MLA-30 active loop antenna

[A.Z.]

check this preamp

https://www.larches-cottage.co.uk/rx_antenna/preamps/Balanced_Loop_Preamp.pdf

no "wideband" and that alone solves a number of overload and noise issues

and then see
https://www.larches-cottage.co.uk/rx_antenna/loops_rx/loops.php

for some other ideas


HTH

[A.Z.]

check this preamp

https://www.larches-cottage.co.uk/rx_antenna/preamps/Balanced_Loop_Preamp.pdf

no "wideband" and that alone solves a number of overload and noise issues

and then see
https://www.larches-cottage.co.uk/rx_antenna/loops_rx/loops.php

for some other ideas


HTH

for example, imagine using that varactor tuned preamp with the loop described here

https://www.larches-cottage.co.uk/rx_antenna/loops_rx/Evaluating%20a%20Broadband%20Active%20Loop%20Antenna.pdf

[A.Z.]

also see the tuned loop circuit found here

https://techlib.com/electronics/antennas.html

the circuit snd the loop are essy to build and offer acceptable perfirmance; alternatively, consider this circuit

https://www.arrl.org/files/file/QEX_Next_Issue/Jan-Feb2018/Steber.pdf

whi h can be applied to other RX antenna types

[TinkeringSteve]

Tuning remotely with capacitive diodes, that's interesting, no clunky hardware. But still annoying :-D
Doesn't a tuned antenna kind of defeat the purpose of having a spectrum view/waterfall?

I guess a tuned antenna is good when there is broadband noise around, and / or the radio receiver is not selective enough?

[A.Z.]

Tuning remotely with capacitive diodes, that's interesting, no clunky hardware. But still annoying :-D
Doesn't a tuned antenna kind of defeat the purpose of having a spectrum view/waterfall?

I guess a tuned antenna is good when there is broadband noise around, and / or the radio receiver is not selective enough?

remember that we're dealing with an "active" antenna so consider the antenna preamp too


and.. no, imVHo  a tuned stage doesn't defeat the purpose of  a spectrum/waterfall, think at it for a minute

[vinlove]

Is MLA30+ good DX antenna?  How does it compare with other antennas in performance?

[A.Z.]

Is MLA30+ good DX antenna?  How does it compare with other antennas in performance?

the MLA-30+ as is, when compared to other wideband active loops isn't a great performer, its only advantage is a quite low price, but then it falls really short due to a number of design faults amongst which the badly designed bias-t and the impedance mismatch between. the loop and the preamplifier .(and then there are others)

[richnormand]

I have one.
I agree with A.Z. comments.
If you get rid of the of the PSU and substitute  a low noise  supply as described in the early postings here and mod the loop wire for a thin copper pipe. it is OK.
It is a price/performance depending on your goals.
In an urban area it is lower in noise compared to my regular dipole lower than 15MHz and is compact and discreet on a balcony.

[coppercone2]

you can try to disguise it as a peace symbol

☮


Actually its one of the best covert antenna mods I have thought of. And theoretically it could also be disguised as B52 peace symbol.

[A.Z.]

or, either, one may connect the preamp box of the MLA30 to an antenna like this one

https://hflink.com/antenna/#BBTDROOF

[A.Z.]

if one is familiar with DIY, a better loop
is the varactor tuned one designed by
Charles Wenzel and described here

https://sivantoledotech.wordpress.com/2010/09/18/a-tuned-active-receiving-loop/

performance will be MUCH better than
the one from that poor MLA30 an other
chinese loops like the "K480WLA" which
for a reason or another fall short from the
desired/possible performance level

https://www.reddit.com/r/shortwave/comments/1b1ilw7/new_active_loop_antenna_is_available_on_amazon/

https://www.amazon.com/GOOZEEZOO-K-480WLA-Shortwave-0-5MHz-500MHz-Battery%EF%BC%88Built/dp/B0CMD3LD9Z