[Elecraft] [k3] Isotropic Antenna

[Bruce Nourish]

Hi David,

I'm a little puzzled by your question, and I suspect others are too. The
isotropic antenna is a theoretical construct which is sometimes used as a
baseline for the comparison of other antennas; it is not possible to build
one. The most primitive antenna that can actually be built is a dipole (but
don't take primitive to mean ineffective!).

Having recently taken up ham radio again, in an urban QTH, I would very
much *not* recommend a dipole for your use case. I wasted a lot of time
trying to get a loaded dipole to work well in my attic. Then I started
reading about small magnetic loop antennas, built one for myself, and never
looked back. I now mercilessly evangelize them to anyone who will listen.

Some reading on mag loops here:
http://www.g4ilo.com/stealth.html
http://www.ahars.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/The-Underestimated-Magnetic-Loop-HF-Antenna-version-1.1.pdf

The quickest way to get started with mag loops is probably to pick up one
of these MFJ units:
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-9232 (QRP)
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-933 (QRO)

The QRP model includes wire, the QRO doesn't.

Bruce

On Wed, Apr 6, 2016 at 8:37 PM David Guernsey via Elecraft <
elecraft at mailman.qth.net> wrote:

> I live in a 2nd floor condo and am considering an isotropic antennaa on my
> balcony for 10/15/20 meters. Anybody have any experience with this type of
> antenna? 73 de Dave KJ6CBS
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