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Five really compromised portable magnetic loops

These are some really compromised magnetic loop antennas. They don't use the ideal low loss materials for them or they may be far smaller than is efficient for their design frequency. Still they may still be useful for receiving and certain applications where top efficiency takes second place to size or easy construction.

 

Laptop bag magnetic loop for HF WSPR

This is my smallest magnetic loop. It's made from aluminium strip. This is bent to form a rectangle that
fits perfectly inside a laptop computer case. In conjunction with this and an HF transceiver you can send and receive
WSPR signals over hundreds of kilometres. Videos describe loop and demonstrate its usage even when from inside a bus.

 

Bicycle wheel magnetic loop

Copper is the best material for magnetic loops. Closely followed by aluminium. A bicycle wheel is neither.
But I tried it anyway as I had one on hand. Video below describes my results when transmitting on WSPR.

 

Figure-8 two bands at once magnetic loop

Normally a magnetic loop is resonant on one frequency at once. This one works on two frequencies, in different bands, at once.
While not efficient on transmit this may have certain applications like digital modes receiving of signals on two bands.

 

Speaker wire magnetic loop for 15 to 10 metres

This is not not efficient. It's fine for WSPR transmitting but I'd imagine that you'd have a hard time making contacts on
SSB with it. Still it's a fun experiment. Video describes the loop and includes demonstrations from home and a local beach.

 

Kitchen foil magnetic loop for 15 to 10 metres

This is another loop I built just because I had the materials available. In this case kitchen foil and a kids hula hoop.
It works OK but be aware that the foil is thin and might not stand the high voltages encountered on loops. So use this
design only for receiving or very low power transmitting.

 

Disclosure: I receive a small commission from items purchased through links on this site.
Items were chosen for likely usefulness and a satisfaction rating of 4/5 or better.

 

Books by VK3YE

Ham Radio Get Started (USA)

Australian Ham Radio Handbook (Aust)

Hand-carried QRP Antennas

More Hand-carried QRP Antennas

99 things you can do with Amateur Radio

Getting back into Amateur Radio

Minimum QRP

Illustrated International Ham Radio Dictionary

Make your Passion Pay (ebook writing)

 

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