Great video Mike. Unlike most hams I don't have a yard on which to mount an antenna so a loop on a balcony is about all I can do. And with that I hope to DX all the way across the Pacific on 100 watts... Yeah, I know, most people just throw up a wire in a tree and they're done, but I don't have a tree either... Finding a workable HF tx antenna for my home has turned into the toughest radio task I've ever attempted. These videos are therefore a big help - please do keep them coming!
Great video Mike--never get tired of these deep-dives, as its the only way to really both explore a subject and to refine it. Too many channels do the same old 'scratch-the-surface' videos and it makes it so boring when you waste your time and learn nothing new--so don't let your detractors keep you away from the deep-dives! BTW: I am NOT getting notifications of your videos even though I have everything turned on--in fact I just noticed you have a part-4! Not happy with YT! Thanks so much for all your efforts... 73!
Very nice vid Mike! I built a smaller loop for doing my VLF beacon reception. It gets the lower part of the AM broadcast band but I wish it went all the way to 1700 like yours. Mine is 24 inches per side (that way it can fit in my car so I can take it to quiet locations). There are nine turns on triangle pieces of Masonite mounted at the ends of the cross frame and the turns are 1/4 inch apart. There is a one turn pickup loop that is the same size as the nine turn loop which is mounted close to it. The resonating capacitor across the nine turn loop is a 5 section variable with 365 pf per section. Also using a two transistor preamp (MPF102 driving a 2N2222 I think). Works pretty good and is [very] directional. I sure wish I could get the rest of the BC band though. Maybe a project for another day. Also you said one time you were going to do a vid featuring your passive noise canceler circuit. Are we getting any closer to that? Really looking forward to that one. 73 de WB8YMV
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I've got an expired tech class licence, I'm going to get my general and the antenna is my largest problem. Still up in the air about nearly everything, but doing lots of research on mag loops and seems like my best option.
If you've got room for 134' of wire, you might also consider a 1/2 wave end-fed with 49:1 transformer (home brewed is best, but they can be purchased ready-made these days). Advantages: highly efficient, 80-10m coverage with minimal tuning (zero tuning needed on some bands). I really love mine, and it's grounded at the transformer giving some lightning protection. Mine is a sloper with one support tree, and they can be bent to fit smaller areas. No ground radial/counterpoise are used (no benefit). It works like an end-fed Zepp. I've yet to build a loop because of the tuning issue and the expense of variable vacuum capacitors (which they say we need for reliability and convenience in the long term with a TX/RX loop).
@@wadepatton2433 it's my second option. Would have to run from roof diagonal across the yard. Height would be pretty low, and not planning to live here long enough to put up a tower
What about using a MC1350 to give some gain and the pickup look will connect to the input pins of the MC1350 you will also need 12-15V to power the the antenna preamp this is not for transmitting just receive only.
Hi Mike, One Question, do you have a PATREON account so we can give some back to all your EXCELLENT content and Ham Radio Learning and Inspiration??? Thanks, Hilary, W4HDL (the owner of all the 60's NCX 200W Transceiver Models and one NCL-2000).
these loop series are great. I have them on loop playlist. 73s
Thanks for the loop series, helping out where Ms. Ellsworth left us hanging.
wow, I knew that radio was just oozing purpose built quality..... Once I looked it up I nearly needed a pacemaker! Very nice!
Great video Mike. Unlike most hams I don't have a yard on which to mount an antenna so a loop on a balcony is about all I can do. And with that I hope to DX all the way across the Pacific on 100 watts... Yeah, I know, most people just throw up a wire in a tree and they're done, but I don't have a tree either... Finding a workable HF tx antenna for my home has turned into the toughest radio task I've ever attempted. These videos are therefore a big help - please do keep them coming!
Great video Mike--never get tired of these deep-dives, as its the only way to really both explore a subject and to refine it. Too many channels do the same old 'scratch-the-surface' videos and it makes it so boring when you waste your time and learn nothing new--so don't let your detractors keep you away from the deep-dives!
BTW: I am NOT getting notifications of your videos even though I have everything turned on--in fact I just noticed you have a part-4! Not happy with YT! Thanks so much for all your efforts... 73!
Please keep your experiments going,very interesting!
Yeah, I'm really enjoying these Loop antenna experiments.
Sorry about the interesting transitions at the very end section - the video coding got messed up somewhere between my editor and youtube.
Great series
Thank you very much. I really appreciate all your videos. 73 from Argentina !
SW-Germany is waving a hand! 73's de Your Friend Uncle Günter
Very nice vid Mike! I built a smaller loop for doing my VLF beacon reception. It gets the lower part of the AM broadcast band but I wish it went all the way to 1700 like yours. Mine is 24 inches per side (that way it can fit in my car so I can take it to quiet locations). There are nine turns on triangle pieces of Masonite mounted at the ends of the cross frame and the turns are 1/4 inch apart. There is a one turn pickup loop that is the same size as the nine turn loop which is mounted close to it. The resonating capacitor across the nine turn loop is a 5 section variable with 365 pf per section. Also using a two transistor preamp (MPF102 driving a 2N2222 I think). Works pretty good and is [very] directional. I sure wish I could get the rest of the BC band though. Maybe a project for another day.
Also you said one time you were going to do a vid featuring your passive noise canceler circuit. Are we getting any closer to that? Really looking forward to that one. 73 de WB8YMV
Nice coverage Mike! 73, phil - KF6IF
great video 73 ..
Fasinating stuff highly interesting from the uk.
Thank you. Very good explained. 👍
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I've got an expired tech class licence, I'm going to get my general and the antenna is my largest problem. Still up in the air about nearly everything, but doing lots of research on mag loops and seems like my best option.
If you've got room for 134' of wire, you might also consider a 1/2 wave end-fed with 49:1 transformer (home brewed is best, but they can be purchased ready-made these days). Advantages: highly efficient, 80-10m coverage with minimal tuning (zero tuning needed on some bands). I really love mine, and it's grounded at the transformer giving some lightning protection. Mine is a sloper with one support tree, and they can be bent to fit smaller areas. No ground radial/counterpoise are used (no benefit). It works like an end-fed Zepp.
I've yet to build a loop because of the tuning issue and the expense of variable vacuum capacitors (which they say we need for reliability and convenience in the long term with a TX/RX loop).
@@wadepatton2433 it's my second option. Would have to run from roof diagonal across the yard. Height would be pretty low, and not planning to live here long enough to put up a tower
@@clytle374 Agree! Any wire antenna strung across the yard will be an easier antenna to get operational. Keep it simple to start!
@@MIKROWAVE1 keep it simple doesn't seem to be a setting I was born with 😂
What about using a MC1350 to give some gain and the pickup look will connect to the input pins of the MC1350 you will also need 12-15V to power the the antenna preamp this is not for transmitting just receive only.
I see a whole host of possible antennas so what about taking a leaf out of W5JGV's page and see if you can match one of the trees to your transceiver.
Hi Mike, One Question, do you have a PATREON account so we can give some back to all your EXCELLENT content and Ham Radio Learning and Inspiration??? Thanks, Hilary, W4HDL (the owner of all the 60's NCX 200W Transceiver Models and one NCL-2000).