{"id":43556,"date":"2020-05-27T09:03:07","date_gmt":"2020-05-27T13:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=43556"},"modified":"2021-01-11T07:20:32","modified_gmt":"2021-01-11T11:20:32","slug":"guest-post-tom-takes-the-airspy-hf-and-youloop-to-the-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/guest-post-tom-takes-the-airspy-hf-and-youloop-to-the-field\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Tom takes the AirSpy HF+ and YouLoop to the field!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NotCircular-e1590580117189.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43560\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NotCircular-e1590580117189.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"723\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, <a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/tag\/toml\/\">TomL<\/a>, who shares the following guest post:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1 class=\"p1\">YouLoop Picnic Table Report<\/h1>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>by TomL<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">So, I finally got around to testing my <a href=\"https:\/\/airspy.com\/youloop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Airspy YouLoop<\/a> after the long shipping delay from China.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It is simple in concept and will not repeat what others have written about it <a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/tag\/airspy-youloop\/\">in previous articles<\/a>.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I find it a useful loop antenna for portable operations and sometimes for noisy home use.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This report is focused on my usual field location from a Northern Illinois county park picnic table.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Setup<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/YouLoopSetup-scaled-e1590579816969.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43557\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/YouLoopSetup-scaled-e1590579816969.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1932\" \/><\/a>As you can see from the setup photo, it all fits into a backpack except for the two PVC pipes and crossbar which are easy carried.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I modified my YouLoop to use the 2 meter transmission line as one half of the loop.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The other half consists of the two shorter wires connected with a simple female-to-female SMA connector.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This doubles the circumference of the loop and gives it a bigger capture area.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Crossbar<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/FiberglassSnowMarkerStick-e1590579945725.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43558\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/FiberglassSnowMarkerStick-e1590579945725.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"680\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Because my setup is bigger than usual, I had to find a lightweight cross member to aid the solid conductor wire from sagging. I found just the thing in a larger-than-normal 6 foot fiberglass driveway snow marking stick sold at the local hardware store.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I cut the tip off to make it 5 feet (Because, the loop as I configured it is 4 meters circumference, so, 4*39.37\/Pi = Diameter in inches). I then drilled a 5\/16th&#8217;s inch hole through the middle of the \u00be inch PVC threaded pipe I had from a previous project and fit the fiberglass stick through it as the crossbar. This is a special PVC 4 foot nipple pipe I had special ordered a long time ago when mounting a previous (heavy) Ferrite-Sleeve loop antenna.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Loop Mounting<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NotCircular-e1590580117189.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43560\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/NotCircular-e1590580117189.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"723\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Screwed onto both ends of the 4 foot nipple are threaded-to-coupler adapters also found at the hardware store.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The adapter allows me to attach easily to the \u00be inch 5 foot long PVC pipe held by my trusty carbon fiber tripod below.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This 5 foot pipe is held loosely by the tripod so I can grab the pipe and turn the whole loop mounted above.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The result is not perfectly circular and there is room for improvement.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I find it to be highly directional nonetheless and easy to turn. The phasing connector of the YouLoop mounts at the top and for now I am just using two medium sized cable ties to a long screw near the top for tension.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I do not want to glue the connector to the top since this YouLoop may get used in other configurations in the future.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/BottomConnector-e1590580084548.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43559\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/BottomConnector-e1590580084548.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"784\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The Bottom connector for the radio input is held nicely with a couple of velcro wraps.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/PreampAirspy-e1590580132683.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43561\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/PreampAirspy-e1590580132683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"723\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The wire from there goes to the usual setup of Palstar amplified preselector with battery pack and Airspy HF+, which goes into the USB port on the small Dell laptop.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>After some initial problems with a non-functioning HF+ and rebooting a few times, I was finally able to get a signal.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>At first I thought it was the antenna but the error condition acted the same way whether the antenna was connected or not.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It could be that my HF+ is starting to exhibit the first signs of failure, which I have read about from complaints on the internet about the reliability of SDR&#8217;s used in the field.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I may have to bring along my SDRPlay SDR2 just in case!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>In other words, don&#8217;t depend on computer hardware and software to work (especially if you happen to go on vacation and have no backup radio!!).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I also have a couple of portable non-SDR radios I could bring with me as well.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Enough said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Using It<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Screen-sm-e1590580148434.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-43562\" src=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Screen-sm-e1590580148434.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"609\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The screen of the laptop shows a very nice black background, very quiet, and a moderate signal level of WRMI on the 31 meter band.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I did not have the time or processing power for real Data captures, so all I have to share are less optimal MP3 files.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The signal level is somewhat low. I think this is typical for a single-wire loop antenna and seems adequate. I did have to crank my Palstar preamp to maximum the whole time while on shortwave (my Wellbrook amp would probably work slightly better).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>On mediumwave, the gain seemed more than adequate (I don&#8217;t have any recordings of that band at this time, maybe a future article).<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Directionality is very good and usable across a very wide range of frequencies!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>It certainly worked well up to the 25 meter band where I started to notice a drop off of nulling ability.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>And this is good despite my lack of perfect circular mounting of the wire. Even though my county park is a \u201cForest Preserve\u201d and not meant to have any development, there is increasing noise in the neighborhood and I find the loop to be very useful in cleaning up some background noise (as well as noise coming from the laptop!).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>This is especially seen with the Voice of Iran broadcast in French. The weak signal was aided by moving the loop to balance the signal level to local noise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">The loop is a bit flimsy using it this large.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Keeping the connectors tight may be a problem in the future if subject to a lot of wind.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I think you will find the smaller (usual) setup in the instructions to be less of a problem.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>My plastic clips at the sides of the crossbar and the plastic tie downs at the top are not optimal and will need something better (in other words, it would help if I had a better mounting for the wires).<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Also, the tripod definitely wanted to tip over as a storm blew past, so I need to make sure I tie down one or more legs to the picnic table in the future!!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>Final Thoughts<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p3\">In summary, this is a very useful loop for portable operations since it fits easily into a backpack. Mounting it in a repeatable manner will need some experimentation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Performance is good with usable nulling at a wide range of frequencies. Signal strength is moderate, so a good preamp is necessary in order to boost the signal into the sweet spot of your receiver RF stage.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Parts quality is good, but the wire is thin solid conductor, so do not kink\/fold it!.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The connectors and housing for the phase change and balun are very small, with non-waterproof plastic housings that can be easily abused, so take care of them. The whole kit is small to pack and lends itself to experimentation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Highly recommended given its limitations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\">Furthermore, I feel my old, original 14-inch \u201ccrossed-parallel loop\u201d did as good a job as this larger diameter YouLoop.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>I wonder how the YouLoop can be modified to create a larger gain using, say, two or more wires in parallel (perhaps a future article!)?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Generally, the deeper the loop design, the higher the gain.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The YouLoop potentially could be a better performing, more portable version if I can replicate using more turns of wire.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Although it is in disrepair now, <a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/guest-post-more-anti-noise-ideas\/&quot;\">pictures of my old 14-inch loop are found here<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/guest-post-backpack-shack-radio-listening\/\">also here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"p3\">Sample Recordings<\/h1>\n<p class=\"p3\">Here are a bunch of sample recordings to enjoy, some of which are unique to shortwave radio and found no where else:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>9830 kHz, Voice of Turkey<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h37m35s%20-%209.83%20MHz%2C%20SAM-Turkey.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h37m35s%20-%209.83%20MHz%2C%20SAM-Turkey.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h37m35s%20-%209.83%20MHz%2C%20SAM-Turkey.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>10000 kHz, WWV<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-2\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h46m41s%20-%2010%20MHz%2C%20SAM-WWV.mp3?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h46m41s%20-%2010%20MHz%2C%20SAM-WWV.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h46m41s%20-%2010%20MHz%2C%20SAM-WWV.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>9395 kHz, WRMI<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h48m27s%20-%209.395%20MHz%2C%20SAM-WRMI.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h48m27s%20-%209.395%20MHz%2C%20SAM-WRMI.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h48m27s%20-%209.395%20MHz%2C%20SAM-WRMI.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>9420 kHz, Voice of Greece<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-4\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h50m24s%20-%209.42%20MHz%2C%20SAM-VoGreece.mp3?_=4\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h50m24s%20-%209.42%20MHz%2C%20SAM-VoGreece.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h50m24s%20-%209.42%20MHz%2C%20SAM-VoGreece.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>11760 kHz, Radio Habana Cuba<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-5\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h55m53s%20-%2011.76%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-Cuba.mp3?_=5\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h55m53s%20-%2011.76%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-Cuba.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h55m53s%20-%2011.76%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-Cuba.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>11780 kHz, Radio Nacional Brazilia<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-6\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h58m06s%20-%2011.78%20MHz%2C%20SAM-RNacionalBrazil.mp3?_=6\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h58m06s%20-%2011.78%20MHz%2C%20SAM-RNacionalBrazil.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2022h58m06s%20-%2011.78%20MHz%2C%20SAM-RNacionalBrazil.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>11940 kHz, Radio Nationale Espana<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-7\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h05m36s%20-%2011.94%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-Spain.mp3?_=7\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h05m36s%20-%2011.94%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-Spain.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h05m36s%20-%2011.94%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-Spain.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>7193 kHz, W3M<\/strong> \u2013 special <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pennlive.com\/life\/2016\/05\/what_is_memorial_day.html\">Amateur Radio event to celebrate the birthplace of Memorial Day<\/a> (Boalsburg, Pennsylvania)<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-8\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h29m16s%20-%207.193%20MHz%2C%20LSB-W3M.mp3?_=8\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h29m16s%20-%207.193%20MHz%2C%20LSB-W3M.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h29m16s%20-%207.193%20MHz%2C%20LSB-W3M.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>7230 kHz, Voice of Iran (French)<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-9\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h39m13s%20-%207.23%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-VofIran%20French.mp3?_=9\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h39m13s%20-%207.23%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-VofIran%20French.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/25-May-2020%2023h39m13s%20-%207.23%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-VofIran%20French.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>7315 kHz, Voice of Vietnam<\/strong>, from WHRI-1 transmitter<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-10\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h02m14s%20-%207.315%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-VofVietnam%20WHRI1.mp3?_=10\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h02m14s%20-%207.315%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-VofVietnam%20WHRI1.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h02m14s%20-%207.315%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-VofVietnam%20WHRI1.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>7350 kHz, Radio China International<\/strong>, in English from Kashi PRC<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-11\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h05m56s%20-%207.35%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-RCI%20EE%20Kashi.mp3?_=11\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h05m56s%20-%207.35%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-RCI%20EE%20Kashi.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h05m56s%20-%207.35%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-RCI%20EE%20Kashi.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>7375 kHz, Radio Romania<\/strong> booming in from Romania<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-12\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h08m20s%20-%207.375%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-Romainia.mp3?_=12\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h08m20s%20-%207.375%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-Romainia.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h08m20s%20-%207.375%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-Romainia.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>7490 kHz, WBCQ<\/strong> (Spanish) from Monticello ME (guide says only 50 kw but sounded more than that)<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-13\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h11m45s%20-%207.49%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-WBCQ%20Monticello%20Spanish.mp3?_=13\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h11m45s%20-%207.49%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-WBCQ%20Monticello%20Spanish.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h11m45s%20-%207.49%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-WBCQ%20Monticello%20Spanish.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>6180 kHz, Radio Nacional Brazilia<\/strong><\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-14\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h17m12s%20-%206.18%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-RNacionalBrazil.mp3?_=14\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h17m12s%20-%206.18%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-RNacionalBrazil.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h17m12s%20-%206.18%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-RNacionalBrazil.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>6070 kHz, CFRX Toronto<\/strong> \u2013 discussion about some people with ashes of relatives in the home<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-15\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h22m48s%20-%206.07%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-CFRXToronto.mp3?_=15\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h22m48s%20-%206.07%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-CFRXToronto.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h22m48s%20-%206.07%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-CFRXToronto.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>6115 kHz, WWCR<\/strong> Nashville TN \u2013 discussion about Jesus saving a young woman from Satanic ritual abuse as a child<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-16\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h25m59s%20-%206.115%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-WWCR.mp3?_=16\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h25m59s%20-%206.115%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-WWCR.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h25m59s%20-%206.115%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-U-WWCR.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong>5850 kHz, Radio Slovakia International<\/strong> from WRMI booming in as usual<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-43556-17\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h37m49s%20-%205.85%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-WRMI.mp3?_=17\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h37m49s%20-%205.85%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-WRMI.mp3\">https:\/\/archive.org\/download\/25-may-2020-23h-29m-16s-7.193-mhz-lsb-w-3-m\/26-May-2020%2000h37m49s%20-%205.85%20MHz%2C%20ECSS-L-WRMI.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>73&#8217;s &amp; Happy Listening,<\/p>\n<p>TomL<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong>Thank you, Tom, for sharing your field-portable SDR setup! I like how you&#8217;ve made an inexpensive and packable support system for the larger diameter YouLoop. While I&#8217;ve yet to design a similar system around the YouLoop, I really should. I&#8217;ve always believed that for both SWL and ham radio field-portable operations, a self-supporting antenna system is a must as it gives you ultimate flexibility to cope with variable site conditions.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/tag\/toml\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here to check out Tom&#8217;s previous guest posts and portable adventures!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: YouLoop Picnic Table Report by TomL So, I finally got around to testing my Airspy YouLoop after the long shipping delay from China.\u00a0 It is simple in concept and will not repeat what others have written about it in previous articles.\u00a0 I [&hellip;]<\/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":[3607,3,43,158],"tags":[3724,6613,8353,2785,2871,5119],"class_list":["post-43556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-antennas","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","category-software-defined-radio","tag-airspy","tag-airspy-hf","tag-airspy-youloop","tag-field-recordings","tag-portable-antennas","tag-toml"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-bkw","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":51178,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/airspy-hf-discovery-shortwave-portables-having-fun-with-the-airspy-youloop\/","url_meta":{"origin":43556,"position":0},"title":"Airspy HF+ Discovery &#038; Shortwave Portables: Having Fun with the Airspy YouLoop!","author":"Thomas","date":"December 14, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Hemphill, who shares the following guest post: YouLoop Antenna Fun by Billy Hemphill WD9EQD Like many listeners, I live in an antenna restricted community.\u00a0 While I have strung up some hidden outdoor wire antennas, I have found that they didn\u2019t really perform that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Antennas&quot;","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\/2021\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-12-14-at-06.15.01.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-12-14-at-06.15.01.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Screen-Shot-2021-12-14-at-06.15.01.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42582,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/the-airspy-youloop-is-a-freaking-brilliant-passive-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":43556,"position":1},"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 &quot;Antennas&quot;","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":44073,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/rob-reviews-the-airspy-youloop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":43556,"position":2},"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 &quot;Accessories&quot;","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":[]},{"id":46594,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/11\/radio-deals-airspy-black-friday-sale-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":43556,"position":3},"title":"Radio Deals: Airspy Black Friday Sale 2020!","author":"Thomas","date":"November 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"If you've been thinking about pulling the trigger on an Airspy product, now's the time! Airspy is once again offering huge discounts during their 2020 Black Friday promotion. For example, their Airspy HF+ Discovery SDR--which I consider to be one of the best HF SDRs on the market--is 30% off\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Deals&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Deals","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/deals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Airspy-Black-Friday-e1606155245418.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Airspy-Black-Friday-e1606155245418.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Airspy-Black-Friday-e1606155245418.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42174,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/airspy-youloop-and-homebrew-passive-loop-antenna-designs\/","url_meta":{"origin":43556,"position":4},"title":"Airspy Youloop and Homebrew Passive Loop Antenna designs","author":"Thomas","date":"March 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Accessories&quot;","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-prototype-e1583854322268.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Youloop-prototype-e1583854322268.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Youloop-prototype-e1583854322268.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":43556,"position":5},"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 &quot;New Products&quot;","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":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43556","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=43556"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43556\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43556"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43556"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43556"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}