Topband: K9AY Loop Questions

[Cecil acuff]

It is a different animal than the AY. I think it’s a good antenna but I have something unique at my QTH that seems to render RX antennas performance compromised. 

I’m moving to the country in a couple years on 30 or so acres and will be able to better optimize my station antennas.

Cecil
K5DL

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 6, 2022, at 6:19 PM, Don Kirk <wd8dsb at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Mike and gang,
> 
> It has been a long time since I looked at the SAL in which I modeled it
> with the help of the designer of the SAL (KB7GF).  The SAL is actually
> different than the K9AY and other EWE types of RX antennas which have a
> typical RDF value of around 7.8 because the SAL (Shared Apex Loop) antenna
> actively uses two of its loops which are "in line" with each other for what
> you might call the primary direction (direction in line with the loops),
> and these two phased loops can provide an RDF value of around 9.2 depending
> on the coupler locations.  For the off axis directions (45 degrees to the
> loops) I believe all 4 loops of the SAL are active (phased together) and
> they provide a pattern more like what you would expect from the K9AY or
> other EWEs with an RDF of approximately 7.8.  Therefore in the 4 primary
> directions of the SAL the SAL definitely has a better RDF than the K9AY or
> other types of EWE receiving antennas.
> 
> When used "in line" the RDF of the SAL is around 9.2 as mentioned above
> which is similar to what you would obtain using two phased verticals with
> 1/8 wavelength spacing.
> 
> Just FYI,
> Don (wd8dsb)
> 
>> On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 9:43 PM W0MU Mike Fatchett <w0mu at w0mu.com> wrote:
>> 
>> The SAL is pretty much just an AY loop with a more functional
>> controller?  I have had moderate success with a pennant at V31 as well.
>> 
>> W0MU
>> 
>>> On 1/5/2022 7:23 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
>>> I tried an AY loop decades ago, without the Array Solutions adjustable
>>> termination controller, and I do not remember it being that useful for
>> RX.
>>> The antenna is ground dependant so perhaps it works better for some than
>>> others. Even a short Beverage may be a better choice. From my P40A
>> station I
>>> used a Pennant with decent results. It was inexpensive to build and not
>>> ground dependant however it only covered one direction. The Array
>> Solutions
>>> Shared Apex Loop Array has great reviews and may be worth considering,
>> Pete.
>>> 
>>> John KK9A
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Pete Smith N4ZR 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.
>>> 
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