[IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
Hello All, As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but there are very few resources to help DXers actually try out the antenna, or even know how to get started in building one. In an effort to change this situation a detailed 7" FSL construction article was written, with a deliberate attempt to include "Heathkit-like" user-friendly instructions and many Photoshop-enhanced assembly pictures. For those who are curious about the new antenna's construction, operation and DXing capabilities, this new 10-page article will answer all your questions. Designed to be built with a component cost of around $150, this 7" FSL takes up only about one cubic foot of space-- but has been tested extensively against a full-sized 4' PVC box loop here, with superior weak-signal reception results. All four 7" FSL test models here have demonstrated this weak-signal superiority over the 4' air core loop (the antenna which provided reception of 30 DU stations on Ultralight radios during the August 2010 DXpedition to Lincoln City, OR). Unlike similar -sized compact antennas this 7" FSL will provide a very serious gain boost to any portable radio with a loopstick-- even full-sized models like the Sony ICF-S5W and the Panasonic RF-2200 (without the need for any radio modification). With extensive advice on tracking down construction parts and obtaining the best DXing results from your compact FSL, this article will hopefully motivate both experienced builders and beginners to accept the challenge of construction, and personally experience the astonishing performance of this new antenna design. http://www.mediafire.com/?dshnqlbydf6qu25 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
Bravo, Gary! An invaluable article! I've saved it for reference immediately...Walt On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM, wrote: > Hello All, > > As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new > Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but > there are very few resources to help DXers actually try out the > antenna, or even know how to get started in building one. In an effort > to change this situation a detailed 7" FSL construction article was > written, with a deliberate attempt to include "Heathkit-like" > user-friendly instructions and many Photoshop-enhanced assembly > pictures. For those who are curious about the new antenna's > construction, operation and DXing capabilities, this new 10-page > article will answer all your questions. > > Designed to be built with a component cost of around $150, this 7" FSL > takes up only about one cubic foot of space-- but has been tested > extensively against a full-sized 4' PVC box loop here, with superior > weak-signal reception results. All four 7" FSL test models here have > demonstrated this weak-signal superiority over the 4' air core loop > (the antenna which provided reception of 30 DU stations on Ultralight > radios during the August 2010 DXpedition to Lincoln City, OR). Unlike > similar -sized compact antennas this 7" FSL will provide a very serious > gain boost to any portable radio with a loopstick-- even full-sized > models like the Sony ICF-S5W and the Panasonic RF-2200 (without the > need for any radio modification). With extensive advice on tracking > down construction parts and obtaining the best DXing results from your > compact FSL, this article will hopefully motivate both experienced > builders and beginners to accept the challenge of construction, and > personally experience the astonishing performance of this new antenna > design. http://www.mediafire.com/?dshnqlbydf6qu25 > > 73 and Good DX, > Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) > > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
Thankyou Gary... On Oct 15, 2011, at 9:17 AM, d1028g...@aol.com wrote: > Hello All, > > As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new > Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but > there are very few resources to help DXers actually try out the > antenna, or even know how to get started in building one. In an effort > to change this situation a detailed 7" FSL construction article was > written, with a deliberate attempt to include "Heathkit-like" > user-friendly instructions and many Photoshop-enhanced assembly > pictures. For those who are curious about the new antenna's > construction, operation and DXing capabilities, this new 10-page > article will answer all your questions. > > Designed to be built with a component cost of around $150, this 7" FSL > takes up only about one cubic foot of space-- but has been tested > extensively against a full-sized 4' PVC box loop here, with superior > weak-signal reception results. All four 7" FSL test models here have > demonstrated this weak-signal superiority over the 4' air core loop > (the antenna which provided reception of 30 DU stations on Ultralight > radios during the August 2010 DXpedition to Lincoln City, OR). Unlike > similar -sized compact antennas this 7" FSL will provide a very serious > gain boost to any portable radio with a loopstick-- even full-sized > models like the Sony ICF-S5W and the Panasonic RF-2200 (without the > need for any radio modification). With extensive advice on tracking > down construction parts and obtaining the best DXing results from your > compact FSL, this article will hopefully motivate both experienced > builders and beginners to accept the challenge of construction, and > personally experience the astonishing performance of this new antenna > design. http://www.mediafire.com/?dshnqlbydf6qu25 > > 73 and Good DX, > Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) > > > > ___ > IRCA mailing list > IRCA@hard-core-dx.com > http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca > > Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original > contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its > editors, publishing staff, or officers > > For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org > > To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com > ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
Thanks Walt, Your comment on the FSL article is appreciated. One of these compact antennas has already breezed through Canadian Customs, much to the amazement of Rob Ross (of London, Ontario) and I. Sooner or later we will probably find out if the Vancouver Customs office is so customer-friendly! 73, Gary -Original Message- From: Walter Salmaniw To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Sent: Sat, Oct 15, 2011 9:48 am Subject: Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna Bravo, Gary! An invaluable article! I've saved it for reference immediately...Walt On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM, wrote: Hello All, As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but there are very few resources to help DXers actually try out the antenna, or even know how to get started in building one. In an effort to change this situation a detailed 7" FSL construction article was written, with a deliberate attempt to include "Heathkit-like" user-friendly instructions and many Photoshop-enhanced assembly pictures. For those who are curious about the new antenna's construction, operation and DXing capabilities, this new 10-page article will answer all your questions. Designed to be built with a component cost of around $150, this 7" FSL takes up only about one cubic foot of space-- but has been tested extensively against a full-sized 4' PVC box loop here, with superior weak-signal reception results. All four 7" FSL test models here have demonstrated this weak-signal superiority over the 4' air core loop (the antenna which provided reception of 30 DU stations on Ultralight radios during the August 2010 DXpedition to Lincoln City, OR). Unlike similar -sized compact antennas this 7" FSL will provide a very serious gain boost to any portable radio with a loopstick-- even full-sized models like the Sony ICF-S5W and the Panasonic RF-2200 (without the need for any radio modification). With extensive advice on tracking down construction parts and obtaining the best DXing results from your compact FSL, this article will hopefully motivate both experienced builders and beginners to accept the challenge of construction, and personally experience the astonishing performance of this new antenna design. http://www.mediafire.com/?dshnqlbydf6qu25 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
An amazing job Gary! And how Rob got such good X-border service when taking delivery of something that looks like the serious part of a Gatling Gun is quite beyond comprehension! Tony (VE3NO) ComputerViz, NYAA Starfest tonyw...@rogers.com http://www.nyaa.ca I hear Schrodinger's dog isn't very well either ... From: "d1028g...@aol.com" To: irca@hard-core-dx.com Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2011 11:24:29 PM Subject: Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna Thanks Walt, Your comment on the FSL article is appreciated. One of these compact antennas has already breezed through Canadian Customs, much to the amazement of Rob Ross (of London, Ontario) and I. Sooner or later we will probably find out if the Vancouver Customs office is so customer-friendly! 73, Gary -Original Message- From: Walter Salmaniw To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Sent: Sat, Oct 15, 2011 9:48 am Subject: Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna Bravo, Gary! An invaluable article! I've saved it for reference immediately...Walt On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM, wrote: > Hello All, > > As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new > Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
Good article Gary, thanks. Definitely on my list of things to experiment with :D Tim Hills Sioux Falls, SD On 10/15/2011 11:17, d1028g...@aol.com wrote: Hello All, As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but there are very few resources to help DXers actually try out the antenna, or even know how to get started in building one. In an effort to change this situation a detailed 7" FSL construction article was written, with a deliberate attempt to include "Heathkit-like" user-friendly instructions and many Photoshop-enhanced assembly pictures. For those who are curious about the new antenna's construction, operation and DXing capabilities, this new 10-page article will answer all your questions. Designed to be built with a component cost of around $150, this 7" FSL takes up only about one cubic foot of space-- but has been tested extensively against a full-sized 4' PVC box loop here, with superior weak-signal reception results. All four 7" FSL test models here have demonstrated this weak-signal superiority over the 4' air core loop (the antenna which provided reception of 30 DU stations on Ultralight radios during the August 2010 DXpedition to Lincoln City, OR). Unlike similar -sized compact antennas this 7" FSL will provide a very serious gain boost to any portable radio with a loopstick-- even full-sized models like the Sony ICF-S5W and the Panasonic RF-2200 (without the need for any radio modification). With extensive advice on tracking down construction parts and obtaining the best DXing results from your compact FSL, this article will hopefully motivate both experienced builders and beginners to accept the challenge of construction, and personally experience the astonishing performance of this new antenna design. http://www.mediafire.com/?dshnqlbydf6qu25 73 and Good DX, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA) ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
On 2011-10-16, at 8:50 AM, Tony Ward wrote: > An amazing job Gary! And how Rob got such good X-border service when taking > delivery of something that looks like the serious part of a Gatling Gun is > quite beyond comprehension! > > Tony (VE3NO) ComputerViz, NYAA Starfest > Tony: They know I'm a "Little" Goofyand when it got here I told them it was a Newly Designed "Quack Medical Device" that when held up to one's head..takes all the evil thoughts out of your mind.and makes the world a whole lot better place to live in!! They didn't go for that...so I just told them I was a "DX'er".and they said...oh OK..that explains everything!! HHAHAHHAHAA 73ROB VA3SW Robert S. Ross London, Ontario CANADA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
On 2011-10-16, at 8:50 AM, Tony Ward wrote: > An amazing job Gary! And how Rob got such good X-border service when taking > delivery of something that looks like the serious part of a Gatling Gun is > quite beyond comprehension! > > Tony (VE3NO) ComputerViz, NYAA Starfest > Tony: They know I'm a "Little" Goofyand when it got here I told them it was a Newly Designed "Quack Medical Device" that when held up to one's head..takes all the evil thoughts out of your mind.and makes the world a whole lot better place to live in!! They didn't go for that...so I just told them I was a "DX'er".and they said...oh OK..that explains everything!! HHAHAHHAHAA 73ROB VA3SW Robert S. Ross London, Ontario CANADA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
On 2011-10-16, at 10:07 AM, John Fisher wrote: > Rob, > > You could have told them it was a passive MRI device (LOL). Might have saved > you some money on taxes and duties, if it was for medical use? > > John Ya know JohnThey are actually lightening up a bit it seems the past few years!!! 90 % of the time I don't have to pay any Taxes or Duties on Packages coming in to Canada!! Looks like FREE TRADE may actually be kicking in Finally!! Even Cross Border Shoplifting is getting a lot less painlesswe go over at Port Huron and buy Groceries and Clothes quite often...even with $300-$400 Bucks declared they just wave you through!! I wasn't worried about paying Duty on the FSLthat's NO Problem!! I was worried about them sending it to ZONE 51 in The Nevada Desert and imploding it!!! HAHHAHAHAHA... I know one thing for sure...I'll NEVER try to take an FSL on an Airplane!!! I'm sure that would result in an immediate Trip Cancellation!! HAHAHAHAAPlus your Bag would be seriously OVER the weight Limit!! Ain't DXing Fun. 73...ROB VA3SW Robert S. Ross London, Ontario CANADA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
The big challenge might be getting one of these things through airport security :) Bruce On 10/15/2011 20:24, d1028g...@aol.com wrote: Thanks Walt, Your comment on the FSL article is appreciated. One of these compact antennas has already breezed through Canadian Customs, much to the amazement of Rob Ross (of London, Ontario) and I. Sooner or later we will probably find out if the Vancouver Customs office is so customer-friendly! 73, Gary -Original Message- From: Walter Salmaniw To: Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America Sent: Sat, Oct 15, 2011 9:48 am Subject: Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna Bravo, Gary! An invaluable article! I've saved it for reference immediately...Walt On Sat, Oct 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM, wrote: Hello All, As most of you know, there has been quite a lot of interest in the new Ferrite Sleeve Loop antennas among many in the AM-DXing community, but there are very few resources to help DXers actually try out the antenna, or even know how to get started in building one. In an effort to change this situation a detailed 7" FSL construction article was written, with a deliberate attempt to include "Heathkit-like" user-friendly instructions and many Photoshop-enhanced assembly pictures. For those who are curious about the new antenna's construction, operation and DXing capabilities, this new 10-page article will answer all your questions. ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com
Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna
Well Rob, The FSL antenna just has to be the craziest idea that DXers have come up with in decades, but as you probably know by now, it snags the weak DX like it's trying to make up for 50 years of lost time!!! Who would have guessed that thousands of Russian ferrite rods manufactured to help the Soviet Army oppose the West 50 years ago would somehow end up being used for snagging weak DX in bizarre new 21st Century antennas?? 73, Gary -Original Message- From: Robert Ross To: John Fisher ; IRCA AM List Sent: Sun, Oct 16, 2011 7:52 am Subject: Re: [IRCA] Build Your Own (Reasonably Priced) FSL Antenna On 2011-10-16, at 10:07 AM, John Fisher wrote: Rob, You could have told them it was a passive MRI device (LOL). Might have saved you some money on taxes and duties, if it was for medical use? John Ya know JohnThey are actually lightening up a bit it seems the past few years!!! 90 % of the time I don't have to pay any Taxes or Duties on Packages coming in to Canada!! Looks like FREE TRADE may actually be kicking in Finally!! Even Cross Border Shoplifting is getting a lot less painlesswe go over at Port Huron and buy Groceries and Clothes quite often...even with $300-$400 Bucks declared they just wave you through!! I wasn't worried about paying Duty on the FSLthat's NO Problem!! I was worried about them sending it to ZONE 51 in The Nevada Desert and imploding it!!! HAHHAHAHAHA... I know one thing for sure...I'll NEVER try to take an FSL on an Airplane!!! I'm sure that would result in an immediate Trip Cancellation!! HAHAHAHAAPlus your Bag would be seriously OVER the weight Limit!! Ain't DXing Fun. 73...ROB VA3SW Robert S. Ross London, Ontario CANADA ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com ___ IRCA mailing list IRCA@hard-core-dx.com http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org To Post a message: irca@hard-core-dx.com