[Cliffdwellers] Low Profile Loop Antenna

[Charles B. Wilber]

I've tried the same thing with only minimal success. I even purchased the SGC
"Stealth Kit" not including the tuner and set up both vertical and horizontal
loops in my shack. The vertical loops along the edges of one wall in my shack.
The horizontal loops around the ceiling. In addition, I have tried a Slinky
antenna with about 15' of coil on each side of the center feed point. Still only
marginal results.

I was disappointed in the poor results obtained with these antennas, even using
a variety of tuners. I finally noticed that my attic is insulated with a hard
foam insulation glued to the usderside of the roof decking. The lower side of
this insulation has a metallic, foil-like finish which I assumed is reflecting
much of the RF both inbound and outbound. Unfortunately, I am also limited in
what I can erect outside for antennas. I was able to mount a Cushcraft AP8A at
ground level. It does moderately well but favors linger distances than the
200-500 mile range I am interested in for ARES and MARS use.

73
Charlie
N1AOK

--- Rich, KF6SZA wrote:
I have a horizontal loop antenna in my attic ( I live in a antenna-restricted
area ) that is approximately 80 feet of wire; it feeds into an SGC-230 tuner
mounted on the ceiling joists.  I would've done a loop around the eaves of the
house but I have a very convoluted roofline and it would be difficult to run a
contiguous loop in some areas. I have a composition shingle roof.

Basically, I think this amounts to a NVIS antenna although I sometimes receive
signals that amaze me.  I've also thought about trying to run a vertical loop in
the attic space; there is about 7 feet of vertical clearance down the centerline
which would give me almost the same amount of wire.  I've heard that a vertical
loop is a much better DX antenna.  I could encase the antenna wire in PVC pipe
to ensure any high voltage points wouldn't be hazardous but it would also put
parts of the antenna wire fairly close to some house wiring and heating ducts.

Since I can't have an outside antenna (even a stealth is out of the question
since there are no trees around that are taller than the house) I'm also looking
for ideas.

73,
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