...(we probably all know) elongated loops are not really loops in function. They are really phased verticals, and the horizontal part or component of the conductors is simply a phasing line. K9AY's,
All of my bare wire Beverages experience rain or snow static. Those with insulated wire -- whether BoG or above ground -- do not. Snowflakes and raindrops take on a charge in the clouds and discharge
Jim, Yes, you can run parallel verticals for 160 and 80 -- I do it now, and have also had double inverted-Ls with the top wires going in opposite directions. In my experience, the key to making it wo
Tim, I have experimented (successfully) with two sets of loops spaced 1/4-wave. They were wired to be in phase when broadside, and 180 deg. (phase reversed) when in endfire mode. Endfire could be imp
In the Pre-Stew, I did not have the regular RX antennas installed (neither K9AY nor Beverages); only used a couple 200 foot unterminated wires quickly deployed at 2 ft. height. Quiet band was very he
Russ, First, the radials won't noticeably improve performance if you are already getting a deep null. They will help with a poor ground, and they will assure that variations due to changing soil mois
I recently delivered several RAS-8x2 Receive Antenna Switch units to customers and made some extras -- I have three units boxed and ready to ship. Two with UHF connectors, the other with F connectors
OK, you caught up on your sleep and re-lived the contest a few times in your head! Before you move on to the 10 Meter contest, tell me if you did something special or interesting on 160 last weekend!
Here are a few key point related to the NCJ article: 1. The article is mainly about a practical and reliable way to model the K9AY Loop. 2. The reasons for making such an effort included trusting the
Mike and all, Yes, over time I gained a better understanding about grounding the K9AY Loop. My own installations have worked well with only a ground rod, including Georgia red clay over granite bedr
Since my RAS-8x2 has been mentioned prominently in this thread, I'll give everyone an update... Yes, I still make them! I don't keep any in stock, but usually have some preassembled boards and other
Damien, The height of the horizontal bottom wires is not important. The antenna will work with any height from nearly on-ground to 10 feet or more. With an elevated loop, be sure that the ground wire
Once again, I will be doing the QST & ARRL Web writeup for the just-finished ARRL 160M Contest. If any of you Top Band denizens have a story to tell about the 'test, please send them to me (k9ay@k9ay
Pete & all: In short, what W8JI says is true -- larger conductors increase the signal level, and parallel multiple loops do the same. The mechanism is more complicated than simply reducing losses, in
I have two RAS-8x2 RX antenna switch units available for immediate shipment (75 ohm, F connectors). I made a couple extras while putting together some custom systems. E-mail me or check the website -
The two RAS-8x2 units have been claimed. I'll post a note if anything changes. 73, Gary K9AY _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Rick, I used to work on AM broadcast systems -- used both Stay Brite 3% with a propane torch, and 15% silver-bearing brazing rod with a small welding torch. As far as I could tell, both worked well e
The full results of the Dec 2017 ARRL 160 Meter Contest are now available online at arrl.org -- congrats to the winners, and everyone who had fun in the contest! This is my last writeup. For more tha
Here is a link to an appropriate transformer design: http://www.aytechnologies.com/TechData/9-to-1_XFMR.htm This design will work well at 630m. It's a lot like the binocular core design with 73 mater
Pete and all: A couple years after the original article, I began recommending adding 4 or 8 radials if the ground rod alone did not provide a good pattern. The radials need to extend a bit beyond the