Thinking of finally getting a loop antenna

[gar hi]

I've been avoiding getting a loop antenna all this time because I guess I've always looked at it as kind of "cheating" LOL if you need all kinds of extra equipment to pick up stations that can't be heard on an ordinary radio but then it occurred to me that even the strongest antenna can't pick up any signal unless it's already there in the first place, so it's not cheating at all.

I especially think how good it could be to maybe pull in the weaker stations I've heard with saltwater DXing and to better null out unwanted signals.

Here's the one I'm thinking of getting, the Terk Am Advantage antenna.

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-1000-AM-Advantage-Antenna/dp/B00009UHY5

Anyone know about this?

Or if I wanted to make one, would it be easy to get hold of what I need?

I'd appreciate any input.

 

[Icangelp]

gar,

I have no knowledge of the Terk antenna, but I'm guessing the reason you selected this antenna is because the Terk is and inductive antenna, requiring no direct connection to your radio.

I do have a suggestion for an alternate to the Terk.

Radio Plus, not too far away from you in Pensacola, manufactures an inductive ferrite rod antenna that is more compact and better suited for a little beachside DXing than the terk, has a connection for a longwire, and is also designed to receive longwave as well as medium wave. It does cost more at $52 + S&H http://www.dxtools.com/QStick.htm

I own one of Gerry's Quantum Loops. Works great and the craftmanship is excellent.

You can certainly build a loop antenna. There are dozens of articles on constructing one on the net. All you need is some wood, a variable tuning capacitor, and some lamp cord or other wire. You will need a soldering gun and some woodworking ability also. Most loop antennas do require a physical connection to the radio.

 

[ddsparxx]

I have both the Select-a-Tenna and the Terk Advantage, both pretty good but I find the Select-a-Tenna a bit better in pulling in weak signals. I never did thought about the Q-stick.

 

[gar hi]

gar,

I have no knowledge of the Terk antenna, but I'm guessing the reason you selected this antenna is because the Terk is and inductive antenna, requiring no direct connection to your radio.

That's right. It will go good with my Sangean PR-D5
After reading all the reviews, I dedided to order the Terk Am Advantage antenna.

Select-a-tenna was virtually impossible to find and only e bay had some and I'm not into that bidding stuff.

The Terk and the Select-a-tenna seem about the same except for the appearance.

Now, I can't wait to go over to the Gulf and eventually Daytona Beach again!

 

[gar hi]

Well, I finally got my Terk loop antenna late this afternoon and I have to say for the most part, I like it.

It took some getting used to as to where to place it and where to turn it for the best signal and I was surprised to find it boosts a signal when the antenna is turned perpendicular to the direction of the station, a 90 degree angle to the radio's antenna.

It seems to work much better for some stations than others and by the time I got it, it was around dusk so I didn't get a sample of real daytime DXing but one thing I also noticed is that, because I'm so close to WFLA, their signal and IBOC noise is magnified by the antenna well up and down the dial if I happen to aim the antenna in the direction of their towers.

Even without the loop antenna, I can hear slight traces of WFLA spillover anywhere on the dial during the day if I aim the radio in their direction.

This antenna also magnifies all the annoying interference from the various electrical stuff near by too.

Once it finally got dark, it even boosted some of the distant stations a little but only if their signal was at a weak cycle. If the station had a fairly decent signal, I couldn't notice any difference.

This antenna really works noticeably better on my little Walkman than it does my Sangean portable.

Though the dial for the tuner only lists 1600 at the upper end, the dial actually moves past that and it also works all the way up to 1700.

So for the most part, I like it and I really have to try it outside and away from near by transmitters too.

 

[gar hi]

Here's a couple of demonstrations of my Terk loop antenna.

The first one is with the Sangean portable and it boosts a weak signal.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFr12Et596U


This one is with my Walkman where it brings in a station that's barely audible without it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aqnkh1qHw

 

[carmen]

it also works all the way up to 1700.

can it hit 2000, or at least 1885? taking it apart to remove a winding or two is probaly a PITA

mines a 30" poster tube wrapped with speakerwire & panasonic cap ..

at that price and if you dont care about 160 meter, looks like a winner..

 

[Steve Green NEPA]

Hay Gar .....

I hope not to be too far O/T here ......

I got an eMail today from a radio-board buddy now in California. He's probably best described as a 'casual' DXer ; no Hammarlunds or antenna farms ; average-sized ears (in fact, hearing-compromised from living for a decade under one of the JFK Airport runways). Well, it seems that just several years ago he was listening on an Aiwa portable to KNBR.

I don't know if KNBR is on your 'wanted dead or alive' list, or for others in FL and surrounding regions, but his reception was in West Palm Beach, even further across the state than you. Most of the intervening 680ers must have been pretty intact, as they are now.

Some folks in a few areas might be better positioned to hear KNBR as well, what with CBF off.

Good luck!

 

[gar hi]

Thanks for that info, Steve!

Yeah, KNBR is still on my wish list and even though there's a weak local here on 680, it can be nulled out right in the perfect position to look for KNBR.