel of it, it’s really not bad. It just takes some practice.
Hi Aaron, I have you listed in my HamAlert so I usually get awaken around 0500 here in California when you begin operating. I’ve been chasing you for months but 30 meters and 40 meters aren’t doing to well here that early in the morning. I’ll keep on plucking away. Sooner or later the propagation gods will be on my side. 73, Lou KA6VVD 😊
I think I need to jump over to 20 meters more. It seems like 40 and 30 are closing up earlier in the day at this part of the solar cycle. I don’t know for sure though. I’ll give 20m a try later this week and see what happens. :)
I hear ya! It takes a little patience to learn how to use them. Now I can set up, make 10 contacts, and break down all in less time than it takes me to put up a wire antenna. 😂
CW is a mindfulness practice. That’s one of the reasons I do it, to treat anxiety. 73!
Absolutely! That’s a great way to categorize it. 🍻
Definitely helps my anxiety and ptsd as well. Takes me to my happy place
ey Aaron, I don't know how I missed it but I did not know yo are a Mag Loop operator. I have had an 80 - 10 Alpha Mag Loop for almost 16 years. Since I live in an apartment it is my QTH antenna. Man, I have worked the world with it on SSB, FT8, CW, and packet, both QRP & QRO. If not for it my QRO Ten Tec rigs would be useless. Hope to catch on the bands in the coming days when the rain and thunderstorms lets up here in my area, 73 Jim
That’s right! I forgot you use mag loops too! I got the alex loop used on ebay a few months ago, and have been using it a lot since then. That’s awesome to hear your experience with an Alpha one. I think mag loops are quite underrated, hence the video to share the word :) I look forward to hearing you on the air again soon! 73 my friend
Thank you Aaron. 🤝
Thanks for watching my friend! 73
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the AlexLoop!
Thanks for watching & 73!
Well thought out video. Good thoughts.
TU & 73!
You are putting out good info.
Thank you & 73!
Good explanation Arron.Seems to me that you get many contacts with the loop.
Thank you! It always does the job. I average about 30-40 QSOs per hour while doing POTA activating with it.
Nice video. Enjoying your channel. Hoping to start hunting CW POTA soon. When using your loop during an activation, how often do you change the direction of the loop, given the high Q, directionally of a loop. Keep up the good work. 73
Great question! I typically start with it facing East/West, then when the QSOs slow down, I turn it North/South. I don’t really think too hard about it, sometimes I don’t turn it at all if the QSOs keep flowing. TU & 73!
"With Looove" funny! unlesss I was was standing next to ya in the woods. Lol. But i do wanna show that antenna some love.
😂😂 gotta treat em with love!
Not in the rain, of course, but I sure wish for a motorized version to work off a truck hitch, tuned from a remote control in the truck. It could sit on a 5 ft mast from that hitch. Also, a favorite picnic table of mine in Colorado has a metal roof on its tiny shelter, so the antenna would be a few feet away just like I also do with my EFHW antennas to get them away from the roof metal that detunes them slightly. Even QRP requires carefully thought out antenna setups, lol.
Alex, I want to create a Lay-away plan so I can order the HamPack from DX Engineering, I am retired so my Pension makes me order a little more carefully than when I worked in aerospace & didn't have a budget, lol..cheers, Davey --KU9L
Hah if you want to spend a bunch of money, Alexloop makes this: www.dxengineering.com/parts/alx-rc-2
:D
@@w4arb I'm going to have to help a few nuns cross an interstate hwy in order for Santa to bring that accessory to me, lol
There's got to be a way to make them less "fiddley" by way
of a better gear reduction mechanism in the tuning capacitor.
I think the newer model has a bigger ratio of reduction gear if I’m not mistaken. But once you get used to the feel of it, it’s really not bad. It just takes some practice.
Hi Aaron, I have you listed in my HamAlert so I usually get awaken around 0500 here in California when you begin operating. I’ve been chasing you for months but 30 meters and 40 meters aren’t doing to well here that early in the morning. I’ll keep on plucking away. Sooner or later the propagation gods will be on my side. 73, Lou KA6VVD 😊
I think I need to jump over to 20 meters more. It seems like 40 and 30 are closing up earlier in the day at this part of the solar cycle. I don’t know for sure though. I’ll give 20m a try later this week and see what happens. :)
@w4arb please don't abandon 30m though :)
@N4AAJ Never! 30m is my favorite band. If anything, I’d abandon 40m. 😂
@@w4arb totally with you there! Tnx OM es 73
I got ya today yeah!!
Yes! You were the first in my log this morning. TU for the contact & 73!
Aaron, can you recommend a tripod for the Alex Loop Antenna? Thanks and 73
Sure! The Vivitar VPT-1250 is what I use with mine. It’s discontinued but can be found on the internet for sale still.
LOL, throw me in that group that get frustrated with them. Throwing up a linked dipole or a trapped EFHW is so much easier for my laziness.
I hear ya! It takes a little patience to learn how to use them. Now I can set up, make 10 contacts, and break down all in less time than it takes me to put up a wire antenna. 😂
Hi! I also have alex loop. The good antenna! Yuri (r1bp)
Agreed! 73
Get an Alex tune
Those are cool! I’ve gotten so used to tuning it that I don’t really need it though. :)