HAM RADIO: Double Copper Loop Capacitor Re-Build

I wanted to be able to tune from 40m to 80m on a single capacitor, not a big issue but it does make the tuning very sharp with just small movements needed to move 50k it makes fine tuning very difficult. so to combat that I have a plan......
WILL IT WORK?
I do hope you enjoy it and subscribe for more..
Many thanks
Mike - M0MSN
To get notified of the next upload .click that bell and subscribe..

[@Anemalwozere]

Been looking doing this one. But taking it to a newer level, The twin loop will increase to 12m over circumference making it 6m per loop thus 75CM between angles a tad bigger. Been looking at the loop calculator and it expresses 12m for a BIGGER single loop Plus needs less pf as well to tune it for 3.600mhz. But like the added pf caps to bring the air spaced one to higher pf for this one. Already started the 209 pf air space for the next loop. Must finish the 40/20m one first. Keep up the vids as they inspire me to have a go and in this case rake it a bit further 2E0FEH

[@Hungry_Hunter]

I really enjoy your craftsmanship and explanations of your work. Very nice indeed.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ZL1BQDRoly]

Been there done that Mike and it works very well indeed. One potential gotcha is the capacitance within the switch itself giving unexpected results....... cheers

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes you’re right, going to look at another VC to attach to the first.... suggested here on the chat..

[@BoB4jjjjs]

The experiments continue, excellent, that is what it is all about :-)) Like the 3D printed end cap with the gap for the wire.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@HeinSchlauHeinSchlau1234]

Very nice Homemade capacitor! Thank you for Video

[@mike-M0MSN]

You are welcome

[@Cardassiaprime]

Some good practical workarounds there Mike, interestingly potting the capacitor made me think with a bit of tinkering you could fill it with an oil dielectric, mineral or silicone! The trombones were very nicely made and finished with the colourful wrap. Job Done, Well Done. Barnie M7PBX.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Something to think about!

[@marcinciech2450]

Hi Mike another great vid. Instead of switching capacitors from band to band you could connect one capacitor permanently that would work on both bands and then have another smaller caparitor-this time variable that would fine tune for both bands. What i mean by that. Lets say you need 50pF for 7Mhz and 100pF for 3.5Mhz. So one fixed cap could be close to 40-50pF and the remainder of capacitance would be variable so 50-60pF. This way the tuning shouldnt be so narrow cause you only have to tune half of the capacitance. That's the idea anyway. 😀😀😀

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Well done. Totally homebrew, works and looks good.

[@philtuckerm0dpk212]

Hello Mike, this was really interesting. Thanks for taking the time to publish.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Welcome Phil.

[@richardpowell723]

Thank you for another great production. Always presented in a way that everyone will find interesting and understand the detail of what is involved in the practicalities of our wonderful hobby 👍 M0DSK

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you Richard 😊

[@thaivu8561]

@@mike-M0MSN tijckÿfclyylhyhl

[@ianxfs]

It always has, and still does look the biz Mike 😎 Well done!

[@mike-M0MSN]

Cheers Ian.

[@petercane6376]

You clearly know what you are doing and that is impressive. I have just bought a Tescun 2000 and want to do some short wave listening. I am restricted with outside gardenspace and am not allowed to dig a 6ft hole just to plant an earth. Am I stumped or is there a way I can make an indoor ( garage ) antenna. I would be able to plant it in the front for listening but it has to be portable. I am very handy and can make almost anything but I dont know enough about antennas. Any help greatly appreciated. You capacitor is a work of art. Love it.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Keep watching I think I may have already built what you need?

[@JamesOrcutt]

Love your backgarden and you have all these cool tools :)

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thanks so much!

[@johnnorth9355]

Running on low power - only 100 watts . Damnation my newly passed Foundation licence only allows me 10 ! :-) .

[@mike-M0MSN]

Congrats 🥳 2e0 next 👍👍👍

[@MrCairosp]

Show!!!

[@-_Robert_-]

What kind of drivers for stepper motors you are using in your 3d printer? You could make yourselve gears to decrease capacitor revelations per minute. Planetary maybe. And question now: how your printed parts was weatherproof over 3 years?

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Love your videos mate.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Much appreciated

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. N0QFT

[@ukm6yik69]

Great job Mike. I have the same problem with my loop with the 10-190pf it's very sensitive and pretty hard to tune on 40m with very short bandwidth. 20 up is fine. Would love to know where you got you plates from as I want to build my own capacitor. Great work M6yik fran

[@mike-M0MSN]

I been making them myself Will be in a video soon.

[@ukm6yik69]

Cool Mike looking forward to see that video when u do it.

[@davebannister4222]

@@mike-M0MSN lookig forward to that one will u use a lazar cutter

[@eoinm0nvk110]

Really interesting Mike

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank You

[@tombaffa9374]

Excellent! From W0GEO

[@mike-M0MSN]

Many thanks!

[@nicktsakonas]

Great work Mike! I was watching your double loop construction video and I was wondering how much capacitance you need for 40/80m! Question answered!

[@Linas_LY2H]

What a soothing sounds of the 3D' in the background! Very nice project! The trombon caps look very solidly but I thought hadn't it been simpler to make ones of the piece of sturdy coax, like RG-213 or alike? I have tried it once when getting my 20m magloop down to 40m and it worked really good. The different types of coax have known capacitance per meter specs written in their data sheets so it's no even need to have a C-meter just measure-and-cut :). 73! Linas LY2H

[@mike-M0MSN]

Nice idea to use coax, it’s about 1pf per cm !!

[@no5x937]

My mother lives 4 towns south of Gloucester, Massachusetts across the pond. You know we Yanks stole every city and town name from Europe and reused them in our sustainable country. Lol. Great video. Planning to build my own round double loop soon. 73.

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Nice build 😉

[@mike-M0MSN]

Thank you 😊

[@ahbushnell1]

How thick are the plates on the capacitor?

[@mike-M0MSN]

1mm

[@jamessawyer4625]

Mike very nice loop good signals too.. How far was the station you worked?

[@chrisgladman6851]

Hi Mike, what capacitance did you end up with on your now shortened butterfly cap. before the trombones are added please??

[@mike-M0MSN]

127uH Chris :)

[@chrisgladman6851]

@@mike-M0MSN uH ? pf surely !

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes pf. 😂

[@chrisgladman6851]

@@mike-M0MSN as bad s me and my "clutch plates"

[@W4BIN]

Was this done with any regard to which lead from each trombone capacitor is the outer tube and which lead is the inner tube? Ron W4BIN

[@mike-M0MSN]

Not really no, :)

[@iestynwyn4311]

Nice build 73's mt

[@mickrooke6653]

I know that the trombone caps are quicker to tune but did you consider Vernier reduction drive?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Another great idea, the beauty here is that I can build another Capacitor.

[@andrechicone]

Mike In your opinion which antenna is better single or double loop?

[@mike-M0MSN]

I like my Twin Loop. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@cthoadmin7458]

Is it possible to buy the plates laser cut anywhere Mike? Cool bananas by the way.

[@mike-M0MSN]

etsy.com... search capacitor

[@2EOGIY]

I've got a better idea for you. Make a couple air capacitors and end limiter switches will redirect power from one motor to another. Connection schematic will be like in the double AND gate (like two light switches one downstairs other upstairs)

[@mike-M0MSN]

Like it..

[@mikethees6434]

Hmmm,,,,,, I have an amp with a busted variable I could rebuild it where dd you get your spare parts ??

[@mike-M0MSN]

I made them Mike. 👍🏻

[@Airconed]

You could change you stepper motor drivers on your printer toTMC2209 or TMC2208's. And it would make it a lot quieter and a better print. If you would like some TMC2208's let me no.

[@mike-M0MSN]

Email me some prices email on QRZ.

[@Airconed]

@@mike-M0MSN Ok Mike. I have to just help run the Online Scouts meeting till 9pm then will sort this out with you. Yes I'm a Scout leader lol Paul. M7PCX

[@mike-M0MSN]

@@Airconed Good on you mate.👍

[@garagehack9271]

Dear god, man. Have you no spanners?

[@mike-M0MSN]

lol, lots and they look like new....🤣

[@chadwickdavis1749]

How about twin variable capacitors with separate stepper motors

[@mike-M0MSN]

Now I like this idea humm - lightbulb moment

[@G7VFY]

Or use doorknob capacitors?

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes that would be the answer, but £30 for 100pf 5000V is a little expensive. :(

[@fredflintstone8048]

I have to ask.. You always have bananas in the thumbnail of your video. Callum talks about db in terms of bananas and I wonder if that's a reference to him, and since you have 3 bananas in the thumbnail should we assume a 3db power gain with the antenna project or a 3db loss? Would that be determined by whether the bananas are pointing up, or down as they are in some of the thumbnails?

[@mike-M0MSN]

yep that's where it all started the Bananas that is...

[@fredzwijnenberg5361]

Why not use some ATC capacitors? Mutch better Q.

[@mike-M0MSN]

ATC capacitors not heard of them?? please let me have more info.

[@fredzwijnenberg5361]

@@mike-M0MSN dutchrfshop.nl/nl/atc-condensatoren/301-atc-condensatoren.html

[@gm0sdv]

Mike you are in wrong way. better change DC motor for step Motor and use my controller GM0SDV

[@mike-M0MSN]

Yes that may be the way round it. 👍

[@zembalu]

why so noisy without a need? i don't like this.