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Author Topic: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?  (Read 13534 times)

Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #30 on: July 15, 2020, 1012 UTC »
Wow, that is quite a discussion.   Here's my 3 cents.   The NRD receivers were near the top of the heap -- especially 515 and the 545, though the last in the line (545) had to the ears of some still some audio harshness issues.   I still have tow 545s and they are like riding in a Maserati.   Similarly, the JRC marine radios NRD-93 and up are like a ride in a sports car (though the NRD-630, very rare -- went to DSP like the WJ 8711). 

As for antennas, I have not used a MLA-30 -- I use a Wellbrook 1530 (the older LNP) and a W6LVP.   I hope to test the W6 with a MLA amp box -- so far the W6LVP has been the most quiet, though at some points needs a boost from a RPA-1 or other amp box.

If the MLA-30+ gets anywhere near the W6LVP, that is quite an accomplishment for a cheap, mass-produced made-in-China loop.

I have had a 515, 525 and 93, and they looked real cool on the desk. But they were nothing special in reception capability.  I mean they were very good, but if there was QRN, then it suffered. If there was no propagation for the signals I was trying to listen, they couldn't receive. They were just like any other communicate receivers. They had good audio and looked cool and made well with high quality parts.

But for NRD545, they are still very expensive here in EU, even the used ones.  I am sure it is a good receiver.  I have not had it before, but I read reviews that their audio is harsh, it is made of cheap plastic on the front facia, and mostly critically, they are no longer supported by the manufacturer?  I mean all that glorious marketing slogan - superb serviceability with the plugin module design, but not supported by the manufacturer? Whats the point?

Not grinding axe or anything, but just my passing thought on it :D
« Last Edit: July 15, 2020, 1034 UTC by alpard »
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Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #31 on: July 15, 2020, 1015 UTC »


For example, if we look at NRD-545, it scores all the top on all the aspects, but it used to cost about 2k? Even used ones go for almost 1k easy.


If you can find a JRC NRD-545d for $1,000 please let me know .
Thanks

I think you might get one from eBay by BEST OFFER?
But I would personally rather go for a new ICOM receiver (forgot the model number but very pricy), if going for a new rig, which is fully backed by the manufacturer = it is important when buying a brand new radio, I reckon.
ICOM R71E, Lowe HF-225, YAESU FRG100, TECSUN PL-330, PL-320, XHDATA D-109, D-808, MSi001 SDR, AOR AR3030, Sangean ATS803, ATS-909X, Antenna= Random Wire+ATU, Active Miniwhip

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Offline chanito

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #32 on: July 15, 2020, 2142 UTC »
Here's the test data for top end radio receivers.  http://www.sherweng.com/table.html


NRD-545 rates right up there with a Kenwood TS-430.


As for the MLA-30, at least on MW, it doesn't outperform a Belar shielded loop sitting side by side in the same room. I wouldn't expect any active magloop to outperform an active shielded loop indoors. 

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Matt285

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #33 on: July 17, 2020, 0012 UTC »
I was doing a bit of testing between my 135' OCF dipole and the MLA-30 on the roof. Although the OCF is better for weaker signals, I gotta say the MLA is quite a bit quieter on shortwave broadcast with a strong signals and it does show some directional gains. No regrets about my purchase. I may even buy a second just to use with me Grundig portable.

Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #34 on: July 17, 2020, 0912 UTC »
I have seen quite many SWLs BCLs using MLA-30 with good results for DXing.  Some of them have implemented their own DIY loop element either in shape of flat metal or copper pipe with thicker diameter, and seems improve the performance even more.
Also some of them use longer element size to work better on the lower freq. etc.  I myself quite look forward to using it, and placed an order of another MLA-30 this time for the later "PLUS" version.
ICOM R71E, Lowe HF-225, YAESU FRG100, TECSUN PL-330, PL-320, XHDATA D-109, D-808, MSi001 SDR, AOR AR3030, Sangean ATS803, ATS-909X, Antenna= Random Wire+ATU, Active Miniwhip

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Matt285

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #35 on: July 17, 2020, 2141 UTC »
I also tested at on the various time stations 5.000 , 10.00 and 15.000 and it received very well on the 5Mhz station. I expected it to perform better on the 15mhz station, but it worked better lower. I need to get a rotator set up.

Offline ChrisSmolinski

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #36 on: July 17, 2020, 2220 UTC »
From my experience, it's difficult to get significant directionality with loops on HF, at least as far as the distant stations are concerned. Somewhat easier on MW.

However it's much easier to get good directionality on local RF signals, such as RFI. So a rotator can still be useful for trying to reduce local RFI levels.
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Matt285

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #37 on: July 17, 2020, 2350 UTC »
True

Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #38 on: July 18, 2020, 1036 UTC »
So you don't need a rotator for SW.
For MW, yeah it will make dramatic difference.
ICOM R71E, Lowe HF-225, YAESU FRG100, TECSUN PL-330, PL-320, XHDATA D-109, D-808, MSi001 SDR, AOR AR3030, Sangean ATS803, ATS-909X, Antenna= Random Wire+ATU, Active Miniwhip

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Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #39 on: July 19, 2020, 1018 UTC »
You could mount the loop on a cheap camera tripod, and rotate it by hand i suppose, if your receiving signals are directional. Or have 2x loops, install them for different direction, and use them by switching over. (This is what I will be doing.)
ICOM R71E, Lowe HF-225, YAESU FRG100, TECSUN PL-330, PL-320, XHDATA D-109, D-808, MSi001 SDR, AOR AR3030, Sangean ATS803, ATS-909X, Antenna= Random Wire+ATU, Active Miniwhip

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Matt285

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #40 on: July 19, 2020, 1210 UTC »
Thats true. Especially if your using MLA-30's. you could have 2 loops in two directions for $100.00 or less.

Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #41 on: July 19, 2020, 1347 UTC »
My 1st MLA-30 was 29 euros, the 2nd one PLUS version was 34 euros. Both total was 63 euros including FREE delivery.
ICOM R71E, Lowe HF-225, YAESU FRG100, TECSUN PL-330, PL-320, XHDATA D-109, D-808, MSi001 SDR, AOR AR3030, Sangean ATS803, ATS-909X, Antenna= Random Wire+ATU, Active Miniwhip

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Matt285

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #42 on: July 19, 2020, 1402 UTC »
Alpard, I assume you received your MLA-30 (I could be wrong) If so, what do you think about it so far?

Offline alpard

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #43 on: July 19, 2020, 1603 UTC »
No, they still haven't arrived yet.
They have shipped from China, and will take many days to arrive. :(
That was the only problem before I hesitated ordering one.
ICOM R71E, Lowe HF-225, YAESU FRG100, TECSUN PL-330, PL-320, XHDATA D-109, D-808, MSi001 SDR, AOR AR3030, Sangean ATS803, ATS-909X, Antenna= Random Wire+ATU, Active Miniwhip

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Offline chanito

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Re: The Best Active Loop Antenna 2019 = MLA-30?
« Reply #44 on: July 19, 2020, 1816 UTC »
Magloops can also be mounted horizontally, which points the null straight up and straight down, making it generally omnidirectional. In practice, a horizontal magloop should be mounted as is practical.
PCR-1000, PCR-1500, RSP1A, RSP1, VR-120D, HDT-1, Accurian HD, Royal 3000
Caras HF-315, Belar LP-1A, SuperAntenna MP-1, RatShack 20-043 discone, MLA-30, 100' wire