FOX_TV,
The loop I used was included with an older TV so its likely not ideally sized, but it's certainly directional and has the anticipated null. This one was the type with a plastic base and a stub that 'plugs' the top of the TV set. I cut that off, squared the remaining plastic base and you saw the result. Since it has a 'square' base I also tried it horizontally, but its 'behavior' was unpredictable and it did not act as a loop at all (or maybe that's how a horizontal loop acts, but not what I wanted!). It took a few minutes to build.
Had it done anything beyond what other antennas here already do, my thought was to slim the plastic support and create an antenna with very low wind-loading and a very low 'neighbor-annoyance' factor!
Jim
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FOX TV
You do have a point as Loop antennas are highly directional, and I have several of them lying around. Your antenna looks nice, and I love Lexan as an insulator. I do have a few questions about the loop itself. Did you fabricate it, or is it an antenna that may have come with a TV set? The reason I ask is because there seems to be several versions of the standard loop that came with TV sets depending on when it was made. I have seen both in the past.
If it is very old, it may be cut for the old UHF band up to channel 83. If it is newer, it may be cut for channels up to 69, but in either case, it may not be optimized for the current band up to channel 51. If you made it yourself based on formulas, then forget what I said, but I normally cut my UHF antenna elements at channel 33 which is the approximate center of the current band at 584-590 MHz. I normally use 587 MHz as the BUILD frequency of my UHF antenna elements.
I don't think the exposed balun would cause an issue, as it is a very inefficient antenna itself, but the length of exposed twin lead may have an effect on impedance. Can you possibly shorten it some? The project box may help too, and you could even try painting the inside of it with aluminum or metal based paint as an internal reflector to try and shield the twin lead from Rf energy.
You will never know until you try is my attitude on antenna experimenting. Besides, what could be better than watching TV? Finding better ways to receive it !! 
Keep thinking about things and new ideas to try will come along. My new favorite trick is a product called "Liquid Tape" used to seal "Everything" on my feed lines or baluns.  |
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