My article this week will compare the Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ wideband receiving loops. Both perform really well for MW and SWL.

Above right, you can see my Active Antenna Amplifier AAA-1C loop from Chavdar, LZ1AQ. These have been my main listening antenna for nearly five years. I use a pair of them, 100 feet apart, for a loop array. On the left, about 25 feet into the woods, is my Wellbrook ALA-330S loop, recently purchased used from a local ham in Calgary.

Both are mounted about six feet above ground. The Wellbrook and one of the orthogonal LZ1AQ loops are oriented E-W. Both are fed with around 75 feet of transmission line, and powered with 12 VDC.

As specified, the ALA-330S is attenuated below 3 MHz. This reduces overload from nearby AM broadcasters. Still, MW signals received on the Wellbrook are strong enough for regional DX, although I would give the AAA-1C the edge on trans-Pacific weak signals.

On shortwave, the Wellbrook really shines, with signals around 6-10 dB stronger, especially in the 7-20 MHz range. However, SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is about the same.

When you compare the Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ loops overall, I would say it is a toss-up on HF, with a slight edge to the ALA-330S on signal strength.

Wellbrook versus LZ1AQ Wideband Loop Antennas

The downside of the AAA-1C system is that you have to DIY build your own 1 meter loop hardware. As I have written before, this is not hard. You can use aluminum, copper, wire or aluminum core PEX as I have done.

The upside of the AAA-1C system is that you can use it to control and amplify a selection of two loops, which can be oriented in different directions. And, even with the cost of building your own loops, the LZ1AQ costs around a third of the Wellbrook antennas, which are no longer for sale.

I have been using the Wellbrook with my Perseus receiver, and the LZ1AQ phased array with my dual-channel radios. My phased array always out-performs the single loop from medium wave up. Adding a rotator to the single Wellbrook loop would probably help with that antenna.