MW multi-turn loop antennas made with flat cables have been used for decades but all the projects that i have seen imply soldering of fine wires end to end shifted of one position or making a PCB adapter to obtain a loop
This can be done easily without soldering. The photographs are self explaining.
We need a 26 wires flat cable 1.27mm pitch but we use only 13 wires to get a loop with 2.54 mm separation between the turns.
Lets start!
Get a DC3-26P right angle socket, 2 meters 26p flat cable and two IDC connectors 26p
This loop has been tested with square shape size 50×50 cm so you need a 2 meters cable.
If you don’t know how to crimp the two IDC connectors look at the instructions here .
Remember to insert the two connectors with the notch facing the end of the cable on both sides. Then when you turn the cable around to insert the top clamp the notch will end facing the center of the cable like in the photo below.
Once prepared the cable all you have to do is insert the IDC connector on one end of the cable and insert the pins of the IDC connector in the opposite cable’s connector like in the photos below.
The photo below shows the final assembly with the two terminals that will be connected to a variable capacitor at least 330pF to cover the MW broadcasting band.
You can use a plastic capacitor like CBM-443BF
Here is the full antenna with PVC pipes support. It can be easly disassembled to take it with you on weekend trips!
This antenna is intended for passive coupling with a portable radio. There may be other variants for a receiver with antenna input or to replace the internal ferrite loop in a DSP radio.
Travel kit
Some technical data:
Loop size: cm. 50 x 50
Inductance: 265uH
Self Capacitance: 24pF
Capacitor needed to cover the AM band: 330pF