[Lowfer] Summer antenna project underway (a long ramble).

[Steve McDonald]

Phil - I used a modified Radio West ferrite loop with great success from
here before I put up the present 10' air core loop and 450' mini-beverage.
You may find some info on it on the web still. I do have the circuit diagram
which I can send you if you would like. I believe it came originally with 5
long bars (~ 7.5 inches if I recall ). They were overlapped and glued with
CA along the sides as well as at the butt ends. The coils (3 for different
ranges) were wound on plastic formers that were slipped along the bars until
centered. I have since read that this is better than trying to cover the bar
with your winding. I was able to get another half-dozen bars at a swap meet
and extended the bar to 22" overall as well as increasing its diameter. The
whole assembly sits in a table-top az/el mount so the nulling capability of
this thing is truly amazing. I live about 1/2 mile from AP-378 (I can see
the antenna from my place) yet with this loop I am able to null it enough to
hear several other 378 'ers underneath. I don't imagine it would work very
well inside the trailer but if you could find a way to remote turn and tilt
it as well as peak the preamp I think it would be hard to beat. Signals on
the 22" ferrite give my 10' air core a run for its money and with the az/el
feature I am actually able to hear more stuff in a busy cluster with the
ferrite.
I have seen suitable ferrite bars (big) on e-Bay from time-to-time. I
believe they were sourced in Europe and the price was very attractive.

Steve / VE7SL

Web: "THE VE7SL RADIO NOTEBOOK" at   http://www.imagenisp.ca/jsm
[L.F. Loops] [Tuna Tin DX] [H.F. Maritime DX] [Crystal Radio DXing]
[2200m Band] * NEW [CQ Crossband - 2200m To HF] [NDB DX] [Boatanchors]