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.
MINI-BALUN Features:
- Uses proprietary Multi-Turn ferrite technology for maximum choking (up to -38 dB common mode noise rejection) and maximum bandwidth
- 500 Watts PEP, 50 ohm SO-239 connectors In, Dual Side Stud Output, 1.8-61 MHz (usable to 100 MHz) - AKA 1:1 BALUN
- Works for all coax fed antennas from 1.8-61 MHz (160-6 meters) - excellent for multi-band beam interface, G5RV/ZS6BKW or Flag Pole OCF antennas fed with ladder line.
- 2-5 times more common mode noise rejection, wider bandwidth and higher power then competing isolators
MINI-CHOKER feed line chokes are used to suppress common mode current carried on the outside of the coax braid which is often responsible for receiver noise and RFI in the receiver/transmitter. These chokes are very useful for suppressing RFI common mode current at the antenna feed point, at 1/2 wavelength intervals along the coax feed line and also at the entrance to the radio station.
This choke has a SO-239 input and 1/4" top studs output.
For Higher Power needs use our MAXI-CHOKER with dual stud outputs in 1.5KW or 3KW version part# MC-1-1500LL, MC-1-3000LL
If you need a unbalanced output (SO239 output) instead of a balanced stud output, see MC-1-500 with SO239 output and input..
