Hi Pete,
I built one several years back and my results were much like you describe.
I have tried several different RX antennas and for some reason on this lot none
have heard significantly better than my Inverted L.
All have been separated from the L by 250’.
I’ve also had the Array Solutions SAL-30 and a couple BOG installations to no
avail. Currently have a DX Engineering loop @ 30’ and it’s a marginal
improvement at times.
No longer have the L up as I’m testing a half sloper for 160, 80 and 40/30.
Not sure what I’m missing because these things work for other folks.
My noise level here is fairly low..S1-2 on 160 at night but I have little luck
hearing Europe.
I’ve used the Hi-Z 4 element at our club station during 160 contests and it
works great! Night and day difference between RX antenna and listening on TX
antenna. Can’t hear a thing on TX antenna but the world opens up when using the
RX antenna.
Can’t duplicate that at home. Have no room for the HI-Z at home either.
I’m on a 150’ x 450’ lot with a 60’ tower.
Hope you find the magic fix.
Cecil
K5DL
Sent from my iPad
> On Jan 2, 2022, at 9:29 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR <pete.n4zr@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I recently installed a K9AY loop (with the Array Solutions controller), and
> have a couple of questions. Installation is pretty standard, with a
> fiberglass pole at the center, ground rod at its base, and on the ground
> radials under each direction of the loop.
>
> The antenna is directional, as demonstrated by tuning in broadcast stations
> at the high end of the AM band and separating stations on the same frequency
> so that I can hear one or the other. Atmospheric noise is 1-2 S units more
> on my inverted L than on the K9AY antenna, but signal strengths of stations
> in the favored direction of the loop seem about the same or a bit lower than
> the inverted L. The Termination adjustment is working, to judge by the
> switching transients, but seems to make little or no difference.
>
> How do these results compare with others' experience? I didn't expect a
> "magic bullet", but the K9AY loop seems a little bit underwhelming.
>
> --
> 73, Pete N4ZR
> Check out the new Reverse Beacon Network
> web server at<http://beta.reversebeacon.net>.
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