Hello All,

 

For those interested in this experimental project, the final design challenge with the PL-360 7.5" plug-in loopsticks was to provide a rubber-based system to secure the relatively large antenna and frame in place, to avoid rotation in the antenna jack. Hopefully the same system would provide some additional shock resistance for both the 7.5" loopstick and frame, and reduce stress in the plug-in jack.

 

All objectives were accomplished by gluing a short section of 3/8" I.D. rubber hose to the loopstick frame, carefully positioned so that the PL-360 whip antenna tip plugs into the rubber hose, whenever the custom loopstick is plugged into the PL-360. Not only does this stop loopstick rotation, but the system provides additional shock protection for both the loopstick and frame, while dividing the loopstick weight between the whip antenna and plug-in jack. The entire 7.5" plug-in loopstick system now feels very secure, and well-protected against minor bumps and scrapes (a photo is attached below, which is also posted at http://www.mediafire.com/?yhz2w1zn2nz ).

 

The PL-360's AM-DXing personality changes dramatically with these 3" and 7.5" plug-in loopsticks, which are great fun to play around with. For those who have ordered new PL-360's and would like to try them, I plan to start some "production runs" shortly (as time allows), and also post detailed instructions for those DXers who wish to build their own. It's a very rare opportunity to get a huge, self-contained AM sensitivity boost without voiding the warranty :-)

 

73, Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)