[CW] OT - Please Excuse - Mag Loops for CW (and other modes)

stan levandowski via CW cw at mailman.qth.net
Fri Mar 13 22:03:29 EDT 2015 

The feedpoint autocoupler is (not *was*) an SGC237.  I'm an old, retired 
guy now and the XYL and I downsized into a townhouse twelve years ago 
with the usual antenna restrictions.  I tried all sorts of contraptions 
- commercially offered as well as hombrewed - to get on the air and be 
"competitive" as a CW QRP operator. 


After a whole lot of screwing around (that mag loop I scratch built cost 
me nearly $500 for the copper pipe and the Jennings vacuum variable) I 
concluded that the best solution for me was my 94' center fed zepp that 
I've had up in my attic for years now.  With the autocoupler I can 
operate on 80 (reduced efficiency) through 10 meters, inclusive, and QSY 
is virtually instantaneous with only 3 watts RF necessary to initiate 
tune.


David, let's see if this works for you: Go to


 http://www.wb2lqf.com/home/antenna-challenges


 where I have pictures, a diagram and a write-up of my autocoupled 
antenna.


73, Stan WB2LQF






On Fri, Mar 13, 2015 at 09:33 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. via CW wrote:

Stan,

If you don't mind tell us all about the feedpoint autocoupler, 
autotuner?

What was it, did it work well, &c.

73

DR



On Mar 13, 2015 9:29 PM, "stan levandowski" <sjl219 at optonline.net 
<mailto:sjl219 at optonline.net> > wrote:
Best if all remained open-minded about mag loops.  They date to WWII.  I 
scratch built one from 2" copper for 14 Mhz.  Its diameter was less than 
3 feet.  I used a gamma match.  I also used a small one rpm motor to 
tune a Jennings variable cap remotely.  I set it up in a wooden frame on 
my driveway about 10" off the pavement.  My transceiver was an Elecraft 
KX1 on 8 "AA" batteries which translated to about 1.3+/- watt output.  
My first contact was Gene, UA1CE in St. Petersburg on 10/26/2010 for a 
439.  Then again on 4/28/2011 for 559 and finally on 5/18/2011 for a 
549. I also worked all over Europe and into Africa with it, all at QRP 
or QRPp levels.  It received as well as my dipole but with lower noise.  
Yes, it's definitely a compromise antenna but it was a neat experiment 
and, by golly, I had fun AND I learned a few things.  Eventually I grew 
weary of the extremely narrow tuning range and gave it away, returning 
to my 94' CF Zepp with a feedpoint autocoupler.
73, Stan WB2LQF 

On Fri, Mar 13, 2015 at 07:13 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. via CW wrote:

Or an Elephant Cage.

Too big for condo.

DR

On Mar 13, 2015 6:45 PM, "Brian Carling" <bcarling at cfl.rr.com 
<mailto:bcarling at cfl.rr.com> > wrote:

Yes that's a reasonable assessment.


If someone really wants a directional receive antenna they will be far 
better served with a ring of 6 verticals
Best regards - Brian Carling
AF4K Crystals Co.
117 Sterling Pine St.
Sanford, FL 32773


Tel: +USA 321-262-5471 <tel:321-262-5471>






On Mar 13, 2015, at 1:29 PM, Danny Douglas via CW <cw at mailman.qth.net 
<mailto:cw at mailman.qth.net> > wrote:



We had loops on some
embassies, back in the 70s, and 80s, but I have no idea who built them,
although believe they were American made.  I would personally avoid
them, if at all possible, but --- anything is better than nothing. 





  	

    	D.J.J. Ring, Jr. via CW <mailto:cw at mailman.qth.net>


   Friday, March 13,
  2015 2:16 PM



Hello - Off
Topic but indulge me.

I have never seen loops as well
  made.  I know a few on this group who have written me about "what do I
do when I want to get on the air and I sold my home and I'm living in
senior housing, etc." - this might be an answer.  


I
  received a mail today about manufactured mag loops.  Europe is doing
nicely making these antenna complete with auto tuners.  Nice looking.

http://inac-radio.com/en/Antenas-AX/AX330 
<http://inac-radio.com/en/Antenas-AX/AX330>

There
  are other versions, so snoop around the web site.
http://inac-radio.com/en/ <http://inac-radio.com/en/>


Quite
  expensive, but if you have no space, it's a miracle doing what it 
does.


Just
  look at the Q this antenna has as the man finger-dials the remote
control tuning.  Impressive.


Here is another
one
http://media.wix.com/ugd/1aa222_6019d1b38a894817ba13ade7f79e2c77.pdf 
<http://media.wix.com/ugd/1aa222_6019d1b38a894817ba13ade7f79e2c77.pdf>


Fascinating!


Before
  we get into a Dummy Load word-war, these antennas are a trade off, but
they beat a light bulb on a stick or a dummy load by quite a bit.


If
  your exiled to senior citizen condo with no antenna rules, it's 
perfect
  for balcony use.


Are there any USA/Canadian
firms making units as good as these? 


73
David
  N1EA





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-- 


Danny
Douglas



 

    <http://www.getpostbox.com>





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