MLA 30+ Loop Antenna comparison to the Zero Five HF Antenna | Install of my Loop Antenna | SunSDR2

In this video, I'll show you what is inside the package and how I install it at my station. Additionally, I'll compare the reception quality between the MLA-30+ Loop Antenna and the Zero Five 27' HOA HF Antenna using my Expert Electronics SunSDR2 DX Software Define Radio.
#MLA-30
#SunSDR2
#ZeroFive
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Thank you for watching!
~~~~~ Video Contents ~~~~~
00:00 Intro
00:18 Inventory
02:30 Assembly
04:30 Small Yard
06:12 Local AM Radio Station
08:28 Distant AM Radio Station
10:06 20 meter Ham Radio
11:50 Receiving FT8 Digital
17:23 Outro

[@dougtaylor7724]

Don’t go down the distant AM station rabbit hole. I am hooked on listening to AM at long distances. So far there are about 2000 feet of beverage antennas strung around the property. Going to add more. Nothing like having land as a ham.

[@davemaier7]

I learned so much watching your videos. It is nice to see your daughter and your dog in them.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Thank you for your comments.. It's sad to mentioned that our beloved Molly passed away this year. My little girl was so sad.

[@eduardopower5254]

Hi there, Ive been using this MLA30 plus for 2 years now indoors. First, I replaced the crappy wire readiator for 6 feet of 1/8 copper tubing from home Depot. Waaaay better, that's a known upgrade for this MLA. Second it is surrounded by walls in your garden. Give it height, put it on top of the house and use a cheap rotator, remember loops are directionals when polarized vertical. You can check my channel I uploaded a video 2 days ago using my Drake R4B receiver and this upgraded MLA. 73 de Kk4nww 👍🏼

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Cool upgrade. I'll have to check that out. I wished Radio Shack was still around with their antenna rotator. Where would I find a cheap rotator?

[@olivrob2535]

bonjour merci pour cette video sur l'antenne MLA 30 + ca me renseigne bien merci ...

[@sc20910]

But isn’t the loop highly sensitive to its rotation? I would imagine you need to rotate it as part of the comparison

[@scottbelcher9026]

Yes it is! I was thinking that earlier, that perhaps the loop needed to be turned to work better for some of the locations… great point!

[@DK5ONV]

Wohooo Capt. this sneaky little Loop Antenna seems to work well for you. Can we try to make a Contact with this Thing? Believe it or not I had a contact with K4OGO, Walter from Virginia Beach Area just a few hours ago he worked me with a AL-705 Mag Loop Antenna on 20m Band with 20W LP from a Xiegu G90 Radio. That was frikken awsome. I could hear him 44 and he had me with a 55 signal report. I ran 87ft. Endfed Inverted L on a 40ft. Spiderbeam Telescopic Fiberglass Mast with 100W. That was such a great Contact which really made my Day. Good job on your new Mag Loop Capt Darren. Happy Easter Weekend for you and little Sophia. 73 de YFUG 💯🍻🙋‍♂

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Thank you Uncle Guenter. That was awesome you made contact in the US. I've been flying a lot and been busy with my family. 73's de N4VFR

[@andyM7XTT]

Hi cappy,your shacks looking great 👍 hope you n family are well 73

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Hello Andy, thank you and all is well with the family. 73's de N4VFR

[@laheart1957]

Does the MLA 30 improve reception in shortwave radios/receivers?

[@duanetrivett750]

I understand the MAL 30 takes 5 to 12 volts of power. Does it do better if you put more volts closer to 12 , have you tried that ? Thanks for the video.

[@g0fvt]

I just resurrected my MLA-30, handily powered from the USB socket on the rear of the FTDX101MP, not a wonderful antenna but ideal for a little diversity receive. I may put it in the loft with a larger loop.... by the way those sockets are SMA not BNC but I am sure you realised that. 73

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I'm using the MLA30 + as my primary receive antenna on my Anan 200d. It works!

[@scottbelcher9026]

Wow, great comparison video, the kind I was looking for… but the trouble here is the MLA-30+ is around $40, whereas the cheapest Zero Five I found on a quick search was over $700 with most being over a thousand $! For a lower price, is the MLA-30+ the best I can go with?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

The MLA 30 is only a receive antenna. I'm waiting for a cheap rotator or a Yaesu Rotator to come down in price. It's best to have a rotator so you can turn the MLA 30 to the best signal strength. And use the Zero Five Antenna for Transmit. Yeah, it's kinda pricey as well. I receive no kick back for make these videos. I purely make them for entertainment and educations to see if it's something that fits your situation. 73's and good luck in hunting.

[@M7XCB]

Hi there may be it would work better if you put loop antenna in the middle of the lawn as it bit near the wall.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I'll give it a try next time I'm back home.

[@dorf71]

if i'm understanding properly, you have the MLA30 what seems to be 10ft from your HF antenna... does this pose a risk to the circuitry inside the MLA30 or the SDR it's connected to when you're transmitting from the HF antenna? i'm just getting back in to amateur radio, and wasn't into HF until now, but i have an MLA30 and would like to get it on my roof which will be where my EFHW is based.... so I'd like to know if you've had any issues with the spacing here, or how you're dealing with that - thanks!

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I took my MLA30 down because I wanted to get an antenna rotator for it. I have not fully tested it out. I would move my MLA30 to the roof and away from my transmitting antenna.

[@cowboy6591]

At 9:30 Don't you have to tune a variable capacitor every time you change frequencies? That might be why it failed. And moving the loop in a circle may have made the difference.

[@Nostrildomus]

Good stile . I'd fly with you as pilot . T/C/E

[@denverferrell5217]

Rptate the antenna?

[@TheBlackn1ght]

Hey you have the loop is to low and close to a wall you need to send up the loop higher its mush to close to the wall and do the test again thanks

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yeah, I took it down right now and plan to put it higher perhaps on the roof and put a rotator on it. Thanks for your suggestions.

[@vu3mes]

Hi suppose I replace the steel wire with a similar Dia copper pipe, is there going to be any improvement?

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I would think if you replaced the wire with a copper one and a little thicker in diameter, you would have a better receive.

[@vu3mes]

@@DarrenN4VFR thanks very much 73

[@ON5RA]

I'snt A loop directional ? please do the test while turning the loop pointed to the location ..

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yes, its suppose to be... I just bought a rotator and will make a video in the future. If you haven't done so yet, please subscribe to my channel and click on the notification to so that you will get alerts of my new videos I post.

[@Ei2iP]

Are you rotating the loop, if not, you can't do test.. As the loop is directional. Loops like that are designed for low bands, 40M and below where noise is actually an issue.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I need a simple rotor.

[@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.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

That's strange.

[@carlosmacia357]

I had that same problem but found a workaround. Make sure that you power bank is completely powered off before you connect the USB cable from the Biasing Tee. At this point the green LED on the Tee should be off. Press the On button on your power bank now and the LED on the Tee should go green and stay green until you unplug the USB cable again from the bank. If I don't follow those steps, the Biasing Tee will shut off after a couple of minutes. Hope this works for you.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

@@carlosmacia357 Thank you Carlos for your feedback in regards to using the power bank battery.

[@stefanz6502]

I use a Samsung USB cellphone charger on my MLA-30+ and it adds no detectable noise on my shortwave reception. I also tried a battery bank with that tee and noticed no audible improvement in reception.

[@stefanz6502]

I own two MLA-30+ loops. The comparison you are doing is not really fair. A loop antenna is directional and to truly benefit from it's qualities you should place it on a remote rotator. I suggest the RCA remote rotator. Its little more than $100 and pairs very well with my MLA-30+ loops.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

I'll accept that. I'll look at those rotator and give it a shot. Thanks!

[@stefanz6502]

I am very impressed with your tall antenna.@@DarrenN4VFR

[@paulhastings3109]

hi captain went you transmit was hearing a buzz other than how you doing. Ever fly into Tampa. What would be the frequecy to the tower. you all fly over the house KQ4CD

[@DarrenN4VFR]

The hum was RF being picked up with my audio setup. Not flying in East Coast. Mostly flying in Texas.

[@paulhastings3109]

@@DarrenN4VFR you ate so funny

[@KG4JYS]

That looked like pl259 to sma rather than bmc.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Thanks.

[@penguin9952]

You really need to be able to rotate a loop to get any real use out of it.

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yeah, I need a rotator.

[@revadan]

loop is directional..

[@DarrenN4VFR]

Yeah, I need a rotator.

[@BoboAthanassion]

You should have gotten the Chameleon receiving loop. Much better product. Just my opinion. You need to put that loop on your roof. Needs to be higher up.

[@RealAndrewBlack]

Now here's a guy with no idea what he's talking about, but typical youtube comments.

[@ekbanjosworld4926]

Pronounced Ver-sa-chi !!! Not Versack

[@dmsadigitalmediaservicesar2586]

get rid of that crapy coax it comes with man and replace with some 400 and it will be better for sure. and get that loop above the wall man,