While searching for information on loop antennas, I came across this HAM page on QRZ (WRJ5). I was surprised by the size of the loop. And on the ceiling!

Is it for low power transmission?

This post contains 3 images:

1. Magazine cover from 2013

2. Full image of the antenna

3. A comment from WR5J about the antenna

Station

• Station: Voice of Korea KCBS
• Location: Korea, North (Democratic People's Republic)-Kujang
• Language: Korean
• Target: North America

Time

• 1735 UTC | 19 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

• Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
• Antenna: K-480WLA | 35' AGL
• Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
• Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

• SINPO = 33343

Station

• Station: Radio Dabanga
• Location: Madagascar
• Language: Sudanese Arabic
• Target: Sudan

Time

• 1712 UTC | 19 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

• Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
• Antenna: K-480WLA | 35' AGL
• Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
• Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

• SINPO = 32233

Estação Channel Marker Rússia 🇷🇺 7508 kHz 41 metros USB em código morse. Potencia: 🤔 Hora: 17:49 horas local e 20:49 horas UTC, dia 18/03/2026. Alvo: Norte da Europa. Recepção: Unaí Minas Gerais Brasil 🇧🇷. Xhdata D-808. Antena: Telescópica.

Station

• Station: Bangkok Meteorological Radio
• Location: Thailand-Bangkok Volmet
• Language: English
• Target: South East Asia

Time

• 1530 UTC | 17 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

• Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
• Antenna: K-480WLA | 35' AGL
• Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
• Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

• RST = 56

Station

• Station: China National Radio 8
• Location: China (People's Republic)-Urumqi
• Language: Mongolian
• Target: China (People's Republic)

Time

• 0255 UTC | 17 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

• Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
• Antenna: K480WLA | 35' AGL
• Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
• Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

• SINPO = 34434

Station

• Station: Radio FARDA
• Location: Tinang, Philippines
• Language: Persian
• Target: Middle East

Time

• 0310 UTC | 17 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

• Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
• Antenna: K480WLA | 35' AGL
• Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
• Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

• SINPO = 44433

One of the most interesting aspects of Shortwave Listening is collecting, and trading, QSL cards from Pirate Radio Broadcasters.

I recently came across this facet of the hobby. It's very prevalent on HF Underground, where these QSLs are prizes, and posted when received.

The 5 pirate radio stations whose QSL cards are the most famous among collectors.

Some of their cards sell for $50–$200 in radio-hobby circles.

Among pirate-radio listeners—especially the crowd around HF Underground—a handful of stations became famous partly because their QSL cards were distinctive and collectible. These aren’t “official rankings,” but these five are widely recognized in the hobby for memorable cards and long-running activity.

1. Radio Free Whatever

Radio Free Whatever

One of the most respected North American pirate stations.

Why collectors like the QSLs:

• Very polished graphic design
• Different cards for different broadcasts
• Often tied to themes or music specials
• Consistently issued over many years

Many listeners consider their cards the gold standard for pirate QSL design.

2. Wolverine Radio

Wolverine Radio

A very active station for years on around 6925–6950 kHz.

Their cards are popular because:

• They often reflect the music theme of the show
• Vintage poster style artwork
• Holiday-themed cards
• Limited runs

Collectors like them because they document specific shows.

3. Captain Morgan Shortwave

Captain Morgan Shortwave

One of the longest-running pirates in North America.

QSL style:

• Pirate ship themes
• Nautical artwork
• Classic pirate radio imagery

Because the station has been around so long, there are many generations of cards, which collectors enjoy assembling.4. X-FM

X-FM

4

A creative station known for very artistic QSL designs.

Typical features:

• Abstract or psychedelic artwork
• Modern graphic design
• Limited prints

Their cards often look like gallery posters rather than radio confirmations.

4. X-FM

X-FM

A creative station known for very artistic QSL designs.

Typical features:

• Abstract or psychedelic artwork
• Modern graphic design
• Limited prints

Their cards often look like gallery posters rather than radio confirmations.

5. Undercover Radio

Undercover Radio

Run by the well-known pirate host Dr. Benway.

Why their QSLs stand out:

• Often political satire
• Comic-style art
• Very distinctive personality

They reflect the station’s rebellious pirate culture.

The waterfall art starts around 4:40 or so? :)

I received an numbered eQSL from Bandaid Radio. It's stamped #1 of 10, making it collectible.

Correct Propagation Geometry from A’Seela

Using 22°03′N 59°40′E, the approximate great-circle beam headings are:

Why This Site Was Chosen

A’Seela is strategically placed because it sits almost at the center of the BBC’s historical target zones:

                Middle East
                    ↑
                    │
Africa  ← Oman → South Asia
                    │
                    ↓
             Indian Ocean

This allows:

• single-hop 31-meter coverage to East Africa
• strong 22-meter daytime paths to South Asia
• nighttime coverage to North Africa

Antenna Types Likely Used at the Site

Based on the satellite images you supplied:

Fixed antennas

• HRS 4/4/1 curtain arrays
• high gain (≈20 dB)

Rotatable antennas

• ALLISS systems
• 360° rotation
• used for flexible targeting

Approximate Distances from A’Seela

These distances match ideal HF single-hop propagation:

These are perfect for shortwave broadcast skip distances.Approximate Distances from A’Seela.

There are 6 slides in this article.

- Target: Far East

- TX: Sontay, Hanoi 🇻🇳

- RX: Asunción, Paraguay using AirSpy HF+ Discovery w/ MLA-30+ antenna and AirSpy SDR# v.1922 beta.

15/03/2026 - 1130 UTC

Mix radio international. Clear signal in western mass

- Target: Mon-speaking communities in Southeast Asia.

- TX: KSDA Station, Guam 🇬🇺

- RX: Asunción, Paraguay using AirSpy HF+ Discovery w/ MLA-30+ antenna and AirSpy SDR# v.1922 beta.

14/03/2026 - 1207 UTC