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Reviews For: KU4AB SQ-144 2m square loop

Category: Antennas: VHF/UHF+ Omnidirectional: verticals, mobile, etc

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Review Summary For : KU4AB SQ-144 2m square loop
Reviews: 28MSRP: 37.95
Description:
Horizontal polarization and a omnidirectional pattern makes the SQ design GREAT for VHF sideband. The Hairpin match/mount makes the antenna extremely quiet for weak signal receiving because the DC ground keeps down static.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ku4ab.com/index.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00284.3
KI4FIA Rating: 2005-08-09
It works, but customer service isn't the best. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have a pair of these which I had stacked using the supplied phasing harness. The quality of the antennas is ok. The phasing harness needs to be waterproofed as KU4AB did no water proofing. The phasing harness supplied by Arrowantennas for their stacked antennas is waterproofed and no 'homemade' looking.

I've made many contacts with my loops in both SSB and CW.

Before purchasing my antennas I had written to KU4AB with some questions relating to the antennas he had on eBay. I sent two emails but never received a response. Against my better judgement I still placed an order, after paying I once again emailed to inquire that my payment was received, now for the third time no response.

When receiving my order there was NO instructions, no a sheet of paper. NOTHING! The first question is "how far to I stack these loop?". I had to do a lot of internet research to find the answer. Several months later another local ham bought a pair of the loops, he too received no paperwork with his antennas, he was able to get KU4AB to send a sheet of directions at a later date.

In summary these antennas do work, however they do look 'homemade' as well as does the phasing harness. Two different local hams were able to copy demensions from mine and make their own which worked every bit as well but only cost $5 in materials.
K7VO Rating: 2005-08-07
A tiny little antenna that actually works Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
OK, an omni loop is not a beam. It has no gain. A beam (mine included) will outperform it in a given direction. However, these little antennas do get out amazingly well and are ideal for space restricted installations, mobile, and portable operation on 2m SSB/CW. For the size and the cost nothing beats the KU4AB square loop. Unlike some other brands these do not detune in wet weather.

I've had mine up about three months, just one mind you, on a mast on my deck. My QTH is on a hill which helps. I can work lots of stations with this antenna or else point my beam once I know which direction the signals are coming from if I need some gain.

I also own the 6m and 70cm versions and am about to order the new 1.35m (222MHz) version. I am completely satisfied with my SQ-144 and I probably will move to a stacked pair at sometime in the future.
W4ABX Rating: 2005-05-31
Amazing Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I have to admit, when I saw the loops in person, My first thought was "what have I bought?". Then I put up a pair of stacked 144's and stacked 50's, and they exceeded all my expectations. I checked into the local 2 meter SSB net, and the comments immediately started flowing about my how much clearer my signal was. Net control wanted to know if I put up a new beamer. When I told him about the loops, everyone else wanted to know more. It was a hot topic for the evening. To make a long story short, I wouldn't trade the loops for any amount of beams, and the 2 meter mobile loop has been a real thrill to use on the road. Check 'em out!( Oh yeah, worked Florida from North Carolina on 6 meters within minutes of installation.)
W4REB Rating: 2005-04-06
GUD SERVICE-EXCELLENT PRODUCT Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Needed 6M & 2M horizontal antennas for condo in SW FL with major HOA restrictions. Review of KU4AB's antennas in April QST prompted me to order one of each from him. Package arrived damaged via FedEx, with a damaged 6M loop and missing the 2M loop. Took pictures and e-mailed them to Phil. He offerred to replace it all, but I thought I could repair the damage to the 6M iwth a couple of parts from him. At his own expense, Phil re-shipped the missing 2M loop and the repair parts for the 6M via FedEx the next day. I'm happy to report both antennas work great, as the first contact on 2M SSB was 80 miles away, and hearing TEP from South America & working W9's on Es with the 6m loop. Excellent service from Phil, and the antennas do indeed WORK as advertised.
KE6ZXR Rating: 2004-12-21
GREAT ANTENNA!!!!!! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found this antenna system on the internet.Emailed the contact with my needs and helped me all the way!Orderd the stacked set,comes compleate with harness and ready to install antennas.Shipped fast fedex.Antennas were built tough and clean.Set up was quick and my local ssb club said my siginal was much stronger and cleaner as usual.My first dx contact was 180 miles on 2.5 watts.Very impressave.Good true gain, built tough, great portable.Ive got the set up 20 ft off the porch,and ordering a single for mountaintopping.A great purchase!!!!!!
N3PKC Rating: 2004-09-23
These are a MUST if you've got a beam! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The price was right, pair of SQ-144's were shipped FedEx, arrived assembled, tuned, and ready for use. Installation was a snap. Stacking harness uses Belden cable, looks and works great. I just had to make sure all 5 of the connections were waterproof before I put it up in the sky (very carefully with vinyl tape secured with zip ties). I stacked them about 40" apart before feeding them with 9913 and putting them up around 45'. Right away it proved to be a good omni, picking up stations from all directions. Within minutes I worked a station up in CT, 114 miles away with ease. I think I could do even better than that!...The stacked pairs won't come close to your yagi, but they pick up everything the beams miss and for that are worth their weight in gold. They are also a lot easier to get higher up in the sky as they are small and can withstand (for example!) a tree installation. Should these loops be damaged I think the SOLID Aluminum design will really pay off over the other loops that use TUBING. Anyone who has tried to fix bent aluminum tubing will know what I'm talking about. 5/5 the loops are here to stay
KG9LR Rating: 2004-08-24
great loop Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I had a omni loop on my beacon and it was doing an ok job but then I happened across these omni loop antennas I am running a set (stacked) of these antennas and they are great I have gotten e-mail from people 300 miles away who are hearing my beacon and it is only 2.5 watts. now this may not be a record but at my location the antenna is only 9 ft. above the ground and is doing far better than anything else that I have used..the price is right about half that of others that have not preformed as well...great antenna kg9lr (144.281)beacon 24 hours... unless I am on the air
N4ROZ Rating: 2004-08-24
Excelent 2 meter ssb Antenna Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I recently bought one of KU4AB 2 meter loop antennas to use with my 2 meter all mode rig. So far I have been OVERLY impressed with these antennas. I have showed them to all my Ham buddies and let many of them try them out on the air on 144.200 and they have all been impressed wit this system. I have made contacts over 600 miles away on 2 meter ssb with this antenna system. KU4AB really put some time and effort into these antennas. They work GRRRREAT and cost about half what a good beam will cost you. And the difference between this antenna and a 5 element 2 meter beam is only about 1 s unit. Great antenna!