The Wellgood active RX loop

As you can see, I have used this quite a bit in the last week. It was designed by George Smart M1GEO after he accidentally cooked his Wellbrook active loop! 

Overall, it works very well, but I wonder if it is less good with weak signals on the higher HF bands. Mostly, EU stations are copied, but where the RX noise figure dominates, maybe it is less effective?

See https://www.george-smart.co.uk/projects/wellgood_loop/ .

472kHz WSPR RX with the Wellgood active loop

My Wellgood loop is tiny and no attempt has yet been made to optimise the size, position or orientation of the loop, which is just attached to the shack window with Blutak. 

Last night, 4 unique stations were spotted on 472kHz WSPR RX.  My impression is this is a few dBs down on the coax to my big wheel. Now, this could be activity, conditions, orientation, local noise, position etc. .

On 1840kHz (160m) FT8 it works well and is every bit as good.

30m FT8 RX with the Wellgood active loop

For a change, I am on 30m FT8 RX using the Wellgood active loop antenna stuck to the shack window. So far, 13 Europeans spotted. I think this is probably the highest frequency at which I can use the loop to any advantage. It probably still works, but external noise probably ceases to dominate.

UPDATE 1026z: 21 stations spotted.

UPDATE 1919z:  227 stations spotted on 30m FT8 RX.

UPDATE 2222z:  245 stations spotted on 30m FT8 RX today.

160m FT8 RX with the active Wellgood loop

This evening and overnight I am monitoring 160m FT8 RX using the Wellgood loop. It was turned on at about 1930z. Early indications suggest it is every bit as good as the coax up to my 2m big-wheel, possibly better. I wonder if it will copy stateside stations later?

The Wellgood loop was a swap for my X80 antenna, that I had not used for many years and was lingering in the garage. I think we both got a good deal. Jason is pleased with the X80 and I am pleased with the Wellgood loop.

After about 25 minutes I have spotted 35 stations with the furthermost RW4PU (3416km).

My loop is just attached to the shack window with Blutak.

30m FT8 RX with the indoor active loop

I am trying FT8 on 30m with the Wellgood active loop. I think there is an internet connectivity issue as I am getting local spots, but these are not appearing on PSKreporter. I tried a reboot without success.

UPDATE 1023z:  Working now. 10 EU stations spotted so far.

UPDATE 1206z: 17 stations spotted with the furthermost UA3DPM (2893km).

UPDATE 1233z: 35 stations spotted on RX with the furthermost being JW4PUA (2952km).  Soon be time to QSY, but unsure where to!