New MLA-30+ Antenna; What Direction to Point?

[Aremel]

I am mounting a new MLA-30+ antenna in Cheyenne, WY. First, is there some place that shows the direction to point this type of loop antenna for my area? Second, the diagram for the loop antenna is confusing as to the "null" point, etc... I just want to know which direction that big wire loop should point. Which part of the antenna is the "front", if you know what I mean? I am looking at it like the open circle is the front, like looking at a face. Right now, it's pointing north.

Please note that they suggest rotating the antenna, then checking the reception. This means running outside, turning it a little then running back indoors, down the stairs to the basement, then checking it. Then, running back outside, turning it a little, etc... I don't mind this for fine tuning, but I am looking at trying to get in the ballpark to start with.

Thanx!

 

[dave3825]

is there some place that shows the direction to point this type of loop antenna for my area?

Right now, it's pointing north.

What direction is the shortwave your interested in listening to?

Please note that they suggest rotating the antenna, then checking the reception. This means running outside, turning it a little then running back indoors, down the stairs to the basement, then checking it. Then, running back outside, turning it a little, etc..

Yeah, I don't do that anymore. I stick a wyze cam facing the the pc screen showing the spectrum and stream it to my phone. Best way to aim an antenna imo.

 

[Blackswan73]

Contrary to logic, MLA-30 antenna “fires” off the sides of the loop, not the face. The broadsides of the loop are the null points of the radiation pattern

B.S.

 

[prcguy]

Contrary to logic, MLA-30 antenna “fires” off the sides of the loop, not the face. The broadsides of the loop are the null points of the radiation pattern

B.S.

Or another way to say it is looking through the hole in the loop will be the null or reduced reception. The null should be really sharp and when you get just +/- 5 degrees from broadside the signals will come up quite a bit.

 

[Aremel]

Just for grins, let's suppose I am trying to listen to WWV in Boulder, CO. This is generally SSW of me. So, if I understand this correctly, the sides of the antenna should be in line with each other in a SSW direction.

 

[prcguy]

Just for grins, let's suppose I am trying to listen to WWV in Boulder, CO. This is generally SSW of me. So, if I understand this correctly, the sides of the antenna should be in line with each other in a SSW direction.

Yes.