Getting into CB, im looking for all the info I can get, seeing as without a loading coil, CB antennas can be pretty huge. This has to be the best video i've seen describing it. short and to the point, no enigmatic terminology.
Really helpful demonstration for guy who are new to loading coils, and resonance in general. I will definently replicate this demo for my own kids in the future. Thumbs up. 👍🏻👌🏻
2020 coming back. Who's here for HAM questions like this? "Which of the following describes a type of antenna loading?" A. Inserting a resistor in the radiating portion of the antenna to make it resonant B. Strengthening the radiating elements of a beam antenna to better resist wind damage C. Inserting an inductor in the radiating portion of the antenna to make it electrically longer D. Installing a spring in the base of a mobile vertical antenna to make it more flexible Thanks a lot for this vid Carl. Really helped me to understand the what/why of it.
Wonderful video, Carl. Thank you so much for going to so much trouble. I wish I could have seen such useful instruction when I first got into the hobby, back in the 1970s. 73 de VK2DMH. PS: I love your test gear setup.
Excellent explanation... always saw ham radio guys using miles long copper cables as antennas but always wondered how the pros use portable antenna like loading coils and why they worked.
Excellent demo! Looks like it was done years ago, but electricity doesn't change! :) It should also be said that when it comes to antennas, size matters! When you depart from an ideal, properly sized antenna per the frequency of operation to something that is shorter or more convenient for whatever reason, radio wave radiation efficiency goes down. Sometimes dramatically. Even tho the 'shortened' antenna may present a great load to the transmitter, it simply is not as good as is the antenna cut for the desired frequency of operation. But hey....maybe the shorter antenna does good enough by itself, or you could add more RF power from the transmitter to make up the difference. I'd say most antennas in use in the World in just about any use of RF are not a 'proper' length, so this lesson is perfect for reality!!
I'm amazed that in April 2020 this video has only had 244 'thumbs up' (245 including mine) That's with 20,592 viewings. You won't get a better demonstration of what a loading coil does for you. Give this guy credit for giving a practical and very clear example of a loading coil, give him the thumbs up that he deserves. Remember that the same theory works at all ham radio frequencies and like the guy says it's easier to cut it off than it is to put it back on. Thanks Carl, blooming good demo, well done!Kind Regards . . . Andy gw0jxm
If you were to uncoil the loaded antenna after you cut for the correct resonate frequency. Would it be the same length as the straight antenna or would it be shorter?
HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS The thing that gets me so confused, as a radiofanatic and radio geek since year 1998. I’ve ALWAYS been told: “Longer and bigger antennas, equals more range”. Don't people wanna have amazing very long range QSOs with people living miles and miles away from you, in places you never could imagine that you could possible to reach. Questions: 1. Does the loading coil decrease or improve reception, transmission, range and clarity?. - Won't you actually lose reception/transmission range?, with a shorter coil loaded antenna? Compared to a straight antenna in the same frequency area. . I’ve ALWAYS been told “Bigger IS Better”. 3. What will you actually gain from using a coil loaded antenna except a shorter antenna?.
heestenhats imma answer this in simple way Longer antenna to match quarter or half or even full wavelength means more gain at resonant frequency (70cm, 2m, 6m, 10m, ... etc) Shorter with loading coil= resonant frequency at shorter length with less gain but it match the needed low swr needed to transmit safely for the tranceiver. This is usually used when long antennas isnt an option like for vehicle antennas ;) u r forced to load ur antenna Also note that longer antenna has wider bandwidth as compared to loaded antennas. Best solution: build the longest antenna u can host in ur yard, pair it with an antenna tuner( which is simply a bunch of loading coils and capacitors) to tune to whatever frequency u want and good gain (determined by optimal antenna length, and design "yagi, vertical ground plane, etc)) , and dont forget the most important point use the lowest loss cable between ur antenna and AT or HT!! This is a killer point i recommed lmr400 which is the best 73!
Hi I have a 33 foot fibreglass pole and I want to make a 43 foot vertical wire antenna . if I wrap 43 foot of wire around the 33 foot pole will it be the same as a 43 foot straight wire antenna in resonance . Even though it is only 33 foot high . Thanks for the video I would apreciate a reply as nobody seems to know the answer hoping you do cheers.
Two questions. What is the diameter of the 6 coils you put on this. Secondly what was the length of each element that made this work? I don't have the test equipment to do this yet which is the reason I asked
Return loss on the straight antenna at 150MHz than the antenna with a loading coil optimized for 150MHz. Is there anything you can do to compensate for that or is that just a tradeoff you have to live with?
So having loading coil can make the mono-pole shorter but the trade-off is having lower gain because some of the capacitance is neutralized by the inductance of the coil?
Could one also confirm the resonant freq with an inexpensive antenna analyzer by looking at what freq the reactive component of the impedance goes to zero?
Impedence doesn't go to zero. It could be 50 Ohms, or less or more. Resonance is where the dip is... the lowest impedence. As long as it is less than around 2:1 (two to one) VSWR, the transmitter should be happy. Don't bust a gut trying to get a perfect 1:1; that's nice but not necessary. And the station you are talking to won't notice any difference!
Why is the return loss of 18 db shown as a negative number? This is commonly done but return loss is always positive (unless the device is active). I think it might be reflection coefficient. Thanks! - Good video !!
Some question. 1. Is the loading coil similar in function to a capacitance hat? 2. What is the tradeoff for using a loading coil to achieve a smaller antenna compared to a straight antenna which has been cut/trimmed to resonance? 3. Does loading an antenna increase gain? is is the loading coil which manipulates the gain? ie. most common UHF/VHF dual band antennas have some form of a coil and usually 3/6db gain. Thanks if anybody can answer.
i what is the end called that you have on your magmount, i have an mno magmount and i want to just experiment with different length whips, the part i want to screw on to the magmount i dont want to be any kind of loading coil. but i need something that i can clam the whip into it like you see on a lot of the loading coils that come with the whips. but i dont know what its called and just cant seem to find something thats not a loading coil. i can find these all over the place www.protelecomsupply.com/larsen-144-174-nmo-loading-coil-black-nmo150bco but again i dont want it to be a loading coil i just want something that will let me mount the whip of what ever length i want to experiment with
It would be nice if you gave the length of the loading coil as if you had just straighten out in the first place., Antenna 1 is actually longer than antenna 2. At the end to two line actually might be the same length. Redo this test show the length of wires before you make the coil.
Another question, you must also be able to use loading coils on radials? You can always stick a vertical antenna up, but it's a pain with the radials and if you're on 3 sets, then it's a bigger problem. Can you use loading coils on radials? 1 coil per band? And how much does it matter in bandwidth. Thanks for the reply in advance
Best description of a loading coil and impedance demonstration I have seen. Simple, hands on and too the point.
Great demonstration. Visual learner here. Thank you so much!
Getting into CB, im looking for all the info I can get, seeing as without a loading coil, CB antennas can be pretty huge. This has to be the best video i've seen describing it. short and to the point, no enigmatic terminology.
Excellent video. This live demo reinforced the concepts way more than anything folks have told me or that I've read. Great job, thanks!
This should be a mandatory Lab Demo. Excellent video!
I officially understand loading coils. Thank you!🙏
You made me understand the concept of loading coil antenna.
Really helpful demonstration for guy who are new to loading coils, and resonance in general.
I will definently replicate this demo for my own kids in the future.
Thumbs up. 👍🏻👌🏻
2020 coming back. Who's here for HAM questions like this? "Which of the following describes a type of antenna loading?"
A.
Inserting a resistor in the radiating portion of the antenna to make it resonant
B.
Strengthening the radiating elements of a beam antenna to better resist wind damage
C.
Inserting an inductor in the radiating portion of the antenna to make it electrically longer
D.
Installing a spring in the base of a mobile vertical antenna to make it more flexible
Thanks a lot for this vid Carl. Really helped me to understand the what/why of it.
The best explanation I have ever seen on this subject - thank you sir.
Wonderful video, Carl. Thank you so much for going to so much trouble. I wish I could have seen such useful instruction when I first got into the hobby, back in the 1970s. 73 de VK2DMH. PS: I love your test gear setup.
Excellent explanation... always saw ham radio guys using miles long copper cables as antennas but always wondered how the pros use portable antenna like loading coils and why they worked.
Thank you for this excellent demonstration
Great demonstration.
Excellent video for that us that need visuals with practical explanations.
Great video! I just switched from 1m to 2m band and frustrate how to shorten my antenna. There will be a lot of metal pieces in my yard this weekend.
great demonstration and explanation.
Excellent demo! Looks like it was done years ago, but electricity doesn't change! :) It should also be said that when it comes to antennas, size matters! When you depart from an ideal, properly sized antenna per the frequency of operation to something that is shorter or more convenient for whatever reason, radio wave radiation efficiency goes down. Sometimes dramatically. Even tho the 'shortened' antenna may present a great load to the transmitter, it simply is not as good as is the antenna cut for the desired frequency of operation. But hey....maybe the shorter antenna does good enough by itself, or you could add more RF power from the transmitter to make up the difference. I'd say most antennas in use in the World in just about any use of RF are not a 'proper' length, so this lesson is perfect for reality!!
I agree completely. Nice demo.
Jeff W3AAB
Very nice demo, thanks!
Agree with J Rhoades - "Just curious as to how long the shortened antenna ended up being after it was cut down compared to its original length."
Really nicely explained, thank-you.
Very nice demo.
Awesome video
great demonstration :)
Thanks for the video.
I'm amazed that in April 2020 this video has only had 244 'thumbs up' (245 including mine) That's with 20,592 viewings. You won't get a better demonstration of what a loading coil does for you. Give this guy credit for giving a practical and very clear example of a loading coil, give him the thumbs up that he deserves. Remember that the same theory works at all ham radio frequencies and like the guy says it's easier to cut it off than it is to put it back on. Thanks Carl, blooming good demo, well done!Kind Regards . . . Andy gw0jxm
Thanks sir..nicely done:D
very good video, thanks.
Excellent!
Perfect...Thanks a lot👍👍👍
WELL EXPLAINED
very clear,thanks
"...I take my strait wire antennae..." Shows a terribly crooked wire, seems Canadian to me. Super video by the way.
If you were to uncoil the loaded antenna after you cut for the correct resonate frequency. Would it be the same length as the straight antenna or would it be shorter?
HELP ME UNDERSTAND THIS
The thing that gets me so confused, as a radiofanatic and radio geek since year 1998.
I’ve ALWAYS been told: “Longer and bigger antennas, equals more range”.
Don't people wanna have amazing very long range QSOs with people living miles and miles away from you, in places you never could imagine that you could possible to reach.
Questions:
1. Does the loading coil decrease or improve reception, transmission, range and clarity?.
- Won't you actually lose reception/transmission range?, with a shorter coil loaded antenna? Compared to a straight antenna in the same frequency area. . I’ve ALWAYS been told “Bigger IS Better”.
3. What will you actually gain from using a coil loaded antenna except a shorter antenna?.
heestenhats imma answer this in simple way
Longer antenna to match quarter or half or even full wavelength means more gain at resonant frequency (70cm, 2m, 6m, 10m, ... etc)
Shorter with loading coil= resonant frequency at shorter length with less gain but it match the needed low swr needed to transmit safely for the tranceiver. This is usually used when long antennas isnt an option like for vehicle antennas ;) u r forced to load ur antenna
Also note that longer antenna has wider bandwidth as compared to loaded antennas.
Best solution: build the longest antenna u can host in ur yard, pair it with an antenna tuner( which is simply a bunch of loading coils and capacitors) to tune to whatever frequency u want and good gain (determined by optimal antenna length, and design "yagi, vertical ground plane, etc)) , and dont forget the most important point use the lowest loss cable between ur antenna and AT or HT!! This is a killer point i recommed lmr400 which is the best 73!
Hi I have a 33 foot fibreglass pole and I want to make a 43 foot vertical wire antenna . if I wrap 43 foot of wire around the 33 foot pole will it be the same as a 43 foot straight wire antenna in resonance . Even though it is only 33 foot high . Thanks for the video I would apreciate a reply as nobody seems to know the answer hoping you do cheers.
I see, now I understand. Thank you.
wonderful!!! :-) thanks to you :-)
It seemed the straight antenna had better performance than the coiled one as far as gain is concerned? Or do I misunderstand the units on the scope?
Id like to know which performs better ?
Just curious as to how long the shortened antenna ended up being after it was cut down compared to its original length.
Ditto
The same length as the straight
What happens to the Q and the Gain of the Antenna when you add a loading coil to it ?
If you straighten out the coil, will the two antennas be the same length again?
+Nigel P. No. Coiled wire adds Inductive reactance. It is different for different diameter wires,....somewhat
+Moronvideos1940 yes they would, more or less..
Great video man! I would like to have enough money to buy the lab equipment to use it with my antennas :(
Two questions. What is the diameter of the 6 coils you put on this. Secondly what was the length of each element that made this work? I don't have the test equipment to do this yet which is the reason I asked
Return loss on the straight antenna at 150MHz than the antenna with a loading coil optimized for 150MHz. Is there anything you can do to compensate for that or is that just a tradeoff you have to live with?
*Return loss on the straight antenna at 150MHz is much better than the antenna with the loading coil at 150MHz.
Continua a série de vídeos com outras bobinas de carga em cima do irradiante!
So having loading coil can make the mono-pole shorter but the trade-off is having lower gain because some of the capacitance is neutralized by the inductance of the coil?
Does loading affect bandwidth or any other aspect of antenna performance?
Do both antennas have the same gain?
Could one also confirm the resonant freq with an inexpensive antenna analyzer by looking at what freq the reactive component of the impedance goes to zero?
Impedence doesn't go to zero. It could be 50 Ohms, or less or more. Resonance is where the dip is... the lowest impedence. As long as it is less than around 2:1 (two to one) VSWR, the transmitter should be happy. Don't bust a gut trying to get a perfect 1:1; that's nice but not necessary. And the station you are talking to won't notice any difference!
Why is the return loss of 18 db shown as a negative number? This is commonly done but return loss is always positive (unless the device is active). I think it might be reflection coefficient. Thanks! - Good video !!
What is the trade-off for making it shorter like this?
yes but WHICH is more effective ??
it would depend on the needs of the user and location and frequency used.
how do you determine the number of coils and the radius of them ?
But is the antenna with the loading coil as efficient?
Some question.
1. Is the loading coil similar in function to a capacitance hat?
2. What is the tradeoff for using a loading coil to achieve a smaller antenna compared to a straight antenna which has been cut/trimmed to resonance?
3. Does loading an antenna increase gain? is is the loading coil which manipulates the gain? ie. most common UHF/VHF dual band antennas have some form of a coil and usually 3/6db gain.
Thanks if anybody can answer.
i what is the end called that you have on your magmount, i have an mno magmount and i want to just experiment with different length whips, the part i want to screw on to the magmount i dont want to be any kind of loading coil. but i need something that i can clam the whip into it like you see on a lot of the loading coils that come with the whips. but i dont know what its called and just cant seem to find something thats not a loading coil. i can find these all over the place www.protelecomsupply.com/larsen-144-174-nmo-loading-coil-black-nmo150bco but again i dont want it to be a loading coil i just want something that will let me mount the whip of what ever length i want to experiment with
How much bandwidth do you lose by having a loading coil? 73 Per HB9GIM
So longer isn't always better?
Yes longer is better, but when we don't have space (like me) we use dipoles with coils.
Mihajlo Pupin ponos Srbije!
Now straighten the coil, and compare the two wires.
It would be nice if you gave the length of the loading coil as if you had just straighten out in the first place., Antenna 1 is actually longer than antenna 2. At the end to two line actually might be the same length. Redo this test show the length of wires before you make the coil.
Another question, you must also be able to use loading coils on radials? You can always stick a vertical antenna up, but it's a pain with the radials and if you're on 3 sets, then it's a bigger problem. Can you use loading coils on radials? 1 coil per band? And how much does it matter in bandwidth. Thanks for the reply in advance
Now do the reverse with capacitive loading.
Now to go find all those little pieces of wire....
Hopefully not with his foot
what hasnt be mentioned is the effect on the radiation pattern.
5 ***** demo
This video does not explain how actually a loading coil works.