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Technical Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: . on May 29, 2010, 0113 UTC

Title: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: . on May 29, 2010, 0113 UTC

What do you gentleman think about this antenna? There are many positive reviews on eham. Anyone here have experience with it?

Thanks

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: cmradio on May 29, 2010, 0314 UTC

URL pls?

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: . on May 29, 2010, 0746 UTC

Quote from: cmradio on May 29, 2010, 0314 UTC

URL pls?

http://www.parelectronics.com/swl-end.php

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/3707

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: cmradio on May 29, 2010, 0822 UTC

Given impedance matching is as important as antenna location, and a matching box it has, I'd say go for it :)

Peace!

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: . on May 29, 2010, 1601 UTC

Thanks, I've decided to give it a chance and just ordered one. I don't have a lot of space and hoping this will do the trick..

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: Tube Shortwave on May 29, 2010, 1639 UTC

This antennas is a longwire with a 9:1 balun feed.

My most sensitive SWL antenna is a 160 foot inverted L fed with a 9:1 balun.  Based on the performance of mine, I would say this will probably become your favorite antenna.  Add more wire for better performance on the low bands.   Leave as-is is you spend most of your time above 10 MHz.

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: . on May 29, 2010, 1819 UTC

Thanks, I'll keep this in mind if I'm not happy with the performance below 10 MHz. I'm guessing it will be a big improvement over my current antenna, an Imax 2000 CB antenna! ;D

Actually I'm amazed at what that big stick pulls in...

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: Fansome on May 29, 2010, 2128 UTC

I have been using one for a number of months now, and it works very well for me. I use it mainly for pirate listening, which is often very weak-signal, and it does a good job. I have used it both with a Sony IC-7600GR and an Icom 706MKIIg.

It does pick up noise, as you would expect a longwire to do. I have seen some debate on the net about whether it must be grounded, and whether grounding makes much of a difference. I never ground mine, and the noise level is usually acceptable unless there is significant local QRM, which would probably not be affected by grounding. I have seen other opinions about this that contradict my experience, so I would guess that it depends on your local situation.

I use it as a portable antenna, and I usually just unspool it across the asphalt of a parking lot. It seems to be well-made and durable, and it has the advantage that it is all black, which makes it very stealthy, particularly in low light.

Title: Re: PAR Electronics EF- SWL
Post by: Tube Shortwave on May 29, 2010, 2239 UTC

Grounding makes a BIG difference on this kind of 9:1 fed antenna.  Signals come up, noise goes down.