Just watched this over and over, first time using software like this. Putting up a triangle loop and really interesting to see expected direction and gain. Thanks for your videos,. 73
Callum certainly knows his MMNA software. I've watched many of these from Callum and DLed the program. Just need to get off of my but and get some hands-on experience. I started using MMNA years ago on a Win7 laptop but moved to Linux on an Rpi4 when the Laptop went belly up. MMNA didn't run in a Linux environment, so I had to drop it. I added a Win10 MiniPC recently and have DLed many of the programs that weren't/aren't available on Linux. I've used other simulation programs years ago that were complicated, compared to MMNA, which produced the same results. Watching Callum's casual use of MMNA shows me that this is the way to go. THANK YOU Mr DX Commander......
As a new ham I really want to build an 80 m loop in my backyard and I live in a subdivision so I wanna model it first. Excellent video series and I have download the software and I’ve done dipoles and EFHW antennas and quarter wave verticals.
I really appreciate these videos. The joy I get from Ham is the ability to start very very simple and then change one single thing, look at how it behaves in real life in addition to theory, and then make an additional change. Each step building a real world feel while making the breadth and range of contacts grow. What a golden age of learning we are in. After each step you can use something like FT8 and pskreporter to see the impact of the change. I suspect this is along the lines of how you approached learning and I appreciate that you are now contributing your insight to those on the same journey.
To test loop antennas using a function generator and a signal analyzer, can I just connected the function generator to the antenna and the signal analyzer probe to the antenna to analyze the received signals? Can this method be used for testing loop antennas?
Any idea on how to go about modelling a multi-turn loop antenna in COMSOL Multiphysics that can operate within a 200kHz bandwidth? I am trying to work with frequencies that are below 2MHz.
Nice video about a nice antenna. Mine is 80 meter skyloop is about 9 meters high with a 900 Ohm ladder line feeder and a home brew symmetrical to asymmetrical tuner. Looking forward towards the triangular radiation behaviour. 73'
Hi Callum, I'm reviewing the very arbitrary shape of my 160m random length horizontal loop. The height above the ground varies from 25 ft. to 45 ft. depending which tree it is strung through. What effect would this have at various frequencies? I'm not particularly interested in 160m, but I am very interested in 80m and up. Can I send you a screen shot of the shape??
Gary, to be frank, unless we understand the precise dimensions of YOUR particular installation, we will never really know. Best way of achieving that plot would be to run WSPR across all bands for a day or so and see where you are getting out. Thing is, I do it in reverse, so I build it in software, have a look at the plot - then put it up and see what happens in real life - not the other way around! :)
Stand the loop up vertical and feed horizontal. I’d like to see the difference. I think a square loop has a bit more gain than the delta. Firing opposite of the feedpoint the other 1/2 half side of the loop acts like a parasitic element will nulls. Would be quite interesting how it models also vertical fed. Loops are fun and signal to noise are amazing. I just wish they had more teeth on the higher bands. But they do ok
A square loop in a vertical plane does have more gain than a delta loop, but that also means it is more directional. Is that desirable is it not desirable? It depends on what you want. The square loop has more directional gain. As you go from a true circle to a hexagon to a square to a triangle (delta) you lose directional gain, very similar to comparing a straight dipole to an inverted V dipole. The straight dipole is more directional, with more directional gain, while the inverted V dipole is less directional, with less directional gain. If you want the antenna to be less directional, then a delta loop might be more desirable than a square loop. For example if you wanted more than two directions or to be more omni-directional. When I noticed my vertical plane, one wave length square loops being more directional than I liked, I started making delta loops. The low power QRP guys swear that slightly larger than usual one wave length loops have more, even if they have slight more mismatch with the feed line. Some people make their one wave length loops slightly smaller than usual, to match the 50 ohm feed line better, without a matching section of 75 ohm cable. A vertical plane square loop has more gain than a horizontal dipole, because it is more directional. The coverage becomes narrower. Sometimes that might not be desired.
I am making a small magnetic loop of 22" in circumference. Now I'm totally confused. LOL I'm looking for the circumference of the small loop. I read the small loop was to be 1/5 of the large loop. I did the math and tried to plot it out in my cad program because that's the program I'm familiar with. I think I'm missing an equation because the smaller loop comes out way to large. 22" x .2 x 3.14. If you have a moment, can you help me? thanks de James KA9TII
Magnetic Loop and a Loop On Ground are two different things.. If you want a Mag Loop, go ahead.. DOn't confuse a little bit of wire on the ground with your project.
Just watched this over and over, first time using software like this. Putting up a triangle loop and really interesting to see expected direction and gain. Thanks for your videos,. 73
Great to hear!
Callum certainly knows his MMNA software.
I've watched many of these from Callum and DLed the program. Just need to get off of my but and get some hands-on experience.
I started using MMNA years ago on a Win7 laptop but moved to Linux on an Rpi4 when the Laptop went belly up. MMNA didn't run in a Linux environment, so I had to drop it.
I added a Win10 MiniPC recently and have DLed many of the programs that weren't/aren't available on Linux.
I've used other simulation programs years ago that were complicated, compared to MMNA, which produced the same results.
Watching Callum's casual use of MMNA shows me that this is the way to go.
THANK YOU Mr DX Commander......
Ah! Glad it was helpful!
As a new ham I really want to build an 80 m loop in my backyard and I live in a subdivision so I wanna model it first. Excellent video series and I have download the software and I’ve done dipoles and EFHW antennas and quarter wave verticals.
OK.. Shout if you need help..
I really appreciate these videos. The joy I get from Ham is the ability to start very very simple and then change one single thing, look at how it behaves in real life in addition to theory, and then make an additional change. Each step building a real world feel while making the breadth and range of contacts grow. What a golden age of learning we are in. After each step you can use something like FT8 and pskreporter to see the impact of the change. I suspect this is along the lines of how you approached learning and I appreciate that you are now contributing your insight to those on the same journey.
Yes correct! I'm same :)
I wish I would have had all this information back when I first started in ham radio! Thanks Callum!
And me!
Never knew about that multiplier tool - great shortcut!
Yes, it's cool.. Glad it was helpful!
Thank you, I was just looking into doing this and a notification for your video pops up. Great timing. I enjoy all of your videos. 73 W4DXR
That was handy!
I've had this same experience I swear sometimes he's in our heads :)
Great series Cal! Thx!!
More to come!
Top Series!
Cal I've been waiting on this video though I use a 80m loop here learned something Mate!!
Brilliant explanation Video! 🙂 👍
Thanks! 😃
a full wave 80m loop works great for 20m and above!
And 40, don't leave my old fav band out :)
To test loop antennas using a function generator and a signal analyzer, can I just connected the function generator to the antenna and the signal analyzer probe to the antenna to analyze the received signals?
Can this method be used for testing loop antennas?
It all depends on the gear.. Normally 3d tests are extremely complicated and expensive.
Any idea on how to go about modelling a multi-turn loop antenna in COMSOL Multiphysics that can operate within a 200kHz bandwidth? I am trying to work with frequencies that are below 2MHz.
I don't know sorry.
Nice video about a nice antenna. Mine is 80 meter skyloop is about 9 meters high with a 900 Ohm ladder line feeder and a home brew symmetrical to asymmetrical tuner. Looking forward towards the triangular radiation behaviour. 73'
Yes, that's fun!
A circle loop is possible?
Well, you could draw say a hexagon, not far off to give you general idea.
Hi Callum, I'm reviewing the very arbitrary shape of my 160m random length horizontal loop. The height above the ground varies from 25 ft. to 45 ft. depending which tree it is strung through.
What effect would this have at various frequencies? I'm not particularly interested in 160m, but I am very interested in 80m and up.
Can I send you a screen shot of the shape??
Gary, to be frank, unless we understand the precise dimensions of YOUR particular installation, we will never really know. Best way of achieving that plot would be to run WSPR across all bands for a day or so and see where you are getting out. Thing is, I do it in reverse, so I build it in software, have a look at the plot - then put it up and see what happens in real life - not the other way around! :)
Hi This is S57MSA.
How good is circular loop antenna for hf instead horizontal Wired quad ? Best 73
So horizontal circle not square? Not much difference particularly on low bands.
Stand the loop up vertical and feed horizontal. I’d like to see the difference. I think a square loop has a bit more gain than the delta. Firing opposite of the feedpoint the other 1/2 half side of the loop acts like a parasitic element will nulls. Would be quite interesting how it models also vertical fed. Loops are fun and signal to noise are amazing. I just wish they had more teeth on the higher bands. But they do ok
Now you know how to do it, feel free :)
A square loop in a vertical plane does have more gain than a delta loop, but that also means it is more directional. Is that desirable is it not desirable? It depends on what you want. The square loop has more directional gain. As you go from a true circle to a hexagon to a square to a triangle (delta) you lose directional gain, very similar to comparing a straight dipole to an inverted V dipole. The straight dipole is more directional, with more directional gain, while the inverted V dipole is less directional, with less directional gain. If you want the antenna to be less directional, then a delta loop might be more desirable than a square loop. For example if you wanted more than two directions or to be more omni-directional. When I noticed my vertical plane, one wave length square loops being more directional than I liked, I started making delta loops. The low power QRP guys swear that slightly larger than usual one wave length loops have more, even if they have slight more mismatch with the feed line. Some people make their one wave length loops slightly smaller than usual, to match the 50 ohm feed line better, without a matching section of 75 ohm cable. A vertical plane square loop has more gain than a horizontal dipole, because it is more directional. The coverage becomes narrower. Sometimes that might not be desired.
@@jimjungle1397 Tnx Jim. Been very happy with my delta for 40. I also use a kx2 and 10w is the same as 100w and a dipole according to s reports
brilliant ! thanks..
You're welcome!
I am making a small magnetic loop of 22" in circumference. Now I'm totally confused. LOL I'm looking for the circumference of the small loop. I read the small loop was to be 1/5 of the large loop. I did the math and tried to plot it out in my cad program because that's the program I'm familiar with. I think I'm missing an equation because the smaller loop comes out way to large. 22" x .2 x 3.14. If you have a moment, can you help me? thanks de James KA9TII
Magnetic Loop and a Loop On Ground are two different things.. If you want a Mag Loop, go ahead.. DOn't confuse a little bit of wire on the ground with your project.
Clear enough, thanks. Can you please show us how to model a gamma match on a dipole? A65HI
Erm I'll look into it.
nice
Thanks!
thx Mr DX Man ;)
Any time!
Why do you have problems understanding Deutsch? I have no trouble with that. :-D
Thanks for your videos they are awesome!!
73 de DG3ACM
HAHA.. If it was French, I wcould probably do it :)
Haha,haaa🤣👍👍
Noticed at 00:51-00:55, there is still German showing 😉
73 de VK2ZRO
Yes, I recorded the fix AFTER the video was finished and dropped it in at the right time on the edit :)