Small magnetic loop antenna compared to a dipole.

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By the time I have finished editing this video the following has happened
Seven times as many stations were received with the dipole antenna!
VA3WBA/L (48 reports, 13 countries last 24 hours; 48 reports, 13 countries last week).
VA3WBA/D (223 reports, 42 countries last 24 hours; 223 reports, 42 countries last week).
After about 3 hours
VA3WBA/L (144 reports, 21 countries last 24 hours; 144 reports, 21 countries last week)
VA3WBA/D (730 reports, 53 countries last 24 hours; 730 reports, 53 countries last week)
The dipole 5x better. We can risk to say that the loop is only 20% efficient compared to the dipole.
5 hours later
VA3WBA/L (308 reports, 26 countries last 24 hours; 308 reports, 26 countries last week)
VA3WBA/D (1446 reports, 59 countries last 24 hours; 1446 reports, 59 countries last week)
The dipole is now only 4.7x better than the loop antenna
These are the calculated values for 1/10 of an inch wire. The loop is made of the aluminum bar.
Antenna efficiency: 23% (-6.4 dB below 100%)
Antenna bandwidth: 496 kHz
Tuning Capacitance: 142 pF
Capacitor voltage: 475 volts RMS
Resonant circulating current: 12.1 A
Radiation resistance: 0.078 ohms
Loss Resistance: 0.265 ohms
Inductance: 0.220 microhenrys
Inductive Reactance: 39.3 ohms
Quality Factor (Q): 57.2
Distributed capacity: 4 pF
The dipole antennas perform better than loop antennas, as they have a longer range, wider bandwidth, and lower Q factor. However, the performance difference may vary depending on the specific design and application of the antenna.
Tracy VE3TWM runs a fantastic YT channel / @outdoorsontheair
I strongly recommend it to all interested in ham radio, QRP and POTA activities.

[@OutdoorsOnTheAir]

Well done, Tom. I think we need to do more field testing with the small loop. I believe the results will be surprisingly good with digital modes. 73 from VE3TWM!

[@radioastronomy2001]

Thank you. After about 6 hours of listening the loop received signals from all major continents. I am quite pleased with the results.

[@techjohnc3379]

Thanks for this interesting and informative video. John, k0ebc

[@radioastronomy2001]

Thank you!

[@DJMotavirust]

Cute square loop! How do you have calculated the coupling gamma match? What are the dimensions of the dipole and what kind of balun have you used? Greetings.

[@radioastronomy2001]

Thank you for your question. The gamma match has been sized experimentally. Originally, the antenna has been "designed" for 6m, but then I have added some capacitors to bring it down to 10/11m. The dipole is a full size self-supporting antenna made of aluminum 3/8in Tile Edge (I do not remember exact dimensions but it was long and sturdy enough) I got some leftovers after bathroom renovation. I just have several turns of cable, the "ugly balun" to work with it. It was done good 5 (or more) years ago and I have not documented it well. The dipole works OK and have used it many times to talk on our local 10m net.

[@DJMotavirust]

@@radioastronomy2001 Tile edge... How interesting material! Do you mean full size dipole like a half wave 6m dipole (3m long)?

[@radioastronomy2001]

@@DJMotavirust Each piece was about 2.5m long (8feet) Ideal size for the 10m dipole. I had to trim a bit to tune it. (And YES I have another one for 6m just above it. Made from different aluminum scrap pieces) All this is held together, using some small screws, by a plastic cutting board.