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Full Version: Optimizing H-Field Antennas for Urban Installations
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Hi all,

I’ve been experimenting with a more compact H-field loop antenna setup for my station — mainly because I’m in a pretty noisy urban area with limited space on the roof. Switching to a twisted pair loop with a ferrite-loaded core has actually cut down some of the EMI for me, maybe by around 30% compared to my old open loop.

I also tried putting the preamp in a grounded metal box, and that definitely helped a bit more.

Curious if anyone else here is dealing with tight spaces or lots of RFI?
Thanks in advance!
(2025-05-22, 08:22)WonderNomad Wrote: [ -> ]Hi all,

I have been considering using a more compact H-field loop antenna for use in high noise urban environments. Using a twisted pair loop and a ferrite loaded core seems to reduce EMI by about 30% compared to the previous open loop configuration.

Enclosure shielding (metal boxes grounded properly) also made a noticeable difference. Anyone else working with space-limited or high-RFI locations?

If you're a system owner/operator, Welcome!
If not, don't expect much response. Sounds like you're trying to install antennas in an extremely poor location.  Totally worst scenario.

Such discussions exist, but mostly in the 'participant' and other internal boards.
Otherwise, many of us simply aren't going into discussion on the open/public forum, and aren't going to share our non-standard experiments outside the 'internal' or private discussions.  Remember... exotic non-standard antennas deviations can be quite detrimental to consistency and locating accuracy in general, theoretically all stations should be identical, at worst, using antennas within the basic 'families'.
We can upgrade your forum credentials, IF we validate you are a station owner.

What is your station number and system?  Is it active? 
A little discussion about something as important as the antenna would be useful for people that are considering buying into the detection network.
You'd hate to buy a blitzortung box and find out that you were in a "totally worst scenario" situation right from the start.