Square Loop Antenna for 10 Meters
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มี.ค. 2024
- Building and operating a vertically polarized full wave square loop antenna for the 10 meter band. #hamradioantenna #hamradio #portablehamradio
Link to the NS6T azimuthal map maker:
ns6t.net/azimuth/
There I was enjoying the park on a fine spring day when I noticed a figure set up on a picnic table with these two poles stuck in the ground. Upon investigation it turns out to be Walt (K4OGO) whose You-Tube channel I have been watching since I got my technician license a few months ago. I introduced myself and thanked Walt for the informational videos and doesn't he put me on the spot to make my first ever HF contact! I was so excited I forgot my call sign and had to look it up! How embarrassing. I'm glad he wasn't rolling during that! Just wanted to say thanks again Walt and now you've inspired me to make an antenna so I can get back on the air.
You made my day, that was a great moment. 73 my friend!
Ham legend 💪
That is so freaking awesome.
Walt being what I have always thought "Ham Radio" was about, Helping All Mankind
I subscribe to a lot of radio channels. Most of the ham TH-camrs don't do a lot of actual radio. They talk about products. They show off batteries and bug-out bags. They interview people at hamfests and speculate on how valuable hams would be in SHTF scenarios. But actually getting outside and trying out some crazy square-shaped antenna? You are The Man for that kind of good radio stuff.
Thank you, this comment means a lot to me. 73, Walt
100% agreed! I love this channel and it makes me smile when a new video pops up on youtube.
@@scottgordon954 thank you! 73, Walt
I could not agree more. Walt rocks. I have some unused speaker wire staring sadly at me, and I'm going to give this antenna a try.
Absolutely agree. This channel and Outdoors On The Air (Tracy, VE3TWM) are two of my absolute favorites. Just guys talking about gear (that they bought or built) and operating. Please don’t change.
Don / W5DON
Arcadia OK
Another great video from the Wire Warrior!
Haha thank you! 73, Walt the Wire Warrior
Just another brilliant video Walt. This is why I enjoy your channel so much, you get out and experiment, when I first got my license in the early 90's I made all my antennas, got lazy but since watching your video's I again have been making my own antennas and even on air from home, all because your channel is motivational. Thanks for being like a true ham and not one of these channels that push all the new while sitting at home and not experimenting with the said gear.
Thank you so very much for the kind words! 73, Walt
Walt, Thanks for your videos. I'm just getting back into Ham after 20 years and having so much fun experimenting with different antennas. I've learned so much from your channel and you break down antenna theory so us normal folks can understand.
Thank you for the kind words! 73, Walt
Fantastic video as usual. I agree with one of the other posters that mentioned that you are one of the few TH-cam ham guys who actually fire up the ol' radio and get on the air, Love the different antenna designs you try. I will have to keep this square loop in mind. Right now my project antenna is a 6 band hexbeam. This channel and you are probably the biggest reason my first HF rig was/is the G90. Love that radio and there is no way I would have even tried it if it was not for this channel and the success you show with it. So far I have worked 38 Countries as far away as 6000 miles with a slapped together dipole strung between 2 trees at the house about 35 feet in the air.
Thank you! That’s awesome! Like it was said in the video “G90 ARMY”!!!! 73, Walt
Woohoo! I did it!
After watching this video, I built this 10m vertical square antenna.. in my attic! Tested it today and it receives and transmits great! Thanks a ton!
(I didn’t have a full 1/4 wave vertical height, so it’s a little bit squashed like a rectangle.. but still works!!)
Awesome! Thanks for sharing
Thanks SO MUCH Walt. My love of the hobby has reignited. Using a Ryobi 20V right now. While I am getting my wires together and 3D printing a couple things I will be out at the beach here in the FL/GA area soon. Shopping a nice battery right now. Started taking SMokingApe seriously now. Looking to maybe build some Balun/Unun stuff. My G90 will be happy.
Awesome! 73 my friend
I noticed that I could hear really well on the one that I put up in my garden as well . Keep the videos coming ! 73 Rob 2E0GQL
Thanks Rob, this would probably be a good SWL antenna. 73, Walt
Great video my friend ! Really something different! Loops are really amazing antennas apparently. Made my first transatlantic contact with a corner fed delta loop on 20 last fall . I definetly have to try that out again. So inspiring video Walt . Thank you so much for your work . Keep going Walt !!! 73 from Sweden SA4GWT
Thank you so very much my friend! 73, Walt
Walt, since I've discovered your channel I try not to miss your new stuff, as well as going back to see your previous videos. Your content is entertaining as well as educational. So many of the ham tubers out there are showing POTA activations or doing equipment evals which all have value, but you're getting out and trying different things and then we see the result.
I stayed away from ham radio for years because I had no desire to learn code, but since I got my license in 2014 (late in life, I'm 71) I've had opportunity to watch and learn and see CW as a learning opportunity.
I appreciate your way of communicating. Great detail when necessary and not bashing anyone like I see all to often. I'm looking forward to doing some antenna builds as well as some POTA hunts and activations. You, more than anyone else that talks about amateur radio on TH-cam, have energized me to learn and apply those lessons. 73, Brother. W6TUS, in The Valley Of The Sun
Thank you so much, this comment makes my day! 73 my friend
Amazing Walt... I love 10 m... but this is crazy...for sure. 20 W rules!!!
Loops are one of the best antenna options, works great as a multi band if you use an 80m sky loop ( both for NVIS on 80m and DX 40m and above). It works so well that we took our Yagi down.
I made a 572ft 18awg speaker wire RX loop for 160m. It's laying on the ground in a rectangle and hooked up to a 4:1 balun. It RX's very well for 40m-160m with no atmospheric noise. My transceiver only has 1 antenna port and no RX port. I used a 2 position antenna switch for changing from RX loop to my TX antenna. The receive loop has about a 3.8 to 4 SWR across the whole HF band plan. If i accidently leave it on the RX loop when TXing the tuner kicks in and im basically TXing NVIS. Keep up the awesome content. 73's
I wish I had a yard for a receive loop at the home QTH, that sounds amazing. 73, Walt
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES There is a design for a 15 ft x 15ft square RX loop. Maybe its worth looking into if you have horrible RFI at the home QTH. A RX loop works really well when listening to AM stations also. Thanks for all you do.73's
that was great ! I have done full wave loops but loop on ground LOG they a quit antenna . has a bit of gain as you found out. larger ones will multi band. I did a LOG at 160 meters but was 2 turns of wire spaced apart. and that works . was a SWL antenna on the ground. 120 meters SW was super on it. SW bands are a tad different. between the ham bands . was great fun. if you had 4 poles you could make a outher one and co phase them or make 1 just wire shorted together and that a reflector. like the antenna modeling of that. that only part of it. you did the outher part . try it in the real world.73's
Thanks! Yes I try to just research an antenna and do it real world.
Thank you for presenting! I will test this antenna for my favorite band as well!❤
Awesome! Good DX my friend!
Love this antenna. I remember when you did the Delta Loop.
This one makes me want to experiment more with loops for sure! 73, Walt
What a great video. It’s amazing what you can do with low power and the right antenna. Bill, KC2KNA
Thank you Bill! 73, Walt
awesome... if i keep watching your channel ima have an arsenal of antennae!
Thanks! Hahaha
Another amazing experiment! I don't know how you keep coming up with great ideas that keep your channel fresh. I always look forward to watching your videos as soon as they are released! All the best. 73s.
Thanks so much for the very kind words my friend!
Worth the wait! Great video.
Thank you!!!! 73, Walt
Walt your videos inspire me to go qrp with that g90 too. I'm planning on getting my general this summer
Awesome! Get that general and come find me on the radio.
There's one I must try. Thanks again Walt. Great stuff here.
Thank you! 73, Walt
Full wave loop is another of the endless antennas I want to mess around with. I was thinking of a 15m design using a 10x12 tarp as a form for camping season.
That’s a great idea!
Great idea. Will try this with 600 Ohm ladder line as I don't have a separate 4:1 balun, but do have a balanced matching unit.
It should work. Although you can expect a mismatch at the feedpont between the 600 Ohm feeder and the 200 Ohm feedpoint, the low loss of the ladder line should stop you loosing much radiated power.
Thanks, good luck with the antenna!
Walt, just another great video. You, Tim and Cal are my go to channels for different aspects of this great hobby. 73 de John G0KTW
Thank you! Those two guys are my favorites. 73, Walt
Another great video Walt. The azimuthal map is necessary if you want to DX. I purchased a 10M Hex off eBay and realized Japan was not due West. Once I pointed it in the correct direction I was off and running.WOW, the earth is round ;) Now I'm off to buy some speaker wire and head to the park.
Thank you! Have fun a the park! 73, Walt
Big props for not dropping that Belgian in the grease to get a Good Humor bar! I’d have cracked under those conditions. 😆
LOL, I almost ran for a Nutty Buddy 😂
Thanks for showing off the loop, Walt! Eventually, a multiband loop is what I want to transition my QTH to instead of the hidden random wire. I have the space, it's mostly other conditions like dealing with stealth and time. I could probably already do one if I used the rain gutters, but the sides will not be equal. The gutters are 60' while the other sides would be 20'. Also, I don't really have as much energy to do these kind of projects anymore.
I want to build a Multiband loop too. 73, Walt
Nice one Walt. Works great.
Thank you! 73, Walt
Wow, great receive on this antenna but it works great both ways! Ten is by far my favorite band. I need to get me one of those G90s, been on my radio wishlist for a long time. I can't operate DX from my home situation, so I need to bring it outside and start building some of your antennas. Spring is here in MN and I have every reason to do this. Thanks Walt and 73!
You will absolutely love that G90 if you get one. Spring is here, time to get out portable! I really enjoy 10 meters too.
Hey Walt, amazing. Simple and very effective. Nice video. Keep on rocking. 73 de ON3STG
Thank you my friend! 73, Walt
Walt another exciting video - really enjoy your content r keep I going - hope to catch you on the air it’s decent audio
Thank you my friend. I was hoping that antenna would favor me in your direction. Hope to catch you soon.
That was AWSOME.!
That was a fun one! 73 my friend!
Another great video Walt! I love full wave loop antennas. Back in my CB days I built one. I had mine set up in a diamond shape fed at the side like yours and instead of a 4:1 balun, I used a quarter wave section of 75 ohm coax to get the match without a tuner. 12 watts got me all over the world and across the states. I want to find a design for a multi band loop and put it up.
73 Jim K9KXW
That’s cool! I want to do the same, I’m looking for a Multiband loop that’s easy to build. 73, Walt
Very cool! I gotta build one of these. I wonder how well it will do out in the woods. I have a camping trip coming up in August and Im putting together some plans for antennas. I will be trying this one. 73
Thank you, this was a fun antenna
Nice antenna design!!!
Thank you!
Love the videos!
Thank you! 73, Walt
Thanks for the idea Walt!
I’m ready to see you build it!
wow ! Im definitely trying this out for 11 meters at Jones Beach here in the BIG APPLE.
Awesome! Good luck and good DX!
LOVE ❤ Your Channel 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you so very much! 73, Walt
Great job Walt. Nicely done into the uk. Impressed with 20w
Thank you so much my friend! 73, Walt
Thanks for the motivation for this Walt! I was thinking about trying out a 40M horizontal version of this at the QTH, time to put the plan into action. 73!
Awesome, good luck and good DX with that antenna my friend!
Walt I love your diaphragms. There like industrial art. So we’ll done and concise. Ever thought of doing an illustratied field antenna handbook?
Thank you! I’m actually working on that book now.
Great video walt! that loop and 20 watts kicks @ss.Receive sounds great as well.
Thanks! I really liked the receive performance of this one.
I made the Full Wave Loop Vertical and coax fed it at the bottom Left corner through a 4:1 Heavy Duty Balun.
With 10 watts I was working DX I could only work with 100 watts.
It’s a great antenna! 73, Walt
👍Thanks for video Walt. I certaintly don't think you're a square when it comes to trying different antenna solutions😄.
Thanks so much for your great help in the comments my friend!
Remember those U push it merry go rounds? Strap the poles to opposite sides and spin to rotate! Put some cones and cation tape and tell the kids it's closed for a bit! LOL!
LOL
great video
Very interesting antenna Walt thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching! 73, Walt
Some great contacts with 20 watts. My next antenna build is going to be a multi band delta loop. Thanks for the videos
Thank you! Yes I’ve got the bug to build a multi band delta loop. 73, Walt
Another fantastic video Walt 73 Sir M7CVK
Thank you so much Sir! 73, Walt
W.OW !!! Very successful experiment! Terrific performance. Now I'm curious what your 891 would do: better recr and more more power out......
Thanks, that was a fun one
Very nice!
Thank you!
Another great video
Thank you! 73, Walt
Walt you are an epic genius, stay great man.
Thank you so very much my friend!
You're welcome friend 73 for now.
Thanks!
Thank you very much! 73, Walt
Firstly, this is my favorite antenna channel!
I know you're more about the wire antennas, but have you tried W6NBC's optimized loop antenna? I want to build one small enough for my apartment for 10m.
Thank you! I’ll look into the W6NBC loop. Thanks for the tip.
Walt, you are blooming awesome. This is what you're brilliant at, check it out, throw it up and give it a go. Fantastic, thankyou, Gary. 2E0IGD
Thank you so much Gary! 73 my friend
I'd like to see you try the vertical polarization, and also comare to a delta loop fed from the bottom.
I’ll put that on the list! 73, Walt
You do great work like i said before you are why i have my ticket
Thank you so much! 73, Walt
Nice video. If you make the antenna a rectangle instead of a square ( fed and opposite side 6 ft ant the other 2 sides 12 ft) you will have a near perfect match directly to 50 ohms.
Yes I definitely want to build a rectangle.
Makes sense to buy a pole in Poland. I'll see myself out...
LOL
Great video
Thank you! 73, Walt
👍WALT
Thank you!
Great video, Walt! But I can't figure out how you erected that square loop on those masts all by yourself. How about showing us how you did that?
Thanks! Put it all together laying flat on the ground, picked it up together and slid the poles in the holders one at a time. Did it by myself
As far as I am concerned, if you could only have one wire antenna..... it would be the one wavelength loop. Square Horizontal or Delta or Vertical. Great Job. 73 Art W1SWL
Thank you! It really is a great antenna. 73, Walt
Nice isometric sketch, Mr. ME.
That shows how old I am LOL
thanks for sharing walt. most loops are well known for good rx, ive tried many in the past, even a half grounded loop for 40m, which was absolutely amazing. Again though, down here 10m is still dead and has been for 10 years hi. But 40/20m is wide open for long haul dx. 73. zl3xdj.
Thank you Brian! 10 meters was dead almost the entire time I was in Poland. It’s a funny band but when it’s open, it’s really open.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES 20m here this evening was great.
Another antenna project added to the growing list, LOL
This one is a keeper!
I would have loved to see you use it horizontal but I guess that is a bit trickier ? 73 M7BLC. N.B. Over 70 degrees is known as summer here in the UK lol.
I’ll get it up as a horizontal soon!
Hi from the rainy, stormy English/Scottish border Walt. It would be very interesting to see how that performs with the alternative polarity, as you mentioned. It's another kind of antenna that's used too little, I think. 73, Pete
I will definitely put it back up with horizontal polarity. Thanks for watching! 73, Walt
What a great video! I loved that set up. Still working on getting my portable station set up. Getting gear that is. I have a question. When you do an EFHW do you think the tenntenna or the LDG 49:1 works better. I have a tenntenna for my home station and really like it.
I have the TennTennas too, it is great. 49:1 is the only LDG transformer I don’t have. They seem to be discontinued. Thanks for the kind words! 73, Walt
Gonna try this with my trusdx and a 9:1 unun
You might have a problem matching the feedpoint with a 9:1
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Yeah i was thinking about that. Worth a shot. My 9:1 has worked better on things That need 4:1 s
Another great video Walt. I wonder how it would perform with another behind as a reflector?
Cheers Steve ZL1YX
Thanks! I need more poles to make that happen!
Hmm now I might have to try that
I had fun with this antenna!
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES looked like it
One Big Ear right there ... 🩺📡 ... 🎯 🙋
Yes indeed!
I believe that loop antennas are multibanded when you try a larger loop see what harmonics you can get. I wanted to try a loop but I don't have a 4:1. Actually I don't have any unun or baluns....
You are correct, I need to build a larger loop.
Awesome.
The fun part IMHO on the higher bands are small antenna builds.
The downside is that there isn't necessarily much room to experiment with harmonics.
Good morning Walt, interesting set up for this antenna. How were you able to assemble and raise the antenna by yourself. I would think that it might put stress on the wires already attached to the first pole as you raised the second pole…
I’m going to do a POTA at the Tomoka State Park Florida on Saturday using a pool noodle radial, a MFJ 17’ telescopic antenna and my FX4CR.
Really enjoying your experiments and your feeds, thank you. 73. AC3EA
Good morning, I built it laying flat on the ground and then lifted them together and put one in the rod holder and then the other. It was actually pretty easy and smooth. 73, Walt
Very interesting to see how Loops perform. Do you model these antennas yourself, or is that a far field plot from a publication?
I did some research and found that plot on a publication.
Perfect day for it Walt. 73 👍
Weather is amazing this week. 73
Hi Walt, brill vid, thankyou.
Just an idea, you said you fancied building a bigger loop on longer poles.
I wonder, same kit as this time, but build it with appropriately longer horizontal sections, so making a rectangle.
So not a square loop, but not a folded dipole either, so what would it do?
Best 73 to you and All Walt. Mark.
Thank you! I was actually thinking about doing a rectangle. 73, Walt
I look forward to that Walt.
Time is my enemy, but you've inspired me to try this and variants, but to try the (demo'd by electronics for the inquisitive mind) 1/2 wave feeder match, cos' I'm a cheapskate, but of course, that definitely limits it to single band only.
Good luck Walt, thank you.
Best 73, Mark, M7FMC.
Great fun Walt and thanks for the video! Thanks too for the tip regarding buying Decathlon poles in Europe, I need some and will check them out. Also, given your experience, what would you consider the best height for your style of POTA working? I'm thinking of DX Commander poles somewhere between 9 and 12 meters. 😃👍
I have a DX Commander 10 meter expedition pole and it’s perfect. It’s compact to transport and I can make many different antennas with it including a vertical halfwave for 20 meters.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks for the reply Walt, I appreciate it. I was thinking 9m would be a little short and 12m may be too much, so 10m seems a good all-rounder. Best 73. Ace
@@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE Callum has 2 10 meter poles, I like the Expedition model because it collapses down so much shorter than the standard DXC 10m pole.
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Thanks for the tip Walt. I'll look at the Expedition pole as that will give me the option to carry it when walking or cycling. Best 73 Ace G0ACE
Walt , you've gotten some sun!
Trying to get my vitamin D!
They put a 4 to 1 balun in a manual tuner but i wonder why a tuner is not made with many different baluns that the operater cud switch to and have analyzer built into tuner thanksfor vid
Thanks for watching!
Brazil and Bosnia sounded like they were next door
That antenna had amazing receive and sounded great, even through the wind and noise around me.
Great video. I did a very quick Internet search on square loops. I could not find description for the how the feed comes back to the ground. Are they really connected or am I daft and missing something obvious? 73, KF0NNQ.
There is no need for a ground connection. The square loop is a balanced antenna. Balanced antennas do not need a ground connection, radials or counterpoise wires.
Thanks! As Steve described it’s a balanced loop.
Hmm. Got me thinking. One could probably use a tree for one mast of the two. Which 4:1 unun are you using?
Good idea! I used a LDG 4:1 Balun
@@COASTALWAVESWIRES Right balun its the grey one then. Thanks
This might sound like a dumb question to some but, is the radiating element one continuous wire? No break between the side connected to the center conductor and the side connected to the shield? Thanks.
Yes, that is correct. It may seem counterintuitive. However, this antenna can be thought of as two halfwave dipoles that are joined at the ends. Only one dipole is actually fed using the feeder/BALUN. The other dipole has a virtual center feedpoint. Another way to think of the square loop is as a folded dipole that has been stretched into a square shape.
Yes one continuous loop
Thank you both!
Crap! Now I gotta make one.
Haha you’ll like this antenna
Just wondering Walt, why you decided to use the loop with a vertical Polarization and not use is it with a Horizontal Polarization?
Was thinking lower takeoff angle for DX if it was vertical.
@COASTALWAVESWIRES I'm not sure a degree or two would have mattered. A horizontal polarization should reduce local noise as well. I think some people spend too much time doing theory, and not enough time on the radio. At least you "get out and play."👍
Walt, I’ll bet that sucker would work on 12M as well. Not a sermon, just a thought…73, Mike K3CXG who dat!
Yes indeed, it tuned up on 12. I just didn’t hear much in the band to try it.
Mmmmm. Jellybeans.....
Hahahaha
Now I got the munchies thanks
approves the earth is flat..hahahahahahaha 73
A great SWR, , well done Mate. 👽in Asia. The current rooftop I'm nesting on is 79 meters high with an uninterrupted view of 360.
I'm using a sturdy 9-meter pole with a 60cm T top. I'm not using the trusty 12.5m Spiderpole, it's too obvious walking through the foyer with a 1.2-meter tube and a backpack.
Some stealth is required and a few slices of plastic card to get back down.
This fishing net pole packs down to 60cm. Your 41-foot 9:1 got me thinking.
The 12.5m (41ft) of wire goes up 5.3m, then a V of 2.2m and back down 5. It's my "Tall M Rooftopper". The 9:1 is at the 1.2m wall height.
On NNAMA it works a low angle donut and is crushing it on the 21st-floor rooftop.
This is the 7th rooftop activation in the last 8 months and by far the best with this new BIG M. My wife has to drag me off the rooftop.
Next week we are moving into a 22nd-floor apartment with a 24th-floor rooftop and I've been given access to the rooftop and a key, MINDBLOWING!
That will be a run of RG8X from the roof straight down and into our apartment's laundry window,. There is a 3/4 inch steel lightning cable that runs around the rooftop wall and down to earth.
PS Hmmm, I'm looking forward in trying a full wave loop on the East/West railing, the best of both EU and US. I'll grab another 9 meter netting pole from Lotte Mart next week.
My wife doesn't understand why I'm going up to the rooftop in such BBRRRRRRrrrrr weather all the time, I share the blame with you Walt, and your new old ideas put into action. haha
Haha have fun on that rooftop! 73 my friend
Thank you Walt!
KF0LZX
Thank you my friend!