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antenna question
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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. |
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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.
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Charles 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. |
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Seem to have gone to the list!
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On 14/02/2021 22:22, Charles Webb via groups.io wrote:
Private not public reply. |
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O.O? Nothing I would not suggestion to anyone/everyone.? Sharing my own up hill climb and fun, rank novice amateur ongoing experience.? It is all good.? :)
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Charles/KC1ENN On Sunday, February 14, 2021, 5:34:12 PM EST, G8DQX list <list@...> wrote:
Seem to have gone to the list! On 14/02/2021 22:22, Charles Webb via groups.io wrote: Private not public reply. |
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A TinySA and a NanoVNA are extremely useful bits of technology. I have
both and they are great. Dave W2IJL On Sun, Feb 14, 2021 at 5:41 PM Charles Webb via groups.io <kc1enn= [email protected]> wrote: O.O Nothing I would not suggestion to anyone/everyone. Sharing my own |
However, the antenna I'm using, a 30' long attic dipole isn't doing so well and looking for upgrade suggestions.The Softrocks need good TX-type antenna. With any antenna the first question is whether on the frequency of interest does the noise level increase when you connect the antenna? If not a preamp may help. If noise increases then you need a quieter antenna or different location. I'm not an expert but indoors is likely to be worse. The input of preamps is designed for its use. A wire or loop would need different matching. Most electronics are rated to work at high temperatures, I would not worry about that unless run close to maximum dissipation. Nano VNAs are good but in my opinion are not the answer to your problem. 73 Alan G4ZFQ |
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On 14/02/2021 22:17, JonI via groups.io wrote:
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.Generally speaking attic antennas will pick up more noise than outdoor antennas so I would not expect the SNR to be as good. But I would have thought your attic dipole would be receiving plenty of stations, provided it is matched to whatever feeder you are using on the bands of interest. How exactly is your attic dipole connected to the Softrock? What bands are you using? 73 Nick |
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