The Loop Looking for an all-band HF antenna that is easy to construct, costs nearly nothing and works great DX? Try this one! By Dave Fischer, WOMHS P.O. Box 888578 Atlanta, GA 30338 here is one wire antenna that per “T sszmsexenonly wal onthe HF bands, but relatively few amateurs know about itor weit, The purpose ofthis aticle is to present what one user has described at the “best kept secretin the amateur circle." "The Loop Skyvre antenna is simple and ‘easy to construct, costs nearly nothing, and tliminates the ned for multiple antennas fo cover the HF bands. Its made of only wire and coal cable and often needs no Transmatch, An efficent antenna, itis effectively omnidirectional over most real earth, and exhibits a good sgnal-to hoise ratio. ‘The antenna operates on ll bands (harmonics) above the design or fundamental frequency and fs on almost every amateurs lot. It also works DX beter than any other antenna T have had in the past. ‘You're suspicious? No antenna does all that? Since 1957, Thave used this antenna in many locations with gest sucess every time, Theres, ofcourse, no such thing as "best antenna, One operator's dream an become another's nightmare. Anten- has ae very sensitive to ther environment. Yet, out ofthe numerous amateurs Ihave known who put up this Skywize, not one took it down because of poor performance Invariably, other antennas, including teams, were dismantled when the Skywite became thelr main antenna, Teis curious that many references to this antenna are bref pronouncement tat i Operates best asa high-angle radiator and is good for only short-distance contacts Such statements, in eect, dismiss this antenna as useless for most amateur work. This isnot the ease! ‘The Antenna Itis quite possible that the Loop Skywire 20° ost Skywire * has not been fully studied, analyzed and researched. Those who are able and curious should investigate the polarization of this ‘one, This article does not offer a technical explanation of its performance or opera- tion. Rather, it isa description of the anten- nna accompanied by construction hints and actual user comments. Take some time to erect the Skywire and decide for yourself whether it works. ‘Novices and Extras take note: Here is a simple, single antenna that really works all. ‘bands without the need for special stubs or tuning and pruning procedures. A ‘Transmatch in the shack is helpful, but is, often unnecessary, especially with tube final rigs. ‘The Loop Skywireis a “magnetic” ver- sion of the old super SKYBUSTER—the open-wire, center-fed “electric” Zepp that hhas performed extraordinarily well for ‘many decades. Yet, this one is less difficult to match and use. Tt can quickly displace that myriad of wires that many have erected. in an attempt to work all HF bands. Besides the improvement in appearance, ‘mutual coupling is greatly reduced. Anten- nas really do not like neighbors: The more antennas erected, the poorer they all generally work. ‘The Loop Skywire is shown in Fig. 1. It is simply a loop antenna erected horizon- tal to the earth. The horizontal position is its secret. Maximum enclosed area within the wire loop is the fundamental rule. The antenna has 1 wavelength of wire in its perimeter at the design or fundamental fre- quency. If you choose to calculate Lou in feet, the following equation should be used: 100s Loat = 205 co) where f is frequency in MHz Given any length of wire, the maximum possible area the antenna can enclose will be with the wire in the shape of a circle. Since it takes an infinite number of skyhooks to hang a circular loop, the square loop (four skyhooks) is the most practical. Reducing the area enclosed by the wire loop further brings the antenna closer to the properties of the folded dipole and both harmonic impedance and feed-line voltage problems can result. Dipole (electric) antennas are only reasonably resonant at their odd harmonics. A little known fact in the amateur community that loops are reasonably resonant at all harmonies of the design frequency. Loop geometries other than a square are thus possible, but remember the two funda- ‘mental requirements for the Loop Skywire: its horizontal position and- maximum enclosed area. Construction Antenna construction is simple. Generally, a minimum of four skyhooks are required. Fig. 2 shows the placement Of the insulators atthe loop corners. There are two methods used to attach the in- sulators: Lock or tie the insulator in place with the loop wire tie shown, or leave the insulator “free” to float or slide along the wire. Most loop users float at least two insulators. This allows pulling the slack out of the loop once it is in the air and climinates the need to have all the skyhooks exactly placed for proper tension in each leg. I recommend floating two opposite corners. The feed point can be positioned anywhere along the loop that you wish. However, most users corner-feed the skywire. Fig. 3 depicts a method of doing this. It is advantageous to keep the feed- point mechanicals away from the corner support. I usually feed a foot or so off oneFig. 1A comph FIXED-POINT INSULATOR wie wike THe toe! (A) COmKIAL CABLE BRAID a |e view of the Loop Skywire. The Loop is erected horizontal to the earth. Fig. 2—Two methods of instaling the insulators atthe loop comers. ‘COAKIAL CABLE CENTER CONDUCTOR “FLOATING® INSULATOR _- Loop WIRE T wine DP cover wi sitieone nuBeER $+ SOLDERED conNecrion A ea LR consi, moa Gaave Saat Fig. 3—Most users comertood the Skywire. A high-impedance, weather resistant insulant should be used forthe feed-point insulator. Cover the end of the coastal cabo with slcone rubber for Protection rom the weather and added electrical insulation. Dimensions shown are approximate corner, allowing the feed line to exit more freely. This method keeps the feed line free from the loop support. If the skyhooks (¢.g., trees) move, then at least two of the ropes or guys used to support the insulators should be counter- ‘weighted and allowed to move freely. The feed-line corner is almost always tied down, however. Very little tension is needed to support the loop (far less than that for a dipole). Thus, counterweights are light weights. Several loops have been con- structed with the use of bungie cords tied to three insulators and the attached ropes tied fast. This eliminates the need for counterweighting. There is another great advantage to this antenna system. It can be operated as a vertical antenna with top-hat loading on all, bands as well. This is accomplished by sim- ply keeping the feed-line run from the antenna to the shack as vertical as possible and clear of objects. Both feed-line con- ductors are then tied together (via a shorted. 0-239 jack, for example), and the antenna is fed against good ground. This method allows excellent performance of the 40-meter Loop Skywire on 80 meters, and the 80-meter Loop Skywire on 160 meters. When constructing the loop, connect (older) the coaxial feed-line ends directly to the loop wire ends. Don’t do anything. else. Baluns or choke coils atthe feed point are not to be used. They are unnecessary. The feed arrangement for operating the loop as a vertical antenna is shown in Fig. 4. ‘Some skeptics have commented that the Loop Skywire is actually a vertical anten- na in disguise. Yet when the loops have ‘been used in on-the-air tests with both local and DX stations, on those bands where loop operation ‘is possible, the loop ‘operating as a loop consistently “out- signals” the loop operating as a vertical. ‘Although the loop can be constructed for any band or frequency of operation, the following two Loop Skywires are the star performers. The 30-meter band can also be operated on both. 80-meter Loop Skywire (80-100 meter loop + 160-meter vertical) Total Loop perimeter: 272 feet ‘Square Sidelength: 68 feet 40-meter Loop Skywire (40-10 meter loop + 80-meter vertical) Total Loop perimeter: 142 feet Square Sidelength: 35.5 feet, Actual total length can vary from these dimensions by a few feet. Do not worry about tuning and pruning the loop to resonance physically. No signal difference was detected on the other end when that method was used. Let the Transmatch do the necessary mop up. Copper wire is usually used in the loop. Lamp or “zip” cord and Copperweld can also be used. Several loops have even been. constructed successfully with steel wie, but soldering is difficult. ‘Recommended height for the antenna is 40 feet or more. The higher the better, especially if you wish to use the loop in the vertical mode. Successful local and DX. ‘operation has been reported, however, in several cases with the antenna at 20 feet. If you are preoccupied with SWR, the reading will depend on your operating fre- quency and the type of feed line used. Coaxial cable is sufficient; open wire does not appear to make the loop perform any November 1985 21i i iP Sea? Base Sead | Ae 533 338 333 ite Hn te employed to eliminate the chance of induced or direct lightning hazard to the shack and ‘operator. Some users simply employ a three- connector (PL-259/PL-258/PL-259) weather-protected junction in the feed line ‘outside the shack and completely disconnect the antenna from the rig and shack during periods of possible lightning activity The antennas just described are in daily use, and I estimate atleast several hundred are working well throughout the world at the present time. Comments offered by some users appear in the accompanying sidebar. They are representative of comments received from the numerous amateurs polled by the author who use the Loop Skywire. There were no dismal or negative results reported with this antenna, which the textbook-touters dismiss as a useless antenna for the HF ham bands. The Loop Skywire is truly a real Loop Skywalker! Try it; you'll like it! I weleome your comments on its use. WOMHS has bee ative on the HF bands for nearty 40) years. Working CW exclusively, Dave’ par Ueipates inthe NTS, chases DX, enjoys contesting ‘and ragehewing, and i a member of the QCWA. Fe holds a deareein Applied and Pure Mathematics ‘and Mathematicel Logie Jrom the University of Missouri at Rolla and the University of Kansas, respectively. He eared hs PRD from the Un Sity of Nebraska. Dave has worked. with elec- Iromapnetics, antennas and transmission tines whe bochan engineer and technical consultant a Hy pain Oe Lincoln, Nebraska. He has also taught af the Universities of Nebraska and Kansas, founded @ radio astronom and radio science observatory at Eariham College," ‘Kansas, and. has authored rumerous technteel papers. His most recent work [Sin the are of fiber-optic cable or fog: altel ‘communication services. Daves presenty director ‘fenginering for Superior Cable Corporation B= Ps + 4—The feed arrangement for operating the loop as a vertical antenna 22 ose better or matching to it any easier. Most users feed with RG-S8, RG-S9 or RG-62. RG-8 and RG-11 are generally too cumber- some to use. With full power and coaxial cable feeding these loops, feed-line problems have not been reported to me. ‘The SWR from either of these loops with approximately 100 feet of feed line is rarely over 3:1. For those who understand SWR, the use of a Transmatch will eliminate all, concern for power transfer and maximum, signal strength. The SWR in my shack is always 1:1. The highest line SWR usually ‘occurs at the second harmonic of the design frequency and all other frequencies above that. The Loop Skywire is somewhat more broadbanded than corresponding dipoles, but the loop is efficient: The SWR curves, are not “dummy load” flat! ‘Since the loop is high in the air and hhas considerable electrical exposure to the elements, proper methods should be Ha Strays “3 1 would like to get in touch with. . anyone with a manual and schematic diagram for a Hallicrafters transmitter, Model HT-40, Merlin Koellen, KB6FQP, 3851 Snead Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92649. anyone with a circuit for automatic restart of the scanning mode for the Yaesu FT-207R 2-meter hand-held. Dan Council, WBOUKL, $819 N. Rosemead, Peor IL 61614, anyone with any information on a Western Electric regulator circuit identified by J87214A-IL1, J87211A-1L7, SD81541-01. Lynchburg ARC, P.O. Box 4242, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Clanyone having a service manual or schematic for a General Radio pulse generator, Model 1340. Elwood Blose, WAAAYC, 7245 Chilton La., Riverdale, GA 30296,