I've had great results with the MTM Scientific Loop. Although they no longer sell them assembled you can download the plans for free. This is about twice the size of the smaller loops I have like the AN-100/200, Terk etc  and provides substantially more gain, and they can also provide the air variable capacitor.

http://www.mtmscientific.com/loop.html

I also wrote it up here...it really performs very well.

https://radiojayallen.com/mtm-scientific-am-loop/

Jay

Hi Mark
Yea, it doesn’t get much use now I have to admit!

Well I ordered another AN-200 today, and also, just for fun, a Youloop passive. For £24 from Amazon I thought it was worth a try. Watch this space 😊.
Drifter

Drifter, 

Looks like you're part of the ever growing list of v115 haters!

I can also include myself in this list, I'm really not a big fan and only included it in my previous post because it's an ultralight, after all and was successful in picking up 864! 

I hope you have better luck with the an 200 in future, I really can't fault mine and to be honest, wouldn't be without it now.

Good luck 

Hi Mark
That’s very informative, thanks. It would appear you’re having more luck with your V-115 than I did, but on the up side, it was the radio that got me started! Mine wasn’t the Retekess, it was I believe the first version sold under another name (can’t remember 😟). It was in the kitchen for a year or two and before I threw it out I thought I’d play with it, and that as they say was that! It now sits in the glove compartment of my car, just in case my 368 isn’t in my pocket 🙂. 

I had one of those AN 200 loops but sent it back, I’ll try another one. I have a feeling I might have thought I got Radio Riyadh once, but then discovered that there was another more powerful transmitting on a very close-by frequency. I’m NOT saying that’s what you got, it’s just a stirred memory. Perhaps the info source I used was out of date, because your comment about it being ‘the most powerful’ makes me doubt my recall. Anyway, I’ll definitely tune in that frequency for a while and see what I get. I’ll go and order another AN 200!
Drifter

Hi Drifter, 

I'm using a Tecsun AN 200 loop. I've only tried tuning into 864 with the Radiwow R-108 and Retekess V115 ultralights' so far, both with great results.

Radio Riyadh is also a great DX from Saudi on 1521, for me over 4000 miles, but with a remarkable clear signal. Its a powerful station (maybe even the most powerful?) - so another good one to try, if you haven't already.

Cheers, 
Mark. 

Hi Mark
Thanks for that, it gives me something else to look for. As a matter of interest which antenna and receiver do you use?
Drifter

Thanks Russ, 

Useful link. 

Hi all, 

Can anyone confirm if 'Al Qaran' on 864 kHz does in fact broadcast out of Egypt? I pick this station up night after night, from the east coast of Scotland very clearly with my small loop antenna. A quick check on Google maps reveals that distance to be over 2600 miles!

Cheers, Mark.