by Mark (M7MHY)
It was while travelling in the Greek islands a few weeks ago, I first spoke to Paul Karlstrand.
I’d sent him an email, requesting a shipping quote from his home country in Australia to mine, Scotland, UK. I got a prompt reply, and he was only too happy to answer any questions I had, not only regarding shipping, but with any other queries I may have had concerning his loops. What a nice guy.
Fast forward to present day and I’ve been using his 36cm MW passive loop (catalogue code ‘TAM’) for a few days now. From paying the invoice through PayPal, the loop being built and assembled, to arriving on my doorstep around 11,000 miles later – it took just 10 days.
The free pen is a nice touch!
This is most certainly not a review of the antenna, it’s just a quick note on my observations and experience from the hours of enjoyment I’ve now had using it.
My conclusion? It’s brilliant.
I’ve caught several stations now generally not audible through the day with the Tecsun AN-200. The signal gain of the larger 36cm diameter PK loop compared with the 22cm Tecsun, improves reception quite drastically. Combined with a ‘split band?’ switch from 525 to 710kHz in the left position and from 710 to 1725kHz on the right, it does a great job of matching the radio’s tuned frequency to the loop without feeling finicky while turning the knob.
MW band is split into two sections
Of course, during grey line propagation or after dark, things just keep getting better. I have a few low power ‘test’ stations that I’ll use to check conditions and test radios and antennas with and am pleased to report, that the PK Loop 36cm performed remarkably in its job of funneling those weak signals into my receiver.
Pulling in some weak signals during the twilight hours
These products are very well made and are obviously manufactured with passion, care and attention. I think it would be very difficult to break or damage one, within the confines of normal use.
As soon as I can think of an elaborate enough story to tell my other half, explaining why another large package has arrived from Australia – I can see myself ordering the larger 50cm version from Paul, too.
Click here to check out PK’s Loop Antennas.
73
Mark (M7MHY)
