Alpha Antenna Alpha QRP Loop Antenna User manual

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User Guide
for the
Alpha QRP Loop Antenna
Manufactured by:
Alpha Antenna
1.888.48 .3 49
Website: http://AlphaAntenna.com
User Guide Version .0

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Table of Contents
Introduction .....................................................................................................................3
Product Overview............................................................................................................3
Safety Tips ......................................................................................................................4
Antenna Diagram ............................................................................................................5
Antenna Parts List...........................................................................................................6
Antenna Assembly Instructions.......................................................................................6
Antenna Operation..........................................................................................................6
Support Contacts ............................................................................................................8

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Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Alpha QRP 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 low
power.
The Alpha QRP Loop is a magnetic loop antenna that has very narrow bandwidths and offers
coverage for the 40, 30, 0, 17, 15, 1 , & 10 meter bands. A SWR meter or Antenna Analyzer is
needed when tuning magnetic loop antennas, and this is especially true with the Alpha QRP
Loop, as tuning is Very Sensitive.
Finally, if you require assistance assembling or using this product, please do not hesitate to call
us at 1-888-48 -3 49 or send email to: [email protected]
Product Overview
The Alpha QRP Loop Antenna is designed to operate on the 10, 1 , 15, 17, 0, 30, and 40 Meter
amateur radio bands. It will accept up to 10 Watts (PEP) of transmitter power on SSB.
We put safety first and insert a nylon shaft between the knob and the Variable Air Capacitor,
which is a design that minimizes the chance of RF burns from occurring. Hand capacitance on
this loop is significant, however, there is a technique called ‘Reverse Tuning’ documented below
that can help with this.
Additional Product Details
•Antenna Weight: 16 ounces
•Antenna Configuration: Circular Loop
•Frequency Coverage: 7 MHz to 9.7 MHz
•Maximum Power Rating: 10 Watts PEP SSB

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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 Alpha QRP Loop 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.
. 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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Antenna Dia ram
The major components of the antenna, and their relative positions, are depicted in Figure 1.
Fi ure 1

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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
Outer Loop
1
3 Inner Loop/Feedline 1
4 Grey Alpha Match box 1
Antenna Assembly Instructions
Please follow the steps listed below to assure proper operation of this antenna and deploy as
described.
Step
Assembly Operation
1
I
nspect each item for any damage.
Identify and count all parts, comparing them to the Antenna Parts List.
3
Determine
where
you will physically
sit the
antenna
.
4 Attach the Outer Loop Element to the grey Alpha Match box by attaching (screw) the PL-
59 connectors on the Outer Loop into the SO- 39 connectors on the Alpha Match.
5
Setup the
Alpha Match
on a flat stable surface.
6 Attach the Inner Loop/Feedline using the included Velcro to the approximate center of
the Outer Loop Element
7
Now it is time to connect the antenna with your feedline to your radio. Attach your
feedline to the antenna and then connect the other end to your antenna analyzer, which
is then subsequently connected to your
radio
after tuning
.
Antenna Operation
The Alpha QRP Loop antenna has a built in tuning knob on the Alpha Match. It is with this black
knob that you tune the antenna to the lowest SWR of :1 or less 10-40 meters. NOTE – It is
easier to match and learn to tune the loop on 40 meters. The following technique has proven to
be the easiest method for tuning the Alpha QRP Loop in nearly all scenarios:
1) After attaching your coax to your radio, turn the tick mark on the Black Knob to
relatively close proximity for the frequency range marked on the Alpha Match.

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a. The capacitor can turn past 360 degrees without damaging any component.
) Now connect and power on your antenna analyzer and set your analyzer to the
frequency you would like to operate.
3) Fine tune the Alpha Match with the black knob till the SWR meter on your analyzer is as
low as possible.
OPTIONAL REVERSE TUNING (Offset frequency while tuning for hand capacitance)
a. While tuning with the analyzer and to off-set the effect of hand capacitance,
which is significant, 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.
OPTIONAL FINE TUNING (Change frequency of the analyzer to find the lowest SWR)
a. Continue to use your antenna analyzer, and while watching the SWR meter on
your analyzer, move the tuning knob on the analyzer till minimum SWR is
attained. It is at the frequency where minimum SWR is shown on the analyzer
that you can operate on at a minimum SWR.
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 QRP Loop except the black knob while
transmittin .

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Support Contacts
Email: [email protected] - Phone: [phone]
NOTES: