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 **************The Average US Credit Score is 692. See Yours in Just 2 Easy Steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222376998x1201454298/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072&hmpgID=62&bcd=M ay5309AvgfooterNO62) _______________________________________________ IRCA mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca
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