MLA 30 Active Shortwave Loop Antenna And Build

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#prepping #survival #emergencycomms

[@Pollock1961]

Sma wire broke, going into the radio bought a heavier duty one, as soon as i plugged it in it worked. Im impressed. I AM AMAZED HOW GOOD THIS WORKS, WOW

[@Kw1161]

Helpful hint, you can get a pvc tee which fits on the end of the pipe. You don't even have to glue it..... Another thing , I use a USB battery pack to power it when going on a picnic or camping, it lasts for hours. Great video thanks for the information 73.

[@outbackeddie]

Great video. I just got my loop antenna yesterday, and there were no instructions included. Your video was perfect - just what I needed. Thanks for posting this.

[@ballisticcoefficientdepend9811]

While I don't know much about these types of radios, this information could really come in handy one day; maybe even save my life. Thanks for the video and information, stay safe out there and God bless!

[@gary-kr7dm]

I bought the MLA30+ and installed it on a 3 metre plastic tube then fitted it outside on my eaves. Powered by a usb power bank feeding my Tecsun S2000, I have to say ,this antenna is brilliant. It’s very low noise and really pulls the stations in at night. I’ve since raised the MLA30+ up on a fibreglass mast about 6metres high so it’s well above my bungalow roof, And rewired the cable with RG8X from amplifier to receiver. The difference is quite amazing. People say that height doesn’t make a difference to this aerial, but I’ve now proved otherwise.

[@mikes1798]

Is the RG8X going from the balancing T (with the 2 sma ports and single usb port) to your radio or between the box at the base of the loop to the balancing T or both (all RG8X)?

[@gary-kr7dm]

@@mikes1798 I rewired from the amplifier on the loop antenna to the balancing T near the radio. I’m feeding the balance with a rechargeable power bank 👍

[@velsnow1]

I ordered an MLA-30. Great video. You explained the assembly very well

[@rebelsupply]

will it fit to a boefang uv5r or do you need any adapters ? mine is a male adapter on the radio. DANIEL

[@andreasg7834]

As an SWL I have also experimented with long-wire-antennas in the last few years. But this antenna is the best solution for me. I am very very satisfied with it and I wish I had discovered it earlier. 👍

[@mikes1798]

Ordered the MLA-30 on Amazon and ended up getting the MLA-30+. Bags were labeled with the older number but the T itself is labeled with the newer number. Factory probably just started switching over. Nice “plus”, lol. Thanks for the share, with winter coming in the northeast I wanted to get this in place now.

[@gigimazinga3956]

Thank you so much for this tutorial !

[@hamandshortwaveradioirelan4773]

Nice demonstration, thanks for sharing

[@wildkarl]

Hi, just to clarify, the little box is not the pre amplifier of the antenna. It is the power supply to the big box on the bottom of the loop. Some SDR's like SDR Play have this built in and don't need the little box. Thanks for taking the time to produce the video.

[@SDWNJ]

Yeah, it's analogous to a POE (Power Over Ethernet) injector, except this would be power over coax. It enables you to power it from the other end of the coax instead of having to run power through a separate cable to the box directly connected to the loop..

[@madmax2069]

Yeah, it's bias tee

[@krissyrose14]

This might sound nuts, if the SW antenna that I get doesn't work, I would get this guy and then go full out arts and crafts on it and conceal it in a wreath or wood embroidery hoop with a small sign saying "Ohm Sweet Ohm" and hang it on a window or in the apartment.

[@mattblack133]

AWESOME IDEA!!!! I just picked up one of these bad boys. 30+

[@jisa98]

Thanks for the tutorial!!!

[@scottbelcher9026]

Very helpful!!! Thank you!!!

[@kirknelson156]

thanks, I bought the antenna previously but it didn't come with any instructions and while it looked straight forward I wanted to be sure there wasn't something I was missing.

[@ironton655]

The bias T is what injects the 5 volts DC into the coax to run the preamp that is in the little box attached to the bottom of the loop. The put the preamp at the antenna to boost the signal coming into the receiver.

[@JerryEricsson]

I love to build kits, and have all sorts of crap that I never use for anything but the build was fun. Arduinos are my unit of choice and I have a half dozen WIFI radios in the house. Of course they are not real radios but wifi receivers that are programmed to play wifi radio stations from around the world. They are only useful where there is a good wifi connection that is open or you have the sign in data for. As far as Shortwave I love listening, and have several SDA setups that I plug into my laptop and play with but my house seems to be a great Faraday cage, very little signals can penetrate the walls or the steel roof that is in place after several nasty hail storms like most of the town shingles are a thing of the past, to much work after storms where the steel can be ripped off and replaced in a couple of days. Even the local AM/FM radio signals barley penetrate, and only some parts of the house can receive signals from the large Antenna some 1.5 miles from my home. Annoying to say the least. Several years ago I got my Technician ticket to operate on the Ham band, and it was wonderful while my wife was still with me and we traveled across the Southwest during the winter month .but we came home and during the covid deal, my wife developed Cancer, Since the hospital was closed to outpatient surgery, they could not do the tests to find the Cancer till it was far to late, she passed away 3 month after being diagnosed. She had the cancer in her stomach at first and virtually starved to death. I held her hand till the last. I was debilitated for a year and a half till my MD actually helped me out of the deep depression of the loss. Great man that DR. Anyhow now I am ancient and stuck in this damn house made of steel My ham ticket remains idle since I am the only one in my town with a ham license, the nearest 2 meter repeater is 26 miles away and I can hit it from my car but none of my little hand held transceivers can tap the repeater even though it is high atop a butte. This antenna should be the ticket for my getting back into shortwave listening. When I was a boy in the 50's and 60's I loved reading the back pages of Popular Electronics with their ham reports and drooled at the shortwave radios available back then. I even found an old SW set in the City Dump, the place were my buddy and I used for our shopping center as we were dirt poor back then, so I could listen to the SW bands that used to be filled with propaganda from Cuba, the Soviet Block and The Voice of America. I hear VOA is back up and running once more broadcasting to the Ukraine again. I hope it penetrates the Russian blockages, we learned years ago that the Shortwave bands are so plentiful that one nation could hardly block them all.

[@ferebeefamily]

Thank you for the video.

[@marvinhanson6942]

I know this video about two years old and you've probably moved things around by now but anyway loop antennas don't need to have hight to receive or even transmitt well, but in this case in the video it should at least clear the fence or the fence will make it some what directional, I us this antenna with a 1/2" copper refrigeratorant tube it's amazing how well it works.

[@Iridium242]

Yeah antenna now is up about 10 feet, however I did not think of changing out the wire for copper tube, that is a great idea, going to have to try that one out thanks!

[@MrJaz8088]

I built my MLA-30+ the same way but with a cap on top for looks

[@medo123345]

👍 Very interesting video. Tks

[@gingerunit]

Thank you very much for a very informative item. I wondered about the twisted loop. Mine is doubled at the moment! De G7OGX 73

[@ccccclark2605]

🙏❤️🇺🇸🇨🇱 from Central Texas

[@tonymagnier9846]

Excellent video. I'm awaiting delivery of one of these MLA30+ same as the one here, which is reportedly a lot better than the original MLA 30

[@discountcodes]

nice video :) So, glad Thrive has more chicken in stock!!!

[@KarlWitsman]

Wow! I heard the lady's voice from WWVH just before the man's voice. Good catch!

[@davidjones1393]

THKS

[@Evilslayer73]

IM about to buy the same set up for my bed room i dont have a yard to play with :)

[@mux1978]

Great vid. I'm a Newb and just got an Eton Elite Excutive. Works great. Getting lots of stuff, I especially like listening to sidebands/ham. What cable would I need to connect this to a standard 3.5 mini jack antenna input? Subbed!

[@joshuacouldren138]

Very awesome 📡 antenna it makes a huge difference too I had one sent to me from frank viglietta he has a shop in ringwood NJ 07456 hes a friend of my family and ham operator wdx2p 73s man awesome great video and anteena it gets in amazing reception inside my apartment im on 2nd floor in willcox a z

[@Rebel9668]

I live in a rural area with a large back yard. Would a long wire antenna be better for my situation? I'll be using it on a vintage 1949-50 9 tube Hallicrafters S40-A with screw terminals for the antenna that I've restored.

[@citicolina]

Camouflage on the pole is a key detail. Sleek!

[@pennyc7064]

I'm new to SW radio. I have a Tecsun PL-380 radio. The reception is good when i go to my local park but not indoors as there is too much interference. Would this set up you made with MLA 30 work indoors? I'm in an apartment and can not use this on the balcony in winter months as it is way too cold here, sometimes minus 15 celcius and I can not leave any windows open to feed the wire through. Any tips/suggestions.

[@n1kkri]

A owner of this antenna told me changing the direction of the antenna makes no difference. I am wondering if the preamp in the box contains just a high impedance input matching circuit to the input of the preamp making it broadband.

[@JOHN_COSMO]

I have an Antron A99 will this work with it? Should I make your LOOP ANTENNA?Thank you.

[@wilsonhallman2399]

Would this work as a good shortwave antenna to put in my attic. If not. What is a good attic antenna for shortwave. I need one that will cancel out alot of noise.

[@deepakkarambelkar8328]

Thank you! Amazing review. Just ordered a MLA-30. I will be plugging it into a XHData D808, which has an external antenna input. Can you please tell me what are the connectors/ adapter I need for it? Do I need a SMA male to a 3.5 mm mono male?

[@corpo33]

I wud like to know the answer tooo.

[@johnrobinson1140]

if your external jack is a mono phone jack (3.5 mm) then yes, 3.5mm to sma male

[@javiersalazar5020]

Will this antenna work to listen the 160 m and 80m Ham radio bands?

[@YoMoma777]

How much power does the antenna need to become “active”? Did I hear 5 amps? My power bank puts out 2.4 amps and it lights up green. Is this the correct amount of power?

[@greenpenguin8699]

Good afternoon, I have been researching SWL and am looking to enter the hobby. Your channel has been a great help with receiving information. I am good with computers and audio equipment but not so much radio or general electronics so bear with me. I have ordered an ATS-25X1 with the enhanced Russian 4.0 firmware. I live in an apartment and I am curious (1) How to adapt this antenna to the BLN (I am unfamiliar with the various connectors and their types) on my ATS-25X1 and (2) How effective an MLA-30 would be if sat indoors, in the corner of my 3rd floor apartment. I plan to use it outside but I am in an apartment building with windows that are very inconvenient for antennas. Thank you sir!

[@bangersnmash4856]

How long is the cable from the loop box? 😊

[@raddionschannel1771]

I just put mine together last night and hung it on some tacks here in my computer room. I am in Connecticut with an ATS 20+ and picking up zero channels unless I disconnect and put the radio's whip antenna back on. I understand that the MLA 30 is supposed to work better outside, but I have a terrible feeling something in wrong with my new antenna. :-(

[@charlesartificer2158]

Ohhhhh SDR! Would love to see a video on that.

[@Iridium242]

Coming soon!

[@charlesartificer2158]

@@Iridium242 cool can't wait. I was looking into sdr as a cheap way to set up a scanner, everything here is digital and trunked. So to purchase a scanner for that is over a grand. But with free soft ware an old lap top and less than 50 buck in hardware you can do the same thing. Would be cool if you could cover that in a video.

[@KPussGT]

Well done. I don't have a jack on my radio to attach the "sma" - how can I connect to the telescopic antenna on my Retekess 629?

[@manandatractor]

Alligator clip

[@bmh67wa]

Have you tried it indoors? I'm on the top floor of an apartment building with no balcony and solid windows that don't open. I've been looking for something that will increase reception.

[@Iridium242]

Yes it works great indoors as well I would put it near a window but its a great antenna for indoor use.

[@richardnorris3884]

What type of battery are you using?

[@begbieyabass]

if i put the stainless loop in thin black cable cover would that effect signals.. because of climate and coastal living stainless steel rusts.

[@Iridium242]

Nope should not effect it. I lived near the ocean so I know what you mean

[@Larry-jf4jm]

How will it perform if I replace the wire antenna element with a 1 inch aluminum tubing.

[@Iridium242]

No idea but it is something I have been thinking about doing, might work better

[@Impulse_Photography]

So, since I know nothing about these types of antennas, can I build this and use it in my home - Not Outside, or does it have to be up high outdoors?

[@sovietunion8304]

Hey sorry we’re late But it can work inside however your signal may be less Higher up in the house the better Probably avoid basement because of the foundation and ground Be aware that depending on your location you might introduce some interference from things like your WiFi router your power outlets and light bulbs Outside is better but it dosent necessarily need to be high as long as it’s a few feet of the ground it should work Higher is better but not crucial Highly doubt your be reading this scence it’s been 2 years But maybe your find it helpful

[@ceecee3152]

Hi again I have a Tecsun PL-680 SW receiver. Can you tell me what adaptor(s) I would need to connect the MLA-30 to the antenna input of this unit ? Thanks once again , for your great assistance ! Chuck.

[@Iridium242]

a 4 mm plug adapter from an SMA adapter should work perfectly

[@ceecee3152]

@@Iridium242 Thanks ! Chuck.

[@anthonylam8068]

I have the same receiver Tecsun PL-680. How well did this loop antenna work for you. I'm thinking of getting one too.

[@corpo33]

I'm about to make my antenna iv seeen on other videos people using plastic tubing around the antenna wire have you seen this before and would it effect the signal?.thanks and your video was excellent. GED IN IRELAND 🇮🇪

[@Iridium242]

Plastic tubing around the wire should not hurt at all As long as there is no metallic content in the plastic itself, it will be fine

[@begin_broadcast_5207]

Is it water proof? I’m getting a radio soon and I’m interested in having a more effective antenna. I’m getting a Tecsun pl-880 btw

[@Iridium242]

Yes the outside antenna part is totally sealed up and water proof, the inside amplified part (the part you plug into the USB cable) I would not put outside

[@tribulationprepper787]

@@Iridium242 Can you tell me why my Anker 15600 mAh USB battery charger/battery pack is shutting down when attempting to power my MLA-30 Active Loop Antenna??? Is there a simple cure to this dilemma? Thanks

[@Iridium242]

@@tribulationprepper787 Its probably not drawing enough current to keep the battery bank active. I would just get an AC adapter and plug in the antenna using the USB cable, its a pretty common thing to happen with low draw devices and these battery banks.

[@tribulationprepper787]

@@Iridium242 I guess I should have mentioned the need for portability as opposed to AC use. My bank is rated at 4.0 amps. Would a 2.1 amp bank solve the problem?

[@jungleman4921]

Can not buy a MLA 30 antenna amp here in New Zealand.

[@ceecee3152]

Can the MLA-30 be used as an indoor antenna ? It is impossible for me to pass the lead-in cable thru from the outside in my building Thanks ! Chuck

[@Iridium242]

It will work just keep it away from anything that might generate any noise

[@ceecee3152]

@@Iridium242 Thanks so much !! Chuck

[@dougsmith9571]

My MLA didn't come with a USB plug just a black wire , wtd?

[@RadioRich100]

ever compare the MLA-30 to a long wire end fed antenna?

[@toml.8210]

A long wire antenna will collect more energy and wavelengths, depending on the length, without amplification, and the loop antenna has the the ability to null out interfering signals, when you turn it. End-fed refers to transmitting antennas; the MLA-30 is only for receiving.

[@ceecee3152]

What must I buy to power the MLA-30 ?? Thanks, Chuck.

[@Iridium242]

You could use a simple cell phone charger or even a plug in adapter and plug it into the wal

[@ceecee3152]

@@Iridium242 Thx again !! Chuck

[@ebonyivory149]

Hi. What about the material of tube? Is it plastic or...? Thanks!

[@Iridium242]

thats just an old PVC tube that I had lying around, it does not come with this kit.

[@ebonyivory149]

@@Iridium242 Thank you!

[@komkom3425]

is the antenna dangerous in terms of voltage and power? can it catch fire or cause damage?

[@Iridium242]

No not at all

[@doyrayburn2668]

is this or sw only?

[@ebonyivory149]

What type of cable arrived to receveir? Sma female or...??Thank you.

[@Iridium242]

BNC, in the pics it showed SMA female but it ended up being BNC

[@ebonyivory149]

@@Iridium242 Thank you!!

[@lucasmills1246]

Will one of these make a big difference vs a wire on my PL 660?

[@Iridium242]

The wire will be a bit noisier but this is great for indoor install and works very well if you can't so a wire

[@lucasmills1246]

@@Iridium242 I may end up grabbing one then, I think I'll mount it outside on some pvc

[@jesuschristmorningstarchap3944]

😀 I'm watching the great video here only amplified antenna for shortwave radios where can I purchase an amplified antenna like this please message me back I'm Jack here in Texas 😄

[@Iridium242]

The link is in the description below. Its on my amazon store

[@jeffthompson8663]

What's the difference between this + and the ,,,-other than about $10 difference.

[@sailingyemaya9781]

Would this be good for a Kaito KA500L?

[@Iridium242]

Yeah as long as you have the adapter to plug in the antenna it would work with any SW radio

[@allancopland1768]

I bought one of these from a UK supplier. Performance is very poor compared to my 'Wellgood Loop' purchased from a Russian EBayer(RA0SMS) but designed by British amateur George Smart M1GEO.

[@richardnorris3884]

I really like this loop antenna. However my radio does not have that Jack. Does anyone think I could make an adapter and put a clip on it and then attach to my whip antenna?

[@Iridium242]

Yeah i dont see why not, I use an alligator clip for mine

[@richardnorris3884]

What SW bands does this pull in?

[@Iridium242]

All of them, wont work as well on the AM Bands but it covers all shortwave bands

[@richardnorris3884]

@@Iridium242 can you plug the usb power into a car USB port ?

[@tonythebutcher1959]

What’s the difference between shortwave and ham.

[@Iridium242]

Hams use shortwave bands, as well as VHF and UHF as well, so its sort of the same

[@tonythebutcher1959]

@@Iridium242 TY

[@privateerwoodworksnmore]

Will this work with a baofeng

[@Iridium242]

Nope, the Baofeng works on ham bands UHF and VHF, and this antenna is not made for that, its also made for receive only so transmitting on it would damage it.

[@privateerwoodworksnmore]

@@Iridium242 cool thank you, who do you recommend to learn how to properly use the baofeng on this platform

[@Psychonaut1974]

You recieved China there on 9.855 👍

[@jaakkooksa5374]

Does this work in MW?

[@Iridium242]

It will help some but not work as well on MW as SW

[@ericluther1872]

Can you transmit on hf

[@donaldhosmer1120]

NO...receive only antenna,

[@francismcclaughry3794]

? on an off set on a tower would this interfere with it.

[@Iridium242]

nope it should not

[@Snado]

I am 36

[@prashantvernekar41]

Horrible experience with setup.. it's impossible to build it neatly.. i didn't get the perfect round shape at all..😒