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.
Slip On Coax Feed Line Choke - 1"/25.4mm cable, 1.8-300 MHz
1″/25.4mm max Cable Size Chokes
Model BA-200. For use with RG-218 and similar size cables up to 1" OD without connectors installed. Works on all impedance cables, 1.8-300 MHz. Choke outside diameter is 2 inches Requires 9-1/2 inches of cable for 5 bead version, 17" of cable for 10 bead version, and 25" of cable for 15 bead version. Use BA-200-10 or BA-200S-15 for higher choking below 21 MHz. For 10-12 meter frequency use 5 beads up to 15 KW PEP, 10 beads for up to 30 KW PEP and 15 beads for up to 45 KW PEP. We use mix 31 for all chokes. Heat shrink weather proofing kit included. Picture shows 10 bead version.
Rule of thumb suggests you need minimum 5x-10x the coax line impedance for effective choking and the more the better as it will reduce common mode current with higher choking impedance. Select chokes with minimum of 500 ohms at your frequency of interest for best results or upgrade to our CUBE(TM), TUBE(TM), Super Choker(TM) chokes up to 15,000 ohms choking.
Select 10 bead version for 160 meter use, 15 bead version for even higher choking power on lower frequencies. Power rating is same as coax cable used power rating.
Typical choking impedances (BA-58, BA-8, BA-200):
