That is so impressive for a tiny antenna. Great work. Of course, the neatness of your construction makes my teeth itch, because I can't get anywhere near that quality. But seriously, really impressive little build.
Wonderful work and lovely demo Mike!👍 Had one built last autumn but didn't get it outdoors until today and i works amazingly well consider it is extremely small size. (Not to be compared to a full vertical or dipole, it is a compromised antenna after all.) Got 171km and 375km QSO's at 10w's with signal reports 5-5, 5-7 respectively ain't bad, I'm happy with that.🙂 Looking forward to your 40m edition and it's results!
Finally....the answer to life's greatest mystery. I've been patiently waiting for this video to come out. It looks like the spiral loop transmits equally as well as it receives....very nicely done, Mike. 😊👍I think it's a great looking antenna and very functional, too. Looking forward to the 40-meter version.
Looks really good, Mike! 80 meters is out of my ball park with any sort of "normal" antenna so any small antenna that works on that band is fine indeed. Do you have to retune the antenna as you work the dial or can you set it on 80 meters and forget it? Also, how many watts can you transmit with it?
Hope you get that Yaesu up and running! Out of interest, I see that on TX your ALC goes well into the red. I've always been under the impression that it's best to keep within the ALC zone. What's your experience on this now that you have the 890 for some time? 73
The spiral loop seems to work well. How would you compare it to one of your mag loops? Re: FT101E - The first thing that came to mind was the fan (I bought one at a swap meet many years ago that did the same thing when I powered it up). Thanks for this video.
I made a 20m spiral loop and 40m one ( after viewing Kevin Loughin build ) and had reasonable results on FT8, but didn't work as well as a quarter wave vertical outside my restricted ground floor flat. Neither was it as good as a magnetic loop I used indoors, as I did the 20m spiral loop as well. They are better than no antenna and probably out perform other small antennas in different conditions and situations. It's always good to have a few antennas to try against each other than just one ! Thanks for the update, look forward to more testing videos in the future Mike. 73's Andy M6APJ.
@@madcarew5168 I have a letter from the council to say no one has complained when I have placed a vertical antenna on the front for a few hours. They say I am OK to carry on, as long as no one does. I had a lot of issues with the bloke above me continually moaning about petty things. I retaliated with him smoking skunk that penetrated my flat. Police and council contacted him and he has stopped complaining LOL.
I don't have a spiral loop (yet) but I do have a magnetic loop and height is might in my experience together with rotating to get the best directionality . I suggest a motorised pole mount as going up and down ladders is a faff ! Agree that the capacitors are the likely fault with the rig - anything electrical over 10 years age would benefit from a capacitor change.
Nice antenna for 80 meters Mike. I need something like that for 80 meters. No room for a EFHW for 80m. I had the Yaesu FT-101EX. It was my first Ham radio I bought new in the late 70's. I got my Novice ticket and did a lot of CW with that radio. Sorry to say I don't have the radio anymore and I don't do CW either. 73 Joe
Interesting, but a gentle hint. If you switch on a hydrid transceiver and is buzzes loudly like that, kill the power immediately or you are in very great danger of trashing the mains transformer, the one made of 'unobtanium. A few seconds with a short present is a few seconds too long! The mains transformer is destroying itself! I always do some basic testing first such as checking the fuses are correct , the PA and driver HT lines for short circuits in addition to checking the HT diodes, smoothing caps and most importantly, the HT bleed resistors. Use a multimeter set to the 1000V DC setting and suitable insulated probes. If you ever need to replace the bleed resistors, replace them with suitable high voltage types. They are safety-critical items. Oh, and never trust the bleed resistors unless you are certain they have not gone open-circuit. If you are sensible, a chicken stick' is a 'must make' item for anyone who works on valve PA's. It can save your life. If you need to discharge the HT supply on a hybrid, a chicken stick (some series HV 20K 5W or so, resistors inside an insulated handle with a grounding clip (to clip to the chassis' and a loop or probe at the other end can be used. Never do the old 'short the plate choke to the PA cage trick' unless you don't mind replacing the plate choke. They are not designed to handle a dead short! Stay safe!
The spiral loop seems to be doing the trick, I'm guessing that the band width is quite narrow...but ideal for restricted spaces. When I bought my house, I found a spiral loop in the loft. Presumably, the house had been previously owned by a radio enthusiast who couldn't be bothered to dismantle it to take through the loft hatch. Makes you think a spiral or magloop antenna with a rotator in the loft, may be a good idea for some folk. The FT101 looks lovely, the noise sounds like a transformer or relay problem. That's where I'm placing my bet and will look forward to finding the answer in your next video!
To my novice electrical engineer ears...that noise is due to power source AC going ahead of the filter stages. I have heard that sound with transformers (probably not here), MOSFETS/Transistors and capacitors. I'd probably check filter path first using a scope.
Hi Mike, Did you notice the waterfall when you switched to the spiral loop? The noise was much reduced. To my ear, I could not distinguish any difference. However, the DX Commander was better for the other station. The spiral loop appears to be a good solution as a limited antenna space. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
I have the FT221R with the 4 pin Jones connector. Looks like you have the same so it should take 13.8v on the other pins. Try and find a manual if you don't have one. Beautiful radio tho, good luck restoring it!
@@mike-M0MSN No problem, love the channel. I commented before watching the video to the end. Glad to hear you've fixed it and looking forward to seeing it in action
There was an antenna called TEK-TENA, being sold in the USA a few years ago, similar idea but it didn't have the variable cap in circuit, It had very mixed results, this antenna you have built , obvisiously works , and yes these smaller antennas will never work as well as a larger antenna, but it looks a good option, for limited space,
A 101E was my very first SSB radio during the late 70's CB boom and like Bill Clinton "I did not have sex with that woman" 😉 Interestingly many other stations picked it out against the usual rubbish CB's on voice quality alone. Are you planning to raise the antenna to at least roof height ? It only seems fair.
Are signal report number's all that important really?? You were having a conversation, this, in my book, means the loop and the DX commander BOTH work fine. Personally, I think if you can hear and contact a station, either down the road or across the pond, your doing OK. It really makes no difference to a chat if its a 5/9+30dB or a 1/3 QSB does it?? If you can hear "em, work "em.
On the radio, I would check the caps first. You may be able to get a capacitor kit for that radio and change them all out. Diodes fail and carbon resistors can change value over time. Look for any signs of overheating. A degraded carbon resistor can cause a transistor to overheat and fail also. Good luck on the repair.
That is so impressive for a tiny antenna. Great work. Of course, the neatness of your construction makes my teeth itch, because I can't get anywhere near that quality. But seriously, really impressive little build.
Bad Power Supply filter capacitor(s). Probably a number of bad electrolytic capacitors in the radio based on the vintage.
Good luck.
was the first thing I thought
Cheers.
Wonderful work and lovely demo Mike!👍
Had one built last autumn but didn't get it outdoors until today and i works amazingly well consider it is extremely small size. (Not to be compared to a full vertical or dipole, it is a compromised antenna after all.)
Got 171km and 375km QSO's at 10w's with signal reports 5-5, 5-7 respectively ain't bad, I'm happy with that.🙂
Looking forward to your 40m edition and it's results!
Finally....the answer to life's greatest mystery.
I've been patiently waiting for this video to come out. It looks like the spiral loop transmits equally as well as it receives....very nicely done, Mike. 😊👍I think it's a great looking antenna and very functional, too.
Looking forward to the 40-meter version.
Hey thanks. 40 on its way…
Cheers Mike, another great video as usual. Mark, 2E0MSR
Cheers Mark
I hope that you throw the mag loop in as well for the next test.
I know I've had a old buzz box where the transformer where the laminated sections where coming apart. But haven't a clue otherwise aha
Looks really good, Mike! 80 meters is out of my ball park with any sort of "normal" antenna so any small antenna that works on that band is fine indeed. Do you have to retune the antenna as you work the dial or can you set it on 80 meters and forget it? Also, how many watts can you transmit with it?
It is a dial and tune job about every 25Khz.
Hope you get that Yaesu up and running! Out of interest, I see that on TX your ALC goes well into the red. I've always been under the impression that it's best to keep within the ALC zone. What's your experience on this now that you have the 890 for some time? 73
Yep, the Mic gain was well to high, I have corrected that now. Yeasu’s working now..video soon.
The spiral loop seems to work well. How would you compare it to one of your mag loops? Re: FT101E - The first thing that came to mind was the fan (I bought one at a swap meet many years ago that did the same thing when I powered it up). Thanks for this video.
Mag loop is quieter but around the same signal strength. Got the 101 working video soon.
I made a 20m spiral loop and 40m one ( after viewing Kevin Loughin build ) and had reasonable results on FT8, but didn't work as well as a quarter wave vertical outside my restricted ground floor flat. Neither was it as good as a magnetic loop I used indoors, as I did the 20m spiral loop as well. They are better than no antenna and probably out perform other small antennas in different conditions and situations. It's always good to have a few antennas to try against each other than just one ! Thanks for the update, look forward to more testing videos in the future Mike. 73's Andy M6APJ.
Ground floor flat....sympathies..same here!
@@madcarew5168 I have a letter from the council to say no one has complained when I have placed a vertical antenna on the front for a few hours. They say I am OK to carry on, as long as no one does. I had a lot of issues with the bloke above me continually moaning about petty things. I retaliated with him smoking skunk that penetrated my flat. Police and council contacted him and he has stopped complaining LOL.
Thanks for your posts
I don't have a spiral loop (yet) but I do have a magnetic loop and height is might in my experience together with rotating to get the best directionality . I suggest a motorised pole mount as going up and down ladders is a faff ! Agree that the capacitors are the likely fault with the rig - anything electrical over 10 years age would benefit from a capacitor change.
Once again , best builder on here . The Dx Commander , Is that the loaded 80 meter element ?
No, it is an inverted L for 80M. thanks
Nice antenna for 80 meters Mike. I need something like that for 80 meters. No room for a EFHW for 80m. I had the Yaesu FT-101EX. It was my first Ham radio I bought new in the late 70's. I got my Novice ticket and did a lot of CW with that radio. Sorry to say I don't have the radio anymore and I don't do CW either. 73 Joe
Got the radio up and running now, it’s so nice. Cheers
Interesting, but a gentle hint. If you switch on a hydrid transceiver and is buzzes loudly like that, kill the power immediately or you are in very great danger of trashing the mains transformer, the one made of 'unobtanium. A few seconds with a short present is a few seconds too long! The mains transformer is destroying itself! I always do some basic testing first such as checking the fuses are correct , the PA and driver HT lines for short circuits in addition to checking the HT diodes, smoothing caps and most importantly, the HT bleed resistors. Use a multimeter set to the 1000V DC setting and suitable insulated probes. If you ever need to replace the bleed resistors, replace them with suitable high voltage types. They are safety-critical items. Oh, and never trust the bleed resistors unless you are certain they have not gone open-circuit. If you are sensible, a chicken stick' is a 'must make' item for anyone who works on valve PA's. It can save your life. If you need to discharge the HT supply on a hybrid, a chicken stick (some series HV 20K 5W or so, resistors inside an insulated handle with a grounding clip (to clip to the chassis' and a loop or probe at the other end can be used. Never do the old 'short the plate choke to the PA cage trick' unless you don't mind replacing the plate choke. They are not designed to handle a dead short! Stay safe!
Cheers Allan great advice
The spiral loop seems to be doing the trick, I'm guessing that the band width is quite narrow...but ideal for restricted spaces. When I bought my house, I found a spiral loop in the loft. Presumably, the house had been previously owned by a radio enthusiast who couldn't be bothered to dismantle it to take through the loft hatch. Makes you think a spiral or magloop antenna with a rotator in the loft, may be a good idea for some folk.
The FT101 looks lovely, the noise sounds like a transformer or relay problem. That's where I'm placing my bet and will look forward to finding the answer in your next video!
Loft space, great idea. The radio, the noise was the relay video soon
To my novice electrical engineer ears...that noise is due to power source AC going ahead of the filter stages. I have heard that sound with transformers (probably not here), MOSFETS/Transistors and capacitors. I'd probably check filter path first using a scope.
👍👏👏
Cheers Mark
Hi Mike,
Did you notice the waterfall when you switched to the spiral loop? The noise was much reduced. To my ear, I could not distinguish any difference. However, the DX Commander was better for the other station. The spiral loop appears to be a good solution as a limited antenna space. You and the family stay safe. 73 WJ3U
Yes agreed thanks Don. 73
It sound like the mains transformers laminations are loose and making that sound but you really need more checks first
I have the FT221R with the 4 pin Jones connector. Looks like you have the same so it should take 13.8v on the other pins. Try and find a manual if you don't have one. Beautiful radio tho, good luck restoring it!
Many thanks.
@@mike-M0MSN No problem, love the channel. I commented before watching the video to the end. Glad to hear you've fixed it and looking forward to seeing it in action
There was an antenna called TEK-TENA, being sold in the USA a few years ago, similar idea but it didn't have the variable cap in circuit,
It had very mixed results, this antenna you have built , obvisiously works , and yes these smaller antennas will never work as well as a larger antenna, but it looks a good option, for limited space,
Thanks
Confused as to why the video shows San Fransisco on the map when the op is saying he is in Tours in the Loire Valley in France
The API did not work....?? never mind! should have shown Tours!
Giles! LOL
to beginn...it sounds like a schort in the powesupply ;)
i assume it is on 120volts...
73
230v and it all fixed and working now.. video out soon.👍😜
I had a Yaesu radio that sounded like that once......
.... all I had to do to fix it was replace it with a Kenwood. 😉
😂😂 yep 👍
Old electrolytic capacitors dry out, and go bad. I suspect you have a lot of caps to replace.
Yep set for the re-capping kit.
Sounds like a bad cap in the power supply
A 101E was my very first SSB radio during the late 70's CB boom and like Bill Clinton "I did not have sex with that woman" 😉 Interestingly many other stations picked it out against the usual rubbish CB's on voice quality alone. Are you planning to raise the antenna to at least roof height ? It only seems fair.
It’s a great radio. The antenna is an experiment still underway.
Diod
Yep 👍diode
Are signal report number's all that important really?? You were having a conversation, this, in my book, means the loop and the DX commander BOTH work fine. Personally, I think if you can hear and contact a station, either down the road or across the pond, your doing OK. It really makes no difference to a chat if its a 5/9+30dB or a 1/3 QSB does it?? If you can hear "em, work "em.
Yep agreed.
On the radio, I would check the caps first.
You may be able to get a capacitor kit for that radio and change them all out.
Diodes fail and carbon resistors can change value over time.
Look for any signs of overheating.
A degraded carbon resistor can cause a transistor to overheat and fail also.
Good luck on the repair.
thanks, I guess this should have been posted on the 101 upload.. :)
have you details on building this loop and details or links?,cheers 73 m3vuv.