Topband: K9AY loop and preamp?

[Peter Dougherty]

Hi all,

I'm intending to put up a K9AY loop from Array Solutions once they 
start shipping, but I have a couple of questions:

1) The control box contains a preamp; just wondering if I should 
ignore the internal one and get a high-end model, maybe something 
like an RPA-1 from DX Engineering?

2) This is going on a typical suburban 1/3 acre lot. It will be about 
30-40' from my 70' crank-up tower/C31XR/80m Inverted Vee and about 
50-60' from the inverted-L which will be my 160 transmit antenna. 
Obviously there will be some interaction, but judging by these 
distances, do you think I may be wasting my money with the whole K9AY 
solution to begin with?

I'm not anything close to an engineer or antenna guru and quite new 
to 160 (this is my 2nd season). My primary interest is DXing, and a 
little bit of contesting for fun. I have no interest in working 
domestic stations outside of contests. No room for a beverage, unfortunately.

Thanks in advance! I also have a couple of questions on inverted Ls 
that I will post separately.



73,

Peter,
W2IRT