{"id":53814,"date":"2022-08-28T18:21:25","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T22:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=53814"},"modified":"2022-08-30T05:56:42","modified_gmt":"2022-08-30T09:56:42","slug":"matts-2022-portable-loop-antenna-shootout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/08\/matts-2022-portable-loop-antenna-shootout\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt’s 2022 Portable Loop Antenna Shootout"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Matt Blaze<\/a>, for the following guest post:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"\"<\/a>Matt’s 2022 Portable Loop Antenna Shootout<\/h1>\n

by Matt Blaze, WB2SRI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Followers of this blog may be familiar with my “shortwave radio shootouts<\/a>” that I post from time to time. The idea is to compare how well different radios demodulate the exact same signal. Basically, I take a bunch of radios, hook them up to the same antenna via an RF distribution amplifier, tune the radios to some distant signal, and record the audio output from them simultaneously. Sometimes that kind of comparison can be more revealing of actual real-world performance than lab measurements or technical specifications.<\/p>\n

The other day, I decided to do the same thing, but for antennas instead of radios. Essentially, I inverted the setup. Instead of hooking up different radios to the same antenna, I hooked up identical radios to different portable antennas and recorded them demodulating the same signals at the same time.<\/p>\n

In this first of perhaps a series of these antenna shootouts, I wanted to compare three portable amplified magnetic loop antennas. When I say “portable” here, I mean broadband antennas that can pack reasonable compactly for travel and that can be set up and broken down easily for use “on location”, say on a picnic table or hotel balcony, or perhaps installed temporarily on a roof, without too much fuss.<\/p>\n

The antennas are:<\/h2>\n

– The<\/strong> Wellbrook FLX1530LN<\/strong> with a 1 meter diameter loop of LMR400 coax. This is my “standard” portable antenna (I use a telescoping broom handle for the support; I wrote about it here as the “signal sweeper” last year). Excellent performance, but on the bulky side for travel. Performs well from LW through HF. Not cheap, at about USD 225 including shipping for the amplifier and power injector, but not including the loop, mounting hardware, or feedline.<\/p>\n

– The Wellbrook FLX1530LN<\/strong> with a 0.5 meter diameter loop of RG142 (a stiff “aircraft grade” version of RG58 that holds it shape well at this size). I used some 1\/2 inch PVC pipe as the vertical support. Because of the smaller diameter loop and thinner coax, it packs down to a much smaller and lighter package than the 1 meter LMR400 version.<\/p>\n

– The K-180WLA<\/strong>, an inexpensive (about USD 60) 0.5 meter loop from China, sold on eBay and Amazon. The loop is steel wire (which can be wound down to a small diameter for transport), and the kit includes everything you need, including a rechargeable power injector. (However, the power injector uses a noisy voltage booster, so I substituted my own bias-T injector for these experiments). Ostensibly covers LW through VHF, but the low end coverage is, shall we say, somewhat aspirational, as you will see.<\/p>\n

– I also recorded, for comparison, the built-in ferrite bar<\/strong> (for LW\/MW) and whip antenna<\/strong> (for HF) of the receiver.<\/p>\n

This is, of course, only a small sampling of portable loop antennas, both commercial and homebrew. But I wanted to start with what I had on hand and with what meets my own needs. (I omitted from consideration loops that require tuning, since I want to be able to install the antenna without needing access to it every time I change frequency).<\/p>\n

For each signal captured, I oriented and positioned each antennas to maximize signal quality, taking care to move them away from each other and interfering metal objects. So you’re hearing (approximately) the best each antenna had to offer (on my roof under suboptimal band conditions).<\/p>\n

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

The receivers I used were four Sangean ATS-909×2<\/strong> portable LW\/MW\/SW\/FM\/Air radios. I believe this to be the best currently available (relatively inexpensive) portable shortwave receiver on the market. It has excellent performance (and is admirably resistant to overload and intermod when used with an active antenna). It lacks a sync mode, but that’s rarely implemented well on portable radios anyway. As a practical matter, it has a good line-level output jack, and I already happened to own four of them.<\/p>\n

As in my other shootouts, for each signal, there are a total of five recordings: a monoaural recording of the audio from each of the four antennas, plus a narrated stereo recording comparing a reference (the 1M Wellbrook) on the Left channel with each of the other antennas in succession on the Right channel. The stereo recording is intended as a quick overview, but it will only make sense if you listen in stereo, preferably with good headphones. (You can switch the earcups to get a quick comparison as you listen.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

I made these recordings on my roof (overnight and during the day) using a Sound Devices 833 multitrack field recorder, doing the narration in real time (with a Coles “lip” microphone that gives near-studio quality audio in a very noisy environment). The RF conditions were often terrible, with generally poor band conditions and a fair bit of local electrical noise. plus nearby thunderstorms. Just perfect for testing and comparing antennas!<\/p>\n

To avoid power line noise, ground loops, and other complications, everything (the radios, antennas, and recording gear) was run on battery power. I used inexpensive Talentcell rechargable battery packs (available on Amazon) to supply 12V to the antennas, and AA NiMH batteries for the radios.<\/p>\n

We’ll start at the low end of the spectrum and work our way up.<\/p>\n

Signal 1: An Aviation Beacon on 332 KHz<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>The “DC” NDB on 332 KHz guides aircraft to an northbound approach to DC’s National airport. It’s located about 12 miles from me and has a reliably good signal at all hours of the day and night. It just sends “DC” in modulated CW, over and over.<\/p>\n

As you can hear, the Wellbrook captured it well with both the 1M and 0.5M loops, as did the internal ferrite bar (with some added noise). But the K-180WLA was pure noise, despite having advertised coverage down to 100 KHz.<\/p>\n

Narrated stereo track:<\/strong><\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0434-0332-DCNDB-175_LR.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Solo tracks for each antenna:<\/h2>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (1 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0434-0332-DCNDB-175_02Well1m.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (0.5 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0434-0332-DCNDB-175_03Well50cm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

K-180WLA<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0434-0332-DCNDB-175_04K180.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Built-in ferrite bar<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0434-0332-DCNDB-175_05Internal.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Signal 2: A low-power TIS station on 1640 KHz<\/h1>\n

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

In addition to the NDB beacon on 332 KHz, DC’s National airport operates a low-power “TIS” station broadcasting traffic information and other advice for travelers. It operates at the top end of the MW broadcast band on 1640 KHz and is generally readable with little interference during the day here.<\/p>\n

The Wellbrooks both did well (with the 1M having the edge), and the K-180WLA started to come to life, yielding a usable signal. The internal ferrite bar also did well, comparable to the K-180WLA.<\/p>\n

Narrated stereo track:<\/strong><\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2135-1640-DCATIS-181_LR.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Solo tracks for each antenna:<\/h2>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (1 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2135-1640-DCATIS-181_02Well1m.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (0.5 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2135-1640-DCATIS-181_03Well50cm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

K-180WLA<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2135-1640-DCATIS-181_04K180.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Built-in ferrite bar<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2135-1640-DCATIS-181_05Internal.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Signal 3: A transatlantic weather broadcast on 5505 KHz USB.<\/h1>\n

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

The Shannon “Volmet” station on 5505 KHz (USB) provides 24 hour broadcasts of aviation weather for airports across Europe. It was audible (as it often is) with a weak but readable signal here. Makes you want to hop on a plane and visit the exotic- (and maybe less exotic-) sounding cities it covers.<\/p>\n

All the loop antennas received it acceptably well, though the internal whip was easily the most marginal. There was a fair of annoying local interference, which the smaller antennas did less well rejecting.<\/p>\n

Narrated stereo track:<\/strong><\/h2>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0521-5505-ShannonVol-178_LR.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Solo tracks for each antenna:<\/h2>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (1 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0521-5505-ShannonVol-178_02Well1m.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (0.5 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0521-5505-ShannonVol-178_03Well50cm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

K-180WLA<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0521-5505-ShannonVol-178_04K180.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Built-in whip<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0521-5505-ShannonVol-178_05Internal.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Signal 4: A weak broadcast from Madagascar on 9915 KHz<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>The British Empire isn’t what it once was, but the BBC still operates a number far-flung transmitters for its World Service broadcasts. A remote site in Madagascar, heard here on 9915 KHz, is intended to serve audiences in eastern and southern Africa, but is often audible here in the US. Reception was only poor-to-fair last night, but that allowed the antennas to show us what they’re made of.<\/p>\n

All three of the loops did reasonably well, the main difference being that the full size 1M Wellbrook did a somewhat better job rejecting local noise. The built-in whip on the Sangean occasionally pulled in some recognizable audio, but really couldn’t compete.<\/p>\n

Narrated stereo track:<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0454-9915-BBC-176_LR.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Solo tracks for each antenna:<\/h3>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (1 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0454-9915-BBC-176_02Well1m.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (0.5 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0454-9915-BBC-176_03Well50cm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

K-180WLA<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0454-9915-BBC-176_04K180.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Built-in whip<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=0454-9915-BBC-176_05Internal.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Signal 5: WWV on 15 Mhz<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>The standard time and frequency station WWV is usually a reliable 15 MHz signal at this time of year, but poor conditions made it a challenge for all of the antennas. All the loops managed to pull in some signal. The built-in whip was again left in the dust.<\/p>\n

Narrated stereo track:<\/strong><\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2153-15000-WWV-182_LR.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/p>\n

Solo tracks for each antenna:<\/h2>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (1 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2153-15000-WWV-182_02Well1m.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Wellbrook FLX1530LN (0.5 meter diameter)<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2153-15000-WWV-182_03Well50cm.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

K-180WLA<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2153-15000-WWV-182_04K180.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Built-in whip<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/www.mattblaze.org\/2022-Antenna\/20220825=2153-15000-WWV-182_05Internal.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Click here to download.<\/a><\/p>\n

Summary<\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a>All the things that make untuned magnetic loop antennas a popular choice for space-constrained urban and suburban listening also make them an excellent travel accessory for the discriminating radio nerd.<\/p>\n

On a more down-to-earth budget, the K-180WLA<\/strong> is a good performer above about 2MHz, but rapidly degrades into uselessness as you go down into the MW broadcast band. It’s well made and travels well, able to be disassembled and packed into its original box. However, the supplied bias-T power injector incorporates a noisy voltage booster circuit. I’d recommend replacing it with an inexpensive version fed directly with 9 or 12VDC. These limitations notwithstanding, it’s a very nice antenna in the ranges it covers. (I did these tests with the internal switch set to HF, forgoing VHF coverage). But those interested in MW or LW will still need a receiver with a good quality ferrite bar antenna built in.<\/p>\n

For those with a more lavish budget, the travel-friendly Wellbrook FLX1530LN<\/strong>, with even a small coaxial loop, can approach the performance of the Wellbrook base models, which are probably among the best commercially available LW-HF receive loops on the market.<\/p>\n

As we all well know, the antenna – and its placement – is by far the most important component of any receiving setup. Aside from yielding better performance than built-in radio antennas, an easily set up external antenna in your travel kit also gives you the flexibility to locate the antenna in places with better radio reception that might not be exactly where you want to listen from.<\/p>\n

Happy listening!<\/p>\n

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

Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Matt Blaze, for the following guest post: Matt’s 2022 Portable Loop Antenna Shootout by Matt Blaze, WB2SRI Followers of this blog may be familiar with my “shortwave radio shootouts” that I post from time to time. The idea is to compare how well different radios demodulate the exact same signal. Basically, I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[373,3607,3194,2436,433,3,129,43,154],"tags":[4342,8415,4667,4357,9940,9941,3417,8836,8874,9176],"class_list":["post-53814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-antennas","category-guest-posts","category-longwave","category-mediumwave","category-news","category-reviews","category-shortwave-radio","category-shortwave-radio-reviews","tag-guest-posts","tag-k-180wla","tag-loop-antennas","tag-mag-loop-antennas","tag-magnetic-loop-antenna-comparison","tag-magnetic-loop-antenna-shoot-out","tag-magnetic-loop-antennas","tag-matt-blaze","tag-sangean-ats-909x2","tag-wellbrook-flx1530ln"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-dZY","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22254,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/11\/review-of-the-doxytronics-8020ca-magnetic-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":53814,"position":0},"title":"Review of the DoxyTronics 8020CA magnetic loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"November 17, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who shares the following guest post: Review: DoxyTronics Portable HF Magnetic Loop 8020CA -by Troy Riedel Before I purchased the DoxyTronics 8020CA antenna, I emailed the owner\/manufacturer and asked if he felt this antenna would be a good choice with the radios\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Antennas"","block_context":{"text":"Antennas","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/antennas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"8020ca-assembled-1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/8020CA-Assembled-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/8020CA-Assembled-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/8020CA-Assembled-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":38451,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/using-amplified-loop-antennas-with-portable-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":53814,"position":1},"title":"Using amplified loop antennas with portable radios?","author":"Thomas","date":"July 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Marty, who writes: I have a question about loop antennas; specifically which type is \"better,\" passive magnetic loops or active electric loops? I know, \"It depends.\"--? I live in a ground-floor apartment, with a small porch, lots of RFI and restrictions against visible antennas.\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\/2017\/01\/Klaus-Mag-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Klaus-Mag-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Klaus-Mag-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Klaus-Mag-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48108,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/the-signal-sweeper-how-to-build-a-portable-wellbrook-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":53814,"position":2},"title":"The “Signal Sweeper”: How to build a portable Wellbrook loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"March 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze, for the following guest post: The \"Signal Sweeper\", a portable Wellbrook antenna setup by Matt Blaze Here's a very simple construction project that's really improved my travel shortwave and mediumwave listening experience. When I go somewhere interesting (whether a day trip on\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\/2021\/03\/Signal-Sweeper-Wellbrook-Matt-Blaze-1-scaled-e1615289428872.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signal-Sweeper-Wellbrook-Matt-Blaze-1-scaled-e1615289428872.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signal-Sweeper-Wellbrook-Matt-Blaze-1-scaled-e1615289428872.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signal-Sweeper-Wellbrook-Matt-Blaze-1-scaled-e1615289428872.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signal-Sweeper-Wellbrook-Matt-Blaze-1-scaled-e1615289428872.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30672,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/indoor-shortwave-antenna-options-to-pair-with-a-new-sdr\/","url_meta":{"origin":53814,"position":3},"title":"Indoor shortwave antenna options to pair with a new SDR","author":"Thomas","date":"February 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Freitas, who writes: \"I am thinking of the new RSP1A SDR. Would you know of a good indoor antenna that would work well with it?\" Your antenna question is simple, but the answer is complex! First off, I think the RSP1A is a\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\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/RSP1A1-1024x708.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48145,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/03\/michael-pairs-the-tecsun-pl-990-and-the-aor-la400\/","url_meta":{"origin":53814,"position":4},"title":"Michael pairs the Tecsun PL-990 and the AOR LA400","author":"Thomas","date":"March 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Ye (BD4AAQ), for the following guest post: In the Loop:\u00a0PL-990 and LA400, a Perfect Match by Michael Ye (BD4AAQ) I have been a happy owner of Tecsun\u2019s PL-880 world band receivers for years. In fact I have two PL-880 radios, one sitting at\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\/2021\/03\/PL-990-and-PL-880-scaled-e1615376264103.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/PL-990-and-PL-880-scaled-e1615376264103.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/PL-990-and-PL-880-scaled-e1615376264103.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/PL-990-and-PL-880-scaled-e1615376264103.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/PL-990-and-PL-880-scaled-e1615376264103.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24400,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/the-w6lvp-magnetic-loop-antenna\/","url_meta":{"origin":53814,"position":5},"title":"The W6LVP magnetic loop antenna","author":"Thomas","date":"February 24, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who asks: Just curious if you or anyone you know have any experience with Magnetic Loops from W6LVP? [...]Here's his eBay page - 458 feedbacks and 100%. Thank, Troy! I've never used the W6LVP loop, but the price--in comparison with other wideband\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\/2017\/02\/W6LVP-Loop.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53814","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=53814"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53814\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53814"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53814"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53814"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}