Magnetic loops for HF pedestrian mobile - Part 2

More testing of magnetic loops for HF pedestrian mobile.

Part 1 looked at two loops. The first was too heavy while the second was only a makeshift construction. Part 2 shows the refined second version. It can be pulled apart for easy carriage and covers most HF bands (40, 20, 17, 15, 12 & 10 metres).

Construction uses cheap 9.5mm dowling and garden irrigation joiners. Two 5-50pF beehive trimmers bring the antenna to resonance. A switch selects between the one for 40 metres (with 100pF in parallel) and the one for the higher bands.

In this video I visit a local pier to test the antenna on 40 and 10 metres.

For plans of a similar loop that provided ideas for this one, visit G4FON's website at www dot g4fon dot net Note though that G4FON's loop is bigger than this one so won't cover 10 or 15 metres but will perform better than this one on the other HF bands.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• amateur
• ham
• radio
• QRP
• FT-817
• magnetic
• loop
• antenna
• portable
• pedestrian
• mobile

[Giovanniram22]

Hi.

I want to built a loop antenna but my until now myeffords are without good results.

Is there a site with STEP by STEP instructions for building a small wideband loop?

I know that Internet is full of plans but especially for this one without great knowledge cannot see from all these sites what is indeed functional and what is not.

I allready said that I have made a couple of experiments without results so I search for something allready proven from others.

I have MVT-7100 scanner.

[vk3ye]

@Giovanniram22 The problem with step by step instructions is that it presupposes uniform parts available everywhere. And every builder has different budgets, requirements and junk boxes. So the solution is to read lots, keep building (trial and error) and eventually you'll have something that works OK. Magnetic loops are so elegantly simple (1 variable capacitor and 1 or 2 loops) that it takes less time to build one (especially if just for receiving) than for anyone to write about it.

[gordslater]

yeah 3:06 - classic :)

[yogi540]

Hahahah @ 3:06 " You must be freezing your tits off" - thanks for your videos, always enjoy them, very informative.

[G0IFI]

Hey peter,

Your videos are interesting and informative. I love the part where the guy says you must be freezing yer um, things off!

I've been using a magnetic loop about the same size as yours, made from heliax, in the shack window after a recent house move and it works well 40-10m on psk and cw modes with the good old 817, getting across the atlantic on a daily basis. A magnetic loop is a very good choice for portable work or restricted qths and gives fantastic s/n on receive.

73 de Perry

[xe1ici]

very antenna

[Giovanniram22]

It seems simple but after using a capacitor from an old portable radio without good results I bought a dE 31 MS loop antenna. I will see the benefits from this type of antenna and if I see considerable results maybe I will retry on my own.

Thank you for the reply.

The only thing I will like to know is if you have experience with these type of loop antennas ( Kestrel De 31 ms) . Do you think that a scratch built project can improve considerably the receiving from the above antenna?

[MEverett98]

Very nice Peter. On one of your videos, would you go over the two trimmer caps that you are using a your blue loop box?

[goathiker]

Interesting antenna Peter and nice video showing how it goes together and works!!

73, Peanut & Rooster (wGOAT)

[scottjacko87]

Very nice Peter! You seem to pull in huge signals but id say that's due to the sea water :)