Review for MP1DXR. I primarily use JT9 at QRP levels and purchased this mainly to experiment with. I ran some tests with the thing setting up on top of an off duty BBQ grill in my back yard. The base is probably 3 feet above ground level. The only properly mounted dipole I have is for 20 meters, so that is where I started. This antenna has a RX level of between -3 to -6 db as compared to the dipole. I was comparing this vertical to the horizontal dipole which might account for the 3 db spread. I was able to hit more stations with the dipole (pskreporter) but was able to make it to Florida from California on 2 watts at -25 db with both, at different RX stations.
When I tuned this on 17 meters, the RX was slightly better than the 23 foot 11 meter vertical that I normally use, then on 15 meters it had decoded RX signal levels about 3 db better than my 11 meter vertical. The TX seemed to be about comparable as far as reported levels go. I'm not sure how that happened other than the 11 meter picks up more electrical noise and needs a tuner on 17 and 15 meters.
I did tune this on 30 meters and ran it on the WSPR net over night. The RX was as expected about -3 to -6 db for most signals, +3 db on some, as compared to a horizontal NVIS 30 meter dipole. I was able to get reports in the -25 db range out to the other coast with a 1 watt TX signal.
On 40 meters it tuned flat and was able to pick signals out of the noise better than my 40 meter OCFW on the roof. This is my new favorite 40 meter antenna for weak signal digital modes.
A couple of items to note; I initially had an SWR of about 1.5:1 when tuned (not bad). I then tried spreading out the supplied radials on the ground and got almost a perfect match. This thing likes having radials, several 1/4 wave would probably work better than what I had. I was also using 50 feet of RG-8x, laid out on the ground which I think helped. The other item is that I did not have much luck when I had this on a ground level tripod, about 6 inches high. I could hear OK but the TX was relatively poor. After I set it up about 3 feet higher, life was good. That might have just been local obstructions but is something to keep in mind.
If you purchase this antenna with something other than this kit, I highly recommend the flexible whip extension. The first day I tested this we were having wind gusts up to 35 MPH. The telescoping tip would not have survived the few times this blew off of my test stand. The rest of the antenna is pretty rugged. The provided bracket has a threaded hole that a standard camera tripod will screw into.
This little antenna performs well on the HF bands. Worth the money and fun to experiment with :)
Edit added: This antenna will have SWR problems (2:1) if the exposed tuning coil gets wet, as in a rain storm. The problem goes away when the rain quits, or if you wipe the coil with a paper towel. I was thinking of tuning this for a favorite band, 30 or 40 meters, and then mounting it up upon my roof. I will now need to experiment with finding the best weather proof method for the coil. This is still great fun :)
Edit added: some common plastic and electrical tape work well for a temporary coil weather proof option. I plan to add some PVC down from the coil case, for a more permanent solution.
Ken - K6WGX
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Reviews with images
Good kit, but hard/impossible to tune on lower bands
The build quality of the kit seems good overall. The threads all mate up fine, and nothing was bent. The bag is nice, and the entire system seems to be well thought out. The tuning coil will probably be the first to break, but should last a while as long as you take care when sliding it up and down- the wires on the top and bottom of the coil form got loose on me, but seem to still work.Although the entire package is neat when viewed as a system, I'm taking two stars off for one big reason: This antenna doesn't work very well from 40-20 meters (but it claims it can). I've attached some pictures to illustrate. My Xeigu X180G has an SWR sweep function, and I've attached the best SWR I could get on 10M, 15M, 20M, and 40M. It tuned up easy on 10 and 15 meters, but 20 was tough just getting 6:1 and 40 meters wouldn't work at all. I'll give this portion of the review one caveat: this was with the antenna mounted to a window sill on my second floor and pointing out 45 degrees and the radials strung into the hallway. My house may have made it harder to tune up on the lower bands, and I'll update this review when I get the chance to operate the antenna portable in a field (it's intended purpose).
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Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2017
Although the entire package is neat when viewed as a system, I'm taking two stars off for one big reason: This antenna doesn't work very well from 40-20 meters (but it claims it can). I've attached some pictures to illustrate. My Xeigu X180G has an SWR sweep function, and I've attached the best SWR I could get on 10M, 15M, 20M, and 40M. It tuned up easy on 10 and 15 meters, but 20 was tough just getting 6:1 and 40 meters wouldn't work at all. I'll give this portion of the review one caveat: this was with the antenna mounted to a window sill on my second floor and pointing out 45 degrees and the radials strung into the hallway. My house may have made it harder to tune up on the lower bands, and I'll update this review when I get the chance to operate the antenna portable in a field (it's intended purpose).
Good kit, but hard/impossible to tune on lower bands
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2017
The build quality of the kit seems good overall. The threads all mate up fine, and nothing was bent. The bag is nice, and the entire system seems to be well thought out. The tuning coil will probably be the first to break, but should last a while as long as you take care when sliding it up and down- the wires on the top and bottom of the coil form got loose on me, but seem to still work.Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2017
Although the entire package is neat when viewed as a system, I'm taking two stars off for one big reason: This antenna doesn't work very well from 40-20 meters (but it claims it can). I've attached some pictures to illustrate. My Xeigu X180G has an SWR sweep function, and I've attached the best SWR I could get on 10M, 15M, 20M, and 40M. It tuned up easy on 10 and 15 meters, but 20 was tough just getting 6:1 and 40 meters wouldn't work at all. I'll give this portion of the review one caveat: this was with the antenna mounted to a window sill on my second floor and pointing out 45 degrees and the radials strung into the hallway. My house may have made it harder to tune up on the lower bands, and I'll update this review when I get the chance to operate the antenna portable in a field (it's intended purpose).
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