[TowerTalk] Comparing K9AY Loop and KB7GF Shared Apex Loop Array?

[john at kk9a.com]

In Aruba, I had a K6SE(sk)pennant 6' from my TX vertical and I found it to
be a useful antenna. It is a good 160m RX antenna. I had played with a
K9AY loop however went with the pennant because it was not ground
dependant. The K9AY loop does have the direction switching advantage.
Unfortunately with a small lot and a lot of local noise, there is only so
much you can do.

GL,
John KK9A aka P40A

To:	 Tower Talk Mailing List <towertalk at contesting.com>
Subject:	 [TowerTalk] Comparing K9AY Loop and KB7GF Shared Apex Loop Array?
From:	 Eric Rosenberg <ericrosenberg.dc at gmail.com>
Date:	 Sun, 11 Aug 2013 14:24:16 -0400

I'm in need of a decent 160 receive antenna that can fit in my 144 ft
(N-S) x 44 ft (E-W) noisy urban lot. I'm surrounded by (old) power lines
and near a high power AMer (WFED, formerly WTOP) at 1500 kHz. The 160 and
80m inverted L's and 40m half-square run N-S from the back of the lot to
the front.

I've played with EWE's and Pennants, both of which are rather mediocre.
Generally speaking, the Inv-L's have been better, albeit noisier, receive
antennas.

I've looked at K9AYs and now the KB7GF array, which seem to be quite
similar. I'd like to think I can fit either in my backyard, but if I do,
they will be very close to the TX antennas... *maybe* 20 feet from the
verticals, and certainly underneath all the wires. Is one substantially
better than the other?

A major criteria is that the horizontal sections (wires) have to be 10
feet above the ground... I don't want to behead anyone walking in the
backyard!

Is this all a pipe dream?

Sagely advice is appreciated.

73,
Eric W3DQ
Washington, DC