It is a different animal than the AY. I think it’s a good antenna but I have something unique at my QTH that seems to render RX antennas performance compromised.
I’m moving to the country in a couple years on 30 or so acres and will be able to better optimize my station antennas. Cecil K5DL Sent from my iPad > On Jan 6, 2022, at 6:19 PM, Don Kirk <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Mike and gang, > > It has been a long time since I looked at the SAL in which I modeled it > with the help of the designer of the SAL (KB7GF). The SAL is actually > different than the K9AY and other EWE types of RX antennas which have a > typical RDF value of around 7.8 because the SAL (Shared Apex Loop) antenna > actively uses two of its loops which are "in line" with each other for what > you might call the primary direction (direction in line with the loops), > and these two phased loops can provide an RDF value of around 9.2 depending > on the coupler locations. For the off axis directions (45 degrees to the > loops) I believe all 4 loops of the SAL are active (phased together) and > they provide a pattern more like what you would expect from the K9AY or > other EWEs with an RDF of approximately 7.8. Therefore in the 4 primary > directions of the SAL the SAL definitely has a better RDF than the K9AY or > other types of EWE receiving antennas. > > When used "in line" the RDF of the SAL is around 9.2 as mentioned above > which is similar to what you would obtain using two phased verticals with > 1/8 wavelength spacing. > > Just FYI, > Don (wd8dsb) > >> On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 9:43 PM W0MU Mike Fatchett <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> The SAL is pretty much just an AY loop with a more functional >> controller? I have had moderate success with a pennant at V31 as well. >> >> W0MU >> >>> On 1/5/2022 7:23 PM, [email protected] wrote: >>> I tried an AY loop decades ago, without the Array Solutions adjustable >>> termination controller, and I do not remember it being that useful for >> RX. >>> The antenna is ground dependant so perhaps it works better for some than >>> others. Even a short Beverage may be a better choice. From my P40A >> station I >>> used a Pennant with decent results. It was inexpensive to build and not >>> ground dependant however it only covered one direction. The Array >> Solutions >>> Shared Apex Loop Array has great reviews and may be worth considering, >> Pete. >>> >>> John KK9A >>> >>> >>> >>> Pete Smith N4ZR wrote: >>> >>> I recently installed a K9AY loop (with the Array Solutions controller), >>> and have a couple of questions. Installation is pretty standard, with a >>> fiberglass pole at the center, ground rod at its base, and on the ground >>> radials under each direction of the loop. >>> >>> The antenna is directional, as demonstrated by tuning in broadcast >>> stations at the high end of the AM band and separating stations on the >>> same frequency so that I can hear one or the other. Atmospheric noise >>> is 1-2 S units more on my inverted L than on the K9AY antenna, but >>> signal strengths of stations in the favored direction of the loop seem >>> about the same or a bit lower than the inverted L. The Termination >>> adjustment is working, to judge by the switching transients, but seems >>> to make little or no difference. >>> >>> How do these results compare with others' experience? I didn't expect a >>> "magic bullet", but the K9AY loop seems a little bit underwhelming. >>> >> _________________ >> Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband >> Reflector >> > _________________ > Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
