The Burner - frame aerial

Build this frame aerial to improve reception on vintage valve radios and transistor radios. The aerial covers medium wave AM band and is great for DX.
www.radio-works...

[@FrancoDX]

“Wait till my wife sees this on the dining room table” 😂 Nice job Ray. I want to build one of these but don’t have anywhere to store one. I’ll carry on with the Tecsun AN-200 loop for now, my wife tolerates that!

[@g4nsj]

Excellent! Keep your wife happy. 😄

[@g0fvt]

Many years ago a colleague built a frame aerial, structurally the crucifix section was made from plastic plumbing with holes drilled every 20mm or so making the coil a slight helix, the pickup coil was far smaller, maybe 100mm diameter. With the moderately loose coupling it did have very sharp tuning. but it was awesome on 40m and 80m. We did bugger about with some random diodes out of the junkbox to make it varicap tuned. We used a DC blocking capacitor to the coax centre from the sense loop but high value resistors to feed the varicap arrangement on the multiturn part. Years later I want to make another one of these, ridiculous noise on the lower HF bands.

[@g4nsj]

The noise these days is horrendous. I can't use top band or 80 anymore.

[@g0fvt]

@@g4nsj, yes it is destroying the fun in radio, the frame aerial was pretty amazing, very deep nulls. 40m is about the worst here, no problems in putting out a good signal but receive crippled by noise.

[@meteoritedealer]

Well, I'm pretty bad at woodwork but I copied Ray's design and built this. It works very well and brings in many distant MW stations. Some useful figures: 7 turns - 102uH Single turn pick-up - 4.9uH Capacitor range around 55pF - 1200pF Frequency range was 453kHz to 2.185MHz. Wife loves it........says she wants one in every room.

[@g4nsj]

Excellent, well done!

[@timhill4762]

I was fascinated to see your Unica radio on the bench in front of you, I have an identical one in front of me that I bought in 1972 for somewhere in the region of £10 mail order. It has languished in the garage for many years but I recently blew the dust off it and evicted all the spiders because I'm about to take my Foundation Licence and wanted something to play with. It still works just fine, albeit requiring a blooming long wire aerial. Keep up the good work Tim

[@g4nsj]

It's a nice little radio. Someone gave it to me and I often use it in the workshop. Good luck with your license! Cheers, Ray.

[@robertfoster6070]

I built a MW frame aerial and I was able to pick up Radio Wales in Derby and it sounded as good as a local FM signal.

[@alancordwell9759]

Excellent job Ray, I might just build one of those- I think I've probably got everything! It made me reminisce about one of the best medium wave receivers I ever had, other than a proper comms receiver; it was an old Radiomobile valve car radio that I was given when I was in my teens; it had the RF amp and mixer in the control head, permeability tuned, and the IF, detector, audio and vibrator PSU in a separate box connected via a short multiway cable. It was a superb receiver, I wish I still had it now! Of course this was back in the days before there was BBC and ILR local stations on every other channel, and there was some real DX to be had. I notice that a lot of the closer European stations have gone now, so maybe- hopefully- it will be possible to hear the States and Canada again!

[@g4nsj]

There's a lot to be said for permeability tuning. It's rare in table top type radio but it has been used in some models. Let me know if you build the aerial. Cheers, Ray.

[@davidhall6535]

Hi Ray. I had one of these in the early 2000s. It was about the same size and used a tuner out of an old radio to tune it. It worked very well but don't know what happend to it. I now have a Tecsun AN200 which is smaller but my homemade one worked better. I remember also having a vidor suitcase valve radio in the late 60s model CN430 it had the Ariel in the lid and I could use it in the same way to tune another radio by placing it nearby.

[@g4nsj]

Hi David, the homemade ones really do work well. I like the Tecsun AN200. Cheers, Ray.

[@philtaylor1448]

Sony ICF5900W now that's a nice set ! got one here had it since the 70s

[@colinsmith4185]

I remember building one of these to receive a pirate radio station in the 60's when the GPO jammers were in operation,you could hear the station in the clear by rotating the loop in the direction of Clacton,it worked very well,regards Colin G1PGI

[@g4nsj]

Happy days! I used one for Radio Luxembourg, it really improved reception. Cheers, Ray.

[@JeffStuart1]

Well beggar me after many years of loving radio I am once again enjoying listening to real radio once again on MW .....Living up here in Cheshire I need to build something like this again ....had one many years ago when there was a lot to listen to on AM but on hearing Caroline has been given an AM ticket rekindled my interest Ray.I have made a little induction tuned circuit that I put near to my trusty old Grundig Elite Boy to listen to Manx Radio on 1368kcs .... it works well with 120ft of fixed wire.But this would allow me to go directional of course. Many thanks ...enjoyed your video....have you an amateur license I wonder.... Barry G6WZZ/G0ADU Winsford Cheshire.

[@msf60khz]

I think the jamming was done by the Home Office, as the GPO had just been floated off.

[@m0dad]

Nice antenna project Ray, I built a similar size multi turn loop some years ago to work on 160m. It was heavy duty wire and a big wide spaced capacitor. I could get about 15 watts or so before any arcing. It was pretty good on ground wave and got some good reports from stations within 20 to 30 miles. That was with the antenna indoors. No good for DX on TX but was good for SWL. 73 M0DAD

[@g4nsj]

I've been pondering on a 160 metre loop. If I get time, I might have a go at that. Cheers, Ray.

[@RGC198]

Hi Ray, interesting video. I actually use a box type 3' indoor loop antenna here, which works quite well for medium wave here. It is amazing how well they work. I remember years ago, it was possible to use the old light switches and power points in increase MW reception, though the modern ones don't work at all. Anyway, take care. Robert.

[@sparkybluefox]

Ray , You are AWESOME !!!!!!!

[@g4nsj]

Thanks!

[@johnm0jfe]

Geat video PW did this antenna in the late 1980's called it an MF loop. I took the maths and applied it to tb CB band while my parents were on holiday.lol Now a licenced ham I have a greater understanding of why it worked so well. My first radio was a multi99 set SW was my friend. Keep up the good work 73's de M0JFE

[@g4nsj]

Thanks John!

[@Radio478]

Great aerial, 👍

[@coroamanicolai4527]

I made one, a bit bigger than yours (the lenght of the wood is 124cm not 100, I hope it is not a problem. It works great but I think it overloads the receiver. Will taking turns of the loop help with that or should I make a new smaller loop?

[@g4nsj]

Just turn the loop away from the strong signal to stop the overload.

[@xanataph]

Could you adapt one of these for the FM broadcast band? If so what would need to be changed?

[@g4nsj]

You'd have to make a completely different aerial.

[@xanataph]

@@g4nsj So it's not possible to adapt number of turns and the tuning capacitor value? If not a frame antenna, could you make something has a similar tuned LC circuit with a coupling coil?

[@g4nsj]

@@xanataph For FM all you need is a dipole. I only deal with AM radios so I can't help with FM.

[@cigarboxguitar9519]

Great video Ray. Here's a thought - if you wound the wires around the frame with the X closed slightly then you could stretch the wires taught by opening the X and tightening a center bolt/wingnut. Maybe use two center bolts with one through a slot that will allow the X to open and close slightly.

[@g4nsj]

A yes, that is a good idea. Thanks for that, I might try modifying it. Cheers, Ray.

[@TheRudydog1]

Ray, your loop antennas look great! The amazing thing about loops when DXing on medium wave is their ability to null out even a very strong station on or near the frequency you are listening to and peak up a much weaker station on that same frequency. On a vertical antenna you would only hear the louder station. Keep the videos coming my friend. I love them. Try KSL (1160KHZ 50KW Clear Channel here in Utah) 73

[@g4nsj]

Glad you like the videos, loops are amazing aerials. I'll take a listen on 1160kHz, it sounds interesting. Cheers, Ray.

[@dennisperusse3837]

Can these antennas be used as your main antenna instead of using it as a coupled antenna?

[@g4nsj]

dennis perusse yes, I suppose so.

[@Nicktgrief]

Ahhh, memories of my 40” box loop for MW dx’ing. Im thinking of building another and mounting i.n the loft and feeding with a varicap diode for tuning it ... it was in PW about 40 years ago 😂

[@g4nsj]

It should work well in the loft. I'm afraid our loft is full of radio stuff... no room for an aerial! Cheers, Ray.

[@mentalvmaxrider]

Hmmmmm....I wonder if the "wave magnet" on the old zenith shortwave radios are a small version of this?

[@g4nsj]

mentalvmaxrider I wonder...

[@gpo746]

Nice ! I am in the North of the UK and love listening to Radio Caroline on 648 khz but it is distant , I will be building one of these soon ! Many Thanks

[@g4nsj]

Excellent!

[@paulclark7664]

Great project Ray. Very interesting. I will be up for building one of these once Ive moved house ! Thanks again..

[@g4nsj]

Paul Clark excellent, let me know how you get on. Cheers, Ray.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Just out of interest do you have a loop antenna for alignment. I understand from reading various service data books they were common in radio service shops but I have not actually seen one in real life. I wondered if you had a picture of such a thing. Thanks regards Chris.

[@g4nsj]

AllTheGearNoIdea Hi Chris, no I haven’t. I don’t really find them necessary for alignment. Cheers, Ray.

[@allthegearnoidea6752]

Radio Workshop Thanks for the reply. I haven’t used one before either as I normally work with communication receivers in the world of 50 ohms rather than frame antennas or ferrite rods. However they do look useful and it does avoid the possibility of detuning by the physical connection of test gear. Although I have been known to put a loop of wire around the oscillator mixer valve. Thanks for the reply and stay safe. Regards Chris

[@ianmorton5943]

Hey ray do u think u kan use a aluminium mountain bike weel with all the spokes taken out on a wooden stand just a thought grate vidio

[@g4nsj]

Good idea, it’s worth a try.

[@Zerosho]

Good Morning, Ray, I made a couple of these antennas a few years ago. My wires also loosened up after assembly. What I did to prevent the wires from touching and maintain tautness was cut and drill thin plexiglass strips as spacers. This seemed to work well. What variable capacitor did you use for tuning? I look forward to each and every video you post. I started shortwave listening in 1976 with a Panasonic RF-2200 that I paid for on layaway for a year. You are like the gentlemen who introduced me to Amateur Radio. My first amateur radio was an HW-16 and the HG-10 VFO in 1978. Moved up to a Swan 350 but nothing beat the HW-16. When I came home from high school, I turned on the HW-16 and tuned to the very lower edge of 15 meters. It was the place to be for DX. I only wish I'd saved my QSL cards from that time. Again, PLEASE keep making videos. You inspire me. Not much here in the States but survivalists and "preppers" and general paranoia. Cheers.

[@g4nsj]

Hi, I used a two gang 500pF capacitor from an old radio. OK on the plexiglass idea, that sounds good. OK also on the HW-16. Happy days! Cheers, Ray.

[@Zerosho]

Thank you, Ray. I see if I can duplicate your design. Cheers.

[@markknoepfle3913]

Ray - perfect timing on your build. I was just out in the garage measuring air varios to see which would be best for an AM receiving loop antenna. That little one looks really nice. Good plan by the way. Start small and then by time they are huge your wife won't notice. :) 73 AG7BW

[@g4nsj]

Mark Knoepfle Hi Mark, thanks for commenting. Let me know how you get on with the aerial. The small aerial works surprisingly well. My wife is already suspicious, it must have been the lorry load of wood which arrived this morning. Cheers, Ray.

[@jeffgarrett4533]

Great stuff OM as always 73 KE4EZ

[@brianveitenheimer4492]

Hi Ray. Could you remotely mount the variable capacitor so the frame could be on the roof and the tuning be in the house? Just extend the circuit from coil to cap. with duplex wire perhaps? No more than 20 ft.?

[@g4nsj]

Hi Brian, yes give it a go. I don't see why it shouldn't work. Cheers, Ray.

[@SimonsSolarShed]

fantastic antenna ray...I might make the smaller one like the one you have sitting on your receiver.enjoyed watching you make your 📶 excellent stuff.

[@g4nsj]

Do have a go at making one. It's really worth while. Cheers, Ray.

[@Scotscan]

Brilliant video. Look forward to trying out the design.

[@g4nsj]

You'll be surprised by the results, I'm sure. Cheers, Ray.

[@martinrushoe5586]

I love all your videos keep up the good work

[@paulbillingham4594]

Wow, 274 Views in the first few hours. You have a talent for this and your input in the RSGB publications for home made kit would be good Ray. Another very enjoyable video. Thanks Paul 2E0MIY

[@g4nsj]

Now, there's a thought! Cheers, Ray.

[@frankbaron1608]

how did you connect the wires to the capacitor?

[@g4nsj]

Hi Frank, I soldered the wires on to the capacitor.

[@frankbaron1608]

@@g4nsj all 8?

[@g4nsj]

@@frankbaron1608 if I remember correctly, the wires from the large loop go across the capacitor and the wires from the small loop, go to the aerial and earth connections on the radio.

[@daviddennison3647]

Great videos thanks

[@g4nsj]

Thanks David.

[@VickyGeagan]

Perfect for Caroline North Manx radio bbc radio 1 is back replaced with Caroline work good with those old valve wirelesses

[@g4nsj]

Vicky Geagan I’ll be trying the loop on Caroline later.

[@dougmcartin3881]

If you want to try some MW DX from across the pond Ray look for WABC on 770 KHZ, WFAN on 660 KHZ and WOR at 710 KHZ. These all transmit the US legal limit of 50 KW from transmitter sites in the marsh fields of New Jersey with their studios in New York City. Probably better at night during the winter months but you never know till you listen. 73 Doug.

[@g4nsj]

Thanks Doug, I'll make a note of that. If I hear anything, I'll let you know. Cheers, Ray.

[@tonychristoph1063]

hello do you think this antenna can be better than a dipole arial or a long wire antenna ? thank you for your vidéos about radio have a good day

[@g4nsj]

tony christoph Hi, in some cases it can be better for receiving as it cuts down interference.

[@MM0IMC]

The title made me think this video was about CB amplifiers! LOL

[@g4nsj]

Ah yes, a 100 Watt burner. Highly illegal but great fun! Haha!

[@emjayel206]

Grab a lazy Susan and sit your antenna on it so you can turn it in any direction to null/receive stations. Have you picked up any signals from the USA? Have you built a larger one yet? Great idea for a side project on these cold and dreary days. Cheers!

[@fuzzwack1]

I think its Funny that you over there are trying to pick-up our stations,And we over here in Canada try to get your stations..a very fun game i think!!

[@g4nsj]

Robert Hardwick it is funny. Interesting, though. Cheers, Ray.

[@tonychristoph1063]

thank you for sharing

[@tux4tosh]

Excellent video! Love all your videos. But is there any chance you could draw a simple schematic of this aerial so I can see exactly how it works, please. Many thanks!

[@g4nsj]

OK, I'll see what I can do.

[@tux4tosh]

Many thanks

[@radiorob007]

Nice ray I think if you are going to do more of this kind of projeks, you will attract many viewers! I'm here already ready for it. Greetings from the Netherlands! Rob.

[@g4nsj]

I hope so! I plan to so a lot more. Cheers, Ray.

[@fuzzwack1]

Hey,Will any old tunning capacitor off any old radio work?

[@g4nsj]

Robert Hardwick yes, it should do. Within reason.

[@driverfilmsshortwavechannel]

Something else on the list of things for me to try!

[@g4nsj]

It's a great aerial. Have fun!

[@mikedennington8856]

If l put one on my roof l wonder if it would pick up short wave, just curious.

[@g4nsj]

Yes, it's worth a try.

[@allenbraithwaite106]

Ray do you repair radios?ive a windup ,The radio was dropped,but the wires are so fine,how would they be soldered back.thanks.

[@SpectreOZ]

Nice job Ray, I too have seen a few versions of this design around the place, would be great to hear MW DX from further afield :)

[@g4nsj]

Have a go at building it. God fun and worth while. Cheers, Ray.

[@mtabernig]

how about one for 15 and 20 meters that could handled 200W without bursting the wood on fire ? Iv'e seen some 3 elements cuads but not a full wave rolled up like that.

[@g4nsj]

That's an idea. I might have a go at that. Cheers, Ray.

[@mtabernig]

how would you feed it?

[@g4nsj]

Probably with coax or maybe open line feeder, if you can match it properly.

[@noncounterproductive4596]

I wouldn't have had the wire of the pickup coil wrapped around screws at the ends. That probably has some effect on the signal. Instead I would have drilled holes and glued in wooden pegs, or some other non-metallic arrangement.

[@g4nsj]

Noncounterproductive the screws don’t have any effect at these frequencies. Good point, though.

[@AlamoCityCello]

Nice work Ray! Any suggestions on building a compact medium-wave transmission antenna? Something that would work on a small city lot? Love your Vids Bro!!

[@g4nsj]

Hi John, thanks for your kind comments. I don't have deigns for transmitting loops but I will look into it. Cheers, Ray.

[@johnmcmahon3959]

Hi Ray yet another superb video,i understand the basics of radio transmission but could not get my head round when you tuned your transistor radio to the loop aerial how does this work without having a physical connection to it ?

[@g4nsj]

The loop and the ferrite rod coil act like the two windings of as transformer, primary and secondary. Bring them close together, and voltage is induced in the ferrite rod coil from the loop aerial. Cheers, Ray.

[@johnmcmahon3959]

Right i see so works by mutual induction, so in effect the loop aerial is acting as a transmitter

[@g4nsj]

Yes, that's right. It works surprisingly well.

[@frankedwardcurry]

Hi Ray - Very interesting to see your version of a loop antenna. I reckon I gave you the idea for this video haha. Bye the way - I have found the variable capacitor I was looking for on eBay. It"s in the post. Many thanks for your help - Frank M3 FEC 73.

[@g4nsj]

Hi Frank, it's nice to hear from you. I'm glad you located a capacitor. You did, indeed, spark my interest,. Cheers, Ray.

[@frankedwardcurry]

Thanks Ray - I thought I did, that"s Great.I am a radio fan like you - don"t have your knowledge though.The loop I made is 26 turns of single bell wire on a smaller frame. It seems to work better on the higher end of the AM band, around 1600 KHz without a tuning capacitor.If I touch one end of the wire it goes even louder, but if I let go and touch the other end it makes no difference.I can"t work that one out. I am hoping it will help tuning to Radio Caroline when it starts broadcasting on 648 KHz with 1 Killowatt of power in August. Don"t forget those Numbers Stations lol. You sure you weren"t a "Pirate" haha! Frank.

[@g4nsj]

It probably has too many turns, Frank. You'll have to experiment. Try less turns with a capacitor.

[@frankedwardcurry]

Thanks Ray for your advice. I may copy your larger loop antenna. Plenty of bits and pieces in my shed to make one. Just waiting for the capacitor to arrive in the post.

[@g4nsj]

frank curry OK, Frank. Keep me posted.

[@m.9243]

Ray, we'd like some feedback about what the wife said about this project. If she liked it, you ARE a lucky man! My wife would make an appointment with our doctor claiming that I started to loose the plot.. Count your blessings lad! 73s from a VK2 xxx

[@g4nsj]

She was OK with the aerial. Even better when I put it in the attic! Cheers, Ray.

[@Umbazooksus1]

Very nice Ray. Let us know if you heard any of our American stations during your tests.

[@g4nsj]

I hope to have a listen for American stations this weekend. I'll let you know. Cheers, Ray.

[@stevedoubleu99B]

Tell your good lady it's the latest rotary washing line, still in the prototype stage of course!!

[@g4nsj]

Haha, good idea!

[@mike97525]

I like it

[@g4nsj]

mike97525 thanks.

[@Joe-KN4IFI]

Your wife see it on Her dinning room table. The base of the antenna will become very unstable at it flies through the air :p

[@g4nsj]

Joseph Rostochak haha! 😃

[@Alpha1545]

Nice job. I see you are getting your tools ready to go t-hunting maybe? Could there be a new bunch of pirates? Go easy on them if you find them!

[@g4nsj]

I'll go easy on them. In fact, I'll join them! Haha! Cheers, Ray.

[@Alpha1545]

LOL Might even give them a few pointers maybe!!!

[@johnbrown1835]

Great video Ray. And the woodwork looks OK I've seen worse JB Sydney Australia

[@g4nsj]

Thanks, John. Glad you liked it.

[@nextellcup8]

lol i design and build at the same time