Horizontal "Sky Loop" Antenna

[RufusDawes]

Going to put up a Horizontal “Sky Loop” antenna for HF and BCB receiving, it will be 4 sided approximate perimeter length of 200 ft, about 15 ft off the ground…

Looking for some insight on how best to maximize the antenna. Using 16awg stranded copper wire with poly insulation, black with the hope that it conceals well against the sky. Not sure if a balun is needed, have seen some use a 4:1 and happy with the results. From my understanding no ground wire is needed with this type of antenna… please advise!

 

[EAFrizzle]

I use elevated and Loop on Ground antennas for HF and MF. I use a nooelec 9:1 balun(good and cheap) to transition to co-ax for the receivers. They work well, and you're correct, no ground wire is needed for the antenna.

You're going to enjoy it. Much quieter than dipoles and ground planes, they make a perfect antenna for an LNA to help bring in the weakest signals.

 

[WB5UOM]

I have about 350 feet in a quasi somewhat maybe diamond shape..fed direct with Rg8.
Have had it for years

 

[Yagi]

For several years I had about 260 feet of wire up in a somewhat 5 sided horizontal loop. I used the trees that I had for the supports so it wasn't a perfect box shape. The length was based on what I had room for. It was limited to about 25 - 30 feet high.

The feed line down to my house was 300 ohm (Radio Shack foam lead). From there I had a 4:1 balun and coax to an Alpha Delta coaxial surge protector that was connected to a ground rod.

I was able to use it on 15, 20, 40 & 80. Because of the limited height 80m didn't work that great But I felt like the loop worked reasonably well on 20m and 40m. The loop was quieter then a vertical I put up a few years later.

 

[prcguy]

A horizontal loop at 15ft is going to be a cloud burner over most of the HF band and won't have a very good low angle for DX.

 

[RufusDawes]

A horizontal loop at 15ft is going to be a cloud burner over most of the HF band and won't have a very good low angle for DX.

Yep, it's the best I can do where I live... rn my 120' random wire is pretty decent and at the same height, so the loop should at least be as good as that while lowering the noise floor a few S levels, that is my hope