Hello Everyone,

I'm still a new operator and learning about different antenna options.
I'm trying to come up with some kind of backup antenna for when a storm
messes up my dipole. The back of my lot is dense with small tree's and
difficult to navigate. I have to go untangle stuff after a wind storm and
in the winter its nearly inaccessible. I also have a problematic neighbor
and not sure how many years of drama I would have to deal with if there
was a "oops" with a sinker. Others have suggested I just mount a mast to
the back of my deck and stop messing with the tree's.

I have a commercial stl on the way but have been thinking about trying to
build my own. I'm not sure how difficult it would be for a new guy to
build one of these. So I pretty much just need a loop of copper pipe with
a proper capacitor for the task and all joints soldered well. Then a
smaller loop connected to the coax for the rf to be coupled into the
larger tuning loop?

I still need to work out dimensions with one of the calculators but it
doesn't seem like a hard project. One thing that I don't understand is
when people build these their self why do I see so many 3 foot diameter
loops being used on 40m when they clearly have more room? I would like to
focus on 20 - 40 meters and go with at least a 6 foot diameter loop.

Just have a few more questions.

Is there any truth that a stl oriented vertical can work better for dx
than a low dipole? I've also read that a small loop can have less losses
than other antennas when mounted close to the ground?

Not sure how much of that it true. If its not then maybe a loaded dipole
in the apex of my 20 x20 would be just as good for 40 meters?

thanks

73