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Alexloop

Riverman

Sr. Member
Nov 12, 2013
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Hello, everyone. After 61 years I've decided to enter the fascinating world of amateur radio and will be getting my Technician ticket next month and my General shortly thereafter.

For the past several months I have been studying the hobby and decided my interest lies with QRP communications. I know my DX contacts will be far and few between but also how rewarding they will be when they come. I am looking at purchasing an Alexloop magnetic loop antenna for the following reasons:

1. Ease of setup
2. Portablility
3. Multibands
4. Great reviews on eHam.net

I will be using it with a Yaesu 817ND.

I know I could homebrew a magnetic loop and save a lot of money but prefer to purchase a ready-made model.

I welcome any thoughts on the Alexloop and appreciate the help.

Thanks!
 
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Great antenna for its size surprisingly efficient and it has it's place. But think about it, It's still a compromise ant .A 1/4 wave or a 1/2 wave dipole will simply outperform it handsdown .
How are you going to use it?
If you plan on bushwalking for example it's perfect.I spoke to a guy in Victoria Australia on 6 meters. He lives near the ocean and likes to go for walks on the beach. he has a lot of fun with his 817 and mag loop but he also raises a 10 meter pier pole with a 27'wire. fed with a 9 to1 un un balun and a qrp ant tuner when stationary . http://www.vk3ye.com/ check out his site lots of options for qrp operations.
Camping fishing etc were you can erect an antenna( over a tree branch or raise a telescopic pole) There are better choices.
The mag loop is also very narrow bandwidth and moving even 100kc will require re tuning
 
Thanks, VK.
I believe I've looked at darn near everything.

Am severely limited by HOA and a small backyard. From what I've read, a G5RV Jr. and other multiband wire antennas are disappointing at low heights (my mast is 15') and aluminum gutters prevent me from constructing a Delta loop around the eaves.

In addition to numerous metal vents, my AC/Heating unit is located in my small attic and will wreak havoc with any antenna situated there.

I plan to set up on my patio when the weather is nice and the Alexloop is much more appealing to me than a Buddipole or Buddistick for ease of use. Also, some have luck using the Alexloop indoors near a window.
 
Well the loop will get you on air for sure.
My self ,if I was in your situation ,I would purchase a telescopic fishing pole . You can get them up to 32 ' long and they collapse to 3' long,
Mount it to the balcony handrail and raise it when required. Takes about 30 seconds to erect,very portable and light enough to mount almost anywhere. Iv'e even put one out a hotel window ( at night) and made a few contacts.
Iv'e built half waves, 5/8 wave verticals ,dipoles inverted v quad loops and even 2 el beams on these poles.
Any no of ant designs you could use I like this for multiband use .. http://www.earchi.org/92011endfedfiles/Endfed6_40.pdf
 
Thanks. I have thought about an end fed. My wife and neighbors are gonna frown on anything taller than my 15' mast though. :(
 
Spent the past hour giving the Alexloop a final look. In addition to the youtube videos and the reviews at eHam.net, there are a lot of hams singing its praises on their blogs. Think I'll give one a chance.

Will let everyone know how it goes. I'll check its ears for a while since I won't be able to transmit till I get licensed. Will definitely report back at that point.

Thanks!
 
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Have a look at the Chameleon M-LOOP : http://chameleonantenna.com/PORTABLE ANTENNA/CHA M-LOOP/Chameleon M-LOOP.html

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They're in pre order. I sent them an email and they've about 1.5 month of backorders. I should receive mine in few weeks hopefully!
 
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Captain!
I looked at those a week or so ago but they are a little out of my price range. In reading about them, it appears they have addressed the shortcomings found in a lot of magnetic loops plus they cover from 6-80 meters and have a built-in RF choke. I think you'll be in 7th heaven when you get yours.

I also looked at the Alpha Loop. I love the micro-tune feature but the biggest drawback for me is having to set it up differently for 10-12 meters and 15-40 meters.

For that reason I am still leaning toward the Alexloop. I just haven't pulled the trigger yet because the Chameleon keeps rearing its ugly head. (Or I should say, beautiful head!)

Be sure and report back soon as you get yours!
 
50' x 40'. A couple of trees about 25' tall.

I'm pretty new to this myself, but would it be possible to use the two trees combined with your 15' pole to make a delta loop? I have roughly 90 feet of wire in a delta loop configuration that is working really well on 40-10 meters with a tuner. I know it's not "correct", but it's getting me plenty of contacts.

Also, you could do an end fed antenna with the length of your yard, hanging a few feet off of the end (53').

I know the magnetic loops work, but I'm looking for an inexpensive solution for you that will let you use 100 watts.

73,
Brett
 
Thanks for the suggestions, Brett!
My trees are near the house not leaving much room to run wire. Also, I've worked hard to have a pretty backyard and the wife doesn't really want wire strung across it. Actually, neither do I. (Guess I'm not a true ham at heart.)

That said, I have given thought to running an End Fed sloping from my mast to our fence. That would put it 15' on one end and 6' on the other. Would mostly be interested in a 10/20/40 and can't see it doing very well at that height. And I'm afraid of TVI running power at that low height.

I am quickly discovering that "If it ain't one thing, it's another" is the ham operator's slogan.

I just think a small loop and qrp rig will fill my HF needs and keep me busy. Plus, with the Yaesu 817, I can homebrew a 2 meter ground plane or J-pole, stick it on my mast, and keep in touch with the locals. That's the plan anyway.
 
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For the past several months I have been studying the hobby and decided my interest lies with QRP communications. I know my DX contacts will be far and few between but also how rewarding they will be when they come.

If your talking Qrp CW...the DX is there all the time...Qrp SSB...not so much depends on Location and antenna...
I think you might be better suited for a good set-up Vertical "Flagpole" and running your radials in Winter time and let your fresh "Greenery" hide it when next spring comes along...
Just my 2 cents...been down the qrp road, even built my own 15 and 20m VFO controlled transceivers....
it's fun, but can also be frustrating as hell with a poor antenna set-up...(Hear everything-work nothing)...
I still own a FT-817...but now have 3 amplifiers and building a forth....

LIFE IS TO SHORT FOR QRP :LOL::D:cool:
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
 
Doggonnit, BJ. All those you tube videos make it appear with 5 watts and a magnetic loop one can make DX SSB contacts at will. I know that's not the case.

Thanks.
 
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