MLA-30 Loop Antenna For AM, and Shortwave Radios. A Long Term Review, and Demonstration

[@baneverything5580]

The Tecsun PL-330 is a very interesting receiver. You can push and hold the 5 button and disable the internal AM ferrite antenna and use the external antenna port, which is a hidden feature and the reason I got it. I haven`t yet tested it with a huge long wire but it performed extremely well directly connected to an AN-200 inductive loop. I just bought a 250 roll of antenna wire but I`m waiting until I get moved to my new location to set it up. I have some much larger homemade AM loop antennas that blow the AN-200 away but I haven`t yet modified them for a direct connection to a radio.

[@stefanz6502]

I paid all of about the whopping total of $28.00 for my MLA-30 Plus delivered last October. 2022 This thing is cheap but awesome. Coupled with my 30 year old antenna remote controlled rotator, this thing out performs my dipoles and my long wire. I initially thought that a Samsung USB phone charger connected to antenna amp would inject noise into the reception on my Yaesu SDR receiver, but I was wrong. The Chinese make cheap stuff, but OH MAN these guys have gotten good with time. Now this same antenna costs more like 40 bucks, but still very well worth it. Its Chinese gem that punches well about its 40 dollar price tag.

[@FarpointFarms]

Great idea having it on a rotator- that way you can really fine tune.

[@Mavv.err.ickk506]

I'm pretty impressed with that antenna. I've thought about a shortwave setup for a while, just to have it out in the shop. That's impressive like I said and all the more reason to start hunting one of those old radios. Really like these vids, Erik. Thanks for the info. Hope all is well up there.

[@brianveitenheimer4492]

2 years now and my MLA-30 is still performing excelent. Best $35.00 I ever spent!

[@tonys1210]

Eric if you get a chance tune into 5.598 USB you will hear new york center and flights crossing the Atlantic. It's interesting. 👍👍 That would be at nite like after 6pm on.

[@dannyshortwave]

Great combination with the classic Radio Shack DX-394 and the greatest low cost active loop antenna of all time the MLA-30. Great review and demonstration. Have a great day Erik.

[@dougtaylor7724]

That antenna works better than a 350 foot wire I use for shortwave and distant AM. Got to get one!

[@sdrsignals]

There are some not-so-positive reviews out there but this one matches my experience better. Fantastic purchase in my opinion. I use it with a software defined rado and really love exploring the airwaves from 1 MHz all the way to 10 meters (28 MHz)

[@camelid]

Need to grab one of those magloops, impressive. Btw the deedle-deedly noise wasn’t CW, it sounded like 45 baud radioteletype.

[@camelid]

Ok the first deedle-deedly noise was rtty - the second one in the ham band was about 3 cw signals on top of each other.

[@therixon]

Nice video chap!! Last week I bought a pocket Chinese SW, MW, LW, SSB receiver from Sihuadon.....it goes by a few names.....however, it was fulfilled by Amazon here in the UK, which makes me feel OK until the sentiment finally changes. I've been busy since it arrived, so only managed to charge it up and set the time on it. As such, your review of this antenna has been particularly well timed bud, as there's no way my partner would let me run a long wire around the garden!!

[@ehogsed9447]

Thanks for the great review I have one order now I can’t wait to try it.

[@FarpointFarms]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blakeanderson5064]

i had a friend who had a father that had it scan around the preset 24/7. it was annoying because we were trying to play atari . its a solid radio, ahead of its time for its mfg era

[@FarpointFarms]

If you were playing Atari while listening to SW, you must be a pretty cool guy

[@andreasg7834]

Wow!! Sounds great! 👍 I live in Germany and I have ordered the MLA30 on eBay two days ago. I think it will be delivered in about 14 days, because it comes from China. You receive a lot of stations there, but It seems that there are much more shortwave- stations in your country. Sometimes I listen via KIWI-SDR to american radio-stations on mediumwave. And there are still very much stations.👍 Anyway, i'm looking forward to get the antenna. 🙂

[@FarpointFarms]

You will love it!

[@baneverything5580]

I had the Radio Shack Realistic DX-392 portable in the mid 1990s. It cost me over 260 dollars back then but man did I get a lot of use out of it. I screwed up after a hurricane and left Duracell batteries in it and ruined the circuit board. I repaired it myself several times but it was too far gone and kept failing.

[@johnnytacokleinschmidt515]

I have my DX-392 Since early 1990's and it was my alarm clock for two decades. It's still at my bed. Fantastic radio and cassette. Cassette quit a few years ago. It needs a belt. I have two more at my job and workshop. I have two DX-390's which have the larger speaker and no cassette. Sounds Fantastic. I had a DX-440 and it's controls were slightly more intricate. I gave it to a friend. I have a DX-398 I believe. Compact silver very good. I have a Grundig 8.... Small compact black unit. Sticky case. It was discarded without antenna or speaker. It's really good. And I have many others. But the Realistic/Sangean radios are rock solid. Enjoy!

[@audiophileman7047]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for a great review. I'm going to get one of these MLA-30 loop antennas. 👍👍👍

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks for the kind words. I hope it works well for you

[@audiophileman7047]

@@FarpointFarms Sure, you bet. I've also just discovered your Midnight Cafe station. It sounds interesting, and I'll check it out some more. I've subscribed and tried to find a review on the Drake R8B on you site. I didn't see anything, but I realize that this is a pricey set and you may have enough sets. I hear nothing but glowing things about the Drake R8B and always wanted one, but I wonder if there's something just as good and for less. After watching your other videos, I know that you love the Radio Shack base station models. Do you have any thoughts on the Drake R8B or others in the R8 series? Thanks! 👍👍👍

[@LarryFincher-l2l]

Great antenna thanks for the video. I have terrible power line noise that I can not get the local EMC to fix but this antenna cut down almost all the noise when I adjusted it according to the instructions. Please do more shortwave videos.

[@FarpointFarms]

I am working on some new ones this month.

[@georgethayer3533]

Hey Eric this is George out in California hey buddy I ordered one of the antennas the the mla-30 antennas this morning after I watched your video on the shortwave antenna and I said well if Eric's had it for that long a Time and it's still working good I'm going to give it a shot so I'll let you know how it works buddy out here in California God bless have a great rest of your week

[@FarpointFarms]

Please let me know, God bless you and your family

[@georgethayer3533]

Hi Eric I did order mla 30 + it got miss place I am getting ready to install it I will let you know how it work for me oldgeorge northern California God bless

[@RadioMcRadioface]

Thanks for the review.

[@jopeirson7950]

Good video, I have had an MLA 30 for a few years now and still cannot believe how good it works. After years of stringing different wires and poles all around the place and the work that goes into that, the MLA 30 is so easy. I also have an MFJ 1886 and sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between them. I love your radio, I had a DX 394 years ago but the grandkids upset a jug of water on it and that was that, but it was the love of my life at that time I had just started as a SWL. I wonder if you could receive Shannon Volmet in Ireland from where you are, on 5505kHz, that is my start point when I have a session listening on the radio. From where I am in the south east UK I have received many stations from Africa with the MLA 30. Thanks for video.

[@sdrsignals]

I heard it in Florida the other day with this antenna.

[@Radionut]

I like the DX 394. I have a couple of them myself. My MLA 30 is sitting in the window of my radio room here and does a “OK job” it needs to be outside where it can be up in the open.

[@Spflowers10000]

Love your videos about radio stuff, I am kind of a late bloomer to the radio thing, always loved DXing am radio, even back when I was a kid (I am 51 by the way) because I am a football nut, and here in South Bend IN we didnt have sports talk radio until recently. I also like scanning the bands with my police scanner, I was wondering what kind of discone antenna is that that you have next to the loop antenna. Plus I was wondering if you think that loop antenna would be kind of useless in an urban enviroment because of all of the electrical interference. I bought a TECSUN 990x for AM radio and it is a GREAT radio for that, (I know way overkill for an AM radio, but I wanted a great AM radio forever so I bought it) I have kind of tried to listen to short wave with it, with just a long piece of wire being used as an antenna and I get some signals, but more interference than anything, do you think the loop antenna would be an improvement.

[@appalachianunderground8474]

Great video, I’ve had mine up for a month or so. Two quick questions, do you leave the power supply connected or do you unplug it and do you ever turn it in different directions to tune in a little better if needed. Awesome channel, thanks for the great information ✝️🇺🇸🤙🏻🅰️

[@tomcostello5058]

Definitely ordering this antenna. Thankyou sir!

[@KC5TGTRadiosNMore]

Excellent review. I’ve never used a loop but I’ve always heard that loops are directional antennas. Wonder if you have noticed that in your usage or if you have it setup so you can turn it from the ground by hand?

[@zach0gr]

This kind of antenna have 8 shape.rotsting it can kill some noise or an interfering station in medium waves

[@nugget8331]

Great video as always 👍

[@TalmidAndy]

This directional antenna in the vertical orientation, due to the deep nulls through the plane of the loop, and an omnidirectional in the horizontal orientation. It would have been nice to see it tested for directionality and in the alternate orientation.

[@FarpointFarms]

Here in the mountains, I found very little change based on direction.

[@greggaieck4808]

Farpoint Farms your Mla.30 is cool iam thinking about getting Mla.30

[@johnmcdougald1238]

What is a good way to ground an antenna like that? I live in Central Florida and have to deal with Lightening on a fairly regular basis.

[@koonce66]

GREAT Video....what website do you use for knowing what station is what? I'm in need of a good site that I can look up stations...

[@arthurjurkowitsch9785]

Great video and loving the channel. Keep up the great work. Btw is there a list of short wave station somewhere. I just put up my antenna and set up my rig. I too have just gave up the big city life and moved to the hills. Have not played with my license for about 10 years now and just starting to remember why I got into it in the first place. Kc2dhl out.

[@buffdelcampo]

Amazing

[@okladoma9782]

Greetings from Oklahoma. I have a question, can this particular radio pick up FM stations? If not, what setup would I need? I have been taking Russian for about a year, and would love to listen to some of the FM stations in Russia for language listening practice.

[@joecampbell7430]

Hi Eric, what’s the height you have the antenna at? Also, would adding coax make a difference? I can get the antenna to the peak of the shack but man….isn’t life fickle, 6’ short to the radio.

[@FarpointFarms]

It is mounted on the house so I would guess 30+ feet.

[@OffGridAussiePrepper]

disappointing at the bad angle of the camera to the lcd screen on the receiver.

[@metroplexchl]

Great antenna! Where do you go to look where a SW station is broadcasting from? I'm new and am learning a lot!

[@FarpointFarms]

Poke around on my channel I made a video on that subject.

[@ohanailo7743]

Wow!!! Awesome reception. What is the elevation of your property? Also I wonder how much power are these other stations broadcasting at. The quality of the camera to pick up your display of frequencies is very poor. Maybe elevate the camera, so the lens can pick up the numbers. Your display on the radio screen is faded to us the viewers. But other than that a great demonstration video. Aloha. 🌺🌸🌴❤️🇺🇸. PS. I wonder if you could pick up any broadcast directly from, Hawaii? Why you ask, because you stated in this demonstration that you were able to pick up broadcasts from the, Solomon Islands.

[@tomdxer921]

He never heard the Solomon Islands on this video. The SIBC uses 9545 but the video showed he tuned 9535 & said it was the SIBC which was wrong.

[@ohanailo7743]

@@tomdxer921 , Thank you for pointing that out. I was wondering about that. In the video the broadcaster stated, Solomon, not Solomon Islands. So I thought he meant the Solomon Islands. But the Solomon broadcast, it could have been coming from, near the, Mediterranean locations skipping across the ocean. Especially with him being on the east coast of the, U.S. just wondering. Thank you again, Aloha. 🌺🌸🌴❤️🇺🇸

[@coolbluelights]

I have a Yaseu FRG-7 and a Kenwood R-300 that belonged to my dad. he was really big into short wave. would this antenna work with these? I could never get them to do anything but whistle.

[@johnemmons9087]

Soooo....why couldn’t one use this to transmit? Maybe bypass the preamp? Would be a fantastic size for a go bag! btw...I purchased one because of your recommendation!

[@FarpointFarms]

I think the preamp would cook if you tried to transmit on it.

[@patm5165]

Couple questions, is it mounted on a rotor? If stationary, face east to west or north to south?

[@FarpointFarms]

Mine is not. I installed it and adjusted the position for best reception of the channels I wanted.

[@davidjernigan8161]

I'm wanting to try an sdr play software defined radio. It might be easier to find active frequencies since you can see the activity on the waterfall display, and it's way cheaper than something like an Icom ICR8600.

[@KarlWitsman]

I am impressed!

[@tommycorley1493]

Do you need to have a grounding rod for the MLA-30 Loop antenna?

[@FarpointFarms]

I add grounding rods to all of mine- most of mine are attached to our house, so I am always concerned about lightning strikes and burning down the house

[@lonnieclemens8028]

How tall is the pole for the MLA antenna? I ordered a line antenna and just got it today. Now I had to learn about the MLA and that it is better than the line. I paid $80.00 for the line.

[@FarpointFarms]

I think mine is about 20+ feet tall- It is on the side of my house

[@FarpointFarms]

I used a 3 foot piece of pole.

[@alzeNL]

Have you ever considered a bonito jet splitter and kiwisdr ? That antenna is amazing - i wish i could list thru it.

[@graybryan9521]

Is there any commercial broadcasting done on shortwave other than religious channels? It seems like that's all shortwave is used for these days (other than ham usage of course).

[@SeasparrowDD979]

So it goes into the AM jack? Or can I use it for both AM and FM jacks?

[@DNYS8N]

Does anyone know what adapters are needed to get the coax that comes with the MLA30 to connect to your radio?

[@woodchuker570]

BNC male to SMA female. that's for ETON 750, yours may be different.?

[@barneymm2204]

Do you have the link for the page you were referencing?

[@paulshakarian3046]

Would a rotator on that loop help with reception ?

[@aceman1126]

RIP 5085 😭😭😭😭😭

[@FarpointFarms]

Such a bummer.

[@midwestfisherman]

Is this antenna for receiving only?

[@SeasparrowDD979]

Yes. Don't transmit. You'll let the smoke out of it..

[@franktillman295]

How well can you pick up the Buzzer on 4625??

[@franktillman295]

How well will this work on local AM radio??👍

[@FarpointFarms]

I helps quite a bit.

[@dkadayinthailand3082]

They say the MLA 30 is not a transmitting antenna. Will accidental transmitting break it?

[@SeasparrowDD979]

Yes. It'll burn the internals up...

[@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.

[@Stefaon]

There are many powerbanks that turn off automatically after a few minutes if the consumption is low. I had the same problem with the one I used on my telescope, the problem is not the antenna, it's the powerbank...

[@christophersmith1155]

how does it compare with the discone antenna ?

[@curtchase3730]

What happens if you put a larger loop on it?

[@zach0gr]

The readout is not showing so good.yoy have to change the angle of shooting

[@johndavis3615]

one of the examples he tuned in was RCI he said it was from China and true the studios are but that transmitter is in CUBA, Not so far.

[@aceman1126]

I know this video is a year old but if you have trouble getting the radio screen to show up on camera just kill the lights in the room.

[@FarpointFarms]

Thanks!

[@davidjernigan8161]

I would like to see how it performs against a mfj, well brook, or other loop antenna. I have one of these mla 30s, I don't like the thin coax without an option to change it out to reduce local noise.

[@jonsymmonds1120]

At 3:39 is not CW. It is likely RTTY or a derivative.

[@mononcyoyo]

CW at this speed would give me a headache just by decoding it!

[@johnbarker9994]

Mine was great… but stopped working after a thunderstorm

[@FarpointFarms]

you must have gotten a surge- we had a storm here that took out lots of stuff-

[@dxace1]

Solomon Islands? On 9,535 khz....? Don't think so...

[@cbGamer481]

you help my screen on my pc i could not see it also the i fixed the setting better than ever now lol i can see it now lol

[@carmelofalzon3589]

Radio stations are easy to get lots of output power why not to monitor hf aircraft on USB and see how you go and make another video now that would be interesting..

[@bro.weaver1282]

WHAT? AJ not coming in on 12.160???

[@deusvult8251]

dont buffet the word of GOD

[@warlok363]

Lol. "god". Blood, sweat, and steel. These are real things.

[@bortz0230]

"Oops"? Why turn the radio off at 2:03 when the radio broadcaster mentions the word hell? Is Christ offensive to you or are you just afraid that's where you're going after death?

[@FarpointFarms]

Wow. Read into things much? How about the much more reasonable reason that I don't like swearing, and don't make videos with swear words. Good lord, you certainly jumped to conclusions there didn't you?

[@shane5395]

What a pathetic comment on what is only meant to be an informative review of an antenna..

[@bortz0230]

@@shane5395 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

[@shane5395]

@@bortz0230 AND ?

[@johnemmons9087]

Also..... do you ever point the antenna to different positions? If not what way is it facing? thanx.....

[@FarpointFarms]

I have it set north south facing as for my location that is what worked best. You certainly put it on a rotor for fine tuning your favorite channels.