Loop Antenna calculation and construction .

Calculation formula manual .

For my delta loop antennas , the formula :

30 M , center frequency 10.120 . λ loop = 1005 / 10.120 = 99,308 ft or λ loop 306,3 / 10.120 = 30,02 m .
40 M , Center frequency 7,100 λ loop = 1005 / 7.100 = 141,55 ft or λ loop 306,3 / 7.100 = 43,14 m .
My delta loop antennas are not real triangles , the horizontal leg is longer and the side legs shorter . The radiation diagram of my loop antennas
change a bit .

My home brew Delta Mono loop Antenna for 10.120 and 7.100 Mhz .

The feedpoint impedance of my full-wave loop is arround 100-120 Ohm with a gain over a dipole of 1.35 dB . The impedance changed depending
on my configuration , orientation, and choice of feedpoint . To feeding this delta loop , I use 1/4 75 Ohm coax stub Rg-11 / Rg-59 and later 50
Ohm coax to the transceiver . Formula for the transformer : 75 Ohm X VF/Freq. , ( VF= velocity factor ) . Using Rg-11A/U- Rg-59B/U Solid
polyethylene ! ( VF = 0,66) as impedance transformer .
My calculation for 30 m : 75 x 0,66 / 10.120 = 4,89 m for 40 m : 75 X 0,66 /7.100 = 6,97 m .
Specification Rg-11A/U . Specification Rg-59B/U .
I found the following powerhandeling for those coax cables depend on supplier.

Powerhandeling coax cable RG-11 , Rg-59 . up to 10 Mhz

Power Handling Coax type / Vs Mhz . 1.0 Mhz . 10.0 Mhz .

Rg-11 8000 Watt 2800 Watt

Rg-59 3900 Watt 1100 Watt

The feeding point is important , this must be at 1/4 wavelength from peak at the top of the antenna . Whether this feeding point is left or right
does not make a difference .
The antenna wire is CQ-532 (AWG 18) . Using a 4:1 balun with a 50 Ohm coax to the transceiver is also a solution. I use the delta loop on
different qth's and every time I have to adjust the antenna , so there is an additional jumper at the bottom of the horizontal leg .
Properties of Coaxial Cable Dielectrics materials . (c = speed of light in a vacuum)

Dielectric Type . Time Delay Propagation

(ns/ft) . Velocity Factor .

Solid Polyethylene (PE) 1.54 0.659c

Foam Polyethylene (FE) 1.27 0.800c

Foam Polystyrene (FS) 1.12 0.910c

Air Space Polyethylene (ASP) 1.15-1.21 0.840c-0.880c

Solid Teflon (ST) 1.46 0.694c

Air Space Teflon (AST) 1.13-1.20 0.850c-0.900c

Loop Calculator .

With this calculator you calculate the lengths needed to construct loop antennas . All you need to do is enter the desired resonant (center)
frequency in the form below, then click "Calculate Length". The correct lengths for the loops models will be displayed in the chart . This
calculator is for HF antennas between 1.8 - 30 mHz .

I take always a bit longer length , better to long than to short !

Top of Form
Enter primary operating frequency in Mhz .
7.1

Clear Values
Click to or

Quad Loop.

Full One-Wavelength Loop .
Each Side .
Feedpoint Distance from Bottom Corner .
Over level ground, the minimum height for
the top corners of the quad loop is the length
of one side plus the height of the bottom
support posts. Quad loops are most fed in the
center of the bottom, horizontal leg.

Parasitic Delta Loop .

Full One-Wavelength Loop . Over level ground, the minimum mounting

Each Side.
Feedpoint Distance from Apex .
Feedpoint Distance from Bottom Corner .
height for the apex of a Delta Loop is the
altitude plus the height of the support posts.
If the loop is an equilateral triangle as shown,
the Minimum Horizontal Spread = the length
of one side plus the distance to the tie off
points (support posts).

Minimum Vertical Height .

Bottom of Form

Inverted V dipole calculation an construction .

Making your dipole antenna yourself is always better than buying one .
What do you need: cu wire , balun 1:1 and rope . For the wire I use : CQ-532 antenna wire (AWG 18) , is a little more expensive but is UV
resistant and light weight .

The most widely used formula to calculate the approximate overall length of wire required for a dipole is : 468 / frequency (MHz) = length of
wire in feet or dipole length in meters : 143 / frequency in MHz .
Dipoles have a feed point of about 75 Ohm in free space and can be fed with a 50 Ohm to 75 Ohm coax with or without a 1:1 balun .
The use of a balun is highly recommended . By isolating the feedline, you won't get RF in the shack, and your dipole will behave like a real
dipole . Your coax line will be a coax line , not a part of your antenna .
Special Calculation 5 % longer ( Why , see below )!

Top of Form

Enter primary operating frequency in Mhz .

3.600

22 Degree – 2% shorter
Inverted V, approximate angle from horizontal .

Clear Values
Click to or

Inverted V .

Inverted V Length . Assuming level ground , the minimum height

of Inv. V will be ( length of leg * sin angle
Inverted V each leg . from horizontal ) plus the height of end
points of Inv. V above ground. The horizontal
Minimum vertical height . spread of Inv. V will be the distance from end
point to end point, plus the tie off points .
Minimum horizontal spread .

Standard (straight) dipole .

Standard dipole length .

Each leg .

Bottom of Form

Interpreting the results .

The Half-Wave Dipole Antenna .

The length of wire required for a given frequency is found with the help of an antenna calculator . however, the actual resulting frequency of
resonance and feed-point impedance of a dipole will depend on :

The height of the dipole above ground .

The conductivity of the ground below .

The presence of buildings, trees, metal structures (tower) .

The Inverted V Dipole Antenna .

When each side of a dipole slopes down from the feed point , it is commonly called an inverted V and the results are different from a normal
dipole .

A more omni-directional radiation pattern than that of a normal dipole .

A higher resonant frequency for the same length of wire as the dipole !!!!!!!!!!!!

A lower feed point impedance than the horizontal dipole (for feed points at the same height above ground) .

Some loss in Bandwidth .

Beware :

Some say that the inverted V should be cut 4-5% shorter than the dipole !
But if you do that, the inverted V would resonate at an even higher frequency !
Most calculators results for a inverted V antenna for 5.360 Mhz
Results : Each leg 13,04 Meter = resonate most of the time to high in frequency !!!!

Calculator I use here above .

Example : My calculation for a 5 Mhz dipole freq. 5.360 has a length of 13.68 meters each leg , Inverted V as 22 Degree . The antenna calculator
above will give you a wire length which will be 5% longer than that dipole at the desired frequency of operation . This calculation will give you
some leeway to trim the wire ends back .
As the two sections of the dipole are lowered below the feed point , the angle between the two legs decreases with as results :

The resonant frequency of the inverted V rises .

The influence of the ground conductivity and dielectric constant becomes an increasing factor .

After installing the inveted V at 12M above ground I become for each leg : 13,44 Meter .
In my case , when I using the standard calculation formula its give my a big problem , the standard calculation = 13,04 meter each leg , effect =
40cm to short !!

Note :
To avoid cutting the wire , I usually just fold back each end of the antenna wire on itself and tape it tight if it's insulated wire - or twist it back on
itself if you are using bare wire . The resonance frequency shifts upwards . After you can go easly back to the beginning of the band and vice
versa . Especially on the lower HF bands recommended , because the bandwidth is not wide (100-150 Khz) . And for a temporary setup a must .
Therefore, the angle between the two legs of an inverted V should not be less than 90 degrees .

Balun 1:1 construction .

Current Balun .

A lot of articles have been written about the meaning and the unintentional use of a balun with a dipole antenna . My experience is: use a
current balun.
Making a balun yourself is not difficult. The construction and choice of materials are important, especially when using high power . On the
picture you can see 2x4 turns , I using 2x6 turns .

Materials needed for a good home made current balun :

1: Ferrit Toroidring for instance FT240-61 or FT240- 43 or for lower bands FT240-31 .
2: 1 Meter Teflon coax cable like RG 142 or Rg 303 up to 2KW .
3: Waterproof plastic box .
4: PL SO239 socket .
5: M6 inox bolts and screws .
6: rubber sealing washers .

Winding technique is important ! With coax from outside to the ferrite ring. Wind 6 turns on one half of the ring, then through the ring to the
other side and wind again 6 turns . The end of the winding should then be on the opposite position of the beginning of the winding. ( See
picture ). Then, fix the winding with PVC tape .

A small hint for static discharge .

If the antenna has no connection to ground , add a small 10 K resistor between center conductor and braid of the coax to discharge static
electricity .This prevents "noisy tick" from statics .
Sunday, February 2, 2014

M0PLK Multiband Delta Loop Antenna

Those of us that are into ham radio know that one of the most important parts of a radio station, if not the most import part, is the antenna.
Most of the hams I know have spent, or a willing to spend, hundreds of dollars in transceivers. When it comes to the antenna system, well... it's a
different story!
Today I will write about a commercial antenna design that I find interesting enough to write about. It's the Multiband M0PLK Delta antenna
Here's why I find it interesting.

It's a muliband antenna. Performs well on 20-17-15-12-10m.

It can be used on the lower and higher bands (with reduced performance).

It's a loop, so it has a low angle of radiation. This favors DX contacts.

Since it's a single loop, it's bi-directional.

On a permanent installation it only requires a light duty rotor (a TV antenna rotor) to rotate the antenna.

It can be turned by hand, with minor effort, in a portable operation.

It can be home-built in a light-weight format, turning this antenna into a very interesting option for those of us who do SOTA or operate
portable.
So, what does this antenna look like? Here it is:
The loop is formed my two aluminum "arms". On top of each arm, wire is used until the feed point. Here's a pictures showing this particular
connection:
The feed point is then fed with ladder line that comes down into a balun. After the balun the usual 50 ohm coax is used.
Here are some pictures of the base of the antenna, including the balun:
This antenna is, at this time, commercialized at about 225€, that is about 300USD. Here are a couple of places where you can buy it:

VPA Systems

UrBasket.eu
UrBastket ebay shop (here you van actually make an offer for the antenna).

If you curious about the antenna designer you can find him at QRZ,com.
And of course, you can read this antenna reviews on eham where it currently rates exceptionally well.

As I own two of these antennas my experience dealing with Artur (M0PLK) was the best. Just to show how good the support is I will share a quick
story: when I bought the antennas I had plans to use them right away. Unfortunately when the antennas arrived my job position had changed
and I was loaded with work. I had no choice other to check what had arrived and store the antennas, waiting for a better day to use them. Time
went by and one year (yes, you read well, one year) latter I found the time to assemble the antennas only to find out that there were a couple of
parts missing (some clamps; simple parts really, I should have checked). I e-mailed Artur anticipating that we would ask me why so much time
after buying I was asking for missing parts. I never received such a question. Instead, at his suggestion, Artur sent me the missing clamps for the
antennas. No questions asked. How's this for support?
So, whatever you do, buy or build your own multiband delta loop, have fun and happy DXing.
Here are the dimensions of this antenna:
Posted by jmcl at 8:10 PM

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Labels: Antennas, Ham radio, M0PLK Multiband Delta Loop Antenna

9 comments:
UnknownAugust 8, 2016 at 2:52 PM

bonjour avez vous les dimension de cette antenne qui me parer formidable pour espace restraint

Reply

Replies

UnknownNovember 21, 2016 at 1:53 PM

Chaque bras fait environ 5m. Je l'ai monté sur un petit pylone de 4 m. 5000 QSO en 4 ans.

jmclNovember 21, 2016 at 2:07 PM

J'ai ajouté les dimensions. J'espère que cela aide. 73.

Reply

UnknownMarch 19, 2018 at 2:32 PM

I would like to know how is the ladder line length and size?

Reply
Replies

Jose Luis EA1BCJuly 19, 2018 at 1:09 AM

https://translate.google.es/translate?hl=es&sl=pl&u=http://www.cra.swidnica.pl/cra/technika/antena_M0PLK_-_prezentacja.pdf&prev=search

Reply

CotswoldgentFebruary 14, 2019 at 11:26 AM

I have got one of these antennas, I must say I'm very impressed with its performance. I got it direct from Poland at a very reasonable price.

Reply

UnknownMarch 27, 2019 at 12:42 PM

Boa tarde, vi o seu artigo:

M0PLK Multiband Delta - Directional Multi-Band HF Delta Antenna 30-6meters
Tenho muito interesse em algo do género e fiquei com a ideia que esta é muito superior à da EAntenna.
Gostaria de trocar impressões consigo, se aconselha a M0PLK Delta e onde se poderá comprar.
Tenho pouco espaço, 10x7m e não quero invadir os vizinhos.
Seria possível falarmos por telefone ou mail?
Obrigado pela atenção, cumprimentos, Helder Maia, CT1EXJ
Lisboa

Reply
Jose Luis EA1BCMarch 27, 2019 at 6:16 PM

http://www.vpa-systems.pl/multiband-vertical-hf-delta-loop-antenna-1030mhz-v2017-alu-pr-155.html

Reply

UnknownMay 1, 2019 at 10:22 PM

My loop order is almost ready..

I can't wait to try it out under these poor conditions...
73de MI0GTA..

Reply