MLA 30 Active loop antenna Questions and Answers and Personal Observations

[@brianveitenheimer4492]

I upgraded mine to a 4’ tubing loop. This improved lower frequency reception especially MW immensely. Longer loop,wire or element on any antenna will lower resonant frequency. I may have lost some performance at say 25-30mhz but that’s well above anything I listen to. It has been in use for 4 months now nonstop and it performs amazing for $50.00

[@martinabowm1786]

Fully agree with you, Gilles. I use this antenna together with multiple other longwire and vertical antennas. Most I built myself. I live out in the Irish countryside and have tested all these antenna types with my Tecsun 330,680,2000,H-501, Sony 7600GR, Fairhaven receivers. I can say that this MlA-30 (which is in the attic under an asbestos roof) competes very well with even my longest sloper in the back field! Considering that an outside sloper of good quality materials WITH LIGHTNING protection costs a good bit more than the MLA-30, it does not always produce better and "more" SW-signal! It is surprising how well this little combo works! Having it inside under the roof prolonges it's service-life and ist lightning proofed! It also is easy to reach for rotation. All that for €45.- -€55.- . Overall, it is the best value loop-system you can get! Tip: the MLA-30+ with the Tecsun H-501x = quite exquisite package!

[@whollyunaware5185]

I, for one, am very appreciative of you sharing your experience and expertise when it comes to SWL. Your contributions to those of us who are just learning the ropes of shortwave is truly invaluable. If it's good for Gilles & Paul it's definitely good for me! 73's, my friend.

[@johnemmons9087]

Don’t know if you still look at your comments from 4 years ago… There ARE improvements one can make on these! One is to a better coax on it via cut wire and attach a better connector at the box. The other one to also do is adjust the pots inside both boxes! Thank you again!

[@testcardsandmore1231]

I also live in a noisy environment and I say that the MLA 30 really made a huge improvement compared to random wires. If someone is interested in maybe getting in to the SWL hobby, do not give them the advise to start simple with "just a wire through the window", they will lose interest very quickly. I'd say that a decent antenna like the MLA 30 is an absolute minimum requirement for anyone living in a town or city.

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

being a newbie to the SW (DXing) that's good advise, I am just checking one out as I write this. Cheers

[@dannyshortwave]

I agree with you on the other antennas being way overpriced. This antenna is almost on par with my MFJ-1886 loop with the exception of Longwave. I can't see myself spending over $300 or more when you can buy this loop. Of course I may not receive those faint distant signals. Not worth the price difference.

[@kencossaboon3219]

I have been swl since 1974 and what you say is correct. Thankyou for the channel, I have tried harvest antenna's very over priced and made to take time to put together to feel it is the cat's meow. But there is no flexibility in moving them like this antenna does, if want to go camping you throw it onto the floor and off you go.

[@Lansolot]

I live in a semi major city and the long wire just picks up insane noise, gonna try this out. This hobby gets expensive real quick

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

we live in a residential area with a gulf Course behind us and like you I tried a wire mine was a thick speaker cable and also got more noise. would like to try out pure copper but may just put the $$$ towards the MLA.

[@icomic40s]

I am very pleased with the MLA-30. It cost me around $60 AUD. The MFJ-1886 here in Australia costs around $695.

[@glennvanderbusse4137]

and how's the MLA getting on are you still using it, cheers Glenn v from NZ

[@rondeldebbio9219]

Hello. Really like your on radios and antennas. What would be your recommendation for an active indoor antenna? Thanks.

[@wilsonsony]

great thanks, how does it compare to sony AN-LP1?

[@slam854]

I have only modest listening equipment, Tecsun S-2000, Pl-660 and a newly arrived PL-380. My old Hallicrafters S-120 is getting caps replaced but will be in service soon. I have listened on the W6lvp and found it an improvement in some circumstances but not always. Something smaller and more maneuverable would be nice. I did just order the MLA-30 and am anxious to set it up. I will try to locate it where a 180 degrees rotators can be installed though most of the time that is not necessary. What are the limits on the feed line length to the radio?

[@mikepeirson1150]

Thanks for video, as usual very helpful to me as a SWL. I wonder if this would work in my loft?.

[@DNYS8N]

I live in the country and will just run 300 feet of wire but are there any weird unique things not to do with long wire? Eg going under a power line? Going under the ground then up into the trees? Making a web? Height or directional orientation?

[@ronsarchery6378]

I have Teo set up. My only complaint is the cheap yellow connectors. The first one came loose because of a poor connection. I had to replace it. U fortunately the replacement was also flimsy. Those little yellow connectors suck. I am going to order better connectors.

[@micjam1986]

Hi Gilles, I just picked one of these up.... do you ever rotate this antenna after you dial in a station? i planning on using this for camping on my Tecsun PL-660. Also is there a big difference with height of the antenna off the ground?

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

height of the antenna is not that important with a look a few feet is enough as for shortwave broadcasts rotating the antenna has very small effect.. but on Mediumwave and longwave it has a huge effect

[@micjam1986]

@@OfficialSWLchannel TY my friend!!

[@abelincoln7473]

I just purchased one of these, however i thought that i would come with the SMA to 1/8" adapter. I ve searched for an adapter to go from female SMA to 1/8" phono plug but no luck... Where is a good place to buy one, or should I just make a pigtail? Thank you

[@profgyland2]

I purhcased this antenna from an fake Australian (Chinese) seller. The product arrived today and was of the poorest quality one can imagine. It is a knock off. The connectors have not been soldered at all and the first thing I had to do was using the soldering iron to fix that problem. There are other problems as well. It is now up to testing and we will see if it works at all. My advise, only purchase from a reputable company and not from the advice of some dubious product videos on You Tube.

[@medo123345]

👍 Very interesting video. Tks. Is there same antenna with Updated +.?

[@robredridge1703]

Would this work for receiving Ham radio transmissions where the transmitting station would be putting out 100 watts or so as well as the broadcast stations running many Kilowatts?

[@bluesdude758]

Antennas are like real estate, it's all about location, location, location. And the ionosphere. 😁

[@kartwood]

Very useful info. Thanks!

[@richardcallihan9746]

Can this system be overloaded? Let's say for LW? A 5'' dia air coil, 600+ turns 22awg close wound magnet wire mounted horizontally instead of the single loop

[@kc3ppb]

Would this antenna work with an SMA to alligator clip on a Tecsun PL-380 telescopic antenna?

[@laheart1957]

I just got the Tecsun 9700Dx. The MLA 30 will be here tomorrow. I am not clear how to power the antenna with 5 volts. I keep hearing about a 5 volt USB power supply. Can someone please tell me where I can buy this? Maybe this is a dumb question? 😮

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

It is a USB cable, any adapters that have a USB port, I use an old Iphone charger

[@laheart1957]

@@OfficialSWLchannel Thank you so much . Can you post a link if it isn’t too much to ask? I have quite a few Iphone chargers with me..

[@corpo33]

I hav put my antenna together but hav a question could someone answer is it OK to put the antenna in my Attic will it work would save me so much hassle as back garden space is soo limited thank you soo much .

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

many use it indoors and say they have good results, so it might work well in the attic

[@corpo33]

@@OfficialSWLchannel thank You I will Try it cheers for the reply .

[@kb8pih]

I have 2 MLA 30+ antennas. The Biasing Tee powers up fine on a USB plug in power adapter but when I try and power it through a portable power bank the power cuts off after a few minutes. This happens with both antenna Biasing Tees and with several different portable power banks different power cords. I would like to use the antenna for portable use but cannot power it. Is this normal or do I have two defective antennas.

[@curtchase3730]

Some power bricks will shut down if they can't see enough draw. I have one that can do that. Try another little brick. The amp uses very little power.

[@glennsanders6464]

What type of battery bank or power source do you need to power the antenna system

[@laheart1957]

I asked the same question in another channel, but got not answers.

[@brianvarey3488]

does this antenna use the w7iuv preamp? thanks

[@kc8tby]

I appreciate your review of this active loop antenna. I live in a one bedroom apartment and, a somewhat "noisy "environment in that I have a 5G modem/router right inside my apartment and, more than likely, a lot of hash from my neighbors' apparatus. I have no room for a longwire so, I'll try this active loop antenna as far away from my modem/route as possible and right near my porch sliding door. Who knows; will it help? I'll let you know my friend! '73!

[@billhuey8866]

Let us know. I just got it and it’s in my bedroom surrounded with computer gear, TV etc. the ability to null out a noise source with a floppy antenna out of the box is nice. I think improvements can be made with a larger loop made with maybe thicker copper piping but it’s good otherwise and I need to experiment more It’s not as good as my sky loop but impressive for something portable

[@kencossaboon3219]

I GUESS IT COMES WITH A PL CONNECTOR FOR SDR'S SO I AM GOING TO ORDER A REDUCER FROM PL TO BNC FOR MY ETON ELITE 750.

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

The connector it comes with is SMA so you will need SMA female to BNC

[@paulallen7015]

This is a great beginners antenna

[@lacey397]

have you use it on a police scanner

[@Flagrazi]

Good point.

[@skideric]

How about the HAM Bands?

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

works everywhere on the shortwave bands quite well

[@Kenika]

What does the usb cable connect to?

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

give power to the antenna from the power supply

[@Kenika]

@@OfficialSWLchannel I might be dense. What do you use for a power supply. Would a Ipad charger work?

[@Pollock1961]

Does not do Anything for SSB

[@vfrfoxtrott6430]

📡73 QRO ...

[@Pollock1961]

Does not do Anything for my radio

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

its not installed correctly, works amazing in high noise environment

[@Pollock1961]

@@OfficialSWLchannel i put it on my roof

[@Pollock1961]

@@OfficialSWLchannel im into shortwave for only a month with a tescun 330

[@OfficialSWLchannel]

You need to power the antenna, and you have the proper cable to adapt it to the radio right? what power are you using on it, might be creating noise in the antenna

[@Pollock1961]

@@OfficialSWLchannel a lot of noise