Full Wave Loop Dipole
I currently have an 80m dipole at 75 feet with a Model 4116 - 4:1 Hybrid Balun from Balun Designs. The site says this is a hybrid combination of a 4:1 voltage balun and a 1:1 current balun, which results in a very versatile, rugged and forgiving 4:1 current balun. I am having a heck of a time getting the SWR below 3:1 on 20 meters and get practically no signal on 10 meters. When I was on 40 meters last night, most contacts said my QSL was consistently 4.4 or worse. It is oriented East/West and cannot get any contacts in Europe. A few questions. I'm being told on other forums that this balun is not appropriate for my antenna and that I need a 1:1 current balun or need to make it an OCF antenna. What say you?
I am also considering building an 80m full wave loop antenna and looking to see if there's anyone with experience building loop antennas that can offer advice/guidance on how to do it and pitfalls to avoid.
Appreciate any advice.
73,
Steve M
KC3VCK
Delta Loop Antenna Tuner
I have a 300 foot Delta Loop Antenna with a Palstar balun and AT2KD antenna tuner feeding a 450 ohm balanced window line to the bottom of the vertical Delta Vee (top chord is 100 feet 40 feet high). The antenna tuner achieves a low VSWR on 80, 40 and 20 meter bands, but I've never tested the other HF bands. Bob Weber, WA2MQK
antennas
You don't want a 4:1 balun.
Your dipole is oreinted in the wrong direction for Europe. What times are you operating?
A loop might work better. Have you considered open wire style line instead of coax?
I am usually at the club tuesdays and sundays.
-Mike.
wa3skn