Loop antennas may be constructed in many forms including horizontal full wave loops in square, rectangle or triangle (delta) shapes. They can also be in the vertical plane and are most often in the same shapes with the delta being very popular as it has both vertical and horizontal polarization. The impedance at the loop resonant frequency is approximately 100 ohms but will very slightly on harmonics. Loops are “quiet” antennas compared to verticals and dipoles and are omni-directional. The also exhibit gain on harmonic bands. Once you try a loop antenna you will know why they are so popular with old timers but still a secret to newcomers. Shown below are some typical designs:
Full Wave Horizontal Loop Antenna (a.k.a Skyloop)
This antenna is horizontally polarized and should be mounted as high as possible but works well at low heights of 10-30 feet. They are quieter than a dipole or a vertical, have a broader bandwidth and will usually out perform a dipole antenna.To determine the approximate circumference in feet of a full wave loop antenna use the formula:
1005/Freq in Mhz = length in feet.
The feed point impedance of a full wave loop antenna is theoretically in the vicinity of 120 ohms and requires a 2:1 impedance transformer (for single band loops or a 4:1 balun to match on multiple bands) with 50 ohm line. You will also need a feed line choke or better yet, just get the Hybrid 4:1+1:1 in a single box.
Vertical Delta Loops
Vertical delta loops can be oriented several way but the most popular is to have the “pointy” end at the top (usually a single support) and the lower horizontal ends just out of reach of humans and animals. Best feed point is 1/4 wavelength (246/f(mhz)) from the top point down one side. Vertical delta loops use the same 2:1 baluns as the horizontal loops or 4:1 for multi-band operation.
Feed Line Chokes for Vertical Antenna with radials/counterpoise
Feed line chokes for verticals require a special arrangement to isolate the coax feed line from the radials and ground system. Schematically, a good feed line choke for verticals with radials should be built as follows:
Our CUV-1-1500 and CUV-1-5000 feed line chokes are all internally connected to isolate the coax feed line as shown above.
Th CUV-1-1500 unun is a common mode feed line choke for vertical antennas with radials that need to be isolated from the coaxial feed line to keep common mode current from using the coaxial braid as another radial. Very effective with high choking of 1K-5K from 1.8-61 MHz and also incorporates two side studs/wingnut terminals for radial or ground connection at the antenna while isolating the coax feed line braid from the radials via the internal common mode feed line choke. Top terminal with stud/wingnut for vertical connection enclosed in a 4″ x 4″ x 2″ box..
To reduce receiver common mode noise for long runs of coax to your antenna, use a MC-1-1500 or CU-1-1500 feed line choke at the station end of the coax.
