[BC] HDradio & a tuned loop antenna

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/23/2006 1:27:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
richwood at pobox.com writes:

> ------ At 08:51 AM 12/23/2006, WFIFeng at aol.com wrote: -------
>  
>  >Rich, you can make a very useful tuned loop antenna with minimal effort 
and
>  >expense. (About $20, tops, if you have to buy everything.) You may 
>  >be surprised
>  >at the performance increase one of these loops gives you.
>  
>  Is this likely to work better than the long wire?

It can, because it is *selective*. The long wire picks up absolutely anything 
and everything. (It ends up being somewhat directional, but not like a good 
loop.)

> Or the loop that came with the radio?

Most of those AM loops are untuned, and not terribly efficient.

> Or the Crane Justice antenna?

Hmmm... that's an interesting unit, but the CCRANE.COM site doesn't seem to 
call it "Justice". (That word in their search window opened the right page, 
tho.) However, if you want to plunk another $99 down on this whole IBUZ thing, it 
may be worth it. Even if not for the IBUZ, but simply for the overall 
performance boost it will give you for AM reception on whichever radio you decide to 
use it with.

The one I'm thinking of is their "Regular Select-A-Tenna", which resembles 
the "Hot Wheels" carry-case they made in the 70's. (Anyone remember those?) It's 
essentially the same identical thing as my do-it-yourslf loops. 12-15 turns 
of wire around a form about 12-15" diameter, with a variable capacitor in 
parallel. Of course, the Crane unit is in a nice, durable plastic case, with a knob 
and frequency markings on the tuning capactor. You'll pay a good $65 for the 
thing, but if $$ is no object, buy one and you will be surprised by the 
performance boost it will give you.

http://www.ccrane.com/antennas/am-antennas/select-a-tenna-regular-model.aspx

Personally, I think $65 is grossly overpriced. That's why I build my own. $30 
would be better... but that's just my 2c worth.

Suffice it to say, I have built a good number of these loops over the years, 
and they all work *very* well at pulling-in weak signals. If an "average" 
radio can hear the station weakly but free of co-channel interference (or 1'st 
adjacent splatter) then the loop (homebrew or commercial unit) will bring it in 
almost like a local. It *should* work for IBUZ, but the tuning/positioning may 
be a tad more critical. As indicated on my WEBsite, all you need to do is 
bring the loop close to the radio's built-in loopstick. It shouldn't be too 
difficult to find the optimal position and rotational orientation to bring in the 
desired station... IBUZ and all.

Please let us know how this turns out.

For others joining us late, the homebrew antenna site is:
www.mymorninglight.org/loopant.htm

Merry CHRISTmas, everyone! :)

Willie...