Loop Install Question

[MTScannerNut]

I'm thinking of getting a DX Engineering Loop Antenna for SWL and have an install question. I understand you want to move the antenna away from metal objects. My initial thought was to install it on a metal piece of conduit that would be attached to a wood fence post about 25-30 feet away from my house. My concern is that it would be directly above the wire fence on my property. The fence is 5' tall and the mast would be 10', so it would have 5' of clearance. Any thoughts on this install? Any potential interference from the wire fence? Thanks, Ed

 

[MDScanFan]

Is it an electric fence or just a wire fence? I don't think having the antenna 5' above a wire fence would present an issue. I have had mine in the clear and near wire antennas and I don't recall noticing a difference in reception. Getting it away from the house is the main thing to help reception.

 

[ka3jjz]

And you really shouldn't mount it high off the ground. 10-15 foot is sufficient. Anything higher and loop starts to see more skywave - a problem if you are trying to null out a MW or LW station.

Have you checked out the W6LVP loops? They're nearly 1/2 the price of the DX Engineering / Pixel and almost the same performance. Numerous top notch reviews...the website is here...

W6LVP

www.w6lvp.com

Mike

 

[MTScannerNut]

Is it an electric fence or just a wire fence? I don't think having the antenna 5' above a wire fence would present an issue. I have had mine in the clear and near wire antennas and I don't recall noticing a difference in reception. Getting it away from the house is the main thing to help reception.

It’s a non-electric wire field fence. Thanks for the response.

 

[MTScannerNut]

And you really shouldn't mount it high off the ground. 10-15 foot is sufficient. Anything higher and loop starts to see more skywave - a problem if you are trying to null out a MW or LW station.

Have you checked out the W6LVP loops? They're nearly 1/2 the price of the DX Engineering / Pixel and almost the same performance. Numerous top notch reviews...the website is here...

W6LVP

www.w6lvp.com

Mike

I have checked out the W6LVP loop. My only concern with it is wind resistance seeing how it’s just unprotected coax. I emailed the owner and he could not give me a definitive max wind rating. He felt it would be fine up to around 25 mph winds. He suggested taking it down in much stronger winds. Rarely, we can see winds of 40-50 mph, and 15-25 mph winds are typical here. I think the DX loop would be better able to withstand high winds based on its construction.

 

[tuihill]

I bought the make your own loop kit from W6VLP. Now $180 vs $295 for the full meal deal. I bought sans power supply (240 VAC here) so $15.00 off. I use a 12 volt SLA for both the radio and the loop. Used 3.114 metres of insulated solid copper core electric fence connector wire inside 3.114 metres of 15mm alkathene pipe. The connectors on the exterior unit fit nicely inside the pipe then secured with hose clamps. Mounted it on a length of pvc downspout with a fibreglass electric fence post inside more alkathene pipe attached to the post mount and up the PVC pipe . Thought it best to avoid steel conduit that may affect the loop performance. I use a broom assist rotator. Some photos should be attached.

 

[jwt873]

Good job.. I like the broom rotor idea Just tto add.. I LOVE the view from your yard.. Wow.