{"id":42174,"date":"2020-03-10T12:09:59","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T16:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=42174"},"modified":"2020-03-10T12:09:59","modified_gmt":"2020-03-10T16:09:59","slug":"airspy-youloop-and-homebrew-passive-loop-antenna-designs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/airspy-youloop-and-homebrew-passive-loop-antenna-designs\/","title":{"rendered":"Airspy Youloop and Homebrew Passive Loop Antenna designs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Almost two weeks ago, at the 2020 Winter SWL Fest<\/a>, I gave a presentation called “A New Era in Portable SDR DXing.<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

The presentation was essentially an in-depth version of an article I published in the January 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor<\/em> magazine<\/a> (see cover above).<\/p>\n

I devoted a good portion of the presentation describing how to build a passive loop antenna design by Airspy\u2019s<\/a> engineer and president, Youssef Touil. This passive mag loop takes advantage of the Airspy HF+ Discovery<\/a>\u2018s exceptionally high dynamic range and is an impressive performer.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The homebrew loop on the balcony of a hotel.<\/p><\/div>\n

You may recall, I posted a short article about this loop in November after enjoying a little coastal DXing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In short? This passive loop antenna pairs beautifully with the Airspy HF+ Discovery. I’ve also been very pleased with results using the new SDRplay RSPdx<\/a> on the mediumwave band where the receiver now sports a high dynamic range mode.<\/p>\n

Overdue corrections…<\/h1>\n

After returning from the Winter SWL Fest last week, I was hit with an upper respiratory bug. No doubt, a souvenir of my travels!\u00a0 It wasn’t the flu (I was tested), nor COVID-19, but it did knock me off my feet for a few days with fever, coughing, and headaches. You might have noticed a lot less posts last week and almost no replies from me via email. I’m only now feeling totally human again and trying to catch up with my backlog.<\/p>\n

Shortly after my SWL Fest presentation, I realized I made (at least!) two mistakes. I had planned to post corrections here on the SWLing Post<\/em> last week, but the bug delayed all of that, so here you go:<\/p>\n

#1 Schematic of my homebrew passive loop antenna<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When Youssef started experimenting with passive loop antenna designs, he posted a few schematics of at least three build options.<\/p>\n

Although I described how to build my passive loop antenna, I grabbed the wrong schematic for my presentation slides. Many thanks to those attendees who noticed this.<\/p>\n

Here is the schematic I should have shared:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Note that the transformer has four turns on both sides (the one in the presentation had 4:2).<\/p>\n

Again, apologies for any confusion.<\/p>\n

#2 The Airspy Youloop passive loop antenna<\/h2>\n

If you’re not inclined to build your own passive loop antenna per the diagram above, Airspy is planning to manufacture and sell a lightweight, high-performance loop of a similar design.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Prototype of the Airspy Youloop in the field (note bright blue cable jacket)<\/p><\/div>\n

During the presentation, I called the future AirSpy antenna, the “Spytenna.” I was incorrect. (Turns out, I got this name from an early antenna schematic and somehow it stuck in my head!)<\/p>\n

Airspy is calling their passive loop antenna the Youloop<\/strong>. Youssef posted the following note in the Airspy email discussion group:<\/p>\n

We are currently arranging the shipping of the affordable passive version to Airspy.us<\/a>\u00a0and RTLSDR Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Btw, It’s called “Youloop”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many thanks to Richard Langley and a number of other readers who pointed this out last week.<\/p>\n

I’ve had a prototype of the Youloop since November and brought it to the SWL Fest and presentation. It’s a quality antenna and incredibly compact when disassembled and rolled up.<\/p>\n

When the Youloop is available to order, we’ll post links here on the SWLing Post.<\/p>\n

More to come!<\/h2>\n

Once I catch up here at SWLing Post<\/em> HQ, I plan to publish detailed construction photos of the homebrew loop antenna.<\/p>\n

Many of you have questions about how to tap into the center conductor at the mid-point of the loop. These photos should help guide you.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned!<\/p>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Almost two weeks ago, at the 2020 Winter SWL Fest, I gave a presentation called “A New Era in Portable SDR DXing.” The presentation was essentially an in-depth version of an article I published in the January 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine (see cover above). I devoted a good portion of the presentation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4199,3607,627,836,3,43],"tags":[8344,3724,7791,8353,4339,4359,157,8096,4087,8354],"class_list":["post-42174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-accessories","category-antennas","category-how-to","category-new-products","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-2020-winter-swl-fest","tag-airspy","tag-airspy-hf-discovery","tag-airspy-youloop","tag-am-passive-loop-antenna","tag-homebrew-mag-loop-antenna","tag-sdr","tag-sdrplay-rspdx","tag-software-defined-radio","tag-spytenna"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-aYe","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":42582,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/the-airspy-youloop-is-a-freaking-brilliant-passive-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":42174,"position":0},"title":"The Airspy Youloop is a freaking brilliant passive loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"March 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Before I start talking Youloop, I have a little confession to make up front: At the Winter SWL Fest when I gave a presentation about Portable SDR DXing, not only did I give attendees the wrong name of the Airspy Youloop antenna, but I also configured it incorrectly, hence the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Red-Oxx-Lil-Roy.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Red-Oxx-Lil-Roy.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Red-Oxx-Lil-Roy.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Red-Oxx-Lil-Roy.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44834,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/08\/bruce-compares-two-homebrew-ncpl-antennas-to-the-airspy-youloop\/","url_meta":{"origin":42174,"position":1},"title":"Bruce compares two homebrew NCPL antennas to the Airspy Youloop","author":"Thomas","date":"August 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bruce (VE3EAR), who writes: I decided that more testing of the Noise-Cancelling Passive Loop (YouLoop) antenna was needed, but I wanted to start with a clean page. I built two identical loops using some 3\/8 inch heliax scraps I had on hand. Both are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/YouLoop2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/YouLoop2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/YouLoop2.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42416,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/airspy-youloop-passive-magnetic-loop-antenna-now-shipping\/","url_meta":{"origin":42174,"position":2},"title":"AirSpy YouLoop passive magnetic loop antenna now shipping","author":"Thomas","date":"March 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Agner (KA3JJZ), who notes that AirSpy\u00a0 now has the YouLoop passive mag loop antenna posted on their retail websites.\u00a0 You can grab one for $30 - $35 US, depending on your location. That's a fantastic deal in my book. Click here to check\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/YouLoop-Coax.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":40778,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/coastal-dxing-with-the-airspy-hf-discovery-and-a-homebrew-passive-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":42174,"position":3},"title":"Coastal DXing with the AirSpy HF+ Discovery and a homebrew passive loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"November 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Last week, we packed the car and headed to coast of South Carolina. The trip was a bit impromptu but through the creative use of hotel points, we scored a two bedroom ocean front unit with a fantastic little balcony. The vacation gave me an excuse to test the new\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Beach-Ocean.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Beach-Ocean.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Beach-Ocean.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Beach-Ocean.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42856,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/04\/hack-a-broken-vga-cable-to-make-a-binocular-ferrite-cores-for-your-ncpl-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":42174,"position":4},"title":"Hack a broken VGA cable to make a binocular ferrite cores for your NCPL antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"April 15, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Oscar (EA3IBC) who shares this simple hack. I've gotten quite a few emails from Post readers telling me that the only thing holding them back from building a NCPL antenna is the BN-73-302 binocular ferrite core needed for the 1:1 Balun. While so much of the world\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/NCPL-Noise-Cancelling-Passive-Loop-Antenna-970x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/NCPL-Noise-Cancelling-Passive-Loop-Antenna-970x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/NCPL-Noise-Cancelling-Passive-Loop-Antenna-970x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44073,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/rob-reviews-the-airspy-youloop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":42174,"position":5},"title":"Rob reviews the AirSpy YouLoop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"June 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rob, who writes: Thank you for your informative blog. As a longtime SWLer I enjoy reading up on your posts. A few months ago I was considering the purchase of a magnetic loop antenna. Based on your \"YouLoop is a freaking brilliant passive loop\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/YouLoop-Coax.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42174\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}