2 Feb 2020

Magnetic loop on windowsill

After the recent experiments with the Rybakov antenna, I am trying the tiny magnetic loop antenna on the windowsill indoors (see photo). Although it matches on all HF bands, I get some RF feedback on some bands.

On 15m RX it seems to do pretty well.

UPDATE 1347z: On 17m FT8 it works (see logbook and map) with 6 stations spotting my 10W to the magnetic loop so far.
17m FT8 TX with 10W to the tiny magnetic loop
UPDATE  1356z: Just after posting the above I get spotted by WN4N (4339 miles) in Florida on 17m FT8!! Not bad with this tiny magnetic loop and 10W. Also spotted by 5T5PA (3791km) in Mauritania, West Africa on 17m FT8.

UPDATE 1420z: 8 stations in 3 continents  spotting my 10W 17m FT8 TX to the tiny indoor magnetic loop antenna so far today. Quite amazing.

UPDATE 1429z: 111 stations spotted so far today on 17 FT8 RX with the tiny indoor magnetic loop antenna.

UPDATE 1452z: A 2-way QSO with AV4VV (3938 miles) in North Carolina with 10W 17m FT8 to the tiny magnetic loop. I am now beginning to believe anything is possible!

UPDATE 1511z: Quite remarkable the stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8 RX with the tiny loop.
Stations spotted so far today on 17m FT8 RX
with the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill
UPDATE 1530z: I am wondering if 17m is fading out now? There would appear to be far fewer stations on 17m FT8 RX now.

UPDATE 1735z:  In all, I was spotted 8 times by USA stations on 17m FT8 with the tiny magnetic loop on the windowsill indoors.
Stations spotting my 10W 17m
FT8 with the magnetic loop today


1 comment:

  1. Amazing! Last year, I ran my Ultimate 3 WSPR TX at 200mW into an 'antenna' consisting of a few turns of wire on an empty CD tub. No earth. I enjoyed similar results. Can't help wondering if my sigs were being re-radiated by the radiator, or somesuch. Must conduct this experiment in the middle of a field, sometime!

    73 - Martin, G4EFE

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