Amazing Cheap Multiband Delta-Loop Horizontal Antenna

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 10 апр 2024
  • I am about to install a Multi-Band loop which will be resonant on 40m, 20m, 15m and 10m. It needs a 4:1 balun - but other than this balun, this is cheap to build and is well within the possibilities of many small ham radio stations. It will give me some TX and RX gain on the higher bands and it will also be a lovely TX / RX antenna during the day for NVIS 40m.
  • НаукаНаука

Комментарии • 147

  • @Alvin-we3mt
    @Alvin-we3mt Месяц назад +4

    Over the past ten years, I built three 40m horizontal delta loops at various times. One was installed entirely on my roof. The other two were installed in trees on different properties. The one on my roof was more or less 30ft high. The other two were 20 to 25 ft high. I achieved resonance with about 143ft of antenna wire. I fed the roof-mounted loop with coax, and the other two with 300 ohm window line, which i later changed to coax after substantial testing where I found very little difference except on 12, 10, and 6m, where the 130ft run of window line had measurably less loss (compared to 125 ft of RGBX). At the time, my main interests were in 40, 20, 17, and 15m, and the coax was easier to work with. When I used coax, I fed the loops with homemade 4:1 baluns installed at the feedpoint. When I used window line, I ran it straight to the tuner, which has a built-in 4:1 balun. As for lightning protection, I used quick disconnect connectors outside my shack and disconnected the feedline when I wasn't operating. I also shorted and grounded the leads. I depended on the tuner's ground connection to drain static when I was operating. Perfomance-wise, the loop is the best receiving antenna I ever used, and I have used a lot. It was even a great receive antenna on 80m, although I could not use it for transmitting on bands lower than 60m. The signal-to-noise ratio was always outstanding. And, the loops worked well for transmitting, particularly on 40, 20, and 15m. For most bands, I didn't need a tuner, but I did use one on 60, 17 and 12m. I found very little difference in performance with loops mounted at 20ft vs 30ft, although the feedpoint impedance changed a bit. I compared the performance of my last loop to my current non-resonant end-fed inverted-V (for 6 though 80m) and discovered that the end-fed generally outperformed the loop on transmit (by about 3 to 6 dB on 40 and 20m), but the loop was hugely superior on receive. At the extreme, I sometimes could not hear some stations whatsoever on the end-fed, but they were clear at s4 or s5 on the loop. As long as space permits, I will likely always have a 40m horizontal delta loop in my antenna arsenal. I have often used the loop for receiving and the end-fed for transmitting. That configuration has netted me nearly 200 unique DX entities. I'm a believer.

  • @marciniwaniuk8176
    @marciniwaniuk8176 2 месяца назад +5

    In SP there is very popular delta loop antenna designed by SP7LA (SK), it works without ATU on 80-10m (with WARC). Balun 1:4, arms lenght (starting from balun) 23.87m, 35.1 and 23.87m. It's big, but works well even 5m above ground. So with 82m of wire you have almost all HF bands. I think every ham operator in SP built and used that antenna in his career. For 40-10m band there is modified version with coil near to balun (arms lenght 13.1m, 15.2m, 13.1m).

  • @M7BVV-Phil
    @M7BVV-Phil 2 месяца назад +9

    If only my back garden wasn't the size of a pocket handkerchief,hi...thanks for yet another great video Cal.

    • @gardeningfromscratch.
      @gardeningfromscratch. 2 месяца назад +3

      Yup, mine (back garden) can only fit a 40mtr dipole as inverted v, and then the last 3 ft ends head earthward to get a tune. However the loading coils on the ends of the 40mtr get me to 80mtr with extra wire still heading earthwards for another 5 ft. And the 30mtr and 20mtr dipoles fed from the same feed point as a fan (inverted v) perform great. That gives me 4 bands without need for ATU. And 17, 15, 12 and 10 can be accommodated with use of ATU (transmatch) with degraded performance. Still working on the upper 4 bands as 2 x trap dipoles, 12 and 17 as one, and 10 and 15 as the other, otherwise there are too many losses involved in the traps and reduced bandwidth also. We shall see how it goes.

    • @jamesabc372
      @jamesabc372 28 дней назад +1

      Maybe you should put your Delta loop antenna in an vertical position. Takes less space. For 20m loop use 2, 7.2 m fiberglass fishing rods and configure In a V shape. You can almost make equal length all 3 sides. Still use 4:1balun. Test 450 ohm window line for multi band use. Also the lower point no
      more than 10 ft above ground. Because you start to get additional lobes that weaken the stronger original angle.

  • @VK3TWO
    @VK3TWO 3 дня назад

    I use a 160m horizontal loop and absolutely love it. All bands! Super quiet.

  • @gwlong
    @gwlong 2 месяца назад +6

    Hi, Cal. Yes! This was my first antenna build and it was quite similar to what you presented except that I fed it with ladder-line from a Versa Tuner using this obscure little thing called a PT-340 "Tuner-Tuner" made by Palomar to set the best match on each band. I worked the world on all HF bands with that setup quite effectively with 100W and had great fun with it. Yes, it's very quiet receive, too. Highly recommend that folks give it a try if they have the real estate for it.

    • @bills6701
      @bills6701 2 месяца назад

      I have had a horizontal delta loop up for almost 8 years. Its something close to 80 meter in total length. Fed with ladder line and a tuner. Presently an old SGC-239. Had several manual tuners on it before. I feed it in the middle of one side. Always wondered what it would do fed in a corner. All my radios love the antenna. Running WSPR on it tonight for the fun of it. I have put up verticals and dipoles and end feds. And keep trying different antennas. The delta loop stays up!
      73 W4WCS

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад +1

      OK, so you too. Yes, very nice.

  • @Jason-nm8bs
    @Jason-nm8bs 2 месяца назад +3

    Hi Cal, looking forward to this as this will be my first antenna build. I will be going for my foundation license in Australia on the weekend. And can I say a big thank you for doing all the information sessions you’ve been a big help. And by the end of the year, I’ll be buying one of your gigantic 12.4 meter
    DX commander. So this antenna build will put me in good stead for when I have to put the DX commander together.
    THANK YOU once again for the time you put into everything you do.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      OK Good luck! The 12.4 is AMAZING

    • @Jason-nm8bs
      @Jason-nm8bs 2 месяца назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ I passed thanks to your help, and the information and the way you explained things. I am Super excited now to keep learning and going for the full license. Thanks once more Cal you’re a legend in my books.

  • @reaganl.5113
    @reaganl.5113 2 месяца назад +1

    I helped a ham friend years ago make a 20m square loop but only 1/4 wave length high. Easy to do with 4x4 posts and PVC strapped to the posts. Fed point was direct...yes no balun...at one corner. He had great results with it. It was experimental and the wind brought it down after about a month. He claimed quieter than inverted V dipoles with similar gain. I experimented in my backyard on the US CB band 11m and ended up with a 1.5:1 swr...it got in the way mowing the yard so I eventually took it down! I think the term used back then for these horizontal loops was 'sky loops'.

  • @michaelpolimer2128
    @michaelpolimer2128 2 месяца назад +3

    chain link fence top rail is 21' long...........fairly cheap and very stout............readily available here, some comes with swaged ends which will allow you to plug in more sections or cut the 21' length in half and have two 10' sections which may be easier to handle.........cheers from New England to old England 73, Mike K1FNX near Boston

  • @mikeramsey9747
    @mikeramsey9747 2 месяца назад +2

    I really like the idea and if it ever stops raining I'm going to try to build one and see what I get.

  • @phildurall7466
    @phildurall7466 2 месяца назад +1

    Nice coverage Cal! Horizontal loops are the bomb! I have had 2 in my history, and they are quiet and tune all over the place.
    73 - KF6IF

  • @DukeDave1
    @DukeDave1 2 месяца назад +3

    Thanks Great video. I like your MMANA video discussion explanation Callum.

  • @mi6xgzjon186
    @mi6xgzjon186 2 месяца назад +1

    hi cal. i worked you a few years back with a square 40m loop 8ft off the ground at my old qth. used hardened copper wire 1.5mm ( winding wire for motors extra) with an off set feed point and a 2.5 to 1 balun. it worked brilliantly on 10 watts on 80m 27.6.2020 2313hrs loved it. your video has inspired me to do it again! just to convince the missus now 🤔

  • @FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z
    @FromthehamshackwithNJ4Z 2 месяца назад +1

    AWESOME Callum... I started out with a 40meter loop, now I have an 80m full wave horizontal delta loop. I love the antenna, it is about 10 - 12 meters A.L.G. It is a monster. Great to see you experimenting with one of these on video. I know you have built the megaloop (160m full wave) as we did for our club field day.

  • @kc8aro66
    @kc8aro66 2 месяца назад +1

    Love my horizontal delta loop, feed with ladder line and works great.

  • @butchdingle1000
    @butchdingle1000 2 месяца назад +1

    Good loop antennas take some beating hope it works well for you Callum.

  • @j.p.thearmoredchef
    @j.p.thearmoredchef 2 месяца назад +1

    Looks like a fun project to try.

  • @gamlemann53
    @gamlemann53 2 месяца назад +1

    I love this Callum! The best from LB1NH 🙂

  • @tech160s
    @tech160s 2 месяца назад

    Thanks for the video Calum. This is a great antenna. I have one set up in my yard. It's about 8m up, 4:1 balun fed in the corner with cnt240 coax. I have an Icom 7300 and the internal tuner happily gets a match on 40,20,15,10 and 6m.
    I like your idea of the paracord and loop of extra wire so you can trim easily to get best match. Mine has several joins in it lol.

  • @kennethausten
    @kennethausten 27 дней назад

    Bit of a coincidence as i made a similar antenna based on previous experience back in Kent. It was a quiet antenna , less noise. . Decided on a 4 to 1 balum wound on a ferrite Rod. 50m wire in the air. It loads on all bands via ATU. But it's resonant on 30m . Results not bad.. Still testing. Only just found your video.. everyone tells me it's a cloud burner being horizontal. It's 23 ft high. Qrm is Far better. A EFHW was a disaster for qrm at my qth. Going to make an alteration to the feed point for logistic reason as i want to install a homemade vertical antenna as well. The loop is not so hot on 10m. But 40m seems incredible. Although today station i could hear well at Hackgreen were not even audible on my setup. Also no longer can work the Sunday 60m net as all stations are weaker.. Then other stations are good. Radiation pattern is the problem. Still it's low noise. May be able to raise the height at one end.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  26 дней назад

      Ignoring transmit ability, I agree, the RX will be lovely.

  • @Andrew-yx7sf
    @Andrew-yx7sf 2 месяца назад

    Thanks for the tips. I have been wanting to build one to compliment my DX Commander Classic. 73, N1XXU

  • @MarkJulicher
    @MarkJulicher 2 месяца назад +1

    I have a DX commander signature but I wanted a loop to play with, so I managed to put a 160 meter loop at about 5 meters above ground around my property. I only had a 1:1 balun on hand so I hooked up to that and then 20 feet of RG213 into the shack. I started playing around on 28 MHz and first contact was Tokyo from my QTH in Texas. Gotta love a loop antenna.

    • @Tokyo1991.JL1AJE
      @Tokyo1991.JL1AJE 2 месяца назад

      If you don’t mind me asking how many watts did you make that Tokyo qso with?

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      @@Tokyo1991.JL1AJE I think that was 1kW.

    • @Tokyo1991.JL1AJE
      @Tokyo1991.JL1AJE 2 месяца назад

      ​@@DXCommanderHQ
      A kilo what?! Ouch…
      Well I now have 50W to play with officially.
      And I’m getting over to the US mainland and Oz/NZ with just 20W Morse into the Reverse Beacon Network. Also audible on a remote KiwiSDR with just 20W SSB on 15 meters!
      73 de JL1AJE
      John 😊

  • @jameyevans29
    @jameyevans29 2 месяца назад

    This is weird because I was just researching how to build one of these. Thanks for the info!

  • @414mike-uw8pr
    @414mike-uw8pr 2 месяца назад

    Good video your the reason I got back in to radio again more in to ham now 👍

  • @juraphotos7489
    @juraphotos7489 2 месяца назад +2

    I have a 320 meter ( roughly two wave lengths for topband) sloping loop 80' down to 70' right next to the sea over very wet sloping ground and a burn fed with 6" open wire feeder into a home made Collins type tuner basically its two inductors (18 uH) each in parallel with caps (600pF) at each end across the inductors it does quite well , for the higher hf bands i have to switch out one of the caps as the minimum capacitance is a bit to high its one of the best antennas iv ever built but needs quite heavy hardware and wire, consideration needs to be taken with the halyards and free running hanging points so far its held up in 65+ mph winds without a problem

  • @brianfields4479
    @brianfields4479 2 месяца назад +1

    Great ant on tx and quiet on rx, nice one cal. Ive used em for years on rx, and my verts on tx.

  • @DK5ONV
    @DK5ONV 2 месяца назад

    Love my 275ft/ 2:1 Delta Loop.....like you mentioned it. Low Noise Level on the RX-Side and effective TX Signal. Happy Weekend, Lord Callum. 73 de Uncle Günter

  • @DjFinch-lv2nb
    @DjFinch-lv2nb 2 месяца назад

    Callus, that is the antenna I use. Mine is 160m antenna 50-60ft up. I love it. I've been using it over 10 years and get great signal reports, hears excellent. 160-6m tunes with internal tunner. Only bad part of this antenna is it's a static absorber, so when not in use I keep it unplugged from my station. Other than that, it kicks butt. I placed 5th place for 4 land in a CQ SSB contest against the rest of all and 2nd for the FL so party against all the big stations with big power. 100 watts and a wire. 73s from US N4RRR

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      Ah! Yes - I'll bet it's wonderful. Never thought about the static..

  • @psychodadsn
    @psychodadsn 2 месяца назад

    Love my 80m skyloop! Direct fed with 75ohm catv commscope coax. Its my pileup buster.

  • @flipster7285
    @flipster7285 2 месяца назад

    One of my qth antennas is a 40m delta loop, up at around 7m. One point is slightly lower due to not having the required height but have not noticed any adverse effects. Built it from 1mm stainless electic fencing wire wit a 2:1 balun and I've worked Europe on a 20W G90 and the loop. Tunes beautifully and the Rx on it is really good (i do live in a rural area so that helps with lower noise floors). Enjoy the build!

  • @ghostinthecodeRF
    @ghostinthecodeRF 12 дней назад

    Been using that type antenna since 1978

  • @ghostinthecodeRF
    @ghostinthecodeRF 2 месяца назад +3

    My antenna ive been using since 1978

  • @dback4430
    @dback4430 2 месяца назад

    Made a 40 meter. Great for 100 -800 miles. Quiet but mine was around a tree about thirty odd feet up. Irregular shape for certain. Running qrp and loads of fun.

  • @CanispaterChristmas
    @CanispaterChristmas 2 месяца назад +1

    BRILLIANT!!! 👍💥📡

  • @chichimus
    @chichimus 2 месяца назад

    My favourite antenna. Have an 80m version. Biggest problem I have is Douglas fir limbs coming down in windstorms and talking the loop with them.

  • @Stewart491
    @Stewart491 2 месяца назад +1

    I have 82 meter version of it and the feed point is on the east side, so it’s point west at a height of 9M ❤️❤️❤️

  • @problemwithauthority
    @problemwithauthority 2 месяца назад

    I have made a few loops with the DX-50. My strain reliefe is paracord outer cover, and glue lined shrink tubing leaving a 12 inch tail. That way I don't need to redo my strain relief, but once it is tuned it is fairly poratble. Pole supports are 3 Classic poles one fixed to my vehicle, and 2 on portable stands. At about 25 ft I make a loop from a zip tie and using a second zip tie I attach the first loop to the Classic pole as a wire guide/support. Remember to extend all the segments of the Classic pole to keep some water out. I attatch a 4:1 BALUN to the Classic pole on the vehicle. A short run of coax to the radio and I can be operating in about 20 minutes (I move slow ) . I guess I should make a video.

  • @DD5LP
    @DD5LP 2 месяца назад

    Hi Callum, been building and using horizonal loops for years. It's a GREAT antenna and it's a cheap option, resilient in storms and the gain is greater on bands above it's resonant frequency in the direction away from the feed point. The shape isn't so important either (theoretically the more space inside the loop the better the gain, so a circle would be best but anything works).
    I've tried coax feed to a balun and even ladder line but I always come back to using a Q-section of 75 ohm coax (1/4 wave long in 40m for a 40m loop). It is still multi-band and I use it often on 20m to work into Australia or on 10m to work into North America. 40m in winter into New Zealand. Great, great antenna. 73 Ed DD5LP

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      Never tried circle and I'm not convinced either.. It's got to be the spahe itself, like a V beam / dipole..?

    • @DD5LP
      @DD5LP 2 месяца назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ I believe the different gain levels with different shapes are almost only theoretical as the majority of installations are defined by the shape of the garden it has to fit into. Of course with a large field you could compare for example delta, round and square but I don't believe the shape of a delta loop gives it more directivity than another shape. This is an antenna that simply works well no matter what shape you make it. Mine is up at 9 metres rather than the 7 metres it was at and that extra couple of metres doesn't give it more gain but moves it further away from the house and reduces the noise floor. 73 Ed

  • @F4EGX
    @F4EGX 2 месяца назад

    I use a Horizontal Deltaloop for 40m. 10m high. I put 300 Ohm twinlead for the feeder to my shack. And put a 4:1 balun from twinlead to coax connected to my auto-tuner. I trim the Twinlead to adjust SWR good as the ATU working all band.
    Not perfect installation, maybe some loss. But for Urban installation, Deltaloop are more quiet than dipole.
    Extra: I put 2 inductors, one in serie, one in parallel, "home made adjusted value (error and try)" for a "not to high" SWR (tunable for ATU) on 80m

  • @JayN4GO
    @JayN4GO 2 месяца назад

    I’ve built these all ways. Square , tri, circle. The inverted delta with 2 ends up work best. In a vertical plane of course. Place to feedpoint opposite of where you want to beam. So to eu I put the feedpoint on the western side of the loop. Note there is more noise if the feedpoint is on the vertical element. My favorite antenna for 40m. Some people love them for 80 and 160 but their dx is lacking compared to a higher dipole or 4sq verticals. Wish I had a few 100 ft towers for a proper dx loop.

  • @Capt_Duffy
    @Capt_Duffy 2 месяца назад

    Hi Cal, just built a skyloop 40m-10m ,in almost a square shape, height is around 45ft, its simply a DXBuster on higher bands, BTW im feeding it with homebrew Ladder Line.

  • @GH0ST369
    @GH0ST369 Месяц назад

    Thanks for the video.

  • @shanehogarth6373
    @shanehogarth6373 Месяц назад

    Looking forward to the next installment on this one. I've been looking at building a delta loop for 40 for some time now, but, most of the research I've done suggests it more like 100 ohm at the feed point and a 2:1 transformer is what's needed rather than a 4:1. But as you said the 4:1 sort of covers all the different impedances across all bands. I guess none of this stuff is set in stone and a lot depends on the height, but would be interested in your views on this Cal. 73

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  Месяц назад +1

      Ah yes.. Now a VERICALLY polarised mono-band delta loop needs about 100 ohms. The trick to that one is a q/wave (of target frequency) of 75 ohm coax (less velocity factor) at the feedpoint. That will do the transformation.

    • @shanehogarth6373
      @shanehogarth6373 Месяц назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ Thanks Cal, that all makes sense. Just catching up on my YT stuff and saw your recent video. Take it easy mate, do what you have to do. 73

  • @newsles2
    @newsles2 2 месяца назад

    Oh. Thanks for the interesting vid.

  • @joziegt337
    @joziegt337 Месяц назад

    Hi cal. This is same like my h5anxk4 multi band loop. I put it on the web back in 1996. Then in qst. The use of 4:1 balun and multi band properties were noted back.then. I really wish folks can give credit to us who discovered this. Thank you.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  Месяц назад +1

      Loops have been around even longer.. It's one of those things that just gradually came to being. However, most people still think the RF goes straight up..

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  Месяц назад +1

      @@sajsan4763 Credit to you then. Good work. I never knew that. Now maybe pull the horses back a bit..

    • @sajsan4763
      @sajsan4763 Месяц назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ THank you. When this was designed, i put the design up on antennex back in 1995. Then several hams plagurised it including the balun - Air core - not ferrite based. Because in the kalahari desert, i did not have access to this. Using W6SAI book where he showed the aircore for 1:1, i postulated, it was possible and very simple to do it for 4:1 and there it was. This loop was being done in parallel to V51E (SK) koosie who was on the other side of the desert in Namibia. We were working on parallel designs - he settled with bob tail curtain and I focused on the delta loop. The reason for 4:1 was simple calculations. Fundamental loop frequency is having approx 150ohm. Normal loop asked for 75ohn 1/4 feed. I did not have access to it. The rational was 75+50=125. This would give a close match to 150ohms. As I did not have access to 75ohm, this is where the 4:1 balun came up - I thought of multiplying it. giving 200ohms. 200/150 = 1.3swr which is similar to feeding with 75ohm. Hence this idea. when you go to 2nd harmonic, the folded loop will never load. but in case of a loop/delta it becomes 200ohms. Now 4:1 balun works perfect and if you check, on 20m for a 40m loop, the SWR flat lines. For 20m loop - 10m flat lines. Effectively you get this as a no tune 2 band version. but intermediate bands are easily workable. e.g. 20m -> 20,17,15,12,10,6. Etc. You can see my response in QST long back with the design including the balun photo.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  Месяц назад +1

      @@sajsan4763 You deleted your original comment. That makes the thread meaningless.. But anyway, the patent for the 4:1 balun in a loop antenna was granted in 1947 to Clarence Moore. Thank him for your inspiration :)

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  Месяц назад +1

      PPS US Patent # 25371911

  • @eoinm0nvk110
    @eoinm0nvk110 2 месяца назад

    Built a 80m loop as my first antenna. 7m to 10m high, don't really need the 4:1 on 80m, just not high enough, could drop with switching in a 2:1 on 80m. 4:1 is perfect for 40m onwards. Feeding now with ladder line to reduce all losses...big 4:1 in the shack into the back of the tuner. Runs 1kw all day long.

  • @hamradiostationg0dtx583
    @hamradiostationg0dtx583 2 месяца назад

    Very nice

  • @bazzaar1869
    @bazzaar1869 Месяц назад

    I had great success using a 4:9 balun to match into a rectangular 33 foot high 40m loop on all bands 40-10m.

  • @DaveGreenonline
    @DaveGreenonline Месяц назад

    Hi Cal..Great video and have to agree great antenna ..Have you ever played with a V Beam as just about to have a play with a V Beam at about 8mts agl with each leg about 24Mts fed with 450 Ohm ladder line to a 4:1 just outside the shack, Looks interesting on MMANA.

  • @MadScotsmanNZ
    @MadScotsmanNZ 2 месяца назад

    I had fun with a vertical 40M delta loop( would be interesting to see the plot H vers V pol), by the way it was replaced with the dx commander my hops kept growing up it I used 2x 8M scaffold poles to hold it up 4:1 balun and an mfj tuner and my TS440s

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      I've added that comparison to my list..

  • @garryhammond3117
    @garryhammond3117 2 месяца назад

    Hi Callum! - Great video. - My own plan is to form a very irregularly shaped loop using sparce trees at variying heights with the feed point being one of the highest.
    Length will be around 160m - Feed point wil be ~45 feet - other heights around the loop will vary wildly between 25 and 35 feet.
    I will be feeding it with open wire transmission line into a balanced tuner.
    Will I still need a 4:1 balun? - Or will the balanced tuner (MFJ 974B) be able to compensate for any mismatches?

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      If you are running a balanced tuner, you don't need anything else.

  • @thomashurley666
    @thomashurley666 2 месяца назад

    Hi Cal. Love your vids. What would be the effect of hanging it vertically? I ask because I have used an antenna called a "Super Loop" which was made by a firm that is no longer in business. Physically it looks much like what you describe. It's a full wave 80M triangle fed at the bottom thru what the designer calls a "tuning unit". However, half way across the top, the wire is split at an insulator and a 32 foot twin lead tuning stub hangs down shorted across the bottom end of the stub. I'm not an antenna theory guy, but it always beats reference dipoles on every band from 80 to 10 with SWR's in the 2:1 range. Perhaps its a bunch of bi-squares. PS: the top of my triangle is at 20M above ground which puts the "tuning unit" and the coax feed point about 10 meters up. Your thoughts?

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      Oh heck, I knew someone would ask.. I'll add it to the video list!

  • @AddFilmmedia
    @AddFilmmedia 2 месяца назад

    I’m a new viewer and also a massive nube when it comes to RF antennas! But, do I interpret your drawing of the triangle correctly as the antenna being a closed loop, with the two ends of the triangle connected to the balun? Wouldn’t that create a short? Does that work? I thought that antennas need to have an open circuit? Again, I most probably may have misunderstood the concept of antennas completely… Hence the ”nube” question? Does the antenna cable consist of two leaders, whereas the leader and the braid are fed separately? Many thanks for all your excellent videos!❤️🇸🇪

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад +1

      A short.. Looks like it - but inside of coax will effectiovely go one way - and the earth goes the other way.. Yes, it's like a short (sort of)

    • @AddFilmmedia
      @AddFilmmedia 2 месяца назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ My question was put with the outmost respect to your knowledge, and what I really wanted to know is if each end of the leader on the antenna (as there are two) is connected to separate poles on the balun, or if one end of the leader is connected to one pole on the balun and on the other pole on the balun will be connected the braid. As you may notice, I’m very new to this area, and I may actually ask the most infantile question possible….

  • @gardeningfromscratch.
    @gardeningfromscratch. 2 месяца назад +2

    Just out of curiosity Cal, do you still play in a band? sadly I had to retire from semi pro due to ill health (disability) after playing Bass, Double Bass and Keyboards for nearly 65 years.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад +2

      I tried last year to put yet another band together.. We drifted apart about 3-months ago. I'm going to give it ONE more try end of this summer.

    • @bassman2246
      @bassman2246 2 месяца назад +2

      @@DXCommanderHQ Wish you success, if you need a session man, check me out, last recording was rock n roll heart with P.J.Proby, my other channel gardening from scratch explains the situation regarding health issues. Can handle short sessions hence being able to handle session work with breaks for listen back and retakes.

  • @danedwards7597
    @danedwards7597 2 месяца назад

    Cool! Would this also work for 2 meters?

  • @btroshol
    @btroshol 2 месяца назад

    Hi Cal. I have done some testing here on a 160m square, but i gonna try it as a delta this weekend! I use 4:1 and a 1:1 in series. Give a update

  • @markwatson3135
    @markwatson3135 2 месяца назад

    On the vertical side, opposite the feed point, can we attach it to a DX Commander pole instead of a bannister?

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      No.. Just too much tension really..

  • @jnmessa3777
    @jnmessa3777 2 месяца назад

    Hi Cal:
    I have a 1:1 Balun, and 250ft (76 M) of 18 gauge wire - would it make sense to try to make this "triangle" horizontal antenna ?

  • @ORMO1993
    @ORMO1993 2 месяца назад

    Are you really going to hang it in these trees? I would see a video how you manage :D Im experimenting with the verticals in a forest because i dont want to thread the wires trought the roots... I want to try 80m loop by SP7LA, but probably i dont have enough space to put 81 m of wire...

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      That's the plan.. I MIGHT use the drone to assist some parts of it..

  • @davidcoupe8097
    @davidcoupe8097 2 месяца назад

    Hi Cal. Run a 160m Loop here at 400w at 12m high. Thinking of doubling the size to 320m and to see how it works. Have plenty of room to run it down the paddock. VK3DJC

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      Wow.. Do it!

    • @davidcoupe8097
      @davidcoupe8097 2 месяца назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ Have modelled it MMANA and you get some crazy gain and lobes as you go up the bands. Cheers

  • @davidbridge3542
    @davidbridge3542 2 месяца назад

    Hi Cal. Thinking of knocking one up for 10m only and using it this coming weekend for 10 on 10...
    Any good ?? Also what length of wire would you aim for ? Cheers David.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад +1

      Cut 2.4m for a quarter wave.. That's roughly 29MHz.. Apparently we'll be JUST above that.

    • @davidbridge3542
      @davidbridge3542 2 месяца назад

      @DXCommanderHQ cheers 🍻 Hopefully catch you on 10 Saturday.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      @@davidbridge3542 Just beware - we'll be vertically polarised (if you are in UK) else any polarisation will work.

    • @davidbridge3542
      @davidbridge3542 2 месяца назад

      Cheers for update. Might not have it ready in time so will probably use the wire slim jim on a 12m dx commander pole. Will look for you on 29.130
      G6SBR on the hills above Burnley 😅.

  • @z3r0c00l2
    @z3r0c00l2 2 месяца назад

    Hey Cal .. interesting video. But I need your help. My roof I small in space and I can't raise a 7m mast. Max I can go is 5 meters from roof of my house . What antenna I could try build as multiband from 40m to 10m bands, using 49:1 unun or 1:1 balun ? Jimmy SY1DAL

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад +1

      OK.. 5m and 40m don't mix THAT well.. But for 5m, you could copy / replicate the Rapide (which is 7m) and cut it down so it does 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and 6m.. You could actually just remove the top 2 sections from a "real" Rapide and do that. For 40m, some wire in the back yard..

    • @z3r0c00l2
      @z3r0c00l2 2 месяца назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ ok fair enough... Will try it . Thanks

  • @alallan7584
    @alallan7584 2 месяца назад

    I am planning on building an 80m loop, but I want to feed it with ladder line and have to 4:1 in the shack.

  • @miketaylor6700
    @miketaylor6700 2 месяца назад

    “It’s all about the bananas!”

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      I can't believe I actually said that!

  • @TheNuttyHam
    @TheNuttyHam 2 месяца назад

    Hi Callum, why a 4:1 balun over a 2.5:1 balun? I use a 2.5:1 and with my 40m loop I get 40,20,17,15,12 and 10m all below 3:1 swr. I also did something odd and have an 80m (tuned to upper portion) on the same balun sort of like a fan dipole theory, arranged where if u look down from above it it would look like a lopsided bowtie with than balun as the knot. I wonder how the radiation is with this setup? Maybe you could run that thru that software

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад +1

      I've always used 4:1 and it's worked for me.

    • @TheNuttyHam
      @TheNuttyHam 2 месяца назад

      @DXCommanderHQ well I was hoping for more of a scientific answer lol. Just curious to learn from an antenna guy like yourself why this over that sort of thing.

    • @M0RMY
      @M0RMY Месяц назад

      @@TheNuttyHam hi mate - the impedance at the feed point changes according to multiple factors including height above ground, shape of the loop, placement of the feed point etc. I have a 80m loop with a 4:1 and it is great. This article is really quite good: practicalantennas.com/theory/loop/full-wave/ A 2.5:1 will be also fine for impedances around 130 ohms or so.

  • @forgetyourlife
    @forgetyourlife День назад

    So is 3 sided better than 4 sided using the same length wire?

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  День назад

      Different.. I prefer triangles myself..

    • @forgetyourlife
      @forgetyourlife День назад

      @@DXCommanderHQ I’ve read that the more room in the middle the better so I hung a square. Does the modeling say different?

  • @robertengel8342
    @robertengel8342 Месяц назад

    Any update on how to build this delta loop?

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  Месяц назад +1

      Yes.. I was just waiting for a) the bloody rain to stop and b) grab a day off and build it (and film!)

    • @robertengel8342
      @robertengel8342 Месяц назад

      @DXCommanderHQ wonderful! Looking forward to it 😀

  • @GoonyMclinux
    @GoonyMclinux 2 месяца назад

    I use a 40 meter vertical loop, quiet and kinda gainy. 😂

  • @ahoward2kable
    @ahoward2kable 2 месяца назад

    First!

  • @solarnewbee7868
    @solarnewbee7868 2 месяца назад

    What does 5% off the horizon mean. Question is how do I achieve this? I know its a dumb question! But i don't know how to make this happen.

    • @DXCommanderHQ
      @DXCommanderHQ  2 месяца назад

      YOU don't make it happen... SOME of your energy will go off low to the ground.. See previous video on subject I did about 3-weeks ago.

  • @fairlymajorstationno1298
    @fairlymajorstationno1298 2 месяца назад

    great cant wait to the build well explained de mi0tlg william