Lou:

regarding your comparison, mag loops work better close to the ground. also in a vertical orientation.
I used the alex loop as my only antenna for the first few months after I moved to the ne qth.  Using a kx3 and 10 wats or less, worked fl, id, spain, and poland all on 20 meter ssb.
loop at approximately 3 feet on a camera tripod in my living room.  Home is a brick ranch.

Not everyone will achieve such results, but the magnetic loop is a proven performer when used appropriately.

loops of 3 to four feet work pretty well from 30 through ten meters.  80 meter loops have been constructed, but are around 8 feet in diameter.

I have a very good article on mag loop construction which I will make available in a week or two. as soon as I can find a good place to post it.

The keys are low resistance in the large loop, and also very low resistance in the variable capacitor.
They can develop very high voltages even at low power.

Gary Lee
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