[Elecraft] {OT} Alexloop Walkham Antenna

[Doug Turnbull]

Hello Stan,
     If you go to the AlexLoop site and open clippings then go to Echo
Ireland, you will find a fairly lengthy review I wrote.    I have not used
the AlexLoop very often with my KX1 and hence 2.5W but have used it
frequently with the KX3 at 5 Watts for portable operations.    The antenna
works even when inside a non-metallic building.   It seems like snake oil
but it works.   I made the QSOs mentioned in the article with 5 Watts so it
would be harder at 2 Watts as you will be down 3 dB.   A dipole is going to
work better at any reasonable height but it will be for one band and takes
up a lot of space.   You can place the AlexLoop on a balcony, take it to the
park or better yet a summit and it will work.   I think it pricy but so too
are all commercial antennas.

     You could do a lot worse.   I am purchasing a KX2 to replace a KX3 used
in EI for portable operations in Europe.   I reckon the KX2 in its special
travel case will fit inside the AlexLoop bag.   Though I prefer using my
Begali Adventurer Paddle; the new KX2 paddle will be purchased as it is so
small and hopefully beats the original KX3 paddle.  Elecraft has come a long
way since the KX1 paddle.   You go trekking but I am an old goat at 72 and
do not want to carry anything more than absolutely required when using air
travel.

    One big disadvantage of the KX2 is the size of the battery charger.   I
do not want to haul this monster around.   Maybe two battery packs will do
me but airlines do not like LiPo battery packs of any type outside the
radio.   I may just gamble of a second battery pack.   This however is off
topic.

     For me the AlexLoop works better than I would ever expect and even
outperformed a Buddipole using a full quarter length shock cord whip on 20M
with two raised radials.   This should not be the case but was for me when I
tried this comparison.    Another advantage of the AlexLoop is that you can
change bands so easily.   At night time no one wants to run outdoors and
reconfigure a Buddipole - all I do is retune the AlexLoop which is sitting
inside the room  with me at arms length.   The AlexLoop is a useful antenna
for portable operations.   It is well packaged and easily assembled.  

     Good luck my friend.   These are just my experiences.   Again I suggest
you read the clipping of my review in Echo Ireland.

                 73 Doug EI2CN 

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of stan
levandowski
Sent: 12 July 2016 20:24
To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] {OT} Alexloop Walkham Antenna

I would like to correspond with anyone who has experience using the 
Alexloop antenna with 1-2 watts.

Normally, I use either an end fed antenna and a T1, a resonant linked 
dipole, or a resonant Par HF Omni-Angle (for 20 and 17 meters).  They 
all work quite well for their intended use but require some effort to 
erect.


I have been reading about the Alexloop Walkham for at least the last two 
years.  It would present some distinct advantages to me and the reviews 
seem to be overwhelmingly positive.


My concern is that while I have a KX2 for my home station, I only take 
my LNR five band Mountain Topper out on my portable jaunts.  On a 9 volt 
transistor battery, I get a bit over 1 watt; on 12 volts I get 2.5 
watts.


My specific interest is in finding out as much as I can about how this 
small Alexloop performs at such low power levels since its efficiency is 
reported to be about 7% on 40 meters, rising to about 25% on 20 meters.


An email to Alex has gone unanswered for the last two days.


Thanks and 73 from Stan WB2LQF 



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