Private not public reply.? Invest in an inexpensive NanoVNA and tune your antennas.? Amazing learning tool and improvements in my low power projects.? Ebay/Amazon.
Charles
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On Sunday, February 14, 2021, 5:17:53 PM EST, JonI via groups.io <ji425bt@...> wrote:
The softrock has been up and running for over a week now thanks in large
part to group tips.? However, the antenna I'm using, a 30' long attic
dipole isn't doing so well and looking for upgrade suggestions.? To save
costs, I'd like to homebrew a better antenna.
Years ago, when I did my Jupiter listening, I had a dual dipole set up
at 20 Mhz outdoors with a coax preamp.? The antenna did pretty well, not
just for Jupiter but most of the HF. Unfortunately, budget and space
restrictions mean I can't erect something like this again at the current
time.
I still have the preamp, based on a Mar6 or MRF901.? I no longer have
the length of coax I used at the time, nor the wire for the dipole.? I
do have a very old quantity of RG-8 that can't really be used for
anything anymore.
A possible thought was using the RG-8 for a one meter loop antenna with
the preamp directly at the base.? Only issue is attic heat.? In the
summer, it would likely damage the preamp.? Another thought is just
using the loop indoors close to where I have the softrock.
Anyway, your thoughts would be welcome here.
