¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

ctrl + shift + ? for shortcuts
© 2025 Groups.io

Locked Wellbrook ALA1530


Jim
 

Fairly recently, I purchased a Wellbrook ALA1530 loop antenna to
hopefully enhance my HF listening. Earlier this morning, I decided to
do a bit of experimenting and, out of sheer curiosity, hooked my my
VHF/UHF scanner to the Wellbrook. To my complete surprise, the aero
frequencies I have programmed into the scanner came in with cleaner
and in some cases *stronger* signal than the Diamond discone I
normally use for scanning!
The Wellbrook is 'ground mounted' i.e. approx. 6 feet above ground and
approx. 20 feet away from the house. The Diamond discone (specifically
designed for VHF/UHF) is mounted on the roof of the house and approx.
20 feet above ground.
VHF Coastguard also comes in on the Wellbrook with at least equal
strength to the discone... and I'm approx. 15 miles away from the coast.

Has anyone else had this kind of experience with the Wellbrooks?


 

must have some good vhf jfets in there
Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: Jim <dx@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2007 4:02:35 PM
Subject: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530













Fairly recently, I purchased a Wellbrook ALA1530 loop antenna to

hopefully enhance my HF listening. Earlier this morning, I decided to

do a bit of experimenting and, out of sheer curiosity, hooked my my

VHF/UHF scanner to the Wellbrook. To my complete surprise, the aero

frequencies I have programmed into the scanner came in with cleaner

and in some cases *stronger* signal than the Diamond discone I

normally use for scanning!

The Wellbrook is 'ground mounted' i.e. approx. 6 feet above ground and

approx. 20 feet away from the house. The Diamond discone (specifically

designed for VHF/UHF) is mounted on the roof of the house and approx.

20 feet above ground.

VHF Coastguard also comes in on the Wellbrook with at least equal

strength to the discone... and I'm approx. 15 miles away from the coast.



Has anyone else had this kind of experience with the Wellbrooks?














<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->


 

or mosfets

Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Birke <nonlinear@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2007 11:18:46 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530













must have some good vhf jfets in there

Paul



----- Original Message ----

From: Jim <dx@earthlights. net>

To: loopantennas@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2007 4:02:35 PM

Subject: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530



Fairly recently, I purchased a Wellbrook ALA1530 loop antenna to



hopefully enhance my HF listening. Earlier this morning, I decided to



do a bit of experimenting and, out of sheer curiosity, hooked my my



VHF/UHF scanner to the Wellbrook. To my complete surprise, the aero



frequencies I have programmed into the scanner came in with cleaner



and in some cases *stronger* signal than the Diamond discone I



normally use for scanning!



The Wellbrook is 'ground mounted' i.e. approx. 6 feet above ground and



approx. 20 feet away from the house. The Diamond discone (specifically



designed for VHF/UHF) is mounted on the roof of the house and approx.



20 feet above ground.



VHF Coastguard also comes in on the Wellbrook with at least equal



strength to the discone... and I'm approx. 15 miles away from the coast.



Has anyone else had this kind of experience with the Wellbrooks?



<!--



#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}

#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit; font:100% ;}

#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}

#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}

#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height: 1.22em;}

#ygrp-text{

font-family: Georgia;

}

#ygrp-text p{

margin:0 0 1em 0;}

#ygrp-tpmsgs{

font-family: Arial;

clear:both;}

#ygrp-vitnav{

padding-top: 10px;font- family:Verdana; font-size: 77%;margin: 0;}

#ygrp-vitnav a{

padding:0 1px;}

#ygrp-actbar{

clear:both;margin: 25px 0;white-space: nowrap;color: #666;text- align:right; }

#ygrp-actbar .left{

float:left;white- space:nowrap; }

.bld{font-weight: bold;}

#ygrp-grft{

font-family: Verdana;font- size:77%; padding:15px 0;}

#ygrp-ft{

font-family: verdana;font- size:77%; border-top: 1px solid #666;

padding:5px 0;

}

#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{

padding-bottom: 10px;}



#ygrp-vital{

background-color: #e0ecee;margin- bottom:20px; padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}

#ygrp-vital #vithd{

font-size:77% ;font-family: Verdana;font- weight:bold; color:#333; text-transform: uppercase; }

#ygrp-vital ul{

padding:0;margin: 2px 0;}

#ygrp-vital ul li{

list-style-type: none;clear: both;border: 1px solid #e0ecee;

}

#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{

font-weight: bold;color: #ff7900;float: right;width: 2em;text- align:right; padding-right: .5em;}

#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{

font-weight: bold;}

#ygrp-vital a {

text-decoration: none;}



#ygrp-vital a:hover{

text-decoration: underline; }



#ygrp-sponsor #hd{

color:#999;font- size:77%; }

#ygrp-sponsor #ov{

padding:6px 13px;background- color:#e0ecee; margin-bottom: 20px;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{

padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0; }

#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{

list-style-type: square;padding: 6px 0;font-size: 77%;}

#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{

text-decoration: none;font- size:130% ;}

#ygrp-sponsor #nc {

background-color: #eee;margin- bottom:20px; padding:0 8px;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad{

padding:8px 0;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{

font-family: Arial;font- weight:bold; color:#628c2a; font-size: 100%;line- height:122% ;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{

text-decoration: none;}

#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{

text-decoration: underline; }

#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{

margin:0;}

o {font-size:0; }

.MsoNormal {

margin:0 0 0 0;}

#ygrp-text tt{

font-size:120% ;}

blockquote{margin: 0 0 0 4px;}

.replbq {margin:4;}

-->


















<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->


 

or a pair of good rf transistors in a push-pull grounded base circuit.

73 John KC0G


In a message dated 5/3/07 10:36:52 PM Central Daylight Time,
nonlinear@... writes:
or mosfets

Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: Paul Birke <nonlinear@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2007 11:18:46 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530

must have some good vhf jfets in there
Paul

----- Original Message ----

From: Jim <dx@earthlights. net>
To: loopantennas@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2007 4:02:35 PM
Subject: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530

Fairly recently, I purchased a Wellbrook ALA1530 loop antenna to
hopefully enhance my HF listening. Earlier this morning, I decided to
do a bit of experimenting and, out of sheer curiosity, hooked my my
VHF/UHF scanner to the Wellbrook. To my complete surprise, the aero
frequencies I have programmed into the scanner came in with cleaner
and in some cases *stronger* signal than the Diamond discone I
normally use for scanning!
The Wellbrook is 'ground mounted' i.e. approx. 6 feet above ground and
approx. 20 feet away from the house. The Diamond discone (specifically
designed for VHF/UHF) is mounted on the roof of the house and approx.
20 feet above ground.
VHF Coastguard also comes in on the Wellbrook with at least equal
strength to the discone... and I'm approx. 15 miles away from the coast.
Has anyone else had this kind of experience with the Wellbrooks?



***
See what's free at .


DavidGriffin
 

My 1530 is in regular use from 150 Khz. to Hi band at 155 Mhz. Listen
to FM music broadcasting 88-107 and 2 meter repeaters, too, at 145 Mhz.
I believe Andy, the manufacturer, has said that up to 100 Mhz should be
no problem and beyond that is not unheard of and I can certainly concur.
I've been extremely pleased with the 1530.
Dave
N2chi


 

In a message dated 04/05/2007 04:19:30 GMT Daylight Time,
nonlinear@... writes:

must have some good vhf jfets in there


Why?


 

In a message dated 04/05/2007 04:36:52 GMT Daylight Time,
nonlinear@... writes:

or mosfets


Again....why?


 

In a message dated 05/05/2007 17:28:55 GMT Daylight Time,
nonlinear@... writes:

highest gain and lowest noise more likely with jfets

ie more likely in the design than bipolar although not necessarily true if
one considers say the David Norton noiseless design with bipolar

however the Norton design is limited to smaller gains


---------------------------------------------------------
"Is more likely" is a bit different to the earlier "must have".

I was just intrigued as to your reasoning, considering that the hardware
content of a dismembered 1530 was discussed here in some detail only a few weeks
ago and the active devices were obviously bipolar.

regards

Nigel
GM8PZR


 

Dear Nigel

highest gain and lowest noise more likely with jfets

ie more likely in the design than bipolar although not necessarily true if one considers say the David Norton noiseless design with bipolar

however the Norton design is limited to smaller gains

best
Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: "gandalfg8@..." <gandalfg8@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 5:21:00 AM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530















In a message dated 04/05/2007 04:19:30 GMT Daylight Time,

nonlinear@rogers. com writes:



must have some good vhf jfets in there



Why?


















<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->


 

N
there are some mosfet designs that have very low noise with moderate gain for instance my H-900 has low noise reasonable gain mosfet design

in the end it is a choice of course but the jfets and mosfets have gained more use in the active antenna amplifiers again with the caveat that the Norton would if used use bipolar re Dallas Lankford

P

----- Original Message ----
From: "gandalfg8@..." <gandalfg8@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 5:21:22 AM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530















In a message dated 04/05/2007 04:36:52 GMT Daylight Time,

nonlinear@rogers. com writes:



or mosfets



Again....why?


















<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->


 

Dear Nigel

forgot that getting old, I remember that now, I remember seeing the pictures but was fuzzy on whether for sure bipolars were used

I believe it was not known from the autopsy whether it was a Norton design or not

otherwise it is likely a push pull grounded base design for low noise and wide bandwidth

what do you think?

was there a schematic ever published for the Wellbrook

best
Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: "gandalfg8@..." <gandalfg8@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 12:36:40 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530















In a message dated 05/05/2007 17:28:55 GMT Daylight Time,

nonlinear@rogers. com writes:



highest gain and lowest noise more likely with jfets



ie more likely in the design than bipolar although not necessarily true if

one considers say the David Norton noiseless design with bipolar



however the Norton design is limited to smaller gains



------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

"Is more likely" is a bit different to the earlier "must have".



I was just intrigued as to your reasoning, considering that the hardware

content of a dismembered 1530 was discussed here in some detail only a few weeks

ago and the active devices were obviously bipolar.



regards



Nigel

GM8PZR


















<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->


 

Hello Nigel, Paul et al

AFAIK no schematics for the Wellbrook have ever been published. However the
harware content which was discussed here, and other information, leads me to
the conclusion that the amplifier is a push pull grounded base design, as Paul
suggests.

It is not that difficult to work out a possible configuration, as follows:

1. Basic physics of a small loop

The basic physics of a small receiving loop is well understood (see eg
Jasik's Antenna Engineering Handbook, 1st ed, 1961, p 6-2)

The unloaded voltage induced in a loop antena =
2.Pi.A.N.E.Sin(theta) / Lambda
where
Pi = 3.14
A = the area of the loop
N = the number of turns
E = the electric field strength
theta = the angle measured from the axis of the loop
lambda = the wavelength

Let us simplify this, assuming that N = 1, and theta = 90 degrees. Let us
also replace Lambda by c/f where c = the speed of light, and f = the frequency.
Then
V = 2.Pi.A.E.f / c

It can readily seen that for a constant field strength E, that the voltage
ouput is proportional to frequency. There is a simple method to overcome this
difficulty.

The untuned receiving loop can be considered as a voltage source in series
with the radiation resistance (very small, ie a small fraction of an ohm), the
loss resistance (probably somewhat larger), and the inductance of the loop,
which is the largest component. Take for example a (Wellbrook) loop with a
diameter of 1 meter, and a tube diameter of 25mm. Then the the inductance (L) is
ca. 2.33uH, with an impedance of ca. 14.6 ohms at 1MHz.

If one terminates the loop in an impedance in a resistance (R) much lower
than the inductance, then the current output is determined by the inductance, and
equals
V / (2.Pi.f.L) = (A.E) / (c.L)
which is frequency independent

Then the power output from the loop is i.i.R
= (A.A.E.E.R) / (c.c.L.L)
which is again frequency independent.

As the frequency goes down, the ouput goes down for constant E, with the -3dB
frequency equalling
1 / 2.Pi.L.R

2. Loop termination resistance for a ALA1530

To determine an approximate value for R, it is necessary to look at the
performance figures of a Wellbrook loop. Fortunately, there are performance
figures for an ALA1530 on the Wellbrook web site. Looking at the numbers the -3dB
frequency is ca. 550kHz, which would give an R of ca. 8.1 ohms.

It is that simple - terminate a one meter loop with a resistance of ca. 8
ohms, and you will get approximately the frequency response performance of an
ALA1530. Clearly the response falls away at very low and very high frequencies,
but that is probably due to various transformer effects.

3. Amplifier gain for a ALA1530

We must now consider the amplifier gain. Assuming a unity antenna factor, ie
one volt out for a field strength of 1 Volt per meter, then the gain required
is
power out / power in
Assuming the ouptut load is 50 ohms, then the required gain
= (c.c.L.L) / (A.A.R.50)

Sticking in the numbers which we already have, I calculated that for a unity
antenna factor, that the gain required would be ca. 33dB. The actual antenna
factor is ca. -7dB, and so the required gain is ca. 26dB.

To recap, we know know that to duplicate a ALA1530, we would need an
amplifier with an input impedance of ca. 8 ohms, and a gain of ca. 26dB.

4. Amplifier configuration

Assuming that the ALA1530 uses two transistors in its push-pull amplifier,
then the only way to do is through a common base amplifier with a transformer
coupled input and output. A Norton amplifier would not have sufficient gain.
It should be remembered that the input resistance of a Norton amplifier depends
upon the output load, which we do not want in this case.

The small signal input resistance of a common base amplifier is ca. 26mV
divided by the emitter current. To get some good linearity, a high quiescent
current is essential. Removing the heat from the transistors has to be
considered.

Let us assume that pretty much all of the stated 120mA supply current goes to
the two transistors, ie ca. 50-60mA each. Then the input resistance of each
transistor at 60mA bias is ca. 0.43 ohms. The two are effectively in series
and so the total input resistance is ca. 0.86 ohms.

The required turns ratio of the input transformer is SQRT( 8 / 0.86) = 3.04.
This is conveniently very close to 3.0, which is what you would wind. This
means that the transformer can be wound with a trifilar winding.

The amplifer gain effectively is approximately the output load resistance
divided by the input resistance. We need a gain of ca. 26dB, ie ca. 400.

Assume that the gain is 27dB, ie 500. The the required output resistance is
500 x 0.86 = 430 ohms. Assuming that the transformed output load is 50 ohms,
this would give a turns ratio on the output transformer of 2.93, ie very close
to 3.0, which could also easily be wound with a trifilar winding.

My conlusion is that a push-pull amplifier with the transistors each biassed
at ca. 50-60mA, and a 3:1 step down transformer on the input and output would
work give approximately the measured performance of the ALA1530. This should
be a fairly straightforward amplifier, if some attention is paid to the
detail. 2N5109 transistors should work quite well. There are, of course, other
choices.

5. Observations

Many people have wondered how the broadband matching was done in the ALA1530.
It is simply done by having an amplifier with a constant input impedance
lower than the inductive reactance of the loop at frequencies for which a
constant gain is desired.

Many people have thought that the amplifier must in some way be exotic. I
suggest that it is actually fairly simple, and that this might be the reason for
potting it.

Later versions of the ALA1530 have an amplifier with better intermodulation
performance. They also have a higher quiescent current, and a higher gain.
This suggests to me that there are more transistors, probably in a two stage
push-pull amplifier.

There was a broadband loop available in the UK before the Wellbrook ALA1530
was introduced. It was designed by Edward Forster, and sold by his company -
Phase Track Ltd, which was based in Reading. His patent - GB2235337 - gives
some useful background on broadband loop antennas and their amplifiers.

Finally, broadband loop antenas are a compromise solution. At lower
frequencies, the radiation resistance is very low, and hence they are very
inefiicient. This means that you will not be able to hear signals near the noise floor.
Of course, they do appear to offer better noise rejection than an active rod
antenna, unless you are very careful (eg see some of Dallas Lankford's recent
writings). They are also convenient, and can offer some directionality.

HTH and 73

John KC0G


In a message dated 5/5/07 12:28:19 PM Central Daylight Time,
nonlinear@... writes:
Dear Nigel

forgot that getting old, I remember that now, I remember seeing the pictures
but was fuzzy on whether for sure bipolars were used

I believe it was not known from the autopsy whether it was a Norton design
or not
otherwise it is likely a push pull grounded base design for low noise and
wide bandwidth

what do you think?

was there a schematic ever published for the Wellbrook

best
Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: "gandalfg8@..." <gandalfg8@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 12:36:40 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530

In a message dated 05/05/2007 17:28:55 GMT Daylight Time,

nonlinear@rogers. com writes:

highest gain and lowest noise more likely with jfets
ie more likely in the design than bipolar although not necessarily true if
one considers say the David Norton noiseless design with bipolar
however the Norton design is limited to smaller gains

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------

"Is more likely" is a bit different to the earlier "must have".
I was just intrigued as to your reasoning, considering that the hardware
content of a dismembered 1530 was discussed here in some detail only a few
weeks
ago and the active devices were obviously bipolar.

regards
Nigel
GM8PZR

***
See what's free at .


 

Dear John

trying to follow most of your excellent expose via backward analysis

however the voltage gain is 20 logbase10 (V2/V1)

so for 27 dB we have 10^(27/20)=22.4 actual voltage ratio emitter to collector

there is now way a single grounded base can produce your 500 voltage gain but it can hit ~22

if wrong above what I am missing?

best wishes
Paul V Birke PEng
Guelph ON

----- Original Message ----
From: "crabtreejr@..." <crabtreejr@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 9:09:04 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530













Hello Nigel, Paul et al



AFAIK no schematics for the Wellbrook have ever been published. However the

harware content which was discussed here, and other information, leads me to

the conclusion that the amplifier is a push pull grounded base design, as Paul

suggests.



It is not that difficult to work out a possible configuration, as follows:



1. Basic physics of a small loop



The basic physics of a small receiving loop is well understood (see eg

Jasik's Antenna Engineering Handbook, 1st ed, 1961, p 6-2)



The unloaded voltage induced in a loop antena =

2.Pi.A.N.E.Sin( theta) / Lambda

where

Pi = 3.14

A = the area of the loop

N = the number of turns

E = the electric field strength

theta = the angle measured from the axis of the loop

lambda = the wavelength



Let us simplify this, assuming that N = 1, and theta = 90 degrees. Let us

also replace Lambda by c/f where c = the speed of light, and f = the frequency.

Then

V = 2.Pi.A.E.f / c



It can readily seen that for a constant field strength E, that the voltage

ouput is proportional to frequency. There is a simple method to overcome this

difficulty.



The untuned receiving loop can be considered as a voltage source in series

with the radiation resistance (very small, ie a small fraction of an ohm), the

loss resistance (probably somewhat larger), and the inductance of the loop,

which is the largest component. Take for example a (Wellbrook) loop with a

diameter of 1 meter, and a tube diameter of 25mm. Then the the inductance (L) is

ca. 2.33uH, with an impedance of ca. 14.6 ohms at 1MHz.



If one terminates the loop in an impedance in a resistance (R) much lower

than the inductance, then the current output is determined by the inductance, and

equals

V / (2.Pi.f.L) = (A.E) / (c.L)

which is frequency independent



Then the power output from the loop is i.i.R

= (A.A.E.E.R) / (c.c.L.L)

which is again frequency independent.



As the frequency goes down, the ouput goes down for constant E, with the -3dB

frequency equalling

1 / 2.Pi.L.R



2. Loop termination resistance for a ALA1530



To determine an approximate value for R, it is necessary to look at the

performance figures of a Wellbrook loop. Fortunately, there are performance

figures for an ALA1530 on the Wellbrook web site. Looking at the numbers the -3dB

frequency is ca. 550kHz, which would give an R of ca. 8.1 ohms.



It is that simple - terminate a one meter loop with a resistance of ca. 8

ohms, and you will get approximately the frequency response performance of an

ALA1530. Clearly the response falls away at very low and very high frequencies,

but that is probably due to various transformer effects.



3. Amplifier gain for a ALA1530



We must now consider the amplifier gain. Assuming a unity antenna factor, ie

one volt out for a field strength of 1 Volt per meter, then the gain required

is

power out / power in

Assuming the ouptut load is 50 ohms, then the required gain

= (c.c.L.L) / (A.A.R.50)



Sticking in the numbers which we already have, I calculated that for a unity

antenna factor, that the gain required would be ca. 33dB. The actual antenna

factor is ca. -7dB, and so the required gain is ca. 26dB.



To recap, we know know that to duplicate a ALA1530, we would need an

amplifier with an input impedance of ca. 8 ohms, and a gain of ca. 26dB.



4. Amplifier configuration



Assuming that the ALA1530 uses two transistors in its push-pull amplifier,

then the only way to do is through a common base amplifier with a transformer

coupled input and output. A Norton amplifier would not have sufficient gain.

It should be remembered that the input resistance of a Norton amplifier depends

upon the output load, which we do not want in this case.



The small signal input resistance of a common base amplifier is ca. 26mV

divided by the emitter current. To get some good linearity, a high quiescent

current is essential. Removing the heat from the transistors has to be

considered.



Let us assume that pretty much all of the stated 120mA supply current goes to

the two transistors, ie ca. 50-60mA each. Then the input resistance of each

transistor at 60mA bias is ca. 0.43 ohms. The two are effectively in series

and so the total input resistance is ca. 0.86 ohms.



The required turns ratio of the input transformer is SQRT( 8 / 0.86) = 3.04.

This is conveniently very close to 3.0, which is what you would wind. This

means that the transformer can be wound with a trifilar winding.



The amplifer gain effectively is approximately the output load resistance

divided by the input resistance. We need a gain of ca. 26dB, ie ca. 400.



Assume that the gain is 27dB, ie 500. The the required output resistance is

500 x 0.86 = 430 ohms. Assuming that the transformed output load is 50 ohms,

this would give a turns ratio on the output transformer of 2.93, ie very close

to 3.0, which could also easily be wound with a trifilar winding.



My conlusion is that a push-pull amplifier with the transistors each biassed

at ca. 50-60mA, and a 3:1 step down transformer on the input and output would

work give approximately the measured performance of the ALA1530. This should

be a fairly straightforward amplifier, if some attention is paid to the

detail. 2N5109 transistors should work quite well. There are, of course, other

choices.



5. Observations



Many people have wondered how the broadband matching was done in the ALA1530.

It is simply done by having an amplifier with a constant input impedance

lower than the inductive reactance of the loop at frequencies for which a

constant gain is desired.



Many people have thought that the amplifier must in some way be exotic. I

suggest that it is actually fairly simple, and that this might be the reason for

potting it.



Later versions of the ALA1530 have an amplifier with better intermodulation

performance. They also have a higher quiescent current, and a higher gain.

This suggests to me that there are more transistors, probably in a two stage

push-pull amplifier.



There was a broadband loop available in the UK before the Wellbrook ALA1530

was introduced. It was designed by Edward Forster, and sold by his company -

Phase Track Ltd, which was based in Reading. His patent - GB2235337 - gives

some useful background on broadband loop antennas and their amplifiers.



Finally, broadband loop antenas are a compromise solution. At lower

frequencies, the radiation resistance is very low, and hence they are very

inefiicient. This means that you will not be able to hear signals near the noise floor.

Of course, they do appear to offer better noise rejection than an active rod

antenna, unless you are very careful (eg see some of Dallas Lankford's recent

writings). They are also convenient, and can offer some directionality.



HTH and 73



John KC0G



In a message dated 5/5/07 12:28:19 PM Central Daylight Time,

nonlinear@rogers. com writes:

Dear Nigel
forgot that getting old, I remember that now, I remember seeing the pictures
but was fuzzy on whether for sure bipolars were used
I believe it was not known from the autopsy whether it was a Norton design
or not
otherwise it is likely a push pull grounded base design for low noise and
wide bandwidth
what do you think?
was there a schematic ever published for the Wellbrook
best
Paul
----- Original Message ----
From: "gandalfg8@aol. com" <gandalfg8@aol. com>
To: loopantennas@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 12:36:40 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530
In a message dated 05/05/2007 17:28:55 GMT Daylight Time,
nonlinear@rogers. com writes:
highest gain and lowest noise more likely with jfets
ie more likely in the design than bipolar although not necessarily true if
one considers say the David Norton noiseless design with bipolar
however the Norton design is limited to smaller gains
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
"Is more likely" is a bit different to the earlier "must have".
I was just intrigued as to your reasoning, considering that the hardware
content of a dismembered 1530 was discussed here in some detail only a few
weeks
ago and the active devices were obviously bipolar.
regards
Nigel
GM8PZR


** **** **** ***

See what's free at . com.


















<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->


 

Dear John

ok you are referring to Power Gain = 10 logbase10 (P2/P1) which is defined via the antenna terminology so everything is in terms of power gain

ok forgot some of my limited antenna theory LOL

best
Paul

----- Original Message ----
From: "crabtreejr@..." <crabtreejr@...>
To: loopantennas@...
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 9:09:04 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530













Hello Nigel, Paul et al



AFAIK no schematics for the Wellbrook have ever been published. However the

harware content which was discussed here, and other information, leads me to

the conclusion that the amplifier is a push pull grounded base design, as Paul

suggests.



It is not that difficult to work out a possible configuration, as follows:



1. Basic physics of a small loop



The basic physics of a small receiving loop is well understood (see eg

Jasik's Antenna Engineering Handbook, 1st ed, 1961, p 6-2)



The unloaded voltage induced in a loop antena =

2.Pi.A.N.E.Sin( theta) / Lambda

where

Pi = 3.14

A = the area of the loop

N = the number of turns

E = the electric field strength

theta = the angle measured from the axis of the loop

lambda = the wavelength



Let us simplify this, assuming that N = 1, and theta = 90 degrees. Let us

also replace Lambda by c/f where c = the speed of light, and f = the frequency.

Then

V = 2.Pi.A.E.f / c



It can readily seen that for a constant field strength E, that the voltage

ouput is proportional to frequency. There is a simple method to overcome this

difficulty.



The untuned receiving loop can be considered as a voltage source in series

with the radiation resistance (very small, ie a small fraction of an ohm), the

loss resistance (probably somewhat larger), and the inductance of the loop,

which is the largest component. Take for example a (Wellbrook) loop with a

diameter of 1 meter, and a tube diameter of 25mm. Then the the inductance (L) is

ca. 2.33uH, with an impedance of ca. 14.6 ohms at 1MHz.



If one terminates the loop in an impedance in a resistance (R) much lower

than the inductance, then the current output is determined by the inductance, and

equals

V / (2.Pi.f.L) = (A.E) / (c.L)

which is frequency independent



Then the power output from the loop is i.i.R

= (A.A.E.E.R) / (c.c.L.L)

which is again frequency independent.



As the frequency goes down, the ouput goes down for constant E, with the -3dB

frequency equalling

1 / 2.Pi.L.R



2. Loop termination resistance for a ALA1530



To determine an approximate value for R, it is necessary to look at the

performance figures of a Wellbrook loop. Fortunately, there are performance

figures for an ALA1530 on the Wellbrook web site. Looking at the numbers the -3dB

frequency is ca. 550kHz, which would give an R of ca. 8.1 ohms.



It is that simple - terminate a one meter loop with a resistance of ca. 8

ohms, and you will get approximately the frequency response performance of an

ALA1530. Clearly the response falls away at very low and very high frequencies,

but that is probably due to various transformer effects.



3. Amplifier gain for a ALA1530



We must now consider the amplifier gain. Assuming a unity antenna factor, ie

one volt out for a field strength of 1 Volt per meter, then the gain required

is

power out / power in

Assuming the ouptut load is 50 ohms, then the required gain

= (c.c.L.L) / (A.A.R.50)



Sticking in the numbers which we already have, I calculated that for a unity

antenna factor, that the gain required would be ca. 33dB. The actual antenna

factor is ca. -7dB, and so the required gain is ca. 26dB.



To recap, we know know that to duplicate a ALA1530, we would need an

amplifier with an input impedance of ca. 8 ohms, and a gain of ca. 26dB.



4. Amplifier configuration



Assuming that the ALA1530 uses two transistors in its push-pull amplifier,

then the only way to do is through a common base amplifier with a transformer

coupled input and output. A Norton amplifier would not have sufficient gain.

It should be remembered that the input resistance of a Norton amplifier depends

upon the output load, which we do not want in this case.



The small signal input resistance of a common base amplifier is ca. 26mV

divided by the emitter current. To get some good linearity, a high quiescent

current is essential. Removing the heat from the transistors has to be

considered.



Let us assume that pretty much all of the stated 120mA supply current goes to

the two transistors, ie ca. 50-60mA each. Then the input resistance of each

transistor at 60mA bias is ca. 0.43 ohms. The two are effectively in series

and so the total input resistance is ca. 0.86 ohms.



The required turns ratio of the input transformer is SQRT( 8 / 0.86) = 3.04.

This is conveniently very close to 3.0, which is what you would wind. This

means that the transformer can be wound with a trifilar winding.



The amplifer gain effectively is approximately the output load resistance

divided by the input resistance. We need a gain of ca. 26dB, ie ca. 400.



Assume that the gain is 27dB, ie 500. The the required output resistance is

500 x 0.86 = 430 ohms. Assuming that the transformed output load is 50 ohms,

this would give a turns ratio on the output transformer of 2.93, ie very close

to 3.0, which could also easily be wound with a trifilar winding.



My conlusion is that a push-pull amplifier with the transistors each biassed

at ca. 50-60mA, and a 3:1 step down transformer on the input and output would

work give approximately the measured performance of the ALA1530. This should

be a fairly straightforward amplifier, if some attention is paid to the

detail. 2N5109 transistors should work quite well. There are, of course, other

choices.



5. Observations



Many people have wondered how the broadband matching was done in the ALA1530.

It is simply done by having an amplifier with a constant input impedance

lower than the inductive reactance of the loop at frequencies for which a

constant gain is desired.



Many people have thought that the amplifier must in some way be exotic. I

suggest that it is actually fairly simple, and that this might be the reason for

potting it.



Later versions of the ALA1530 have an amplifier with better intermodulation

performance. They also have a higher quiescent current, and a higher gain.

This suggests to me that there are more transistors, probably in a two stage

push-pull amplifier.



There was a broadband loop available in the UK before the Wellbrook ALA1530

was introduced. It was designed by Edward Forster, and sold by his company -

Phase Track Ltd, which was based in Reading. His patent - GB2235337 - gives

some useful background on broadband loop antennas and their amplifiers.



Finally, broadband loop antenas are a compromise solution. At lower

frequencies, the radiation resistance is very low, and hence they are very

inefiicient. This means that you will not be able to hear signals near the noise floor.

Of course, they do appear to offer better noise rejection than an active rod

antenna, unless you are very careful (eg see some of Dallas Lankford's recent

writings). They are also convenient, and can offer some directionality.



HTH and 73



John KC0G



In a message dated 5/5/07 12:28:19 PM Central Daylight Time,

nonlinear@rogers. com writes:

Dear Nigel
forgot that getting old, I remember that now, I remember seeing the pictures
but was fuzzy on whether for sure bipolars were used
I believe it was not known from the autopsy whether it was a Norton design
or not
otherwise it is likely a push pull grounded base design for low noise and
wide bandwidth
what do you think?
was there a schematic ever published for the Wellbrook
best
Paul
----- Original Message ----
From: "gandalfg8@aol. com" <gandalfg8@aol. com>
To: loopantennas@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Saturday, May 5, 2007 12:36:40 PM
Subject: Re: [loopantennas] Wellbrook ALA1530
In a message dated 05/05/2007 17:28:55 GMT Daylight Time,
nonlinear@rogers. com writes:
highest gain and lowest noise more likely with jfets
ie more likely in the design than bipolar although not necessarily true if
one considers say the David Norton noiseless design with bipolar
however the Norton design is limited to smaller gains
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
"Is more likely" is a bit different to the earlier "must have".
I was just intrigued as to your reasoning, considering that the hardware
content of a dismembered 1530 was discussed here in some detail only a few
weeks
ago and the active devices were obviously bipolar.
regards
Nigel
GM8PZR


** **** **** ***

See what's free at . com.


















<!--

#ygrp-mlmsg {font-size:13px;font-family:arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg table {font-size:inherit;font:100%;}
#ygrp-mlmsg select, input, textarea {font:99% arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;}
#ygrp-mlmsg pre, code {font:115% monospace;}
#ygrp-mlmsg * {line-height:1.22em;}
#ygrp-text{
font-family:Georgia;
}
#ygrp-text p{
margin:0 0 1em 0;}
#ygrp-tpmsgs{
font-family:Arial;
clear:both;}
#ygrp-vitnav{
padding-top:10px;font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;margin:0;}
#ygrp-vitnav a{
padding:0 1px;}
#ygrp-actbar{
clear:both;margin:25px 0;white-space:nowrap;color:#666;text-align:right;}
#ygrp-actbar .left{
float:left;white-space:nowrap;}
.bld{font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-grft{
font-family:Verdana;font-size:77%;padding:15px 0;}
#ygrp-ft{
font-family:verdana;font-size:77%;border-top:1px solid #666;
padding:5px 0;
}
#ygrp-mlmsg #logo{
padding-bottom:10px;}

#ygrp-vital{
background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:2px 0 8px 8px;}
#ygrp-vital #vithd{
font-size:77%;font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold;color:#333;text-transform:uppercase;}
#ygrp-vital ul{
padding:0;margin:2px 0;}
#ygrp-vital ul li{
list-style-type:none;clear:both;border:1px solid #e0ecee;
}
#ygrp-vital ul li .ct{
font-weight:bold;color:#ff7900;float:right;width:2em;text-align:right;padding-right:.5em;}
#ygrp-vital ul li .cat{
font-weight:bold;}
#ygrp-vital a {
text-decoration:none;}

#ygrp-vital a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}

#ygrp-sponsor #hd{
color:#999;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov{
padding:6px 13px;background-color:#e0ecee;margin-bottom:20px;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov ul{
padding:0 0 0 8px;margin:0;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li{
list-style-type:square;padding:6px 0;font-size:77%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #ov li a{
text-decoration:none;font-size:130%;}
#ygrp-sponsor #nc {
background-color:#eee;margin-bottom:20px;padding:0 8px;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad{
padding:8px 0;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad #hd1{
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold;color:#628c2a;font-size:100%;line-height:122%;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a{
text-decoration:none;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad a:hover{
text-decoration:underline;}
#ygrp-sponsor .ad p{
margin:0;}
o {font-size:0;}
.MsoNormal {
margin:0 0 0 0;}
#ygrp-text tt{
font-size:120%;}
blockquote{margin:0 0 0 4px;}
.replbq {margin:4;}
-->