[Lowfer] Antennas (WAS: Lowfer WH2XXP to NE IL)

[Zack Widup]

I'd like to know what you folks are using for antennas and preamps to
receive the signals in the watering hole and other frequencies. I have been
having an awful time with antennas for that frequency range. I have a 5
foot square loop with 20 turns of wire tapped at 3, 5, 10 and 15 turns in
the back yard. It has failed miserably. Mostly what I get is noise. I have
a feeling that the noise is coming from a DSL line that passes almost
overhead. I have tried several preamps, including the K0LR and LZ1AQ
preamps. None of those seem to make a difference. I have tried receiving
with a TS-850SAT and  FunCube dongle, which both cover LF.

I just built a smaller antenna this weekend, a one turn loop one meter in
diameter, with the LZ1AQ preamp. This preamp was designed for that
particular size of antenna. I put it in the front yard, far away from any
wires. It performs remarkably well, much better than the loop in the back
yard. But I still don't detect any signals in the watering hole.

I also have an AMRAD e-probe antenna that I've been wanting to put up. But
I need to borrow an extension ladder to get to rooftop level on my house
and also need to borrow transportation to move the ladder (a Saturn Ion is
not going to work).  :-)  I'm probably only going to be able to get it up
about 15 feet.

But what are others using?

73, Zack W9SZ

On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 7:38 AM Garry <k3siw at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> No luck monitoring 181.82 kHz over night so switched to the watering
> hole before local sunrise. Using QRSS60 saw only the merest traces from
> TAG but WH2XXP was in there a bit so changed to QRSS30 and caught a full
> call sign (with some imagination) just before local sunrise at 1242Z.
> Not bad for a 2342 km path.
>
> 73, Garry, K3SIW, EN52ta, Elgin, IL
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