[Lowfer] Buried loop antennas and other oddities

Fri, 16 Jan 2004 05:33:55 -0600

Tom,

I've not tried anything on VLF, but have experimented a little at higher
frequencies with a buried antenna.

I have one North-South run of cable about 800 feet long buried 2 to 3
feet that I've tested by listening for NDBs.  It worked well, but the
location is not convenient for regular use.  In my case the soil
conductivity is poor.  I expect to test this "antenna" more later.

I thought of using a large horizontal loop for LF receiving and tested
one of about 1100 feet arranged in a roughly square shape during the
winter of 2002-2003.  It was mostly suspended in trees at an average
height of less than 20 feet and the far few hundred feet were on the
surface for the LF tests. .  My reasoning was that the low loop would
provide similar results to one that was buried.  I did not have as much
success with this antenna as I expected on LF, although it did work well
on 160m and HF.  NDB reception was also good.  Had it given better LF
results, I intended to bury a multiple conductor cable for more
permanent use.

I had to take the loop down in September to clear space for construction
of our new house, so I don't feel I exhaustively tested the antenna.  I
didn't, for example, try a series tuned configuration with transformer
coupling to the receiver

I believe those interested in studying Schumann Resonances use multiturn
buried loops that are directly buried, while higher performance (a
relative term?) buried HF antennas often use a plastic pipe to encase
the radiator.

Roger Thompson
AD5T

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Tom Norris
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 12:58 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Lowfer] Buried loop antennas and other oddities

Anyone used them, lowfer band or otherwise? Anyone have
a good source of info on buried VLF antennas?

Anyone?

tom norris
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