John S wrote:
On 1/18/2015 2:00 PM, Irv Finkleman VE6BP wrote:
I intend to order the MFJ-1780 Box Fan Portable Loop.
I'd have it on order already but they are closed on the weekend.

You can view an image at
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/...596a70d0_d.jpg

It is a magnetic loop configuration, and the box is
a composite wood product covering an aluminum frame
which forms the loop.

My interest was piqued by my need for a magnetic loop
which I hoped to build, but by the time I can collect the
necessary parts, I decided I could purchase the MFJ-1780
for the same money.

In particular, I became very interested because it has
a Remote Control which carries the signal and power through
the coax, and in particular a neat looking motor driven
capacitor for remote tuning.

One chap has had his hanging in a tree, with weather
protection provided by a plastic garbage bag. It has
been up for almost six months and come spring he intended
to inspect it for any possible damage to the motor/capacitor
assembly due to moisture.

I suggested he might want to spray the capacitor/motor
assembly with WD-40, and he in turn suggested that there
could be implications due to the high voltage (in the order
of Kilovolts) across the capacitor, and perhaps a silicon
spray might be better.

I could homebrew a loop easier, but collecting the parts
necessary for the loop (e.g. a motor and vacuum variable
and such. let alone the remote controller) is well beyond
my capabilities as I am somewhat handicapped and no longer
have more than a small desk for a workshop.


Has anyone suggestions or comments (except MFJ = Mighty
Fine Junk) on this matter. Any assistance would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks

de Irv VE6BP

You are going to pay $329 + tax + shipping for that? Can't you hire
someone to do the work for you for at least 3 days? Design what you want
and get 2 or 3 days work from someone who can follow directions.


I considered that John -- thanks for the reply -- a good idea but with
drawbacks.

He is going to have to decide upon and design a loop controller, then
find the necessary parts, design and print a PCB for those parts, and
then mount them and test it. Nextstep is to find an appropriate
capacitor and motor, then couple them together in such a way that they
can be mounted onto the loop. Then
find a metal worker who can cut and bend aluminum to the shape of the
loop design, etc, etc, etc. Oh yes, and guarantee it unconditionally for
one year. I've done a lot of homebrewing over the years and am now
physically incapable of locating the materials, fetching them, and
putting it all together, all for less than the cost of what MFJ is
asking. After almost sixty years plus of converting surplus, buying
and repairing broken rigs and accessories, I am now at the point
where I have decided that homebrew is out of the question and
off-the-shelf ready-to-wear rigs and accessories are going to have
to be the way to go. Nope -- this one is going to be delivered to my
door and after four years off the air due to some serious medical
problems and surgeries I'm going to get back on.
My new motto is RADIATE OR DIE TRYING! (Let's leave my pacemaker
debate for another time!) :-)

de Irv VE6BP