Topband: K9AY Loop Questions

[Cecil acuff]

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 at 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
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