[Lowfer] Makeshift lowfer receiving antenna

[Zack Widup]

Hi Garry,

Interesting. How high up do you have the e-probe? How is it mounted? On pvc
pipe?

I could probably put one on the roof on a piece of pvc pipe.

73, Zack W9SZ

On Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 7:19 AM, Garry Hess <k3siw at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Interesting discussion of the PA0RDT e-probe antenna.
>
> I built one to provide an alternative to my single-turn shielded loop.
> Both are indeed quite simple to construct. The e-probe has the advantage
> in size (it's tiny) but the loop has the advantage in mounting (ground
> level is fine; the e-probe should be well above everything metallic for
> best results). My 10' loop outperforms my e-probe for lowfer and NDB
> reception but the e-probe is better at VLF. The 60-Hz harmonic spurs are
> less obtrusive and the Navy transmitters in the 20-40 kHz range come
> through nicely. I also use the e-probe for 60 and 160 meter WSPR since I
> have no other antenna that tunes those bands. It's good enough to copy 5
> W European stations on the former.
>
> I powered it down and disconnected the feedline from my shack equipment
> over summer and had no EMP-induced failures of the FET (a J310), despite
> using a full-sized CB whip for the probe.
>
> The Chicago area has two big-time AM stations spaced at 60 kHz (WGN 720
> and WBBM 780) so I see some racket around WWVB, but that doesn't prevent
> reception. I generally use an AM BDCST band-elimination filter to
> minimize the impact of AM broadcast intermodulation products.
>
> 73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
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