[IRCA] 9 Foot Longwave Box Loop (and other projects)

[D1028Gary@xxxxxxx]

Hello Guys,
 
Wrapping up the fascinating experimentation with PVC-frame tuned passive  
loops, I decided to push my luck on a couple of ambitious projects, both of  
which exceeded expectations.
 
A 9-foot (diagonal) PVC-framed box loop was built for LW reception, using  
1.25" diameter PVC for rigid framing. About 490 feet of #18 wire was wrapped 
in  19 turns across the PVC frame, with the frame offset from the coil for 
maximum  performance. Using the standard tuning capacitor from eBay's  
"crystalradiosupply," this monstrous antenna tunes from 167 kHz to 444 kHz,  
providing serious gain on any frequency near resonance. Not being a particularly 
 active LW DXer, I assume this tuning range is suitable for some LW DXing 
:>)  Otherwise, I'll just add a few more turns to get the coverage down to 
150  kHz.
 
Using this monster in my backyard, a slew of LW beacons was booming in  on 
the Tecsun PL-600 just prior to sunset, including the following morse  code 
stations: "GR" and "LU" around 214 kHz, "HQ" on 235 kHz, "BVS" on 240  kHz, 
"HE" on 245 kHz, "QCD" on 251 kHz, "VR" on 266 kHz, and "FHR" on 284  kHz. 
Only the "QCD" beacon was audible on the stock PL-600-- the others  required 
the 9 foot box loop for reception.
 
The other ambitious project was a 5.8 foot (diagonal) PVC loop with  
removable parts, that can easily be assembled by an apartment or townhouse  
dweller in a park, or ocean beach (or anywhere else). This project used silicone  
rubber sealant on the coil windings where they crossed the PVC tubes, making 
it  easy to get perfectly symmetrical coils every time, when the loop is 
assembled  out in the field. It takes about 30 seconds to assemble, and the 
broken-down  version will fit easily in any compact car.
 
Full details on these and other PVC loops will be contained in an upcoming  
article, which is nearing completion.
 
73, Gary DeBock
 
 
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