Alpha Antenna Alpha Loop (Sr) User manual

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User Guide
For
Model – Alpha Loop (Sr)
Manufactured by:
Alpha Antenna
1. .4 2.3249
Website: http://AlphaAntenna.com
User Guide Version 2.4
August , 2017

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Table of Contents
Purpose .................................................................................................................. 4
Introduction ........................................................................................................... 4
Safety Tips ............................................................................................................. 5
Product Overview .................................................................................................. 6
Antenna Parts List .................................................................................................. 6
Antenna Assembly Instructions .............................................................................. 7
Antenna Operation .............................................................................................. 10
APPENDIX A – OPTIONAL BOOSTER CABLE .......................................................... 11
A.1 – Image .......................................................................................................... 11
Support Contacts ................................................................................................. 12
REPORTING ERRORS AND RECOMMENDING IMPROVEMENTS
You can help improve this manual. If you find any mistakes or if you know of a way to
improve the procedures, please let us know. Mail or email us a marked copy to the contact
information on the last page of this manual.
REPORTING EQUIPMENT IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS (EIR)
If your Alpha Multiband Antenna needs improvement, let us know. You, the user, are the
only one who can tell us what you don’t like about your equipment. Mail or email us an EIR
to the contact information on the last page of this manual.

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Excess RF Exposure Warning
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission has established guidelines
for human exposure to Radio Frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields. The commission’s
requirements are detailed in parts 1 & 2 of the FCC’s rules and regulations {47 CFR,
1.1307(b), 1.1310, 22.1091, 2.1093}. It is the responsibility of the owner/operator of this
device to follow all applicable warnings and precautions regarding human exposure to RF
fields.
The FCC Office of Engineering Technology (OET) Bulletin 65, Supplement B, Evaluating
Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radio frequency Electromagnetic
Fields directly concerns the use and operations of all Alpha Antenna systems. This bulletin
establishes safe operating distances from antennas associated power levels in order to
permit the operator and persons who may be impacted by operation to exist in a safe
environment. Guidelines for Maximum Permissible Exposure, or MPE, are defined in
Supplement B of the bulletin.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Refer to the above mentioned Supplement B along with FCC OET Bulletin 65, Version 97-
01. The information in the supplement provides additional details that are used for
evaluating compliance of amateur radio stations with FCC guidelines for exposure to radio
frequency electromagnetic fields. Supplement B users should, however, also consult
Bulletin 65 for complete information on FCC policies, guidelines, and compliance related
issues. Definitions of terms used in this supplements appear in Bulletin 65. Bulletin 65 can
be viewed and downloaded from the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology’s web
site at: http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety

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Purpose
Alpha Antenna designs easy use systems for modern day challenges. As the first line of contact
or last line of resort; Alpha Antenna is your small business manufacturer for Alpha Antenna
systems.
Definition
Multiband System: A multipurpose antenna system, which can be positioned to launch your
signal as circumstances require.
Purpose: Targeted Deployment for purpose driven missions.
Deployment Options: A) Tripod deployment, B) Mobile deployment, C) EMCOMM deployment,
D) Tactical deployment.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Alpha Loop Antenna. We hope that you will enjoy using this
product, as we continue to receive written testimonials from Amateur Radio Operators (Hams)
who are surprised by the antenna’s ability to make many long distance contacts, using relatively
low power.
The Alpha Loop is a magnetic loop antenna that is relatively easy to tune and offers coverage
for 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, & 10 meter bands. The antenna is approximately 3 feet 1 inches in
diameter and has a built-in tuner at the base of the antenna. This antenna is so efficient that it
can be used from a porch or balcony with only a 2-3db reduction in performance. It can also be
used indoors, where the structure will impact how much reduction in performance is realized
(typically 3-5db on a wood structure, 5- db on rebar reinforced concrete structures, and -12db
in steel buildings).

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Safety Tips
When installing or operating this antenna or any other antenna/tower, please observe the
following safety tips.
NOTE – Hi h volta es are present when transmittin , no matter how much or little power is
applied. Do not touch any part of the antenna while transmittin .
WARNING: INSTALLATI N R PERATI N F THIS PR DUCT NEAR P WER LINES IS
DANGER US! F R Y UR SAFETY, F LL W THE ENCL SED INSTALLATI N DIRECTI NS. TH UGH
THIS ANTENNA IS C NSTRUCTED F INSULATED WIRE, PR PER CARE MUST BE TAKEN DURING
INSTALLATI N. INSTALLER ASSUMES ALL LIABILITY F R PR PERTY AND LIFE SAFETY.
YOU, YOUR ANTENNA, AND SAFETY
Each year, hundreds of people are killed, mutilated, or receive severe and permanent injuries
when attempting to install an antenna. In many of these cases, the victim was aware of the
danger of electrocution, but did not take adequate steps to avoid the hazard. For your safety,
and to help you achieve a good installation, please READ and FOLLOW the safety precautions
below. THEY MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE!
1. If you are installing an antenna for the first time, please, for your own safety as well as
others, seek PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE.
2. Select your installation site with safety, as well as performance, in mind. REMEMBER:
ELECTRIC POWER LINES AND PHONE LINES LOOK ALIKE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, ASSUME THAT ANY
OVERHEAD LINES CAN KILL YOU.
3. Call your electric power company. Tell them your plans and ask them to come take a look at
your proposed installation. This is a small inconvenience, considering YOUR LIFE IS AT STAKE.
4. Plan your installation procedure carefully and completely before you begin. Successful raising
of a mast or tower is largely a matter of coordination. Each person should be assigned a specific
task, and should know what to do and when to do it. One person should be designated as the
leader/coordinator of the operation to call out instructions and watch for signs of trouble.
5. When installing your antenna, REMEMBER: DO NOT USE A METAL LADDER. DO NOT WORK
ON A WET OR WINDY DAY. DO DRESS PROPERLY: shoes with rubber soles and heels, rubber
gloves, long sleeved shirt or jacket.
6. If the assembly starts to drop, get away from it and let it fall. Remember, the antenna, mast,
cable and metal guy wires are all excellent conductors of electrical current. Even the slightest
touch of any of these parts to a power line completes an electrical path through the antenna
and the installer – THAT’S YOU!
7. If ANY PART of the antenna system should come in contact with a power line, DON’T TOUCH
IT OR TRY TO REMOVE IT YOURSELF. CALL YOUR LOCAL POWER COMPANY. They will remove
it safely. If an accident should occur with the power lines, call for qualified emergency help
IMMEDIATELY.

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Product Overview
The Alpha Loop Antenna is designed to operate continuously from 10 through 40 meters, which
includes the 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, and 40 Meter amateur radio bands. It will accept up to 30
Watts (PEP) of transmitter power on SSB on these bands.
Additional Details
•Antenna Weight: 1.5 pounds
•Tripod Weight: 1 pound
•Duffle bag Weight: .6 pounds
•Antenna Configuration: Circular Loop
•Frequency Coverage: 7 MHz to 29.700 MHz
•Maximum Power Rating: 30 Watts PEP SSB (15 Watts CW or 10 Watts Digital)
•Diameter of Alpha Loop Antenna system: Approximately 3 feet
Antenna Parts List
The following parts are included with this antenna. Please contact our support line if you
discover that parts are missing or damaged.
Item Description Qty. Comment
1 Outer Loop 1 Continuous frequency coverage from 7 to 29.7
MHz using crimped & soldered Silver Plated PL-
259s, which is the same technique used to build
MIL-SPEC connections for the U.S. Military
2 Selfie Stick 1 The inner loop should remain installed on the
selfie stick.
3 Mount 1 Integrated mount with 3/ x24 & 1/4x20 threads
4 Inner Loop 1 Specially constructed & not just a length of coax.
5 Silver Plated SO-239s 1 Occasional cleaning with a light detergent is
recommended.
6 Alpha Match Enclosure 1 NEMA High-voltage box
7 Duffel Bag 1 Optional
Tripod 1 Optional

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Antenna Assembly Instructions
Please follow the steps listed below to assure proper operation and deployment.
Step Assembly
1
Locate the Selfie Stick:
Extend the sections and take note of the
hole on the bottom (Figure 1). This hole is
where the screw on top of the grey Alpha
Match box will attach.
2
Locate the rey Alpha Match box:
Place the screw from the top of the back
support bracket on the grey Selfie Match
box into the bottom hole on the Alpha
Stick (Figure 2) and turn till it is secure
Note - There is a 1/4 - 20 threaded hole
on the bottom of the support bracket that
can be used to mount the antenna on an
optional tripod.

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Step Assembly
3
Locate the lar e Coaxial Loop element:
Straighten this Alpha Coaxial Loop Element to form an approximate circle that is
slightly larger than 3 feet in diameter. Take note of the approximate center for this run
of coax. This is where the smaller Coaxial Loop element will be attached using the
included fastener.
4
Locate the smaller Coaxial Loop element:
Attach this coax with the fastener to the top and center of the large Coaxial Loop
element. (Note – When the antenna is Vertical, the smaller Loop will be
located inside the Outer (larger) Loop.
5
Locate the Mount and Thumb Screw:
Mount the coax as depicted in Figure 3,
and then secure the thumb screw till it is
finger tight.

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Step Assembly
6
a) Use the Top Clamp on
the Selfie Stick to secure
the Coaxial Loop
Elements at their center
by removing the
securing screw, inserting
the coax as depicted in
Figure 4.
b) b) Adjust the placement
of the coaxial loops so
that the larger element
PL-259 ends are near the
Alpha Match box.
c) c) Attach the PL-259
connectors on the larger
Coaxial Loop Element to
the SO-239 connectors
on the grey Alpha Match
box per Figure 5.
7
Connect your coaxial feed line to the SO239 on the T-Connector that is installed
between the PL259s on the smaller Coaxial Loop element, then run that coax to your
radio.

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Antenna Operation
The Alpha Loop antenna has a built in tuning knob, which is black, on the Alpha Match. It is with
this knob that you tune the antenna to the lowest SWR of less than 1.9:1 on any frequency
from the 10 Meter through the 40 Meter band. The following technique has proven to be the
easiest method for tuning the Alpha Loop in nearly all scenarios:
1) After attaching your coax, turn your radio on and to the frequency you would like to
operate, then adjust the volume so you can hear it while standing at the antenna.
2) Turn the black knob on the Alpha Match till you hear the loudest noise level coming
from the speaker. You may now select either or both steps 3 & 4 in your tuning of the
antenna. We recommend using both when you first start using the antenna.
3) Set the meter on your transmitter to show SWR upon transmit. You may also use an
external SWR Meter/Analyzer. If using an analyzer, simply tune for the lowest SWR using
the black knob on the Alpha Match. Otherwise, return to the radio by barely turning the
black knob on the Alpha Match, and then set your rig into transmit mode at the lowest
power output available. While watching the SWR meter, tune for the lowest SWR.
Hint – It is easier to learn how to tune the Alpha Loop on 40 meters.
OPTIONAL REVERSE TUNING (How to account for hand capacitance while tuning)
a. To compensate the effect of hand capacitance that might occur, a technique
called reverse tuning can be used. To reverse tune a magnetic loop, tune for
minimum SWR while touching the Black Knob on the Alpha Match, say 1.9:1; and
then when you remove your hand you might see 4.3:1 for example; then all you
have to do is tune for 4.3:1 while your hand is on the knob to achieve an SWR of
1.9:1 when you remove your hand.
NOTE – Hi h volta es are present when transmittin , no matter how much or little power is
applied. Do not touch any part of the Alpha Loop except the black knob while transmittin .

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APPENDIX A – OPTIONAL BOOSTER CABLE
The Alpha loop Booster Cable enables your 10-40 meter Magnetic Loop Antenna to
transmit and receive on 40, 60 & 80 meters at 20 watts PEP SSB. The Alpha loop
Booster Cable also increases the efficiency for 80 through 40 meters.
The Booster Cable consists of a specially tuned section of Times Microwave LMR-400
coax plus a double-female SO239/UHF connector that connects to either PL259 on your
10-40 meter outer loop, resulting in a 120% increase in a double loop configuration. The
Booster Cable is easily installed or uninstalled with Velcro straps.
Step 1 – Setup your 10-40 Meter Alpha Loop per that products manual
Step 2 – Disconnect one PL259 from the outer loop on the 10-40 Meter Alpha Loop
Step 3 – Screw the disconnected PL259 into one side of the SO239 barrel connector
included with the Booster Cable, so that the outer loop and Booster Cable are in Series
Step 4 – Double the newly formed loop around twice so the Booster Cable’s unused
PL259 comes in contact with open the SO239 on the grey Alpha Match box
Step 5 – Screw the PL259 on the Booster Cable into the SO239 no the grey Alpha Match
box
Step 6 – Affix the loops together with the included Velcro straps at the 1, 4, 7, & 11
o’clock positions
Step 7 – Attach your coax from your radio to the SO239
Step 8 – Return to the 10-40 Meter Alpha Loop manual for tuning instructions
A.1 – Ima e

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Support Contacts
If you have questions about your antenna, please feel free to contact us.
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: 1- -4 2-3249
WEB: www.alphaantenna.com