Vertical vs. Horizontal Loop Antenna Performance on HF Bands

This study compares the reception performance of vertical and horizontal loop antennas on HF bands in a densely populated area. Using identical Wellgood active loop antennas and receivers, the experiment monitored FT8 signals over 24 hours. Vertical loops outperformed horizontal loops on higher bands (10m, 15m, 20m), while horizontal loops excelled on lower bands (30m, 40m, 160m), particularly in receiving long-distance (DX) signals. The horizontal loop's advantage on lower bands may be due to better low-angle performance and reduced sensitivity to man-made noise. Further research is needed to fully understand these differences and optimize antenna placement for various HF applications.