I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I am continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning towards an Alpha Antenna mag loop. Like some, I have HOA restrictions in my first and second home and this somewhat limits me as to what I can put up. I have space on my back deck as well as a terrace in my condo.
Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have any additional suggestions that might be helpful. Thanks Gene Moore, NC1L Sent from my iPhone ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
I have had great luck with the simplest of end-fed antennas and the KX3.
Particularly out at the picnic table I can just find a convenient tree to toss up one end with the other end at the table. Seems a longer coax make the end-fed work better. I'm using one cut for 40 with a stub(?) for 20 meters. Both bands at least are partially tune in bypass with the internal ATU taking care of anything questionable. How it compares with a loop I don't know. I have had much more luck with the end-fed than I've had with a buddipole. I've had more luck with a good dipole than the end-fed... 73, Kev N4TT On Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 11:18 AM Gene Moore via Elecraft < [hidden email]> wrote: > I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I am > continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning towards an > Alpha Antenna mag loop. Like some, I have HOA restrictions in my first and > second home and this somewhat limits me as to what I can put up. I have > space on my back deck as well as a terrace in my condo. > > Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have > any additional suggestions that might be helpful. > > Thanks > > Gene Moore, NC1L > > Sent from my iPhone > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] > Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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On 6/4/2019 8:07 AM, Gene Moore via Elecraft wrote:
> Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have any additional suggestions that might be helpful. Sure. Study the ARRL Antenna Book and the ARRL Handbook chapters on antennas. They provide a great BS detector when reading the ads for stuff. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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I have had poor luck with search and pounce ssb my alexloop, but that is
likely due to lack of experience with it and selectivity as much as anything. I understand that it is very narrow bandwidth (high q?), but it occurs to me that if they are being used for ssb at all, that there should be enough bandwidth to handle current digital modes. Has anyone tried using a magloop as a gain antenna for ft8? I may take mine for a drive with my KX3 to find a hilltop... Scott AD6YT On Tue, Jun 4, 2019, 11:34 AM Walter Underwood <[hidden email]> wrote: > A mag loop needs to be retuned every time you change frequency. If you > usually > operate in one spot for a while, say a CW or digital subband, that is > fine. If you > tune around, you’ll want something else. You can’t even hear signals on > other > frequencies until you tune the mag loop. > > If you can run a 26 foot wire, do that. Use a 16 or so foot wire on the > ground > as a counterpoise. Connect them to the KX3 with a double binding post > adaptor > and press ATU TUNE. > > Or you can use a railing-mounted whip, like this one. MFJ also makes a 12 > foot > whip which might fit this coil. With a short feedline, I’d probably bypass > the coil > and let the KX3 ATU do the work. > > https://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1622 > > wunder > K6WRU > Walter Underwood > CM87wj > http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > > > On Jun 4, 2019, at 11:17 AM, Kevin, N4TT <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > > I have had great luck with the simplest of end-fed antennas and the KX3. > > Particularly out at the picnic table I can just find a convenient tree to > > toss up one end with the other end at the table. Seems a longer coax make > > the end-fed work better. I'm using one cut for 40 with a stub(?) for 20 > > meters. Both bands at least are partially tune in bypass with the > internal > > ATU taking care of anything questionable. > > > > How it compares with a loop I don't know. I have had much more luck with > > the end-fed than I've had with a buddipole. I've had more luck with a > good > > dipole than the end-fed... > > > > 73, > > Kev N4TT > > > > On Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 11:18 AM Gene Moore via Elecraft < > > [hidden email]> wrote: > > > >> I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I > am > >> continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning > towards an > >> Alpha Antenna mag loop. Like some, I have HOA restrictions in my first > and > >> second home and this somewhat limits me as to what I can put up. I have > >> space on my back deck as well as a terrace in my condo. > >> > >> Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have > >> any additional suggestions that might be helpful. > >> > >> Thanks > >> > >> Gene Moore, NC1L > >> > >> Sent from my iPhone > >> ______________________________________________________________ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] > >> > >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered to [hidden email] > >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to [hidden email] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
On 6/4/2019 11:42 AM, Tox wrote:
> I have had poor luck with search and pounce ssb my alexloop, but that is > likely due to lack of experience with it and selectivity as much as > anything. SSB QRP with a compromise antenna are both negative parts of the equation -- SSB is about ten dB behind CW because of noise added by the additional bandwidth it requires. > I understand that it is very narrow bandwidth (high q?), but it occurs to > me that if they are being used for ssb at all, that there should be enough > bandwidth to handle current digital modes. Bandwidth is quite enough for SSB. > Has anyone tried using a magloop as a gain antenna for ft8? It's not a "gain" antenna. It's a compromise antenna, with the ability to null out a single noise source on receive. FT8 is 6-10 dB better than CW with very good operators on both ends, so FT8 is a very good mode for QRP and compromise antennas. > I may take mine > for a drive with my KX3 to find a hilltop... That's a great idea -- the hilltop can also be good for 6-10 dB. 6dB is 4X the power, one S-unit, 10 dB is 10X the power, two S-units. 73, Jim K9YC ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Gene,
I've had a lot of fun on vacations with my KX2 and a BuddiStick by BuddiPole: http://www.buddipole.com/ The price, for the Deluxe kit, is probably comparable to what you'd pay for an AlexLoop. I just clamp mine to the arm of the chair, the table, whatever, with the included clamp, string out the included radial, and have fun. It tunes great with the combination of tapped loading coil and the built-in tuner on my KX2. I also have the tripod BuddiPole sells, but don't like it as much as the clamp. It's a very small tripod, and the way the antenna and mount plate are designed, it is very easy to get heavy to one side and tip the antenna over. Hope this helps. 73 de, Ian, NV4C On 6/4/19 11:07 AM, Gene Moore via Elecraft wrote: > I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I am continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning towards an Alpha Antenna mag loop. Like some, I have HOA restrictions in my first and second home and this somewhat limits me as to what I can put up. I have space on my back deck as well as a terrace in my condo. > > Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have any additional suggestions that might be helpful. > > Thanks > > Gene Moore, NC1L > > Sent from my iPhone > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Gene,
I don't usually comment on products like antennas. I cannot, however, resist this one: I cannot comment on the current Alpha Antenna Mag Loop, because I don't have one. My Alpha loop is 4 or 5 years old. It was on sale and heavily discounted, so I purchased it without looking into its construction. After I bought it I learned that is wasn't worth much of anything. I won't tell you how much I paid for it; even on sale I am embarrassed. Keep in mind that one of the contributors to inefficiencies in a mag loop is the resistance of the loop (which is the inductor) and parallel capacitor. The first contributor of resistance was the overlapping anodized aluminum sections that were bolted together. Each overlap had a few milliohms or more of resistance. With 8 of these joints, the resistance added up, and a few milliohms is a lot in a tank circulation circuit. The second bad feature was the capacitor. Again, the resistance must be kept to a minimum. The lossy part of a variable capacitor is the wipers that transfer current from the rotor (which moves) to a terminal that doesn't so you can pick the current up there. The way to eliminate that resistance is to use a butterfly capacitor (which are had to find), or use a dual section capacitor. Current goes in one stator, to the rotor, and out through the other stator. You end up with 2 caps in series, and no wipers in the current path. I never made a contact with the antenna except very local ones. I have had much better success with the 26ft. wire and 16 ft. counterpose Walter (K6WRU) mentioned (exact dimensions are NOT important), and I would have almost $300 back in my pocket. Oops! I almost let the price slip. That was the first antenna I had purchased in 40 years. It left such a bad taste in my mouth that I went out to Palomar Engineers website and bought Kurt N. Sterba's book, "Kurt Speaks Out" and read it from cover to cover. I feel better now. The antenna sits in the back of my garage waiting to be broken down for parts. It has a great tripod, and a nifty little RF indicator in the form of a neon bulb. I will probably give the cap to some young ham to use in a transmitter project. Do what Jim (K9YC) said! Get educated first, then do your research on how the thing is made and works before you buy. If Alpha has improved the antenna, I would love to hear about it. I just checked their website, and it appears they have switched to coax for the loop. Much better. I cannot see what capacitor they use. Sorry, Eric. Way too long! Mark KE6BB KX3, AX1, and some wire. On Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 8:19:50 AM PDT, Gene Moore via Elecraft <[hidden email]> wrote: I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I am continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning towards an Alpha Antenna mag loop. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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I’ve gotten good success with a Superantenna, a Buddistick, and an EFHW and
my KX3. The verticals definitely need robust counterpoises. On Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 18:50 Ian Kahn, NV4C <[hidden email]> wrote: > Gene, > > I've had a lot of fun on vacations with my KX2 and a BuddiStick by > BuddiPole: > > http://www.buddipole.com/ > > The price, for the Deluxe kit, is probably comparable to what you'd pay > for an AlexLoop. I just clamp mine to the arm of the chair, the table, > whatever, with the included clamp, string out the included radial, and > have fun. It tunes great with the combination of tapped loading coil and > the built-in tuner on my KX2. I also have the tripod BuddiPole sells, > but don't like it as much as the clamp. It's a very small tripod, and > the way the antenna and mount plate are designed, it is very easy to get > heavy to one side and tip the antenna over. > > Hope this helps. > > 73 de, > > Ian, NV4C > > On 6/4/19 11:07 AM, Gene Moore via Elecraft wrote: > > I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I > am continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning towards > an Alpha Antenna mag loop. Like some, I have HOA restrictions in my first > and second home and this somewhat limits me as to what I can put up. I have > space on my back deck as well as a terrace in my condo. > > > > Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have > any additional suggestions that might be helpful. > > > > Thanks > > > > Gene Moore, NC1L > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to [hidden email] > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] > 72, Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: *FN20is* ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
Hi Rich and the reflector…
I use a Wolf River Coils mini with the large whip (210in I think) for portable ops. It came with three radials. After reading Rudy Severns’ articles, I built a set of 16+- ft radials (total of 18 - 3ea of 6 into 1) for the unit. I have only anecdotal evidence, but I think the more robust radial field improves the antenna system. They take only a few minutes to deploy and coil easily for storage in the travel bag I use. It’s a good recommendation, Rich! David Thompson, AG7TX Jack of All Trades Master of None [hidden email] > On Jun 4, 2019, at 17:06, rich hurd WC3T <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I’ve gotten good success with a Superantenna, a Buddistick, and an EFHW and > my KX3. The verticals definitely need robust counterpoises. > > On Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 18:50 Ian Kahn, NV4C <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> Gene, >> >> I've had a lot of fun on vacations with my KX2 and a BuddiStick by >> BuddiPole: >> >> http://www.buddipole.com/ >> >> The price, for the Deluxe kit, is probably comparable to what you'd pay >> for an AlexLoop. I just clamp mine to the arm of the chair, the table, >> whatever, with the included clamp, string out the included radial, and >> have fun. It tunes great with the combination of tapped loading coil and >> the built-in tuner on my KX2. I also have the tripod BuddiPole sells, >> but don't like it as much as the clamp. It's a very small tripod, and >> the way the antenna and mount plate are designed, it is very easy to get >> heavy to one side and tip the antenna over. >> >> Hope this helps. >> >> 73 de, >> >> Ian, NV4C >> >> On 6/4/19 11:07 AM, Gene Moore via Elecraft wrote: >>> I have just submitted my order for my KX3. As part of the next step, I >> am continuing my search for an antenna. At this point, I am leaning towards >> an Alpha Antenna mag loop. Like some, I have HOA restrictions in my first >> and second home and this somewhat limits me as to what I can put up. I have >> space on my back deck as well as a terrace in my condo. >>> >>> Can anyone provide feedback regarding an Alpha Antenna or possibly have >> any additional suggestions that might be helpful. >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> Gene Moore, NC1L >>> >>> Sent from my iPhone >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to [hidden email] >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to [hidden email] >> > -- > 72, > Rich Hurd / WC3T / DMR: 3142737 > Northampton County RACES, EPA-ARRL Public Information Officer for Scouting > Latitude: 40.761621 Longitude: -75.288988 (40°45.68' N 75°17.33' W) Grid: > *FN20is* > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Mark,
I have always been a fan of resonant quarter wave vertical antennas. MFJ makes a 17 foot collapsible whip antenna which sells for around $60 IIRC. With this whip I can extend to a resonant quarter wave anywhere from 6m to 20m. Although I experimented with properly cut radials for each band I found it was not worth the trouble. Four 17 ft long radials work well enough for me and are easy to coil up and transport. The whip itself collapses down to about 31 inches long. Another ham did a nice writeup here: http://www.kd5fx.com/FXportable/fx_portable_antenna.htm With this setup I was able to work VP8SGI on 20m CW with my KX3 while travelling in Arizona. Anectdotal evidence but it was fun for me to get an ATNO this way. 73, W8JH, Joe ----- 73, Joe, W8JH K3s, KPA 500, KAT 500 and KX3 happy user. -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email]
73,
Joe, W8JH K3s, KPA 500, KAT 500 and KX3 happy user. |
Antennas are always a fascinating and debatable subject. My 2 cents on the Mag loops is that they can be a useful addition in the right circumstance if you spend the time to learn how to use them properly. I do a lot of SOTA and portable work and I find the loop is often a good solution for a quick setup especially if you need a low profile or don’t have good support options for wires. I prefer a resonant dipole if possible,or an end fed with counterpoise,but the loop can be effective where that’s the best option. The trick is to get it at least 6-8 feet high and far enough away from any metal structure,and a reasonable distance from you the operator! They can be finicky to tune and you can’t move easily more than 10 kHz without retuning. Since I’m usually just on SOTA frequencies or QRP it’s not an issue. CW is really the best mode as you’re limited in power to usually 10-20 W by the loop. You must pay close attention to construction also-I personally found the W4OP loop to be of superior quality compared to others. Dale W4OP is an active ham who takes pride in his product (not unlike Wayne and Eric!). They are kinda spendy but you get a very well made unit plus excellent customer support. They’re a bit bulkier than others but will cover more bands effectively,including 40 and 60 (and 6) meters than other brands . I use a collapsible photo light tripod to mount mine-if you use a tripod you should order the tripod adapter as well. They now offer a remote tuning option which the late Joe Everhart N2CX reviewed recently in QST. Dale W4OP also is active on the Mag loop reflector and will offer excellent advice on home brewing loops should you want to try that. Before you buy one try to borrow one and do some research to see if it’s the right fit for you. Lots of options for antennas.
Dan Presley 503-701-3871 danpresley@me. com [hidden email] > On Jun 5, 2019, at 08:29, W8JH <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Mark, > > I have always been a fan of resonant quarter wave vertical antennas. MFJ > makes a 17 foot collapsible whip antenna which sells for around $60 IIRC. > With this whip I can extend to a resonant quarter wave anywhere from 6m to > 20m. Although I experimented with properly cut radials for each band I > found it was not worth the trouble. Four 17 ft long radials work well > enough for me and are easy to coil up and transport. The whip itself > collapses down to about 31 inches long. > > Another ham did a nice writeup here: > http://www.kd5fx.com/FXportable/fx_portable_antenna.htm > > With this setup I was able to work VP8SGI on 20m CW with my KX3 while > travelling in Arizona. Anectdotal evidence but it was fun for me to get an > ATNO this way. > > 73, > > W8JH, Joe > > > > ----- > 73, > > Joe, W8JH > > K3s, KPA 500, KAT 500 and KX3 happy user. > -- > Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
I appreciate all of the feedback I have received. After some deep digging and a fair amount of research, I have gone with the W4OP. Basically, their customer service went above and beyond to secure my business. At this point, the amount of information they provided me with makes me feel comfortable I made the right choice. They reviews are pretty impressive and the workmanship seems to be high quality.
I appreciate all of the feedback I have received! 73’s Gene Moore, NC1L Sent from my iPhone > On Jun 5, 2019, at 3:09 PM, Dan Presley <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Antennas are always a fascinating and debatable subject. My 2 cents on the Mag loops is that they can be a useful addition in the right circumstance if you spend the time to learn how to use them properly. I do a lot of SOTA and portable work and I find the loop is often a good solution for a quick setup especially if you need a low profile or don’t have good support options for wires. I prefer a resonant dipole if possible,or an end fed with counterpoise,but the loop can be effective where that’s the best option. The trick is to get it at least 6-8 feet high and far enough away from any metal structure,and a reasonable distance from you the operator! They can be finicky to tune and you can’t move easily more than 10 kHz without retuning. Since I’m usually just on SOTA frequencies or QRP it’s not an issue. CW is really the best mode as you’re limited in power to usually 10-20 W by the loop. You must pay close attention to construction also-I personally found the W4OP loop to be of superior quality compared to others. Dale W4OP is an active ham who takes pride in his product (not unlike Wayne and Eric!). They are kinda spendy but you get a very well made unit plus excellent customer support. They’re a bit bulkier than others but will cover more bands effectively,including 40 and 60 (and 6) meters than other brands . I use a collapsible photo light tripod to mount mine-if you use a tripod you should order the tripod adapter as well. They now offer a remote tuning option which the late Joe Everhart N2CX reviewed recently in QST. Dale W4OP also is active on the Mag loop reflector and will offer excellent advice on home brewing loops should you want to try that. Before you buy one try to borrow one and do some research to see if it’s the right fit for you. Lots of options for antennas. > > Dan Presley 503-701-3871 > danpresley@me. com > [hidden email] > > >> On Jun 5, 2019, at 08:29, W8JH <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >> Mark, >> >> I have always been a fan of resonant quarter wave vertical antennas. MFJ >> makes a 17 foot collapsible whip antenna which sells for around $60 IIRC. >> With this whip I can extend to a resonant quarter wave anywhere from 6m to >> 20m. Although I experimented with properly cut radials for each band I >> found it was not worth the trouble. Four 17 ft long radials work well >> enough for me and are easy to coil up and transport. The whip itself >> collapses down to about 31 inches long. >> >> Another ham did a nice writeup here: >> http://www.kd5fx.com/FXportable/fx_portable_antenna.htm >> >> With this setup I was able to work VP8SGI on 20m CW with my KX3 while >> travelling in Arizona. Anectdotal evidence but it was fun for me to get an >> ATNO this way. >> >> 73, >> >> W8JH, Joe >> >> >> >> ----- >> 73, >> >> Joe, W8JH >> >> K3s, KPA 500, KAT 500 and KX3 happy user. >> -- >> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/ >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> Message delivered to [hidden email] > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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