Ummm...first of all.A way lower RX Grondnoise Level than other Antennas have. 2nd: these Antennas producing a highly effective outgoing TX Signal with just low Power input. They working directional orientated such like Yagi Antennas or rotatable Dipoles do and you can kinda notch out unwanted interfering Noises from local or your close Neighborhood coming in. 3rd: These Antennas are easier to camouflage because of their relatively small Size. Thats why lots of HAM's mostly using them as an Indoor Antenna with qrp Power working the whole World thru the thickest Concret Walls. I am still playing with that Thought to build me a Coax Loop to see how that works after I am done with my other unfinished Projects who waiting to be finished.
It would solve my problems of limited space in a HMO, plus I wouldnt need a separate antenna for going portable. It would be an all-in-one, out-of-the-box solution for me 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I have the Chameleon PLoop and it is fantastic I use it from inside my apartment and it works Great from inside! If you live in an apartment or HOA nothing can beat a mag loop!!!
I just received my two piece aluminum radiator kit for my 3.0 today. I figured I would watch your video again to see how it goes together. The directions are okay but it’s nice to see how someone else does it. Thanks for the tips!
Professional presentation, good job. I've used both homebrew and commercial loops over the years. They work well as long as you understand the limitations, mainly bandwidth.
First time I tried a loop antenna was using the MFJ-935C and 4 meters of 10mm copper pipe, 20 meter band and 20 watts made contact with a chap in Canada from Ireland, I was blown away, this thing was sitting on a patio table !!! 4 meters of copper pipe is probably more efficient than a 2 meter loop and you have to use different size loops for different bands but probably adds to the efficiency, either way a very cool antenna system to experiment with, can take up to 150 watts too. I don't have a chameleon loop but I do have the MPAS 2.0 with CAP HAT and love it, great antenna.
I hadn’t thought about laying it on the table to set it up. It’s great for taking to the cabin when it’s too windy and cold to set up an external antenna. Great video. VO1OK
I’m glad for this video because I wasn’t sure if something was wrong when my knob was that sensitive. It seems like it’s normal to have an extremely narrow bandwidth and a really sensitive variable capacitor relative to that bandwidth.
Thanks for the well-done review. I bought a PreciseLoop SOTA magloop a couple of years ago. It's been deployed on several SOTA and POTA activations. It is best for running a frequency, although with some practice, you'll figure out where you need to be on the tuning capacitor quickly. It is not very efficient on 40m, but gets better as you work up the bands. It is easy to deploy and does not take up much room. I like them. But they fit into a continuum of antennas for portable ops.
Nice review - thanks! I'd like to get a mag loop sometime. At the moment, I have no shortage of trees or space so I don't really need one. But having an indoor and/or easily-portable option is appealing.
Just a tip: The KX2 has a "TUNE" feature (press and hold the "XMIT" button to activate) in which it will transmit a continuous CW carrier until you press the button again. This is really handy to tune an antenna or even to just check the SWR. By default it will use the normal output power but you can set a separate (lower) output power level in the settings under "TUN PWR" that's safe to use with a high SWR.
Yes, your described the kx2 feature correctly. The difference is in this Floop antenna. It is really like having a dipole antenna where you trim the ends of the antenna each time you change frequency. Floops are a totally different animal. There are completely out of tune until you use the tuning know on the antenna to dial it in. With such a small loop it is really amazing how you can get band coverage on so many bands. In the case of this antenna, using the radio tuner will do nothing to help us. It is worth looking at, if you find someone that will let you borrow or use one. 73
@@hamradiowithkevin Thank you for your thorough comment! I think you may have misunderstood my comment. The "TUNE" feature is separate from the built-in ATU tuner. It's simply a quick way to send a carrier and will not engage the internal tuner at all. In a nutshell, all it does is temporarily switch to CW and "hold down" a straight key 😄
I’ve always wanted a Mag Loop… i could have bought a nice MFJ at a Hamfest years ago, but didn’t… it seems easy enough, and HiQ seems perfect for qrp. Thanks for the video.
From what I have heard about these, if you have it vertical, like in the video, it is directional off the sides. If you put it horizontal, it is omnidirectional.
It is not very practical to mount a loop horizontally, and having the directionality means you can reduce interference by rotating the antenna. And that can be a good in certain situations.
5.289% with the basic LMR-400 coax / 13.518% with the Booster Kit / 14.955% with the aluminum radiator on 40M which is better than any portable vertical antenna!
Looks like a pretty compact, but still usable antenna. A good ham really wants Hi-Q, but its more of a pain than Lo-Q... everything is a compromise ;-)
Absolutely, just getting up in the morning without coffee is a compromise . I am not telling you anything new, having options is a great part of this hobby.
Forget about antennas, I'm enjoying the blue sky in this video, not like here in Ireland where a total clear blue sky is as rare as hens teeth. It much be wonderful to live in such brightness. When the Sun does come out here It's such a a joyful experience, even if it lasts only a few mins to a few hrs.
Another great video, Kevin. That's a clever idea of using a PVC tee to get the proper spacing between the loops. It looks like it not only adds spacing but supports the parts as well. 73 de N6EF.
Hi Kevin! Another nice video ! I like your way, you make your thing. Thank you and I look fwd to see next ones ... greetings from Czech Republic OK2BAD ... I'm not "that" BAD... 😊 73's !!!
Thanks Gene, great question. The ARRL suggests that we calculate our RF exposure by using the figures they describe. Since we all have different needs, I would suggest doing those calculations for you. I have determined for my operating that I am within limits. I wish I could provide a more precise answer for you.
My QRO friends tell me not to bother with this antenna as 0.333 - 2 watts won't be enough to activate POTA, but yet my heart and my head thinks it is a cool option for No trees, No stakes, and no antenna supports for those empty WMA properties not yet developed for picnic tables and shelters, etc. I think my QRO friends are wrong! I still plan to use EFHW antennas and verticals I am building, but it sure is great to have alternatives! 72 es 73, Davey - KU9L
I have this antenna without the aluminum radiator. I used it once and put it back in the bag. I want to build on this kit by adding the aluminum radiator but I am only finding the one piece aluminum radiator on Chameleon’s website. I want to know is there enough difference in performance between the coax radiator to justify the price to add the aluminum radiator? I agree with you about Chameleon’s manual. Would a piece of quarter inch thick plastic act as a suitable insulator between the coupling loop and the aluminum radiator?
The efficiency charts show it is a pretty close call between the two, over time I will be able to tell better. It is my understanding that the manual is being reviewed. I have built a plastic separator from sprinkler pipe which I did not mention but does show up in the video a couple times. A followup video will have more about that.
Not sure how to send a carrier. I'm used to using resonant antennas and tuners just in case. How do I send a carrier with this? I.e with an ft817 or kx2
Good review. Keeping the explanation simple was the key. Set up is pretty simple, i think the assembly part about keeping the aluminum loo 1/4" off the transmit coil is what most will miss in the setup. I think a bit more focused tuning for reception and transmit woould be would be a good thing to cover (as "Part 2) of this review. #79 KI5IQE
Thanks. I've not used a loop (yet) I think the tuning is what scares ham's off and they don't try a loop style antenna. I'm one of those, call it "unfamiliar" or afraid to buy something one doesn't understand and fail at the start and it becomes a dust collector. This is what Elmers are for right? Lol KI5IQE
Question: The loop is sitting on what appears to be an aluminum top park bench. Isn't that a no-no, or are we concerned about ferrous materials only? How about tripods with aluminum legs? Thanks!
Great question, I been using that Loop on both Tripod and Tables, metal and wood benches. If there is interaction, it has been minimal and not noticeable to me while operating. It is really nice how simple it is to setup and use for quick operations.
It won't influence the radiation that much! Depending of the aluminum top kind and/or dimensions, you might have some issues tuning at some frequencies but I personally never had any issues while operating on metallic surfaces.
Agreed, 100w would be nice. I would want remote tuning to keep the antenna farther from me. I am thinking too much RF exposure 2 to 3 feet away from me with 100w.
Yes, the Tripod is a Bogen Manfrotto 3011 Tripod with 3126 Fluid Head, I looked one up on ebay and as of today, the cost was $89. Can not find them new anymore. Hope that helps.
Definitely would be a fun project. I would not want a copper one for my portable use personally. it would get damaged to easily. For a more permanent setup it could be good.
Why are loops a rip off they don't cost that much to build those in the know build their own for a few dollars not hundreds the builders charge I'm all for profit but not extortion
A good chunk of the cost is the tuning capacitor. You can make a loop that works a treat with some left over RG6 coax with a with a stub of coax that you use as a cap. You’re kind of on a fixed frequency, but it gets you on the air almost for free I’ve made motorised tuning capacitors for different mag loop designs. Flash over has been a challenge, but I managed to get one that will take a dollar of CW (100W) without catching fire There is a bit of effort involved in building a capacitor, as well as finding a coupling method that works.
Just ordered the PLUS model. What tripod are you using? I want something sturdy that is portable. Are you happy with the one you are using? Richard W4/G7EIX
