Tiny HF Antennas - The MFJ-9232 Loop. Tuner

The MFJ-9232 is probably the smallest loop tuner. It can be used to. create a very compact HF antenna.
hamradiostore....

[@o00scorpion00o]

I have this loop, got it as a gift but shamefully haven't used it yet! I must take it out and use it. I have the MFJ-935C and using just 4 meters of 10mm soft copper pipe bent into a loop I made a contact into Canada from Ireland on 20m with just 20 watts and today using 2 meters of copper pipe made contact to Belarus 2,223 kms on 20 meters using just 5 watts. I will use this 935C loop tuner a lot more than I have, same with the 9232.

[@sajp8859]

Just wrap it around a Hulahoop and Bob’s yer. I use the MFJ 936C and wrap the #10 around the hoop. Other time I drape a big loop around the dayroom, trying it this way and that. Like others, I have made some stunning contacts I previously thought impossible for such an antenna setup-the most surprising from inside the house!

[@gliderrider]

It’s worked pretty good for me. I’ve used it from 20 meters to 80! 80 was a surprise because I was only using 40 meter length feet. Yet it tuned. No qso but I did get reverse beacon contacts. Even made a vid on the 80 m part.

[@watersstanton]

Nice to hear from you. 73 Peter.

[@victorbrand3056]

Very nicely put! The window frame reminder most apposite. 73 Victor> G3JNB

[@watersstanton]

Thanks Victor. 73a Peter.

[@chris_debian5368]

Good honest video. Reports seem favourable on eHam, too. I was left wondering whether this would be any better than a loop into my Emtech ZM-2, as the manufacturer's website says it can tune loops. I need to do some research. Many thanks, Chris (2E0FRU)

[@einstein.1869]

How about using a pair of car jump leads?

[@StreakyP]

It was interesting to see the comment about how this might compare next to a mag loop... the thing is that this IS a mag loop (capacitor in the box tuning a single turn loop that is less than a quarter wave around). OK I think this has the less common "army loop" type match in the box compared to the more common gamma match or small loop opposite the capacitor but it is still a mag loop nevertheless. As such standard "mag loop" considerations apply:- a) if you are going to use it at a window have it "square on" to the window NOT flat against the glass... these things fire in the plane of the loop so flat against the glass fires nothing out and tries to put its energy into the surrounding wall instead. b) 8mm micro-bore copper plumbing pipe can make a great loop conductor (easily available from DIY superstores). c) The screen of co-ax can also be used... make 2 little so239 to the terminal post/wing-nut adaptors and you can even use your existing patch leads for the loop. Just pick one of the right length. d) NEVER use the auto-atu in the rig to tune these.... they should tune properly without the rig's ATU and their efficiency depends on being properly resonant so the rig atu doesn't really help. I LOVE mag loops... I fully accept they can be a bit of a compromise but if they are the only antenna possible where you are then they are the BEST antenna you can have at that time. For travel and hotel use they can be unrivalled (you may have seen my Rad-Com article about receiving with Mag Loops INSIDE cars). If you really want to be "secret squirrel" on holiday and have a large old hard plastic suitcase with no metal in it then you can get a mag loop for 10, 15 or 20m inside it. Sitting with a portable rig in your lap and a suitcase sitting on a plastic pool-chair next to you can give surprising results when the bands are open...... double o three and a half... licenced to thrill. This little MFJ certainly isn't perfect (I've yet to find any antenna that is) but for allowing you to use radio in places you never thought possible it could be great fun... It reminds me a bit about my old Yaesu FT817... in spec terms the size compromises they made makes it one of the worst performance HF rigs (on paper) available but I'd never sell it as the smiles it gives me because it can be fun everywhere still make it a winner. hope this helps - Ian gm0sim (for people interested in magloops in more detail just check out the groups.io forum dedicated to them).

[@watersstanton]

Many thanks fortakingtge time write this. Appreciated. Peter

[@mattbates6887]

Talking about other MFJ products for a moment, I have both the MFJ -1026 Noise Cancelling Signal Enhancer, and the MFJ-259B SWR analyzer. Both of which are excellent products!

[@watersstanton]

ok Matthew. i may look at the 1026 sometime in the future. 73s Peter

[@mattbates6887]

@@watersstanton ok Peter, look forward to the 1026 review. 73s

[@bringemyoungpbuh4123]

So could this be used to tune a delta or quad loop antenna? In other words, does it replace the toroid balun some use?

[@vetham100]

I enjoyed your video exceedingly. thanks for a very informative video. I'm glad i watched. 73.

[@watersstanton]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alanread6596]

Mine came with a more flexible wire which forms a perfect loop it's a great portable go bag antenna.

[@watersstanton]

Hi Alan. Yes they all come with the wire but strangely MFJ recommend thicker wire than is provided! Nice to hear from you. 73s Peter.

[@ssubaihi]

I had wished to see how it would perform against Magnetic Loop Antenna , Considering both works in same Band , Same Diameter , Same Height And Same Orientation

[@rogerwoodland2587]

and same magnetic loop design.

[@watersstanton]

Mabe I will when the weather imoroves. 73s Peter

[@peterphil9686]

If you were hang gliding in mountains where you can be low and not receive VHF, UHF frequency would you use?

[@watersstanton]

Hi there. I have no experience of mountains I am afraid. HF would certainly work. Peter

[@kenharris7120]

can i make a loop and run the wire from the MFJ IN SIDE THE HOUSE TO THE LOOP OUT SIDE

[@watersstanton]

Yes providing you can keep the wire configured as a loop

[@lassehedlund8418]

I really like to see your wideo about antenna in smal garden, because thats what i have ( smal garden that is ). I would really like to see a video about Magnetic loop antenna MFJ-1788X is very intresting antenna for a smal garden but how good are they really ??? I hope you some day can do a test on a MFJ-1788X. 73s SA6BLX

[@watersstanton]

Hi Lasse, Nice to hear from you and will keep in mind your request. 73s Peter.

[@edwymer6928]

Depending on the diameter of the wire you could use a child’s hoopla hoop and run the wire inside of it . Then you would have something that looked nicer and you could mount it on a Tri pod

[@watersstanton]

Hi Ed. Yes that would certainly make it look smarter. Be a problem to find a hoop big enough for 40m! Great to get your input. 73s Peter.

[@rogerwoodland2587]

@@watersstanton use two turns of wire.

[@redman840]

Ed Wymer .....Hula hoop,correct?

[@edwymer6928]

redman840 spell correct strikes again

[@redman840]

Ed Wymer It gets me too,Ed.Spell INcorrection would be a better term applied.

[@banginghats2]

I've still got a Joystick VFA stored away somewhere.

[@watersstanton]

Ha Ha

[@G1WHP]

Great for the caravan.....

[@DavidCase-ov5uo]

Love the Callsign. I used to have a G- whip mobile antenna but stood on the lawn. No one believed me when I said what I was using. Dave G4BTI.

[@CampervanCookout]

I use a wonderloop for mobile qrp.

[@alanread6596]

Could you use an atu with it manual or auto

[@watersstanton]

Yes you could but there would be little point. The antenna has its own built-in tuner and adding another tuner in series would make adjust confusing to say the least. 73 Peter