Thanks MM0OPX for producing this excelent guide and for featuring my blog page/build which I did back in February 2023. Your concice instructions together with great editing will assist others considering embarking on this project. 5*
The PINECIL soldering iron is super compact and convenient for occasional PCB work. Power with 12v or USB C. Not the most powerful, but perfect for the little jobs and you've got the butane one when it's something big.
Hi. I had a wellbrook ALA1530 loop for many years until it failed. The amplifier is potted and not really repairable. Wellbrook wanted £100 for a new one. I decided to make my own two transistor balanced amplifier with 2N3866 transistors from the GQRP club, mine actually predates the Wellgood copy of the Wellbrook, I've made a couple using 15mm copper pipe to give a 1 meter loop. This massively reduces my noise floor, I also made my own bias T and relay switching to switch between my TX antennas to the RX loop, which is good from Long wave to 6 meters
Great video thank you. Can I make a couple of observations. When you cut the lugs off of the inside of a box or the lip on the bias tee box, use a sharp wood chisel instead of the knife. TBH I was cringing and expecting to see a spurt of the red stuff. Also the point geometry on those step drills is not very good and I find it far easier to start the hole using a standard drill. And finally I put a mark with a sharpie pen on the step above where I want to drill when I use a step drill. It saves a lot of guess work. Good luck and have fun.
Normally I would use a pilot drill but there wasn't huge accuracy needed here. On metal I use a spring loaded centre punch and pilot drill. Maybe the camera angle but there was little risk if me cutting myself. If the blade slipped it was only catching the side of the enclosure. If your not experienced I totally agree.
Went through George's posts today morning after seeing your post on X. It is quite interesting to note that an error in transmitting to an RX antenna gave us this new version of WellGood Active Receiving Loop. He has even taken X-rays to find the inner components masked by black resin! 73 Jon, VU2JO
Nice presentation Colin. Interesting ant. I will really be interested in the on the results, as I've made quite a few loops like this over the years, and yes, great for cutting down noise, as you would expect with most loops, but it didn't quite cut it for me over long distances. I always use a rx ant and tx ants. Looking through youtube, I wonder why half say its great, other the opposite. Keep building mate. 20m and 15m wide open to the uk these days Lp. Looking for you. 73.
Another New Subscriber here.Very neat and tidy work there.Think i will order one of these kits from Chris.Ive got a Cross Country LAA ++ and an MLA 30 at the moment so it will nice to do a bit of a shoot out between these 3.Thanks Barry
@@MM0OPXFieldRadiomy ancient 1970 era Weller soldering station had gone kaput so I was just looking for an alternative and found the Hakko brand on Amazon. I read some reviews and the following day, I was ready to purchase and I noticed Amazon had discounted the price significantly. So keep checking the price and hopefully you will get a too good to refuse offer. When I checked last night the £180 price includes some extra soldering iron tips and £150 for the basic set with 1x tip.
Nice to hear from you UG. I was over in your neck of the woods a couple weeks ago and enjoyed a few Gluhwein's at the Weinachmarkt. You guys do it so.much better, 73 😊
Give Chris an email. I dont want to say in case its changed slightly. I can tell you its not a lot off money. Some people will spend more on a monthly payment for their mobile phone.
1 - If you want a price, email Chris. 2 - at least give me a chance to test it out! I give you a preview as I have been using for the last day and it hammers my off centre fed dipole on signal to noise on 40m.
I use a Pfsense firewall here with pfBlockerNG and it eats ads for breakfast. I've been using it for getting on for 10 years and you can do so much else with it. It doesn't cost anything; just needs a base x86 computer with two network ports and away you go!
Built mine 10 months ago. Amazing antenna.
Agreed.
Thanks MM0OPX for producing this excelent guide and for featuring my blog page/build which I did back in February 2023. Your concice instructions together with great editing will assist others considering embarking on this project. 5*
Thanks for providing the detailed guide Mike. I am sure its helped many others too.
The PINECIL soldering iron is super compact and convenient for occasional PCB work. Power with 12v or USB C. Not the most powerful, but perfect for the little jobs and you've got the butane one when it's something big.
I've heard that. May pick one up 👍
new subscriber - new channel - thank you for a detailed video!
Your very welcome.
Looking forward to the next part
Thanks, you didnt have to wait long.
Hi. I had a wellbrook ALA1530 loop for many years until it failed. The amplifier is potted and not really repairable. Wellbrook wanted £100 for a new one. I decided to make my own two transistor balanced amplifier with 2N3866 transistors from the GQRP club, mine actually predates the Wellgood copy of the Wellbrook, I've made a couple using 15mm copper pipe to give a 1 meter loop. This massively reduces my noise floor, I also made my own bias T and relay switching to switch between my TX antennas to the RX loop, which is good from Long wave to 6 meters
Excellent 👍
Looks interesting Colin and something i might have a go at trying now my love of SWL has returned.
No brainer. Small space, great performance.
Great video thank you. Can I make a couple of observations. When you cut the lugs off of the inside of a box or the lip on the bias tee box, use a sharp wood chisel instead of the knife. TBH I was cringing and expecting to see a spurt of the red stuff. Also the point geometry on those step drills is not very good and I find it far easier to start the hole using a standard drill. And finally I put a mark with a sharpie pen on the step above where I want to drill when I use a step drill. It saves a lot of guess work. Good luck and have fun.
Normally I would use a pilot drill but there wasn't huge accuracy needed here. On metal I use a spring loaded centre punch and pilot drill. Maybe the camera angle but there was little risk if me cutting myself. If the blade slipped it was only catching the side of the enclosure. If your not experienced I totally agree.
Went through George's posts today morning after seeing your post on X. It is quite interesting to note that an error in transmitting to an RX antenna gave us this new version of WellGood Active Receiving Loop. He has even taken X-rays to find the inner components masked by black resin! 73 Jon, VU2JO
Yes its a very interesting journey and what he developed is amazing.
@@MM0OPXFieldRadio 73
Nice presentation Colin. Interesting ant. I will really be interested in the on the results, as I've made quite a few loops like this over the years, and yes, great for cutting down noise, as you would expect with most loops, but it didn't quite cut it for me over long distances. I always use a rx ant and tx ants. Looking through youtube, I wonder why half say its great, other the opposite. Keep building mate. 20m and 15m wide open to the uk these days Lp. Looking for you. 73.
Thanks mate. It really sings for me 40m down. Its not a miracle but makes the difference to hear a station or not with the local QRM about.
Brilliant construction video. thank you 73 2w0iep
Thanks Paul 👍
Excellent Build Colin!!
Thanks Chuck 👍
Another New Subscriber here.Very neat and tidy work there.Think i will order one of these kits from Chris.Ive got a Cross Country LAA ++ and an MLA 30 at the moment so it will nice to do a bit of a shoot out between these 3.Thanks Barry
Cheers Barry. Be good to get your opinion of the 3 😁
@@bazfitz6607 I had a mla30 active antenna loop is was rubbish. It never worked all I got was a radio full of noise.
I use and recommend the Hakko FX-888D 70W soldering station. Currently around £150 on Amazon but I got mine when it was on offer for around £100
Last I looked they were £180. I will keep an eye out.
@@MM0OPXFieldRadiomy ancient 1970 era Weller soldering station had gone kaput so I was just looking for an alternative and found the Hakko brand on Amazon. I read some reviews and the following day, I was ready to purchase and I noticed Amazon had discounted the price significantly. So keep checking the price and hopefully you will get a too good to refuse offer. When I checked last night the £180 price includes some extra soldering iron tips and £150 for the basic set with 1x tip.
Another nice little Hakko, quarter the price, twice the heat, and a fraction of the power, is the FX-901/p.😉
Very interesting. Can you please give me some details on where and how to get one of these active antenna kits.
Thanks. Paul. De HS0ZLQ, G0MIH. 😊😊
Hi Paul, the link is in the description. 1st or 2nd paragraph there is a email link to Chris whom you can enquire. Cheers.
Hey Master Colin, merry Christmas & a happy New Year to you an the Family. Tnx for all you do for HAM Radio. 73 de wrinkly old Uncle Günter 💯👍🙋♂
Nice to hear from you UG. I was over in your neck of the woods a couple weeks ago and enjoyed a few Gluhwein's at the Weinachmarkt. You guys do it so.much better, 73 😊
what's the name of the blue tool u're using in the holes after drilling?
A hand deburring tool is the best search term.
1/4Vertical Which is better than 1/2 half wavelength Vertical? Can you test and compare it?
Think I already answered. Check out HB9VQQ research.
Collin We Need the Price On the LOOP
Give Chris an email. I dont want to say in case its changed slightly. I can tell you its not a lot off money. Some people will spend more on a monthly payment for their mobile phone.
If all videos on construction whereas good as this, yours should be the standard congratulations
@@scli301 ??
@@MM0OPXFieldRadio I will do that.
But is it A secrets that there is No Prise on his site. I am Just wondering
Thanks For A Great video
Hi Colin, I sent you an email to your QRZ address about a great soldering iron.
Hi Mike, thanks. Just seen it. It was in my spam folder. I will reply later on 👍
Kinda anime
Useless without a price or any real test of it, or comparison to a End Fed Half Wave for example.
1 - If you want a price, email Chris. 2 - at least give me a chance to test it out! I give you a preview as I have been using for the last day and it hammers my off centre fed dipole on signal to noise on 40m.
Not useless at all! I have thought to build this loop, but haven't done much building before. This is a great tutorial!
Went to the site to check it out but there's no way I'm hanging about. Far too many in your face adverts so it's a hard no.
You’re watching UA-cam but find ads offensive? You don’t get how the internet works, do you?
@@R50_J0intrusive, aggressive and potential malware adverts aren't hiding in the video. Did you even visit the site and see the mess that it is?
Pretty easy, on the M1GEO Wellgood Loop page there is an email hyperlink to Chris G8OCV for making enquiries for purchasing the PCB boards .
I use a Pfsense firewall here with pfBlockerNG and it eats ads for breakfast. I've been using it for getting on for 10 years and you can do so much else with it. It doesn't cost anything; just needs a base x86 computer with two network ports and away you go!
Your missing out. I get why there is adverts. There is a lot of good info there.
email address to George Smart is not working..
His website is down, try again later.