Self-Paced Course — FRAME LOOP RECEIVING/TRANSMITTING ANTENNA

TM-ANT-030 — Open Handout TM-ANT-030 Estimated time: 2–3 hours (reading + practice + field lab) Handout: TM-ANT-030 (frame_loop/tm.html) — keep it open throughout

What You Will Be Able to Do

TLO-1: Given the required materials and tools — construct the FRAME LOOP RECEIVING/TRANSMITTING ANTENNA per TM-ANT-030, tune it to resonance, and verify performance meets the SWR and resonance criteria stated in Chapter 7.

TLO-2: Given NanoVNA or SWR bridge measurements — interpret resonance and SWR data, apply the required calculations from Appendix A, and determine pass/fail against the stated acceptance criterion.

Scope

This manual covers the Frame Loop Receiving/Transmitting Antenna for low-noise directional reception on 40M, 20M, 15M (7–21 MHz). This is a receive-only antenna. The primary performance metrics are front-to-back ratio, noise figure, and signal-to-noi

What You Need

Handout

  • TM-ANT-030 (FRAME LOOP RECEIVING/TRANSMITTING ANTENNA) — open alongside this course

Equipment (needed for Unit 4 and Unit 5 labs)

  • Materials specified in Chapter 3
  • NanoVNA or SWR bridge
  • Calculator

Course Units

Unit Topic TM Chapters Est. Time
Unit 1 Theory of Operation Ch. 2 20 min
Unit 2 Materials and Construction Ch. 3 20 min
Unit 3 Assembly Procedures Ch. 4 25 min
Unit 4 Calibration and Tuning Ch. 5, Ch. 6, App. A 45 min (lab)
Unit 5 Verification and Field Testing Ch. 7 30 min (lab)
Final Assessment 15-question written test All 20 min

How to Use This Course

  1. Work units in order.
  2. For each unit: read the assigned TM chapter first, then read the unit, then answer the self-check questions.
  3. Self-check answers are at the bottom of each unit — try before looking.
  4. The checkpoint at the end of each unit is a go/no-go.
  5. Complete the Unit 4 and Unit 5 labs with a real antenna before taking the final assessment.
  6. Passing score: 13/15 (87%). All calculation questions must be correct regardless of total score.