[Elecraft] Horiz. loop & counterpoise

[Tim and Nancy Logan]

Hi folks - I've run a horizontal loop for the last year and a half. It's
about 270 feet (give or take) of wire connected to about 25' ladder
line; then a 4:1 balun; and then a 9' piece of coax to an Alpha Delta
antenna selector. This "stealth" antenna works beautifully and allows me
to talk all over the world.

I have a set counterpoise wires connected directly to the LDG-11 tuner
which is connected to my "big rig" - an ICOM 756 PRO. I've always
thought the only reason for this in a loop situation is for RFI. The K1
and K2 don't create RFI because of the low power - so I never really
gave the counterpoise a second thought with the QRP rigs. Did I miss a
beat here? Is there another reason (other than RFI) that I might want
the counterpoise connected to the K1 and K2 when using a horizontal
loop? I must admit, the K1 has to wrestle a bit more with the loop.
Maybe I should connect the counterpoise to the ground on the Alpha Delta
antenna selector instead. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

73/Tim