Mini QRP MagLoop Antenna

thingiverse

2020-05-16 Added some pictures and a few more add on parts. To make my loop made out of folded copper sheet sturdier/easier to carry I made a easilly to dissasemble/pack center pin and brackets. Sizing may vary so testprint or redesign as needed. (Most parts are available/modifyable over on the tinkercad site just search for my callsign and they should pop up. I also added a quick/ugly designed bracket to attach the loop to the "rails" (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4274613) of my FT-817. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ My take on the QRP/travel mini magloop antenna. (small but roomy 45x75mm) The electrical design is not my invention just found on various places online, a good place to start would be: https://k1fm.us/2015/07/k1fm-mini-magnetic-loop-2-0/ (Thanks Alain! Awesome site and project) I added a reduction gear (~ 5:1 ratio gives about 2.5 turns of the original 1/2 of the varicap) to help tuning. Magnets (8pcs square 5x5x6mm) in base and "front" to attach it on top of my FT-817 in either direction.. I added a small "window" for a scale (on top of the main gear) to aid rough tuning. I'm using this capacitor: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-Gang-AM-FM-Variable-Capacitor-266pF-X-2-and-20pF-X-2-500pF-Total/113059337104?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144 and various parts from the junkbox. For the loop I'm using 1-2mm copper wire - Inefficient yes but it works (~10-40m) (now using 40mm wide coper strip folded in the middle to get it sturdier, covered in heatshrink tubing and ends soldered to pluggs, see pictures) Tinkercad link: https://www.tinkercad.com/embed/jDsYSkwF6t3? 73 de SM6WGG