Hi Tim, This does look like a viable option. Too bad it is single-band and only bi-directional, although a star-like arrangement (with lots of relays) could work too.
Rudy N2WQ ________________________________ From: Tim Duffy <k...@k3lr.com> To: 'Rudy Bakalov' <r_baka...@yahoo.com>; topband@contesting.com Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 1:43 AM Subject: Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL Hello Rudy, I am using a pair of VE3DO loops in a phased array for 160 meters. The two loops are spaced 5/8 wavelength (at 1830 KHz) apart at K3LR - aimed at 45/225 degrees (a DPDT relay selects the direction for each loop). The VE3DO loops are simple to construct and work very well. The in phase feed for the two loops is simple with equal lengths of 50 ohm coax to a T connector and a 25 to 50 ohm UNUN to match to the 50 ohm RX. The VSWR of the system is excellent with the 9:1 K9AY transformers at each loop feed point up thru 7 MHz. I suggest using a DX Engineering RPA-1 preamp operating at 16 VDC to feed the receiver for best results. Details for the inexpensive VE3DO loop receive antenna is here: http://topbanddinner.com/page_presentations.html 73! Tim K3LR -----Original Message----- From: Topband [mailto:topband-boun...@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rudy Bakalov Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 12:00 PM To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: New 160M high performance receiving antenna at W3LPL I have been wondering if the antenna element in phased arrays could be a loop rather than a vertical. My thinking is that the loop has some level of directivity so phasing two of them should result in better side lobe suppression compared to a vertical. Is there any merit to this thought? Specifically, will I see better RDF numbers if I were to use loop elements in any of the active 8 and 4 circle systems (e.g., DX Engineering, Hi-Z Antennas, etc.)? Rudy N2WQ _________________ Topband Reflector _________________ Topband Reflector _________________ Topband Reflector