[NLRS] 2-meter TVI with a M2 Loop Antenna?

[Carl Estey]

For the past several years my sole horizontal 2-meter antenna has been a M2
loop side mounted at 20' above ground on my 40' Universal tower - and for
all of that time one neighbor about 120' away with a inside "rabbit-ears" TV
antenna has called me frequently complaining that my transmitting is
interfering with his sports events on local TV channels.  The Olympics are
on now and his calls have become a nightly event. 

I have experienced the same problem both with my ancient Kenwood TS-700A and
the new Yaesu FT-897D (both in low power).  I keep telling the neighbor that
the problem can be fixed but there never seems to be a time that is
convenient for him.  His solution is that I never transmit - and frankly, I
want to enjoy 2-meter SSB. I have a ferrite-bead core wound with RG-59 coax
as a common-mode filter ready to try if he ever finds a time that is
convenient.  

In discussion of the TVI problems with Vince K0VZJ, and he provided some
email from Randy K9VHF and the following is from that email:
"Also some antenna's seem worse than others. I have a stacked pair of M2 HO
loops for 2 meters at 70+ feet. At 5 watts, those things throw more TVI than
50 watts thru the 17B2."

Has anyone else experienced TVI problems with the M2 HO loop on 2-meters and
more importantly, has anyone found a fix?

There are still a pair of Cushcraft 17B2 antennas in me rear yard that I
cannot put up due to the proximity of the tower to a large locust tree, but
am hoping to get a single M2 2M12 up when it gets warmer this Spring.  While
I might increase the field radiation off the front of the 2M12 as compared
to the horizontal loop, I hope it will solve the loop TVI.  

There seems to be something funny with the loop because I do interfere with
the Sony clock radio in my bedroom even when it is off.  A common-mode
filter on the AC line and various physical placements of the radio did not
improve the RFI.  A second Sony clock radio in the same room does not have
RFI.  The VSWR on the loop is near-flat! 

Any suggestions?

BTW, the 17B2 pair and the phasing harness/coupler remain available and for
sale - maybe as it gets warmer, someone will get anxious for a really big
2-meter signal!  Give me a call.

73
Carl Estey WA0CQG
wa0cqg at arrl.net
(952) 250-3110 (Cellphone)