Build an HF Loop antenna for camping

Build an HF Loop antenna for camping | K7SW ham radio

Рет қаралды 20,086

Жыл бұрын

On this camping trip, I take the parts required to setup and test this 80 meter full wave loop antenna.
Starting out with 288 feet, I trim this antenna to 280 for my location.
The tree supports were a max of 25 feet at this test location for POTA K-4397
I take some measurements and get to use this antenna to see if it can be of use to me camping or for use as another antenna at home.
This antenna could work as a permanent setup or on a field day station setup.
Thanks for watching 73
🔹4:1 Current Balun geni.us/2sC9o
🔹2" Flag pole buddy mount geni.us/AeWuRA
🔹1.5" Flag pole buddy mount geni.us/eksAdn6
🔹Paracord 100' sections geni.us/FdU4P0f
🔹Trigger snap 1" swivel geni.us/fz24
🔹18 gauge wire ( 500 Feet) geni.us/vILzp
🔹21 foot gopher pole geni.us/9Xv3qn2
🔹LEFS 8010 End fed antenna geni.us/LEFS8010
🔹RG8X coax - 50 foot cable with connectors geni.us/ltxfp
🔹Max Gain push up masts geni.us/qnAHswU
🔹insulators for putting the wire antenna through geni.us/APQbEr

Пікірлер: 74

@backcountryamateurradio Жыл бұрын

Just pure gold! So many tips and pointers. My favorite is the counter-tensioning your RV mounted mast. I’ve thought that this method would be helpful for my home setup. It takes a lot of time to think through these variables. Thanks for this excellent video Kevin. 73

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

I am glad that one of these tips might help you with an antenna project. I appreciate the support and the kind words Eric. 73 Kevin

@mauricewilkes826 Жыл бұрын

Always funny how you Americans (and British) measure antenna length in lots of feet while you use metric meters to describe the wavelength it is intended for.

@TrzCharlie Ай бұрын

Great stuff. Thanks

@12ppoundtest Жыл бұрын

Well done!

@hobbiehobbs Жыл бұрын

Bob is 100 percent solid on product and customer service.

@W8VHS Жыл бұрын

Interesting and enjoyable Video, Thank you Sir. 73

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

You are welcome Vern, thanks for checking out the channel. 73

@VK5FUSE Жыл бұрын

😎👍 good stuff

@k5wxp22 10 ай бұрын

Balun Designs makes awesome stuff. Bob is just north of me, and is very nice. I use one of his baluns on a 40 meter delta loop that is ON my roof. Works unbelievably good with a tuner. Cool project...thanks for sharing! 73, Brett

@fredbissnette3104 4 ай бұрын

I fed mine with ladder line and it works great

@hamradiowithkevin 4 ай бұрын

Good tip!

@Weightlossjourney24 Жыл бұрын

I can confirm a loop works well. I feed my loop with 450 ohm line to 4-1 balun to tuner.

@StuartM0TTQAmateurRadio Жыл бұрын

Great video and thank you for the contact when I was out doing POTA! Conditions were good but that antenna was still adding something extra.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thank you as well Stuart. I was so surprised to get your contact, and man that was fun. I hope to work you again. 73 Kevin

@mikemcdonald5147 Жыл бұрын

2 s units is amazing. thannks for the share. alot of work to setup one of these but looks like its worth it.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

It really is! Thanks Mike 73 and thanks for the support

@w4mps1964 Жыл бұрын

Had an 80M full wave loop for years. Hands down, my favorite wire antenna ever. Quiet, efficient and multiband. You might try feeding with twinlead with the 4:1 balun near the rig. Lighter, less cumbersome. 73, Marc, W4MPS

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thanks Marc, it sounds like a good setup to me. I have been thinking about a loop take take with me on camping trips. This antenna ended up at home and I really enjoy it at home now. Kevin

@bradbuck7891 Жыл бұрын

Great presentation. Didn’t have to speed up, and the “um/uhh” meter didn’t get a single hit

@edurrant Жыл бұрын

FW horizontal loops are great antennas. They are simple, cheap and work extremely well. A very quiet antenna. The only downside is that you need lots of room. Circle is perfect, square almost as good but whatever shape you can get the antenna up in, it will work. I have tried coax and ladder line with different baluns. Best was q-section and coax. I've built these for 80 60 and 40m. 73 Ed.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

I agree, super fun indeed. Will do this one again this summer

@infoaffiliatemagic Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting this great video. I've used a 160M Loop antenna up 80 ft. Had some tall pine trees to work with. With only 100W during contests I was able to cut thru the pile-ups. Love using a Loop antenna.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Yes Jack, I am convinced that it is a great antenna to use! Can not wait for spring to get this portable antenna up in the hills.

@TheSmokinApe Жыл бұрын

Dang, thanks a monster antenna! Nice tip about checking the length 👍

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thanks Ape, i appreciate it, good to see you.

@kennethblackwell1137 Жыл бұрын

Interesting....Good Luck..!!!!!!!!!

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@Yosemite_Sam Жыл бұрын

I have used an 80m loop horizontal for the last 15 years on 80 through 10 metres. Brilliant. Better than my EFHW, G5RV, vertical and half wave dipole. On 80m the feed impedance is 100 ohms but on the other bands it varies considerably. I use a 1:1 current choke from DX engineering and an auto ATU. My yagi takes care of 30m through 10m but sometimes I use the loop with almost similar results. I recommend using insulated multi strand wire and I just run it over branches and foliage in a rectangular format. Square format would be better but I can't manage that. I measured 80m of wire and put the current choke at the feed point with RG214 coax to the ATU. Cheers from OZ VK5LB

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Beautiful setup Dean, thanks for shaping. 73

@randalltom9750 Жыл бұрын

I just bought a throw line… a real one. I’ve used my crude compromised wanna-be throw line for 20 years… oh, how I wish I’d have bought this sooner!

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

I totally agree, next i will be ordering the folding storage box. It has to be better than a bucket😉

@ramonbennett8416 Жыл бұрын

Awesome

@OutdoorsOnTheAir Жыл бұрын

I’d kill for a wide open campsite like that! Great video, thank you for sharing. 73 from VE3TWM.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

How much work would you put into getting an HF antenna up at a camp site ? I have not found that limit yet and i think it drives my wife crazy

@williamnicosia7605 Жыл бұрын

I too can confirm excellent results with my loop antenna also cut for 80 meters. My arrangement is an apex up delta loop with the feed point at a lower corner. I installed an arm on my 70ft tower with a marine grade pulley to hoist the apex. The corner feed has a 4:1 current balun which is fed from the shack by RG-213 coax. I'm also using 17 ga. electric fence wire for the antenna itself. It's very strong, does not kink and has lasted for years. Overall, if you have the room, the loop or delta loop is simple to assemble, lasts for years and gives outstanding results. Bill, W2ZKX

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Bill, I am starting to understand what you mean. I really enjoying this loop at home now. Thanks for sharing. 73

@DK5ONV Жыл бұрын

Sometimes it can take you 1 or more Hours to have your Antenna System up and ready to plug 'n' play. Your Setup looks really nice and I know this is going to wrok out fine. Happy Sunday Evening & 73 de YFUG 💯👍

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Good things come to those who wait . I am glad to see that you do some good portable setups Guenter. 73 Kevin

@stephenshearer5672 Жыл бұрын

YES, a very good HF antenna. I have been using an 80m horizontal loop for a number of years. Mine started as NVIS at 10' it now is 10' to 30' and never was square. It was a triangle now more trapezoid. For me, the feed is 450 ohm ladderline to a 4:1 voltage balun and a 1:1 common mode choke (effectively your 4:1 current balun). I have worked ZL and VK from the east coast USA on digital modes - 80m, last month (july 2022). 73, steve WB3LGC

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Steve, I must say, this is a fun antenna and I can already see how well it works. Other than the amount of space it takes up, I can understand why you have had your antenna up for so long and why you enjoy it. 73 Kevin

@user-zk2yd6xm8s 9 ай бұрын

Resonate at 3.3mhz 280 feet a tad long. 267 would be 3.5 the very boat. Oh as I listened you trimmed 😊

@KB9VBRAntennas Жыл бұрын

That's a lot of wire to put up, but the rewards are amazing. Love the KYD hat

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael 😎

@TheZolon Жыл бұрын

Early 2000s I ran a full wave 180m skyloop like this. I miss that antenna.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

That sounds super fun. 👌

@TheZolon Жыл бұрын

@K7SW ham radio I used thr 12awg green stranded wire from Home Depot and had it in my trees. Rental house in downtown Bellevue WA. S1/2 noise floor and talked to New Zealand with 50w during a lull in sun cycle. I hope to get it up and running here in Oklahoma soon.

@K5YVY Жыл бұрын

Great video, I put up a 80m loop with 266'ish of wire and it has become my primary antenna at home. Would be interesting to use at a park, but I don't think we got any as wide open as that in Mississippi :)

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe, yes it is an interesting antenna for sure. I could see how this would be fun for a field day antenna as well. I may have try this again out camping with larger trees. Just for fun😉

@K5YVY Жыл бұрын

@@hamradiowithkevin you mentioned larger trees, I forgot to say my loop is at 25ft at feed point and about 20ft the rest of the way around. My soil is mostly clay which is why I think it works so well at a relatively low height for the bands.

@davewhite7679 Жыл бұрын

I'm a huge fan of the full wave loop. I have a 160 meter 6-sided loop at my home QTH and your observations are correct. It hears everything!! 😃 I applaud your effort, but for a POTA activation the setup logistics would seem daunting if not impossible. KZ9V

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dave. Sounds like a nice setup You have. Not sure if I would do that setup again unless I had multiple days to use and enjoy it. 73 Kevin

@tomcook5813 Жыл бұрын

I use a fishing pole to cast over trees, then attach paranoid and reel it up over the tree top.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Tom, yes that is a great idea and makes it easy to deploy an antenna. 73

@VK3TWO Жыл бұрын

I use a 160m loop fed with Windows line. I swear by it. Loops always best for lowering noise floor.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

I am starting to see why. 👍

@JayN4GO 5 ай бұрын

I thought I could’ve used bobs 4116 4:1. He says not so. I’m dying to get 80m loop up with no trees in the back yard. Hehe. My 40m delta works very well.

@hamradiowithkevin 5 ай бұрын

Bob will steer you in the right direction. Testing out a loop is pretty fun

@temporarilyoffline Жыл бұрын

That is a slick setup! What park is this?

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

POTA Video from multiple locations at this park should be ready by next weekend. K-4397 is the entity.

@Matt61702 Жыл бұрын

Was the area within the loop clear ground or were there trees? I have been thinking about how to put up a loop at my house and I don’t think I could do it and have the area within the loop clear. Curious to know what the vegetation was like for your experiment.

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

For this setup, the area WAS clear inside the antenna area. Since then, I have put the antenna up at my QTH which is directly over my rook and some parts of the antenna get into the trees one one side. I still hear signals really well and make some good contacts. It is worth giving it a try I think. 73 Kevin

@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee 7 ай бұрын

I would really appreciate being able to see a drawing on a piece of paper of the antenna directions and shape ?? But I understood 90 % of everything. One question I have is what if all you had on hand was a 1:1 balun , would that work well also ? Great video . Hope to hear back from you soon 73 KK4ISW

@hamradiowithkevin 7 ай бұрын

Google an 80 Meter horizontal loop for the dimensions. You will need a 9:1 balun. Check the description for the parts. 73

@Dallas-Rife-UDX-347-Tennessee 7 ай бұрын

@@hamradiowithkevin Awesome .. thanks

@W0JMR Жыл бұрын

Maybe I missed it but did you have a counterpoise or ground attached to the balun?

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

this was one BIG loop, and the ends of the wire connected to the Balun. One on each side.

@dennisdickinson8337 Жыл бұрын

How about open that loop to just the dipole and get three DB extra

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Actually, I have been working on something just like that... Thanks for making the suggestion 👍

@dennisdickinson8337 Жыл бұрын

@@hamradiowithkevin or if you want a real flamethrower a Franklin Mine is cut for 5/8 wave on 75 m six element I'd I'd say almost 20 Db plus it tunes all HF Takes a good bit of real estate 73s Ki6kqj Good on qrz

@Ei2iP Жыл бұрын

Have you tried 2.5:1 balun ?

@hamradiowithkevin Жыл бұрын

Robbie, I have not. I suspect the impedance match would be off because of the good match that i currently have with the 4:1 balun.

@davewhite7679 Жыл бұрын

Most of my 160 meter (and harmonics) loop impedences are measuring between 100 and 150 ohms, so I went with a coax fed 2:1 current balun on my loop antenna. KZ9V