Low Cost Wideband Magnetic Loop Antennas - Page 2

ianf · 06-08-2012, 15:49

This antenna is certailnly better than the Degen, which I suppose its cost reflects. Its well made, and high frequency performance is certainly improved by using a 12V battery in place of the 9V one.
Its marginally better at 6Mhz , but at 9Mhz etc its really good, its easier to 'peak' having a wider peak. I think its also better at noise rejection, I often get decoded audio on 1 bar SNR on the Newstar rather than requiring 2 on the Degen. Delivery is quick from Australia too, paying via PayPal.
Its helped me listen to more stations than I have picked up before, in the 9-11-12 Mhz bands.
I will give more updates as I learn more

tpreitzel · 07-01-2013, 05:57

Yeah, I've been looking at the 6-18 MHz version of PK Loop's SW antenna, but the manual tuning presents a problem for occasional use outdoors. I also looked very closely at AOR's new LA-400 and simply drooled over it, but never seriously considered purchasing it for ~ $550 from Universal Radio. Since I live in a colder climate where SW reception degrades significantly from Oct 15 through Mar 15, I've decided on purchasing Pixel Pro's RF-1B. The RF-1B is currently being sold for delivery in the continental USA with "free" shipping, i.e. no additional cost over the $450, yes $450, price for the antenna with 50' of quad-shielded RG-6 cable.... <sigh> ...

I'm quite sure the results will be worth the price.... I repeat. Your average SWL is NOT going to spend $450 on an outdoor antenna to listen to DRM broadcasts. I sometimes wonder if I could buy Wellbrook's ALA-1530 series antenna and have it shipped to the USA cheaper than spending $450 for the RF-1B, though.

tpreitzel · 07-01-2013, 06:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianf

This antenna is certailnly better than the Degen, which I suppose its cost reflects. Its well made, and high frequency performance is certainly improved by using a 12V battery in place of the 9V one.
Its marginally better at 6Mhz , but at 9Mhz etc its really good, its easier to 'peak' having a wider peak. I think its also better at noise rejection, I often get decoded audio on 1 bar SNR on the Newstar rather than requiring 2 on the Degen. Delivery is quick from Australia too, paying via PayPal.
Its helped me listen to more stations than I have picked up before, in the 9-11-12 Mhz bands.
I will give more updates as I learn more

Since you're selling Newstar's DR111 on Amazon in the UK, I wonder if PK Loop would be open to reselling their standard frequency (6-18 MHz) SW loop in the UK since it's apparently a good match for the DR111. Seriously, the retail price of these magnetic loop antennas needs to be under $200 generally.

tpreitzel · 07-01-2013, 11:08

Disregard post #17. At the last minute, I chickened out because I really don't want to spend $450 to primarily listen to DRM broadcasts. Instead, I decided to first try Miracle Antenna's MMDs31 physically end-fed, but electrically center-fed dipole. Yes, an experienced amateur can probably build an equivalent antenna for a fraction of the cost. Personally, my time is more expensive than the $120 to ship this antenna to me. Yes, by the time I'm done tinkering around with less capable antennas, I'll still probably finish my journey through antenna land by spending the $450 for a magnetic loop anyway. But before I do, I'll probably spend $200 for LF Engineering's H-900 if the MMDs31 doesn't do any adequate job.

I'm moving these explorations in non-magnetic loop antennas into other threads, though.

ianf · 11-01-2013, 16:57

I could approach PK to see if he is interested, and see if the pricing would work,

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06-08-2012, 15:49	#16
ianf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 233	This antenna is certailnly better than the Degen, which I suppose its cost reflects. Its well made, and high frequency performance is certainly improved by using a 12V battery in place of the 9V one. Its marginally better at 6Mhz , but at 9Mhz etc its really good, its easier to 'peak' having a wider peak. I think its also better at noise rejection, I often get decoded audio on 1 bar SNR on the Newstar rather than requiring 2 on the Degen. Delivery is quick from Australia too, paying via PayPal. Its helped me listen to more stations than I have picked up before, in the 9-11-12 Mhz bands. I will give more updates as I learn more

07-01-2013, 05:57	#17
tpreitzel Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 394	Yeah, I've been looking at the 6-18 MHz version of PK Loop's SW antenna, but the manual tuning presents a problem for occasional use outdoors. I also looked very closely at AOR's new LA-400 and simply drooled over it, but never seriously considered purchasing it for ~ $550 from Universal Radio. Since I live in a colder climate where SW reception degrades significantly from Oct 15 through Mar 15, I've decided on purchasing Pixel Pro's RF-1B. The RF-1B is currently being sold for delivery in the continental USA with "free" shipping, i.e. no additional cost over the $450, yes $450, price for the antenna with 50' of quad-shielded RG-6 cable.... <sigh> ... I'm quite sure the results will be worth the price.... I repeat. Your average SWL is NOT going to spend $450 on an outdoor antenna to listen to DRM broadcasts. I sometimes wonder if I could buy Wellbrook's ALA-1530 series antenna and have it shipped to the USA cheaper than spending $450 for the RF-1B, though. Last edited by tpreitzel : 07-01-2013 at 06:53.

07-01-2013, 11:08	#19
tpreitzel Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 394	Disregard post #17. At the last minute, I chickened out because I really don't want to spend $450 to primarily listen to DRM broadcasts. Instead, I decided to first try Miracle Antenna's MMDs31 physically end-fed, but electrically center-fed dipole. Yes, an experienced amateur can probably build an equivalent antenna for a fraction of the cost. Personally, my time is more expensive than the $120 to ship this antenna to me. Yes, by the time I'm done tinkering around with less capable antennas, I'll still probably finish my journey through antenna land by spending the $450 for a magnetic loop anyway. But before I do, I'll probably spend $200 for LF Engineering's H-900 if the MMDs31 doesn't do any adequate job. I'm moving these explorations in non-magnetic loop antennas into other threads, though.

11-01-2013, 16:57	#20
ianf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 233	I could approach PK to see if he is interested, and see if the pricing would work,