[Elecraft] Alpha Antenna/KX3.

[Jim Brown]

On 6/4/2019 11:42 AM, Tox wrote:
> I have had poor luck with search and pounce ssb my alexloop, but that is
> likely due to lack of experience with it and selectivity as much as
> anything.

SSB QRP with a compromise antenna are both negative parts of the 
equation -- SSB is about ten dB behind CW because of noise added by the 
additional bandwidth it requires.

> I understand that it is very narrow bandwidth (high q?), but it occurs to
> me that if they are being used for ssb at all, that there should be enough
> bandwidth to handle current digital modes.
Bandwidth is quite enough for SSB.
> Has anyone tried using a magloop as a gain antenna for ft8?

It's not a "gain" antenna. It's a compromise antenna, with the ability 
to null out a single noise source on receive. FT8 is 6-10 dB better than 
CW with very good operators on both ends, so FT8 is a very good mode for 
QRP and compromise antennas.

> I may take mine
> for a drive with my KX3 to find a hilltop...

That's a great idea -- the hilltop can also be good for 6-10 dB. 6dB is 
4X the power, one S-unit, 10 dB is 10X the power, two S-units.

73, Jim K9YC