[Antennas] Skyloop or Vertical loop ?

Thu, 5 Sep 2002 16:30:10 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Demetre Koumanakos" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 14:21
Subject: [Antennas] Skyloop or Vertical loop ?
> Hi all,
>> For sometime now I've been "designing" a loop in order to replace
> a 40m vertical. Both with the existing vertical as well as with the
> loop I'll be using an Icom AH-4 auto tuner for the bands not directly
> tuned by the antenna.
> I've worked out the loop specifics (created a small program to
> calculate both loop dimensions as well as support dimensions) and now
> it's decision time on the polarity of the Loop.
> Should it be installed vertically were it's easier to support both
> the
> antenna and the tuner but there is a definite directivity ? (rotating
> is not an option due to space restrictions) or should it be mounted
> as a sky loop where antenna and tuner support will be difficult but
> the antenna would be omnidirectional ?
> The main need is for DX and long distance communications...
> Any suggestions are welcome.
>> 73
> Demetre - SV1ENS

Hi Demetre,
It all depends on how big you plan to make the loop If you can make it at
least 80m around then the horizontal (Skyloop) works very well as an all
band antenna. take off angle become lower as you move up in Frequency. I
have a 160M loop up at about 11 Meters which works really well on 30m and
above for dx and reasonably well on 80 & 40M.
It if is going to be for 40 meters only then the vertical orientation would
be better..
Remember though that a vertical loop works just the opposite of a Horizontal
loop on high frequencies.. a Vertical loop operated above it's design
frequency. Will exhibit high angle radiation as you move up in frequency.
In other words.. a 80m Horizontal loop will exhibit lower angle take off and
some gain on 20m Where as a 80m vertical loop would provide high angle
radiation on 20 M (not good for DX). you may want to check out the
following web sight that has alot of info on Horizontal loops . Good Luck
http://www.cebik.com/atl1.html
73 Dave Kc1di // always qrp.
P.S. workd qrp dxcc with the 160m Horizontal loop here.
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.385 / Virus Database: 217 - Release Date: 9/4/02