[Antennaware] 80M loop close to ground

[Guy Olinger, K2AV]

A low horizontal loop is almost entirely a high angle radiator.  At the 
heights you are talking about, miscellaneous ground factors can make it lossy 
and a poor performer.  Speaking anecdotally, a ham friend who had that antenna 
did very poorly with it over sandy porous soil compared to his prior residence 
over more "normal dirt".   But then again I can't think of an antenna on 80m 
harder to make efficient than a short vertical radiator.

You may wish to consider end-feeding a bent 80m 1/2 wave against a very 
minimal ground system.  If you are interested I can provide more information.

73, Guy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Smith" <Gary at doctorgary.net>
To: <Antennaware at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 23, 2007 1:22 AM
Subject: [Antennaware] 80M loop close to ground


Greetings,

I have an elevated butternut HF9V and it's fine for a very, very
small portion of the 80 M band. I'd like to work some DX on 80 and my
transmatch does not like adjusting wide variations from 1:1 I need a
decent DX antenna for 80, can't install a ground mounted vert because
of the high density of scrub/briars around the house.

I used to use a shortened loop antenna with a variable cap at the
feedpoint/gamma match and remember how well it worked indoors. Don't
have the parts for adjustment for a shortened 80 loop anymore but am
thinking of making a full sized horizontal loop which would range
between 30' to 10' off the ground depending where I can anchor it in
all the trees.

It would be awful close to the ground and I keep thinking of high
horizontal polarization but if loops radiate in the plane of the
loop, would a horizontal one at these low levels be any good for DX?
It'd certainly be quieter than the vertical.

Thanks,

Gary
KA1J
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