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Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ Loop Comparison

wellbrook versus lz1aq

My article this week will compare the Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ wideband receiving loops. Both perform really well for MW and SWL.

Above right, you can see my Active Antenna Amplifier AAA-1C loop from Chavdar, LZ1AQ. These have been my main listening antenna for nearly five years. I use a pair of them, 100 feet apart, for a loop array. On the left, about 25 feet into the woods, is my Wellbrook ALA-330S loop, recently purchased used from a local ham in Calgary.

Both are mounted about six feet above ground. The Wellbrook and one of the orthogonal LZ1AQ loops are oriented E-W. Both are fed with around 75 feet of transmission line, and powered with 12 VDC.

As specified, the ALA-330S is attenuated below 3 MHz. This reduces overload from nearby AM broadcasters. Still, MW signals received on the Wellbrook are strong enough for regional DX, although I would give the AAA-1C the edge on trans-Pacific weak signals.

On shortwave, the Wellbrook really shines, with signals around 6-10 dB stronger, especially in the 7-20 MHz range. However, SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is about the same.

When you compare the Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ loops overall, I would say it is a toss-up on HF, with a slight edge to the ALA-330S on signal strength.

Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ Wideband Loop Antennas

The downside of the AAA-1C system is that you have to DIY build your own 1 meter loop hardware. As I have written before, this is not hard. You can use aluminum, copper, wire or aluminum core PEX as I have done.

The upside of the AAA-1C system is that you can use it to control and amplify a selection of two loops, which can be oriented in different directions. And, even with the cost of building your own loops, the LZ1AQ costs around a third of the Wellbrook antennas, which are no longer for sale.

I have been using the Wellbrook with my Perseus receiver, and the LZ1AQ phased array with my dual-channel radios. My phased array always out-performs the single loop from medium wave up. Adding a rotator to the single Wellbrook loop would probably help with that antenna.

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