[BC] HDradio & a tuned loop antenna

[Glen Kippel]

I bought a Terk AM Advantage tunable loop from B&H for $29.95, a significant
savings over the $49.99 or more that you will find it elsewhere, like AES.
And it looks good enough to not upset your spouse/partner/significant other
when you set it up.

On 12/23/06, WFIFeng at aol.com <WFIFeng at aol.com> wrote:
>
> 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...
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