Good introduction to the Alexloop Hampack. I've moved to a new place which has severe HOA restrictions. To operate at home I'm pretty much limited to using a number of my portable antennas I've collected over the years. I the new alexloop a couple of months ago and my 1st contact, on the first try, was from SW FL to Denmark on SSB using IC-705. I'm very pleased with this antenna. Within an hour, I had was able to retune quick enough that search & pounce is still easily done.
I have the same setup as yourself with the Alexloop Hampack and IC705 and I concur with your approval - whilst this antenna isnt cheap, its amazingly quick to setup and get on the air. I mostly do PoTA with SSB and Digital Modes (FT4/8 & SSTV) - the alex loop has been fantastic in tuning up and when spotting on the PoTA the contacts come in quick ! In some cases when operating from my campervan I used a bike stand to mount the antenna, this works really well. When I'm out in the field I carry some 'bungee' straps and hook it up to anything I can find, usually the bench/seat I'm on is good enough. This means I need only the one bag and I have everything in it for an activation and working /P. Also a tip for putting the top of the loop on, I do mine when its near at waist height and pushing back gently on the loop allows a snug fit with ease - like others I suffered getting it on a challenge until I got that method down. Thanks again and hope to catch you on the air with the alexloop !
Thank you so much for posting this detailed video. There are a lot of pros & cons here, but as I travel for work a lot, this might be the ticket for hotel balconies like you mentioned. Would you be cautious to buy a used unit? I might just have to look for one of these this fall. 73 my friend.
It sounds like this might be a perfect solution for you. At this point, you may have to accept that you will have to buy a used one as Alex passed away last year and I don't know if you can still find new ones. Best of luck and 73
The band markings on the tuning box aren't a big deal. Once your familiar with a mag loop you're familiar with the range. On one end you have 29mhz and at the other, 7mhz, so it's very easy to get in the ballpark of where you want to be. Yes, a mag loop is narrow banded, but you can still see activity on a waterfall that is well above or below the frequency you're tuned to, making it easy to figure out which way to fine tune the loop. I've owned an Alpha Loop, and both of Chameleon's previous loops (P, and F2.0), as well as several I built myself, and I while I'm not knocking the Alexloop, there is nothing about it that justifies the price over other mfg's. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the additional info. The experience of other hams adds to the overall value of the content and make it easier for others to make an informed decision on what to spend their ham dollars on.
Height above the ground is not essential so long as you are at least a loop diameter off the ground. It will not significantly impact your radiation pattern as with a dipole as loops radiate the about the same from the horizon up. That is both good and bad. Good as you can get both DX and NVIS. Bad because you are wasting some of your RF going straight up.
I have not personally used it indoors but I know that others have had success with it. I think you need to understand that it is a compromise but you can get on the air and make contacts.
it could be use for SWL but a large loop of wire would work better and cost a whole bunch less. If you need something in a very small space that is tunable, then this would fit the bill.
Good morning, I build a magloop antenna in Brazil and I saw that you can't reach 1:1 in 40m or 10m, you need to make an elongated piece of insulating material to place on the capacitor to tune it because your hand is close to the capacitor and makes tuning difficult, try do a test, I have a channel called PY1FW and see I have a lot of tests with magloop, big hug from PY1FW Léo
Hi, which bands is this Magnetic Loop for? And how long is the coaxial cable that is connected to the variable capacitor? Thanks for reading and replying. 73 Jörg
Sure AlexLoop is expensive at $600 + Tax but if we consider this type of antenna eliminates the need of a tuner like AH705 with a $380+Tax price tag, then you can think it as a good value at $600... If you get a EFHW 4010 + AH705 then you'll be spending the same amount of money and you'll not be as compact as AlexLoop... So, in my book it's not a bad deal after all..
I'm going to make a flat earth antenna. Assuming the world is flat I don't know I never been to space to see for myself. I think we probably look like the moon in shape but make a T antenna and maybe attach a loop on top just in case like a hybrid
Another Sputube advert gathering $ with very little knowledge of using the IC-705 antenna analyser function the unit has to really show the matching VSWR!
Thanks for your comment Geoff, first off, no advertisement as I am in no way affiliated and don't currently monetize. Your point about using the 705 SWR graph is good. I wish I would have thought to use that to demonstrate the narrow bandwidth of the antenna. I used the 705 to demonstrate the loop tuning as it was easy to mount to my tripod and the nice screen shows the SWR meter and waterfall to see the tuning of the loop both on receive and transmit.
Good introduction to the Alexloop Hampack. I've moved to a new place which has severe HOA restrictions. To operate at home I'm pretty much limited to using a number of my portable antennas I've collected over the years. I the new alexloop a couple of months ago and my 1st contact, on the first try, was from SW FL to Denmark on SSB using IC-705. I'm very pleased with this antenna. Within an hour, I had was able to retune quick enough that search & pounce is still easily done.
Thanks Len, good to hear your experience with this antenna. This further provides value to others that may be considering it. 73s
I have the same setup as yourself with the Alexloop Hampack and IC705 and I concur with your approval - whilst this antenna isnt cheap, its amazingly quick to setup and get on the air. I mostly do PoTA with SSB and Digital Modes (FT4/8 & SSTV) - the alex loop has been fantastic in tuning up and when spotting on the PoTA the contacts come in quick ! In some cases when operating from my campervan I used a bike stand to mount the antenna, this works really well. When I'm out in the field I carry some 'bungee' straps and hook it up to anything I can find, usually the bench/seat I'm on is good enough. This means I need only the one bag and I have everything in it for an activation and working /P. Also a tip for putting the top of the loop on, I do mine when its near at waist height and pushing back gently on the loop allows a snug fit with ease - like others I suffered getting it on a challenge until I got that method down. Thanks again and hope to catch you on the air with the alexloop !
Thanks for your additional input. I am also looking to do some POTA/SOTA and I to think this will be a great asset.
Very good video! Looking forward more videos!
Thank you Ron! glad you liked it. More coming soon.
Thank you so much for posting this detailed video. There are a lot of pros & cons here, but as I travel for work a lot, this might be the ticket for hotel balconies like you mentioned. Would you be cautious to buy a used unit? I might just have to look for one of these this fall. 73 my friend.
It sounds like this might be a perfect solution for you. At this point, you may have to accept that you will have to buy a used one as Alex passed away last year and I don't know if you can still find new ones.
Best of luck and 73
The band markings on the tuning box aren't a big deal. Once your familiar with a mag loop you're familiar with the range. On one end you have 29mhz and at the other, 7mhz, so it's very easy to get in the ballpark of where you want to be. Yes, a mag loop is narrow banded, but you can still see activity on a waterfall that is well above or below the frequency you're tuned to, making it easy to figure out which way to fine tune the loop. I've owned an Alpha Loop, and both of Chameleon's previous loops (P, and F2.0), as well as several I built myself, and I while I'm not knocking the Alexloop, there is nothing about it that justifies the price over other mfg's. Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the additional info. The experience of other hams adds to the overall value of the content and make it easier for others to make an informed decision on what to spend their ham dollars on.
Thx for the video! I just ordered a HamPack from DXE. One Question: Is higher better? Or, are loops different?
Height above the ground is not essential so long as you are at least a loop diameter off the ground. It will not significantly impact your radiation pattern as with a dipole as loops radiate the about the same from the horizon up. That is both good and bad. Good as you can get both DX and NVIS. Bad because you are wasting some of your RF going straight up.
@@houseofhamradio , thx for the reply. Alex also indicates that when used horizontally, you end up with an omni pattern. Very interesting. Cheers.
Also, have you tried it indoors? I keep seeing comments about how well it works indoors ... a real benefit for those of us stuck in an HOA. Thx.
I have not personally used it indoors but I know that others have had success with it. I think you need to understand that it is a compromise but you can get on the air and make contacts.
@@houseofhamradio, thx.
I love loops, i use the MFJ Super Q loop 100 watts. Not as portable but better for me.
it is all about what works for you. All the rest is just hype.
Interesting. Would this be suitable as a shortwave radio Rx antenna?
it could be use for SWL but a large loop of wire would work better and cost a whole bunch less. If you need something in a very small space that is tunable, then this would fit the bill.
Good morning, I build a magloop antenna in Brazil and I saw that you can't reach 1:1 in 40m or 10m, you need to make an elongated piece of insulating material to place on the capacitor to tune it because your hand is close to the capacitor and makes tuning difficult, try do a test, I have a channel called PY1FW and see I have a lot of tests with magloop, big hug from PY1FW Léo
Thanks Leo, I will give that a try.
73
Bob
Hi bob VERY good Loop
Thanks, It is a nice antenna
Hi, which bands is this Magnetic Loop for? And how long is the coaxial cable that is connected to the variable capacitor?
Thanks for reading and replying. 73 Jörg
The antenna covers 10 - 40 Meters. The coax is 8.5 feet long.
@@houseofhamradio Thank you very much for the information. 73 Jörg
👍👍👍
thanks
@@houseofhamradio 👍👍
Sure AlexLoop is expensive at $600 + Tax but if we consider this type of antenna eliminates the need of a tuner like AH705 with a $380+Tax price tag, then you can think it as a good value at $600... If you get a EFHW 4010 + AH705 then you'll be spending the same amount of money and you'll not be as compact as AlexLoop... So, in my book it's not a bad deal after all..
That is certainly one way to look at it. Thanks for your comment.
I'm going to make a flat earth antenna. Assuming the world is flat I don't know I never been to space to see for myself. I think we probably look like the moon in shape but make a T antenna and maybe attach a loop on top just in case like a hybrid
Interesting.
Another Sputube advert gathering $ with very little knowledge of using the IC-705 antenna analyser function the unit has to really show the matching VSWR!
Thanks for your comment Geoff, first off, no advertisement as I am in no way affiliated and don't currently monetize. Your point about using the 705 SWR graph is good. I wish I would have thought to use that to demonstrate the narrow bandwidth of the antenna. I used the 705 to demonstrate the loop tuning as it was easy to mount to my tripod and the nice screen shows the SWR meter and waterfall to see the tuning of the loop both on receive and transmit.
Thank you very much for your excellent AlexLoop HamPack video. PY1AHD ALEX Alexandre Grimberg
Was happy to do it Alex. It truly is an outstanding product so easy to give it a positive review.