[TenTec] 80m antenna suggestion

[ac5e at comcast.net]

NOOOO, Bob, not quite. A low dipole is essentially an omnidirectional antenna, typically with extremely good efficency. 

A large loop is directional, "beaming" more of its applied energy in two directions at the expense of the other directions. If the loop is horizontal one beam will be straight up, and the other will supposedly be reflected by the ground and add to the first beam. Whether that happens, or even whether it is desirable, is still debatable. 

Back when the years started 194 something or other, I saw some really interesting experiments with low loops over a "perfect ground" consisting of a couple of acres of surplus sheet aluminum bought for pennies a pound from the B29 plant in Kansas. 

Physics being physics, the results were predictable - and while I prefer quads for many things, a low horizontal loop is not on my preferred or desirable list of antennas. 

73  Pete Allen  AC5E
> I would agree.  Just remember, typically a larger antenna will out-perform a
> smaller antenna.  Thus a full wave loop, having more wire in the air, should
> out-perform a 1/2 wave dipole.
> 
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "tongaloa" <tongaloa at alltel.net>
> To: "Alfred Lorona" <w6wqc at dslextreme.com>; <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2004 8:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] 80m antenna suggestion
> 
> 
> > Alfred Lorona wrote:
> >
> > >Why physically complicate an antenna more than need be? Practically every
> > >antenna other than a simple dipole (or inverted V) involves construction
> and
> > >installation problems beyond those required to make and install a dipole.
> > >
> >
> > The full wave vertical plane rectangular loop, 1/8 wave by 3/8 wave
> > sides, requires
> > two additional insulators and two additional support 'strings'. Supports
> > may be closer
> > together as it's only 3/8 as opposed to 1/2 wave long. IMO, it blows
> > away a typical 80m

> > dipole at the same height as the top wire of the loop for DX. It works
> > very well on 40
> > too and as good as a dipole on 60 and 30. Subjective, based on dipoles
> > in the same place
> > the loop occupies now.
> >
> > -bob
> 
> 
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