[TenTec] Value of RX Only Antennas

[Kim Elmore]

I have a K9AY loops system that I bought form Array Solutions. It's 
rather pricey, but for me it was a choice between time and money. I had 
the money, but not the time. I think it cost me between $450 and $500 
but came with everything: mast, wire, control head, preamp -- the works. 
It's well made.

Unfortunately, there's no free lunch: the K9AY loop system is much 
better than my shunt-fed tower on 160 or F12 Sigma 80 OCF 80 m vertical 
dipole and I've truly pulled stuff out using it that I couldn't 
otherwise hear. That said, from everything I've read, it's no Beverage. 
It's utility comes from four significant nulls in cardioid patterns, 
with the nulls oriented N, S, E and W. With these I can decrease QRN 
from distant areas with thunderstorms, which sometimes helps and QRM 
from non-DX directions. It fits easily into a city lot (not really a 
concern for me as I'm in 10 ac) as much as there was no good way to get 
lines out to a Beverage array. I had a way to get lines out to the K9AY 
loops and so that's what I chose.

Kim N5OP


On 9/22/2013 2:32 PM, Rick W wrote:
> You can also buy a K9AY kit that includes 2 PC boards, preamp and all parts for the boards.  You need to add the boxes, connectors, cable and switches.  Of course the loops need to be constructed as well.  I live on a residential lot and the loops have a small footprint.
>
>       http://www.farcircuits.net/preamp2.htm
>
> It's $48 plus shipping.  I installed mine about a year ago.  Granted it's not a 4-square and the preamp is not top of the line BUT it works quite well with my Orion and has improved my DXCC totals on 80. Don't forget to add front end protection (like the Array Solutions AS-RXFEP).
>
> 73,
> Rick
> VE7TK
>
> Website: http://www.ve7tk.com
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