ART BELL, “Coast to Coast AM” Radio Show Host, W6OBB/SK & Big Double Loop HF antenna
Updated: Aug 21
This page is about Art Bell's Big Double Loop HF ham antenna, which was not really understood by many.
Overview of the Big Double Loop HF Antenna
The Big Double Loop HF antenna is a unique and innovative design that has garnered attention within the amateur radio community. This antenna is characterized by its distinctive loop configuration, which is crafted to enhance performance across various high-frequency bands.
Design Features
The Big Double Loop HF antenna consists of two large loops. This configuration allows for increased gain and improved radiation patterns compared to traditional dipole antennas.
Operational Benefits
One of the primary advantages of the Big Double Loop HF antenna is its ability to operate effectively across multiple frequency bands. This versatility makes it an appealing choice for amateur radio operators who wish to communicate over various distances without the need for multiple antennas. Additionally, the antenna's design minimizes the impact of nearby objects and structures, reducing interference and enhancing signal clarity.
Challenges in Understanding
Despite its many benefits, the Big Double Loop HF antenna has not been widely adopted by many amateur radio operators. This can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of familiarity with loop antenna theory, misconceptions about its performance, and the complexity involved in its installation and tuning. Many operators may find themselves hesitant to experiment with this design due to these perceived challenges, leading to a gap in understanding its full potential.
Conclusion
In summary, the Big Double Loop HF antenna represents a fascinating and effective solution for amateur radio enthusiasts seeking to expand their capabilities. While it may not be fully understood by many, those like Ary Bell who took the time to explore its design and operational characteristics can unlock a wealth of possibilities for communication and experimentation in the world of high-frequency radio. By fostering a deeper understanding of this antenna, the amateur radio community can continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in radio communications.
Amateur radio was the early beginning for a career in radio for Art Bell, W6OBB, who became one of America’s number one late night radio talk show hosts. Art's audience on Coast to Coast AM grew to 15 million listeners in over five-hundred markets.
Bell also founded and operated Pahrump FM station KNYE 95.1 which he sold in 2006. Art Bell referred to the Pahrump area as "The Kingdom of Nye", hence the KNYE call sign.
Art Bell became a licensed amateur radio operator at 13. His initial call sign was KN3JOX, first appearing in the Winter 1959 edition of the Radio Amateur Callbook. He soon upgraded to K3JOX and later held W2CKS, first listed in the Spring 1967 Callbook. Bell held an Amateur Extra Class license W6BOO. He also had a 1st Radio Phone, the highest U.S. Federal Communications Commission license. He passed the Philippines amateur radio exams and became a Philippine Class A amateur radio operator with the call sign 4F1AB. While in the Philippines, Bell was active on 40-10 Meters and 144.6 MHz simplex in Manila.
His USA call was W6OBB in NV.
I knew Art Bell personally and helped him on a number of projects. My XYL Barb N0UO and I spend time with him and his YL at his compound in Southern Nevada, the last time was just a few months before he passed.
This page is about his ham Big double Loop antenna, which was not really understood by many.
I also had his shows on some of my commercial broadcast radio stations. Including his last syndicated show in 2015, which only lasted a few months called,
"Midnight in the Desert"https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...of-new-affiliates-for-midnight-in-the-desert/
The Pahrump Valley Museum in Nye County features a section dedicated to him, showcasing his ham station and several of his logbooks (is your name in one of them?)
Art Said, There is something magic about bouncing a signal off of the ionosphere and having someone on the other side of the world respond, Radio is a Science, a Mystery, and a Wonderment"
Art's Antennas, a hundred foot radio tower, and on that tower, a KLM/M2 log periodic LPDA, a six meter beam, two meter and 440,
The big loop of 1200 foot of wire antenna at the very top. The hundred foot tower was the main support for the beam. (I think in reality the loop was just over a 1000 foot, after it got installed}, not a rhombic but a very large loop for sure.
He said in the 2000s that "I think I may have the largest private loop antenna, actually it is a double loop made of number 10 wire, that completely encircles my five acres piece of land, What can I say? It is a kick butt antenna. There it is, a double loop. The wires are separated by about seven feet. It was inspired by The W6AM Rhombic Ranch".
ART also said "The loop antenna was held up by a total of 13 steel pole towers, and those towers are about 76 feet tall each. Again, each one's supporting this double loop, and it's an amazing antenna. I don't know what to tell you. It's simply amazing. It'll make a hundred watts sound like several thousand. It's that effective, and I put it up mainly for 160, 80, and 40. I really, really love 160 meters. I love 75 meters, and I spent a great deal of time on 75, and I want to talk briefly if I can, about my lost love, and when I say lost love, that's 75 meters. There are some pretty bad actors on 75 meters here in the U.S, both on the East Coast and the West Coast."
ART: "I built this, God, I don't know how much I spent on that antenna, I bet I spent $20,000 total on that antenna, and it was to have fun on 75 meters.". I know that even in 2003 he spent much more than that!
His last equipment was a Yaesu FTDX9000 delta, IC 7800. and a Alpha 77 Amp. Before his passing, he told me that he was getting an new Icom IC 7851.
Bell often referred to amateur radio as "magical".
Art announced the loop antenna project on his Coast to Coast radio show in May 2003
The Big loop used 13 steel pipe poles, with PVC insulator pipe at the top, for a total height of 76 feet.
NOTICE 03/01/2001: The '3830 Group' has changed frequencies to 3853 KHz for the time being, while interference is present on 3830. Should the interference move to 3853, look for us back on 3830.
The 3830 group is a bunch of Ham radio guys and gals who have a long history of conversing on technical issues and current events, on the 75-meter Ham band. The group originally started with Art (W6OBB), Bob (K6MIT) and ORV (K6UEY). Art may come up on frequency after the show and many times on Saturday and Sunday nights.
The group starts up generally about 12 Midnight, lasting until 4AM Pacific time.
Shortwave Listeners will need a radio capable of receiving SSB (Single-Side Band) signals as we use LSB (Lower-Side Band). Tune into 3830 KHZ, or 3.830 MHZ on your SW receiver dial. Reception is generally better on the west coast, east coast listeners may not be able to hear all stations with out using a remote SDR.
Art Bell's Ham callsign is W6OBB.Keith Rowland, your webmaster's call sign is KG7EL.
The 3830 group has a members picture page at www.qsl.net/3830/
The 3830 group has a Message Forum called, "Voices in the Night."
Physical & Museum Exhibits
Pahrump Valley Museum (Nye County, Nevada): The museum features an official exhibit dedicated to Art Bell, showcasing physical radio equipment from his shack, photos of his 100-foot tower and loop array, and several of his original ham radio station logbooks. Is your Call in his old log book?
Art Bell served in the military as a Vietnam era U.S. Air Force medic. It was in the Air Force that he again entered broadcasting
A funny Pahrump story from the ham radio repairs chat group:
The late Art Bell, W6OBB, of “Coast to Coast AM” fame had a late model 1.5 kw Alpha (think it was an 89 with aux fan)…..and it was tuned up for 10M FM, at 1.5 KW into a flat SWR. He drives to Vegas, 75 miles away…and in the meantime, his cat comes into the shack, and falls asleep on the footswitch. Art gets home, and smoke and stink in the shack. Amp was roasted. Art phones up Alpha and tells ’em it ran 1.5 kw on 10m FM for 4.5 hrs. Alpha tech tells Art….. ‘don’t believe all the advertising hype’.
Bell also founded and operated Pahrump FM station KNYE 95.1 which he sold in 2006. Art Bell referred to the Pahrump area as "The Kingdom of Nye", hence the KNYE call sign.
A very poor video of this site, almost creepy
one more poor video
Art, 73
K0UO Steve Walz
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