How to use a Magnetic Loop Antenna

[@mikepeirson1150]

Thanks for another excellent learning video (for me). I am a SWL near Dungeness in Kent SE England. I have recently bought an MFJ 1886 magnetic loop antenna. I have tried many different types of antenna in my time but getting two years off of eighty I want to make it a bit easier instead of climbing all around the roof etc. I have a small garden so no room to experiment. I have also switched my analogue radio to an SDR RSP 1A, so getting to grips with that as well. I live in a bungalow, and have set the loop on the mast about a meter above the roofline and fitted a rotator which I control from my desk to make things even more easier. I have set the rotator at 0 degrees facing north. Than means that at 40 degrees it will be at NNE and so on. I have tried in vain to find which way to point the antenna to start with or is it just rotate and listen and take notes?. The loop works good. I was thinking about making or buying a compass rose, look at what country to listen to and looking up the direction and then orienting the loop to that. On my old wire antennas I did receive a QSL card from the Marianas islands, and could listen to Radio Habana and many African stations. I am starting to waffle a bit here. All I wanted to know was where to start, which way to point. Thanks again, beautiful countryside as well.

[@FrancoDX]

Beautiful landscape! 🙂 This is what appeals to me about radio, getting out into the countryside, must do more of it this year.

[@Stuff_happens]

Working phone QRP on a magnetic loop during a contest. This is the definition of Patience.

[@OM0ET]

I agree 😄 Unfortunatrly, there are running almost every weekend any contest. Contesters should leave at least a few kHz for non-contesters somewhere on the edge of each band free.

[@huntercarver1851]

GORGEOUS LANDSCAPE!!!

[@antenaseinterfacescb]

That's amazing the contacts in 20 meters. I'm using my ML inside my attic on 27 MHz with very good results running 10 watts and make contacts with Poland and Greece. Sometimes the stations couldn't believe that I'm using only 10 watts inside my attic. So next week I'm going to the field. 7351.Using the same Way's to adapt the ML. Nice video.

[@AlexHitchins]

The 2E0 station will likely be on 50watts as thats the intermediate licence limit here in the UK. Love the channel, learned a lot.

[@jamescarroll6954]

What a splendid area to live.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

Loop antennas generate high voltage on transmit so be mindful of the power rating of the antenna. Expect about 1000 volts on a 100 watt rated loop tuner. For receiving they are ideal as they serve as a pre-selector for the desired frequency rejecting everything else; also rejecting a noise source through the axis of the antenna.

[@erikswanenberg8719]

great vid!! great reaction on your face when the qso worked well done!

[@OM0ET]

Yes, I am very hapy for every one QRP QSO has been done 😉👍 Thanks! 73

[@sdritzi]

That opening scene is stunning!

[@Stuff_happens]

I was wondering if he was running the mag loop on his drone….LOL.

[@songreosmenep]

Love your videos! watching 7,984 kilometer's in the Caribbean......majestic landscape truly a sight to see...so beautiful. . Thank you!

[@OM0ET]

Oh thanks for very kind comment! 😊 I happy that you like this video 👍 Thanks for watching and greetings to Carribean 🖐

[@songreosmenep]

You're most welcome my friend @OMOET...anytime. I last used a cobra 148gtl radio in 1986.....still love and is just crazy about DXing and radios. Expensive Hobby though but very vital for fun, meeting new friends and most of all in an emergency situation, especially in my area where Tropical Cyclones are so frequent....I love this hobby so much. Cheers!

[@andreasg7834]

"Who knows, how many Watts are running?" ....... 👍 That's always the question. 🙂 You are living in a very very nice landscape. 😍 Many greetings from Germany 🙂

[@AdamSWL]

Very, very nice video Paul! You live in a beautiful part of the world. Excellent demonstration of your magloop antenna! Thanks and 73's!

[@OM0ET]

Thank you Adam. :) 73, Greetings from Slovakia!

[@treadlightly2766]

Is that just public land, wow. Breath taking. What does the other smaller loop do? How did you know without looking you were close to the peak, listening for it to start fading? Each time you change the freq, you go thru that procedure or with different bands? Can the ATU be used to do it as well?

[@Mil1806]

Hi Paul, your magloop is very nice and your attention to detail in the construction is awesome! Also your passion for ham radio is enjoyable!. Keep with the videos! Also learning a lot from you! 73!

[@OM0ET]

Oh thanks for your nice comment! 😊 It's my good motivation 😉👍 73, stay safe!

[@mr1enrollment]

I have seen loop operations on KZbin both vertical and horizontal. I am curious if tilted horizontal would optimize sky bounce for DX? have you tried? 73 NO1SE

[@k2wo1]

Wonderful video Paul. Thank you for taking the time to show us video of your beautiful country. Best 73, George, K2WO in Florida

[@RosssRoyce]

Nice countryside! I’ve been in chehia but not in Slovakia yet. From what I’ve seen people are kinder there. Cheers and thanks for the vid!

[@songreosmenep]

You are absolutely incredible in tuning the Antenna and the radio...so impressed! I am just in awe in the way your system is working...Love that Home Antenna you made in a previous Video. Cheers! 73's

[@makekhj7661]

Thanks Paul for nice video with magnetic loop antenna. I will also make one like that in near future.. 73 from Finland de oh6db Markku from Kauhajoki. Happy New Year !

[@levkohut6035]

Very nicely shows the possibilities of magnetic antenna (MLA), in addition very solidly made. This antenna is definitely better performance than the Alex loop, while far cheaper.

[@tomcruiser2407]

Your video is as interesting as ever my friend, but I have long been interested in a correct comparison between an e.g. MP1 or another small vertical antenna when transmitting on the 40 m band.

[@USXPOP]

Beautiful countryside. Great day for being outside. Enjoyed sharing the contacts with you, especially the number sequence contacts. With my luck all would be 5-9 signal until "Zero" came up and the band would go dead. Sorry you didn't make a contact with her(?). Good all around on the video even so. 73 W0YVY

[@OM0ET]

Hello Lewis! Thanks for your comment! Yes this damn number sequence contacts hihi :-D And my "zero" gives me not much luck :) but don't worry! No I didn't had QSO with her. A big chaos was on this frequency anyway :-D I enjoyed the day, that for sure :) Thanks for watching and 73, Paul.

[@zeferpp1rd572]

Congratulations, Paul. In time of pandemia, hamradio operation with only 5W is marvelous. Very nice place, very good antena and very good QRP rig. 73 and good luck. PP1RD Fernando

[@OM0ET]

Hello Fernando! Thanks for the nice comment! :) 73, stay safe!

[@brianyoung9014]

Thanks for the informative video, you live in a very beautiful place.

[@joseparraguez8193]

Thanks for your videos. Is it possible that with the new X5105 firmware, it transmits out of the radioamateur band? I'm authorized to use those frequencies. From Chilean Patagonia. Good luck

[@OM0ET]

Hello! Sorry but what I know is that the XIEGU company doesn't allow TX out of the HAM bands any more. Unfortunately :(

[@mrgajeep]

Very interesting, I have not seen the loop antenna operated before and you showed it in detail. 73 de WB0RSZ

[@OM0ET]

Thanks. I hope this video helped to imagine how this kind of antennas work 😉👍73, Paul.

[@MikesPOV]

Did you say to point the edge of a mag loop in the direction of what you want to work?

[@MauriatOttolink]

Apart from the loop which is very low noise, do you also notice a drop in noise by travelling away from town?

[@ys1rs]

Beautiful scenery Paul! You are a lucky person. Your antenna works perfectly and is a very high quality product. Fully recommended! Stay safe. 73 from Valencia for the time being. Rob, YS1RS.

[@OM0ET]

Thank you so much Rob 😊👍

[@gliderpilot8882]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing.

[@geirha75]

Looks like a great QRP antenna. I have this QCX 5W QRP CW transceiver from QRP Labs, no swr indicator. CW only. How would I tune your magnetic loop? Can it be done with Nano VNA?

[@OM0ET]

Thank you. There is also a mini SWR meter on Aliexpress like this: a.aliexpress.com/_mqT7lPE

[@RvtvvideoproduktiesNl]

See at 14:20 minutes explain the direction, so if you see the loop from: side = I = the direction and the O = the null direction.

[@DewayneW4FDT]

you live in a beautiful area, I hope to visit there one day..

[@johnlagreca6288]

Thans for the video. It seems you have quite a bit of receive bandwidth on that antenna, more than I thought was possible with a mag loop. I think I saw you move about 150 KHz without re-tuning. How much practical RX bandwidth do you have with this antenna?

[@OM0ET]

Hi John. The bandwidth for TX is not wide, maybe just a few khz. It depends on the band. On 40 is 5-6khz and on 10 is maybe even 20, but I dont remember exactly.

[@johnlagreca6288]

@@OM0ET Thanks. I am also interested in the Receive bandwidth. Wondering how far you can band scan before needing to re-tune.

[@raydavidsonm0ray.777]

Hi Paul, Could you please tel me the required diameter of the main loop in order to transmit on 80 MTRS. Many Thanks, De M0RAY Sittingbourne Kent UK.

[@dutchdrone1249]

Wonderful loop antenna! And beautiful country side, stay safe Paul! 73s.

[@OM0ET]

Thanks! I used the FIMI A3 drone in the intro. I am just beginner with the drones. But I ordered the MAVIC MINI already. Better portability, stability and video :) Thanks for watching! Stay safe! Paul.

[@dutchdrone1249]

@@OM0ET I have the DJI 4K, hence the name DutchDrone, but no flying lately .. I found a new hobby 😉

[@LEXPIX]

Nice demo. I've been looking to get a magloop myself.

[@lucanissoli9901]

Very nice video dear OM0ET, go ahead with your fantastic video. Thanks so much. 73, north east Italy 🤗

[@M0JLY]

Some times moving 1/2 wavelength as well as directing the loop can make a difference I have experienced this on a regular 10m net in the morning's portable at work

[@yv6eda]

Great video! Do you sell your magloop antennas?

[@NorthEastCornerRadio]

can someone explain how mag loop tuning knob affects the peak signal when the feedline does not go to the tuning capacitor box at all ?

[@RobertoMendoza]

excelente video, bonita la primavera en eslovaquia, gracias por compartir tus experiencias como radioaficionado.

[@OM0ET]

Gracias! :)

[@fpaolo63]

Hi Paul, I have built a Loop antenna. My capacitor is a dual gang like your. Now I'm facing a strange behavior: after tuning the loop using nano VNA some time while transmitting the SWR go over 4. Nano VNA show a complete non tuned loop. Then play with capacitor position I'm able to tuning again .... I'm running 5W ... ... dirt between the capacitor plates? 73 iu2omt

[@OM0ET]

Most probably it is dirt but also maybe max.power limit of your capacitor

[@SuburbanDXing]

Ahhh, the joy of being a Zero when DX is working by the numbers. A classic example here. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Thanks for the video, Paul...73! de WX0V

[@eclipsevr2075]

Nice plastic boxes were do you buy it ?

[@hugoruas]

Me senti aí! Tenho meu lugar de infância muito parecido com o seu. 73 Hugo Ruas

[@rachmielbenberel]

Well I have to give you credit--you definitely have patience and perseverance! By the way, have you operated the Xiegu5105 and a mag loop in digital mode with a portable computer--for example, while running WSJT-X or JS8Call? I would think that you'd probably have much better results?

[@OM0ET]

Thanks! 😊 the patience is very important when 5W QRP. No I didn't operated digital yet. This radio has an internal digi decoder but I didn't use it yet 😊 I am sure that also CW would be great but unfortunately I never learned CW before...

[@grimmace77]

You can probably clean up wind noise with a high-pass audio filter around 60 to 100 hz. Thx for making the video!

[@OM0ET]

Thanks. Yes I tryed do it in my Editor but I helped just little bit. Maybe some kind of DSP would be helpful or even better is to use good external mic with wind protection 😁 I am working on it 😉👍

[@vincentluo3292]

Hello ,i from Taiwan,i want buy a Y-200A loop antenna ,how about the Y-200A loop antenna performance if you have test? Thank you !!

[@kvantenas]

Very good Magloop antenna. Congratulations!

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! :)

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

Great stuff 👍👍

[@blackdog.6398]

What kinda rig is this X5105 ,, how much does it go for $$$$. Well I love the loop I made one with a 1:9.Match , Big readout easy to see nice console .. I would like to look into it,,,,,,nice contact ....thanK yoU. Lol sorry I have eye malfunction!,,,I have probably got thousands of hours listening even as a kid I would lay there with my Radio and go through the bands that I had at that time .....the only kid listening to Gorge on AM COAST TO COAST ...OR one of the green belt stations talking about Jesus ....at night time it was so clear ...good day....cheers

[@OM0ET]

It costs around 500€. This rig has everything what I need in the field. It's like All in one radio. Just the power should me higher, at least 10W. Good luck an 73! Paul.

[@AaronDe808]

Thank you for this demonstration. It was especially helpful as I learn to properly rotate and tune a mag loop antenna. 73 KH7AD Aaron

[@m.a3957]

Very beautiful landscape. Perfect place for radio. Interesting tutorial for using a magloop. Thanks Paul Med CN8YR

[@OM0ET]

Hello Med! Thanks for the nice comment :-) Thanks for watching! 73

[@elmoreignacio8741]

Beautiful demo mate, and thanks for the video. One question though... when you tune in to a frequency, how far off it can you go before re-tuning your mag loop? Thanks and 73 - 4G1FBL

[@thomasmaughan4798]

It depends on band but these things are extremely sharp tuning and the lower the band the sharper seems to be the tuning. On 20 meters I retune if I change frequency by 4 khz or more. I don't retune just for listening, but once I find a station to work, retuning is more than useful. The system depends on perfect tuning to generate the high circulating current that generates the magnetic field. When tuned properly these things have nearly the performance of a well grounded quarter wave vertical, and they do not require a ground plane, nor would it help. If you have a strong signal that's more than about 20 khz away it will be suppressed and that's wonderful. By the time it's a megahertz away it won't even be heard.

[@Paul-Howell-M3EYG]

Very informative video as always Paul. For info 2E0, 2E1 callsigns are all UK based the same as G and M :-)

[@OM0ET]

Yes, that was the direction where I was beaming on :) to north-west. Thanks for the nice comment ;) 73

[@F5MOX]

73 OM0ET de Gérard F5MOX de Paris. J'utilise mes loop magnétiques également en plein Paris et cela fonctionne aussi.

[@marcingoluch7465]

Good video as always Pavel :) Good luck from Poland! SQ3M

[@OM0ET]

Thanks Marcin! ;) 73!

[@enigmarbs2886]

Very nice landscape in Slovakia, Pavol. A lot of green medows outside the cities. Springtime is the best season of the year for me, it's amazing to see the awakening nature. Thank you for carrying us with you on your QRP trip and for sharing your contacts. Your MLA still working flawless at me, a great antenna you had made. 73 and stay healty Stefan DG4RBS

[@OM0ET]

Hello my friend Stefan! How is your Magloop doing? Now is a great time for portable operations, just pity of coronavirus and quarantine. At least we can work also from indoor with this antenna hihi :) 73 and stay safe!

[@enigmarbs2886]

@@OM0ET The MLA is still working very good, had some QSO's with the antenna on 20m and 40m in March outdoor activity. No SOTA at this time, there are to many people hiking to the mountains and thr peaks are very crowded. A lot of people dont work in this days because of the Virus Others are in short-time work. By the way, I heard you last week doing the propagation Test, but couldn't catch you. Good luck to you and your family. 73's de Stefan DG4RBS

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

Great! I've got an AlexLoop antenna I use for DXing. I need to acquire a qrp tranceiver to go mobile.

[@kg7wbw359]

How do you like the AlexLoop? I've been thinking about buying one.

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

@@kg7wbw359 Well built, for rugged use, easy to assemble and made to carry around. There's an accessory which is a small sensor that indicates when you achieve optimum tuning, which is lowest SWR. It is also a great antenna for SW listening.

[@GaryLordsWayMinistry]

That little radio is not going to make many contacts with all those 100 watt and better stations running on the channel. QRP is to decrease power. Or ask someone if you should decrease power. At least in the States side that is the way the QR signals are.

[@alexander57707]

Bravo from LZ4UN, 73!!!!

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! 😉

[@jessgypin-ko5ds]

Great video. AE0CW

[@thestonerguy5276]

Thanks for another great video..and after watching you with with the X5105 I'm rethinking my continued use of a ft-817 👍

[@OM0ET]

Thanks! I had the FT817ND but I sold it soon. No ATU, small screen, small buttons, no good int.battery, no dsp, no CW/digi decoder, no PTT button, no int.MIC, no SWR graph.... all very important things in the field in one body 😉👍

[@peetee3949]

Ahoj, Mám pár otázok. Pre nedostatok miesta ( nemám možnosť natiahnuť veľkú ant na prechodnom QTH ) sa zaujímam o magloop. Ako je to s použitím tejto ant v interiéri? Obvodové múry sú cca 80cm hrubé, tehla. Má zmysel a dá sa vôbec použiť ako indoor ant? Ako je to s úrovňou šumu pri použití v interiéri (zapnutý počítač, zdroj, wifi...) Dík za pekné videá, dávam odber. 73! de OM4MO

[@OM0ET]

Ahoj Peto. Samozrejme ze sa da pouzit. Je snad jedna z mala typov anten na KV ktore je mozne vyuzit aj v interieri. Tu je video ako dokaz ze to funguje aj z bytu zelezobetonoveho panelaku u mna doma 😃 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3jNgIF8bctgbc0 Samozrejme ale ze musia byt aj podmienky sirenia OK a musis tiez pocitat s tym ze Magloop je vzdy len skratena nahradna antena a neda sa jej vykon porovnavat s plnohodnotnou drotovou ci inou antenou, hlavne ak ju chces pouzivat vnutri. Ale na druhej strane ziadna velka antena sa ti domov nezmesti tak ako Magloop a nevezmes si ju zo sebou na dovolenku, ci len tak do prirody 😉👍

[@peetee3949]

@@OM0ET Super. Ale potreboval by som obsiahnuť aj 80m pásmo. Vieš vyrobiť trebárs 80-10m? To by som mal vážny záujem...

[@OM0ET]

@@peetee3949 nuz tak ako vsade tak aj tu su iste fyzikalne limity 😃 preto musime byt realisti 😃 Ucinnost jednozavytovej slucky s priemerom 1 meter bude mat na 80m ucinnost rovnu nule. Preto sa to potom riesi tak , ze sa prida dalsi zavyt, alebo idealne sa aspon raz tolko zvacsi priemer slucky.

[@peetee3949]

@@OM0ET Nepýtal som sa ako, pýtal som sa či je to možné... koľko by bola cca účinnosť pri dvojslučkovom prevedení ako to má napr chameleon?

[@OM0ET]

@@peetee3949 keby bolo viac casu tak by som to asi aj vedel vyrobit.

[@prestonshute7243]

Great intro to your video, beautiful country side. Yes QRP can be difficult but just hang in there. What a wonderful day to play radio outside. 73 Paul Keep the videos coming. wd4dda

[@OM0ET]

Hello Preston! I just wanted to try a slightly different format of the my video :) change is life :) hihi. Yes day was absolutely amazing, instead of the wind, which almost ruined this film :) 73 and stay safe!

[@yvesbarbin97]

You live in a nice countryside

[@kc7js]

Nice for a travel log and I hav ex5105 but say something of value.

[@joyhamradio]

Awesome!

[@OM0ET]

Thanks! :)

[@stephennugent7970]

Only just come across this very helpful video, I am 2E0WZL sorry I didn't manage a qso I was suffering with qrm, my working conditions at the time was and still are... Yeasu ft817nd 5watts with Alexloop antenna. Thank you for this great video tutorial

[@rodneyjohnson4794]

super!

[@somejackball]

impressive 👍😁

[@om0tm]

Opat pekne video. 73! OM0TM

[@OM0ET]

Dakujem! 😊

[@كيشغلقناةوخلاص]

Can i use it for mobile ,?

[@PaulaBean]

What type of coax do you use?

[@OM0ET]

Main loop: Belden H1000, Feedline RG58 ;)

[@PaulaBean]

@@OM0ET Hmmm, I never heard of H1000. I do have some length of RG58 at home, and also R213 (quite stiff!). I want to try out Aircell because it's perhaps more flexible that 213 but has less loss than 58.

[@rightpedaldown9346]

Great video! I can't believe that little radio has a battery that will last 473 days!!!! LOL

[@OM0ET]

🤣🤣 yeah! Thanks for watching!

[@m0bob]

I am not sure if you know that the suffix NHS was used to say thank you to the UK National Health Service for all the hard work during Covid 19. 73 de Bob. M0BOB.

[@OM0ET]

Thank you Robert. I didn't know about it 😊

[@lupin007full]

Its a fantastic place where you live.. Nice place also for Radio,, I hope to meet you on frequency,, VA2VMA 73's ,, Quebec Canada

[@la6yja]

Wow! Fantastic scenery! Tnx for yest another brilliant video. Hope to work toy some day. 73s...

[@OM0ET]

Thank you for the very nice comment which motivates me to make this videos to the future ;) 73 and stay safe! Paul.

[@la6yja]

@@OM0ET My pleasure, my friend. Just let me know if you plan some activity and I'll try to see if you can hear me. Take care.

[@bodstrup]

almost impossible to hear your explanation due to the radio noise. Suggest you turn thecradio down/off if talking. but range on 5w is impressive

[@zhungeliang1842]

I Love QRP! 73!

[@timb4655]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for taking the trouble to film it. Beautiful countryside. What could be better than sunshine, empty countryside and portable amateur radio. Very relaxing , apart from waiting in a queue for a contact ! 👍😎 73 de 2E0IEH

[@lupin007full]

Wow congratulations,, Im in Canada VA2VMA 73's

[@renatoemergente8400]

very beautiful video .. congratulations 73..py4rey

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! 😉👍 73

[@MegaDoc34]

Hi Paul congratulations for your vidéo. Hurryup my Megaloop! 73’s F1JJM Laurent Montpellier France

[@OM0ET]

Thanks my friend! I hope you will get this antenna asap! ;-) 73 stay safe!

[@pentolkorek3062]

Nice bro

[@radioactive8772]

Thanks Paul for bringing us along on a nice day. 73 KG7CQG

[@OM0ET]

Spring is here so let's up on the hills xixi :) 73, greetings!

[@namename8986]

country?

[@OM0ET]

Slovakia

[@Ei2iP]

SO that's typical high power stations, that can't hear much? too much emphasis on amplifiers and not on good receiving antennas, there is no reason that a station could not hear you. I don't understand the mentality of high power stations, that can be heard but can't hear anyone..

[@greyman5590]

Skip to 3:45 if you clicked on this video to see mag loop antenna. I could do without the drone footage.

[@o00scorpion00o]

Time to build a 100 watt loop for my FT-891 :-)

[@OM0ET]

That would be great even for me! Believe me 😄 But with such kind of capacitor this antenna would not call as UltraLight any more hihi 😁 But, never say never! 😉👍 Maybe in the future will be a new product 😉

[@o00scorpion00o]

@@OM0ET go on, you know you want to 😀

[@howtobob2749]

Nice Job Paul, 73 de Ik3djc

[@daal1977]

Wonderfull!!

[@OM0ET]

Thank you and 73 :)

[@RadioStehwelle]

Really nice Video! 73, oe3des

[@OM0ET]

Danke schon :) 73 Stefan

[@martyded]

Parada ! 73! OK2AE

[@OM0ET]

Ďakujem! :) 73

[@qrpradiolistner7232]

Great video my friend...great rtx... ciao from Italy. 73. Giuseppe iz0gzw qrp.

[@OM0ET]

Grazie Giuseppe! Ciao 73! :)

[@hendriwijayantoyd2aun]

Bravo From YD2AUN. 73 ;-)

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! 😁

[@daal1977]

like your way of life.

[@OM0ET]

Thank you! Nature is my relax :)

[@johnwest7993]

I think you will need to do something about reflections on the rig's display before we can see it clearly enough to be useful.