Is a loran antenna useful for anything else?

Sea Wolf

New member
Is a loran antenna useful for anything else?

Like a lot of folks, I've got a used unit and it's antenna, and was wondering if the antenna was useful for any other application before I dismount it.

Can it be used as an AM/FM antenna, for instance, or does the length and/or internal configuration/material(s) make it a poor choice?

I realize the connector on the cable would have to be changed.

Just wondering....


Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Joe, Loran C transmits at 100khz. That's about 450 khz below the lowest AM radio frequency and who listens to AM anyway? I seriously doubt the antenna is "tuned" much but if you really wanted to find out, there are ways to find the resonant frequency of the antenna - and that might determine if it's going to be useful in electronics or to hold your sox up in the air to dry.

Don
 
Your loran antenna will have a "coupler" which is basically a loading coil at the base. this is what allows a 36" whip to recieve long wave signals. You could use this antennna for general purpose SSB or radio with an antenna tuner. (but only for reception). A ham can test the antenna and find out what the other resionate frequncies are present. I suspect it would work for Weather Fax (as long as that is supported), as well as AM radio, and other long wave frequencies. Not useful for marine VHF, GPS etc. It would be for differential GPS (but few are using that currently).

Who knows what may be coming dow the pipe from the FCC as they try and take radio frequency spectrum for "Broad Band etc".
 
Back
Top