[Elecraft] Good Low Horizontal Loops - questions

[Hank Kohl K8DD]

At 8/7/02 05:44 PM -0700, Lloyd Lachow wrote:
>I could probably string a roughly circular 1K' loop on
>my lot, through the trees, with an average height of
>about 50'.

Cool!

>Here's what I need to know, though:
>when feeding the loop, is the loop broken, with one
>side of the feedline going to each side?

Yes

>If so, is the
>distance across that gap critical?

No .... most any insulator will work.

>What types of
>feedlines would work - which would be best?
>Can I use
>twinlead?

Yes
300 TV twin lead - works fine
450 ladder line - probably works better
          There is tons of controversy on this - I've used both with
           great success at 900 mw using dipoles, G5RV's, end fed
           Zepps, double extended Zepps.

>  Would I need a balun, an rf choke, or
>whatever?

Yes, no, no .... in that order!  I use an LDG 4:1 balun from a kit they 
sell.  If all
you have is a 1:1 balun - try it .... it will probably work!

>My rig is a K1 with KAT1, 40-30-20-15. Would one end
>of the feedline go to the center conductor, and one to
>the ring?

While that may work (try it - if it tunes and you can make contacts - it 
works!)

>Would I need counterpoises?

Probably not - just ground the radio to a good RF ground

>Will the
>feedline radiate?

Maybe

>Is it ok if it does?

Yes

>My house is roughly in the center, so If the loop were
>shorter, the feedline could be shorter (trees
>everywhere).
>And, perhaps most importantly: I'm now using a
>longwire of about 200' that goes every which way, and
>works very well - good reports all over Europe, down
>to Central America, and domestically. Should I be
>satisfied with that, and cease this endless restless
>quest for gain?

Remembering how the 200' wire is up, take it down, put up the loop.
Try it.  Sit back with a coffee, tea, Pepsi, and decide which is best!
I would never cease a quest for gain!!

>Wire antennas are about all that will pass the xyl
>review here.
>All help appreciated, on or off the list, as I realize
>much of this is very elementary to many of you.
>73/72,
>Lloyd, K3ESE


That's how I see it Lloyd.  With antennas and me it's always been
try it - if it works, keep it.  Try something else - if it works better 
-keep it.

And that theory has worked pretty well for the past 40 some years!

73    Hank    K8DD



*/     Hank Kohl  K8DD      k8dd@arrl.net
*/     ARRL TS              http://www.qsl.net/k8dd
*/     MI-QRP - Vice Pres.  QRP-ARCI - Director
*/
If God intended you to be on single sideband, he would have given you only 
one nostril.
- Steve, K2PTS



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